EUFAULA—Some coaches may only dream of what they would teach a professional football player if they had the chance.
But Eufaula High School Coach Dan Klages already had that opportunity in coaching Eufaula native Jerrel Jernigan, a kick returner and wide receiver for the New York Giants, in high school.
Klages and other coaches watched Jernigan on Sunday as he played against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 46 in Indianapolis. Jernigan, a third round draft pick that played for Troy University, is the first Eufaula native to play in the Super Bowl.
Both he and University of Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw are standouts in Klages’ high school coaching career.
“You just never know how they’ll do, but I felt like if given the chance they both would be successful. They are real examples to the eighth graders we have now that walk the same halls, work out with the same weights, practice on the same practice field as Courtney and Jerrel,” Klages said.
Klages said talented players like Jernigan represent more than what they’re taught on the field. He attributed some of their success to their family members that were committed to watching them mature their talent.
“We’ve had really good athletes over the years going back to Walter Reeves in the early 80s that played years in the pros. We’ve also had athletes that were good or even better than some of those that have made it. Some that had the tools but didn’t take advantage of the opportunity,” Klages said.
“What stands out about (Jernigan) is that when he needed help, he asked for it and he got it and he used it wisely, and he never got the big head about it. He always stayed humble and realized there was more to learn. His family is to be commended.”
Overall, Klages said he was pleased with Jernigan’s determination and believed the player would do well in the pros.
“Personally things haven’t worked out as good for him as he liked with a short pre-season and learning the system. Another year in off season and he’ll be right back in the thick of things,” Klages said.
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