Gahanna Lincoln's Jalen Scott honors fallen brother with his play on the football field

Jalen Scott spent a large portion of the first 14 years of his life hanging out with and playing sports with his older brother JaShawn.

The Gahanna Lincoln junior happily followed in JaShawn’s footsteps by playing football and basketball and when the Scott brothers were at home, they often could be found having fun doing activities such as jumping on trampolines, shooting Nerf guns or roughhousing with one another.

“We were very close and we had a lot of fun together,” Jalen said. “I’m a little version of him. I watched what he did and I did it, too. I just picked up on what he taught me and my brother was always there to help me out if I needed him.”

Tragically, on Oct. 14, 2019, Jalen’s life forever changed when he had to go to a hospital in the morning to bid a tearful goodbye to JaShawn, who passed away at the age of 17.

Less than two days earlier, JaShawn had been a front seat passenger in an Audi A6 that allegedly was being driven at more than 100 mph when it collided with a Toyota Camry at the intersection of Morse and Sunbury Roads near Easton Town Center.

Two women in the Camry were pronounced dead at the scene, while a third woman from that vehicle was hospitalized with severe injuries.

Kobie Stillwell - the driver of the Audi A6 and one of JaShawn’s teammates on Gahanna’s football team - and another Gahanna student both were injured in the crash as well.

“(I was) basically in shock for a year straight,” Jalen said. “My brother was always clowning around at home and in school, and making people laugh. He always had a joke to say and a smile on his face.

“I just couldn’t believe that he’s not here anymore.”

But instead of letting the heartbreaking loss of his brother sour his love of sports, Jalen instead has drawn inspiration from JaShawn and has worked relentlessly to work his way up the ranks to become a starting wide receiver on Gahanna’s varsity football team this season.

Jalen wears a No. 11 jersey in honor of JaShawn, who wore that same number when he played wide receiver for the Lions.

“(Losing JaShawn) has gotten to me a couple of times, but I’ve just kept going and pushing through life,” Jalen said. “When I think of him, it just pushes me to do what I do.

“I’m playing for my brother and for my entire family, because they’ve been through everything with me.”

Gahanna football coach Bruce Ward said Jalen has played a pivotal role in his team’s 7-1 start this season.

Scott had to sit out the Lions’ last game due to a shoulder injury, but he had 13 catches for 164 yards and a touchdown in Gahanna’s first seven contests. He also returned five punts for a total of 60 yards, made several successful fair catches and contributed to the Lions’ defense as a safety.

“Jalen isn’t the fastest kid on the field, but he’s a real slick route runner and he has unbelievable hands,” Ward said. “We’re more of a running team so our receivers don’t have big numbers, but Jalen’s reliable. He’s that go-to guy. When it’s third down and we need a catch, he’ll go make a play for us.”

After serving solely as a punt returner for Gahanna as a sophomore, Scott has improved drastically as a wide receiver while working with assistant coach Roy Hall to improve his route running. 

Hall was a wide receiver for the Ohio State University for four seasons and helped the Buckeyes reach the 2007 BCS National Championship Game, which they lost to Florida 41-14. He also was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2007 and played parts of two seasons in the NFL before various injuries eventually ended his career.

“I really worked on my receiver craft, and my coaches have helped me improve my footwork and route running,” Jalen said.

In Gahanna’s 22-20 victory over Pickerington Central on Sept. 16, Scott hauled in a 43-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Brennen Ward, to help the Lions snap a 15-game losing streak against Central and defeat the Tigers for the first time since 2001.

“Getting my first varsity touchdown against Pickerington Central was a crazy experience,” Jalen said. “I was one of our go-to guys when I played for the freshman team, but playing varsity is a lot more challenging, and scoring in a big game like that is something I’ve always wanted to do.”

Scott’s emergence as a reliable possession receiver and occasional big-play threat has made the Lions even more dangerous as they pursue their first league title in 21 years.

Gahanna is 3-0 in the Ohio Capital Conference-Ohio Division heading into Friday’s league game against Grove City. The Lions will wrap up league play with their key regular-season finale Oct. 21 at Pickerington North.

More importantly, according to Gahanna senior linebacker Jaden Yates, Scott has inspired his teammates with his resiliency and brought them closer together with his charisma and infectious sense of humor.

“Jalen is one of the strongest people I know,” said Yates, a Marshall University recruit. “To go through everything he’s been through and still show up to school every day with a smile on his face is a testament to his strength and character. It definitely gives us the reflection that if Jalen can get over losing his brother and keep playing football that the rest of us can past anything, too.

“He’s a very funny, outgoing guy, and you can’t find one guy on our team who he hasn’t made laugh or who doesn’t respect him. He’s easy to get along with and our entire team has bonded around him.”

Ward, who coached JaShawn as well, agreed with Yates’ sentiments about Jalen.

“Jalen’s a big part of our team chemistry,” coach Ward said. “He’s like the ambassador of Gahanna football because he has a relationship with everyone on the team and brings them all together by embracing them like brothers.

“It’s eerie because Jalen looks so much like his brother wearing his same uniform number. The way they walk and say and do certain things are identical. They play alike, too, and their ability at the wide receiver position is similar. JaShawn was bigger and longer, but Jalen’s more cerebral. I think Jalen’s watching over him, and Jalen’s doing what his brother couldn’t fulfill.”

While Jalen is enjoying playing a key role in Gahanna’s success, the 5-foot-10, 165-pound athlete has set much larger personal goals for the future.

“I want to keep making plays and get some more touchdowns to add to my film so I can get some offers to play college football,” Jalen said. “I want to be a star and play in college, and take it all the way to the NFL if possible. I’m not sure (how realistic that is), but that’s my dream and my goal.”

But above everything else, Scott said he will be content if he makes his family proud, especially his mother KeShaunta Scott.

KeShaunta, who runs her own childcare business, raised her two sons, along with daughter Constance, as a single mother for several years.

“My mom has always worked hard and encouraged me to play sports and to get good grades,” Jalen said. “Seeing how strong she is, makes me want to be as strong as her and always do my best.

“I couldn’t have kept going (after losing JaShawn) if weren’t for the support I got from my family and the entire Gahanna community. My coaching staff, teammates, teachers, friends, school administrators and everyone in Gahanna helped me get through the toughest times."

When it comes to his time on the football field, Jalen does it for himself and his family, but also for the brother he lost.

“And when it comes to football, everything I do is for my brother," Jalen said. "I’m just going to keep going to the max, and it’s all for Jay.”

Photo Gallery (photos provided by the Scott family)