Learning from tragedy
Jalen Young wears No. 18 to honor younger sibling
Brother’s experience shaped FAU football player’s path.
BOCA RATON — The number always meant something to Florida Atlantic safety Jalen Young.
His stepfather, Douglass Parris, wore No. 18 when he played defensive back at Troy University during the 1980s. Three years ago, it took on a different importance.
Young switched jerseys from No. 3 to that special number before his high school senior season to pay tribute to his younger brother, Antonio, who also wore 18 before a gunshot wound to the head left him unable to play football again.
“He was just so excited to play football,” Jalen Young said. “Before everything happened, he was like, ‘I’m going to be No. 18 this year, I’m going to be No. 18.’ … When they told me my brother could never play football again, I was like, ‘I’m going to wear this number for my brother.’ Since then, it’s been my number.”’
Even though Antonio’s days of playing running back are over, he continues to experience it through his brother on Saturdays. A junior, Jalen is the Owls’ leader in the secondary. He is tied for third nationally with five interceptions, including three in a victory against Marshall two weeks ago. Young is also the team’s third-leading tackler (56). No one has been more thrilled by production than his little brother, who goes to every home game.
“When I get to see my brother in person, I get joy,” said Antonio, who goes by AJ. “It’s not like any other college game I see on TV.”
One of Jalen’s greatest joys this season, even more than the Owls’ 7-3 record enter-
“When I get to see my brother in person, I get joy.” Antonio Young, on watching his brother Jalen play for FAU