All in the Family

I recently returned home from a week-long vacation with my wife's family, whereupon my side of the family held a weekend-long family reunion of sorts. And, if there was one thing I noticed, and such an observation is likely just another sign of me aging, as they say, the apple certainly doesn't fall far from the tree.  

I'm guessing it's like this with all families, but whether by way of actions, behaviors, mannerisms, etc., it is rather remarkable how much alike children are to their parents, and even to extended family members.

While on vacation, an intriguing article was brought to my attention regarding eight African-American brothers surnamed "Chubb" settling near Cave Spring, Georgia, as illegal slaves and before the Civil War. Yet, despite all of the obstacles they must have faced, within the next 20 years, the brothers and their families had established their very own community, Chubbtown.

And, you can probably guess what current Bulldog (photo) is a descendant of those eight determined brothers. 

Seeing Nick being mentioned in the article reminded me of the connection in characteristics between family members—my family and others—and the compelling and notable connection Chubb shares with several other of his fellow descendants.

The Chubb Football Family:

HENRY CHUBB, Nick's father

Hailing from Cave Spring, "big" Henry starred for the Darlington School in Rome as a high schooler. After being named Honorable Mention All-State as a senior in 1979—the first Tiger running back to be recognized as such in the school's history—Henry attended and played football at the Marion (Ala.) Military Institute under head coach Jim Goodman. After two years, he followed Goodman back to Georgia to be part of Valdosta State's first football program (photo). In 1982 and 1983, the first two seasons of Blazer football, Henry led Valdosta State in rushing each year, totaling 1,143 yards on 221 carries (5.2 avg.). 

AARON CHUBB, Nick's father's cousin

Aaron, a few years younger than cousin Henry from relatively nearby Rockmart, was also named Honorable Mention All-State as a high school senior (1983)—the only Rockmart HS player over an eight-season span (1980-1987) to be recognized as such. Aaron became a mainstay on Georgia's defense beginning as a redshirt freshman in 1985 (photo). From then through 1988, he started two seasons at defensive end and his senior year at outside linebacker, totaling 251 tackles, including 16 for loss (five sacks), while breaking up nine passes. Aaron ended his career ranked in the top 20 in Bulldog history in career tackles. Drafted in the 12th round by the New England Patriots in 1989, he was one of just three Georgia linebackers drafted into the NFL during the decade of the 1980s (by comparison, three Bulldog linebackers were selected in the 2013 draft alone). 

HENRY CHUBB II, Nick's half brother

"Little" Henry, or Henry II and Nick's older brother from a previous marriage by their father, was a two-way standout for Ware County HS at quarterback and defensive back. As a senior in 2004, he was recognized as a First-Team All-State defender. Playing for Troy University in 2005 and 2006 (photo), including starting at cornerback as a sophomore, Henry totaled 44 tackles, 1.5 sacks, intercepted a pass, and forced a fumble. After transferring to Georgia Southern in 2007, he was limited to two games, but totaled six tackles, an interception, and forced a fumble. Since his playing days, Henry has coached football and track on the high school level, and was also a football assistant at Birmingham-Southern College. 

ZACH CHUBB, Nick's brother

Two years older than Nick, Zach initially was the trigger for his younger brother's uncanny determination, according to their mother, Lavelle. Later, with Zach at quarterback and Nick at running back, the dynamic duo combined for more than 2,850 rushing yards and 34 rushing touchdowns in 2011, leading Cedartown HS to its first playoff appearance and winning record in nearly a decade. As a senior that season, Zach earned 7-AAA All-Region honors, totaling 1,542 yards and 15 touchdowns of total offense. Since signing with the Air Force Academy out of high school in 2012, Zach has been somewhat limited with injury, while seeing time with the program's JV team, Air Force Prep (photo), at defensive back. 

BRANDON CHUBB, Nick's distant cousin

Brandon, the oldest son of Aaron and a year older than distant cousin Zach, is entering his fifth-year senior season of 2015 at Wake Forest (photo). Playing for Hillgrove HS in Powder Springs, Brandon earned first team All-Region 5-5A and first team All-Cobb County honors at linebacker as a senior in 2011. Choosing Wake Forest over Central Florida, UAB, Air Force, and Appalachian State, he has tallied 219 combined tackles in three seasons (2012-2014), including two years as a starter for the Demon Deacons. Also, Brandon has recorded 10.5 tackles for loss, five passes defended, and two forced fumbles. An All-ACC honorable mention selection last season, he is another "Chubb" besides Nick who enters 2015 as a preseason all-conference honoree.  

BRADLEY CHUBB, Nick's distant cousin

Bradley, Brandon's younger brother by three years, was the second-highest rated recruit  (3-star prospect according to Rivals) of the younger Chubbs (behind 4-star Nick) coming out of high school. At Hillgrove HS, Bradley was considered one of the top 50 outside linebackers in the nation according to ESPN.com, choosing NC State over the likes of Iowa and Georgia Tech. As a true freshman last season, he played primarily on special teams and sparingly at linebacker, recording only four tackles. However, entering 2015, Bradley will likely start at one of the Wolfpack's two defensive end positions. 

And, remarkably, there's more...

Nine-year-old Harlem Diamond, who hails from Cedartown, was rated a year ago by the National Sports Report as the No. 1 youth (9 and under) football player in the entire country. At one point, the youngster was averaging roughly a staggering four touchdowns and 12 tackles per game. Harlem is the son of his head coach, Jamey Diamond, the 1999 state 2-A Defensive Player of the Year as a linebacker at Cedartown HS and a signee at Middle Georgia College. 

And, the Diamonds are kin to the Chubbs, proving sometimes the apple doesn't fall far from the tree even when that tree has some extended branches.