49ers’ rookie CJ West is different. Just ask his high school theater teacher (paywall)
““There were a lot of theater kids that weren’t football players,” White said. “And they weren’t kids that were popular. And CJ treated everyone in the program like they belonged and were so cool. Here’s this big football player and he’s hugging you, saying ‘break a leg,’ giving someone a pep talk or holding a hand and saying a prayer backstage. I mean, he’s just the greatest kid in the world.”
The 49ers didn’t
select West in the fourth round in April for his ability to belt out “Reindeer(s) Are Better Than People.” But his on-stage success is reflective of an insatiable drive that’s inspired by his mother’s sacrifice. West remains determined to ensure her hard work is rewarded. And his desire has manifested itself in the ways he has treated offensive linemen over the years………“It was like, as we got to know him, ‘Holy s—, this kid won’t just bite your face off’” on the field, Ferrell said. “He can command a room. You can put him in the hood. You can put him in an affluent area. You can put him in church. You can put him anywhere. And he can build relationships and represent himself the right way.”
West credits his experience at Nazareth for becoming more than what many expect. And he credits his mom, Richelle, for making it possible. Nazareth is a private Roman Catholic high school in La Grange Park, Ill., a leafy Chicago suburb, with a tuition of $20,750 for the 2025-2026 school year.
West received a partial scholarship to attend the school that was about an hour commute from his home in Chicago, but his mom sacrificed to pay the remaining balance. West routinely rose at 5 a.m. and returned from his school day at 9 p.m. He committed to taking full advantage of the opportunities Nazareth offered to ensure he received the full value of his education.“
