Mac Wilson: Perseverance and the Value of Mentorship

3/30/2024

Linebacker Mack Wilson Sr who was recently picked up as a free agent coming off a two year stint with the New England Patriots is expected to be starting week 1 for the Arizona Cardinals. Following a productive season at NE, he saw frequent game reps at both his usual off ball position and at the edge rusher spot, filling in for the lost presence of Matthew Judon. He was able to record a career best of 3.5 sacks (ESPN). With his impressive play and aggression to the ball, the Cardinals signed him to a potential 15 million dollar deal. But to arrive at such a position, Mack Wilson overcame significant childhood adversity.

Lyndell Santrell Wilson was born to a family of five and single mother, Sandra Wilson, in Montgomery Alabama, where he lived an unstable childhood. The Wilson family often had hungry nights and sometimes found themselves cramming into a car or sleeping in cheap hotel rooms for the night (Masslive). 

Sandra worked tirelessly to provide for her children but while she was away working, Wilson associated himself with, as he says “the wrong crowd”. He and his group would frequently get caught stealing and vandalizing stores around the Montgomery area (Masslive). 

His habit of stealing to provide for his family even got him the nickname “Fat Mack” at school as Sandra Wilson would take what he needed and often ate his classmates' food (Montgomery Advertiser). The whimsical nickname may have seemed harmless, but these habits reflect a troubled and impoverished childhood, finding food and necessities whenever and wherever he could.

Wilson spent a significant amount of time at the local King Hill Community Center where he would fatefully meet Todd Dowell. Dowell dedicated his life to mentoring local kids in the Montgomery Area and he took notice of Wilson's athletic gifts (Masslive).

Dowell recognized how Sandra Wilson was doing everything she could, but Wilson needed a space for his potential to truly thrive. Understanding that Wilson needed stability and guidance to live up to his potential, Dowell offered his home and mentorship (Masslive). These provisions came from Dowell, and youth leaders Tracey and Chris Varner’s “Make a Difference Foundation” that takes in troubled youth athletes in the Montgomery area (Masslive).

Once Wilson fully moved in with him he was put under a tight and strict schedule. But with these limitations came provisions Wilson desperately needed, a roof, a bed, and as much food as he required to become the menacing linebacker he is today. 

With Dowell’s mentorship, Wilson and others taken in were ordered to wake up at 4:30am on weekdays, and train in the gym before school each day. This disciplined way of life packed Wilson’s day-to-day schedule, leaving him no time to engage in the troubled activities of his past (Masslive).

Wilson states himself that Dowell and Varner became his older brother and father figures (Montgomery Advertiser). As Wilson said, the rigid routine – the 5 am workouts, the stable place to live, the guidance of older men – all were key in Wilson’s successful development, as well as preventing him from going down a darker path.

Wilson’s ascent is a testament to the necessary and positive impact father figures, structure, disciplined culture, and sports have on young men. 

Wilson’s story isn’t the only one of its kind. By providing stability in young athletes’ lives, programs like Make a Difference changes lives, and it shows. Successful NFL players like Malik Cunningham, Henry Ruggs III and Marlon Davidson have all been mentored by Make a Difference, which played a large role in supporting these athletes in their formative years (Make a Difference Foundation).

Wilson stated outright that Dowell’s influence was “the best thing that ever happened” to him. In an interview with Montgomery Advertiser, Wilson recalls a powerful statement Dowell said to him during his time under his mentorship: ‘Mack, you’re going be special, just get your head on straight, do the right things, get your grades (right), and you’re going to be special. Everything you’ve prayed for is going to happen.’ 

Dowell’s beliefs and Wilson’s hard work paid off. Wilson earned the honor of being listed as one of the only thirty two annually selected high school football prospects to receive a 5 star ranking. With such recognition he would later accept a scholarship to the football powerhouse, University of Alabama where he would start his ascension to the NFL (Masslive).

Wilson currently lives in Arizona and is expected to have a big season for the team. He lives with his three year old son named Mack Wilson II and proudly added “Sr” to the back of his jersey.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Works Cited

Byington, Alex. "What's in a name?: The story behind 'Mack' Wilson as he approaches biggest day of his life." Montgomery Advertiser, 20 Apr. 2019, www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/sports/2019/04/20/whats-in-a-name-the-story-behind-mack-wilson-as-he-approaches-biggest-day-of-his-life/3510764002/. 

"Here's how Patriots LB Mack Wilson overcame childhood adversity to thrive." Mass Live, 28 Oct. 2022, www.masslive.com/patriots/2022/10/heres-how-patriots-lb-mack-wilson-overcame-childhood-adversity-to-thrive.html. 

"Mack Wilson Sr." ESPN, www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/4040983/mack-wilson-sr. 

"Make a Difference Foundation." themakeadifference.com, themakeadifference.com/contact-us/.