Javon Kinlaw is the Best Story at the Senior Bowl

WOLO — Javon Kinlaw is one of a kind.

His personality is infectious. His smile contagious.

Behind that smile is a story of despair, relentlessness and a pursuit of happiness.

Kinlaw and his brothers were born in Trinidad and Tobago, an island nation in the Caribbean. His mother, Leesa James migrated with her children to Washington D.C., where they arrived, hoping for a fresh start.

James was unlucky. Hew business ventures failed, forcing Kinlaw and his brothers into homelessness.

“We went without electricity, no water, things like that,” Kinlaw said during a press conference at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL.

The 6-foot-6, 310-pound defensive tackle is honest and humble about his upbringing, telling stories so vivid you’d believe it happened yesterday.

“We had to use the neighbors’ bowls to fill up totes of water, and we would take them back in the house. We had gas… a gas stove we’ve light with a little match. Get a tall pot, boil water, mix it with cold water, put it in a bucket and take it upstairs to take showers.”

This is just one of those awesome stories that make it so easy to root for a guy — and on a bit of a deeper level, what makes this country so special. Seeing guys like this have success is one of the rare instances all sports fans can enjoy something together and be reminded why sports are so special.

Kinlaw had a great senior season, totaling 35 tackles including six sacks. He's a projected first round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and is impressing scouts at the Senior Bowl, maybe moving even further up the draft board.

I had no idea about any of Kinlaw's story before he spoke about it at the Senior Bowl, but congrats to him for overcoming that kind of upbringing to play in the SEC and now the NFL. I still hate South Carolina, but I'll be rooting for this guy.