JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Playing one sport in high school was already a challenge — with practices, games, and schoolwork. But for one Jacksonville athlete, juggling two sports was part of his daily routine.
At Terry Parker High School, senior running back Malakhi Lewis said his motivation to balance both football and boxing came from a personal source — his mother.
Malakhi’s head football coach, Michael Holloway, said he always respected the young athlete’s work ethic.
“He’s always even keeled. Never too hot, never too cold. He’s always Malakhi,” Holloway said. “I think that’s a trait he has that’s going to carry him far in life.”
Every day, Lewis attended football practice, but his training didn’t end there. Three years ago, he added boxing to his regimen. After practice, he slipped on his gloves and stepped into the ring. Holloway admitted he had his doubts at first.
“I was like, ‘Hey man, you’re already taking hits out here on the field. So, you mean to tell me you step in the ring and box?’” Holloway said.
Lewis said playing both sports helped him grow as an athlete and as a person.
“My confidence went up, my body got stronger, and it made me more aware of everything,” Lewis said. “It makes me think better as a person. You could tell somebody, ‘Oh, I ran this many miles,’ but in the ring, you can say that, and it won’t show unless you put in the work.”
Holloway said Lewis’ dedication made him a role model for future players.
“He will be one of those kids, or young adults, that I’ll be able to look back on and say, ‘I had a kid named Malakhi Lewis who went through X, Y, and Z, and he battled through it. If he battled through it, why can’t you?’” Holloway said.
For Lewis, hard work came naturally. He said his determination came from his mother, who suffered a medical emergency last year. He worked every day to make her proud.
“Oh, I don’t like seeing her like that,” Lewis said. “That motivates me a lot to get up and go do something. I’m just grateful to have her as a mother.”
Lewis hopes to be a World Champion in the ring by the age of 24.