By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Gathering for a graduation party May 15 was a dream come true for Elisha and Adrian Dowell Sr.
The icing on the cake was their son Adrian “Bug” Dowell Jr. inking his letter of intent to play football at Tennessee Valley Prep Academy. The milestone moment for the youngest Dowell was set into motion prematurely 18 years ago.
Dowell Jr. was born May 29, 2003 after being carried 28 weeks by his mother Elisha.
“It’s a blessing and I owe it all to no one but God,” she said. “Strength, faith and courage he had from day one. He’s a fighter. He’s unique. It was just amazing seeing him grow with is eyebrows. He went from the palm of your hand to now. He had to grow into a human being.”
The baby that once fit her hand has grown into a three-sport standout for the Millington Trojans in basketball, track and football. He will take his talents to Alabama and play for Head Coach Adrian Allen.
The Defenders were founded in 2016. The Tennessee Valley Prep Sports Academy helps bridge the gap between academics and athletics to increase an athlete’s chance to play collegiate sports in the NCAA.
Dowell Jr.’s journey to the bridge of Tennessee Prep had a shaky start. Fighting for his new life, Adrian Jr. had to stay in the hospital for three months.
Then the Dowells had a scare one August day in 2003.
“I came home from work and he had a heart monitor on,” Dowell Sr. recalled. “The monitor went off. He had stopped breathing. They taught us how to do CPR. I started doing CPR and it brought him back. I think two or three weeks later they took him off the machine and his heart never stopped again.”
The heart that beats inside Adrian Jr. grew strong with the love of his family. Most were in attendance for his signing/graduation party. The Class of 2021 member noted his cousins, Orlando and Maurice Jr. pushed him to go outside and see the sun. They taught him how to ride a bike. His big brother Trey, who also wore No. 14, placed the ball in his hand.
“Words can’t describe it,” Adrian Jr. said. “I give glory to God, my family, my peers today.
“Fighting that’s in me,” he added. “When challenges come I look to go up and beyond. That’s just me. I like to overachieve. If I don’t overachieve I feel like my goal is not complete. I love a challenge. My mom taught me to fight and keep going. She taught me that, that’s her doing. I got that from her.”
Elisha guided her son to sports by middle school with Adrian playing the three sports he earned varsity letters and even baseball.
Once he entered high school, Dowell was a member of the Trojan Basketball team under Head Coach Jewell Gates multiple years. His time on the track resulted in a trip to State finishing on the medal stand alongside Reggie Caldwell, Corey Smith and Eddie Macklin.
But the sport that landed Dowell a shot at the next level was football. Since his sophomore season, Dowell has been an All-Region caliber player.
He earned All-Region honors over the years for defense, special teams and offense.
“If you’re not getting playing time or you feel like you’re not going to be able to get in, your time is going to come,” Adrian Jr. advised. “Just trust the process, trust you and then trust the process. Walk up every morning and say I can do it. It may be time you don’t feel like going to practice. Man, just do it. You never know how many eyes are watching you.”
Adrian Sr. said from coaches like Chris Michael, Darren Garcia and many more have helped his son reach this goal.
“A lot of people have helped him along the way,” Dowell Sr. said. “I just pray he stays healthy and the sky is the limit for him.”
Adrian Jr. said Coach Smith will be the next one to see the heart of the player called “Bug.”
“He’s going to get a player who is committed all the way,” he declared. “A person who is willing to work. I might get on his nerves because I want to stay more. He’s going to get a hard-working young man.”
The boy who survived premature birth, being ran over in middle school and the challenges of various coaches is destined for greatness.
“He’s gifted,” Adrian Sr. concluded. “He’s a gift being here. Hopefully he’ll stay safe and everybody who loves him is praying for him. Hopefully he’ll make it to the next step he wants to achieve in his life.”
