Father Of Caleb Jennings Reflects On Success Story Of His Son

BY ALLEN GREGORY
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
It was a typical day for Caleb Jennings Saturday at Fred Selfe Stadium.

The 5-foot-7 Emory & Henry junior bounced off, faked out and zoomed past defenders en route to 315 total yards. Players and fans from Washington & Lee joined the list of folks who marvel at the tenacity of the former Richlands High School star.

D.G. Jennings was not surprised at the performance of his son. According to D.G., the success story began to take shape many years ago.

“I think what really made Caleb such a good player was that everybody used to laugh at him when he was growing up,” Jennings said. “They would call him names like ‘Tiny’ and ‘Midget.’ ” Caleb would have tears running down his face.

Caleb Jennings, who was around seven at the time, converted the derisive remarks into rocket fuel.

“Caleb told his grandmother how he was going to a football player someday – a good football player,” Jennings said.

The rest of the story is Southwest Virginia football history. Jennings earned NCAA Division III honors last season after breaking an ODAC record with 2,161 all-purpose yards. His junior season has been almost as productive.

Jennings attracted the interest of coaches from the University of Richmond and Virginia Military Institute after his remarkable high school career. Dave Clawson, who later became the offensive coordinator at Tennessee, was the head coach at Richmond at the time.

“Caleb got accepted to Richmond and was all ready to go, then one of his buddies told Caleb that he might not like it,” Jennings said. “The Emory & Henry head coach [Don Montgomery] talked to Caleb and he just decided to stay close to home. Most bigger schools thought Caleb was too small to play, but I really think he could have done it.”

D.G. Jennings said his son developed his country-boy toughness the old-fashioned way by performing various chores on his grandparents’ farm.

“Caleb started riding the tractor with me when he was about five,” Jennings said. “There wasn’t much that scared Caleb. I do remember one day when Caleb was about eight that our cows got loose in the yard and a little bull chased him straight into the front door. He was scared that day.”

E&H quarterback Drew Piscopo is among the many admirers of Jennings.

“Caleb is a little guy, but he’s toughest kid I’ve ever been around,” Piscopo said.

It’s clear to see the popularity of Jennings. Fans of all ages pay respect to the E&H star by wearing replicas of his No. 7 jersey. The Jennings family, including Caleb’s three sisters and relatives from the surrounding Bristol area, gathers at the center of stands for each home game.

“We have up to 20 folks here sometimes,” D.G. Jennings said.

D.G. Jennings, who spent 28 years as a train conductor with Norfolk Southern, chose fast cars over high school football.

“I got a job and bought a car when I got to high school,” said Jennings, who has owned three Porsche sports cars.

With their outgoing personalities, homespun humor and powerful builds, D.G. and Caleb share many traits. Just like opposing coaches and players, D.G. wonders how his son can absorb ferocious hits and then come back for more.

“We all worry about Caleb getting hurt, but he plays with injuries all the time. I can’t ever remember him leaving a game due to injury,” Jennings said.

The bond between father and son was forged in youth league football with the Richlands Ravens.

“Caleb was so small back then that we had to find the smallest helmet possible, then take two chinstraps and tear them apart so the helmet could fit,” Jennings said. “Caleb would be running down the field and his helmet would be just bobbing up and down.”

According to E&H athletic director Trey McCall, Jennings exemplifies the can-do spirit of Southwest Virginia residents.

“Caleb is a perfect representative of our football program and college,” McCall said. “No challenge is too big for Caleb.”
D.G. Jennings admits that he can be humbled by the adoration and success of his son.

“What more could you ask from a son?” Jennings said. “Caleb has just amazed me.”

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