Guyton responded, “Because that guy has it all,’’ pointing at Mayo. “That guy was born with facial hair. Only guy I know that was born with facial hair.’’
When Mayo missed three games earlier this season because of a knee injury, his teammates repeatedly described how much they would miss his leadership as a captain. At 23 and only a second-year player, he has earned that respect. Mayo’s efforts on the field, the talents that helped him be named Defensive Rookie of the Year, were missed, but his presence in the locker room is equally valued.
Safety Brandon Meriweather, who is 25, said it was Mayo who taught him some of the more abstract elements of football.
“You can learn from everybody,’’ Meriweather said. “Jerod, he studies the game a lot. He’s very professional, and that’s pretty much what I learned from him - how to be more professional.’’
Mayo sports a mature look with a rugged beard, and his subtle ways have caused those who know him best to tag him as “Old Soul.’’ According to Mayo, the source of that mentality is his grandfather, Walter Johnson.
Johnson, who retired from the Air Force after 30 years, acted as a father figure for Mayo in his youth. While Mayo’s mother, Denise Mayo-Hinds, worked two jobs, Mayo and his brothers spent time with their grandfather in Virginia. Mayo was a youth counselor at Zion Prospect Baptist Church, where Johnson has been the pastor for 22 years.
Whenever Johnson had his grandchildren around, he said he encouraged certain disciplines.
“I wanted them to learn how to be responsible and how to be accountable and how to make something of themselves,’’ Johnson said in a telephone interview.
While discipline was important, fun was never missing. Mayo, the second oldest of four boys, developed a competitive relationship no matter what the event.
“When the brothers get together, they are really something to see,’’ Johnson said. “They have such a wonderful relationship.’’
And as Mayo grew older, the relationship with his grandfather developed. They passed time by playing cards, but they were never on the same team. If Mayo saw a chance to joke with his grandfather, he didn’t let the moment pass.
