Noah McGough’s Kicking for A Cause has already raised more than $12,000 to benefit Men of Nehemiah
Noah McGough, a senior at Jesuit Preparatory High School in Dallas and a kicker on the football team, has many eyes on him to play at the college level, but this season he is concentrating his efforts on giving back to his community.
McGough is bringing awareness to Men of Nehemiah, a faith-based, nine-month residential addiction recovery program in Dallas. During the 2024 football season, he is kicking for a cause and asking for the community’s support with donations and pledges. For every point he scores, the funds raised will go to scholarships and support counseling for the men’s families at Men of Nehemiah. The community can learn more or donate at menofnehemiah.org/kick.
“Two years ago, I participated in a Men of Nehemiah worship service," explained McGough. "I thought it was amazing how these men were praising Jesus, but I did not know their stories. Now, I try and go every Tuesday night and Sunday morning. I absolutely love getting to worship with these men and learn from their testimonies. It is life changing!”
After three games this season, McGough has scored 15 total points (two field goals and nine extra points) for Jesuit Dallas. At $561 per point pledged so far, and $4,325 in onetime donations McGough has already raised $12,740.
McGough is not just kicking for the Men of Nehemiah. He is also investing his time with the men. “Every Tuesday night the Men of Nehemiah gather for All City Worship, a spirit-filled service that is powerful and transformative,” said McGough. “You must experience it to understand the power that’s present in that room. I can feel the love of God in and around these men.”
All City Worship is open to the public. It is held from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. every Tuesday at Men of Nehemiah, 2010 Al Lipscomb Way in Dallas.
“The men see God’s love through Noah and they respond to him,” said Jim Ramsey, Men of Nehemiah CEO, who had retired after a successful 30-year consulting career when he came to a worship service at Men of Nehemiah. He was drawn in to how he could help the organization be more successful.
“We’re very thankful Noah is drawing attention to our program and raising much needed funds,” continued Ramsey. “But, more importantly, he’s demonstrating to our men that he really cares about them. Many of these men have long been estranged from their families. Some have been incarcerated. More than a few lived on the streets while some come to us from gated communities in affluent neighborhoods. Addiction respects no zip code.”
Jesuit Dallas’ next home football game will be Friday, September 27 against Irving High School at the Ranger Stadium on the Jesuit Dallas campus at 12345 Inwood Road. McGough says he will continue to ‘kick for a cause’ as long as Jesuit Dallas advances, including into the playoffs.
“God blessed me with the gift to kick a football, and kick it really accurately," continued McGough. "I want to use my gift to help others. But I am not alone out there on the field. My snapper, Phoenix Dericksweiler starts it all with a great snap. Our holder, Jaeger Krauss, must catch the ball and place it in just the right spot. Our entire line must block the attackers in order for me to be successful. We all need a team to win. I am grateful to be able to support the team at Men of Nehemiah. They are winning a second chance at Life.”
In 2023, McGough was recognized as one of the best kickers in the nation. He was the top kicker in Texas, making 17 out of 21 field goal attempts, and ranked number six in the United States. His achievements include being named to the Texas Sports Writers Association's Class 6A All-State First Team Kicker and Player of the Year for All District 7-6A Special Teams. He finished last season scoring 96 total points for Jesuit Dallas.
Men of Nehemiah is a unique program that combines Biblical discipleship with professional counseling and military discipline to restore lives that have been derailed by drug and alcohol addiction. The objective is to help each man become the person God intended him to be and reunite him with his loved ones and community.
In 1994, Pastor Louis Harrell, a former US Army Colonel, founded Men of Nehemiah in New Orleans to deliver his wayward son, Louis Harrell, Jr., from the grip of addiction. Louis Jr. relocated to North Texas, where he launched Men of Nehemiah in South Dallas with the help of Roger McCasland, President and CEO of Operation Relief Center.
Today, Men of Nehemiah has helped more than 1,500 men find paths to recovery. Research compiled in 2022 affirmed that 61% of men who graduated from Men of Nehemiah prior to 2020 stayed sober for at least two years. More information is available at menofnehemiah.org.