Javon Ringer - Personal

Personal

Ringer is the son of Bishop Eugene and Darlene Ringer, who are both ministers. Ringer is a devout Christian. He owns a black belt in Karate. He majored in sociology. Ringer is known for his "unselfish attitude", such as signing any autograph a fan asks for, and often does charity work. Michigan State Head coach Mark Dantonio said of Ringer, "He's a total team player - it's not about him, and you can't say enough about him as a person aside from his athletic abilities." Ringer is one of the most active student-athletes in MSU's Multicultural Program. He has participated in numerous events, including the Gear Up College Day Program in which he served as a counselor to help advise middle school children, and the Academic Gladiators program where he expressed the importance of academics to other student-athletes. His "vibrant attitude" inspired children at hospitals and the MSU Child Development Lab, while his positive coaching skills at camps and clinics have made him a mentor to young football players. MSU's Angela Howard, who is the Director of Student-Athlete Development, said, "Javon's definitely a go-to guy as far as helping out in the community. He's not seeking the attention. Everything he does is for the right reasons, and he's willing to take the time, which he doesn't have a lot of. He's not doing it because I'm telling him he has to go out, or because he's the face of Michigan State football. When he's out there, he's doing it because he believes in doing it." His nephew, Northmont High School linebacker Kaleb Ringer, has recently committed to Michigan.

When asked about his motivations, Ringer responded "Honestly, my number-one motivation is my family". While talking about his attitude and upbringing, Ringer mentioned, "A lot of that just comes from my upbringing. I have a tremendous mother and father, I grew up in the church, I have a very religious family. I’m not all about myself just because I know if it wasn’t for God, I wouldn’t be able to go out there and compete anyway. So I never look at it as a selfish thing—I never want all the attention or want it to be about me, because I never want to get in to a situation where God has to humble me. I know for a fact that I am not doing it by myself; it is because of Him that I can compete over and over again. That’s basically how I grew up. I was blessed and fortunate to have a family like I have." Michigan State strength and conditioning coach Ken Mannie said of Ringer, "He's extremely self-motivated. He doesn't need pep-talks. He challenges himself every day." When asked "Who is the most instrumental person in your life?" Ringer responded, "My parents." Spartans coach Mark Dantonio said Ringer "epitomizes everything a student-athlete should be. He does everything in the classroom and on the field respectively. His tutor, Ryan Kraft a senior from Farmington Hills, was a great help in his academic performance and took him the distance where he needed to get to." In June 2009, Ringer and all the other Titan rookies made an appearance at a local hospital to celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day. Ringer also went to a V.A. hospital in November 2009 with other Titans to celebrate Veterans Day.