BTN.com staff, August 30, 2017
Melvin had become an elite football player in the Maryland area, and legendary high school coach Biff Poggi took notice. Biff recruited Melvin to play for him at The Gilman School, and Melvin accepted; however, getting to school proved to be difficult as Melvin lived far from campus. Biff and his family offered to take Melvin in so he could be closer to school. Soon, Melvin ended up living with them throughout his four years of high school. He became a member of the family - going on vacations with them, attending family events and even celebrating Christmas with the Poggis. Throughout this seemingly positive time in his life, though, Melvin still thought about his mother back in Liberia every day - he made an effort to call her at least three times a month.
