Baldwin parade to roll Saturday

Baldwin's Mardi Grad Parade is Saturday at 1 p.m. and Jerald Hawkins is Grand Marshall.
Jerald Hawkins, known by family and friends as “Big Bubba,” is a product of a great city and state, Baldwin, Louisiana.
He now resides in Pittsburgh, Penn. He loves to remind his siblings, Warren Jr., Samantha, and Chester Hawkins that he is the baby. This 6-foot 6-inch, 210-pound “gentle giant” is the baby to his father Warren, Sr. (deceased) and mother Theressa Hawkins. Another pillar in his raising was his grandmother, known to all as “Mama Chook.”
Jerald is a 2012 honor graduate from West St Mary High School. Graduating in the top 10 percent of his class, Jerald also lettered in four sports and was a member of the WSM marching band. An outstanding team player, he garnered numerous district and state awards in football, basketball and baseball. He also won the 2011 state championship in track for the shot put. After being offered numerous academic and athletic scholarships, Jerald chose the “Fighting Tigers” of LSU in Baton Rouge.
While attending college he continued to excel in both academics and sports. He was selected as an outstanding student athlete for his grades during his first semester at LSU. He was also awarded several individual awards for his leadership and work as an offensive lineman. He entered the 2016 NFL draft and was selected in the fourth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Today he still proudly wears his college number, #65, for the Steelers. Hawkins states he may have physically moved, but Baldwin will always be his home. He would like to thank his church family, Hines Memorial COGIC, his former teachers, coaches, and friends who helped to keep him grounded and focused. He remains humble and thankful for his two children, Laelah and Jerald Hawkins, Jr.