Justin Blalock of the Atlanta Falcons
grew up in Hamilton Park UMC
By SHERON C. PATTERSON
Editor
Thanksgiving came on
a Sunday in October for
Hamilton Park UMC when
the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Booker
announced to his congregation
that NFL player Justin
Blalock had made a $100,000
gift to the church from his
foundation.
Justin Blalock, right, seeks to inspire youth at Hamilton Park UMC, where he was an acolyte as a child. He later became a
football star at the University of Texas before joining the NFL.
Justin Blalock, now a
fifth-year lineman for the
Atlanta Falcons, is a young
man with a grateful heart
and roots in the North Texas
Conference. He grew up
in
Hamilton Park UMC in
Dallas, where he served as
an acolyte, participated in
confirmation class and was
active in the children's and
youth ministry. He also was a
featured speaker for the youth
ministry on several occasions.
After graduating from
Plano East High School,
where he earned all-state
honors in football and
track, Blalock attended the
University of Texas. There,
he played right tackle and
received national attention for
making the block that allowed
quarterback Vince Young to
score the winning touchdown
against the University of
Southern California for the
2005 college championship.
Now a starting left guard, he
has played for the Falcons
since 2007.
Justin Blalock's work with youth includes running football camps.
Blalock created the Justin Blalock Foundation several
years ago to meet the needs
of youth like those in the
Hamilton Park area of Dallas.
Since then, he has furnished
scholarships, uniforms and
other items.
Dr. Booker was elated to
receive the gift.
"This gift is an amazing
blessing to the church,
especially in tough economic
times like these," he said.
"If you pray and have faith,
you never know where your
blessing is going to come
from."
"About half of the funds
will go to undergird and
expand our missions and
outreach ministry to the
community and the world,"
he said. "The other half of the
gift will support our youth,
young adult ministries and our
child care center."
"As a
congregation, we
feel blessed not only
by the monetary gift
that we received from
the Justin Blalock Foundation, but
our faith has been
rekindled by the
fact that a seed was
sown in this young
man's life years ago
through the nurture
and influence of his
parents and this
congregation of
faith. Now we are
receiving the harvest
of that seed for such a time as
this."
Blalock's parents, Louis
and Jacqueline Robinson,
are longtime members of
Hamilton Park UMC. Louis
Robinson coordinates the
missions and outreach
ministry, and Jacqueline
Robinson serves as an usher.
Mrs. Robinson's voice
was filled with joy as she
talked about the generous
gift: "He just called one day
and said he wanted to give to
the church. He was already
giving to the community.
I said, 'Wow!' I could not
believe it. Justin sees his money
as a blessing from God, and he
wants to give back.
"He is a kind and easygoing
person," she said. "He
grew up watching us serve in
the church. He understands
that the work of the Lord needs
money."
Blalock doesn't just donate
money to others, but also gives
of his time, his mother said.
"In Atlanta, he works
with an after-school program.
He sees how he can make a
difference in others' lives," she
said. "You often hear about
other athletes doing negative
things. I am very proud of him."