Barely Famous Podcast — Beyond the Game With Jamal Merrell
Host: Kail Lowry
Guest: Jamal Merrell
Air Date: January 23, 2026
Episode Overview
In this candid, insight-packed episode of Barely Famous, host Kail Lowry sits down with Jamal Merrell—youth coach, former Rutgers football standout, one-time NFL linebacker, and deeply involved parent. The discussion traverses Jamal’s journey from growing up in Delaware to raising student-athlete children, the trauma and lessons from losing his brother, the realities of collegiate and pro sports, and the intricacies of parenting and coaching kids today. This episode is a raw exploration of ambition, family, adversity, and what it really means to be successful.
Main Discussion Points & Key Insights
1. Growing Up in Delaware — Family, Adversity, and Sports Beginnings (00:44—05:36)
- Jamal shares the "small state" pride and closeness that come from living in Delaware, describing his upbringing in a two-parent household with a twin brother (Jamil) and an older brother (tragically murdered when Jamal was 18).
“I would say, since Delaware is a small state. Taught me everything from growing up… My dad was my coach all the way up until high school. Growing up with a twin brother… we had an older brother. Unfortunately, he was murdered when I was in college.” — Jamal (01:46)
- Dual-sport youth (basketball and football), parent-driven discipline, and the impact of his brother’s loss on his college experience.
- The powerful “twin effect”—turning down basketball scholarships to pursue football with his brother.
“I was better at basketball… I had multiple scholarships from like Maryland, Louisville, Duke… but I can’t leave my brother... So we both took our visits for football and we both committed to Rutgers.” — Jamal (03:40)
2. Education, Trades, and Shaping Character (04:15—06:12)
- Choosing Vo-Tech for its practical value and challenge, Jamal learned dental lab skills and a sense of adult responsibility ("I could go get a job right now").
- Reflects on academics, athletic development, and trade-school’s impact, plus a comparison to the benefits his daughter now receives from private school.
3. Sibling Rivalry, Regrets, and Advice to the Next Generation (06:48—09:45)
- Competitive twin dynamics, both on and off the field, sharpened their drive.
- Jamal’s regret over not playing his basketball senior year due to scholarship injury concerns:
“My high school coach… was like, man, you’re pretty much one of the top players in the state… You should play your senior year. And I never played. Looking back 100, really now... I’m like, go for it. Shoot for the moon.” — Jamal (08:56)
4. Parenting Philosophy: Lessons Learned and Applied (09:54—11:20)
- Father’s intense involvement as coach was “the best experience ever,” shaping Jamal’s parenting and coaching approach—taking the good, adapting the challenging.
- The “fire and ice” balance of his mother and father, and how divorce didn't derail him due to their foundation of support.
5. Discipline, Structure, and the Delicate Art of Pushing Kids (12:33—17:08)
- Jamal credits strict discipline with keeping him and his brother on the right path in Wilmington.
- Kail and Jamal discuss the fine line between pushing kids and letting them choose—both believe “let your kid be a kid,” let them fail, experiment, and lead with their passions.
“I tell all my parents in my youth leagues, let your kid be a kid. Let them fail. Let them go through adversity without you structuring them.” — Jamal (15:54)
- Addresses how parents may push kids into sports for scholarships, balancing happiness and mental health versus the drive for college funding.
6. Scholarships, Parenting Realities, and Self-Awareness (19:14—22:13)
- Jamal urges parents to educate themselves about the realities of scholarships and college sports, emphasizing self-awareness and listening to the child's true interests.
“Reach out to somebody that has done it… Because like I said, if that kid is playing a sport and they do not want to play it, their colleges will see what kid is in it… Rather than you trying to guide them and push them…” — Jamal (20:37)
7. Coaching Structure, the Missing Father Factor, and Community Engagement (25:57—30:07)
- Structure and example-setting matter most, especially for kids lacking a father at home.
“100%. Because you’re getting a positive reinforcement, you’re getting a negative reinforcement and you have somebody to look up to to where if that father is leading by example… that kid is already ahead…” — Jamal (26:04)
- Jamal’s youth leagues (Smyrna NFL Flag, Smyrna Jr. NBA) fill the gap for many single-parent homes, focusing on more than athleticism and making sponsorships available for families with financial hardship.
"Don't just go to a youth league to where it's a money grab... Go to a league where... your kid is getting all the elements." — Jamal (28:48)
8. The Path to College and Athletic Visibility (30:32—35:28)
- Strategic exposure via combines, camps, and networking was key to college scholarships.
“You gotta put yourself out there... Even if it’s a parent, you gotta shake hands... Because if you’re just standing back... Kids don’t know what they don’t know.” — Jamal (33:22)
- Multiple basketball scholarships despite not playing senior year, always choosing to stick with his twin.
“If I could go back, I would have tried out for the basketball team at Rutgers.” — Jamal (35:56)
9. Rutgers Experience — The Twin Advantage and Real Brotherhood (39:46—44:57)
- Both majored in different fields (psychology and business), formed a powerful on-field and off-field bond that made Jamal a better player, leader, and kept him pushing forward.
“My brother made me into the player I was. And nobody knew that because I was quiet. In college... He was like, ‘Ma, just play Madden’.” — Jamal (40:19)
- Team dynamic: Their “twin bond” grew into a brotherhood that lifted the whole squad.
- If not for Jamil, Jamal might have left college sports earlier.
10. Navigating Young Adulthood: Family, Fame, and Faithfulness (44:57—50:13)
- Kail probes into the pressure of being a young father, student, and athlete, as well as resisting distractions ("any relationship that can make it through college — marry them!").
“Since college, we have not been through anything that we have already been through. College shaped our relationship, shaped our marriage.” — Jamal (45:42)
- On remaining faithful, Jamal credits transparency and emotional honesty with his wife.
“There’s nothing I want in this fame or fortune that will take me away from you. So I will give up that fame or fortune to live this lifestyle with you…” — Jamal (49:50)
11. Lessons from Adversity, Redefining Success, and NFL Realities (50:24—65:38)
- Reflects on how hardships (Pell grants, hunger, young family) in college made “real life” easier and instilled resilience.
“What it meant to me was I got to play my brother… In college, you hit the lows of lows... And now for me, it was 10 times worse because… I got my wife and kid at home... It taught me adversity.” — Jamal (42:51, 51:47)
- The transition to the NFL: Explains the brutal, businesslike draft process, the short window to “make it,” and why he ultimately prioritized family when offered a chance to join the Eagles.
“I denied it… The ultimate long-term goal is to be a family man, take care of my kids, and live a family life… There was no boxes I wanted to check off anymore. I felt like I did everything in football…” — Jamal (64:13, 65:38)
12. New Perspective as a Parent & Community Leader (66:08—73:16)
- Rejects pushing his own kids toward professional sports (“I’m not putting all my eggs in that basket”), but is focused on giving them tools to succeed in whatever they choose.
- His current definition of success is tied to impact, family, and building strong youth programs, not money or accolades.
“Success in high school and college was just winning games… Now, it’s being a good husband, being a great father, running two youth leagues, seeing other kids… Creating that space where… they can come and have fun... That’s my success now.” — Jamal (72:10)
13. Lasting Success and Finding Peace (73:16—74:39)
- Both Jamal and Kail agree that modern success means peace and balance, not external markers.
“The more that I control my goals... my family, my wife and kids, making sure all that's secured and structured... That's my success now.” — Jamal (73:47)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Prioritizing Family Over Fame:
- “There’s nothing I want in this fame or fortune that will take me away from you. So I will give up that fame or fortune to live this lifestyle with you…” — Jamal (49:50)
- On Letting Kids Lead Their Journey:
- “Let your kid be a kid. Let them fail. Let them go through adversity without you structuring them.” — Jamal (15:54)
- On What Success Means Now:
- “Success in high school and college was just winning games... Now, it’s being a good husband, being a great father to my kids, running two youth leagues... That’s my success now.” — Jamal (72:10)
- On The Business of the NFL:
- “Everybody’s disposable. And it really comes down to how much money can you make the NFL.” — Jamal (56:34)
Key Timestamps
- Delaware roots, family, and early sports: 00:44–05:36
- Vo-Tech decision and trade skills: 04:15–06:12
- Competitive siblings, basketball regrets: 06:48–09:45
- Parenting lessons and structure: 09:54–11:20
- Athletic identity, discipline, and youth coaching philosophy: 12:33–17:08
- Navigating scholarships, college exposure: 19:14–22:13, 30:32–35:28
- College success, NFL draft realities: 39:46–44:57, 51:59–65:38
- Family over football, rejecting the Eagles: 64:13–65:38
- Defining modern success, community impact: 72:10–74:39
Resources, Links & Contact
- Smyrna NFL Flag & Jr. NBA: nflflagsmyrnade.com
- Social Media: @JMorrel37
- Book: Jamal’s book available on Amazon (link in episode description)
This episode is a must-listen for parents, coaches, athletes, and anyone who values honest conversation about family, adversity, sports, and finding real meaning beyond accolades. Jamal Merrell’s story is a testament to resilience, changing definitions of success, and the powerful impact of letting kids be themselves—on and off the field.