Neville Hewitt #43 of the Houston Texans (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The complicated story of Houston Texans linebacker Neville Hewitt and his family has run the gamut of emotional highs and lows. They've leaned heavily on their religious faith through the most difficult times.
Spending time together now with his mother is something the hard-hitting veteran defensive player and special-teams ace cherishes.
That's because they've been through so much adversity together.
Hewitt's mother, Deon Jones, is living in Houston now with her son, his wife and her one-year-old grandson, Kameron.
They were all together at a shopping event at a Target store in Houston for Children of Incarcerated Parents through The Freedom Child Foundation, where Hewitt was joined by several teammates, including long snapper Jon Weeks and linebacker Jake Hansen.
Hewitt, 31, knows just how those children feel. That's why he was determined to give them some hope, some video games and other items they got to pick out in a surprise shopping spree and put a smile on their faces. He dedicated his 'My Cause, My Cleats' footwear to The Freedom Child Foundation.
"It's cool to be together now, especially after all that we've been through and to be with these kids now," Hewitt said in an exclusive interview with RG. "I can give them the inspiration. To be with other people who have a similar story as mine and give back, it was awesome. We're all blessed."
Giving Back to the Community
Growing up in Georgia when he was in his first year of high school, Hewitt watched as his mother was sentenced to 25 years in prison for drug trafficking charges. Jones said she was riding as a passenger with a friend and the car was pulled over by police and drugs were discovered in the trunk. Jones emphasized the drugs weren't hers, but her friend blamed her. Jones was found guilty. Her former friend wasn't.
Locked away from her two sons, Jones was unable to raise them at that time and the separation hurt deeply.
"It was very tough on me, on her, on my brother, on all of us," Hewitt said. "To be together now, it's amazing."
And what a journey it became for Hewitt.
"Good things happen, and bad things happen," Jones said. "I'm proud of him. To watch him giving back to all these kids. He said some of these kids might be in his same position, maybe their parents aren't around or something. He wants to help them"
With the help of others and a lot of hard work and perseverance, Hewitt made it to the NFL after stops at Marshall University in West Virginia and at Georgia Military College.
Hewitt largely kept the family's issues to himself, preferring privacy above all else.
"It was my family's business," Hewitt said. "I knew I would be fine. I was going to go to college and have food and a scholarship and an opportunity. I focused on that more than anything. I focused on surviving."
Persevering to the NFL
He has forged a decade-long career in the NFL through sheer will and commitment. At Marshall, he shared Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year honors.
"He's always been a great kid," Jones said. "I'm very proud of him."
He went undrafted, but graduated from the college as the first member of his family to do so, and signed with the Miami Dolphins as a rookie. He excelled on special teams, covering kickoffs and punts. Eventually, he played for the New York Jets and became a starter. He started off and on for the AFC South champion Texans, as a capable stand-in during starter Azeez Al-Shaair's three-game NFL suspension and when Al-Shaair missed time with a knee injury.
"I'm proud of everything I've done," Hewitt said. "Nothing good comes easy."
Hewitt has played in every game, starting four of them. He recorded 60 tackles and one interception. Throughout his career, he registered 500 tackles, 22 for losses and 20 quarterback hits.
Meanwhile, Jones is still facing legal issues even after completing her sentence and being out early on good behavior, after eight years of imprisonment. She faces a new deportation hearing next year. As a convicted criminal, she could be sent back to Jamaica again.
The Battle is not Over
The family is enjoying the time they have together now, unsure of what will happen in the legal process. Not promised as many tomorrows together as they would like to have, they're enjoying each day.
She's already been deported once, going back to Jamaica for six years.
Since January of last year, she's been back in the United States with her family after winning an appeal through her immigration attorney.
"I've tried to call and see what's going on, but they can't even find me in the system," Jones said. "One time I called, and they said I was still incarcerated in the system and I obviously wasn't."
And Hewitt keeps playing at a high level. His teammates marvel at his tackling force and power. He's viewed as an inspirational person by them and his coaches.
"God is good, God is real," Hewitt said. "I've prayed for everything I've gotten in life. God listens. My mother got to see me play football."
A season ago, he tied for the NFL lead in special teams tackles.
Being with the children in need was emotionally significant for Hewitt.
"When I was going through it, I didn't tell people about it," he said. "To be able to do this, I know what these kids have been through, not having certain things. It's so cool to be able to give back."
Aaron WIlson
