Nederland celebrates redemption story with Damon West day
Published 12:26 am Friday, June 21, 2019
- Damon West’s hometown of Port Arthur, represented by the “PA” helmet from Thomas Jefferson High School to his right, is mentioned throughout his new book, “The Change Agent,” which is available. (I.C. Murrell/The News)
NEDERLAND — The city council will honor Damon West with a proclamation for June 24, 2019 to be Damon West day.
The 700 Club show was in Nederland on Monday to interview West about his story of redemption.
The former college quarterback spent seven years in custody of the state of Texas. From alcohol and drug abuse to being a paralegal at the Provost Umphrey law firm, West’s life has come full circle. Earlier this year, his book The Change Agent hit the shelves.
West called Nederland Councilman Emmett Hollier who said he and Nederland Mayor Don Albanese would welcome the religious show to the city. West said the staff of the show were blown away by the hospitality of the members of the council and West also left a favorable impression on Albanese.
“I’ve never had an opportunity to hear him speak,” Nederland City Manger Chris Duque said of West. “I know they mayor [Don Albanese] and Councilman [Emmett] Hollier did The 700 Club thing with him. The mayor came in and was so excited. I think he left a really good impression on the mayor. That’s where the proclamation came from.”
West said the offer came out of nowhere.
“So many amazing things have happened in my life,” he said. “This is one of the top ones on the list. I was so humbled by his offer. I’m just grateful to Nederland and Southeast Texas for how they welcomed me back, gave me a second chance and allowed me to be useful to society.”
Albanese did not return a call for comment.
The Nederland city council meeting will be at 4:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall.
