ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Jamar Burnette may be multitalented but his education has helped him develop the modesty that epitomizes his strong character.
An outfielder for the Canadian junior national baseball team, Burnette is not only working on reading fly balls, he is also striving to make the world a better place.
At Parkdale Collegiate Institute in Toronto, Burnette along with some fellow classmates won an international anti-discrimination contest with their music video.
“I’ve always been interested in making a difference,” says Burnette. “At school, my teacher Allison Mann always influenced me to do good.”
This is not the first time Burnette’s musical passion has come to life online. You can listen to “J-Bee” on YouTube as he raps about many things, including baseball and hanging out with friends.
Burnette did a wonderful job satirizing Asher Roth’s song “I Love College,” with his own rendition titled “I Love Baseball.”
Burnette is hopeful of a professional baseball career and is prepared to deal with the responsibilities that come with such prestige. Public figures such as athletes are looked upon to be role models for younger kids, something Burnette understands.
Extra-curricular activities aside, Burnette is adamantly focused on his baseball career. He may be a talented musician, but that’s as far as it goes.
“Baseball is definitely my A choice,” Burnette says. “I own a ton of music equipment so I never have to go out of my way to do it.”
It would be hard for some to imagine transferring skills from rap music to baseball, but Burnette believes that psychological readiness is essential for success no matter what field you are working in.
“Rapping could help with my mental preparation,” the athlete-musician says. “In terms of being put on the spot, rapping could definitely help my game.”
An approach Burnette takes with every challenge in his life.