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John Darjean
 John Donald Darjean (born April 3, 1976) is an American former professional baseball player, humanitarian, actor, author, and YouTube content creator. He is widely known for his community development work, especially with at-risk youth, as well as for his YouTube channel, The Dominican Route, where he shares insights on life in the Dominican Republic. Early lifeJohn Darjean was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He developed a passion for baseball from a young age, playing the sport throughout his childhood. Darjean went on to attend Dallas Baptist University in Dallas, Texas, where his baseball talent continued to shine.[1] Professional baseball careerDarjean was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 6th round of the 1997 MLB Draft after his time at Dallas Baptist University. He spent several years playing in the minor leagues as an outfielder and briefly as a third baseman. His minor league career included time with the Oneonta Yankees, Greensboro Bats, Catskill Cougars (Independent), and the Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs (Independent). Humanitarian workAfter his baseball career, Darjean shifted his focus to giving back to the community. He founded the Majors 2 Minors baseball league, which provides young athletes an opportunity to engage in baseball while learning important life skills such as teamwork and discipline. He also co-founded the Dallas Baseball Alliance, a program that teaches baseball fundamentals while using the sport to promote life skills. In addition to his work with youth programs, Darjean has been an advocate for various causes.[2] He has been a lifelong volunteer with the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, the Dallas Police Athletic League, and the American Cancer Society. His humanitarian efforts were recognized in 2010 when he was awarded the NAACP Humanitarian Award.[3] Media and content creationDarjean has also ventured into the media space, becoming a content creator with his YouTube channel, The Dominican Route. The channel, which focuses on his life in the Dominican Republic, has gained significant popularity, with over 11,200 subscribers and 1.7 million views as of December 2024. The channel offers a unique look at the culture, resilience, and challenges Darjean faces as an expatriate living in the Dominican Republic.[4] PublicationsIn addition to his YouTube career, Darjean is an author. He has written books that focus on personal growth, resilience, and overcoming adversity. His publications aim to inspire others through his life experiences and the lessons he has learned.[5] Personal lifeJohn Darjean is married to Dominga Darjean. He relocated to the Dominican Republic after a career-ending injury left him permanently disabled. In the Dominican Republic, he continues to serve as an inspiration to others through his humanitarian work and creative endeavors. Despite managing chronic pain and adapting to a new culture, Darjean remains committed to helping at-risk youth and fostering positive community development.[6] Film appearancesDarjean played the role of shortstop in the movie For The Love of the Game (1999), which helped solidify his presence in popular media. He is also involved in an independent film project focused on the history and contributions of African Americans in baseball.[citation needed] Notable legal caseIn 2015, Shilo Sanders, then a ninth-grader and the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, allegedly assaulted school security guard John Darjean at FOCUS Academies in Dallas. The incident reportedly led to significant injuries for Darjean, exacerbating a pre-existing spinal condition.[7] In 2022, after Shilo failed to appear in court, a default judgment was entered against him, ordering him to pay $11.89 million in damages to Darjean. Subsequently, in October 2023, Shilo filed for bankruptcy, citing liabilities exceeding $11 million, including the court judgment. The bankruptcy proceedings have been contentious, with Darjean's legal team alleging that Shilo attempted to conceal assets, particularly those related to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals.[8] Multiple investigations into the 2015 incident have largely favored Darjean's account. For instance, the Dallas police referred the case to a grand jury, and the school's internal investigation supported Darjean's version of events. Additionally, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services initially sided with Shilo but later reversed its decision after further evidence emerged.[9] Awards and recognition
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