Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 1, 1993 TAG: 9310010238
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ANDREA KUHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FERRUM LENGTH: Medium
Life on the outside suits Jim Kitts just fine.
The Ferrum linebacker has spent the past two summers experiencing first-hand the filth, the fights and the overcrowding of life on the inside. Kitts said his job as recreation manager at the Chesapeake City Jail had taught him one very important thing.
"I learned I don't ever want to go to jail," Kitts said. "The blocks there are meant to hold 10 guys and there'd be 22. People would be sleeping on the floor . . . "
Kitts, a senior captain for the Panthers, said his duties at the jail included retrieving inmates from their cells and taking them to an area where they could play games, read books and watch television. He was surprised at the indifferent attitudes that were prevalent.
"I was playing basketball one day with this guy who had murdered two people," Kitts said. "I knew he had gotten sentenced that day to two life terms. He acted like nothing had even happened.
"I knew this other guy in there that went to Hampton [University] and had gotten drafted by the Raiders. He went to LA for training camp without telling his probation officer he was leaving the state. They went and got him and put him in jail. Not too smart."
Kitts said the only time the inmates could leave their cells was when he or a co-worker escorted them.
"That's not much of a life," he said. "But I knew some people in there and they're all right. Some of them just took a wrong turn."
Kitts has been turning the heads of some NFL scouts as the leading tackler, with 40, on a defense that has given up just three touchdowns in three games.
Described by coach Hank Norton as a definite All-America candidate, Kitts has been contacted by the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A representative of the NFL combine was at the Panthers' opener against Thomas More (Ky.).
"He said he saw some good things and said he'd try and get me into some camps," Kitts said. "I didn't even know he was there. I probably would have been pretty nervous if I did."
Kitts measures 6 feet 3 and 230 pounds, and runs 40 yards in 4.5 seconds (up from 4.4 last year) which defensive coordinator Dave Davis said makes Kitts possible NFL material.
"He's a big, strong kid that can run," Davis said. "He calls all of our defenses. He's a born leader.
"Some people are vocal and they lead in that aspect. Some lead with their play. Jim has the whole package. He's kind of like E.F. Hutton; when he talks, everyone listens."
Kitts said, "I'm in a position where a lot of younger kids look up to me. I've been here four years and I know what the coaches want and expect. It's very important to have everything be positive. I try and keep everyone up."
Kitts was a three-sport star at Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake, but he didn't have the grades to earn a scholarship at a larger school. He said he probably wouldn't have considered Ferrum if not for the recruiting efforts of Davis and the publicity surrounding Chris Warren, a former running back at Ferrum who now plays for the Seattle Seahawks.
"There's some inspiration there [with Warren]. It's cool watching an NFL game and you see a player profile and it's a school most people have never heard of," Kitts said.
"There are lots of people who came from small colleges who have made it [in the NFL]. I'm definitely glad I made the choice to come here."
Kitts had 70 total tackles last year, up from 30 as a sophomore and 27 as a freshman. He said his goal this year was to exceed 100.
"I just want to go out and have a good year. If I put all of the other things like All-American and the NFL aside and just play football, things will fall into place," he said.
Kitts is scheduled to graduate in May with a degree in social work and a criminal justice minor. If the NFL doesn't work out, he plans to return the Chesapeake area to pursue a job in criminal justice.
"Any chance I get in the NFL, I'm going to take," he said. "But a lot of people, when they graduate, don't know what they want to do. At least I've got my feet on the ground."
by CNB