Houston Texans running back David Montgomery reached the rank of Eagle Scout back in 2014, the highest achievement in Scouting America, a journey that began when his mother put him in Cub Scouts to keep him out of trouble. Now 29, Montgomery is using his platform to inspire more kids, especially Black children, to follow his path and discover what scouting can offer. He’s not just playing ball, he’s actively working with the organization to reshape perceptions and open doors.
From Embarrassment to Eagle
Montgomery admitted he was a bit embarrassed at first, thinking scouting wasn’t “for people like him.” But he quickly fell in love with it, and it changed his life. He stayed active all through school, earning that coveted Eagle Scout status. He credits scouting with keeping him on the right path growing up, not just by occupying his time, but more importantly, by instilling crucial values. He puts it straight: “Scouting gave me the right tools to make me understand what’s really right and what’s really wrong.” Even as a star athlete and starting varsity quarterback by his sophomore year, the demands of football couldn’t pull him away. “I love playing football, and I’m blessed to be able to have played as long as I have,” he said, “but scouting is another love that I grew fondly for over time and it’s a part of who I am.” For his Eagle Scout community service project, he found a creative way to merge his passions, supporting Cincinnati’s Mary Magdalen House by collecting hygiene items at his games, offering discounted tickets for donations. “Seeing that people were happy from something, a small gesture that doesn’t take much outside of you just caring for somebody, just being a part of something like that was special to me,” he shared.
Changing the Game Off the Field
Montgomery belonged to Scout Unit 772, a Black troop in Cincinnati that boasts an incredible 40 Eagle Scouts. Jim McMillan, the unit’s committee chairman, watched Montgomery grow up in the troop. He takes pride in young men like David “who came in and were not sure of themselves, not seeing scouting for them.” Now, Montgomery sees a “form of fear” as a major role in kids not joining, worried about what others think. He believes that by being a positive role model in scouting while playing pro football, he’s giving “kids who look like me an opportunity to believe that that’s something that they can do also.” Michael Ramsey, the chief marketing officer of Scouting America, highlighted how inspiring Montgomery’s story is, juggling sports and scouting. “People look at that and go: I can be a scout. I can be an athlete. I can do those things,” Ramsey said. “If you can see it, you can be it, and David delivers on that for us.”
Montgomery is clearly proud of his scouting roots, often attending events and serving as Scouting America’s first recruitment ambassador. What’s next for this dude? He’s making a huge statement, proving that being a high-level athlete doesn’t mean you have to give up on other passions or ignore the power of giving back. He’s actively shaping the future of scouting, showing kids everywhere that character, community, and competition can absolutely go hand-in-hand.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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