Well, it’s not a bed of roses for the athletes. Oftentimes, fans fail to understand how most of the athletes have to overcome a rough patch only to reach the place they are in today. One such example is Ole Miss Rebels WR Jordan Watkins. At just 22 years of age, the young chap has already seen the dark side that life has to offer him. But did he give up? Not at all. While he already had an opportunity to sign with big commercial brands, he chose a nonprofit organization that aligns with his past experience and purpose for the future. After all, other than being an athlete, he now has to fulfill an important role in life. 

Already Watkins is carrying a huge burden on his shoulders now that Lane Kiffin’s No.1 receiver, Tre Harris, is down with an injury. However, this did not stop him from making it to the limelight by breaking the record with his eight-catch, 254-yard, and five-touchdown performance during Ole Miss’ big win against Arkansas. But amidst all these, Watkins is in no way ready to forget his dark past, where addiction played an ugly role. So he is now on a mission to save as many lives as those who had walked through the same path. On the Paul Finebaum Show, the ESPN analyst gave him an opportunity to speak on his new goal, “Talk a lot about giving back to those who share your past as you.” So what is it all about?

Well, today we know Watkins for his multi-touchdown record along with 254 yards for the first time in his four-year college career. But not many know how his family members, especially his mother, struggled with addiction. Maybe his luck favored and he got to sign a NIL deal with HarborPath, the non-profit organization that raises awareness on the dangers of fentanyl-laced pills. And on the show, Watkins shared his experience—“HarborPath has been a great partnership for me…it really just started with the on-campus campaign and turned into something bigger for them …it is something I care deeply about because you never know when somebody is going to need Narcan.” 

Narcan is a life-saving medication that’s often used for people struggling with overdosing. HarborPath is a partner of the William Magee Center at Ole Miss, where they provide naloxone (often marketed as Narcan). Now that Watkins has stepped into an important chapter in his personal life, it makes him more vigilant about his contribution to society. 

How Jordan Watkins is all set to break the cycle

The last lap of 2024 has been all about Watkins playing with a new purpose. While Ole Miss fans already got enough hints of his rage on the field, off the field too, the wide receiver is up for something positive. That’s because Watkins has welcomed his daughter, Kamrynn, into the world in late October. After all, performing dad duties is no easy task.

Especially knowing where he came from, the WR is now motivated to be a better example for his daughter and to gift her a better place to live in the future. Looking at the present data, it seems to be haunting Watkins. For instance, out of all, college-age people fall under the high-risk demographic for opioid use. As HarborPath President Ken Trogdon stated, “Overdose data indicates that hidden fentanyl, counterfeit pills, and addiction are harming young people and college students more than ever before. In fact, fentanyl is now the leading cause of death among young adults.” And here Watkins came up with a promise.

“Having a daughter now has really put it into perspective because everything that I didn’t have growing up, I want her to have…I just want to make the best situation possible for her to where she doesn’t even know what kind of background I came from,” promised the Ole Miss WR. Now that Jordan Watkins’ mother is all sober and has climbed her way back from the messy situation, that serves as the biggest strength for the athlete in his new drive.  

Also, if you are looking for some quick updates on the NFL, you can check out the last episode of the Think Tank podcast.