Sickle Cell Awareness Month: In CJs Honor

CJ with his family on Senior Night.

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month — a time to raise our voices, share knowledge, and build awareness around both Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) and Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). For our family, this month carries deep and personal meaning. Our son, Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr., was just 18 years old when he collapsed after his first college football workout and passed away two days later. He carried Sickle Cell Trait, and in those two days, he experienced what patients with Sickle Cell Disease may endure over a lifetime — muscle breakdown, organ failure, and immense pain. We share his story not only to honor CJ’s life, but to help ensure no other athlete or family has to face this kind of tragedy.

SCT vs. SCD: Why Awareness Matters

Many people don’t realize there is a difference between Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) and Sickle Cell Disease (SCD):

Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) 

• One sickle gene + one normal gene 

• Usually does not cause illness 

• But under extreme conditions (intense exercise, dehydration, heat, high altitude) serious complications may occur

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) 

• Two sickle genes 

• Causes chronic illness: pain crises, anemia, organ damage 

• Requires ongoing medical care and treatment.

Having SCT does not mean an athlete cannot compete. It means they must know their status, take precautions, and have coaches and trainers who understand the risks. With proper education and awareness, tragedies can be prevented.

Why Athlete Safety Must Come First

CJ’s story highlights the urgent need for awareness, testing, and safety protocols across all levels of sports — from middle school to high school to college. Too many athletes have been lost because sickle cell status was overlooked or not widely understood.

• Athletes & Parents: Know your status. Testing matters. Visit the NCAA Sickle Cell Guidelines to learn more.

• Coaches, Trainers, & Administrators: Educate yourselves. Adapt workouts. Ensure hydration, rest, and medical supervision are in place.

• Communities: Stand with families and commit to protecting the next generation.

Our Mission at The CJ Dickey Foundation

The CJ Dickey Foundation was created out of tragedy, but it is rooted in hope. Our mission is to:

✔️ Educate athletes, parents, and coaches about SCT and SCD

✔️ Raise awareness around athlete safety protocols

✔️ Advocate for systemic change to prevent future tragedies

✔️ Support families impacted by loss

How You Can Help

• Share CJ’s story to spread awareness.

• Encourage testing for athletes and families.

• Support athlete safety initiatives in your schools and communities.

Together, we can ensure that CJ’s legacy is one of change, awareness, and protection for every young athlete. Knowledge is power. Awareness saves lives.

---Disclaimer: The information shared in this post reflects our family’s experience and advocacy. It is intended for educational and awareness purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical or legal advice. As litigation is ongoing, statements are based on our understanding and beliefs. For medical guidance, please consult a licensed healthcare provider.

Honoring CJ: A Day of Strength, Brotherhood, and Awareness

On Sunday, July 13, we gathered in strength and spirit to honor Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr. at the first-ever 50CAL Big Man Camp—a camp rooted in purpose, power, and legacy.

To every young lineman who showed up—thank you. You honored CJ not just with your presence, but with your hard work, heart, and resilience. From technique drills to team huddles, you trained with the same drive CJ carried with him every single day.

We are incredibly grateful to Trench Academy, its founder Coach Taylor Scott, and the phenomenal coaching staff for opening their doors and their hearts to this mission. Your dedication and mentorship were a living tribute to CJ’s spirit.

A special thank you to Dr. James Clugston, Team Physician at the University of Florida, and Raechel Hills, APRN-BC, for leading such an informative and impactful health education session. The athletes not only sharpened their football skills—they walked away with lifesaving knowledge about sickle cell trait, rhabdomyolysis, and heat-related illness prevention.

Let’s not forget to express our gratitude to our sponsors. Price  Caspino LLP generously provided the camp attendees with fantastic swag bags that they can use for the upcoming football season. Additionally, Tony Coleman and David McQuade graciously offered lunch and hydration stations.

Our camp began in unity, grew through challenge, and ended in prayer.

We thank God for giving us the strength to turn our grief into purpose and for surrounding us with a community willing to stand strong in CJ’s memory. Together, we are building a future of awareness, protection, and accountability—on and off the field.

Thank you all.

With gratitude,

Calvin and Nicole Dickey

🏈 Protect the Protectors: The 50 CAL Big Man Camp

On Sunday, July 13, 2025, something powerful will take place at Trench Academy in Tampa, Florida — the 50 CAL Big Man Camp, a free, position-specific training event created to honor the life and legacy of Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr.

CJ was more than an athlete. He was a leader, a scholar, and above all, a protector — on and off the field. As an offensive lineman, he took pride in his role. He shielded quarterbacks, cleared paths for running backs, and stood tall for his teammates. But CJ’s story reminds us that even the strongest players need protection.

On his very first day as a freshman athlete at Bucknell University, CJ collapsed during a workout. He never got the chance to live out his dream. He trained nearly every day. He studied film. He was prepared. And still, we lost him.

Why This Camp Matters

The 50 CAL Big Man Camp is our way of saying: enough. It’s time to protect the protectors.

This free, two-hour training event is designed for offensive and defensive linemen ages 13 and up. Participants will receive:

• Expert position-specific coaching

• Safe, progressive training techniques

• Hydration and recovery guidance

• Health and safety education, including awareness of conditions like sickle cell trait or heat exhaustion which can pose elevated risks for athletes under exertion

But this camp is more than just drills. It’s a platform. A message. A movement.

We are raising awareness to ensure no other family endures what we’ve endured. We are demanding accountability from institutions. And we are building a legacy in CJ’s honor — one rep, one breath, one young athlete at a time.

Camp Details:

• Date: Saturday, July 13, 2025

• Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• Location: Trench Academy, 8128 Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL

• Who: OL/DL Athletes, Ages 13+

• Cost: Free

• Register: Click here to sign up

In Calvin’s Honor

CJ deserved better. And until there is real change in how athletes — especially linemen — are trained, monitored, and cared for, we will not stop. This camp is just the beginning.

We invite players, parents, coaches, and community members to stand with us. Train with purpose. Honor with action. And protect every young person who puts on pads and steps onto that field.