By Alan Segel
NEFJ Contributor
FOXBOROUGH — A hero is often defined as a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities.
If you ask people who their hero is, you will get different answers that range from family members to athletes to political figures. And yes, back decades and years people did have heroes in politics.
Patriots’ linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson had a hero; his father Kelvin. He was an outstanding linebacker at Baylor and if you got a chance to ask him about his son, I am sure he would be beaming proud and praising K’Lavon the man and the player. But that is not possible, as Kelvin Chaisson was shot dead in 2014.
K’Lavon was playing basketball for Galena Park North Shore High School in Texas as a 15-year-old sophomore. He played football as a freshman, but the gridiron took a back seat the next year for the hardwood; until the most difficult tragedy for any teen to handle occurred.
K’Lavon changed gears, asked football coach Willie Gaston to come back for spring football and the road to football success was launched.
It was easy for Gaston to say yes, as K’Lavon was a special kid and player.
“He was a freshman at 14 and showed maturity that was over the top as a defensive back and a special team’s player”, Gaston told me this week.
“He was a leader from day one and had a great support system in school, from the team, from his grandparents, and it helped him focus on things by playing football.”
K’Lavon could not agree more.
“It was huge. My coaches gave me a chance to display my talents on the field but the situation also gave me a chance to figure out who I am; within myself, within the school, and within the team. So, it was a blessing to be able to play for the team I played with for sure.”
To say K’Lavon just ‘played’ is an understatement.
He carved out a high school career that saw spectacular play. In his senior year he had 15.5 sacks, 50 tackles (13 for a loss) and forced three fumbles. He led the North Shore Mustangs to the Texas State 6A Division 1 Championship and he was named as Defensive MVP with two sacks and a forced fumble in North Shore’s 21-14 win over Westlake in overtime. He also had a scholarship offer from LSU, where he would continue his career. He was also spectacular in Baton Rouge.
He was named to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team. His sophomore season started spectacularly too, but a knee injury forced him to the sideline and he became a medical redshirt. He returned the next year and was named as the 2019 Peach Bowl defensive MVP vs. Oklahoma and in the 2020 National Championship game, he recorded two tackles as the Tigers defeated Clemson 42-25.
He declared for the draft and was taken as the 20th pick by Jacksonville. He was there for four years before they declined his fifth-year option. After stops in Carolina and Las Vegas he became a Patriot on March 17th, 2025. It has become the perfect match as a player and person.
The Patriots are very community oriented and K’Lavon has never forgotten his roots. Every summer, he returns home to Houston to conduct a camp for kids in his hometown.
Gaston says, “He loves this place and we love him. The kids know him and talk to him about football and life.”
K’Lavon enjoys being a role model for these kids.
“I never got the opportunity or chance during my time playing (to meet a pro) so, just to know that it is possible to have guys know from someone that sat inside those rooms, the same locker room, that went through the same drills and made it to the same level they are trying to reach it is huge for them and their belief. I hope to continue to do it.”
At every level, K’Lavon the person is someone people want to approach and talk to. He is a leader. He cares and his Patriots teammates very much see that day in and day out. When I asked him why this is so, he said “it is a question you have to ask my teammates.”
So, I did.
“I love KC”, says his linebacker, running mate and captain Robert Spillane. “He is a special player who brings amazing energy every time he walks in this building. He carries his head high and is one of those guys that young and old players gravitate toward. Everyone wants to be around him because of his presence. He is such a positive reinforcement for our defense and locker room.”
Linebacker Christian Ellis agrees 100%. “He is a great friend, great leader and great locker room presence. He is very vocal and he gets everybody ready for the day. There is not a day that goes by where he isn’t talking, where he isn’t making sure that everybody is good. He is loved”
Chaisson of course, is also a superb player on the field. Against the Chargers this past Sunday in the Wild Card game, he had three tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. Overall, this year he has 31 tackles and 7.5 sacks. He has a knack for being where the ball is. He is also enjoying this extension to the season.
“It is huge. We have to continue to embrace it and continue to live in the moment. However, there is going to be a time when we can look back and see how everything played out for sure. But not now.”
The fans are also enjoying watching what Chaisson brings to the field but will they get a 2026 sequel? He signed a one year 5-million dollar deal last March and when the scoreboard shows :00 in the fourth quarter of the Patriots last game he will be officially on the road to being a free agent at some point in March.
In my opinion, as someone who has covered this team for 49 years, I know a good player when I see one. K’Lavon Chaisson is a “good” player and is someone I think the Patriots need to bring back next season and beyond.