Through four years at Alabama, Courtney Upshaw was named MVP on two occasions: after the 2011 Capitol One Bowl against Michigan State, and again after the 2012 National Championship game against LSU. He was also deemed a first and second-team All-American. After being selected 35th overall in the 2012 NFL Draft, he played four seasons with the Ravens and is currently going into his second year with the Atlanta Falcons.
Now, he is also trying to give back to the community that raised him.
When I originally called Courtney to set up this interview, he told me I would have to call back.
Why?
Because he was about to go into a school to talk with kids.
“I’ve honestly just been going around, talking with kids, taking pictures, signing autographs. Back when I was at Alabama and I’d go home, I would go to the elementary (school), and figured out that the kids loved to meet somebody who they so called ‘famous’ or what not – even though I don’t think of myself to be that. My thing is, a lot of people don’t go down there and show those kids and schools any love, so I just wanted them to know that they had people that really wanted to do something special for them. They asked me to come, I made a promise, and I kept it.”
Like it or not, he is, in fact, ‘famous’. He has played in two National Championships and two Super Bowls, winning two rings in college and one in the NFL. While he understands that, it’s more about how he carries himself to stay humble than it is anything else.
“I just want, when I say that to the kids, I want them to understand that look, ‘I come from where you come from, I’m just a regular old guy. I was just blessed and able to do things differently to change my situation.’ That’s why I always tell them ‘I’m not famous, man. You can call me Courtney instead of Mr. Courtney or Mr. Upshaw. Just look at me as somebody who made it out, and you can do the same.’ I’m not trying to hide the fact that I’m in the league and people look at me as famous, but when I talk to the kids that’s how I kick it to them. You can be where I’m at if you do things [the right] way.”
A couple of years ago, Upshaw held a free camp for kids in his hometown of Eufaula, Alabama. After new NCAA guidelines were passed last season, dictating what camps high school coaches could or could not attend, Courtney decided to take the year off to keep coaches out of any trouble. The free camp will return this year, however, on July 8th and will begin around 8 A.M.
“I’m all about the kids, man. I have a lot of plans. I just got word from the little league team that these guys are having issues with their field and that the concession stands are terrible. This go around at my camp, something that I’m doing different is I’m selling some of my merchandise to try to raise money for them and for the Boys and Girls Club. I have somewhat of a name for myself and I just want to try to use my platform. It’s all about the kids, man, and anything I can do for the kids.”
His inspiration to give back draws from multiple different aspects of his life. From early in life, he was always able to find someone that could help him to stay on the right path.
“For me, honestly, I just knew growing up that, you know, I got people that backed me. [They] put me in a situation to help me get out of Eufaula, to be able to get a degree, to make it to the NFL, to be able when I was young to not be in the streets. I was always on someone’s team, baseball, basketball, stuff like that. You wouldn’t catch too many NFL players there, although Eufaula had a few – and we got another guy that just got picked up by the Raiders. I want to be that guy that goes back to show them like, ‘Look, I’m not going to forget about you guys. I know where I came from and how I was brought up.’ That’s why I do it. I know growing up I didn’t have it so I want to show these kids different.”
In the beginning, he mentioned that he was not doing anything that was a ‘big deal’ for the community, but that it was better late than never. He repeatedly told me he had plans, and that through following those plans he would help Eufaula grow
For him, all he wants to see is change.
No matter where this season takes him, I’m proud to say he is Built By Bama.
Stay tuned in to Touchdown Alabama Magazine for the release of Part Two – Football Life, in which we discuss his transition to defensive lineman in Atlanta, the biggest trash-talking lineman in the NFL, his days in Tuscaloosa – including a memorable time that involved Nick Saban yelling at him as a freshman – and more.
J.A. Weaver is a lead contributor for TD Alabama Magazine and Bama Hoops Hype. You can contact him via phone at 205-612-5060, or on Twitter @JWeaver_TDALMag
