Former South Oak Cliff football stars returned to Dallas ISD, turning an early morning breakfast at Wilmer-Hutchins Elementary School into a powerful demonstration of a Dallas ISD legacy.
The event, More Than a Moment: Fatherhood, Football, and the Power of Giving Back, was held in partnership with All Pro Dad, a program centered on the impact of male engagement in schools.
The morning was headlined by Southern Methodist University cornerback Jayvon “JT” Thomas and three of his fellow Mustangs: Jimmy Wyrick, Abdul Muhammad, and Trey Jackson. The athletes, who led South Oak Cliff to back-to-back state titles, returned to share a singular message: success is a product of teamwork and guidance.
“It’s a blessing to give back to the community and help fathers be a part of their kids’ lives because it’s had a big impact on my life,” JT Thomas said. “Having a father figure to guide you into the world and not have to figure things out on your own is major.”
The story is a full-circle moment for the Thomas family. Joseph Thomas, JT’s father, is a Dallas ISD security officer and a Lincoln High School and Humanities/Communications Magnet alum. He spent decades as a mentor within the district.
“Dads think they’re coming for the kids, but you’re also coming for yourself,” Joseph Thomas said. “The older fathers are mentoring the younger ones. Nobody gives you a blueprint for fatherhood. If you have somebody else who has been through the fire coaching you over that hill, then that saves you a lot of heartache with your own son or daughter.”
He founded his first All Pro Dad chapter in 2012 and recently took 250 fathers and students to AT&T Stadium, where they participated in football drills and interacted on the same turf used by the Dallas Cowboys.
“Me and Jayvon are like best friends, but more importantly, we are business partners now,” Joseph Thomas said. “I poured into him, and now he’s coming to this school to pour into the kids. It’s an amazing ride.”
The legacy extends even further. Joseph Thomas was joined at the breakfast by his own mentor, Ricky Lewis, a former Lincoln High School athletic director. The breakfast included a Pride Moment, where fathers shared a moment of gratitude and appreciation for their children. For Joseph Thomas, when fathers are involved, attendance and grades rise.
“They faced the same challenges from the inner city that these kids face, and they overcame,” Joseph Thomas said of the SMU athletes. “It’s not a coincidence that all five of these guys have their fathers in their lives. Success follows when fathers are involved. It’s that simple.”
