Meet Albert Chester II, a 19- year-old football player from Jacksonville. As you look at him on the football field with his helmet, pads and authentic FAMU jersey, you would discard him as just another player for the Rattlers but this young man has an important legacy here at Florida A&M University.
His father, Albert Chester Sr., not only played for the school but was also inducted into Florida A&M University Hall of Fame in 1985 for his outstanding performance as a quarterback and helping to lead the Rattlers to a division 1-AA national championship in 1978.
Comparison between father and son barely happens in the Chester household but can be found in other places.
“People here haven’t really seen what Albert (II) can do. He is extremely talented at what he does at his position. In my opinion he will be better than his father”, teammate and cousin Greg Arline states.
“I’m faster and stronger than my father, running the 40 yard dash in 4.56 seconds, but as of right now I’m unproven. It is still early here at FAMU but as far as high school is considered, I was more decorated than he was”, Albert says.
Accounting for 1,770 passing yards and over 500 rushing yards as a junior, the Episcopal High School Chester was ranked as one of the top players in the state and nation. Chester had many football scholarship offers from other colleges and universities such as: Stanford University, Utah University, Vanderbilt University and The Air-Force and Naval Academies. But despite the heavy recruitment from these top name schools, Albert chose to come to FAMU.
“FAMU presented themselves the best. I just did not trust the other coaches. They wanted me to play other positions and FAMU’s pharmacy program is one of the best in the nation,” Chester said.
When Albert was asked if his father’s prestige at FAMU had any influence on his decision to attend the school he said, “As a young child, I always wanted to be a Rattler but as I got older, it really stopped mattering to me. My father never really forced the issue to me as much as some people might think. But yeah, I can admit it had something to do with it.”
Albert said he considers himself a hard-working individual who gives 100 percent at anything he does.
“But sometimes I am told that I am a bit cocky at times.” Albert adds.
“Albert is laid back but when it comes time to handle business and get serious, he is always ready. He is real focused,” Greg says.
Admitting football is his first love, Albert also takes his academics seriously; finishing high school with a grade point average of 3.4.
“I would love to make football my career. The high that it gives you is indescribable. Just like someone who says, ‘I love chocolate,’ they love it because it is good to them; but as far as putting all of my eggs in one basket, I ain’t doing that. Academics always come first.”
He is aware at some point that football and athletics is all temporary and one day, has to come to an end. He plans to pursue a pharmacy career on a more critical level in the future.
“We are both into our school work. But we would like to make it to that next level in football,” said Arline, a sophomore business student.
Chester explained this sport allows him to be surrounded by other people who share his passion for the game and permits him to portray his strong motivational skills.
“Albert is a big motivator. He is always telling me to keep my head up. We both look out for each other,” Arline stated.
Not eager to follow in his father’s footsteps, this 5-foot-11-inch, 179 pound sophomore said he wants to start his own legacy here at FAMU but, ” A national championship or two would be nice,” Chester said.
Contact Katrelle Simmons at simmons_katrelle@hotmail.com.