Homeless former Indiana running back gets help after Austin path encounter
Sampson James, a former four-star running back who played at Indiana University, had been homeless in Austin, Texas for eight months when Jasper Steinmetz noticed his Indiana athletic backpack on a path earlier this year. Steinmetz, who had graduated from Indiana, stopped to talk. A Google search later revealed James had been a standout at Avon High School in Avon, Indiana before joining Indiana's football team as a freshman in 2019. He transferred to Purdue in 2021 and returned to Indiana as a walk-on in 2023. A knee injury and a diagnosis of bipolar disorder ended his football career. He dropped out in 2023 without graduating.
A chance conversation between strangers who shared an alma mater helped a former athlete who had lost his career and housing find stability again.
Source: A former Indiana football star had fallen on hard times. A chance encounter with a fellow Hoosier gave him a new lease on life. (cbsnews.com). Spotted via Good News Network.
Written by the HappyGood desk from the primary source linked above and checked against it. Every story links its source. Corrections: [email protected].
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