Today we’d like to introduce you to Jedidiah McCloud
Jedidiah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in the suburbs of Chicago and grew up there in Wheaton, IL. I have seven siblings and first started playing football (soccer) when I was only four years old! I was brought up in a Christian family and am still a believer of Jesus Christ. I played for a local travel club Kopion FC and was lucky enough to have my dad as my coach for a few precious years. I then moved to a bigger club named Campton United and did well there. I was fully homeschooled up till my freshman year in highschool where I took a single class to be eligible to play for a local high school team named Wheaton Academy. By the end of my school year at Wheaton Academy I filled out a ID form on Chicago fire FC website and was asked to come to an ID event for their academy team. I did well and after three to four months of trialing was offered to join the Chicago Fire Academy team. I then had some struggles there with adapting to a new team and being one of the players new to that way of playing. I then played for Fire for 2 years and ended up going to play for another academy team in North Carolina, NCFC. I moved into my relatives home and for the first time was away from home. I struggled quite a bit because I had a massive fear of vomiting, which I later was diagnosed with the phobia emetaphobia. I soon started having issues with depression, anxiety and OCD even though I didn’t really know what all of that was at the time. I ended up not eating anymore and lost over 15 pounds, I then become very suicidal and one away trip to Dallas, TX and had the first intense urge to kill myself on the plane. I had a full panic attack on the flight and when we finally landed I wanted to go home. Suddenly something g I had lived my whole life loving I could care less about. My dad then ended up driving from Chicago to pick me up and bring me home. I then went to a behavioral therapy for about three months until I felt up for heading back to North Carolina to finish the year. I then ended up going back and within a week Covid Started and I had to go back home. I then took a gap year from because of Covid and played locally, I also started to make some tiktoks which got a lot of views and made me excited haha. half the time getting kicked off soccer fields from cops. Then Chicago Fire FC started a 2nd team and was having trainings which I heard from my younger brother Bowen who was playing a Chicago Fire Academy at the time. I then reached out to the director to se if I could get a trial which he granted. I then did well for two weeks and they offered me to join. I then played with them for almost a year which was awesome but was treated poorly due to my health and religious choice of not being vaccinated. Eventually they gave me an ultimatum of either I got vaccinated and played with them for the next year or I couldn’t count with the club. For one to the first times my faith was challenged and I stood firm and left the club because of this. I then played with a few local clubs and went on 4 trials with 4 different NISA teams (a 3rd tier pro league) which I was not offered a contract. I kept getting more and more into making soccer skill tiktoks and started to make some money. I then played with Chicago House AC for about a year and then went on trial with a new pro club Gold Star Detroit FC and signed my first pro contract. I then played the season there and counted to make social media posts. I eventually kept growing on social media with about 200,000 followers across platforms. I then needed the year with Gold Star and moved back to where my family had moved to Frisco, TX. I then had my first whole offseason there and kept making social media posts and was slowly growing to almost 250k. I then was called by my agent about a new opportunity with Savannah Clovers FC and later that week signed my 2nd pro contract! I then moved to Savannah and am happy I did! I have now been here playing for the Savannah Clovers for a little over five months.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
– I have struggled with depression, anxiety, OCD and emteaphobia.
– Having to decided between what I believed in (not getting vaccinated) or doing what others wanted to force me to do.
– Being rejected from four different pro clubs
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a professional footballer and social media content creator/influencer. I am known for making juggling skill videos on social media and being a good football player (soccer).
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am always looking for was to help my community through social media and in person events. I also am looking for new sponsors who will benefit from my social media each of millions weekly.
Pricing:
- One time post: $300-600
- Mutiple posts packages: $400-800
- Monthly sponsorship: $800-1,500
- Individual soccer training: $80 per 1hr session (open to offers)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Jedidiahsports.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jedidiahmccloud
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jedidiahpetermccloud/
- Twitter: https://x.com/JedidiahMccloud
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqMssaTyI0fD1PchV7xsQEg
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jedidiahmccloud0
