Lindenwood Magazine - Spring / Summer 2020

SPRING/SUMMER 2020 | 3 When Desir’s oldest daughter Keeli was a few years old, he struggled to provide the best lifestyle for his family. Desir was faced with a tough decision that forced him to move back to St. Charles, Mo., heading into the summer of 2011. The hometown kid would soon become a key part of the Lindenwood football team, but his patience would be tested. “I contacted Lindenwood and realized I had to sit out a year since my scholarship was not released. I continued to earn my degree, but I had to make some money since I could not receive scholarship money at the time.” Desir went to work to earn an income for his schooling as well as to provide for his family, which took a toll on the young father. “There was a place across from campus that paid minimum wage, and you showed up early in the morning just hoping to get picked to work a job. The highest paying job I had was $7.75 an hour cleaning gun shell casings at a gun range while wearing a hazmat suit.” The most memorable job for Desir brought him to a pivotal crossroads in his life. “It was a one-day job, and they called me late. It was for $7.50 an hour for a couple of hours, but I needed the money. I showed up and we had to clean sewage out of a flooded basement, and all they gave us was a pair of boots. I was drenched and just remember getting the check and sitting in my car thinking, ‘I have to get going with this football thing, or I have to give it up and make some money.’” The importance of football spoke loudly in the mind of Desir, causing him to put in the extra work in the weight room to get ready for his first year in a Lindenwood uniform. “I had a great support system at Lindenwood. They knew my situation and understood if I had to leave early to take care of my family or go to work. It gave me a sense of calm knowing I had people who cared about me, which allowed me to focus on my family, my education, and playing football.” After a successful junior season of college football, Desir noticed the NFL scouts at his games began to increase in numbers and frequency. “I felt I could still do this. I had been through so many trials and adversities, so I didn’t let anything stop me.” The 6-foot, 2-inch cornerback had one of the most decorated senior seasons ever for a Lindenwood football player. Desir was named the 2013 Cliff Harris Award winner, which goes to the best small-school defensive player. In May of 2014, Desir became the first Lindenwood player to be selected in the NFL Draft after being picked by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round. Since the start of his NFL career, Desir has played with four different teams and this off-season signed a contract with the New York Jets. The one constant in his NFL journey has been the values he learned from his parents, to give back. “I saw my parents volunteering and giving back to the community, which helped me see what is most important.” Desir has been active in the community, including serving alongside Samaritans Feet to help provide shoes for kids in need. Along with the shoe donation, Desir and members of Samaritans Feet wash the feet of each child. “When you wash your servants’ feet, you know how hard they work, it humbles you. Working with Samaritans Feet, it is not something you can explain. You don’t know the response you are going to get from the kids, but understanding the way they live and getting to interact with them, it’s life changing.” In the fall of 2019, the product of Francis Howell Central gave back to the place where his football career began. Through his generosity and passion for serving others, Desir aided in the establishment of the FHC Performance Center at his alma mater. The Spartan family opened the doors to the new weight room facility in October, as the school honored Desir with his induction into the Howell Central Athletics Hall of Fame. Desir has made his presence known on the gridiron, but his philanthropy is something the 29-year-old wants atop the list of his accomplishments. Now, a father of three (Keeli, 13; Kamryn, 9; and Pierre “PJ,” 4), Desir is already on track to leave a legacy after being nominated for the 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. “I want to be known as someone who was a great father, husband, brother, son, and friend. I want my giving and kindness to be something that I put time into and care about, not just something that I have to go out of my way to do.” Through adversities, Desir kept a strong mind and a loving heart. “I want to be remembered as someone who gave back, because at 4 years old, someone helped me.” n 2 | SPRING/SUMMER 2020 “I saw my parents volunteering and giving back to the community which helped me to see what is most important.” “I was talking to some (NFL) teams after my first year, and they just told me, ‘Keep doing what you are doing, you have a real chance at playing in the NFL,’ and that stuck with me.” Desir played three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts (2017-2019) prior to signing a contract with the New York Jets for the 2020 season. January 16, 2020– Pierre Desir, an ambassador for Samaritan’s Feet, washes a fifth-grader’s feet prior to fitting him for a new pair of shoes. Desir donated shoes for each student at Northview Elementary in Jennings, Mo.