'Football City' sends the most players to the NFL per capita

Michael Strahan visits Rock Hill, South Carolina, for the hit "Nightline" series “Impact,” and explores the town's devotion to the game.
2:45 | 02/02/23

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Transcript for 'Football City' sends the most players to the NFL per capita
>>> WELCOME BACK AND AS WE COUNT DOWN TO THE SUPER BOWL, RECENTLY I VISITED A SMALL TOWN KNOWN FOR SENDING MORE PLAYERS TO THE NFL PER CAPITA THAN ANY PLACE ELSE. KIDS THERE GROW UP WITH THE MOTTO, NFL OR BUST. BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THOSE DREAMS DON'T COME TRUE? >> THE FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS ARE BRIGHT IN FOOTBALL CITY, USA. >> Reporter: FRIDAY NIGHT HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAMES ARE AN AMERICAN TRADITION. THIS TOWN IN SOUTH CAROLINA CALLS ITSELF FOOTBALL CITY, USA. WITH A POPULATION OF ABOUT 75,000 PEOPLE, IT SAYS IT'S TURNED OUT MORE NFL PLAYERS PER CAPITA THAN ANY OTHER CITY IN THE U.S. TONIGHT'S HIGH SCHOOL STARS COULD BECOME TOMORROW'S NEXT PRO ATHLETES. YOU'RE ONE OF THE BEST WIDE RECEIVERS IN THE COUNTRY. IS THAT A LOT OF PRESSURE BECAUSE YOU'RE ONLY A FRESHMAN? >> NO. YOU CAN'T LET A GAME GET BIGGER THAN YOURSELF. I DON'T THINK ABOUT IT MUCH. >> Reporter: J'ZAVIEN HAS MULTIPLE DIVISION 1 OFFERS TO PLAY IN COLLEGE. WHEN DID YOU KNOW HE WAS GOOD? >> BY THE TIME HE WAS 6, HE HAD HIS FIRST BRIGHT LIGHT EIGHT-TOUCHDOWN SEASON. BY THE TIME HE WAS 9, HE HAD 30 TOUCHDOWNS AND HAD -- >> IN ONE SEASON. >> HAD THREE GAMES HE HAD FIVE TOUCHDOWNS. ONE GAME HE HAD FIVE TOUCHDOWNS IN THE FIRST QUARTER. WE ALWAYS PREPARED FOR HIM TO GET THIS MUCH ATTENTION. >> Reporter: FOR SOME, THOSE BIG DREAMS PAY OFF AND BIG CONTRACTS IN A SUCCESSFUL CAREER. BUT JABRIL KNOWS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THAT BURSTS. HE WAS ONE OF THOSE HIGH SCHOOL PHENOM PLAYERS EVERYONE SAID WOULD MAKE IT TO THE NFL. HE PLAYED COLLEGE BALL BUT DIDN'T MAKE THE CUT FOR THE NFL. HOW DOES THAT FEEL TO COME BACK HERE AFTER NOT, YOU KNOW, MAKING -- HITTING THE ULTIMATE DREAM? >> IT WAS DEPRESSING. I FELT LIKE A FAILURE AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS NEXT AND WENT INTO A DARK AREA. >> Reporter: JIBRILLE IS HELPING KIDS BOUNCE BACK WHEN FOOTBALL ENDS NOW. HE BRINGS IN MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATES AND FORMER PLAYERS HAD HELP THEM THINK BEYOND THE GAME. >> MY IDENTITY IS GREATER THAN MY ABILITY. >> MY IDENTITY IS GREATER THAN MY ABILITY. >> ONCE THEY REALIZE THAT, THEY'LL UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT A MENTAL HEALTH PIECE IS TO THE FOOTBALL PIECE. >> ROCK HILL HAS A LOT OF SUCCESS STORIES BUT THERE IS ANOTHER SIDE TO THIS TOWN TOO. YOU CAN CATCH MY FULL REPORT

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