Former Florida State fullback James Coleman is all about giving back, and that has never changed.
On Saturday, Coleman returned to his hometown of Tallahassee to host his fifth annual community giveback weekend.
It starts with a drive-through backpack giveaway and food distribution at Bond Elementary School. On Sunday, he hosts his football camp at Florida A&M University Developmental Research School.
Coleman played football for Florida High from 1998-01. He went on to play fullback for the Seminoles during Bobby Bowden's reign. Coleman owed it to his mother and the people around him who groomed him and put him in the position he is in now.
"A lot of things could have gone differently for me, but I was lucky to have people reach out and always give me a heads up so that I can be able to attend and prosper at Florida High as well as go to Florida State and have the career that I had at Florida State," Coleman told the Tallahassee Democrat.
"And really, what my mother taught me, and a lot of the people who mentored me, was that you know to whom, when you're giving something, it's your obligation to do the exact same thing for those who come right behind you," Coleman said. So that's really, really all about. I look forward to doing this every year."
What started the James Coleman Community Giveback Weekend
It was on Coleman's 36th birthday in the middle of the COVID pandemic, instead of putting his money into celebrating his birthday, Coleman humbly used it to help others in need.
He then linked up with fellow Florida High and Florida State grad Brittany Christie of Christie's Sports and Philanthropy Strategy Group and launched his first giveback weekend in 2020.
Coleman's mindset is like preparing for a football game. The first couple of months in planning are his practices. Then it's his game day. When asked about his approach, he quoted Muhammad Ali's line, stating he hates every minute of practice but loves the victory.
"I'm "definitely not always have the most cheerful move," Coleman said.
"What I'm doing is the way, when we get to this date, that's when I'm like, hey, everything was worth it once we, you know, once you see the kids and the family spaces and people being grateful."
The football camp is on Sunday and is for children ages seven to 15.
The kids might not have seen Coleman play at the height of his football career, but they will remember his name and how much he impacted his community, which will be his message when he talks to the Leon County children.
"I want the kids to realize that living here is a unique gift," Coleman said. "And once they make it, it's their job to make sure that other people realize the unique gift."
Coleman, who currently resides in Jacksonville, will continue to give back to the local communities. He mentioned doing his charitable events in cities like Jacksonville, Orlando, and Atlanta.
He is already planning to return to Tallahassee for year No. 6 of his giveback weekend.
- Aug. 24 vs. Georgia Tech *Dublin, Ireland at Noon p.m., ESPN
- Sept. 2 vs. Boston College at 7:30 p.m., ESPN
- Sept. 14 vs. Memphis
- Sept. 21 vs. California
- Sept. 28 at SMU
- Oct. 5 vs. Clemson
- Oct. 18 at Duke
- Oct. 26 at (U) Miami
- Nov. 2 vs. North Carolina
- Nov. 9 at Notre Dame
- Nov. 23 vs. Charleston Southern
- Nov. 30: Florida
- Dec. 7:ACC Championship
BOLD = ACC
* = Neutral Site
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Former Florida State star James Coleman hosts giveback weekend. Here's what inspired him
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