Burbank athlete’s giving nature leads to award from Chicago Bears
Whether he’s dressed as the Easter Bunny, in Santa’s red suit or in the traditional black and gold football uniform at St. Laurence High School in Burbank, Jack McGeehan finds ways to make a huge impact at his high school and in his community.
Now finishing up his junior year in high school, McGeehan recently was named the third recipient of the Chicago Bears’ Community High School All-Star award.
He is one of just nine high school players who will be named and recognized by the Bears through May for taking the lessons learned from playing football and using them to benefit the community, according to a news release from the Bears.
“Since day one he’s been the kind of St. Laurence player you want to be,” St. Laurence football coach Adam Nissen said. “He’s phenomenal. What makes him stand out is all the work he does off the football field. He takes the lead. There’s nothing he won’t do if it really benefits the greater good of the community.”
Sometimes exemplifying service, leadership and character means getting into character.
“We did the Easter Bunny thing I think when I was about in sixth grade,” McGeehan said. “During COVID we wanted to do something more so I dressed as Santa and with help from a friend as an elf we talked to our moms and got my friend’s sister to drive us around and give out gifts.”
After reaching out on social media to any parents interested in a special visit from Santa and one of his elves, the jolly McGeehan, who at 6-foot-4, 265 pounds fits the big guy’s specs to a t, basked in the fun of the special Christmas season.
“Parents would sneak outside with the gifts and then we’d go knock on the door and hand them out,” he said. “Being able to see the little kids react after seeing us was a lot of fun and they took a lot of pictures.”
Similarly, McGeehan has been instrumental in organizing the St. James project at St. Laurence, an initiative that provides gifts and Christmas gift wrapping supplies to families in need.
“I got involved in the St. James project, which has been a Queen of Peace thing and when (the schools went coed) we wanted to take in some traditions to make them feel like they’re a part of our family,” he said. “It’s the sixth year I’ve been doing it and now since I’m the Student Council president I’ve made posters and stuff and had every classroom donate. I drove out to the drop-off site and talked to people at church in helping run it.”
Helping others is something that McGeehan has been doing for most of his young life. Even while in grammar school he was already helping deliver food to the elderly. His latest endeavors include helping organize sports activities for the Special Olympics and at Gigi’s Playhouse in Tinley Park, two organizations committed to helping people with disabilities.
“It’s hard to explain when you see someone’s face light up or just smile,” he said. “It makes you want to smile and makes you feel better about your day. This doesn’t feel like work.”
He’s certainly working in the classroom where he doesn’t let his giving nature get in the way of getting great grades. McGeehan holds a 4.5 GPA and is enrolled in the school’s rigorous, two-year International Baccalaureate program.
“I find myself being good at multitasking, I’m good at knocking two birds out with one stone,” he said. “I’ve been playing football since I was four and now with Student Council and all of my service projects, I’ve learned in the last couple months that it’s OK to say no to certain things. One thing I’ve learned from this is not doing what everyone is doing, but doing what you do the best.”
That’s still a challenge when one does so many things well.
“He’s got a great family, phenomenal parents and a lot of his values come from them,” Coach Nissen said. “They’ve been super supportive with anything Jack wants to do. He’s a vocal kid. He leads by his voice and his actions. He’s got that quality that I’m not sure you can teach. There’s not much more you can do to impress when your student body president is one of your better football players and always positive.”
If anything, maybe McGeehan needs to be meaner on the field.
“Yeah, I’ve talked to my parents and coaches and sometimes I struggle being too nice,” he said. “I do let it all out sometimes. Remember, when you’re inside the lines everything is fair play.”
The Bears are donating $500 on behalf of McGeehan to Christmas Without Cancer, a nonprofit of his choosing which provides holiday gifts and basic necessities to area families that are dealing with cancer. He also received a hand-painted football, gift bag and an invite to a future Bears event.
C.R. Walker is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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