Houston – On June 23, before hosting the annual James Houston IV Youth Football Camp in Jackson, Mississippi, he reflected on one of Jackson State's most memorable games: the 2021 SWAC Football Championship Game.
“The vets were packing their bags the whole time.” Houston told WAPT News. On playing in the game at Veterans Memorial Stadium: “It was a special feeling. I've never played in a game like that or felt a game like that. I think Swamp Stadium was one of the best environments in college football. [Florida]”And The Vet is honestly right there. It's right there when you pack up and leave. It's right next to The Swamp.”
The game was a competitive affair, with the Jackson State Tigers (11-1) and Prairie View Panthers (7-5) engaging in a fierce “cat on cat” battle at The Bet. To many, it remains one of the most memorable championship games in HBCU football history.
The Tigers were leading narrowly, 13-10, after halftime, but little did they know that “The Problem” was lurking in Prairie View, waiting to pounce. After Darius Campbell caught Lane McGregor's 36-yard punt, the Panthers were stranded at their own 12-yard line. One play and six seconds later, James Houston IV changed the course of the game.
He remembers watching from the press box as Jackson State applied pressure and forced Jowan Pass out of the pocket, the senior quarterback got into the end zone and fumbled a pass that James Houston IV intercepted and ran five yards for a pick-six touchdown.
As the cheers of Jackson State fans echoed from the veterans across campus and into downtown Jackson, Old Mo working for his hometown team as a Southern sonic boom played “JSU. Rock You!”, it was like a scene from a movie.
The heroes were fellow defensive star Aubrey Miller, the 2021 SWAC Freshman of the Year, and the Tigers' defense, which dominated in the second half as they shut down Prairie View A&M's offense and clinched the 2021 SWAC Football Championship with a commanding 27-10 victory.
Houston proved he was not only a “playmaker” but also a “game changer.” A few months later, James was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He didn't make the final roster, but he spent time on the practice squad, gaining knowledge of the game. On Thanksgiving Day, Houston immediately changed the dynamics of the Lions' defensive line. In his pro debut, he sacked Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen twice and forced a fumble on special teams that Turkey Day.
Houston set several NFL records as a rookie and made it to the playoffs and the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers, which is one of the reasons why James Houston is considered an HBCU legend and hopefully, one day, he will hoist the Lombardi Trophy in the NFL.
Check-in for the youth football camp will be at 8:00 AM at 34 Walter Payton Drive in Jackson, Mississippi.
