Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
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there for us. I have always had great conversations with him about life in general." Even the lure of millions of dollars and instant fame was not enough to make him want to share that day with the hordes of media and fans in New York. He actually had chores that day. His mom needed him to do some yard work. So he did it! M ayo's humble manner upon his introduction to the Boston press had some fans worried that he lacked the necessary attitude to be a great linebacker. Those fears were dispelled as soon as he stepped onto the field in a New England Patriots uniform. He was named Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and that was just the beginning of his incredible first year. He was also named All Pro in 2010 and he represented the Patriots in the Pro Bowl in 2010 and 2012. And still, after a few years in the limelight putting up sacks, his values haven't changed. When asked what he does in his time off, he says, "I want to be home with my family." These days that means playing with his 3-yearold daughter, Chya, and 2-year-old son, Jerod Junior, in the backyard of his North Attleboro home, or maybe helping them tire out their bulldog puppy, Knox (a nod to Mayo's college years at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville). That family time continues to fuel his success. Mayo was elected captain by his teammates in only his second year. That was a show of respect I never saw in my 12 years in the league or in the following 17 years reporting on the NFL. His teammates' respect for him is mirrored by his high esteem for his fellow Patriots. Quick to share credit, he applauds his coaches, the organization, and his teammates at any opportunity. He is more comfortable singing their praises than he is talking about himself. And he readily cites the positive impact of former teammates. "Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, and Junior Seau taught me how to be a professional," he says. "They taught me how to study an opponent and prepare year-round for life in the NFL." When asked if he, as the veteran in the linebacking corps, has the same impact on the young guys, he replies, "You may have to ask them. But they are smart guys, and if they can learn from me what I learned from Tedy, Mike, and Junior, then we will be a better team." Mayo won't say it, but I can. He is a role model for young athletes—on and off the field. In a league rife with self-promoters, Mayo remains an anomaly. He will not try to artificially attract the limelight to himself. He may celebrate a big play, but you can bet it will be with his teammates, not 15 yards away from them in a desperate attempt to get on ESPN. The casual NFL fan may not know how good he is because he does not have a "sack dance" or a choreographed routine designed to bring attention to even the slightest accomplishment. Mayo cares only about winning. Dances don't help you win. And it would be out of character anyway. His impact isn't limited to the playing field. He and his wife, Chantel, are very active in the community. Together they have staged The Mayo Bowl every year since 2010 to raise funds for the Boston Medical Center. They both know how difficult it can be for the underprivileged to obtain good medical care. So in true Mayo fashion, they roll up their sleeves and do something about it. Boston Medical Center is just one of a number of charities the Mayo family is involved with. True to form, when asked about his charity work, his response is, "We grew up in the church. Giving back is just what we do." To him and his family, helping others is simply another part of living a good life—a life that seems to come naturally to them. I have had the pleasure of having a number of conversations with Mayo since he was drafted. Oddly enough, the more he accomplishes, the more humble he seems. But do not confuse humility with a lack of confidence. He has an incredible sense of self-awareness. He understands that he is a high-impact player in the NFL. But it does not define him as a person. Talking to Mayo one has to know that being a good man is just as important to him as being a good linebacker. From this angle, he is damn good at both. BC 106 Jerod Mayo, pictured with his daughter, Chya, is involved in a number of charities for children. "My mother was a huge influence in my life. She always worked at least two jobs and never let us know how tough it was." —JEROD MAYO BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 104-107_BC_F_CS_LateFall_13.indd 106 9/16/13 11:07 AM