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.

Honoring CJ on World Sickle Cell Day: What Every Parent of an Athlete Needs to Know

Today, on World Sickle Cell Day, we pause to raise awareness—highlighting not only sickle cell disease, but also the often-overlooked risk of sickle cell trait (SCT).

SCT is commonly misunderstood. Many carry it without symptoms. But under certain extreme conditions—particularly intense physical exertion—it can pose serious health threats.

We know this because it affected our son.

Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr. — Strong, Healthy, Full of Promise

A dedicated athlete, CJ earned a place on the Bucknell University football team. He was prepared for his first day of conditioning in July 2024—eager to grow, learn, and lead.

During that session, he collapsed. Two days later, he died.

CJ carried SCT is a trait, not a disease. While many athletes carry SCT without issue, in certain situations of extreme physical stress, proper hydration, rest, and medical oversight are key.

Risks like rhabdomyolysis, pain crisis, cardiac arrest, and sudden collapse have been well documented in SCT-positive athletes under extreme conditions.

Still, far too many athletic programs lack awareness—or adequate policies—to handle this medical emergency.

What Every Parent, Athlete, and Athletic Program Should Know

🏈 Parents — It’s vital to know your child’s status and ask your child’s coaches or medical staff:

“Is my child’s SCT status known? Are protocols in place for SCT-related emergencies?”

💉 Athletes — Know your body’s signals.

Comfortably say “something isn’t right” if you feel it. Request breaks, hydration, or medical evaluation as needed. Your well-being is not optional—it is essential.

🏫 Athletic Programs — Follow evidence-based guidelines.

The NCAA and sports medicine experts provide comprehensive protocols for managing SCT-positive athletes. These are not suggestions—they are essential safety standards. Every program should enforce them.

Why we Continue to Speak Out

Medical professionals acknowledge that, in most cases, SCT-related exertional deaths are preventable when proper precautions are in place. That recognition is the foundation of our message.

We believe CJ’s death may have been preventable—and we are determined to ensure other families don’t have to endure the same loss.

This message is born of heartbreak—and driven by purpose.

We will continue advocating—for education, for safety, and for accountability. Every athlete deserves to pursue their aspirations safely. Every parent deserves to see their child return home.

The Power of Sharing

We’re sharing CJ’s story to protect current and future athletes.

If this post promotes awareness, encourages dialogue, or prevents even a single tragedy, telling CJ’s story matters.

In his honor, we commit to awareness, prevention, and collective action.

🟥 #InCalvinsHonor

🟥 #JusticeForCJ

🟥 #WorldSickleCellDay

🟥 #SickleCellTraitAwareness

🟥 #AthleteSafety

🟥 #BlackHealthMatters

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🔒 Legal Disclaimer:

This post shares the author’s personal experiences and is intended for educational and advocacy purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or commentary on ongoing legal proceedings.