Remember The Titans: Mother And Son Offer Scholarship

A Phenix City mother and son have begun a scholarship program for boys who played on Columbus Youth Football’s Phenix City Titans little league team.

Mesha Patrick and her son, 2nd Lt. Phillip J. Ramsey, decided to invest in students who show commitment to their academics and community engagement through athletics.

“This is the first year we are offering the scholarship,” Patrick said. “It’s our way of paying it forward.”

Ramsey played little league with the Titans from age 5 until he was 12, before going on to play for South Girard School, Central High School, and for the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“If it was not for the experiences and the opportunities to play football as a young person, it would not have prepared him to play high school football and getting a division one scholarship,” Patrick said. “We know that not everyone who plays football is given an opportunity to go beyond high school with a football scholarship, but they are very strong academically. Therefore, this is our way of giving back.”

The duo plans to give one scholarship worth $1,000 to one worthy recipient every year.

Ramsey, 23, who is stationed at Randolph Air Force Base in Bexar County, Texas, said he believes it is important to recognize athletes who excel academically.

“It’s important to show kids that there’s more ways to get to college instead of football, but you should use football as a tool and leverage it,” Ramsey said.

He said playing for the Titans taught him a love for the game.

“Football at that age taught me how to be aggressive; it taught me about competition and how to build good habits,” Ramsey said. “I never lost that feeling.”