As Bro. William Dardis, S.J. looks on, senior Thomas Nimmo thanks LSU kicker James Hairston for sharing his story with Blue Jays.

LSU kicker James Hairston visited the Jesuit campus on Friday, Jan. 31 to share his story with Blue Jays. Faith was a big part of his presentation

At the ripe old age of 20, Hairston, an alumnus of Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas, has experienced some of the highest highs and the lowest lows, he told about 60 students and most members of the Jesuit religious community. Attendees gave up their lunch break to hear Hairston speak.

It’s no surprise that Hairston, who switched sports from soccer to football, ended up continuing his athletic career in college. His parents played golf for S.M.U., his grandfather was invited to camp with the Green Bay Packers, and his uncle played minor league baseball in the New York Yankees organization.

His own athletic dream came true when a recruiter from Louisiana State University called to officially offer him a scholarship and an opportunity to kick for the Tigers. During the 2011 season, he helped LSU win an SEC title. One of the lowest points came about a month later when the Tigers were embarrassed by Alabama in the national championship game, 21-0.

The lowest point of his life came years earlier, when he lost his mother to Melanoma. James was 13.

“It’s easy to thank God when things are going well and a lot of us turn to Him at our low points,” Hairston told students using a dry-erase board to draw up and down lines he compared to the stock market. “It’s all those times in the middle that matter most,” he suggested.

The invitation to visit Jesuit came from Fr. John Brown, S.J., and senior Thomas Nimmo, the prefect of Jesuit’s Sodality. who knew Hairston’s story and thought it would resonate with students at Carrollton and Banks. Like a game-winning field goal, Brown and Nimmo were right on target. Of course, it didn’t hurt that Fr. Fitzgerald had taught James back at Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas.

After his presentation, Hairston invited all attendees to join him for Adoration and Benediction in the school’s small chapel.

Undoubtedly, Hairston picked up at least a few new fans. And not just for his ability to kick a football.

Read More:

TheAdvocate.com – Kicker Finds Balance in Faith