He walked 6 miles to graduation. An NFL player gifted his family a new bike and a van.

Saleen Martin, USA TODAY
Updated ·2 min read
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A rising ninth-grader in Missouri now has an electric bike, a full-ride to college and his family has a new van after he walked a whopping six miles to graduation.

Xavier Jones, a student at Yeatman-Liddell Preparatory Middle School in St. Louis, needed to get to his graduation. The ceremony was held on May 22 at Harris–Stowe State University and Jones, unable to find a ride there, walked two hours to attend.

He asked his brother and a friend to walk with him, Harris-Stowe State University posted on Facebook on May 25.

The university’s president, LaTonia Collins Smith, found out about the story and offered Jones a presidential scholarship. The money will cover four years of tuition, housing, books and fees for Jones, the university said.

LaTonia Collins Smith and Xavier Jones. Jones walked six miles to get to his middle school graduation on May 22, 2023 because he had no ride. When his story was shared online, he was given a new electric bike and a full-ride scholarship to Harris-Stowe State University, where the graduation ceremony was held.
LaTonia Collins Smith and Xavier Jones. Jones walked six miles to get to his middle school graduation on May 22, 2023 because he had no ride. When his story was shared online, he was given a new electric bike and a full-ride scholarship to Harris-Stowe State University, where the graduation ceremony was held.

A good deed from a familiar face

Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Terron Armstead is from nearby Cahokia, Illinois and once he heard about Jones’ determination, his foundation stepped up to help.

On Friday, the football player hosted his first-ever celebrity basketball game in Cahokia and gave Jones a $5,000 Ryan Pritchard Electric Bike so his commutes will be a lot shorter in the future.

“And that's not all - we also surprised his family with a brand new van,” wrote Armstead in an Instagram post.

More on the diligent, inspirational student

Jones has sickle cell anemia, and he and his six siblings' mother passed away a few years ago, reported television station KMOV. His grandfather takes care of him.

“I wasn’t expecting this,” the 14-year-old told the outlet.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Terron Armstead gifts bike, van after student's graduation journey