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TO CONGRATULATE JAVON KINLAW, FORMER DEFENSIVE LINEMAN FOR THE SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS, FOR BEING SELECTED BY THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE 2020 NFL DRAFT AND TO WISH HIM MUCH SUCCESS IN HIS NEW CAREER.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that Javon Kinlaw, Goose Creek High School alumni and former defensive lineman for the South Carolina Gamecocks, was chosen fourteenth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft held on Thursday, April 23, 2020; and
Whereas, Javon Kinlaw has endured many hardships in his twenty-two years. As a young child, he, his mother, and brother immigrated from Trinidad and Tobago to Washington, D.C. where they faced poverty, homelessness, and the lack of basic needs, often wondering from where their next meal would come; and
Whereas, as a way to escape the streets of Northeast Washington, D.C., fifteen-year-old Javon boarded a Greyhound bus to Goose Creek to live with his father. Upon enrolling at Goose Creek High School, his six-foot-five, two hundred-sixty-pound stature caught the eye of the school's football coach who worked to recruit the young man to play. Javon began his football career his sophomore year at Goose Creek and as a senior was named to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl; and
Whereas, following high school, Javon found great success as a defensive lineman for the University of South Carolina. He appeared in thirty-seven games over three seasons and started in thirty-four of those games. He is credited with 18.0 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and three blocked kicks; and
Whereas, considered a strong candidate to depart for the NFL after his junior season, Javon decided to remain at the University of South Carolina to complete his final two semesters. In December 2019, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies; and
Whereas, the defensive tackle ended his final season with multiple All-America awards. During his dominant senior season, Javon recorded 6.0 sacks, thirty-five tackles, two fumble recoveries, four quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, and one blocked kick. He became the twenty-fifth first-team All-American in South Carolina football history. Additionally, Javon was selected first-team All-SEC by the Southeastern Conference coaches, second-team All-SEC by the Associated Press, and was named as one of six Dr. Harris Pastides' Outstanding Student-Athlete Award winners; and
Whereas, with the help and motivation of several coaches, administrators, and mentors, Javon Kinlaw has been able to reach his full potential. As Gamecocks' coach Will Muschamp remarked, "I think in life, sometimes a young man just needs an opportunity, just needs somebody to believe in him. That's a young man who's been put in some tough situations and continued to fight, to persevere. He's an example to us all"; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciate the pride and recognition that Javon Kinlaw has brought to the University of South Carolina and to the Palmetto State and look forward to a future filled with further accomplishments by this talented athlete. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Javon Kinlaw, former defensive lineman for the South Carolina Gamecocks, for being selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft and wish him much success in his new career.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Javon Kinlaw.
This web page was last updated on May 12, 2020 at 4:37 PM