The Story Behind the Lineage BJJ Logos: A Legacy of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Southern Maryland

Since 2007, Calvert MMA Academy® and its evolution into Lineage BJJ® have built a living tradition of martial excellence in Southern Maryland. Our story spans continents, generations, and disciplines—and it’s told not just in the way we teach, but in the symbols we wear. The logos of Lineage BJJ® aren’t just graphics. They are living artifacts, woven from the threads of Japanese Judo, Brazilian innovation, and Chesapeake grit, born right here in the USA. They reflect who we are, where we come from, and why the training we offer is unlike anything else—and why we’ve never once stopped carrying that banner forward.

Imagine stepping into a dojo and seeing not just mats and gis, but symbols that reflect a journey from the Kodokan in Tokyo, Japan, to the academies of Rio and Teresópolis, Brazil, to the mats of Southern Maryland. These are more than logos—they’re chapters in a living story, proudly worn by those who train, teach, and carry on the legacy with every roll.

From Calvert MMA Academy® to Lineage BJJ®: Origins of a Philosophy

When Calvert MMA Academy® opened in the fall of 2007, our grappling program launched under the name Team Relson Gracie Maryland Training Association—Relson’s first official training association in the state of Maryland. Before that, I trained extensively with my close friend, colleague, coach, and training partner, Scott Devine. At the time, Scott was one of the highest-ranking Gracie Jiu-Jitsu practitioners in the greater Maryland, Northern Virginia, and D.C. area, and one of Relson’s first black belts. Scott, a sergeant with the U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division, also served as the agency’s sole Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt instructor for control tactics at that time. We trained together at the U.S. Secret Service Training Academy—James J. Rowley Training Center in Beltsville, where Scott led weekly classes after work, as well as at his home. I also regularly made the drive to Northern Virginia, where Scott taught at an academy called the Fighters Garage (Falls Church, VA), and later at a different academy known as Fight Works (Ashburn, VA). Though he moved to Georgia more than a year before Calvert MMA® officially opened—taking on a new role at FLETC in Glynco—his influence and instruction laid the foundation for what would become Maryland’s first official Relson Gracie association.

After Scott left the area, I visited various academies throughout Maryland—some led by high-ranking BJJ practitioners, including well-known instructors who had relocated from Brazil and were respected in the community. But I was stunned by what I found. Despite their reputations, the instruction often lacked structure, depth, and most importantly, effective self-defense. For me, that wasn’t optional. Coming from a career in the U.S. Secret Service, self-defense wasn’t just a training concept—it was a matter of survival. That disconnect is what ultimately inspired the founding of Calvert MMA Academy®: a school built to preserve authentic, functional Jiu-Jitsu with a clear focus on both technique and real-world application.

Calvert MMA Academy® was founded by Toney Waldecker, Matt Almborg, and me—Jim Thrift.

Our first logo in 2007 carried weight: a shark in a gi, standing tall before the Maryland flag. The shark honored Relson Gracie, whose father, Hélio, gave him the nickname “The Shark” for his relentless, aggressive style of Jiu-Jitsu. The Maryland flag grounded us in our roots. This was more than branding—it was a mission statement, born of necessity and built on principle.

In 2009, after the passing of Grandmaster Hélio Gracie—the man who transformed Judo into Gracie Jiu-Jitsu—I felt a deep responsibility to preserve something sacred. Relson was visibly affected by the loss of his father, and that grief lingered. Wanting to honor that legacy, I approached him with an idea: to rename our grappling program to “Lineage”. It wasn’t just a name—it was a tribute to the unbroken transmission of martial wisdom from Dr. Kano, to Maeda, to the Gracie family, to Relson, and now to us. When I shared the idea, Relson gave a rare, genuine smile—the first I had seen since his father’s passing. That moment spoke volumes: approval, respect, and the start of something lasting.

The Logos: Icons of Identity and Honor

The Japanese Kanji 系 (Kei)

The symbol 系 (kei) was chosen not for aesthetics, but for its meaning. It translates to lineage, system, connection—exactly what our academy represents. This character wasn’t selected lightly. In 2009, while searching for something deeper than words, I reached out to my friend Paul Sorci—a former U.S. Secret Service agent and Air Force OSI criminal investigator who has now lived in Tokyo, Japan for over two decades. Paul is not only immersed in Japanese culture, but he’s also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt directly under Rickson Gracie, who is Relson’s brother. Paul confirmed that 系 was the character that held the meaning, gravity, and tradition we were looking for.

Its roots go deep—back to ancient China, where it was originally drawn as threads bound together. That symbolism passed into Japanese culture as a way to denote unbroken families, systems of belief, and structured teachings. Perfect for a martial tradition passed from master to student, across oceans and generations.

Two Visual Interpretations of Our Legacy

系 Inside a 360° Red Belt Circle (Ten Degrees):
This design is a direct tribute to Dr. Jigoro Kano, the founder of Kodokan Judo and the original 10th-degree red belt.

The kanji 系 (ke), meaning “lineage” or “system,” appears only in this version—encircled by a full red belt with ten degrees, symbolizing harmony, continuity, and the complete cycle of learning.
This circular emblem represents our historical foundation and connection to Judo’s original purpose: technique, respect, and personal growth.

Ten-Degree Red Belt with "Lineage" Above (No Kanji):
This version honors Grandmaster Hélio Gracie, a 10th-degree red belt and one of the fathers of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and co-founders of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).

It features a horizontally displayed red belt with ten degrees, with the word “LINEAGE” above it.
This cleaner design reflects the system he refined and passed down through generations, appearing on certificates, academy signage, and select apparel.

Both symbols are integral to who we are—representing two essential threads in our history: Judo’s philosophical origins and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu’s real-world application. They’re not just graphics; they’re badges of honor, worn by those continuing the legacy.

The Shark and the Gracie Name

The second emblem of Lineage BJJ® is an unmistakable one: the shark logo. A gi-clad shark, fierce and relentless, breaks through the word GRACIE, cinched in a red belt with nine stripes—symbolizing Relson Gracie, our teacher and living link to the origin of this art.

Relson was the Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Champion—undefeated in competition for 22 consecutive years. This incredible feat remains unmatched and speaks volumes about his technical mastery and intensity on the mat. His legacy isn't just one of victories, but of an uncompromising standard of excellence passed directly to those he trained. That mindset—of precision, pressure, and perseverance—is what he handed down to us. Not just how to win, but how to endure and overcome when it matters most.

This logo comes in two versions:

A dynamic horizontal burst through “GRACIE”
A circular format, reading “Team Relson Gracie” on one half, and “Lineage BJJ” on the other, with a red belt cresting the top

It’s an unmistakable mark of lineage, precision, and authentic, battle-tested technique.

Why the Symbols Matter

Symbols aren’t decoration. They’re declarations. Each one of ours tells a story:

That we trace our roots to Judo’s original purpose: technique, respect, and personal growth
That our BJJ is authentic, street-tested, and taught by those who lived it
That we carry Maryland pride alongside a global legacy

We’ve used them during events like the Lineage Championships—our in-house scrimmage competition—awarding gold, silver, and bronze medals featuring the logo. You’ll also find them stitched onto gis, printed on certificates and diplomas, proudly displayed on rash guards, MMA and no-gi shorts, t-shirts, hoodies, beanies, ball caps, and more, and hung on the academy walls. These aren’t just symbols—they’re history made visible. And while they’re not idolized, they are respected. They remind us of who we are, how we got here, and why our direct lineage to the Gracie family is essential to everything we do.

In a world where modern sport BJJ often sacrifices real-world effectiveness for flashy techniques and point-based play, we remain grounded in the original intent of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu: self-defense, survival, and leverage over strength. Our lineage is complete, our curriculum unbroken—and no other academy in Southern Maryland shares this proximity to the source—authentic, direct, and unfiltered. That’s not something you buy. That’s something you build—through training, tradition, and time-tested skill. And while our foundation is self-defense, our students have also gone on to dominate in competition, earning state, national, and world titles that reflect both the quality of our instruction and the depth of our commitment.

The Legacy Behind the Lineage: A Journey from Japan to Brazil to Southern Maryland

To understand the meaning behind our logos, you need to know the history they represent—a history that stretches from the dojos of Japan to the streets of Brazil to the mats of Southern Maryland. Our lineage isn’t just a word; it’s a direct connection to the pioneers of martial arts who shaped the foundations of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. This journey honors those who came before us—and the students who carry it forward today.

Jigoro Kano: The Visionary Who Started It All

Public domain portrait of Dr. Jigoro Kano, founder of Kodokan Judo

Our story begins in Japan with Dr. Jigoro Kano, the founder of Kodokan Judo. Born in 1860, Kano was a small, determined student who transformed his academic discipline into a martial arts revolution. In 1882, he established the Kodokan and modernized traditional Japanese jujutsu into a system built on personal development, technical precision, and efficiency. Judo—“the gentle way”—emphasized using leverage and technique over force, a principle that would become central to Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Kano believed martial arts could shape character and contribute to a better society. One of his most notable achievements came in 1886 when the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department sought the most effective martial art to train their officers. A public challenge was held between Kano’s Judo team and the top jujutsu schools of the day. Kano’s team dominated every match, proving not only the effectiveness of his system, but its real-world value for law enforcement. As a result, Judo was adopted as the official system for the Tokyo police—a decision that influenced defensive tactics training for generations.

As someone who served 25 years with the United States Secret Service and trained in multiple martial arts systems, I’ve always found this part of Kano’s story deeply meaningful. His focus wasn’t just on competition—it was about what works when it matters most. That approach is the foundation for everything we do at Lineage BJJ®.

Though Kano would later evolve Judo into an international sport, the early Kodokan style was a complete, street-proven system—a blend of discipline, efficiency, and realism. This foundational vision is what inspired the Gracie family to adapt and expand upon it in Brazil.

Kano also believed Judo should be shared globally. He sent his top students across the world to carry his message, and one of them—Mitsuyo Maeda—would change the martial arts landscape forever. Known as "Count Koma," Maeda arrived in Brazil in 1914 and became friends with Gastão Gracie, a local businessman. In appreciation, Maeda began teaching Judo to Gastão’s eldest son, Carlos Gracie. That single act would lay the foundation for what we now call Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Kano’s legacy lives on in our logo—the kanji 系 inside a red belt circle with ten degrees. It’s a tribute to the originator of the art, whose influence remains present in every class we teach.

The Gracie Evolution: From Judo to Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

Carlos Gracie, born in 1902, studied Maeda’s system and passed it on to his younger brother, Hélio. Hélio’s frail frame made traditional Judo difficult, so he refined the techniques to rely more heavily on leverage and timing. What emerged was a unique and highly effective method of self-defense—Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Before the UFC introduced the world to this system in the 1990s, the Gracie family had already proven its effectiveness through public challenge matches across Brazil. Carlos and his students systematically visited martial arts schools—karate, jujutsu, capoeira, and more—offering open invitations to test skills in real combat. These encounters often ended in quick submissions, establishing Gracie Jiu-Jitsu as a dominant system in a pre-MMA era. Just as Kano had demonstrated the superiority of his system decades earlier in Japan, the Gracies proved theirs on the mats of Rio and São Paulo.

Collage artwork by *purenet* – Available via Amazon

These weren’t spectacles or ego-driven stunts—they were about demonstrating what works when rules are stripped away and self-defense is on the line. The legacy of those early encounters lives on in the techniques we teach today.

Hélio tested and refined these methods in the unforgiving world of no-rules fights (known in Brazil as Vale Tudo). He and his family welcomed challenges from boxers, wrestlers, and martial artists of every discipline—proving the effectiveness of technique over brute strength. One of the most iconic chapters was Hélio’s pursuit of a match against Japanese champion Masahiko Kimura. Before Kimura would accept, Hélio was required to first face Yukio Kato, the number two Judoka from Japan. Their first match ended in a draw. In the rematch, Hélio choked Kato unconscious, earning the right to face Kimura. Though Hélio ultimately lost that 1951 bout via shoulder lock, his performance left a lasting impression—even on Kimura himself—and cemented the credibility of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu on the world stage.

Family history—and accounts from those close to the Gracies—also tell us that while Carlos focused more on philosophy, nutrition, and building the Gracie Diet, it was Hélio who took on the primary responsibility of training the next generation. This included not only his own sons—Relson, Rickson, and Rorion—but also Rolls Gracie, who, although Carlos’ biological son, was adopted by Hélio at just two months old and raised by Hélio and his wife as their own. Born exactly two years before Relson and sharing the same birthday, Rolls went on to become one of the most influential figures in the next generation of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu—until his life was tragically cut short in a hang gliding accident.

Family members and authors like Rorion Gracie and Angela Gracie have long emphasized that the Gracie Diet is just as essential as the technique itself. In their view, true success in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu comes from the full lifestyle—where diet, discipline, and training work together to create champions both on and off the mat. One without the other is incomplete.

This spirit of resilience and ingenuity is part of what we honor at Lineage BJJ®. The kanji 系 on a red belt with ten degrees represents not only Hélio’s rank but his role as a teacher who helped redefine what martial arts could achieve.

Relson Gracie: A Direct Link to the Source

Relson Gracie, Hélio’s second-eldest biological son, is my direct instructor and one of the last active members of the Gracie family from the art’s early era. From a young age, Relson trained under his father’s watchful eye—teaching full-time by age 13 and eventually becoming the Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Champion, holding that title for 22 consecutive years.

By the age of 10, Hélio was already having him compete against adult men. Relson once told me it terrified him at first—but it also forced him to trust the technique. Surrounded by talented brothers like Rolls, Rorion, and Rickson, and cousins like Carlson and Robson, Relson honed his skills in an environment where iron truly sharpened iron. No one of his generation had more hands-on time teaching, training, and testing the art—on and off the mats—than he did.

Relson moved to the United States in his early 30s, eventually settling in Hawaii where he began building a network of Gracie academies. As a 9th-degree red belt, he remains a living bridge to the origins of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Our shark logo—a gi-clad figure breaking through the word “GRACIE” on a red belt—reflects his nickname, his rank, and his dedication to the art. His teachings continue to shape everything we do at Lineage BJJ®.

Dual Paths: Self-Defense and Sport—Two Sides of the Same Art

At Lineage BJJ®, we preserve both the self-defense roots of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and its evolution as a modern sport. Each path has value, and together they form a complete system for students of all goals and backgrounds.

In the sport realm, our athletes train for the unique pace and strategies of tournament competition—focusing on timing, scoring, and submission-oriented tactics. We support this evolution through structured training and a dedicated competition team that regularly represents us at events such as Good Fight Tournaments, North American Grappling Association (NAGA), International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), Fight 2 Win Promotions (F2W), Grappling Industries, FUJI BJJ Events, FloGrappling, and more.

But the foundation will always be practical self-defense. Our curriculum covers real-world scenarios including standing defense, close-quarters control, wall-based escapes, and ground survival. We teach students how to manage distance, control space, and neutralize threats using pressure-based techniques and natural body movement. This includes defenses against punches, grabs, knives, clubs, guns, and weapon retention—skills designed to hold up under real stress, not just tournament rules. You don’t need to be young, athletic, or in peak shape. What we teach is made to work for everyone, when it matters most.

This dual focus is intentional. Whether you’re preparing for the podium or the unexpected, our goal is the same: to build confidence, resilience, and capability in every student.

More Than a Brand: A Living Legacy

When you step into Calvert MMA or Lineage BJJ, you’re entering more than a martial arts academy—you’re stepping into a living lineage. Our logos aren’t just visual designs; they’re symbols of a tradition that began over a century ago and continues to thrive on our mats today.

From Dr. Kano’s Kodokan in Japan to the Gracie family’s legacy in Brazil, and now to Southern Maryland, every step of this journey is reflected in what we teach, how we teach it, and the values we uphold.

You’ll see these emblems:

On the diplomas awarded to students who rise through the ranks, each one a testament to their growth, discipline, and connection to something greater
Hanging above the mats as quiet sentinels of the legacy we carry forward every day
At in-house events like the Lineage Championships, students test their skill and resolve in a spirit of friendly rivalry.
At regional, national, and world championship competitions, our athletes showcase what it means to represent authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in both form and mindset.

Every stripe, every belt promotion, every symbol tells a story. Ours is one of history, community, and commitment to excellence—rooted in lineage, carried forward with purpose.

In Case You Were Wondering: The Full Story Behind Our Symbols

If you’ve ever wondered what our logos stand for or why they’re displayed with such pride, now you know. Each one is a visual representation of our values, our journey, and our direct ties to the pioneers of the art.

Each element—whether it’s the kanji 系 encircled by a full 360-degree, 10th-degree red belt honoring both Judo and Dr. Kano; the standalone 10th-degree Gracie Jiu-Jitsu red belt inscribed with “Lineage” in tribute to Hélio Gracie; the shark encircled by a 360-degree 9th-degree Gracie red belt symbolizing Relson; or our original Maryland flag design—represents authentic lineage, purpose-driven training, and an unwavering commitment to preserving the roots of the art.

This isn’t just a school. It’s a living tradition. It’s alive on our mats, in our students, and in every lesson we pass down. This is Lineage®. This is Lineage BJJ®. This is Calvert MMA Academy®.

And this is where the next chapter begins—where the spirit of Judo meets the heart of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, right here in Southern Maryland.

Dedication

This article honors two giants whose influence shaped the martial arts we practice today—Dr. Jigoro Kano, founder of Judo, and Hélio Gracie, whose innovations led to what we now call Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. In that spirit of lineage and respect, I dedicate this piece to Special Agent Samuel Tong—a friend, colleague, and someone whose love for Judo was both deep and unwavering.

I met Sam early in my career, in 1995, when he was based out of the Honolulu Field Office—which, for context, covered a vast region that included much of Asia. I had the privilege of working with him many times in Hawaii and during an assignment in Japan. In accordance with Secret Service protocol, the lead advance agent is always selected from the President’s detail, while the local field office provides the lead assist. Sam filled that supporting role—but to our Japanese counterparts, Sam wasn’t just an assistant. In their eyes, he was the lead. His presence carried authority. If he wasn’t there, they would immediately ask, “Where is Sam?”

To many of us—and I say this with a smile—Sam was the unofficial ambassador to Japan. It didn’t matter who the President appointed as the official U.S. Ambassador… in the eyes of Japanese police, military, and political officials, Sam was the ambassador. And honestly, we couldn’t have agreed more. Everyone respected him. Everyone trusted him. Everyone loved him.

That kind of respect can’t be assigned—it has to be earned. Sam earned it through humility, discipline, professionalism, and heart. He respected Jiu-Jitsu, but his heart belonged to Judo. It wasn’t just a martial art to him—it was how he carried himself every day. He lived the values Dr. Kano instilled in the art: honor, respect, and quiet strength.

I deeply admired Sam—both professionally and personally. I think everyone who ever met him did. This article is dedicated to his memory, and to all those who carry forward the spirit of Judo and Jiu-Jitsu with honor and heart.

May God bless you, Sam, and your family!

The Epic Story Behind the Lineage BJJ Logos: A Legacy in Motion