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By Mike Meraz
Hey 2-2! Hey 2-2! (Khai Le)
By Mike Meraz
Riverside City College’s No. 1 running back Jamaal Scott has always been doubted ever since his teenage years.
As a result, he always played like he has something to prove.
The chip on his shoulder resulted in a 731 yard, 6 touchdown season this past year for the Tigers, despite missing two games with a foot injury.
The outstanding season has led Scott to gain a full scholarship from Simon-Frazier college in Burnaby, BC.
“He’s going to stick out like a sore thumb” said good friend and teammate Francelin Rock. “That’s what he wants though.”
Originally from Ohio, Scott moved out to San Bernadino when he was 14 years old.
He attended San Gorgonio high school and decided he was going to play football and basketball.
The only reason anyone had paid attention to Scott was because he was the younger brother of then All-Conference running back Richard Murrel.
This was the beginning of a reccurring trend in Scott’s life in which he had to prove himself day in and day out.
Through hard work and motivation, Scott quickly became one of the top running backs in the entire league and was quickly making a name for himself. However, not too many colleges had seemed to notice.
After high school he decided to try his luck at San Jose State as a walk-on. Scott dazzled the coaches with his lightning speed and quick jukes, but was unable to participate in the season due to grades.
Scott had returned to Riverside County soon after and decided to join the RCC football team.
Scott was again in the shadow of his 6 foot, 1 inch, 240 pound brother as Richard was the starter during Scott’s entire freshman season.
It was then that he decided he would have to break out of his brother’s shadow once again, and create his own legacy.
Scott’s strong work ethic and motivation were soon noticed by coaches and players alike.
“He’s definitely the hardest working player on the field” Rock said.
“You can tell he plays with a big chip on his shoulder.”
The hard work paid off with first team, All-Conference honors for Scott, not to mention a full scholarship to a big time University.
With all the accolades to come his way, Scott does his best to try and remain humble and focused on the task at hand.
He realizes there is a lot more football to be played, and his career is far from over.
He’s going to work as hard as he can to reach his ultimate goal of being drafted into the Canadian Footbal League.
“I can’t wait to get up there and start playing” Scott said. “It’s going to be a new experience, with new people. I even already have a job lined up for me.”
He gives all of his credit to his mother and grandmother who have supported him ever since he started playing sports at the age of 7.
They always came to every single one of his games and made sure the crowd knew who he was with chants of “Hey 2-2! Hey 2-2!,” Scotts number throughout his RCC career.
When he finally reaches Canada, Scott will once again be an unknown who has to cast his own shadow on the football field.
“No one really knows me up there, so I’m gonna have to prove myself to them.” Scott said.
He wouldn’t have it any other way.
