THe Trailblazers

Trevor Deshea Townsend

Football Player, South Panola High Batesville, MS 1991 to 1993

Trevor Deshea Townsend is a native of Batesville, MS and attended South Panola High School where he played multiple sports throughout his high school career and excelled athletically and academically from 1991-1994. Townsend played quarterback for the South Panola High School football team, under the leadership of Coach Willis Wright. In 1993 Deshea was a part of the first high school football team in Mississippi history to ever win a 5A state championship with an undefeated record of 15-0. He made Alldistrict and all state in 1993. Townsend made All District quarterback, and set state track record 4x 100 with Malikia Griffin, Kevin Jones, and Clifton Willingham.

He went on to play as cornerback at The University of Alabama on a football scholarship, with fellow high school teammate Dwayne Rudd. He was named All-SEC in 1995,1996,1997 as well as named team co-captain in 1997. In 1998 Deshea was blessed to take his talents to the next level, being drafted to the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers. During his 12-year stint, he accumulated endless stats and is a 2x Super Bowl champion. This made him the first former South Panola High football player to accomplish this goal. As a true lover of the game, he decided to stay close to the game and entered the coaching realm.

Starting his coaching career with the Arizona cardinals, came closer to home at Mississippi State, took a trip to Nashville with the Tennessee Titans, took a bite of the big apple with the New York Giants, had some deep-dish pizza with the Chicago Bears and now he’s under the palm trees with the Jacksonville Jaguars. As a man with many accolades, he is not quite done aa he achieved his latest accomplishment by being inducted into the South Panola Hall of Fame.

Starting in 2000, during his offseason, Deshea hosted his annual football camp in Batesville through his “Pay it Forward” foundation. He brought many teammates and colleagues who people never thought they would meet, let alone be trained by. These camps continued for 10+ years and helped foster the youth’s dreams and gave them a glimpse of who they could become with hard-work and determination. Townsend contributed consistently to the Batesville Boys & Girls Club, Hope Mentoring, INC., the Batesville Tigers Youth Football League, and his high school alma mater. Deshea leads by example following his own footsteps and being the “blueprint” of giving back to Batesville. Mr. Townsend’s Pay-ItForward Foundation, “Feeder Program” displays him to truly be the change he speaks of and helps the community members strive for the dreams they all seek.