Noah McGough, a senior at Jesuit High School in Dallas, is one of the best high school kickers in the country. Rated number one in Texas with the most field goals last season at 17 and number six in the U.S.
His achievements include the Texas Sports Writers Association's 2023 Class 6A All-State First Team 6A Kicker and Player of the Year for All District 7-6A Special Teams.
While McGough is known in the sports community for his incredible talent, it’s his huge heart and willingness to serve others that stands out.
“At Jesuit, we live by the motto Be Men for Others,” says McGough. “As I go through this journey with so many amazing brothers, I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 ‘Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.’ There is so much hate in the world right now. I’m called to be God’s light to the world.”
McGough is bringing awareness to Men of Nehemiah, a nine-month residential recovery program in South Dallas. During the football season, he is asking for the community’s support with pledges for every point he scores to benefit Men of Nehemiah at menofnehemiah.org/kick
“My Dad took me to a Men of Nehemiah service one Sunday morning,” explained McGough. “When you come here, you feel the love of God. These men have gone through horrible things. But to see God moving in people, it’s so powerful! This is loving your neighbor at its finest.”
Jesuit Dallas’ first exhibition football game will be Friday, August 23 against Flower Mound High School at Ranger Stadium in Dallas. The regular season ends November 8 at home against Irving Nimitz. McGough says he will continue to ‘kick for a cause’ throughout the playoffs if Jesuit advances.
“Noah is an amazing young man,” said Jim Ramsey, CEO of Men of Nehemiah. “We’re looking forward to watching him kick this season. But, more importantly, he’s reinforcing to each of these men that he cares about them. Many of these men are estranged from their families and friends. Some have been incarcerated. More than a few have lived on the streets. But some also come from gated communities and very nice neighborhoods. Addiction respects no zip code.”
Men of Nehemiah combines Biblical discipleship with professional counseling and military discipline and seeks to restore lives that have been derailed by drug and alcohol addiction. The objective is to help each man become the person God intended him to be and reunite him with his loved ones and community.
“I’ve been blessed with a gift to kick at Jesuit,” concluded McGough. “I want to use my gift for God. For a kick to count, it takes a great snap, a precise hold, and a team of blockers. We all need a team to succeed. I am thankful to be supporting the team at Men of Nehemiah.”
In 1994, Pastor Louis Harrell, a former US Army Colonel, founded Men of Nehemiah in New Orleans to deliver his wayward son, Louis Harrell, Jr., from the grip of addiction. Louis Jr. relocated to North Texas, where he launched Men of Nehemiah in South Dallas with the help of Roger McCasland, President and CEO of Operation Relief Center.
Today, Men of Nehemiah has helped more than 1,500 men find paths to recovery. Research compiled in 2022 affirmed that 61% of men who graduated from Men of Nehemiah prior to 2020 stayed sober for at least two years. More information is available at menofnehemiah.org.