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"This is truly amazing," Chester boys basketball coach Fred Pickett said. "And, it’s a great day for the city of Chester."
This celebration was from the heart.
The event touched Jones and Nelson more than any accolade they have ever received. The daylong bash was a whirlwind of motivational speeches at five elementary schools, a boatload of gifts and honors at Chester High School and a flurry of autograph signing throughout the day, which lasted approximately 7 hours, 34 minutes.
Jones, an All-American football player at Virginia Tech and three-time All-Delco at Cardinal O’Hara who went to Chester public schools through the fifth grade, and Nelson, an All-American basketball player at Saint Joseph’s University and 2000 Daily Times basketball Player of the Year at Chester, will be professional athletes soon. Jones is expected to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft Saturday and Nelson will hear his name called June 24, the date of the NBA Draft.
The two, who have been dubbed the "Dynamic Duo," were being recognized for the impact their athletic accomplishments had in bringing positive attention to the city of Chester. Jones and Nelson are two of the best athletes to ever sprout from Delaware County.
"We felt like entertainers," Jones said. "This is definitely one of the best days of my life. I really enjoyed talking to the students. Being recognized by the city was the greatest honor I have ever received."
Jones and Nelson received standing ovations and thunderous applause everywhere they traveled. Chester students Eugene Harris, Shalamar Miller and Rahdee Jenkins held up a bright orange sign that read "Welcome Back Jameer" at Chester. Many of the elementary schools were neatly decorated with photos of Jones and Nelson. Many fans sported Nelson T-shirts.
During the ceremony at the Chester School District Athletic Field, Jones and Nelson signed seat cushions, newspapers, photos, magazine covers, sneakers, hats, dollar bills and shirts while loud music filled the air. Nelson posed for a photo with the Chester cheerleaders. At one point, both players disappeared in a swarm of bodies.
The steamy Clip Joint felt more like the inside of an E-Z Bake Oven and the fans, who were fanning themselves with programs and papers to stay cool, were being roasted like a Thanksgiving turkey. Despite that inconvenience, the Chester students remained attentive and did not become restless or irritable.
However, Jones and Nelson made a promise to the sweat-soaked observers, which drew the loudest applause of the entire event.
"We’re going to get some (air-conditioning) in here," Jones shouted into the microphone as Nelson finished his remarks.
Nelson had his black Chester No. 14 jersey retired by the school. A permanent orange banner with a black jersey and white letters and numbers with "Jameer Nelson 14 Chester 96-00" will forever hang on the wall next to the large state champion photos inside the Clippers’ beautiful gym.
Stratts and O’Hara principal William McCusker symbolically retired Jones’ No. 2 O’Hara jersey. Jones’ autographed maroon Virginia Tech uniform and Nelson’s autographed Saint Joseph’s jersey flanked the stage.
Before Chester officials could pull the cover off of the retired number on the wall, the large brown covering dropped to the floor revealing the banner. Nelson and Jones were presented with several proclamations. Chester student government officers Courtney Thomas and Danyelle Martin gave both players a plaque and a certificate.
"This was better than any award or any amount of money because we were able to give back," Nelson said. "This is a special time for me. To get drafted is great, but the magnitude of this day is beyond what you can imagine. This means a lot to both of us and this is something we’re going to cherish for the rest of our lives."
The Chester cheerleaders greeted Nelson and Jones with a pair of resounding cheers that brought the crowd out of its seats. The Chester Train, as usual, brought the house down. The video tributes with Jay-Z’s "Encore" playing in the background to Jones and Nelson had the crowd partying in the aisles and oohing and ahhing.
"It’s special for us to be able to be a part of this celebration," Chester senior cheerleading captain Latoya Jones said. "It’s an honor for the city and it’s just an honor to have (Jones and Nelson) in our school. When they were coming through our line (on the way into the gym), we were crying."
The focus of Jones’ and Nelson’s speeches to the students at Stetser, Main Street, Toby Farms, William Penn and Christopher Columbus was working hard, staying focused and taking advantage of opportunities. Both athletes became emotional when they spotted some of their
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former elementary-school teachers, especially Jones, who gave a shout-out to his third-grade teacher, Patricia Dodds, when they spoke at Main Street.
"I am so proud of Kevin because he is such a wonderful example of what you can accomplish with a strong work ethic and dedication," Dodds said. "I was hard on him in school, but it paid off. He was ornery, but he had a wonderful smile that always melted my heart."
Several guests including John Linehan, a member of the Harlem Globetrotters, and World B. Free, a member of the 76ers community relations department, were on hand to watch as Chester mayor Wendell N. Butler presented Nelson and Jones with keys to the city of Chester. Saint Joseph’s University basketball coach Phil Martelli, who coached against Jones’ father Tom (who played for St. James) when he was the head coach at Bishop Kenrick, was the keynote speaker.
Martelli told the packed house that they will be judged "by the person you become." He also challenged Nelson and Jones to reach back and pull a kid along with them and then challenged those kids to pull another with them because ultimately, "it would make a better city and a better high school."
"This day to me should resonate for years to come," Martelli said. "I do believe there was another Jameer Nelson and Kevin Jones sitting out in the audience. Not so much for athletics, but another kid who is going to make the city proud."
The impact of the day was not lost on Chester junior All-Delco guard Kristen Miah.
"This was a good opportunity to let everybody see the good that comes out of Chester," Miah said. "I am not an autograph person, so for me, just being here is something I will always remember. This day is going to go down in Chester history."
Added Nelson: "Every city needs something like this. An event like this is deserving for the city, but not for just Kevin and I because we’re just two human beings. I might be able to win an NBA title or a rookie of the year award, but it’ll be hard to top this day."
