Dolphins’ Terron Armstead buys bike & van for teen who walked 6 miles to graduation and his family

Terron Armstead – an offensive linesman for the Miami Dolphins – bought a new bicycle and minivan for an eighth grader and his family after learning that the boy had walked six miles to attend his high school graduation in St. Louis, Missouri.

Xavier Jones, a 14-year-old boy with sickle cell anemia — a group of conditions that cause red blood cells to become misshapen and break down — was gifted a $5,000 Ryan Pritchard electric bicycle at a celebrity basketball game led by Armstead’s eponymous foundation on Friday after the NFL player learned of his determination to succeed in the face of adversity.

“We hear a story like Xavier. It’s only good,” Armstead, a resident of Cahokia, Illinois, told the local outlet KMOV. “Follow Xavier’s lead. He is a leader whether he wanted to be or not. His story is inspiring. It’s motivating. That’s what leaders do.’

Raised by his grandfather after his mother passed away “a few years ago,” the eighth-grader has six siblings and has a perfect grade of 4.0 despite growing up in poverty.

“The shoes he walked in had holes in the bottom and holes in the top,” Jones’s mentor, Darren Seals, told me. KSDK. ‘Two and a half hours’ walk. A long way, I wouldn’t have walked it.

Jones walked 6.5 miles to attend his high school graduation from Harris-Stow State University

Harris-Stow State University president Tonia Smith (L) awarded Jones a full scholarship

“He did what he had to do.”

Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith, president of Harris-Stowe State University, was so moved by Jones’ dedication and perseverance that she awarded him a full “Presidential Scholarship.” The money covers four years of tuition, housing, books and tuition.

“I wanted to get my degree and all my awards and stuff,” Jones recalled KSDKadding “my grandpa, his car died” and that he could only attend his graduation if he walked to historically black college and university (HBCU).

“I didn’t expect this,” Jones told KMOV.

Armstead praised Jones’ leadership, adding that the teen is “inspiring,” “motivating” and a “leader.”

Jones received the gifts at a celebrity basketball game hosted by the Armstead foundation

Jones graduated from Yeatman-Liddell Preparatory Middle School this summer (pictured) and will be attending Lift for Life Academy in the fall

After receiving his new bike, Jones said he was “happy” to attend his own graduation because I didn’t have to walk anymore.

With aspirations to become a NASCAR driver one day, the teen is determined to “go to college without paying for anything.”

But for now, Jones’ next step is to continue his education at the Lift for Life Academy.

“I am so grateful to these two sponsors for their generous donations and for helping me make a difference in Xavier’s life,” Armstead shared on Instagram, crediting both Ryan Pritchard’s e-bike brand and Bommarito Automotive Group thanked for their contribution to the charitable gifts.

“Let’s keep spreading love and positivity!”

The purpose of the Terron Armstead Foundation is to ‘educate and challenge people who are looking for opportunities to become the best version of themselves’.

The nonprofit organization also hosts youth basketball and soccer camps for kids in the summer.