Kicker Noah McGough, a senior at Jesuit Dallas, has been a consistent force throughout the football season. While he loves the sport and hopes to continue playing in college, he says football is not his identity.
“Before coming to Men of Nehemiah, I put a lot of emphasis on me,” admits McGough. “But learning about what these men have been through, and hearing their testimonies, I was compelled to do something to help them! Now, it’s less about me and more about what I can do to use the talents God has given me to help others.”
Throughout the 2024 high school football season, McGough has been bringing awareness to Men of Nehemiah, a faith-based, nine-month residential recovery program in Dallas, with every kick he makes. People have responded with donations and pledges for every point he scores to provide funds for counseling for the men and their families. More information is available at menofnehemiah.org/kick.
To date, McGough has scored 58 total points (four field goals and 46 extra points) for Jesuit Dallas. At $592 per point pledged, and $5,988 in donations McGough has already raised $40,324.
Jesuit Dallas completed their 2024 Football season last Friday with a compelling 56-14 win over Irving Nimitz at home. The team goes into the Playoffs with a 6-4 record and will take on Arlington Bowie at Sam Houston High School in Arlington Friday, November 15th.
“At Jesuit, we live by the motto Be Men for Others,” says McGough. “I am reminded every week to be God’s light to my community.”
Last year, McGough was recognized as one of the best kickers in the nation. He was the top kicker in Texas, making 17 out of 21 field goal attempts, and ranked number six in the U.S. His achievements include being named to the Texas Sports Writers Association's Class 6A All-State First Team Kicker and Player of the Year for All District 7-6A Special Teams.
“Two years ago, I went to a Men of Nehemiah worship service,” explained McGough. “I really didn’t know how to praise God. I was timid. It’s cool how these men praise Jesus so freely. Now I want to go every Tuesday night and Sunday morning. I love getting to worship with them. Watching God move in their lives is life changing."
Men of Nehemiah combines Biblical discipleship with professional counseling and military discipline 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.
“Week after week Noah comes to All City Worship on Tuesday nights and our Bread of Hope service Sunday mornings,” said Jim Ramsey, Men of Nehemiah CEO. “Noah is drawing attention to our program and raising much needed funds. But, more importantly, he shows our men that he genuinely cares about them. When Noah walks into the room, the men respond like they would to a rock star.”
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.