COFFEE COUNTY, TN - What began as a routine welfare check on New Year’s Eve turned into an unforgettable encounter for Manchester Police officers and a powerful reminder of the human stories behind everyday calls. According to Manchester officials, Officers Chatfield and Weathers were dispatched to the Circle K on Highway 53 near the Interstate 24 interchange to check on an individual’s well-being. After confirming the man was safe and recognizing the dropping temperatures, the officers offered him a ride to a local warming shelter. 

Once at the shelter, the man was provided a donated quilt containing toiletries and other essentials. During a conversation at the center, officers learned the man’s story was far more remarkable than they initially realized. Manchester Police later shared that the individual was David McCall, a former Minnesota State Boxing Champion and a former member of the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team.

Authorities confirmed in a Facebook post that McCall shared details of his boxing career with officers, including 40 amateur fights and 10 professional bouts. He even had his championship belt with him. Officers said they were honored to meet McCall and assist him during what was clearly a difficult moment in his life. A photo captured the encounter, preserving what police described as a meaningful moment for everyone involved.

McCall’s amateur boxing career spanned roughly from 1972 to 1983, placing him in the same era as some of the most legendary figures in the sport. That timeframe aligns with the famed 1976 Olympic team, which included icons such as Sugar Ray Leonard and the Spinks brothers. According to BoxRec, nearly 29 percent of McCall’s professional bouts ended in knockouts, a statistic that reflects his power and competitiveness in the ring.

The 1970s are widely regarded as a golden age of boxing. During that era, Muhammad Ali delivered historic bouts against George Foreman in 1974 and Joe Frazier in 1975. Foreman went on to dominate much of the decade, while Leonard emerged as the face of boxing after capturing Olympic gold in 1976 and later becoming a global star.

In 1987, McCall held Minnesota’s State Middleweight Boxing Title. That same year, he was forced to pause his boxing career after undergoing what was, at the time, a major hip operation.

For Manchester Police, the end-of-year encounter highlighted how routine calls can reveal extraordinary personal histories and how a small act of compassion can make a meaningful difference.