http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/
FROM KEITH GROLLER
Former Northampton High standout Galen Clemons is a senior defensive lineman at UMass and in his final season as a Minuteman he has made his mark on the field.
Clemons, who transferred from Central Michigan, has played in eight games and has had 20 tackles (seven solo) with one tackle for a loss.
But more than his contributions on the field for a 1-8 team, Clemons can be most proud of a campaign he is leading.with the UMass team and on the campus.
It's a White Ribbon campaign to prevent violence against women. It's a campaign that Clemons organized with help from professor Tom Schiff and UMass Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy.
Considering we are nearing the one-year anniversary of the tragedy involving Kansas City Chiefs player Jovan Belcher, we can't be reminded enough of the violence that goes on all too often in this country.
The Minutemen will wear white uniforms for their game against Akron on Saturday at the Patriots' Gillette Stadium and will wear white stickers on the back of their helmets for the final three games of the season.
Also fans are encouraged to wear white on Saturday for the Akron game.
Fittingly, Clemons will be one of 18 UMass seniors honored in a pregame ceremony and hopefully he will be acknowledged for his role in this campaign as much as for his play on the field.
When you look at this video of the pledge ceremony, you see how impressive Clemons' efforts have been.
It's also heartwarming to see kids who grow up in the Lehigh Valley go on to do good things like this.
I am sure his uncle, Don Clemons, who spent 27 seasons with the Detroit Lions and is now at Moravian College, is very proud. The entire Clemons family should be.
I'd like to thank Bob Steckel, Clemons' coach at Northampton, for letting me know about this. Very worthwhile.
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