How Nola Built Me by Jalen McCleskey
Dec 20, 2019 | Football
The saying that football is family could not apply more to me.
Ever since I started playing football my family has always been with me every step of the way. Playing football is all I ever wanted to do.
I guess you could say it was inevitable that football was the path that I would eventually head down. It was kind of hard to avoid the game, especially after watching my dad play in the NFL for the hometown New Orleans Saints.
To watch my dad play football in the NFL was incredible, but to have him play professionally in New Orleans was truly special.
For anyone who's not from here, it might be hard for people to understand how much the Saints mean to the people of New Orleans, so to see my dad play for the hometown team was something I'll never forget.
The relationship between the Saints and New Orleans is a direct result of the people in this community. The people in this community make you feel like you are one of their own whether it is playing high school, college or professional football.
When you win, the city wins. When you lose, the city losses.
I've always been amazed with how this community embraced my father while he played professional football in New Orleans.
That feeling of togetherness in our city is what made his experience special, so when I had the opportunity to attend Tulane in the iconic city of New Orleans, the decision was easy.
This past season, so special for me was that I got to experience that same feeling he had as a player.
Playing for Tulane has truly been a special time for me. Everytime I took the field this past fall, I truly felt like I had the city of New Orleans in my corner and I wouldn't have any other way.
Growing up in the New Orleans area, the people of New Orleans have helped shaped me in the person I am today and to play in front of them and my family during my final year of college football is something that I will never forget.
My name is Jalen McCleskey and I am NOLA Built.
Ever since I started playing football my family has always been with me every step of the way. Playing football is all I ever wanted to do.
I guess you could say it was inevitable that football was the path that I would eventually head down. It was kind of hard to avoid the game, especially after watching my dad play in the NFL for the hometown New Orleans Saints.
To watch my dad play football in the NFL was incredible, but to have him play professionally in New Orleans was truly special.
For anyone who's not from here, it might be hard for people to understand how much the Saints mean to the people of New Orleans, so to see my dad play for the hometown team was something I'll never forget.
The relationship between the Saints and New Orleans is a direct result of the people in this community. The people in this community make you feel like you are one of their own whether it is playing high school, college or professional football.
When you win, the city wins. When you lose, the city losses.
I've always been amazed with how this community embraced my father while he played professional football in New Orleans.
That feeling of togetherness in our city is what made his experience special, so when I had the opportunity to attend Tulane in the iconic city of New Orleans, the decision was easy.
This past season, so special for me was that I got to experience that same feeling he had as a player.
Playing for Tulane has truly been a special time for me. Everytime I took the field this past fall, I truly felt like I had the city of New Orleans in my corner and I wouldn't have any other way.
Growing up in the New Orleans area, the people of New Orleans have helped shaped me in the person I am today and to play in front of them and my family during my final year of college football is something that I will never forget.
My name is Jalen McCleskey and I am NOLA Built.
Players Mentioned
WR
/ FootballSpring Ball Presser: HC Will Hall - 3/9/26
Monday, March 09
Spring Ball Presser: QB Zeon Chriss-Gremillion - 3/9/36
Monday, March 09
Spring Ball Presser: QB Kadin Semonza - 3/9/26
Monday, March 09
Tulane Green Wave's New Indoor Practice Facility
Monday, March 09
