BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Tuesday night, the Ramsay High School gymnasium was anything but calm as fans, family, and former teammates packed the stands to honor hometown hero Jaylyn Sherrod. And this wasn’t just any ordinary gathering; they were there to see Sherrod’s high school jersey – the iconic double-zero – retired for good. Yes, Ramsay High officially immortalized the Pratt City native who’s now taking the WNBA by storm, championship ring and all!
In case you missed it, Sherrod recently helped the New York Liberty clinch their first WNBA championship. And Tuesday, she returned to her old stomping grounds to bask in the nostalgia, the support, and, as she put it, to appreciate all those who played a part in her journey from the Ramsay gym to the pro courts.
“It means a lot. So many people I grew up with, so many people that played a part in this journey just to be here in support of me, it just means a lot,” Sherrod said, her words landing like three-pointers from the heart.
After growing up attending local schools like South Hampton and WJ Christian before heading to Ramsay, Sherrod is a shining example of what it means to “keep pushing.” She hasn’t had the easiest ride – injuries, setbacks, even a bit of doubt from the critics – but Sherrod’s grit and grind silenced every naysayer. Even former coach Ronnie Jackson couldn’t help but gush over his pride.
“It’s a coach’s dream to see our kids make it to the next level,” Jackson said. “She has responded to every obstacle in her way, and that’s what we are most proud of.”
And the praise didn’t stop there. Former teammate Elisa Safold called the ceremony a reminder to “just keep pushing,” because watching Sherrod succeed proved that grit works – even when the scoreboard isn’t in your favor.
But Sherrod wasn’t going to let the moment get too serious. In classic style, she threw a little life lesson out to her fans, wrapped in her signature sarcasm and wit.
“It’s never denied,” she said with a smirk, “just a little delayed. What God has for you, it’s for you. You just gotta have a lot of patience – and maybe a crossover that can make a grown man stumble.”
So next time you’re in Ramsay’s gym, look up at that jersey. There it is, the double-zero, hanging high – a reminder that even a kid from Pratt City can make it to the pros, jersey and all.
