The Metcalf family name has been synonymous with athletics for many years, but after the COVID-19 pandemic turned the nation upside down, they decided to give back to their hometown Clarksdale.
Two of former Clarksdale High School, Ole Miss and NFL offensive guard and current Pearl River Community College assistant coach Terrence Metcalf’s family members came to town with 100 cases of water for the needy Thursday and Friday.
Metcalf’s cousin, Jeff Williams, who currently lives in Germantown, Tenn. and is a 1995 then-Coahoma Agricultural High School graduate, was one of the family members. Metcalf’s brother, David Curtis, who is a 2004 Clarksdale High School graduate, was the other family member.
“It’s just a blessing that the Metcalf family could come back and give back to their community,” said Clarksdale mayor Chuck Espy. “People are in need and I’m very thankful as the mayor of the city of Clarksdale. Knowing that we have families like this that are able to give back, I’m very proud of that today.”
There were 45 16-ounce water bottles per case dropped off at city hall. The first 50 cases were delivered Thursday and the second 50 were delivered Friday. Each of the four city commissioners picked up some of the cases to distribute to needy residents in their wards.
“I’m from here in Clarksdale and every time we have a drastic event, we just try and give back to the community,” Williams said.
“We’re just trying to give back to the senior citizens of the community.”
Williams said he would prefer each household get one case, so the maximum amount of Clarksdale residents could be helped. He was not sure how long a case would last in a household.
“Actually, I can’t say,” Williams said. “I don’t know how much each household drinks per day. In my house, it would probably last two or three days.
“After they’re out, the mayor, if he would like, could contact me and I’ll try and get as much more water as I can.”
Curtis also welcomed the opportunity to make a difference.
“It’s always great to give back when you can,” he said. “When you’re able to help the people that are not able to help themselves, it’s a blessing.”
Williams and Curtis have both had their share of athletic achievements.
Williams was a power forward in basketball and a tight end in football during his high school career.
He went on to Coahoma Community College and then played basketball for Arkansas State University and overseas for five years in Norway, Brazil and Venezuela. He was on the only ASU team to play in the championship game. He also joined Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.
Curtis was a defensive end for the Clarksdale Wildcats.
Williams is a car salesman at Gossett Motors and has been in the profession for 18 years. He said since he is in a family with many athletes in the spotlight, it is extra important to give back.
“That’s one of my big things,” Williams said. “I always give back. Back home, I’ve got a non-profit where every year I give away about 300 pairs of shoes to the needy kids in the community.”
