DR. PHILLIPS, Fla. — Can’t stop. Won’t stop. It’s the motto ringing in Jimez Hamilton’s head during every rep, sprint and workout.

What You Need To Know

  • Jimez Hamilton played football for Dr. Phillips High School

  • He is a signee for UCF's program

  • He plays to remember his mom

For the former Dr. Phillips’ standout and UCF Football signee, the motivation is clear.

“Really just thinking about my future a lot,” Hamilton said between drills during a hot Sunday afternoon at Bill Spoon Stadium. “How good do I want to be when I’m settled?”

Even though he’s made it to the next level, the word "settled" isn’t in his vocabulary. Hamilton is battle-tested.

That goes beyond the gridiron.

“Don’t ever give up, even when things are looking slow,” Hamilton said. “I’ve been at the roughest points in my life. I never gave up.”

He showed that throughout his senior year for the Panthers. It was never more apparent than a Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022 contest with rival Ocoee High.

“(The) Ocoee game, we were down 26-7, no 21-0 and I scored three touchdowns and came down and caught the game-winning touchdown,” he said.

A standout performance deserved a post-game celebration with his mom, LaToya Daniels. It’s a moment that stands still in time.

“She’s forever watching over me, but physically, that’s the best performance she’s ever seen me do,” he continued.

One week later, on the morning of November 3, LaToya Daniels died. She was 43 years old. Her cause of death is still unknown.

“(That was a) shattering moment,” he said. “Worst I’ve ever felt in my life. If I could, I would do it all over. Spend all the time in the world with your mom. Always by her side.”

A best friend, a mother and a big sister gone too soon.

“Supportive, loving, stylish, understanding, a firecracker,” says LaToya’s sister, Teahna Daniels. “She was really a backbone for myself too.”

It’s the same role she wants to serve for her nephew. An aunt to Hamilton, an Olympian to the public. Daniels was a track & field star at The First Academy and the University of Texas at Austin. Her long list of accolades includes an Olympic silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Her priority is to set an example of how to cope with the death of a loved one. Not just as an athlete, but as a person.

“I still feel their love,” Daniels said. “That’s what I carry every day. That’s what I carry every moment and I just want to do everything I can to help Jimez achieve everything he wants to in life.”

“We’ve always been tight, but since I’ve lost my mom, she’s been there a lot, a lot,” Hamilton said.

Can’t stop. Won’t stop. This is the life now for Jimez Hamilton. The love for him by family will last forever.

“Mezzy, I love you and I support you,” Teahna said to him. “I want you to know that everything you want to accomplish is always within you and you can put anything you put your mind to.”

Always in his heart is to honor the woman who fueled his past, present, and future.

“I love you. I miss you,” Hamilton said. “I miss you a lot. I’m not going to stop playing football. I’m going to get to the NFL for you. Everything I do is justice for you. I love you and miss you, mama.”

Hamilton is set to enroll at UCF this summer. He says he will reach his dream of getting to the NFL as a tribute to his mother, LaToya.