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Alabama receiver John Metchie III sacrifices family time to work toward his future

Crimson Tide photos / Alabama junior receiver John Metchie III, who is from Canada, emerged as a formidable threat last season but hasn't seen his family in more than two years.
Crimson Tide photos / Alabama junior receiver John Metchie III, who is from Canada, emerged as a formidable threat last season but hasn't seen his family in more than two years. Crimson Tide photos / Alabama junior receiver John Metchie III, who is from Canada, emerged as a formidable threat last season but hasn't seen his family in more than two years.

By David Paschall 4 min read

There was a 30-year gap between receivers winning the Heisman Trophy, so the odds of Alabama junior John Metchie III earning college football’s top individual award on the heels of former Crimson Tide teammate DeVonta Smith claiming it could be quite long.

Then again, if the human interest angle factors into the balloting, Metchie will be tough to beat.

Metchie is from the Toronto suburb of Brampton and has not seen his family in more than two years. Sure, there have been plenty of phone calls and FaceTime opportunities, but Alabama’s 2020 national championship run came and went without the 6-foot, 195-pounder receiving a congratulatory hug from those who love him most.

“I don’t see how he does it,” Alabama senior defensive end Phidarian Mathis said. “I’ve got a daughter, and I wouldn’t be able to do that. I already struggled with going a few months without seeing her last year, and it’s a shoutout to him for showing up and going to work like he does.

“I’m very thankful to have him as a teammate.”