Two Super Bowl champions from Vineland High School were inducted in their school’s sports hall of fame on Thursday, April 10. The evening celebrated accomplishments from Tess Fisher, a former Rutgers tennis star, former Los Angeles Rams’ Jamil Demby and Kansas City Chiefs’ Isiah Pacheco.
Though Pacheco wasn’t in attendance, the presence for him, Demby and Fisher was incredible. Demby spoke on what this achievement meant to him.
“It was a full circle moment to truly be inducted with some other great people, some superstars of mine,” Demby said.
In his career, Demby made the First Team All-South Jersey Conference, the 2014 Maine Scholar-Athlete Rising Star, the 2015 CAA All-Academic Team and Maine Scholar-Athlete Bronze Medalist. He also received the 2016 Main Offensive Lineman of the Year award as well as in the First Team All-Conference from 2015 to 2017.
The support in Vineland is also unmatched, as that was another key aspect of his early football career.
“It truly shows that it doesn’t matter. We’re coming from Vineland—people talk down about Vineland—but you truly can make it and accomplish something that matters. You don’t have to go to a crazy school. You don’t have to go to a big-time high school. You can truly be someone great from Vineland. That’s the beautiful part.” Demby said.
“I’m just a reflection of all the people that encouraged me, motivated me, supported me… There’s no other way, being filled with that love, with that spirit, that I go and do the same. So, it just gives me more encouragement to give back, come back, serve this community—not allow this community to be a server for me, but for me to serve here in Vineland and serve the youth and try to give back the best way I can.”
Coming from Vineland and during his time there, Demby’s team did not win a lot of games, but it didn’t matter as he would go on to have a career in the NFL, leading to a Super Bowl championship. Once a draft pick in 2018, and before that a Vineland rising star, is now a Super Bowl LVI Champion.
“No matter what, I still put my heart and passion into the game, knowing something good was going to come out of it. To have those struggles, those losing seasons, whether in high school or college, but to make it to the highest stage… and feel the success of winning the ultimate award in football—it’s something I am beyond grateful for, and I only give all the glory to God.” Demby said.
Subscribe to First & Jenn for more feel good stories around the NFL.
First & Jenn 
Leave a comment