Jacksonville Jaguars Community Report 2016-2017 | Page 12

As many times as my brothers tried to
get out, they always found themselves
sucked right back and it all came to a
halt one day when one brother was shot
and the other was thrown into prison.
This was the most confusing but at the
same time the most clarifying moment
in my life. Although I had lost two of
my best friends, it also brought light
into my life knowing I needed to work
hard to get myself out and to make
something of myself.

I began spending more time at school and in after
school sports programs to keep me occupied and away
from the trouble at home. My coaches, who knew my
story and my potential, began investing in me and
spent time helping me to craft my skill. Football became
everything to me. It was my joy, my inspiration, and
where I felt the most at home.
Home was different for me growing up. Both my mother
and father were deaf, and for a reason I still do not
know today, my mom was targeted as an unfit mother
to take care of her five children. My siblings and I were
separated into different foster care homes and did not
get to see each other all that often.