An NFL All-Pro tackle on Sundays, Cahokia native also making an impact off the field
Standing 6-feet-5 and weighing in at 305 pounds, Terron Armstead has been a major contributor on one of the top offenses in pro football since the New Orleans Saints took him in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
A starter since taking over at left tackle late in his rookie season, Armstead has been an anchor on a Saints offensive unit guided by future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Drew Brees, who has led New Orleans to three straight playoff appearances.
A two-time NFL Pro Bowl selection and 2009 graduate of Cahokia High School, Armstead, however, is far more than just a professional athlete.
Terron Armstead is also a son, a father, a hero to some, a role model to even more and one of the most respected players both on and off the field in the NFL.
His Terron Armstead Foundation, which began seven years ago and continues with the mission “to empower a generation of young people, with the necessary tools needed to become leaders in our community and the world,” benefits youth in the Cahokia, metro-east and New Orleans areas with giveaways, educational programs and many other charitable activities.
“I don’t know if I would say that I’ve always wanted my own foundation. But I have always wanted to be able to give back,” Armstead said recently. “I’ve got a good life and being in the NFL gives me the opportunity and the means to be able to have a positive influence in the lives of others and to be a role model for the young people.
‘”We started out with giveaways, things like school supplies and coat drives. We have a bike giveaway in New Orleans, food drives, toy drives around Christmas. We had a lot of events, holiday-based events. Then we went into becoming more of a sustained resource access for the community.”
One of the best offensive linemen in the NFL, Armstead is fast becoming a legend off the field through his charity work in both the metro-east and New Orleans areas.
Named as the New Orleans Saints Man of the Year in 2019 for giving back to the New Orleans and Cahokia communities, Armstead was a finalist for the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is given annually by the NFL honoring a player’s community service work as well as his excellence on the field.
Baltimore Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell won the Walter Payton award a year ago as a member Miami Dolphins.
But for Armstead it all began as a Cahokia Comanche.
A two-sport star
One of the top two-way starters in the St. Louis area in high school, Armstead hit a growth spurt between his junior and senior year at Cahokia.
Bigger, stronger and faster, the 6-4, 290-pound Armstead helped lead Cahokia to the South Seven Conference title, an 11-2 record and a berth in the IHSA Class 5A state semifinals where it lost to Metamora.
A first team all-state offensive lineman under coach Antwyne Golliday, Armstead then became a two-time all-state athlete as a senior when he won the Class 2A shot put for a Comanches team which went on to place second in the team competition.
“I remember the state record was like 61 feet and I threw if 57 feet, 7 inches on my last throw to win state at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston,” Armstead said. “I still keep in touch with a lot of people in Cahokia, like coach Golliday, (track coach) Leroy Millsap and other coaches.
“I don’t get home much. I came back a few weeks ago when I brought my kids up to spend some time with my mom. It’s always good to see good friends.”
A stellar college career and NFL bound
After graduating from Cahokia, Armstead opted to attend the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff where he competed in both football and track and field.
Armstead played in 37 games and made 32 starts at left tackle at Pine Bluff where he continued to excel on the track as well. Competing in the shot put, he became an eight-time champion for the track and field team and earned All-Southwestern Athletic Conference and All-American honors as a senior.
“We didn’t get a lot of exposure at Pine Bluff. But it was a great experience that I really needed,” Armstead said. “I got a great education and met a lot of wonderful people that I love and hold close to my heart.”
After completing his senior football season, Armstead drew the attention of NFL scouts at the annual “Senior Bowl’’ all-star game and then at the NFL Combine. He impressed scouts by running the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.71) by an offensive lineman in the history of the NFL Scouting Combine and was a member of the All-American Sleeper Team compiled by the NFL Draft.
Another Cahokia native who was a multi-sport standout is current O’Fallon football coach Byron Gettis. A former college football player who spent several seasons in the Kansas City Royals farm system, Gettis said Armstead is a person who cares about and wants to help young people.
“Terron is one standup young man. He is a very humble young man with a great heart. He loves seeing the growth of people. Terron is a perfect example for all young kids everywhere, especially Cahokia, Centreville and Alorton,” Gettis said. “We’re talking about a young man who excelled in multiple sports at Cahokia HS. He put the work in academically and received a scholarship offer to a historic black college/university in Arkansas Pine Bluff University.
“Even though Terron had the size and athleticism, he had the work ethic and determination as well. Terron didn’t just stop there, he continues to excel in the NFL. It’s been truly a blessing to see him give back to the community that he grew up in.
“The Terron Armstead Foundation consists of his family and friends, and does an excellent job not only here at home but in New Orleans and surrounding communities. Terron Armstead is the perfect role model for anyone who has the heart of giving back.”
Helping at home
Armstead’s charity work in New Orleans includes annual school supplies giveaways for local students and being one of the team leaders in donating to and participating in an annual Thanksgiving dinner giveaway event at a New Orleans YMCA. He has also helped raised money for college scholarships for high school athletes.
At home in the metro-east, the Terron Armstead Foundation is also heavily involved in making life better for youth. Last June, Armstead, 28, hosted a football camp at O’Fallon High School where more than 700 young people showed up.
“We couldn’t have it this year because of the coronavirus, but last year it was just a tremendous event,” Armstead said. “We had several of our sponsors come out and it was great to have all those kids just have a great time.”
Armstead and members of his foundation are currently working hard on the completion of the Team Armstead Community Center in Cahokia. The 40,000 square foot facility was renovated and will feature, among other things, an early childhood academy, computer laboratory and after school program.
Armstead said he hopes the facility will be ready in August and hopes to have a similar facility in New Orleans one day.
Armstead getting ready for some football
Armstead was in Dallas earlier this week working out with several other linemen to prepare for the start of training camp which begins in late July.
That is if there is a training camp.
“I’m not really hearing much right now. But I believe there will be a season. I’m preparing with the idea that there will be one,” Armstead said. “I don’t know in what form or how it will look from a fans perspective. But I believe there will be a season.
“Losing in the NFC championship two years ago and then last year have been tough. But I think we have the physical makeup to make another run.. For us it’s basically Super Bowl or bust.”
