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Taking the field at an NFL stadium has always been a dream of Jermal Perkins, ’21. On Sunday, it became a reality.

Perkins was invited onto GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium to be the “First Pass” honoree as part of pregame festivities honoring City Year, a national nonprofit agency dedicated to providing support and resources to schools. Perkins is currently serving at Central Middle School as part of a City Year team sponsored by the Hunt Family Foundation.

Perkins said he chose City Year following graduation because the organization’s mission aligned with his core values. His time is spent with seventh grade students at Central, offering support in both academic and social-emotional learning. The bonds he’s formed through that work have been rewarding, he said, as has being part of the larger learning team.

“Every day at my job, I tell myself that it’s a privilege to serve with and alongside such an amazing partner teacher, co-workers and students,” he said. “It’s a privilege to see the strength and perseverance of the students at Central Middle School.”

Perkins said he recognized he represented all his teammates and students while out on the field — to have that hard work recognized on such a large stage was gratifying, he said. It also got him noticed.

“Several people texted me, wrote me on LinkedIn, or messaged me on Facebook in my comments that they had seen me,” he said. “Someone even wrote me on Snapchat that they had seen me there on jumbo screen. Honestly, I was in awe and yet so humbled to be representing City Year for this recognition.”

But Perkins said he also took a minute to soak in the Arrowhead atmosphere. For someone who has long admired professional athletes, he said getting to see some of those same players standing next to him was eye-opening.

“I was joking with someone that I had no idea Chris Jones was that massive in person,” he said.