Tyner’s Nehemiah Bloodsaw Plays to Honor His Mom

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) – The Tyner Rams play for the district title tonight. One win away from a 20-win season, the Ram Train has been led by breakout junior guard Nehemiah Bloodsaw. However, his success story began with tragedy. News 12’s Angela Moryan has his inspiring story.

Said Tyner head coach  E’Jay Ward: “He’s been a big spark. Our success comes a lot from him dominating games.”

Nehemiah Bloodsaw consistently tops the Tyner stat sheet. The junior guard averages over 15 points a game — each basket made for his mom.

Said Bloodsaw: “She loved basketball a lot. She didn’t miss a game. She would miss work for my basketball games even though I was little. She didn’t miss a game. If she was still alive, I don’t think she’d miss a game now either.”

Bloodsaw’s mom died in 2014 when he was in fourth grade.

Said Bloodsaw: “When she passed away, it took a lot away from me. I wanted to go MIA for a little while… I don’t think no kid wants to go that long without seeing his mom, talking to her for a long time, but you just have to think about it, push on from it, and everything you do needs to be for her.”

Said Ward: “I see it every time he plays. He plays for his mom. I know he wishes his mom could be here, and I could just see the passion and the love for the game. I know that’s who he’s playing for.”

Said Bloodsaw: “Every time I score, I think about her. I’m thinking about what she would be doing…. If she was here, especially when I dunk, she would be going crazy. She envisioned me dunking. She would say, ‘You’re going to be tall, and you’re going to be dunking the ball real good. You’re going to have some great springs.’ It really came true. I didn’t know I was going to be jumping that high, but it really came true.”

Losing his mom has motivated Bloodsaw. He’s in the gym before school, after practice, always grinding.

Said teammate Anthony Sims: “He’s worked on his game a lot since last year. He became more explosive, more of a shooter, and just really lead us where we need to be.”

Said Bloodsaw: “It just got me to push harder, be a better person and grow up. I know she’s proud of me and would want me to keep going so I’m just going to keep going.”