From Friday night lights at North Shore High School to the bright lights of the NFL, K’Lavon Chaisson has never forgotten where he came from. The New England Patriots linebacker returned to his alma mater—not for a reunion or celebration, but to invest in the next generation.
K’Lavon Chaisson + Touch A Sole Foundation Youth Football Camp held its third annual youth football camp on the same fields where Chaisson once starred. Chaisson is using his platform to inspire, mentor and uplift the young athletes of his hometown.
“North Shore has done so much for me, my family and the trajectory of my football career,” said Chaisson. “It was only right that if I ever did anything to contribute to youth football, it would start here. Everything I wished someone had poured into me, I’ve made sure to give back to the East Side.”
Stepping onto the field at Galena Park ISD Stadium—this time as a camp leader rather than a player—brought back a flood of memories for Chaisson.
“Friday night lights. The band is playing. Just the atmosphere and the community camaraderie that came with every game. I miss that,” said Chaisson.
The camp welcomed students in grades 5–8 and featured a variety of football drills focused on technique, teamwork and discipline. To elevate the experience, Chaisson invited a lineup of special guests to help coach, including former LSU teammates and current and former NFL players.
Among them were Zach Evans, a former North Shore standout and current New York Jets running back; Eric Monroe, another North Shore alum and 2019 LSU National Champion safety; Toby Weathersby, a former Westfield High and LSU offensive lineman; Andre Anthony, a former LSU defensive player; Rahssan Thornton, who played at both LSU and the University of Texas; and Kary Vincent Jr., a former LSU cornerback and NFL player.
“All these guys are true critical pieces to the game of football, so it was a blessing to have them come out and pour into the youth,” said Chaisson.
He isn’t alone in understanding the power of coming home. Many North Shore alums have made it a point to give back, recognizing the impact of their presence on the next generation.
“I want the youth to know that the resources and possibilities are there,” said Chaisson. “It’s rare to be within arm’s reach of elite players at both the collegiate and NFL level. Keep the vision, plant that seed of faith, keep that growing, it will snowball into something bigger.”
Vivian Dancey, athletic director for Galena Park ISD, emphasized the value of community involvement.
“We always ask our coaches during the school year to make sure that we are doing some type of community event to get all our community patrons involved with their particular sport,” said Dancey. “It’s always great to see our young men who have made it to the next level come back and give back to show these young people that they can get there too.”
Chaisson knows the importance of camps firsthand. As a tenth grader, he stayed overnight at the home of his friend Eric Monroe, then a five-star football prospect. At the time, Chaisson was more focused on basketball, but the next morning, he tagged along with Monroe to a football camp. That moment changed everything.
“It meant a lot to me,” Chaisson recalled. “Once I saw the possibilities and where the game could take me, it lit a fire in me. Camps are like that snowball of mustard seed faith that you bank on and believe in to keep going out there and prove that everything you’ve done in the trainings, in your backyard at home, whatever it may be, you get a chance to do it against other guys at the same competition level and you get to see what works and what doesn’t work.”
Though Chaisson’s career has been filled with wins, he remains grounded in humility.
“Humility is something my family instilled in me,” said Chaisson. “This journey is God-given. I’ve worked hard, but it’s only by His grace that I’ve made it this far. It can all be taken away in a moment, so I give Him all the glory.”
Now entering his sixth NFL season, Chaisson is confident fans will see the fruits of his offseason labor.
“I think everything is falling into place,” he said. “This season, fans will see the version of K’Lavon Chaisson that they’ve been waiting for. Everything is coming together just right.”
For Chaisson, though, football is just part of the story. It’s about legacy, leadership, and leaving a lasting impact.
When asked about what he hopes his legacy will be, his answer is simple.
“Whatever God wants it to be,” said Chaisson. “I just want to do my part in being a voice in the game, passing it down and positively impacting the next person’s football career or life. If I can change the trajectory for even one or two people, I’ll be content with that.”
