Rakeem Jones: Former NFL player, Fayetteville native boosts student-athletes

Last year, the National Collegiate Athletic Association handed down a landmark ruling that would change the lives of student-athletes throughout the country. The ruling allows athletes to monetize their names, images and likenesses (NIL).

California Gov. Gavin Newsome signed the “Fair Pay to Play” act into law in 2019. Co-signed by LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, the bill made it illegal for state schools to prohibit athletes from making money from their name, image and likeness.

Chloe V. Mitchell, a volleyball player in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is believed to be the first player to make money from her likeness. South View High School graduate Greg Gilmore wishes he’d had this opportunity when he enrolled in Louisiana State University, or LSU, to play collegiate football.

More: Rakeem Jones: Fayetteville crypto millionaire teaches the 'marathon mentality' when it comes to creating wealth

More: Rakeem Jones: Fayetteville barber Vic Blends, rapper Morray to team up for Christmas Giveback

Gilmore was rated the No. 1 player in North Carolina by ESPN. Even with a number of accolades, he personally sent game footage to colleges across the country.

Though he attended LSU for athletics, he understood the importance of academics. He graduated with his degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and minored in Sports Leadership, Business and Mass Communication.

Being the son of a Marine, Gilmore knows the value of hard work. Rather than being drafted, Gilmore signed with both the Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent. In addition, he played in the XFL and AFF League. He does not forget the lessons taught to him by late, South View head football coach Randy Ledford.

With his nonprofit organization, Self Made Healing Hands Foundation, Gilmore gives back to the community that gave him the motivation to pursue his dream of playing professional football. He utilizes personal resources, such as the agent that he and Odell Beckham Jr. share, to assist student-athletes in transitioning to the next level, whether it is collegiate or professional.

Gilmore is working to bridge the communication gap between schools and collegiate coaches. For instance, he hosts a webinar in conjunction with Cumberland County Schools. In these webinars, he demonstrates how athletics can enhance the lives of students and their families. Furthermore, he is actively working to build rapport with high school coaches in hopes of mentoring players while helping them gain knowledge of the game.

More: Rakeem Jones: A tale of two summers in Fayetteville

When he is not being a father to his daughter, Greg likes to attend high school football games throughout Fayetteville and surrounding areas in search of players looking for opportunity. Every year, the former Carolina Panther sends out game footage for two to three players from every Cumberland County Schools football program to colleges and personal contacts. H

is focus does not stop at the players. With his knowledge of NCAA Division I and professional sports, he is working on a coaching clinic that covers what is new in sports and education — such as the NCAA’s new ruling on monetization. Even as a top player at the top school in the country, he still had to work a summer job. Gilmore believes the monetization ruling opens up a new realm of possibilities for players entering college. Financial hardship is one of the greatest challenges for college students.

“Getting paid in college allows student-athletes to be more proactive in their grades,” says Gilmore, who is 27 and a native of Fayetteville.

Support local journalism with a subscription to The Fayetteville Observer. Click the “subscribe” link at the top of this article.

His love for his city goes beyond athletics. He is active in the healthcare field. After learning that a relative was ill and unable to get proper care, he purchased a home healthcare franchise named Family First In Home Healthcare. He recognized the unfair treatment of both clients and staff.

Also, he serves as the NFL liaison for Beal Financial Group, a financial planning group started by Brandon Beal, brother of NBA superstar Bradley Beal. Gilmore’s mother, Tina is the co-owner of Uptown Fourjay, located at 108 Gillespie St in Downtown Fayetteville.

To contact Greg Gilmore, email him at selfmadehhfoundation@gmail.com or follow him on Instagram @selfmade99_. Salute to Greg and every activist getting active. Peace.

Rakeem “Keem” Jones is a community advocate and father of three from the Shaw Road/Bonnie Doone area of Fayetteville. He can be reached at keemj45@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Former NFL player & Fayetteville native gives back to student athletes