Yet another offspring of Black sports and entertainment royalty is making a career in athletics. This time it?s Justin Combs, eldest son of rap mogul Sean ?Diddy? Combs, and he?s on his way to blazing his own trail on the football field.
Scouted by several schools, Combs junior turned down offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Iowa, Middle Tennessee, Virginia and Wyoming and accepted a full scholarship from University of California at Los Angeles to play with the Division I Bruins. He plans to start classes at the beginning of the next school year.
?I am truly blessed and thankful to accept my scholarship and give my full commitment to UCLA,? he said in a statement issued to the press. ?Playing Division I football was a lifelong dream of mine, and through hard work I was able to achieve it. I am a living testament that with a strong relationship with God, family and hard work dreams do come true.?
The 17-year-old five-foot-nine 175-pound corner back played his high school years at Iona Prep in New Rochelle, N.Y. Academically, he holds a 3.75 grade point average and is planning to major in business finance, furthering his diverse background and not holding to his father?s successful genre.
In addition to the coveted UCLA offer, Justin was selected to play in the first-ever Marine Semper Fi All-American Game scheduled for January 3 as part of the Fiesta Bowl weekend.
Justifiably proud, the elder Combs was effusive in his comments on his son?s positive strides. ?As a parent, today is one of the proudest moments of my life. This is everything a father could want for his son?for him to excel at what he loves to do and is truly passionate about. Justin is a shining example of what hard work, determination and a strong mentality can achieve. I am honored to call him my son and am happy that he is fulfilling his dream,? he said.
Justin joins a roster of famous Black sons in sports. These include:
- Rohan Marley, son of legendary reggae artist Bob Marley. Rohan was a linebacker for the University of Miami;
- ?Lil? Romeo Miller, son of rap artist/CEO Percy ?Master P? Miller. He played basketball for two years at the University of South Carolina;
- Marcus Jordan, son of basketball legend Michael Jordan. He is currently following in his father?s footsteps in his sophomore year at the University of Central Florida;
- Malcolm Washington, son of Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington and twin of Olivia Washington. Named after the late Black Power leader Malcolm X, he attends the University of Pennsylvania?s Arts and Sciences College and plays for the school’s basketball team.
