Jameel McClain

McClain was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to a Barbara Flood and Ralph McClain and has three siblings. Jameel was raised by his mother and spent many nights in Philadelphia's salvation Army. At the age of 14 his aunt and uncle took him in permanently providing him and his siblings with a better education and future.

Before football, Jameel was an aspiring boxer during his grade school years, training at the city gym and competing in Gold Glove competitions. Jameel attended George Washington High School in Philadelphia where he recorded 230 tackles, 22 sacks, 8 FFs and 13 FRs in his career. Jameel served as caption of his football team during his senior season at George Washington.

McClain played college football at Syracuse University as defensive end, while double majoring in communications/rhetorical studies and sociology. During his collegiate career he recorded 177 tackles, 21.5 tackles-for-loss, 11 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one interception. Jameel was ranked 7th on SU’s record list for tackles by a down lineman and is tied for 11th on the career tackle-for-loss record list. Prior to his 2006 Spring practice, Jameel moved from linebacker to defensive end and was a member of the 2006 Spring, 2006 Fall and 2007 Spring Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.

Off the field McClain has participated in many philanthropic events. During his upbringing in Philadelphia, Jameel often found himself with his three siblings and mother relying on the Salvation Army Rescue Shelter for food and a bed. “You’d just have nights where food was a figment of your stomach's imagination, where you would go to bed hungry," McClain recalls "Having the same jeans weeks at a time, sharing a room at the shelter with strangers and having to be there at a certain time, worrying that people were going to come in your room after you were asleep and mess with you...there were some tough times."

He has channeled his experiences and lessons into dedicating himself to the community and giving to those less fortunate. McClain used his experiences at the Salvation Army to help build the foundation for his future, earning a scholarship from Syracuse University to play football and joining the Baltimore Ravens 53 man roster. Since joining the Baltimore community in 2008 he has built a lasting relationship with the Salvation Army, becoming their spokesperson and speaking at their annual Red Kettle Campaign. In 2009 McClain and a few of his Ravens teammates participated in the Salvation Army’s Holiday Gift Distribution by distributing gift packages to local families in need. He has also worked with the United Way on a number of their “Extreme Makeover” projects, helping to renovate the Woodmoor Police Athletic League Center and the Medfield Recreation Center.

In 2009 Jameel spearheaded a Thanksgiving event called the “53 Families Dinner,” an affair benefiting members of the Salvation Army by providing a hot Thanksgiving meal to those in need. 53 Families Dinner continues to run successfully each Thanksgiving for Baltimore’s Salvation Army, with the help of Jameel and Ravens players. Jameel has also helped organized and run the “Jameel McClain Coat Drive,” benefitting about 300 children from around the Baltimore area with a new, warm winter coat. From the third annual “Lardarius Webb Charity Softball Game” to being a spokesperson at the Salvation Army “Kettle Kickoff,” McClain not only participates in these events but finds new ways to positively impact the community.

He has remained a constant contributor to the Salvation Army and was honored by the NAACP for his tireless efforts on behalf of the youth and the disadvantaged in Baltimore. In 2013 Jameel was honored with the Ed Block Courage Award for his outstanding work and charitable efforts to the Baltimore community.

On July 2, 2016, he married Mrs. Keisha Nichole McClain (née Sullivan) in Baltimore, MD.

• New York Giants bio
• Baltimore Ravens bio
• Syracuse Orange bio
• Prime Athletes bio