The Missouri Tigers recently took their team spirit beyond the field and into the hills of Harmons, Jamaica, where a 60-member group from the Mizzou Football program embarked on a weeklong service mission that blended hard work, cultural exchange, and personal growth.
During their time in Jamaica, the team undertook several community improvement projects. They helped construct a new house, laid the foundation for another future home on a steep hillside, contributed to expanding the Harmons Health Center, and built a much-needed bathroom for a local family. They also visited an infirmary, bringing warmth and conversation to those often left isolated. The labor completed by the team would typically take residents three to four weeks—highlighting just how much of an impact the players made in such a short time.
Beyond the physical work, the team was deeply moved by the people of Harmons. The community welcomed the players with open arms—inviting them into their homes, sharing stories, and even joining in for spontaneous games of football with local children.
Graduate student and safety Jalen Catalon reflected on the experience with humility and gratitude.
“I was just humbled and blessed to know that I was able to help out and make a change,” Catalon shared. “They do hard work every single day, and they do it with love because it’s their way of surviving. While I was helping, they were teaching me what it means to truly embrace the grind. It changed my mindset. Now when I’m training for the season, I think about that—how they grind daily just to live. It’s inspiring.”
Junior wide receiver Daniel Blood echoed those thoughts, emphasizing the parallels between the Harmons community and the football team.
“During the season when things get hard, you have to rely on your teammates—and that’s exactly what this community does,” Blood said. “They face challenges together. That resilience really stuck with me.”
Blood encouraged others to pursue similar opportunities.
“If you ever get the chance to go on a service trip—anywhere—take it. It will change how you see the world. Just go. Just do it.”
The trip to Harmons was more than a service project—it was a transformative experience that gave the Tigers perspective, strengthened their bond, and reminded them of the power of unity, love, and perseverance.
