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LAKEWOOD, NY (WNY News Now) – Chautauqua County is starting to get a reputation as a football powerhouse, with three locals contributing at all levels of the sport.
From the NFL, to the collegiate level, to fostering young athletes in high school, the sport appears to be generational for some in the Jamestown community.
Not everyone makes it to the National Football League, but for Kansas City Chiefs recruiting scout David Hinson, many young athletes dream about it.
“It’s been great,“ explained Hinson. “Coming from Jamestown, playing at Jamestown High School, playing football, running track. Then going to play at the University of Buffalo, and that leading into a job with the Buffalo Bills and their personnel department. Then 23 years later in the NFL winning my second Super Bowl ring.”
Hinson is part of a trio of living football icons which includes two Sirianni brothers.
While Eagles head Coach Nick Sirianni made headlines during the Super Bowl, his sibling Jay has an impressive sports resume too: coaching football in the Jamestown area.
“I’m proud for my family,“ stated Jay Sirianni. “It all started with my dad, the family business is what I guess they’re calling it now, that’s what our family business is, it’s coaching. I’m only here because of being around great people, being around great coaches.”
These hometown stars have had humble beginnings.
“What I’m proud of with Nick is he remembers where he’s from,“ explained Sirianni. “Being from this area, he’s proud of this area. And he went from playing youth sports here to all the way on the international stage, so anybody could do it.”
At the end of the day, the Chautauqua County connection is something these two hope inspire our next generation.
“If it’s sports, if it’s music, if it’s acting, it doesn’t matter what it is,“ stated Hinson. “It doesn’t matter where you come from, you can be whatever you want to be.”
Both Sirianni and Hinson were honored at the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame’s 41st annual Induction Banquet this week, along with 11 others who made an impact on our area’s athletic community.
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