Lumbee Legend - Kenwin Cummings Jr.
Mr. Kenwin Cummings, Jr. was born - July 23, 1986, in Maxton, North Carolina, USA. He grew up in Robeson County and attended Purnell Swett High School in Pembroke. In high school he made a name for himself while playing on defense on the varsity football team – especially as a linebacker where he had an outstanding senior year with over 200 tackles after switching from offensive guard, earning local and regional recognition.
Mr. Cummings accepted a scholarship to Wingate University (Division II), where he became one of the most dominant defensive players in school history. During this time, he was a Three-time All-South Atlantic Conference (SAC) selection; Two-time NCAA Division II All-American and finished as Wingate’s all-time leader in both: Sacks – 26.5 and Tackles for loss – 56.5 – while earning a recorded 243 total tackles (8th in school history). As a result of all his hard work on the field, Mr. Cummings was inducted into Wingate Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 for his collegiate performance.
While undrafted in 2008 NFL Draft, Mr. Cummings was signed by the New York Jets as a free agent. He spent most of 2008 and 2009 on the practice squad, developing into a converted inside linebacker (from college defensive end). His NFL debut came in January 2010 during a Wild Card playoff game verses the Bengals, where he was primarily a special-teams player, who earned praise for his versatility and work ethic as a small-school convert. He was later signed by the Dallas Cowboys.
While his professional career is remarkable – the true story of success stems from his personal journey to the NFL. Diagnosed at age 15 with Type I Diabetes, he continued to play competitive football despite medical advice to quit, making his NFL success an inspiring story for athletes with chronic conditions. Mr. Cummings’ journey – from rural North Carolina, through collegiate records at Wingate, to achieving his dream of playing in the NFL while managing Type I diabetes – has made him both an athletic success story and a role model for young athletes in his community.
After retiring from football, he completed his college degree and transitioned into business, where he became a successful entrepreneur, helping build a security systems company that became a major ADT-authorized dealers in the country. While he currently lives in the Dallas area with his wife, Camille, and three children – Lennon, Nathalie, and Oliver. Mr. Cummings continues to serve as a source of inspiration to native children of all ages.
He is a member of the Lumbee Tribe and one of the few Native American players to reach the NFL. His story is about persistence, adaptability, and leadership. Coming from a small school (Wingate) and succeeding at the highest level of football all the while managing Type 1 diabetes while chasing a career in the NFL - becoming a community role model for young athletes, especially from rural and Native American backgrounds. He continues to be respected locally not only for athletics but also for representing his Lumbee community with pride.