CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Malcolm Perry is a Clarksville legend. The Kenwood High School graduate went on to become the all-time leader in single-season rushing for Navy football. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 2020 and played in the NFL until 2022.

Perry was a standout at Kenwood, being a two time All-State selection, then broke several records for the Navy Midshipmen, including the most rushing yards in a single season by a FBS quarterback. While Perry’s playing career may be over, he’s not done giving back to Clarksville. Perry is holding a seven-on-seven football tournament this Saturday at 10 a.m. at Kenwood High School, including a food drive, and all proceeds will go to Manna Cafe.

Malcolm Perry throws a pass for Kenwood (Contributed by Malcolm Perry)

Perry told Clarksville Now he wants to use his athletic success to inspire kids. “I want to pour into the kids that are trying to do what I did,” said Perry. “The kids that want to go play college or in the league, it’s something that I’ve always done and strived to do. I think it’s really cool when people in certain positions give back to where they from, and I want to do that for this community.”

He is no stranger to community service and did plenty of it while in the Naval Academy and as a member of several NFL teams, including the Dolphins, Saints and Patriots. Now that Perry is past his football career, he believes giving back is important.

“For me, coming out of Clarksville, I didn’t have anyone to look up to that did what I wanted to do,” said Perry. “Just being a face that people can relate to, identify with, and show them that it’s possible is big for me because I didn’t have that. I want these kids to go forward and do greater things than I did.”

Malcolm Perry runs the ball for Navy in the Liberty Bowl against Kansas State (Contributed by Malcolm Perry)

For Saturday’s tournament spectators can pay $5 for entry or donate three canned goods to the Manna Cafe food drive. Along with high-level football and Perry dusting off the cleats, there will be a bounce house and free haircuts for kids 12 and younger.

“I want people to have a good time, bring people together in the community,” said Perry. “I worked with Manna a lot in high school, and bringing that together with football is huge. I want to lay the foundation and make it bigger and better every year. It may be more than just in the future, as long as it pours back into this city.”

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