Discover Black Heritage: Stone Football’s John Feaster

In celebration of Black History Month, each Thursday News 25’s Janae Jordan will introduce an African American making a difference in our community.

Tonight, on News 25’s Discover Black Heritage, News 25’s Janae Jordan will introduce you to Stone High’s first black head football coach who is inspiring students on and off the field.

In 2016, Stone High School Head Football Coach John Feaster stepped up to the plate and not only changed the dynamic of the Tomcats football program, but also made history, becoming the first African-American head football coach at Stone High. “I didn’t think I would be here. I didn’t think I would be a head coach.”

Feaster played football and graduated from Picayune Memorial High School in 2000 and finished his football career playing at the University of Cincinnati. “I thank God for allowing me to have this platform to show kids, not just only kids that are African American, but the other less fortunate kids as well that we can do it.”

Growing up, Feaster didn’t see many coaches who looked like him, but always remember people talking about Coach Henley, who coached at George Washington Carver High School in Picayune, which served as the high school for black students until integration.

Henley’s Carver teams won 112 games while losing only six with a 64-game winning streak. “Those are the shoulders that people like me are standing on. I don’t take it lightly. I’m going to always bring my best for him.”

Having faced many challenges and adversities growing up, Coach Feaster says his goal is to show young men there is always a way out of whatever their situation might be. “I do the best I can to try to be a beacon of light and give hope to the guys that come from a similar situation that I come from.”

Rocking a sweatshirt engraved with Psalms 23 on his chest, his mother’s name ‘Nora’ on his shoulder, and ‘lord strength’ on his hood, Feaster says it is about making his mother, his family, and the Lord proud. “This is a huge part of my life. I know it’s a huge part of my success that God has blessed me to even as a football player, but I try to teach my kids about purpose. So, I got to live with purpose.”

A legacy bigger than football is what this coach wants the most. “Football is easy. Winning lives and changing souls is a lot tougher.”