Tyrell Chavis inspires Penn State teammates beyond the Fiesta Bowl field

Frank Bodani
York Daily Record
Penn State's Tyrell Chavis (56) celebrates after sacking Nebraska quarterback Tanner Lee in the second half of an NCAA Division I football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Nebraska 56-44 in its final home game of the 2017 season.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — He had no permanent to place to stay, often no meals to eat.

Tyrell Chavis seemed to be at the end of his football opportunities.

He was at his fourth school in five years. He rarely had more than a few dollars at a time and never knew for sure where he would even sleep at night.

He had no place to workout and prepare for the sport he prayed would help deliver him to the kind of place he swears he never gave up on.

Defensive tackle Tyrell Chavis said he often went to bed hungry and didn't even know where he would sleep while attending Nassau Community College in New York.

His inspirational story continues after delivering a sack in the Nittany Lions' 35-28 Fiesta Bowl victory over Washington. He expects to participate in Penn State's Pro Day workouts for NFL scouts on March 20.

He seems to have a bright pro future.

And yet, just two years ago, he was drifting without any certainty at Nassau Community College in Long Island, N.Y.

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He said he often ate only one meal a day at a McDonald's — sometimes paying for it with whatever money he could scrounge up, sometimes getting freebies from friends.

He had no permanent housing for his two years in junior college, either. He crashed weeks at a time on the couches and floors of teammates and whoever he could trust.

The 6-foot-3, 295-pound linemen also described a bleak training situation: The most accessible weight room was often nearly empty, the equipment stolen as fast as it could be stocked.

This is how Chavis, whom head coach James Franklin has praised for his determination and perseverance, came to Penn State.

Tyrell Chavis, left, is proud of his tattoos, including the "804" across his belly. That's his hometown area code in Richmond, Virginia, where his long, winding journey to Penn State success began.
His story has inspired teammates like Yetur Gross-Matos, right.

His story begins growing up in Richmond, Virginia, with his mother and brother, in a rough section where he said his best friend was gunned down in the middle of the day.

Then came prep school at Fork Union Military Academy. Then a year at the University of Virginia where he was unhappy after his position and recruiting coach left for another job.

Following that were two sobering seasons at Nassau, where he claims he never lost faith.

"I gained a bigger perspective on life," he said. "I found out I really wanted to play football. Because the type of things we went through out there, if you didn't want to play football you would have gave up a long time ago.

"I knew, eventually, if I stuck it out, I would be at a place like this."

Chavis talked about his story publicly for one of the first times a couple of days before the Fiesta Bowl, his buddies all around, taking photos and joking with him.

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He's pulled through academic struggles and even larger issues, such as worrying where his next meal would come from. He said he never gave up on his own potential, helped by key influences.

He went to Varina High, the same high school as former Nittany Lion star quarterback Michael Robinson, who he befriended and credits with leading him to Penn State.

Now coaches and teammates marvel at his unwavering positivity, how he quietly went about his business the past two years soaking in ever possible opportunity and advantage.

"Coming from junior college, it doesn't get any worse than that. Just having a roof over your head was enough for me to keep me going."

He recently earned the team's Tim Shaw Thrive Award, given to the player who has overcome adversity and provided inspiration.

Defensive tackle Tyrell Chavis (56) tries to block a pass against Kent State in the 2016 season-opener. He improved as his second and last season at Penn State progressed, ending in Saturday's Fiesta Bowl.

His impact went much further than his play on the field where he collected 6.5 tackles for loss and a couple of sacks, improving throughout the season.

Talk to Kevin Givens who often lines up next to him.

"I respect how he carries himself as a man coming from where he did and not making any excuses."

Talk to defensive end Torrence Brown, who said he learned from Chavis after losing his own season to a September injury.

"He comes from basically nothing," Brown said. "For him to make it here took a lot of dedication and hard work. It's just amazing to me.  

"Looking at him, he didn't quit. Why would I quit?"

And talk to Franklin, the coach who believed him beyond most others. The Penn State football program rarely invests in junior college transfers.

Franklin called Chavis' story "inspirational to other kids all over this country." He said he is "probably the most appreciative kid in our program.

"The guy is going to be a success. He is a bright light. He is positive energy," Franklin said. "It's amazing. Every single day in team meetings, he's going to do something or say something to make everybody laugh, make everybody feel good. He's just a special, special guy. I'm really proud of him. I really am."      

Most importantly, Franklin said, is this:

"There's no doubt that he's going to be prepared to go on and be successful when football ends."