The Jesse White Tumblers, formed 67 years ago by former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to keep Chicago youth away from gangs and drugs, brought their flips, somersaults and other gravity-defying tricks to NBC’s popular reality competition show “America’s Got Talent” in California.
After their performance, which premiered Tuesday night, the group now known as the Jesse White Tumbling Team received a standing ovation and four “yes” votes from the panel of celebrity judges — Howie Mandel, Mel B, Simon Cowell and Sofía Vergara — to advance to the next round of competition as the show continues its 21st season. […]
“I thought it was sensational,” said judge Simon Cowell, who eventually went up to shake White’s hand onstage. “You’re following an act with lasers and pyrotechnics, and this was all about you as a group, as individuals, being great, putting the hours in … I mean it really, really paid off.” […]
“’America’s Got Talent’ is a highlight of all we’ve been able to accomplish with this program,” White, now 92, told Block Club. The youngest tumbler performing with the team on the show was just 8 years old.
This was really fun to watch and the comments from Howie, Simon et al were inspiring. The only thing that surprises me is why haven’t the Jesse White Tumblers been on AGT before??
Jesse brought his Team to our local YMCA. My kids were wide-eyed and what kids, not much older than they are, could do right in front of their eyes. I had to assure mine it was all real and not some fake/trick. Plus it took hard, long work to be able to make what the Team did look so easy.
- Blazzzer - Wednesday, Jul 8, 26 @ 12:03 pm:
Nice to see some press that makes me proud to be from Illinois
- Blue to the Bone - Wednesday, Jul 8, 26 @ 12:09 pm:
This is truly Chicago’s team. A group we can all root for. Well done!
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 8, 26 @ 12:21 pm:
Jesse White is an American treasure.
- SpiDem - Wednesday, Jul 8, 26 @ 12:23 pm:
A living legend and a legit American Hero. Blessed to know him
- Tom - Wednesday, Jul 8, 26 @ 12:26 pm:
A great man who had great staff and still keeps good people around him.
- Proud Papa Bear - Wednesday, Jul 8, 26 @ 12:27 pm:
I still remember seeing him at the Special Olympics. He was in an alcove, by himself, out of the way, wiping down mats. A true servant leader.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Jul 8, 26 @ 12:38 pm:
Jesse is a very special person. They don’t make many of them anymore so celebrate those we have.
- Steve Rogers - Wednesday, Jul 8, 26 @ 12:54 pm:
This was really fun to watch and the comments from Howie, Simon et al were inspiring. The only thing that surprises me is why haven’t the Jesse White Tumblers been on AGT before??
- DEE - Wednesday, Jul 8, 26 @ 12:54 pm:
Jesse brought his Team to our local YMCA. My kids were wide-eyed and what kids, not much older than they are, could do right in front of their eyes. I had to assure mine it was all real and not some fake/trick. Plus it took hard, long work to be able to make what the Team did look so easy.
- Ares - Wednesday, Jul 8, 26 @ 12:59 pm:
A great person and public servant, who in each left the place better than he found it.