By Jan White
[email protected]
CROCKETT – Crockett Mayor Dr. Ianthia Fisher proclaimed Saturday, Jan. 21 as Ja’Gared Davis Day in honor of the two-time Grey Cup winner who plays for the Canadian football team, Toronto Argonauts.
Davis, a native of Crockett, began his football career while in high school, nothing 228 tackles over his last two seasons earning him all-state honors as a senior and garnered him a selection as the District 20-3A Defensive co-MVP. While attending Southern Methodist University (SMU), he received recognition as First-team Conference USA, and was selected to CollegeFootballNews.com All-American honorable mention during his sophomore season. Prior to his junior year, Davis was chosen for the 2011 Rotary Lombardi Award Official Watch List and was selected to the second-team All-C-USA and FWAA National Defensive Player Of The Week in his junior year. He was named to the second-team All-Texas by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football during his senior year and named to the First-team All-C-USA following his senior season. His college record boasted 301 tackles, twenty sacks, four interceptions, twenty pass deflections, and six forced fumbles.
After his tenure at SMU, Davis began his professional career with the Houston Texans and subsequently signed with the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, and Washington Redskins before transitioning to Canadian football, where he played for the Calgary Stampeders, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and his current team, the Toronto Argonauts. The gridiron football defensive end won his first Grey Cup while he was with the Calgary Stampeders and won his second Grey Cup on Nov. 20, 2022.
Not only has Davis made a name for himself in football, but he is also a successful entrepreneur with his Champ 56 athletic footwear line and is the founder and mentor at his football training camp, “Camp Champ.”
Davis was honored for his accomplishments and his support for the city of Crockett at an event held at the Civic Center on Jan. 21. Family and friends gathered to speak on Davis’ achievements. The ceremony began with a welcome and opening prayer by Jessica James. George Davis, Ja’Gared’s cousin, introduced the guest of honor. “I’ve watched my cousin live his dream and make so many sacrifices, put in so much work, so many countless hours. He was born and raised in Crockett, Texas. And it’s one of the hardest places in the world to make it out of and be successful. This town has contributed to Ja’Gared’s success, and he represents where he’s from. For him to get something as special as this moment, you can’t ask for anything bigger than that.” After reading Ja’Gared’s bio, the microphone was handed to Floyd Houston, Davis’ uncle, Megan Davis, his sister, Gayla Houston, Davis’ mother, and Wayne Davis, his father, who shared their stories and reminiscings about Davis, sometimes with laughter, sometimes with tears.
Following the testimonials, Fisher read the proclamation announcing Jan. 21 as Ja’Gared Davis Day. The ceremony ended with Davis himself addressing the crowd, thanking everyone for their influence in his life. “I’ll always be grateful to you all.”
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