By Christi Mays
When Chaka Watson walked across the stage this May with his diploma in hand, it marked more than just an academic achievement, it was a triumph over hardship, loss and self-discovery.
Chaka, a native of Orange, Texas, overcame a turbulent childhood marked by the death of his mother from sickle cell disease when he was just eight.
“She was my best friend,” Chaka said. “After she passed, I had to live with my dad, who had just gotten out of prison. We didn’t have a relationship, and that was really hard on me.”
Struggling emotionally, Chaka found refuge with his grandparents, especially his grandfather, Leroy Breedlove – a beloved coach and teacher for whom the local high school football field is named.
“He was my role model,” Chaka said. “He showed me what impact a teacher and coach can have, and that inspired my career path.”
Chaka graduated this May with a degree in education and plans to teach high school biology and coach football and track.
“I want to work with high schoolers because I’ve been in their shoes – or worse,” he said. “If I can share my story and help just one kid avoid the mistakes I made, it’ll be worth it.”
After breaking some team rules, Chaka was kicked off the UMHB football team. He tried to play at several other colleges, but God kept closing door after door. After taking a couple of semesters off and working multiple jobs, he thought all was lost with his football career until a surprise call from UMHB Head Football Coach Larry Harmon changed everything.
“He asked me if I wanted to come back,” Chaka recalled. “Of course, I did!”
With special permission from the dean and UMHB president, Chaka was allowed to return and play once again for the team he loved, and as a sophomore, was part of the 2021 DIII National Championship team.
Chaka says football meant a lot to him, but credits his faith, family (especially his grandmother, Mary Breedlove, who was also an educator), and UMHB’s supportive community of donors for helping him reach graduation.
"Every time I felt like I didn’t have a way out, God always opened the door for me. Every time."
