WXXV Student Athlete of the Week: KeJuan Washington
On this special segment of WXXV’s Student Athlete of the Week, we’re highlighting an inspiring story of a young man who came into this life quite early, but despite the many health struggles that came his way, he’s now thriving on a football field.
Get to know our WXXV Student Athlete of the Week, KeJuan Washington!
“His nickname is scrappy,” said Kejuan’s mother, Monica. “He was born one pound 4 ounces in Mobile, Alabama October 30th, 2010. He had three major heart surgeries, a PDA, a clamp on his heart, and it’s just really been a long journey.”
The journey didn’t stop there. KeJuan and his mother, Monica, had to go back and forth from Alabama the first ten years of his life for treatments, checkups, and even heart monitor placement, but ever since he was four years old, he played football in the yard with his older cousin and namesake, Keshawn Smith.
Now 13-year-olds, the premature baby ironically stood out to his future recreational league coach because he was so tall for his age and his very impressive skill set.
“His size and his mannerisms. You can really tell he comes from a good home and good parenting, and that’s something coaches look for, but also his ability to play football stood out. He does really well catching, blocking, tackling, throwing… he was all around,” said Jones.
KeJuan says throughout the years, football has taught him some very valuable life lessons.
“To never give up and you can do whatever you set your mind to, to put in effort when you go up against big teams that you’ve never played before, good sportsmanship, and leadership,” said Washington.
KeJuan also learned these lessons and much more at quite a young age after his role model, Keshaun, passed away in December of 2021. He said he plays football to continue his cousin’s legacy.
“For him to have a good role model and growing up with my nephew, I feel like he can be a good role model to the next, and as long as he keeps a positive attitude, he can be anything he puts his mind to,” said Washington.
In fact, KeJuan is already making a difference for the next generation as he helps a younger football player who was also born prematurely at USA..
“KeJuan was a big help coaching as well. He wasn’t listed as a coach, but he basically became a coach to these kids and helped him out a lot because he has a lot of struggles socializing and what not so it helped bring him out of his shell a lot,” said Mclendon.
KeJuan and the Washington family wish to continue impacting the life of youth in the Biloxi community, that is until KeJuan goes off to follow his dreams.
When he gets older, he hopes to play football for the University of Alabama, where his journey all started.
