BELOIT, WIS. (WIFR) - Jim Caldwell returned to his alma mater Saturday to give back to the community he said has done so much for him.
At Beloit Memorial High School, Caldwell had a live Q&A discussion which gave fans the opportunity to learn and engage. From a small city in Wisconsin to the National Football League, Caldwell said he never thought he would make it big on Football’s biggest stage.
“Did I think I’d have success along the way, certainly, but certainly could not anticipate the journey we have had, it’s been a lot of fun,” said Caldwell.
Caldwell has spent more than two decades coaching in the league. He was the quarterbacks coach for the Super Bowl 41 champion Indianapolis Colts, offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl 47 champion Baltimore Ravens, and also served as the head coach for the Detroit Lions from 2014-2017. Caldwell is now a senior assistant for the Carolina Panthers.
“The experiences have been memorable,” said Caldwell.
Saturday, Caldwell shared those memories with the Beloit community and the high school where it all started.
Beloit native, Super Bowl champion Jim Caldwell returns home
Beloit native, Super Bowl champion Jim Caldwell returns home(WIFR)
“More than anything else, we wanted to talk to them about being inquisitive and then also being prepared, I think those two things will take you a long way,” said Caldwell.
“One of the takeaways for me today was what you do, people are watching what you do, so if you want someone to follow you, you have to kind of walk the walk, before you can talk the talk,” said Tony Braddock, a family member of Caldwell’s and an event attendee.
Braddock said it is special when Caldwell returns home because his leadership skills are admirable.
“It gives people hope in Beloit that see that you know, even if you leave here, you can come back and give back to the community and help inspire the community,” said Braddock.
Caldwell said his biggest piece of advice is to work hard. He said work ethic is what sets the stage for success.
“Success doesn’t come before work, it’s work first, so that’s the most important thing I think I could tell them,” said Caldwell.
Saturday’s event was free and open to the public but donations were accepted to support Caritas Community Resource Center, a Beloit non-profit providing food and clothes for individuals.
Family members said the Jim and Cheryl Caldwell Foundation hopes to host similar events in the future.
Beloit native, Super Bowl champion Jim Caldwell returns home
Beloit native, Super Bowl champion Jim Caldwell returns home(WIFR)
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