I, Jonathan Rochon, attended Kashmere Senior High School from 1975-1977. During that time I played football under the leadership of Coach Johnny B. Felder and ran track for Coach Thomas Hendricks. As a member of the football team, I was acknowledged as “Player of the Week” numerous times throughout my tenure as a player. As a member of the Track and Field team, under the leadership of Coach McGowan and Coach Franks, I received countless amounts of medals. I was injured my senior year, yet I still impressed some coaches to receive college invites. At Kashmere I was also a member of The National Honor Society.
After graduating with honors I received a scholarship to Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I attended Southern University from 1977-1982. During that time I played under three coaches; Charlie Bates, Cass Jackson, and Otis Washington. As a starting running back, I received “Player of the Week” awards throughout my time at Southern University. One of my greatest achievements in college was being voted MVP Offensive Player and MVP of the Bayou Classics in the 1981 game versus Grambling State University, after scoring two touchdowns and 224 total yards. I am a first-generation college graduate and I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Liberal Studies. My major was Sociology with a minor in Business Management and Psychology. Later, in 2011, I was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Southern University and the MVP Club of the Bayou Classics in 2017.
After repeated tryouts with several USFL teams, I changed my plans and accepted God’s Plan. I did a lot of odd jobs until I found something that fit. In March 1986, I joined the Houston Fire Department as a firefighter. In 1988, I went back to school and became an EMT/Paramedic. As a certified paramedic, I was able to work on the side at St. Joseph Hospital and later at the Juvenile Detention Center in the medical department. I also did security with Texas Armed Guard. I received a citation of appreciation from the Mayor Bob Lanier in 1992 for a job well done in handling a specific medical incident. In 1998, I was honored at the 25th Annual Bayou Classic in New Orleans as a member of the “Classic Silver Anniversary Team”.
I am the father of two beautiful daughters, Brittney and Sarah and a grandfather to my two grandsons Jayvan and Jaylen; and a host of other kids that call me Papa. My parents have passed, but I have a great deal of friends and family that support and love me. I recently retired from the Houston Fire Department in September of 2019; the ending of one episode of my life and the beginning of a new one.
God Bless and Thanks
2 Corinthians 4:8-9