Inspired Calip leading Kilbourne ground game
J.J. Calip discovered his love of football through his family, and one family member in particular has inspired the journey the Worthington Kilbourne junior is on today.
Calip’s older brother, Bahati Juma, was shot and killed in June 2018 while playing basketball in the parking lot outside of the family’s apartment complex in Cleveland. Juma played football and wrestled at John Marshall High School.
“My older brothers loved football (and when) I was living in Cleveland, it kept me out of trouble,” Calip said. “I’ve lost a lot of friends in the past, so it’s just stuck with me. One of my brothers, Bahati, got killed when I was in eighth grade. After that happened, I took football more seriously. He played football, so I have to do it for him. I have to step up.”
Calip moved to the Worthington district to live with his grandmother, Mattie Chawinga, before his freshman year as a way to focus on football and academics. This season, he has become a featured part of the Wolves’ offense at running back.
A 5-foot-11, 185-pounder, Calip rushed for 924 yards and 11 touchdowns on 111 carries in Kilbourne’s first eight games. Making the transition to being a trusted playmaker has included an equal amount of growth off the field.
“A lot of teenagers like to go out during the season and play basketball on the court, which is cool, it keeps you out of trouble,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it’s not something that’s good for you during football season because if you get hurt, it’s the downfall of your team.”
At Kilbourne, he’s found a group of staff members that has helped him along the way.
“I’ve learned a lot (from) my teammates, my coaches, my teachers — Mrs. (Stephanie) Minor, Miss (Lawren) Smith, Miss (Amie) Freed, Miss (Kelley) Chase — a lot of them keep me focused just by keeping me motivated,” he said. “Our (athletics director) Mr. (Jeff ) Todd, (our principal) Mr. (Aric) Thomas, Mr. (Tom) Souder, Mr. (Josh) Almanson, Mr. (Zach) Peterson — they all keep me motivated and keep my head straight. I just have a lot of positive role models.”
Calip wants to use his experience to help others. “I want to be that positive role model for (my family) to show them that we can do this even though we came from a struggle,” he said. “I want to show a lot of inner-city kids that (they) can do it. I want to help kids out that are struggling with the same things that I was going through when I was younger. I want to bring a lot of people together.”
Coach Mike Edwards has seen that growth in Calip this season. The Wolves are 3-5 overall and 2-3 in the Occ-capital Division. In Friday’s 58-7 win over Franklin Heights, Calip rushed for 171 yards on 10 carries and scored two touchdowns.
“We’ve known all year — just seeing his ability over time — he was going to be a pretty special back for us,” Edwards said. “We’ve been challenging him. Seven weeks ago, I don’t think J.J. was a kid that could carry a physical load at running back. I think he had to learn how to be that guy.
“I want (him) to be a guy that can carry the ball 25 or 30 times a game if we have to. Ever since then, he’s just responded and taken off with that challenge.”