Jadon Purlee nicknamed ‘The Wall’

MADISON – Jadon Purlee earned an ominous nickname when he played middle defender in AYSO indoor and outdoor soccer. His coach nicknamed Jadon “The Wall.”

Jadon also has played Madison and Dizzy Dean baseball with the Giants, Braves, Rangers, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Brewers and Fury. He covered second base, pitcher and short stop.

With Upward Sports, Jadon has been a wide receiver, safety and quarterback in flag football and also played basketball.

Choosing his favorite sports is difficult. “It’s a tie between baseball and football. These sports bring more joy for me. I feel they are the most active,” Jadon said.

“I’m in fifth grade at West Madison Elementary. I have great friends and great teachers,” he said.

“My dad, Eric, works at Jacobs Engineering and builds rockets. My mom, Shari, works at the YMCA in Madison and teaches swim lessons to kids and adults. Our family also runs a family business, Hasenour Heritage LLC,” Jadon said.

Jadon’s siblings are Jonah, West Madison second-grader; Jonathan, Bob Jones High School freshman; Josiah, Auburn University freshman; and Moriah, Calhoun Community College student.

Jadon and brother Jonah can read each other’s minds when playing sports. “This comes in real handy when they’re on the same team playing football in the neighborhood,” Shari said.

One day, Shari cautioned Jadon when he was going non-stop from sport to sport. “Don’t exercise too much today,” she said. Looking shocked, Jadon said, “Is that a thing?”

Shari reminds her sons to run bases like they’re going to miss the bus. “They run their ultimate fastest when they’re running late for the bus in the mornings,” she said.

Q & A

Q: Which restaurants do you like?
A: Chick-fil-A.

Q: What’s your favorite food?
A: Cheese pizza.

Q: What are your favorite sports teams?
A: Dallas Cowboys and University of Alabama football. Favorite players are Peyton Manning, Dak Prescott, Eli Manning, Ezekiel Elliott and Russell Wilson.

Q: What is your favorite sports memory?
A: (1) “When I hit my first grand slam!” (2) “When I was on the Braves and we won the championship.” (3) “One game when I was playing right field, I threw a guy out at third base.”

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: “Playing Xbox, jumping on the trampoline, archery, roller skating, playing board games and eating.”