Blythewood High School graduate and NFL Pro-Bowl defensive back Justin Bethel presented a check for $100,000 to the Blythewood High School Education Foundation on Friday. Shown with Bethel are Dr. Sharon Buddin, Chairwoman of the BHS Education Foundation; Gabriel Bethel (brother); Brenda Bethel (mother); Dr. Keith Price, Richland School District 2 Assistant Superintendent, BHS Principal Brenda Hafner and BHS Athletic Director Vince Lowry. (Photo/Barbara Ball)
BLYTHEWOOD (April 14, 2016) – A string of three consecutive NFL Pro Bowl selections and a contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals may have changed Justin Bethel’s life, but they haven’t changed his character.
“I’m a giver. I love to give back,” Bethel said last Friday after presenting his Alma mater, Blythewood High School, with a check for $100,000. “I feel like, the position I’m in, I make enough money to take care of myself and take care of the people who helped me get to where I’m at.”
Bethel’s donation will go toward Blythewood High School’s culinary arts program and athletic program, both of which Bethel was a part during his tenure as a Bengal.
In 2006, Bethel’s junior year, he was part of the Bengal’s Class 3A state championship team. Bethel went on to play four seasons of football at Presbyterian College and was selected by the Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL draft.
He has been selected to the Pro Bowl on special teams for the last three seasons.
“Blythewood will always be special to me, not only because I was lucky enough to be a part of the state championship team, but also because a lot of the coaches I know are still there and it’s always good to see them when I am home,” Bethel told The Voice just before his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2014. “It means a lot to me. I have some great memories there.”
Bethel presented the check during a school-wide ceremony on April 8, during which Blythewood High also bestowed upon Bethel its first Order of The Bengal, which honors distinguished alumni. The recognition, while humbling, was not entirely necessary.
“If it had been up to me, none of this would be happening,” Bethel said modestly. “I would have just given them the money and no one would have been the wiser.”
Bethel was on crutches for the ceremony, recovering from postseason surgery, but said he would be ready for training camp this summer. He racked up 46 tackles, a pair of interceptions and had a touchdown to his credit this season as the Cardinals battled their way to a division title. Arizona made it as far as the NFC championship game where they were ultimately bumped off by the Carolina Panthers.
Bethel said he plans to organize a 7-on-7 football camp for Midlands schools this June, but also stressed the importance of education in pursuing one’s athletic goals.
“If you have that dream, still get your education,” Bethel said. “At the end of the day, the NFL lasts for only so long. You have to have something to fall back on.”
