Chase Young Comes Home
On And Off Playing Field, County Leaders Are Prince George’s Proud Of The Washington Football Team's Chase Young As The County Council Awards A Proclamation To The NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year
By Raoul Dennis with Additional Research By Kia Lisby
When Chase Young told the members of the Prince George’s County Council that the Washington Football Team will win a Super Bowl Feb. 16, it wasn’t his most important remark. But you can rest assured that he meant it.
The 6’5, 264-pound NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year is the first to bring such a title to the Washington Football Team and the most recent since Lawrence Taylor did so for the New York Giants in the 1980s (we all know how that turned out). Young is just the third player with DMV ties to be taken as a second-round pick in the past 20 years. The other two were Michael Vick, who grew up in Newport News, Virginia, in 2000, and Andrew Luck, who was born in Washington D.C., in 2012.
Young’s high football IQ, willingness to learn and natural ability helped move the team from an abysmal 2019 season that left them in the basement of their division to a playoff team in 2020 that left fans salivating for 2021. He has become a team captain within his first year---something that is relatively unheard of, especially for a non-Quarterback player. His humble attitude and work ethic, despite being a high draft pick, have led the young rookie to gain the respect of coaches and veteran players in the locker room and on the field.
“Since I came here, I haven’t been on bulls---,” Young said in a recent Washington Post interview. “Guys knew that just from how I carry myself throughout the building. I tried to let everybody know that I’m here to work. I’m here to win games.”
It’s an attitude reminiscent of the tone a young Michael Jordan set for the Bulls when he came to Chicago in 1984. Forget the parties, forget the clubs, pass on the distractions and the nonsense. Focus on the game, improve your game and, when necessary, will your team to win.
But Young’s athletic abilities and leadership skills on the field are derived from his upbringing and commitment off the field. The son of an Arlington Virginia police officer and the NFL’s most popular mama’s boy because of his openly endearing love and respect for her, Young is a product of the character lessons he learned growing up in Hyattsville.
“After having the pleasure, many years ago, to speak to Chase’s little league football team and several positive conversations his dad, Mr. Greg Young (former law enforcement officer), it was only fitting to recognize the accomplishments of Chase and his family,” says County Councilmember Sidney Harrison who initiated the proclamation at the Council.
Young remembered Harrison as well - although from a slightly different perspective.
“[I remember] growing up in Prince George’s County and getting a haircut, I would see you in the barber shop and I knew you were important,” Young said of Harrison at the Proclamation presentation. “It’s crazy to be actually taking it to the next level now. I’m blessed and I am grateful.”
The Proclamation was given to the developing All-Pro by the council to highlight and support the way the young man carries himself on and off the field as a person of character and leadership.
“Chase is an outstanding citizen and has set a fine example for other young athletes and scholars to follow. Being from a family of law enforcement officers, Chase has stood on the right side of social justice, even speaking out in support of police reform,” Harrison says. “We truly appreciate his willingness to support his community by providing meals to frontline healthcare workers, while being a positive proponent of social change.”
Council member Sidney Harrison (D-Dist. 9)
“As a community, it is very important that we recognize and celebrate the success of our own,” Harrison continues. “In recognizing that Chase Young is homegrown and raised in the District 9 community of Cheltenham, we were super elated when he was drafted second overall, by our very own Washington Football Team. His very successful rookie season, which concluded with a playoff berth and the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, simply added to the happiness and excitement our community has for Chase.”
Still, one of the most important messages Young offered at the presentation had to do with the years to come.
“I’m doing a lot in the community,” he said. “You are the people who will help me do it. I want to do a lot of good in Prince George’s County. This is just our first meeting but I want to see you a lot more.”
It was a refrain that Young came back to several times during the presentation. Like his work ethic toward doing what is necessary to win on the field, Chase seems to be energized and determined to make a positive difference in cities and towns across Prince George’s County.
The Washington Post’s Sam Fortier provided a glimpse into Young’s driving energy to focus on the goal and to get things done shortly after Young transferred from St. Vincent Pallotti to DeMatha in high school. “Some players and parents dismissed him as a kid who only excelled against weaker competition,” Fortier wrote. “But in his first game, against Miami Central on ESPN, Young registered three sacks. Soon after, coaches noticed Young grow more comfortable speaking up. He let everyone know what the team needed to do to win — including older teammates.”
It was not a fluke but the beginning. By the time Young graduated from Ohio State University he’d made his mark there: becoming the most recent in a steady stream of Rookie of the Year honors by talent coming out of the university. The Buckeyes have now captured four of the last five Defensive Rookie of the Year recognitions once drafted to the NFL, according to the University’s Letterman Row.
But his humility and respect continue to shine through even as he accepted the award.
“First off, I would like to thank God because, without Him, none of this would be possible,” Young said. “Second, I would like to thank my family and friends for all their support all season long. It wasn’t the rookie season I expected with the pandemic…”
Now an adult but still not yet 25 years old, Young has wasted no time taking on social issues and providing leadership for the community he grew up in. Earlier this month, Young testified before the Maryland House Judiciary Committee on the issue of police reform. He and two other teammates announced support for House Bill 670, which would repeal the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights, among other things. Young comes from a family of law-enforcement professionals and is able to articulate value of evolving police practices for the benefit of all--- including and especially the community.
As ever, Chase Young is comfortable speaking up to those who may be older and more influential. And he has no problem doing the hard work necessary to back up what he believes in. An effort to keep a promise to his mother, Carla, speaks to this.
“The first thing I told my mom was she wouldn’t have to pay for college when I was young, then I told her I was gonna be a first-round pick” Young said in an interview with Jordan Giorgio of NBC Sports Washington. “It was something always in the back of my head, that I was always kind of doing it for my mom, just really trying to prove to her that I’m not a liar. Everything that I said I wanna do, and I told you I was gonna do, I did,” said Young.
County Council Sees Bright Future For Chase Young
“I’m the Cowboys fan,” County Councilmember Derrick Davis said boldly and without reservation. “But as I often tell my friends, I’m Prince George’s County first. I am Prince George’s County Proud of Chase Young for all the reasons articulated and even more so for the humility that you show today. [I am proud of] all that you show for Prince George’s County and representing us in the world. There will only be two times per season that I won’t root for you – that’s when you play the Cowboys. You can even sack the QB a couple times---as long as we win.”
Young’s response was clear and simple: “We are going to win the Superbowl. Remember I said that.”
Councilmembers pooled around the hometown hero.
Tom Dernoga (D-District 1): “I was hoping that they would make the right call at the draft. They picked a fine young man and made the right call. You represent the team and the county well.”
Mel Franklin (At-Large): Prince George’s County is a bastion of talent and diversity and you represent the best and the brightest. Ignore the Cowboy fans. We ignore them too.
Rodney Streeter (D- District 7): I congratulate you and whatever else you do this season. I’m expecting at least five sacks this season against the Cowboys. Drop Dak lightly but get to him often.
I have enjoyed watching you mature and grow. That says a lot about you – the way you stepped in as a leader that says a lot about the place you come from. I look forward to working with you. Continue to grow and know that you have the County Council as a major support.
Young: We will be on this call again – doing things that are very important.
Jolene Ivey (D-District 5): I have five sons and they are very excited. A lot of people are very proud
Todd Turner (D-District 4): I’m excited about your exploits on the field and the work you want to do off the field. We look forward to that. Congrats on being named Defensive Player of the Year.
Monique Anderson Walker (D- District 8): Chase, I want to recognize that you attended St. Columbo School in District 8. My children also went there. I appreciate that you are a scholar/athlete. I love that and all the dimensions you have. I am a huge fan of your godfather, Bernard Joseph, who introduced you the night that you were drafted. He has been a great impact on my children. He really pushed you toward criminal justice. Thank you for what you are doing for the morale of our country. You know my husband, Delegate Jay Walker, whom is a former NFL player. He is excited to see you on now too.
Young: I’ve got to come up there [to your offices to meet you all] once we get back [from COVID].
U.S. Representative Anthony Brown: It’s a pleasure and an honor to say congrats on the DRY award. Congrats for your on field efforts and thanks for your off-field efforts. My two boys attended DeMatha when you did. Their words about you extend beyond your performance on the field.
Sydney Harris (D-District 9): Your village is here and it supports you. Continue to let your light shine. It lights up the darkness. We support you and love you and we look to be community partners with you. Continue to let your light shine.
