JAMZ Celebrates Black History Month

Upstate Black History Maker JT Floyd Recognized February 26, 2008
Tackling Obstacles For Others

While working hard to achieve his own dreams, he still makes time to help others with their own. That's why we're proud to recognize J.T. Floyd as one of our 2008 Upstate Black History Makers. JT is a busy young man. At 18, he is the first African American High School Senior in Greenville County to have signed a Division One Letter of Intent – and he's signed it with the University of Michigan. So all day long, he practices and practices and practices. JT first really demonstrated his love of the game of football at the age of 3 ½ . His parents dedicated themselves to being supportive to his love of the game. For many years, his family chose to not take a family vacation so that JT could go to training camps instead.

But JT's life is not all about football. JT's parents were adamant that sports not get in the way of his education. And JT has maintained an overall GPA of 3.65 with a current GPA of 3.5 in his senior year. That's while JT stays enrolled in Honors and College Prep classes, the hardest courses high school students can take.

JT plans to major in Business when he attends the University of Michigan in the fall. When JT is not studying for school or in tackle practice, he volunteers at Maple Creek Baptist Church and with a local youth football program. He loves to work with younger kids and teaches them not only about his favorite game, but also about how to be organized and balance their football time with the rest of their studies and life.

Last summer, when some of his friends needed to go to summer school, JT volunteered to help them. They would come over and JT, a math whiz, would tutor them so they could understand how to do their homework and stay on the team.

For his stunning achievements as not only an athlete, but a student and a friend, 107.3 JAMZ is proud to salute JT Floyd as a 2008 Upstate Black History Maker.