John Metchie III, a three-year NFL wide receiver, spoke for around an hour to Nanaimo youth at John Barsby Secondary School on Tuesday, Jan. 27, telling stories from his life and career. (Image Credit: Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

lived experience

‘Setbacks don’t mean stop:’ NFL receiver delivers key life advice to Nanaimo youth

Jan 28, 2026 | 5:31 AM

NANAIMO — An NFL wide receiver helped dispense some valuable life lessons like an all-star quarterback, using his experience as a collegiate and pro athlete, as well as a cancer survivor.

New York Jets wide receiver John Metchie III was a guest of Kw’umut Lelum on Tuesday, Jan. 27, speaking to around 100 youth at John Barsby Secondary School, sharing stories from his life through high school, college and professional football.

Speaking to NanaimoNewsNOW prior to the event, Metchie said he hoped his lived experience, including three seasons of collegiate football and another three in the NFL, would resonate with the kids.

“Things I’ve picked up and learned along the way, lessons that still serve me today. I think the biggest thing is just to talk and dialogue with them…for them to see that I’m very similar to them, and I went through the exact same thing. Something tangible that they can see and talk to which gives them the confidence to know that they can as well.”

Metchie was born in Taiwan, but moved to both Ghana and eventually Ontario in his youth.

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He told the gathered crowd he dreamed of making it in the NFL and left home around the age of 13 to attend a private boarding school in pursuit of it.

The experience taught him independence at a young age.

After initially flying under the radar as a college recruit, attendance at camps put his name on the map and Metchie said he had his pick of almost any school in the United States.

He spent three years with the highly-touted University of Alabama before being drafted in the second round by the Houston Texans.

However, Metchie tore his ACL late in the 2021 season and then just two weeks after being cleared from the injury, he was diagnosed with leukemia and missed the entirety of his 2022 rookie campaign with the Texans.

“Setbacks don’t mean stop,” Metchie said during his remarks. “Things not going your way doesn’t mean it’s not meant for you.”

Metchie said habits he’d created as a high schooler served him well during dark times early in his pro career.

“Being able to be a disciplined person, and that’s bigger than sports, that’s as a human being. Whether you’re able to be disciplined in your day-to-day as a person, how you live your life, and then if you’re able to consistently show up, those are the biggest intangibles in my opinion.”

Around 100 youth from the Nanaimo area, many with football connections in community, spoke with NFL wide receiver John Metchie III on Tuesday at John Barsby Secondary School. (Image Credit: Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

He added professionals, in all fields, are not looking for someone who can be good once, “but somebody that can consistently be good.”

Metchie split last season with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jets, starting a career-high seven games, registering 33 receptions for 274 yards and two touchdowns.

He said he hopes the kids assembled Tuesday take away a fresh perspective on their goals and ambitions, whether they’re linked to football or not.

“The belief in themselves, that they can make whatever dream they have come true. Whether it’s athletically, academically, whatever dream they have that they hold dear, that they can make come true themselves, they don’t need permission from anybody to make that dream come true. All they need is the belief in themselves.”

Metchie’s visit came while he was visiting family in the Lower Mainland, with a friend of his sister asking whether he’d come speak in Nanaimo.

Kw’umet Lelum executive director William Yoachim said Metchie provided some invaluable life advice for youth of all backgrounds.

“He’s a true role model, he leads a great lifestyle, he’s a pro athlete. It’s not very often you get that calibre of NFL player in the city of Nanaimo. The kids seem to really resonate with him and he tells a good story on the importance of education, taking care of yourself.”

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