
it almost died about ten years ago and I was fortunate enough to come out
and I was fortunate enough to come out
and I was fortunate enough to come out on the other side of that and so when I
on the other side of that and so when I
on the other side of that and so when I came out on the other side of that not
came out on the other side of that not
came out on the other side of that not that I didn’t approach my life in a
that I didn’t approach my life in a
that I didn’t approach my life in a certain way before but it just made me
certain way before but it just made me
certain way before but it just made me appreciate life that much more and so
appreciate life that much more and so
appreciate life that much more and so every day I’m chasing something
every day I’m chasing something
every day I’m chasing something different every day the way I operate
different every day the way I operate
different every day the way I operate it’s totally different and it’s not
it’s totally different and it’s not
it’s totally different and it’s not about the product for me as much as it
about the product for me as much as it
about the product for me as much as it is about the process and what I mean
is about the process and what I mean
is about the process and what I mean about the process the process saved my
about the process the process saved my
about the process the process saved my life meaning the way I go about my life
life meaning the way I go about my life
life meaning the way I go about my life and the way I approach certain things it
and the way I approach certain things it
and the way I approach certain things it saved my life
saved my life
saved my life it wasn’t because I was just talented
it wasn’t because I was just talented
it wasn’t because I was just talented kid it wasn’t because I was this
kid it wasn’t because I was this
kid it wasn’t because I was this privileged kid it wasn’t because of the
privileged kid it wasn’t because of the
privileged kid it wasn’t because of the way that I approached the process and
way that I approached the process and
way that I approached the process and the things that I understood about what
the things that I understood about what
the things that I understood about what the process can produce in my life and
the process can produce in my life and
the process can produce in my life and I’m gonna give you an example it’s not
I’m gonna give you an example it’s not
I’m gonna give you an example it’s not so much about when I played the game of
so much about when I played the game of
so much about when I played the game of football it wasn’t about the stats for
football it wasn’t about the stats for
football it wasn’t about the stats for me it was more about me taking pride and
me it was more about me taking pride and
me it was more about me taking pride and coming out down after down quarter after
coming out down after down quarter after
coming out down after down quarter after quarter and dominating my opponent and
quarter and dominating my opponent and
quarter and dominating my opponent and basically imposing my will on him to the
basically imposing my will on him to the
basically imposing my will on him to the point where he looked at his coach and
point where he looked at his coach and
point where he looked at his coach and said man I don’t want to go out and face
said man I don’t want to go out and face
said man I don’t want to go out and face him again because I know not only is he
him again because I know not only is he
him again because I know not only is he going to beat me he’s going to have fun
going to beat me he’s going to have fun
going to beat me he’s going to have fun with it and he’s going to bring it every
with it and he’s going to bring it every
with it and he’s going to bring it every single play every single quarter that’s
single play every single quarter that’s
single play every single quarter that’s a different type of pride but to give
a different type of pride but to give
a different type of pride but to give you the back story of how I became the
you the back story of how I became the
you the back story of how I became the individual that I am I carried two
individual that I am I carried two
individual that I am I carried two things with me everywhere that I go and
things with me everywhere that I go and
things with me everywhere that I go and I’m talking about everywhere that I go I
I’m talking about everywhere that I go I
I’m talking about everywhere that I go I carry a football with me and I carry a
carry a football with me and I carry a
carry a football with me and I carry a bucket and the football the back story
bucket and the football the back story
bucket and the football the back story to the football is just I got a good
to the football is just I got a good
to the football is just I got a good friend a guy by the name of Eric Barry
friend a guy by the name of Eric Barry
friend a guy by the name of Eric Barry he’s in the NFL now he went first round
he’s in the NFL now he went first round
he’s in the NFL now he went first round 5th pick to the Kansas City Chiefs one
5th pick to the Kansas City Chiefs one
5th pick to the Kansas City Chiefs one of the highest-paid safeties in the NFL
of the highest-paid safeties in the NFL
of the highest-paid safeties in the NFL really talented kid and so last year I
really talented kid and so last year I
really talented kid and so last year I went up to watch him play and I get up
went up to watch him play and I get up
went up to watch him play and I get up to about two games a year and I went up
to about two games a year and I went up
to about two games a year and I went up to watch him play and they played
to watch him play and they played
to watch him play and they played against the Seattle Seahawks he went out
against the Seattle Seahawks he went out
against the Seattle Seahawks he went out he played lights-out after game he came
he played lights-out after game he came
he played lights-out after game he came over to me they had a football and so he
over to me they had a football and so he
over to me they had a football and so he tossed me the football and I caught the
tossed me the football and I caught the
tossed me the football and I caught the football and as I was tossing it back to
football and as I was tossing it back to
football and as I was tossing it back to him I said man what’s that he said Inc
him I said man what’s that he said Inc
him I said man what’s that he said Inc that’s the game ball I said man you keep
that’s the game ball I said man you keep
that’s the game ball I said man you keep that he said no ink I’ll get plenty more
that he said no ink I’ll get plenty more
that he said no ink I’ll get plenty more of those he said I want you to give that
of those he said I want you to give that
of those he said I want you to give that to your son so I said I appreciate it
to your son so I said I appreciate it
to your son so I said I appreciate it and so I looked at the barn owner it had
and so I looked at the barn owner it had
and so I looked at the barn owner it had to score 20 20 for Kansas City Chiefs
to score 20 20 for Kansas City Chiefs
to score 20 20 for Kansas City Chiefs have been legendary only and they had
have been legendary only and they had
have been legendary only and they had the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11 the next
the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11 the next
the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11 the next week they went out to play against the
week they went out to play against the
week they went out to play against the Oakland Raiders that got late in the
Oakland Raiders that got late in the
Oakland Raiders that got late in the game my guy he went up he filled the
game my guy he went up he filled the
game my guy he went up he filled the Gaffney
Gaffney
Gaffney running back and at the point of contact
running back and at the point of contact
running back and at the point of contact when he hit the guy I knew something
when he hit the guy I knew something
when he hit the guy I knew something wasn’t right I didn’t know what it was
wasn’t right I didn’t know what it was
wasn’t right I didn’t know what it was but I knew something wasn’t right and so
but I knew something wasn’t right and so
but I knew something wasn’t right and so he came he was jogging off the field he
he came he was jogging off the field he
he came he was jogging off the field he got over to the sideline
got over to the sideline
got over to the sideline they started touching filling around the
they started touching filling around the
they started touching filling around the shoulder area the next morning he called
shoulder area the next morning he called
shoulder area the next morning he called me said big bro did you see the game I
me said big bro did you see the game I
me said big bro did you see the game I said yeah I saw the game but what I did
said yeah I saw the game but what I did
said yeah I saw the game but what I did notice you didn’t finish the game what
notice you didn’t finish the game what
notice you didn’t finish the game what happened
happened
happened he said yeah because when I hit that
he said yeah because when I hit that
he said yeah because when I hit that running back it felt as if I knocked
running back it felt as if I knocked
running back it felt as if I knocked something loose in my shoulder and I got
something loose in my shoulder and I got
something loose in my shoulder and I got over to the sideline they started
over to the sideline they started
over to the sideline they started touching and filling they come find
touching and filling they come find
touching and filling they come find anything so they’re taking me to the
anything so they’re taking me to the
anything so they’re taking me to the hospital in Kansas City I said call me
hospital in Kansas City I said call me
hospital in Kansas City I said call me after you come from the hospital he
after you come from the hospital he
after you come from the hospital he called me up he came from the hospital I
called me up he came from the hospital I
called me up he came from the hospital I said what did they say he said man ain’t
said what did they say he said man ain’t
said what did they say he said man ain’t they told me they found a mass in my
they told me they found a mass in my
they told me they found a mass in my chest the size of a softball I said what
chest the size of a softball I said what
chest the size of a softball I said what did you say he said man I asked him can
did you say he said man I asked him can
did you say he said man I asked him can i still play Sunday Beach right and he
i still play Sunday Beach right and he
i still play Sunday Beach right and he said the doctors responded by saying no
said the doctors responded by saying no
said the doctors responded by saying no son you don’t get it like this can be
son you don’t get it like this can be
son you don’t get it like this can be cancer this can be serious we got to
cancer this can be serious we got to
cancer this can be serious we got to send you out on the Emory University to
send you out on the Emory University to
send you out on the Emory University to get some further testing done to see if
get some further testing done to see if
get some further testing done to see if this is cancer they sent them down to
this is cancer they sent them down to
this is cancer they sent them down to Emory University
Emory University
Emory University get him testing done he got diagnosed
get him testing done he got diagnosed
get him testing done he got diagnosed with cancer lymphoma could no longer
with cancer lymphoma could no longer
with cancer lymphoma could no longer play in the NFL had to start going
play in the NFL had to start going
play in the NFL had to start going through chemo going through chemo
through chemo going through chemo
through chemo going through chemo started losing his hair started losing
started losing his hair started losing
started losing his hair started losing this muscle mass but the thing that
this muscle mass but the thing that
this muscle mass but the thing that intrigued me about him and the reason
intrigued me about him and the reason
intrigued me about him and the reason that I told people when they would say
that I told people when they would say
that I told people when they would say ain’t are you worried about
ain’t are you worried about
ain’t are you worried about EP I said I’m not worried about him at
EP I said I’m not worried about him at
EP I said I’m not worried about him at all because I know he’d be the person
all because I know he’d be the person
all because I know he’d be the person and not he’d be the athlete and so by
and not he’d be the athlete and so by
and not he’d be the athlete and so by knowing he’d be the person I knew the
knowing he’d be the person I knew the
knowing he’d be the person I knew the character that he possessed this is the
character that he possessed this is the
character that he possessed this is the same guy watch leave chemotherapy he
same guy watch leave chemotherapy he
same guy watch leave chemotherapy he would leave chemo and go jump out on the
would leave chemo and go jump out on the
would leave chemo and go jump out on the track and run 400 meters after he left
track and run 400 meters after he left
track and run 400 meters after he left chemo and he would be crying as he was
chemo and he would be crying as he was
chemo and he would be crying as he was running around a track but the tears
running around a track but the tears
running around a track but the tears wasn’t because he was in so much pain
wasn’t because he was in so much pain
wasn’t because he was in so much pain the tears wasn’t because he wanted to
the tears wasn’t because he wanted to
the tears wasn’t because he wanted to give up the tears were because he
give up the tears were because he
give up the tears were because he couldn’t kick it in gear like he used to
couldn’t kick it in gear like he used to
couldn’t kick it in gear like he used to but this is the same guy when they
but this is the same guy when they
but this is the same guy when they diagnosed him cancer-free and he went
diagnosed him cancer-free and he went
diagnosed him cancer-free and he went back to the NFL he returned back to the
back to the NFL he returned back to the
back to the NFL he returned back to the NFL a pound heavier what is that
NFL a pound heavier what is that
NFL a pound heavier what is that and it had nothing to do with the
and it had nothing to do with the
and it had nothing to do with the product but more about the process
product but more about the process
product but more about the process because the thing I believe in whatever
because the thing I believe in whatever
because the thing I believe in whatever you do who you are as a person is way
you do who you are as a person is way
you do who you are as a person is way more important new yours an athlete but
more important new yours an athlete but
more important new yours an athlete but I tell you that story to tell you this
I tell you that story to tell you this
I tell you that story to tell you this never take life for granted because
never take life for granted because
never take life for granted because sometimes life doesn’t send a warning
sometimes life doesn’t send a warning
sometimes life doesn’t send a warning shot and if you’re not who you’re
shot and if you’re not who you’re
shot and if you’re not who you’re supposed to be at burst he is not gonna
supposed to be at burst he is not gonna
supposed to be at burst he is not gonna say man I’m gonna let you gather
say man I’m gonna let you gather
say man I’m gonna let you gather yourself a number come back our position
yourself a number come back our position
yourself a number come back our position is not gonna say man I’m gonna let you
is not gonna say man I’m gonna let you
is not gonna say man I’m gonna let you get your stuff together and I’m gonna be
get your stuff together and I’m gonna be
get your stuff together and I’m gonna be back like I didn’t know my life is gonna
back like I didn’t know my life is gonna
back like I didn’t know my life is gonna change on September the night I was
change on September the night I was
change on September the night I was playing football I was doing the thing
playing football I was doing the thing
playing football I was doing the thing that I love I was eight games away from
that I love I was eight games away from
that I love I was eight games away from the NFL projected top 30 draft pick now
the NFL projected top 30 draft pick now
the NFL projected top 30 draft pick now we’re not I made a tackle and found
we’re not I made a tackle and found
we’re not I made a tackle and found myself in the emergency room that night
myself in the emergency room that night
myself in the emergency room that night fighting for my life but my mother had
fighting for my life but my mother had
fighting for my life but my mother had nothing to worry about they asked my
nothing to worry about they asked my
nothing to worry about they asked my mother are you worried about your son
mother are you worried about your son
mother are you worried about your son she said I’m not worried about him at
she said I’m not worried about him at
she said I’m not worried about him at all
all
all because I know he’s a survivor what is
because I know he’s a survivor what is
because I know he’s a survivor what is that and that leads me into why I keep
that and that leads me into why I keep
that and that leads me into why I keep this bucket with me you know a lot of
this bucket with me you know a lot of
this bucket with me you know a lot of people know I live by this thing called
people know I live by this thing called
people know I live by this thing called empty the bucket right and people like
empty the bucket right and people like
empty the bucket right and people like empty the bucket ain’t ain’t got this
empty the bucket ain’t ain’t got this
empty the bucket ain’t ain’t got this crew slogan empty the bucket but they
crew slogan empty the bucket but they
crew slogan empty the bucket but they don’t know what the foundation or what
don’t know what the foundation or what
don’t know what the foundation or what it really is they don’t know that
it really is they don’t know that
it really is they don’t know that accountability behind it they don’t know
accountability behind it they don’t know
accountability behind it they don’t know the responsibility behind it every day
the responsibility behind it every day
the responsibility behind it every day in my house I got three buckets I got a
in my house I got three buckets I got a
in my house I got three buckets I got a bucket when I wake up and I look at my
bucket when I wake up and I look at my
bucket when I wake up and I look at my bedroom it’s a bucket I got a bucket in
bedroom it’s a bucket I got a bucket in
bedroom it’s a bucket I got a bucket in my office I got a bucket in my waiting
my office I got a bucket in my waiting
my office I got a bucket in my waiting room at my house and what that bucket
room at my house and what that bucket
room at my house and what that bucket stands for for me that bucket means I
stands for for me that bucket means I
stands for for me that bucket means I have to give everything I got to
have to give everything I got to
have to give everything I got to everything I’m involved in and it has
everything I’m involved in and it has
everything I’m involved in and it has nothing to do with the product but more
nothing to do with the product but more
nothing to do with the product but more about my personal standard of excellence
about my personal standard of excellence
about my personal standard of excellence never changes and it doesn’t depends on
never changes and it doesn’t depends on
never changes and it doesn’t depends on the circumstances it doesn’t depend on a
the circumstances it doesn’t depend on a
the circumstances it doesn’t depend on a situation and it never depends on a
situation and it never depends on a
situation and it never depends on a person I have a personal standard of
person I have a personal standard of
person I have a personal standard of excellence for my life I just believe I
excellence for my life I just believe I
excellence for my life I just believe I deserve my I deserve to give my wife the
deserve my I deserve to give my wife the
deserve my I deserve to give my wife the best version of me I just believe I
best version of me I just believe I
best version of me I just believe I deserve to give my kids the best version
deserve to give my kids the best version
deserve to give my kids the best version of me I just believe the people that I’m
of me I just believe the people that I’m
of me I just believe the people that I’m a service to on this earth I deserve to
a service to on this earth I deserve to
a service to on this earth I deserve to give them the best version of me and so
give them the best version of me and so
give them the best version of me and so I take a personal level of pride and
I take a personal level of pride and
I take a personal level of pride and everything that I do because all those
everything that I do because all those
everything that I do because all those ones my life behind the game of football
ones my life behind the game of football
ones my life behind the game of football and God placed Mona’s path and so now
and God placed Mona’s path and so now
and God placed Mona’s path and so now it’s not even about me meaning would you
it’s not even about me meaning would you
it’s not even about me meaning would you do what you do if the outcome wasn’t
do what you do if the outcome wasn’t
do what you do if the outcome wasn’t attached to what you were doing that’s
attached to what you were doing that’s
attached to what you were doing that’s why I don’t even get caught up with
why I don’t even get caught up with
why I don’t even get caught up with people that do things for money I’m not
people that do things for money I’m not
people that do things for money I’m not impressed with how much money you make
impressed with how much money you make
impressed with how much money you make you know the true level of wealth you
you know the true level of wealth you
you know the true level of wealth you know the true measure of wealth as if
know the true measure of wealth as if
know the true measure of wealth as if they took all your money what would you
they took all your money what would you
they took all your money what would you be worth dead I’m gonna say it again so
be worth dead I’m gonna say it again so
be worth dead I’m gonna say it again so you could catch you this to everybody
you could catch you this to everybody
you could catch you this to everybody that’s chasing that green bag everybody
that’s chasing that green bag everybody
that’s chasing that green bag everybody I want that dollar if you got it
I want that dollar if you got it
I want that dollar if you got it and they stripped you of it all what
and they stripped you of it all what
and they stripped you of it all what would you still be worth and if you
would you still be worth and if you
would you still be worth and if you don’t have the things that the process
don’t have the things that the process
don’t have the things that the process creates you won’t keep it anyway you see
creates you won’t keep it anyway you see
creates you won’t keep it anyway you see my mother had me when she was fifteen
my mother had me when she was fifteen
my mother had me when she was fifteen years old right over on the east side of
years old right over on the east side of
years old right over on the east side of Atlanta we came up in his neighborhood
Atlanta we came up in his neighborhood
Atlanta we came up in his neighborhood by the name of Kirkwood drugged ill on
by the name of Kirkwood drugged ill on
by the name of Kirkwood drugged ill on every corner gang members in the
every corner gang members in the
every corner gang members in the neighborhood two-bedroom home 14 people
neighborhood two-bedroom home 14 people
neighborhood two-bedroom home 14 people used to sleep on the floor got the
used to sleep on the floor got the
used to sleep on the floor got the opportunity to sleep in the bed one time
opportunity to sleep in the bed one time
opportunity to sleep in the bed one time out of the week it was six of us in the
out of the week it was six of us in the
out of the week it was six of us in the bed three at the foot three in the head
bed three at the foot three in the head
bed three at the foot three in the head and I came up with this dream pretty
and I came up with this dream pretty
and I came up with this dream pretty quick I said man I want to go to the NFL
quick I said man I want to go to the NFL
quick I said man I want to go to the NFL because I had eight uncles in that house
because I had eight uncles in that house
because I had eight uncles in that house all eight of which are still going in
all eight of which are still going in
all eight of which are still going in and out of prison my uncle just got
and out of prison my uncle just got
and out of prison my uncle just got sentenced to 40 years in prison a couple
sentenced to 40 years in prison a couple
sentenced to 40 years in prison a couple of weeks ago he just got done doing
of weeks ago he just got done doing
of weeks ago he just got done doing eight years in prison got out for two
eight years in prison got out for two
eight years in prison got out for two years to two years he was out got locked
years to two years he was out got locked
years to two years he was out got locked up five more times cops get ran in our
up five more times cops get ran in our
up five more times cops get ran in our house or a regular there so pretty quick
house or a regular there so pretty quick
house or a regular there so pretty quick I said man I want to go to the NFL so I
I said man I want to go to the NFL so I
I said man I want to go to the NFL so I went to my big cousin tomorrow night
went to my big cousin tomorrow night
went to my big cousin tomorrow night that’s a man listen I want to go to the
that’s a man listen I want to go to the
that’s a man listen I want to go to the NFL until we got to work for this thing
NFL until we got to work for this thing
NFL until we got to work for this thing so the thing we’re gonna do every night
so the thing we’re gonna do every night
so the thing we’re gonna do every night gonna be patient gonna engage in
gonna be patient gonna engage in
gonna be patient gonna engage in consistent action every night we’re
consistent action every night we’re
consistent action every night we’re gonna race light pole or light pole no
gonna race light pole or light pole no
gonna race light pole or light pole no shoes so every night we would get out on
shoes so every night we would get out on
shoes so every night we would get out on the street races like for the light for
the street races like for the light for
the street races like for the light for one night a coach came down the street
one night a coach came down the street
one night a coach came down the street he signed me and my cousins up for
he signed me and my cousins up for
he signed me and my cousins up for organized sports right first time been
organized sports right first time been
organized sports right first time been an organized force we get in organized
an organized force we get in organized
an organized force we get in organized sports the thing was after practice
sports the thing was after practice
sports the thing was after practice everybody would leave to go home now I
everybody would leave to go home now I
everybody would leave to go home now I always had to sit on the bench and wait
always had to sit on the bench and wait
always had to sit on the bench and wait on my mother because she worked that way
on my mother because she worked that way
on my mother because she worked that way and so when my mother would show up in
and so when my mother would show up in
and so when my mother would show up in the park you’ll be about 10 o’clock
the park you’ll be about 10 o’clock
the park you’ll be about 10 o’clock 10:30 at night so I’m sitting there when
10:30 at night so I’m sitting there when
10:30 at night so I’m sitting there when my mother will pull up she drove up old
my mother will pull up she drove up old
my mother will pull up she drove up old big Regal hubcaps off the car seats torn
big Regal hubcaps off the car seats torn
big Regal hubcaps off the car seats torn up the car was all beat up and she would
up the car was all beat up and she would
up the car was all beat up and she would pull up in the park 10:30 at night I
pull up in the park 10:30 at night I
pull up in the park 10:30 at night I would jump off the bench I would sprint
would jump off the bench I would sprint
would jump off the bench I would sprint over to my mother I would say mom if you
over to my mother I would say mom if you
over to my mother I would say mom if you don’t mind can you please sit back in
don’t mind can you please sit back in
don’t mind can you please sit back in your car and tell her in your car like I
your car and tell her in your car like I
your car and tell her in your car like I have to do some extra drills I have to
have to do some extra drills I have to
have to do some extra drills I have to go to the NFL’s you and never have to
go to the NFL’s you and never have to
go to the NFL’s you and never have to work another day in your life
work another day in your life
work another day in your life my mother was time and every night my
my mother was time and every night my
my mother was time and every night my mother would sit back in that corner was
mother would sit back in that corner was
mother would sit back in that corner was car like we hit that film and he had a
car like we hit that film and he had a
car like we hit that film and he had a seven-year-old kid throw her back
seven-year-old kid throw her back
seven-year-old kid throw her back telling girls running sprints running
telling girls running sprints running
telling girls running sprints running last chasing his dream to go to the NFL
last chasing his dream to go to the NFL
last chasing his dream to go to the NFL but just beyond those car lights I could
but just beyond those car lights I could
but just beyond those car lights I could always connect with my mother’s eyes
always connect with my mother’s eyes
always connect with my mother’s eyes what made me dig a little bit deeper it
what made me dig a little bit deeper it
what made me dig a little bit deeper it made me push myself a little bit further
made me push myself a little bit further
made me push myself a little bit further they made me work a little bit harder it
they made me work a little bit harder it
they made me work a little bit harder it created a certain level of sweat equity
created a certain level of sweat equity
created a certain level of sweat equity and what I was doing it created a
and what I was doing it created a
and what I was doing it created a certain level of pride and what I was
certain level of pride and what I was
certain level of pride and what I was doing you know why people quit people
doing you know why people quit people
doing you know why people quit people don’t have pride in what they do you
don’t have pride in what they do you
don’t have pride in what they do you know what people stop they’re selfish
know what people stop they’re selfish
know what people stop they’re selfish and it’s just about them when you have a
and it’s just about them when you have a
and it’s just about them when you have a bigger purpose to why you’re doing what
bigger purpose to why you’re doing what
bigger purpose to why you’re doing what you’re doing and you want to honor the
you’re doing and you want to honor the
you’re doing and you want to honor the sacrifices that others have made for you
sacrifices that others have made for you
sacrifices that others have made for you it’s nothing for you to keep going when
it’s nothing for you to keep going when
it’s nothing for you to keep going when you hear that versity and I’ll never
you hear that versity and I’ll never
you hear that versity and I’ll never forget one night I came off the field I
forget one night I came off the field I
forget one night I came off the field I went over to my mother I said can you
went over to my mother I said can you
went over to my mother I said can you please introduce me to my father I need
please introduce me to my father I need
please introduce me to my father I need the meter it’s a certain dialogue that I
the meter it’s a certain dialogue that I
the meter it’s a certain dialogue that I need to have with him that I can have
need to have with him that I can have
need to have with him that I can have sweeping on the floor my cousins with
sweeping on the floor my cousins with
sweeping on the floor my cousins with roaches and rats I need to talk to my
roaches and rats I need to talk to my
roaches and rats I need to talk to my father God’s name is not on my birth
father God’s name is not on my birth
father God’s name is not on my birth certificate I need to talk to her can
certificate I need to talk to her can
certificate I need to talk to her can you set that up she set it up first
you set that up she set it up first
you set that up she set it up first encounter with the guys shook his head I
encounter with the guys shook his head I
encounter with the guys shook his head I say hey man how you doing
say hey man how you doing
say hey man how you doing say hey little man I heard you could
say hey little man I heard you could
say hey little man I heard you could play ball I said I heard you can too but
play ball I said I heard you can too but
play ball I said I heard you can too but here’s what I need you to do for I said
here’s what I need you to do for I said
here’s what I need you to do for I said I don’t need any money I don’t need any
I don’t need any money I don’t need any
I don’t need any money I don’t need any clothes the only thing I need you to do
clothes the only thing I need you to do
clothes the only thing I need you to do for me is pick me up every Friday night
for me is pick me up every Friday night
for me is pick me up every Friday night walk me out every Saturday morning you
walk me out every Saturday morning you
walk me out every Saturday morning you could take me back home after that can
could take me back home after that can
could take me back home after that can you do that he said yeah I got you first
you do that he said yeah I got you first
you do that he said yeah I got you first Saturday morning he woke me up at 4:30
Saturday morning he woke me up at 4:30
Saturday morning he woke me up at 4:30 in the morning he said no man we running
in the morning he said no man we running
in the morning he said no man we running two miles to this fire station running
two miles to this fire station running
two miles to this fire station running two miles back home I said cool let’s do
two miles back home I said cool let’s do
two miles back home I said cool let’s do it every other Saturday morning after
it every other Saturday morning after
it every other Saturday morning after that wake up 4:30 run two miles there
that wake up 4:30 run two miles there
that wake up 4:30 run two miles there two miles back one Saturday I said man
two miles back one Saturday I said man
two miles back one Saturday I said man i’ma beat him out I beat him out to the
i’ma beat him out I beat him out to the
i’ma beat him out I beat him out to the line I’m standing here my father came
line I’m standing here my father came
line I’m standing here my father came dragging out of the house he was walking
dragging out of the house he was walking
dragging out of the house he was walking really slow and so my father came out
really slow and so my father came out
really slow and so my father came out and he walked right by and I looked up
and he walked right by and I looked up
and he walked right by and I looked up and he walked right by me and he looked
and he walked right by me and he looked
and he walked right by me and he looked up at me and he said son I said yes sir
up at me and he said son I said yes sir
up at me and he said son I said yes sir he said I want you to pull that other
he said I want you to pull that other
he said I want you to pull that other person outside of you today
person outside of you today
person outside of you today and in my mind I’m thinking this it’s
and in my mind I’m thinking this it’s
and in my mind I’m thinking this it’s not another personality what are you
not another personality what are you
not another personality what are you talking about
talking about
talking about it’s 4:30 it’s dark he kept walking he
it’s 4:30 it’s dark he kept walking he
it’s 4:30 it’s dark he kept walking he looked up again he said son I said yes
looked up again he said son I said yes
looked up again he said son I said yes sir
sir
sir he said I want you to pull that other
he said I want you to pull that other
he said I want you to pull that other person outside you today yes sir
person outside you today yes sir
person outside you today yes sir but in my mind at this point him said
but in my mind at this point him said
but in my mind at this point him said man he’s trying to talk his way out is
man he’s trying to talk his way out is
man he’s trying to talk his way out is there so the third time he said son I
there so the third time he said son I
there so the third time he said son I step back after listen pops
step back after listen pops
step back after listen pops no disrespect you have a job I get it
no disrespect you have a job I get it
no disrespect you have a job I get it you may be tired I said so you can go
you may be tired I said so you can go
you may be tired I said so you can go back to the house you can go to sleep
back to the house you can go to sleep
back to the house you can go to sleep there’s no hard feelings but you can’t
there’s no hard feelings but you can’t
there’s no hard feelings but you can’t stop me from running to this fire
stop me from running to this fire
stop me from running to this fire station I’m running whether you go or
station I’m running whether you go or
station I’m running whether you go or not he said son the thing I’m trying to
not he said son the thing I’m trying to
not he said son the thing I’m trying to get you to understand is this think
get you to understand is this think
get you to understand is this think sudden there was another person inside
sudden there was another person inside
sudden there was another person inside of you son
of you son
of you son the thing I’m trying to get you to
the thing I’m trying to get you to
the thing I’m trying to get you to understand it’s this ain’t no matter how
understand it’s this ain’t no matter how
understand it’s this ain’t no matter how hard you work there is somebody inside
hard you work there is somebody inside
hard you work there is somebody inside of you that works even harder yes sir no
of you that works even harder yes sir no
of you that works even harder yes sir no matter how dedicated you are there were
matter how dedicated you are there were
matter how dedicated you are there were somebody inside you that’s more
somebody inside you that’s more
somebody inside you that’s more dedicated son no matter how committed
dedicated son no matter how committed
dedicated son no matter how committed you are there is somebody inside of you
you are there is somebody inside of you
you are there is somebody inside of you that’s more committed but the thing I
that’s more committed but the thing I
that’s more committed but the thing I want you to understand there will come a
want you to understand there will come a
want you to understand there will come a point in time where you were in a piece
point in time where you were in a piece
point in time where you were in a piece of that versity that’s a lot toughening
of that versity that’s a lot toughening
of that versity that’s a lot toughening your son and every day you get up you
your son and every day you get up you
your son and every day you get up you have to have a greater purpose for why
have to have a greater purpose for why
have to have a greater purpose for why you do what you do and then get up and
you do what you do and then get up and
you do what you do and then get up and keep going and executing whatever you do
keep going and executing whatever you do
keep going and executing whatever you do son that is what I’m trying to get you
son that is what I’m trying to get you
son that is what I’m trying to get you to understand it’s a lot bigger than
to understand it’s a lot bigger than
to understand it’s a lot bigger than running to the fire station I’m trying
running to the fire station I’m trying
running to the fire station I’m trying to get you to push yourself to a point
to get you to push yourself to a point
to get you to push yourself to a point that you have never been to before
because when you get to that point
because when you get to that point you’re going to propel to another
you’re going to propel to another
you’re going to propel to another dimension of your life not another level
dimension of your life not another level
dimension of your life not another level another dimension of your life and
another dimension of your life and
another dimension of your life and immediately I got and it had nothing to
immediately I got and it had nothing to
immediately I got and it had nothing to do with me immediately I got it because
do with me immediately I got it because
do with me immediately I got it because I saw on down the line of what it could
I saw on down the line of what it could
I saw on down the line of what it could produce in my life immediately I got it
produce in my life immediately I got it
produce in my life immediately I got it it wasn’t because I wanted to be fast
it wasn’t because I wanted to be fast
it wasn’t because I wanted to be fast I got what the product could produce I
I got what the product could produce I
I got what the product could produce I got what getting up at 4:30 in the
got what getting up at 4:30 in the
got what getting up at 4:30 in the morning could produce and me and my
morning could produce and me and my
morning could produce and me and my family’s life and so forth the Crim high
family’s life and so forth the Crim high
family’s life and so forth the Crim high school running and lowest performing
school running and lowest performing
school running and lowest performing public schools in the whole state of
public schools in the whole state of
public schools in the whole state of Georgia dropout rate higher than the
Georgia dropout rate higher than the
Georgia dropout rate higher than the graduation rate people didn’t go to
graduation rate people didn’t go to
graduation rate people didn’t go to college I went to cram my first day I
college I went to cram my first day I
college I went to cram my first day I walked through the doors a matter of
walked through the doors a matter of
walked through the doors a matter of tactic cop said what’s your plan little
tactic cop said what’s your plan little
tactic cop said what’s your plan little man I said my plan is to go d1 he said
man I said my plan is to go d1 he said
man I said my plan is to go d1 he said now you’ll probably end up in cell block
now you’ll probably end up in cell block
now you’ll probably end up in cell block b1 I said no you got the wrong guy
b1 I said no you got the wrong guy
b1 I said no you got the wrong guy he said now you’ll probably end up in
he said now you’ll probably end up in
he said now you’ll probably end up in cellblock D I said no you got the wrong
cellblock D I said no you got the wrong
cellblock D I said no you got the wrong guy
guy
guy after my freshman year my mother and
after my freshman year my mother and
after my freshman year my mother and father both came to me and it’s a Enki
father both came to me and it’s a Enki
father both came to me and it’s a Enki we transferring you from this place you
we transferring you from this place you
we transferring you from this place you got a scholarship I took a high school
got a scholarship I took a high school
got a scholarship I took a high school they said all you have to do is collect
they said all you have to do is collect
they said all you have to do is collect on your next three years they guarantee
on your next three years they guarantee
on your next three years they guarantee you a scholarship to Georgia
you a scholarship to Georgia
you a scholarship to Georgia I said please leave me at one of the
I said please leave me at one of the
I said please leave me at one of the lowest performing public schools in the
lowest performing public schools in the
lowest performing public schools in the whole state of Georgia
whole state of Georgia
whole state of Georgia they said son you have a scholarship all
they said son you have a scholarship all
they said son you have a scholarship all you have to do is go and play your next
you have to do is go and play your next
you have to do is go and play your next three years you will be the first one in
three years you will be the first one in
three years you will be the first one in our family to go to college
our family to go to college
our family to go to college I said please leave me at Krim high
I said please leave me at Krim high
I said please leave me at Krim high school I can get a scholarship from this
school I can get a scholarship from this
school I can get a scholarship from this place son nobody goes to college from me
place son nobody goes to college from me
place son nobody goes to college from me please let me stay here I can make it
please let me stay here I can make it
please let me stay here I can make it from this place they transfer me anyway
from this place they transfer me anyway
from this place they transfer me anyway first football game tore the ligaments
first football game tore the ligaments
first football game tore the ligaments in my ankle
in my ankle
in my ankle out for the season ended up in a
out for the season ended up in a
out for the season ended up in a wheelchair weight back to my parents
wheelchair weight back to my parents
wheelchair weight back to my parents will you please transfer me back to one
will you please transfer me back to one
will you please transfer me back to one of the lowest performing public schools
of the lowest performing public schools
of the lowest performing public schools in the whole state of Georgia my pastor
in the whole state of Georgia my pastor
in the whole state of Georgia my pastor said Inc you really want to go there he
said Inc you really want to go there he
said Inc you really want to go there he said son it’s embarrassing you go back
said son it’s embarrassing you go back
said son it’s embarrassing you go back then you play against an opposing team
then you play against an opposing team
then you play against an opposing team you all don’t even have what about it
you all don’t even have what about it
you all don’t even have what about it you drink out there posing team’s water
you drink out there posing team’s water
you drink out there posing team’s water hole you want to go back then he said
hole you want to go back then he said
hole you want to go back then he said son if I wants to go to everybody in
son if I wants to go to everybody in
son if I wants to go to everybody in your family right now I asked him for 50
your family right now I asked him for 50
your family right now I asked him for 50 or 100 dollars nobody could give it to
or 100 dollars nobody could give it to
or 100 dollars nobody could give it to me you really want to go back there you
me you really want to go back there you
me you really want to go back there you have a guaranteed scholarship and you’re
have a guaranteed scholarship and you’re
have a guaranteed scholarship and you’re begging to go back to a place where the
begging to go back to a place where the
begging to go back to a place where the dropout rate is higher than the
dropout rate is higher than the
dropout rate is higher than the graduation rate why do you want to go
graduation rate why do you want to go
graduation rate why do you want to go back there
back there
back there I said please transfer me back there I
I said please transfer me back there I
I said please transfer me back there I need to go back there
need to go back there
need to go back there [Music]
they transfer me back first football
they transfer me back first football game my junior year break my collarbone
game my junior year break my collarbone
game my junior year break my collarbone out for the season
out for the season
out for the season and so the summer heading into my senior
and so the summer heading into my senior
and so the summer heading into my senior year now everybody is looking at me like
year now everybody is looking at me like
year now everybody is looking at me like you dumped you went back to that place
you dumped you went back to that place
you dumped you went back to that place you had a guaranteed scholarship you got
you had a guaranteed scholarship you got
you had a guaranteed scholarship you got hurt years back to back and now no
hurt years back to back and now no
hurt years back to back and now no college scouts are coming to see you and
college scouts are coming to see you and
college scouts are coming to see you and so the summer going into my senior year
so the summer going into my senior year
so the summer going into my senior year we got blessed with a new coach he came
we got blessed with a new coach he came
we got blessed with a new coach he came to me I was done with football Sandman
to me I was done with football Sandman
to me I was done with football Sandman please come and work out for me just do
please come and work out for me just do
please come and work out for me just do one work out for me I said okay coach
one work out for me I said okay coach
one work out for me I said okay coach I’ll come out I worked out I ran a
I’ll come out I worked out I ran a
I’ll come out I worked out I ran a 40-yard dash I did some cone drills he
40-yard dash I did some cone drills he
40-yard dash I did some cone drills he came up to me after the workout he said
came up to me after the workout he said
came up to me after the workout he said son what college do you want to go to I
son what college do you want to go to I
son what college do you want to go to I said man I just want to go d1 he said no
said man I just want to go d1 he said no
said man I just want to go d1 he said no you’re not hearing myself what college
you’re not hearing myself what college
you’re not hearing myself what college do you want to go to I said man I just
do you want to go to I said man I just
do you want to go to I said man I just want to go d1 he said after the first
want to go d1 he said after the first
want to go d1 he said after the first couple of games we’re put together a
couple of games we’re put together a
couple of games we’re put together a tape we’ll see what happens after the
tape we’ll see what happens after the
tape we’ll see what happens after the first two games I had nine touchdowns
first two games I had nine touchdowns
first two games I had nine touchdowns and all she wrote from there but after
and all she wrote from there but after
and all she wrote from there but after that season there was still two problems
that season there was still two problems
that season there was still two problems I wasn’t qualified to get into college
I wasn’t qualified to get into college
I wasn’t qualified to get into college and I hadn’t passed my Georgia high
and I hadn’t passed my Georgia high
and I hadn’t passed my Georgia high school graduation and so now Scouts
school graduation and so now Scouts
school graduation and so now Scouts would come in and they would say man
would come in and they would say man
would come in and they would say man you’re cute you’re fast you’re quick
you’re cute you’re fast you’re quick
you’re cute you’re fast you’re quick you’re tough you can play football but
you’re tough you can play football but
you’re tough you can play football but son we’re not talking about college
son we’re not talking about college
son we’re not talking about college we’re talking about you graduating high
we’re talking about you graduating high
we’re talking about you graduating high school and I’m the type of person if I
school and I’m the type of person if I
school and I’m the type of person if I tell you I’m gonna do something I’m
tell you I’m gonna do something I’m
tell you I’m gonna do something I’m gonna do I might not know at that moment
gonna do I might not know at that moment
gonna do I might not know at that moment how I’m gonna get it done but if I tell
how I’m gonna get it done but if I tell
how I’m gonna get it done but if I tell you I’m gonna do something I’ll find a
you I’m gonna do something I’ll find a
you I’m gonna do something I’ll find a way to get it done I have that much
way to get it done I have that much
way to get it done I have that much faith in what I’m doing I have that much
faith in what I’m doing I have that much
faith in what I’m doing I have that much faith in what I do that I’ll get it done
faith in what I do that I’ll get it done
faith in what I do that I’ll get it done in every college scout will say no ink
in every college scout will say no ink
in every college scout will say no ink it doesn’t work that way we can’t offer
it doesn’t work that way we can’t offer
it doesn’t work that way we can’t offer your scholarship I said please offer me
your scholarship I said please offer me
your scholarship I said please offer me a scholarship and I’ll never forget the
a scholarship and I’ll never forget the
a scholarship and I’ll never forget the day the University of Tennessee came in
day the University of Tennessee came in
day the University of Tennessee came in and a coach took a chance on me he sat
and a coach took a chance on me he sat
and a coach took a chance on me he sat down when he said son I want to offer
down when he said son I want to offer
down when he said son I want to offer you a full scholarship to the University
you a full scholarship to the University
you a full scholarship to the University of Tennessee and was so crazy I
of Tennessee and was so crazy I
of Tennessee and was so crazy I responded and I told him I’m coming
responded and I told him I’m coming
responded and I told him I’m coming and he laughed he said son I don’t even
and he laughed he said son I don’t even
and he laughed he said son I don’t even think you understand how the whole
think you understand how the whole
think you understand how the whole process works I said no I don’t think
process works I said no I don’t think
process works I said no I don’t think you understand I said you talking to a
you understand I said you talking to a
you understand I said you talking to a kid that comes from a two-bedroom 114
kid that comes from a two-bedroom 114
kid that comes from a two-bedroom 114 people you’re talking to a kid that
people you’re talking to a kid that
people you’re talking to a kid that every morning when I caught the bus I
every morning when I caught the bus I
every morning when I caught the bus I would race to be the first one at the
would race to be the first one at the
would race to be the first one at the bus stop now I’ll be standing there
bus stop now I’ll be standing there
bus stop now I’ll be standing there shaking my bookbag about jack is out to
shaking my bookbag about jack is out to
shaking my bookbag about jack is out to make sure there were no roaches and rats
make sure there were no roaches and rats
make sure there were no roaches and rats so when I tell you I’m coming
so when I tell you I’m coming
so when I tell you I’m coming I am coming you don’t even have to waste
I am coming you don’t even have to waste
I am coming you don’t even have to waste University’s money I don’t have to see
University’s money I don’t have to see
University’s money I don’t have to see the campus I don’t have to see the city
the campus I don’t have to see the city
the campus I don’t have to see the city you offer me a scholarship I’m coming
you offer me a scholarship I’m coming
you offer me a scholarship I’m coming he said yeah ain’t but I still want you
he said yeah ain’t but I still want you
he said yeah ain’t but I still want you to take an official visit I agreed I
to take an official visit I agreed I
to take an official visit I agreed I went up on a Friday night I’ll never
went up on a Friday night I’ll never
went up on a Friday night I’ll never forget they took me the Calhoun’s on the
forget they took me the Calhoun’s on the
forget they took me the Calhoun’s on the river it’s a restaurant in Knoxville
river it’s a restaurant in Knoxville
river it’s a restaurant in Knoxville Tennessee we come out we got a host
Tennessee we come out we got a host
Tennessee we come out we got a host right and sort of job of a hostess will
right and sort of job of a hostess will
right and sort of job of a hostess will show you a great time on campus take you
show you a great time on campus take you
show you a great time on campus take you to parties make you fall in love with
to parties make you fall in love with
to parties make you fall in love with the place and so I come out with my
the place and so I come out with my
the place and so I come out with my motion you said ain’t there’s a sorority
motion you said ain’t there’s a sorority
motion you said ain’t there’s a sorority party there’s a barbecue and there’s a
party there’s a barbecue and there’s a
party there’s a barbecue and there’s a basketball game what’s one would you
basketball game what’s one would you
basketball game what’s one would you like to go to I said man if you don’t
like to go to I said man if you don’t
like to go to I said man if you don’t mind can you take me to my hotel you
mind can you take me to my hotel you
mind can you take me to my hotel you said what you said man I don’t know if
said what you said man I don’t know if
said what you said man I don’t know if you’ve ever been to a college sorority
you’ve ever been to a college sorority
you’ve ever been to a college sorority party he said well why they ain’t pretty
party he said well why they ain’t pretty
party he said well why they ain’t pretty real
real
real I said man can you take me to my hotel
I said man can you take me to my hotel
I said man can you take me to my hotel we pull up to the hotel I’m getting out
we pull up to the hotel I’m getting out
we pull up to the hotel I’m getting out of the car he said wait are you sick
of the car he said wait are you sick
of the car he said wait are you sick I said no I’m not sick you see what my
I said no I’m not sick you see what my
I said no I’m not sick you see what my hosting understand that night at the
hosting understand that night at the
hosting understand that night at the Marriott those are my first time
Marriott those are my first time
Marriott those are my first time standing the bed by myself think I cared
standing the bed by myself think I cared
standing the bed by myself think I cared about a sorority party think I cared
about a sorority party think I cared
about a sorority party think I cared about her barbecue or basketball game I
about her barbecue or basketball game I
about her barbecue or basketball game I wound up in that room I call my boys
wound up in that room I call my boys
wound up in that room I call my boys back and Cutwater said man y’all ain’t
back and Cutwater said man y’all ain’t
back and Cutwater said man y’all ain’t gonna believe it I said man y’all boys
gonna believe it I said man y’all boys
gonna believe it I said man y’all boys gotta go to college and said ain’t we
gotta go to college and said ain’t we
gotta go to college and said ain’t we Mike and said I said get your own team
Mike and said I said get your own team
Mike and said I said get your own team side better but the next day when I saw
side better but the next day when I saw
side better but the next day when I saw that coach I thanked them and I still do
that coach I thanked them and I still do
that coach I thanked them and I still do this until this day when I see him I
this until this day when I see him I
this until this day when I see him I said thank you not only for changing my
said thank you not only for changing my
said thank you not only for changing my life but changing the whole generations
life but changing the whole generations
life but changing the whole generations like that you don’t even know you touch
like that you don’t even know you touch
like that you don’t even know you touch the same bike trail I used to walk home
the same bike trail I used to walk home
the same bike trail I used to walk home with my wife on a bike remember my wife
with my wife on a bike remember my wife
with my wife on a bike remember my wife and that ever since we were in the fifth
and that ever since we were in the fifth
and that ever since we were in the fifth grade I just walk home on a bike trail
grade I just walk home on a bike trail
grade I just walk home on a bike trail on my wife the same bike trail that me
on my wife the same bike trail that me
on my wife the same bike trail that me and my wife used to walk home on and
and my wife used to walk home on and
and my wife used to walk home on and this is Kirkwood today knock her foot
this is Kirkwood today knock her foot
this is Kirkwood today knock her foot back when we grew up the same biter I
back when we grew up the same biter I
back when we grew up the same biter I wish to walk home on a kid came home
wish to walk home on a kid came home
wish to walk home on a kid came home from the Army one day he got on that
from the Army one day he got on that
from the Army one day he got on that same bike trail with his wife they’re
same bike trail with his wife they’re
same bike trail with his wife they’re walking down a bike trail a
walking down a bike trail a
walking down a bike trail a fourteen-year-old walks up to a 20 year
fourteen-year-old walks up to a 20 year
fourteen-year-old walks up to a 20 year old walks up to her the 2000 looked at
old walks up to her the 2000 looked at
old walks up to her the 2000 looked at the 14-yard says children Portillo put a
the 14-yard says children Portillo put a
the 14-yard says children Portillo put a gun to her head blew his brains out but
gun to her head blew his brains out but
gun to her head blew his brains out but no apparent reason so this was the
no apparent reason so this was the
no apparent reason so this was the environment that I was talking about her
environment that I was talking about her
environment that I was talking about her so when I got back to Kirkwood I went to
so when I got back to Kirkwood I went to
so when I got back to Kirkwood I went to everybody that told me I wouldn’t make
everybody that told me I wouldn’t make
everybody that told me I wouldn’t make it I went to that cop in that lunch room
it I went to that cop in that lunch room
it I went to that cop in that lunch room and I said I told you you had the wrong
and I said I told you you had the wrong
and I said I told you you had the wrong guy so now everybody’s response was
guy so now everybody’s response was
guy so now everybody’s response was eight why did you fight so hard to come
eight why did you fight so hard to come
eight why did you fight so hard to come back to Clem high school you had a
back to Clem high school you had a
back to Clem high school you had a guaranteed scholarship across town and
guaranteed scholarship across town and
guaranteed scholarship across town and one of the top program why did you fight
one of the top program why did you fight
one of the top program why did you fight that come back with her dropped by wait
that come back with her dropped by wait
that come back with her dropped by wait beside in the graduation rate son why
beside in the graduation rate son why
beside in the graduation rate son why did you fight to come back to this place
did you fight to come back to this place
did you fight to come back to this place and I say you guys are missing a boat I
and I say you guys are missing a boat I
and I say you guys are missing a boat I had a chance to ride an airplane much
had a chance to ride an airplane much
had a chance to ride an airplane much when I was in high school it was to an
when I was in high school it was to an
when I was in high school it was to an all-star football game
all-star football game
all-star football game and I’ll never forget I went in the
and I’ll never forget I went in the
and I’ll never forget I went in the bathroom on that airplane and as I was
bathroom on that airplane and as I was
bathroom on that airplane and as I was washing my hands I was going to leave
washing my hands I was going to leave
washing my hands I was going to leave and it was a sign on the wall that sign
and it was a sign on the wall that sign
and it was a sign on the wall that sign said it’s common courtesy to the person
said it’s common courtesy to the person
said it’s common courtesy to the person that’s coming behind you can you wipe
that’s coming behind you can you wipe
that’s coming behind you can you wipe your sink I leave the better than you
your sink I leave the better than you
your sink I leave the better than you found it well it’s common courtesy to
found it well it’s common courtesy to
found it well it’s common courtesy to the generation I was coming to cram high
the generation I was coming to cram high
the generation I was coming to cram high school behind me I was about to leave
school behind me I was about to leave
school behind me I was about to leave that place better than that pound
that place better than that pound
that place better than that pound and the thing that people didn’t
and the thing that people didn’t
and the thing that people didn’t understand the reason I had that
understand the reason I had that
understand the reason I had that decision and choice to make
decision and choice to make
decision and choice to make it wasn’t about inky johnson every night
it wasn’t about inky johnson every night
it wasn’t about inky johnson every night I slept when I blow it those roaches and
I slept when I blow it those roaches and
I slept when I blow it those roaches and rats had three little cousins that slept
rats had three little cousins that slept
rats had three little cousins that slept on that same floors and you know what
on that same floors and you know what
on that same floors and you know what happened when I went to college you know
happened when I went to college you know
happened when I went to college you know what all three of them I was the first
what all three of them I was the first
what all three of them I was the first one in my family to go to college know
one in my family to go to college know
one in my family to go to college know what all three of my little cousins dead
what all three of my little cousins dead
what all three of my little cousins dead man I don’t have to sell dope I don’t
man I don’t have to sell dope I don’t
man I don’t have to sell dope I don’t have to join a gang I don’t have to end
have to join a gang I don’t have to end
have to join a gang I don’t have to end up in prison I don’t have to end up dead
up in prison I don’t have to end up dead
up in prison I don’t have to end up dead all three of you gotta fall for the same
all three of you gotta fall for the same
all three of you gotta fall for the same floor went to college even graduated now
floor went to college even graduated now
floor went to college even graduated now they served in the army that is why I
they served in the army that is why I
they served in the army that is why I went back to Krim high school had
went back to Krim high school had
went back to Krim high school had nothing to do with me if every decision
nothing to do with me if every decision
nothing to do with me if every decision and choice you make is just about you at
and choice you make is just about you at
and choice you make is just about you at a certain point you gonna hit something
a certain point you gonna hit something
a certain point you gonna hit something that’s a lot tougher than you and it’s
that’s a lot tougher than you and it’s
that’s a lot tougher than you and it’s going to make you quit because you don’t
going to make you quit because you don’t
going to make you quit because you don’t have a driving force for why you do what
have a driving force for why you do what
have a driving force for why you do what you do but when I got up to the
you do but when I got up to the
you do but when I got up to the University of Tennessee it was simple
University of Tennessee it was simple
University of Tennessee it was simple and was simple for me to give everything
and was simple for me to give everything
and was simple for me to give everything I had and they wear an article about me
I had and they wear an article about me
I had and they wear an article about me the first article that ever got written
the first article that ever got written
the first article that ever got written about me and said mr. no star has made
about me and said mr. no star has made
about me and said mr. no star has made it to the University of Tennessee
it to the University of Tennessee
it to the University of Tennessee basically saying mister nobody has made
basically saying mister nobody has made
basically saying mister nobody has made it to the University of Tennessee how
it to the University of Tennessee how
it to the University of Tennessee how did this guy get here
did this guy get here
did this guy get here I was 135 pounds soaking wet
I was 135 pounds soaking wet
I was 135 pounds soaking wet coming from Crim high school a place
coming from Crim high school a place
coming from Crim high school a place where the dropout rate is higher than
where the dropout rate is higher than
where the dropout rate is higher than graduation with having for a place where
graduation with having for a place where
graduation with having for a place where people didn’t go to college
people didn’t go to college
people didn’t go to college now I never forget the casual reading
now I never forget the casual reading
now I never forget the casual reading the article they were laughing and they
the article they were laughing and they
the article they were laughing and they gave it to me they said Inc have you
gave it to me they said Inc have you
gave it to me they said Inc have you seen this I said no I ain’t seen let me
seen this I said no I ain’t seen let me
seen this I said no I ain’t seen let me just let me see it and I held it up in
just let me see it and I held it up in
just let me see it and I held it up in front of him I said mister no star the
front of him I said mister no star the
front of him I said mister no star the kid that came from my school mr. no star
kid that came from my school mr. no star
kid that came from my school mr. no star the kid I was born to his mother at 15
the kid I was born to his mother at 15
the kid I was born to his mother at 15 mr. no star the kid that came from that
mr. no star the kid that came from that
mr. no star the kid that came from that two back room 14 people mr. no star the
two back room 14 people mr. no star the
two back room 14 people mr. no star the kid that slept on the floor mr. no star
kid that slept on the floor mr. no star
kid that slept on the floor mr. no star the kid that Miss Mills and never made
the kid that Miss Mills and never made
the kid that Miss Mills and never made one excuse and I took it and I folded it
one excuse and I took it and I folded it
one excuse and I took it and I folded it up now put it in my back pocket my
up now put it in my back pocket my
up now put it in my back pocket my freshman year I played special routines
freshman year I played special routines
freshman year I played special routines my son for season I broke the star
my son for season I broke the star
my son for season I broke the star lineup had a really strong sophomore
lineup had a really strong sophomore
lineup had a really strong sophomore season that summer heading into my
season that summer heading into my
season that summer heading into my junior year I still remember the day
junior year I still remember the day
junior year I still remember the day where I was sitting in our film room I
where I was sitting in our film room I
where I was sitting in our film room I was watching film on the California
was watching film on the California
was watching film on the California bears my defensive backs coach Larry
bears my defensive backs coach Larry
bears my defensive backs coach Larry Slade came in the room he said inky I
Slade came in the room he said inky I
Slade came in the room he said inky I got some good news for you
got some good news for you
got some good news for you I dropped the click I said what is it he
I dropped the click I said what is it he
I dropped the click I said what is it he said man you projected top 30 Drive
said man you projected top 30 Drive
said man you projected top 30 Drive fixer he said all you have to do is play
fixer he said all you have to do is play
fixer he said all you have to do is play the next 10 football games your
the next 10 football games your
the next 10 football games your automatic low time millionaire I went
automatic low time millionaire I went
automatic low time millionaire I went out of the room I called my mother my
out of the room I called my mother my
out of the room I called my mother my grandmother on the three-way I said
grandmother on the three-way I said
grandmother on the three-way I said after this season there will be no more
after this season there will be no more
after this season there will be no more struggle
I said we would never miss another meal
I said we would never miss another meal I said we would never experience another
I said we would never experience another
I said we would never experience another Christmas where we had to stand on the
Christmas where we had to stand on the
Christmas where we had to stand on the side of the curve and just be brief now
side of the curve and just be brief now
side of the curve and just be brief now hunger the first football game I went
hunger the first football game I went
hunger the first football game I went out and played great got an interception
out and played great got an interception
out and played great got an interception check out down second game we’re playing
check out down second game we’re playing
check out down second game we’re playing against air force got late in the game
against air force got late in the game
against air force got late in the game fourth quarter God dropped back he threw
fourth quarter God dropped back he threw
fourth quarter God dropped back he threw the ball to a receiver coming down my
the ball to a receiver coming down my
the ball to a receiver coming down my sideline me and a guy we went head-on as
sideline me and a guy we went head-on as
sideline me and a guy we went head-on as soon as I hit the guy felt as if every
soon as I hit the guy felt as if every
soon as I hit the guy felt as if every breath of my body left body went
breath of my body left body went
breath of my body left body went completely left fell to the ground I
completely left fell to the ground I
completely left fell to the ground I blacked out never happened to me my eyes
blacked out never happened to me my eyes
blacked out never happened to me my eyes open I’ll never forget my teammates ran
open I’ll never forget my teammates ran
open I’ll never forget my teammates ran over they said ain’t get up let’s go I
over they said ain’t get up let’s go I
over they said ain’t get up let’s go I said I can’t I can’t move he said what
said I can’t I can’t move he said what
said I can’t I can’t move he said what do you mean you can’t move it you’re our
do you mean you can’t move it you’re our
do you mean you can’t move it you’re our lockdown corner man we need you let’s go
lockdown corner man we need you let’s go
lockdown corner man we need you let’s go I said I know ma’am at this time I can’t
I said I know ma’am at this time I can’t
I said I know ma’am at this time I can’t move the shock stayed in my body and
move the shock stayed in my body and
move the shock stayed in my body and I’ll never forget as I was lying there I
I’ll never forget as I was lying there I
I’ll never forget as I was lying there I flipped my head to the left and the
flipped my head to the left and the
flipped my head to the left and the doctors and the trainer’s were running
doctors and the trainer’s were running
doctors and the trainer’s were running onto the building I flipped my head up
onto the building I flipped my head up
onto the building I flipped my head up to the sky said God says surely nothing
to the sky said God says surely nothing
to the sky said God says surely nothing is happening this moment that can alter
is happening this moment that can alter
is happening this moment that can alter my life I flipped my head back over to
my life I flipped my head back over to
my life I flipped my head back over to the left they were bringing the spine
the left they were bringing the spine
the left they were bringing the spine board out it’s put me up on the spine
board out it’s put me up on the spine
board out it’s put me up on the spine board and said God they have to do that
board and said God they have to do that
board and said God they have to do that right I said that’s precautionary
right I said that’s precautionary
right I said that’s precautionary measure
measure
measure the doctor was rolling me off the field
the doctor was rolling me off the field
the doctor was rolling me off the field we get to mid Phil I said doctor you
we get to mid Phil I said doctor you
we get to mid Phil I said doctor you left my right arm up because I couldn’t
left my right arm up because I couldn’t
left my right arm up because I couldn’t fill it that’s stuck me with all type of
fill it that’s stuck me with all type of
fill it that’s stuck me with all type of needles inky can you feel this I
needles inky can you feel this I
needles inky can you feel this I couldn’t believe he said sure and he
couldn’t believe he said sure and he
couldn’t believe he said sure and he lifted my right arm up and I raised my
lifted my right arm up and I raised my
lifted my right arm up and I raised my left hand I pumped it to the supporters
left hand I pumped it to the supporters
left hand I pumped it to the supporters I don’t like using the word fans I think
I don’t like using the word fans I think
I don’t like using the word fans I think it’s arrogant turn who by the calling
it’s arrogant turn who by the calling
it’s arrogant turn who by the calling person of mani-pedis inflator supporter
person of mani-pedis inflator supporter
person of mani-pedis inflator supporter I said doc you can let my arm down as he
I said doc you can let my arm down as he
I said doc you can let my arm down as he was letting my arm down I’ll never
was letting my arm down I’ll never
was letting my arm down I’ll never forget I looked in his eyes I said oh
forget I looked in his eyes I said oh
forget I looked in his eyes I said oh yeah I said I’ll be back never thinking
yeah I said I’ll be back never thinking
yeah I said I’ll be back never thinking that would be the last football game and
that would be the last football game and
that would be the last football game and I would ever play in my life they rolled
I would ever play in my life they rolled
I would ever play in my life they rolled me to the ambulance my father was
me to the ambulance my father was
me to the ambulance my father was waiting there he was had this look of
waiting there he was had this look of
waiting there he was had this look of concern on his face I said pops I got
concern on his face I said pops I got
concern on his face I said pops I got him right he said yes sir but I think
him right he said yes sir but I think
him right he said yes sir but I think you got I think you got the worst part
you got I think you got the worst part
you got I think you got the worst part of this with me
of this with me
of this with me they got me over to the hospital took me
they got me over to the hospital took me
they got me over to the hospital took me back they ran cat-scans they brought me
back they ran cat-scans they brought me
back they ran cat-scans they brought me back into my room and all during the 15
back into my room and all during the 15
back into my room and all during the 15 second timeframe
second timeframe
second timeframe I’ll never forget I was lying in my bed
I’ll never forget I was lying in my bed
I’ll never forget I was lying in my bed and I flipped my head back in that
and I flipped my head back in that
and I flipped my head back in that kool-aid with my father and he went to
kool-aid with my father and he went to
kool-aid with my father and he went to take his step in and he looked at me he
take his step in and he looked at me he
take his step in and he looked at me he said I can’t do it and he walked out my
said I can’t do it and he walked out my
said I can’t do it and he walked out my mother she came in she happy-go-lucky
mother she came in she happy-go-lucky
mother she came in she happy-go-lucky she smiling
she smiling
she smiling she kissed me on my hand she said a
she kissed me on my hand she said a
she kissed me on my hand she said a friend is she saying everything is gonna
friend is she saying everything is gonna
friend is she saying everything is gonna be okay and she walked down and as soon
be okay and she walked down and as soon
be okay and she walked down and as soon as she stepped outside of the room the
as she stepped outside of the room the
as she stepped outside of the room the doctor came running in from the opposite
doctor came running in from the opposite
doctor came running in from the opposite side he said get in here we gotta rush
side he said get in here we gotta rush
side he said get in here we gotta rush this guy back to emergency surgery he’s
this guy back to emergency surgery he’s
this guy back to emergency surgery he’s about to die
about to die
about to die what he said son you got busted up to
what he said son you got busted up to
what he said son you got busted up to play an artery in your chest you’re
play an artery in your chest you’re
play an artery in your chest you’re bleeding internally we have to rush you
bleeding internally we have to rush you
bleeding internally we have to rush you back take the main vein out of your left
back take the main vein out of your left
back take the main vein out of your left leg plug it into your chest in order to
leg plug it into your chest in order to
leg plug it into your chest in order to save your life when I open my eyes from
save your life when I open my eyes from
save your life when I open my eyes from recovery the same doctors over me said
recovery the same doctors over me said
recovery the same doctors over me said son has some good news and some bad news
son has some good news and some bad news
son has some good news and some bad news for you I said you got some bad news for
for you I said you got some bad news for
for you I said you got some bad news for me after telling my buckled I’m still
me after telling my buckled I’m still
me after telling my buckled I’m still alive how bad can it get I’m still here
alive how bad can it get I’m still here
alive how bad can it get I’m still here he said the good news is we saved your
he said the good news is we saved your
he said the good news is we saved your life I said thank you sir
life I said thank you sir
life I said thank you sir he said the bad news is ain’t gonna have
he said the bad news is ain’t gonna have
he said the bad news is ain’t gonna have nerve damage and your right shoulder I
nerve damage and your right shoulder I
nerve damage and your right shoulder I said okay cool
said okay cool
said okay cool he said we got to sing you up to the
he said we got to sing you up to the
he said we got to sing you up to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota I
Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota I
Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota I said okay cool he said but son it’s a
said okay cool he said but son it’s a
said okay cool he said but son it’s a strong possibility that you probably can
strong possibility that you probably can
strong possibility that you probably can never play the game of football again in
never play the game of football again in
never play the game of football again in your life I said no way
your life I said no way
your life I said no way I said no disrespect to you doc but I’ve
I said no disrespect to you doc but I’ve
I said no disrespect to you doc but I’ve been working for this ever since I was
been working for this ever since I was
been working for this ever since I was seven years old I said no disrespect to
seven years old I said no disrespect to
seven years old I said no disrespect to you doc but you wasn’t in the park with
you doc but you wasn’t in the park with
you doc but you wasn’t in the park with me and my mother now was seven years old
me and my mother now was seven years old
me and my mother now was seven years old and she was sitting in that Buick Regal
and she was sitting in that Buick Regal
and she was sitting in that Buick Regal she got done working at Wendy’s
she got done working at Wendy’s
she got done working at Wendy’s no disrespect you doc but you didn’t
no disrespect you doc but you didn’t
no disrespect you doc but you didn’t come up in at to level 114 people
come up in at to level 114 people
come up in at to level 114 people sleeping on the floor no disrespect to
sleeping on the floor no disrespect to
sleeping on the floor no disrespect to you doc but you don’t miss those meals
you doc but you don’t miss those meals
you doc but you don’t miss those meals and stay focused and never made an
and stay focused and never made an
and stay focused and never made an excuse I never cheated I never cheated
excuse I never cheated I never cheated
excuse I never cheated I never cheated like my conscience still until his day
like my conscience still until his day
like my conscience still until his day won’t let me like I can’t cheat I can’t
won’t let me like I can’t cheat I can’t
won’t let me like I can’t cheat I can’t look myself in the mirror and say if you
look myself in the mirror and say if you
look myself in the mirror and say if you did a good job knowing that I cheat I
did a good job knowing that I cheat I
did a good job knowing that I cheat I can’t cheat my conscience won’t let me
can’t cheat my conscience won’t let me
can’t cheat my conscience won’t let me cheat and I’ll never forget I said man
cheat and I’ll never forget I said man
cheat and I’ll never forget I said man no way my career could be over I worked
no way my career could be over I worked
no way my career could be over I worked you are well I respected the game I gave
you are well I respected the game I gave
you are well I respected the game I gave it everything that I had there’s no way
it everything that I had there’s no way
it everything that I had there’s no way that my career can be over I said send
that my career can be over I said send
that my career can be over I said send me up to the Mayo Clinic surely there
me up to the Mayo Clinic surely there
me up to the Mayo Clinic surely there sell like a play of it and send me up to
sell like a play of it and send me up to
sell like a play of it and send me up to the Mayo Clinic the final meeting
the Mayo Clinic the final meeting
the Mayo Clinic the final meeting happened it was me my mother my father
happened it was me my mother my father
happened it was me my mother my father in the room and I’ll never forget it an
in the room and I’ll never forget it an
in the room and I’ll never forget it an interview prior to that meeting a
interview prior to that meeting a
interview prior to that meeting a reporter came out and he said inky
reporter came out and he said inky
reporter came out and he said inky johnson is growing about this situation
johnson is growing about this situation
johnson is growing about this situation as if he knows something that everybody
as if he knows something that everybody
as if he knows something that everybody else doesn’t and we walked into this
else doesn’t and we walked into this
else doesn’t and we walked into this meeting and the doctors came in and said
meeting and the doctors came in and said
meeting and the doctors came in and said Inc here’s the deal let’s get right down
Inc here’s the deal let’s get right down
Inc here’s the deal let’s get right down to it said son you have torn all the
to it said son you have torn all the
to it said son you have torn all the nerves in your brachial plexus and say
nerves in your brachial plexus and say
nerves in your brachial plexus and say you break your plexus or the nerve roots
you break your plexus or the nerve roots
you break your plexus or the nerve roots that go through your spine that controls
that go through your spine that controls
that go through your spine that controls your arm in your hand you have torn them
your arm in your hand you have torn them
your arm in your hand you have torn them at all levels they cannot be replug it
at all levels they cannot be replug it
at all levels they cannot be replug it says some we hate to tell you but your
says some we hate to tell you but your
says some we hate to tell you but your arm and we’ll never be the same again
arm and we’ll never be the same again
arm and we’ll never be the same again your hand there will never be the same
your hand there will never be the same
your hand there will never be the same again your shoulder it would never be
again your shoulder it would never be
again your shoulder it would never be the same again some we hate to tell you
the same again some we hate to tell you
the same again some we hate to tell you but you can never play the game of
but you can never play the game of
but you can never play the game of football again as a matter of fact we
football again as a matter of fact we
football again as a matter of fact we understand prior to college you averaged
understand prior to college you averaged
understand prior to college you averaged 30 points per game as a point guard son
30 points per game as a point guard son
30 points per game as a point guard son you can never play the game of
you can never play the game of
you can never play the game of basketball again as a matter of fact we
basketball again as a matter of fact we
basketball again as a matter of fact we understand prior to college you played
understand prior to college you played
understand prior to college you played travel league baseball your whole life
travel league baseball your whole life
travel league baseball your whole life plays to the fill and batted cleanup son
plays to the fill and batted cleanup son
plays to the fill and batted cleanup son you can never play the game of baseball
you can never play the game of baseball
you can never play the game of baseball again as a matter of fact prior to
again as a matter of fact prior to
again as a matter of fact prior to college son we understood you ran track
college son we understood you ran track
college son we understood you ran track you’re in 100 to 200 to 4 by 1 and the
you’re in 100 to 200 to 4 by 1 and the
you’re in 100 to 200 to 4 by 1 and the 400 your arm would never be in a
400 your arm would never be in a
400 your arm would never be in a condition for you to run track again
condition for you to run track again
condition for you to run track again what do you do when all your options get
what do you do when all your options get
what do you do when all your options get taken away and stir and then they
taken away and stir and then they
taken away and stir and then they perceive you to say here your surgery
perceive you to say here your surgery
perceive you to say here your surgery options think we can take a monster out
options think we can take a monster out
options think we can take a monster out of the back of your left leg plug it
of the back of your left leg plug it
of the back of your left leg plug it into your right arm but there’s a
into your right arm but there’s a
into your right arm but there’s a possibility that you
possibility that you
possibility that you left with the weak left leg and we tried
left with the weak left leg and we tried
left with the weak left leg and we tried on the rest of your life or we could
on the rest of your life or we could
on the rest of your life or we could take a nerve out of your left or reroute
take a nerve out of your left or reroute
take a nerve out of your left or reroute it up to your chest down into your right
it up to your chest down into your right
it up to your chest down into your right arm but there’s a possibility that
arm but there’s a possibility that
arm but there’s a possibility that you’ll be left with two weak arms the
you’ll be left with two weak arms the
you’ll be left with two weak arms the rest of your life oh we can take a nerve
rest of your life oh we can take a nerve
rest of your life oh we can take a nerve out of your left rib reroute it up to
out of your left rib reroute it up to
out of your left rib reroute it up to your chest down into your right arm but
your chest down into your right arm but
your chest down into your right arm but there’s a possibility that you’ll be
there’s a possibility that you’ll be
there’s a possibility that you’ll be left with a breathing problem and then
left with a breathing problem and then
left with a breathing problem and then we cried on the rest of your life by the
we cried on the rest of your life by the
we cried on the rest of your life by the way tell us what you want to do in the
way tell us what you want to do in the
way tell us what you want to do in the morning I was 20 years old and the next
morning I was 20 years old and the next
morning I was 20 years old and the next morning I walked into the doctor’s
morning I walked into the doctor’s
morning I walked into the doctor’s office they said some what option did
office they said some what option did
office they said some what option did you choose
you choose
you choose I said no disrespect to the dark cutting
I said no disrespect to the dark cutting
I said no disrespect to the dark cutting where you got to cut me I know come out
where you got to cut me I know come out
where you got to cut me I know come out of the situational thing they said cut
of the situational thing they said cut
of the situational thing they said cut with the cute talk with some of the best
with the cute talk with some of the best
with the cute talk with some of the best doctors in the world and with the reason
doctors in the world and with the reason
doctors in the world and with the reason that you came up here and so you have to
that you came up here and so you have to
that you came up here and so you have to choose an option so tell us what option
choose an option so tell us what option
choose an option so tell us what option are you choosing and where do you want
are you choosing and where do you want
are you choosing and where do you want us to cut you I said no disrespect to
us to cut you I said no disrespect to
us to cut you I said no disrespect to you doc cut me where you got to cut me I
you doc cut me where you got to cut me I
you doc cut me where you got to cut me I know I will come out of this situation
know I will come out of this situation
know I will come out of this situation okay and they proceeded to cut me six
okay and they proceeded to cut me six
okay and they proceeded to cut me six times down my left eye to cut me one
times down my left eye to cut me one
times down my left eye to cut me one time across my left shoulder one time
time across my left shoulder one time
time across my left shoulder one time across my right shoulder they cut me on
across my right shoulder they cut me on
across my right shoulder they cut me on my right packing my right rib it cut me
my right packing my right rib it cut me
my right packing my right rib it cut me from the bottom of my armpit all the way
from the bottom of my armpit all the way
from the bottom of my armpit all the way down to the bottom of my hand they put
down to the bottom of my hand they put
down to the bottom of my hand they put over 350 staples in my body they
over 350 staples in my body they
over 350 staples in my body they banished me from my neck down to my
banished me from my neck down to my
banished me from my neck down to my knees and I still was in class that next
knees and I still was in class that next
knees and I still was in class that next week
when they gave me an opportunity to go
when they gave me an opportunity to go home and you know I went to class you
home and you know I went to class you
home and you know I went to class you know why I was able to go in that
know why I was able to go in that
know why I was able to go in that doctor’s office and say cut me where you
doctor’s office and say cut me where you
doctor’s office and say cut me where you got to cut me I know we’ll come out of
got to cut me I know we’ll come out of
got to cut me I know we’ll come out of this situation okay because I made up in
this situation okay because I made up in
this situation okay because I made up in my mind before I even stepped into the
my mind before I even stepped into the
my mind before I even stepped into the doctor’s office that no matter what the
doctor’s office that no matter what the
doctor’s office that no matter what the outcome was
outcome was
outcome was I wasn’t quitting I wasn’t giving up I
I wasn’t quitting I wasn’t giving up I
I wasn’t quitting I wasn’t giving up I wasn’t stopping that’s not my pedigree
wasn’t stopping that’s not my pedigree
wasn’t stopping that’s not my pedigree that’s not who I am and so I’m not even
that’s not who I am and so I’m not even
that’s not who I am and so I’m not even gonna entertain it and I think the
gonna entertain it and I think the
gonna entertain it and I think the quicker you eliminate something the
quicker you eliminate something the
quicker you eliminate something the quicker that you make up in your mind
quicker that you make up in your mind
quicker that you make up in your mind you’re gonna get to the outcome it’s
you’re gonna get to the outcome it’s
you’re gonna get to the outcome it’s just like the Navy SEALs it’s just like
just like the Navy SEALs it’s just like
just like the Navy SEALs it’s just like the sails that’s why the sails are so
the sails that’s why the sails are so
the sails that’s why the sails are so bad
bad
bad they make up in their mind before the
they make up in their mind before the
they make up in their mind before the mission that they’re going to complete
mission that they’re going to complete
mission that they’re going to complete the mission they make up in their mother
the mission they make up in their mother
the mission they make up in their mother before they set out on a mission we are
before they set out on a mission we are
before they set out on a mission we are going to complete the mission meaning if
going to complete the mission meaning if
going to complete the mission meaning if it does not kill me if I get an arm
it does not kill me if I get an arm
it does not kill me if I get an arm injury along the way a leg injury along
injury along the way a leg injury along
injury along the way a leg injury along the way feet injury along the way if you
the way feet injury along the way if you
the way feet injury along the way if you do not kill me you will not stop my
do not kill me you will not stop my
do not kill me you will not stop my drive no petty adversity will not stop
drive no petty adversity will not stop
drive no petty adversity will not stop me I have to complete every mission that
me I have to complete every mission that
me I have to complete every mission that I set out on what are the greatest
I set out on what are the greatest
I set out on what are the greatest pieces of advice that my mother gave me
pieces of advice that my mother gave me
pieces of advice that my mother gave me was this so whenever you start you make
was this so whenever you start you make
was this so whenever you start you make sure you finish and the problem with the
sure you finish and the problem with the
sure you finish and the problem with the world today people get involved with
world today people get involved with
world today people get involved with things and if they don’t like a certain
things and if they don’t like a certain
things and if they don’t like a certain person if they don’t like the process if
person if they don’t like the process if
person if they don’t like the process if it’s not what they thought it was they
it’s not what they thought it was they
it’s not what they thought it was they quit and what they don’t understand
quit and what they don’t understand
quit and what they don’t understand about quitting quitting me hump becomes
about quitting quitting me hump becomes
about quitting quitting me hump becomes a habit that doesn’t just affect you
a habit that doesn’t just affect you
a habit that doesn’t just affect you later on in life when you get a wife and
later on in life when you get a wife and
later on in life when you get a wife and you get some kids or you get a family
you get some kids or you get a family
you get some kids or you get a family it’s going to come back to haunt you and
it’s going to come back to haunt you and
it’s going to come back to haunt you and then will one day affect this that is
then will one day affect this that is
then will one day affect this that is why I tell you the process it’s more
why I tell you the process it’s more
why I tell you the process it’s more important in the product it’s not even
important in the product it’s not even
important in the product it’s not even about the outcome for me it’s about can
about the outcome for me it’s about can
about the outcome for me it’s about can you take pride in what you do as an
you take pride in what you do as an
you take pride in what you do as an individual and every night when you look
individual and every night when you look
individual and every night when you look in the mirror knowing that you gave
in the mirror knowing that you gave
in the mirror knowing that you gave everything you add to it and no money
everything you add to it and no money
everything you add to it and no money doesn’t have to be attached to it it’s
doesn’t have to be attached to it it’s
doesn’t have to be attached to it it’s about learning to work from the inside
about learning to work from the inside
about learning to work from the inside out in life and not from the outside in
out in life and not from the outside in
out in life and not from the outside in when you work from the inside out of
when you work from the inside out of
when you work from the inside out of life you understand your wife you
life you understand your wife you
life you understand your wife you understand your how and you understand
understand your how and you understand
understand your how and you understand your what when you work from the outside
your what when you work from the outside
your what when you work from the outside in you understand your what you
in you understand your what you
in you understand your what you understand your how and you understand
understand your how and you understand
understand your how and you understand your wife people that work from the
your wife people that work from the
your wife people that work from the inside out Martin Luther King why I’m
inside out Martin Luther King why I’m
inside out Martin Luther King why I’m gonna do this how I’m gonna do this what
gonna do this how I’m gonna do this what
gonna do this how I’m gonna do this what I’m gonna do
I’m gonna do
I’m gonna do people that work from the inside out
people that work from the inside out
people that work from the inside out Apple change the world people that work
Apple change the world people that work
Apple change the world people that work from the inside out
from the inside out
from the inside out Zuckerberg people that work from the
Zuckerberg people that work from the
Zuckerberg people that work from the inside out MJ
inside out MJ
inside out MJ people that work from the outside and
people that work from the outside and
people that work from the outside and worry about the outcome first never make
worry about the outcome first never make
worry about the outcome first never make it because they get to a certain point
it because they get to a certain point
it because they get to a certain point and life is going to test that will
and life is going to test that will
and life is going to test that will every time life is going to see how bad
every time life is going to see how bad
every time life is going to see how bad you want what you say you would and so
you want what you say you would and so
you want what you say you would and so if it’s never a level of commitment to
if it’s never a level of commitment to
if it’s never a level of commitment to it and what commitment is commitment
it and what commitment is commitment
it and what commitment is commitment people think commitment is just saying
people think commitment is just saying
people think commitment is just saying yes I’ll do it because the environment
yes I’ll do it because the environment
yes I’ll do it because the environment is right and it’s cute
is right and it’s cute
is right and it’s cute people get in certain environments man
people get in certain environments man
people get in certain environments man are you gonna do it do you feel like
are you gonna do it do you feel like
are you gonna do it do you feel like doing it do you think it’s right yeah
doing it do you think it’s right yeah
doing it do you think it’s right yeah man let’s do it it’s cool
man let’s do it it’s cool
man let’s do it it’s cool let’s do it let’s do it yeah but what
let’s do it let’s do it yeah but what
let’s do it let’s do it yeah but what commitment is commitment is staying true
commitment is commitment is staying true
commitment is commitment is staying true to what you said you were going to do
to what you said you were going to do
to what you said you were going to do long after the move that you have said
long after the move that you have said
long after the move that you have said it in has left meaning when you don’t
it in has left meaning when you don’t
it in has left meaning when you don’t feel like getting up in the morning you
feel like getting up in the morning you
feel like getting up in the morning you get your butt up in the morning you do
get your butt up in the morning you do
get your butt up in the morning you do what you said you were going to do
what you said you were going to do
what you said you were going to do anyway meaning when you don’t feel like
anyway meaning when you don’t feel like
anyway meaning when you don’t feel like sacrificing you get your butt up and you
sacrificing you get your butt up and you
sacrificing you get your butt up and you sacrifice anyway meaning when you don’t
sacrifice anyway meaning when you don’t
sacrifice anyway meaning when you don’t feel like being dedicated to it you stay
feel like being dedicated to it you stay
feel like being dedicated to it you stay you’re dedicated anyway because you
you’re dedicated anyway because you
you’re dedicated anyway because you understand what the process we’re going
understand what the process we’re going
understand what the process we’re going to produce later on in your life it’s
to produce later on in your life it’s
to produce later on in your life it’s not about the outcome eliminate the
not about the outcome eliminate the
not about the outcome eliminate the outcome and we have to get to the point
outcome and we have to get to the point
outcome and we have to get to the point where we’re willing to impose our will
where we’re willing to impose our will
where we’re willing to impose our will on certain things impose your will on it
on certain things impose your will on it
on certain things impose your will on it it’s just as if you were facing an
it’s just as if you were facing an
it’s just as if you were facing an opponent imposed you we don’t want it
opponent imposed you we don’t want it
opponent imposed you we don’t want it life will give into you if it’s not if
life will give into you if it’s not if
life will give into you if it’s not if it knows you’re serious about whatever
it knows you’re serious about whatever
it knows you’re serious about whatever it is that you’re trying to do life will
it is that you’re trying to do life will
it is that you’re trying to do life will give into you when I went back to school
give into you when I went back to school
give into you when I went back to school I had to learn how to write all over
I had to learn how to write all over
I had to learn how to write all over again with my left hand I’ve been right
again with my left hand I’ve been right
again with my left hand I’ve been right hand down there my whole life you think
hand down there my whole life you think
hand down there my whole life you think the teacher came up to me and said Inc I
the teacher came up to me and said Inc I
the teacher came up to me and said Inc I know you got a paralyzed right home and
know you got a paralyzed right home and
know you got a paralyzed right home and you don’t know how to write again we’re
you don’t know how to write again we’re
you don’t know how to write again we’re gonna give you a little leverage we’re
gonna give you a little leverage we’re
gonna give you a little leverage we’re gonna let you take your time on these
gonna let you take your time on these
gonna let you take your time on these thirty page papers no Enki here’s your
thirty page papers no Enki here’s your
thirty page papers no Enki here’s your 30 page paper I need it by tomorrow now
30 page paper I need it by tomorrow now
30 page paper I need it by tomorrow now have some great friends I don’t have one
have some great friends I don’t have one
have some great friends I don’t have one friend that was about to knock out a
friend that was about to knock out a
friend that was about to knock out a 30-page paper for I had to sit my butt
30-page paper for I had to sit my butt
30-page paper for I had to sit my butt in disability services and write that
in disability services and write that
in disability services and write that paper by myself
paper by myself
paper by myself I had to learn how to tie my shoe all
I had to learn how to tie my shoe all
I had to learn how to tie my shoe all over there I had to go up to people and
over there I had to go up to people and
over there I had to go up to people and say man can you help my roommates can
say man can you help my roommates can
say man can you help my roommates can you help bathe me back my life totally
you help bathe me back my life totally
you help bathe me back my life totally changed and they gave me an opportunity
changed and they gave me an opportunity
changed and they gave me an opportunity to stop and most people when you give
to stop and most people when you give
to stop and most people when you give them an opportunity to stop while
them an opportunity to stop while
them an opportunity to stop while they’re chasing something they take
they’re chasing something they take
they’re chasing something they take advantage of it because they feel as if
advantage of it because they feel as if
advantage of it because they feel as if man why did this have to happen to me
man why did this have to happen to me
man why did this have to happen to me I felt as if why not me this is the
I felt as if why not me this is the
I felt as if why not me this is the perfect opportunity to use this to be a
perfect opportunity to use this to be a
perfect opportunity to use this to be a blessing in somebody else and you know
blessing in somebody else and you know
blessing in somebody else and you know what it’s not even about me to be
what it’s not even about me to be
what it’s not even about me to be truthful it’s not even about me now it’s
truthful it’s not even about me now it’s
truthful it’s not even about me now it’s about repaying the people that invested
about repaying the people that invested
about repaying the people that invested in me and saw something in me when I
in me and saw something in me when I
in me and saw something in me when I couldn’t see it in myself now this is
couldn’t see it in myself now this is
couldn’t see it in myself now this is the perfect time to give them a return
the perfect time to give them a return
the perfect time to give them a return on their investment that’s why we’re
on their investment that’s why we’re
on their investment that’s why we’re gonna get my master’s degree at a
gonna get my master’s degree at a
gonna get my master’s degree at a certain point in life it can’t just be
certain point in life it can’t just be
certain point in life it can’t just be about you when do we get to the point
about you when do we get to the point
about you when do we get to the point where we start honoring the sacrifices
where we start honoring the sacrifices
where we start honoring the sacrifices that others have made for us when do we
that others have made for us when do we
that others have made for us when do we get to the point where we say mom I
get to the point where we say mom I
get to the point where we say mom I really appreciate those sacrifices you
really appreciate those sacrifices you
really appreciate those sacrifices you made for me so I’m not quitting as a
made for me so I’m not quitting as a
made for me so I’m not quitting as a result of it I guarantee you I’m coming
result of it I guarantee you I’m coming
result of it I guarantee you I’m coming out of Michigan State with a degree I
out of Michigan State with a degree I
out of Michigan State with a degree I guarantee it
guarantee it
guarantee it and it doesn’t matter the outcome it
and it doesn’t matter the outcome it
and it doesn’t matter the outcome it doesn’t matter what I go through I
doesn’t matter what I go through I
doesn’t matter what I go through I guarantee you I went to my mother and I
guarantee you I went to my mother and I
guarantee you I went to my mother and I told her I will never embarrass you I
told her I will never embarrass you I
told her I will never embarrass you I will never quit because you’re sat in
will never quit because you’re sat in
will never quit because you’re sat in the park for me when I was 7 years old
the park for me when I was 7 years old
the park for me when I was 7 years old so it’s not even about me having a
so it’s not even about me having a
so it’s not even about me having a paralyzed right on it’s not even that
paralyzed right on it’s not even that
paralyzed right on it’s not even that deep the reason I wake up and live my
deep the reason I wake up and live my
deep the reason I wake up and live my life the way that I do because I
life the way that I do because I
life the way that I do because I understand somebody is looking to me for
understand somebody is looking to me for
understand somebody is looking to me for my passion somebody is looking at me for
my passion somebody is looking at me for
my passion somebody is looking at me for my zeal somebody is looking at me for my
my zeal somebody is looking at me for my
my zeal somebody is looking at me for my energy and somebody is looking at me
energy and somebody is looking at me
energy and somebody is looking at me every day to keep going just like
every day to keep going just like
every day to keep going just like somebody is depending on each of you
somebody is depending on each of you
somebody is depending on each of you it’s not about you their blessings don’t
it’s not about you their blessings don’t
it’s not about you their blessings don’t come to you blessings flow through you
come to you blessings flow through you
come to you blessings flow through you and the moment that you understand that
and the moment that you understand that
and the moment that you understand that you will realize your existence it’s not
you will realize your existence it’s not
you will realize your existence it’s not just about you it’s a lot of people that
just about you it’s a lot of people that
just about you it’s a lot of people that paid the way for you to be in a position
paid the way for you to be in a position
paid the way for you to be in a position that you’re in utter that have a certain
that you’re in utter that have a certain
that you’re in utter that have a certain level of pride in what you do take pride
level of pride in what you do take pride
level of pride in what you do take pride in what you do if your last name is
in what you do if your last name is
in what you do if your last name is doing something you should operate a
doing something you should operate a
doing something you should operate a certain way you shouldn’t just do it
certain way you shouldn’t just do it
certain way you shouldn’t just do it just to do it I don’t understand how
just to do it I don’t understand how
just to do it I don’t understand how people do that how can people get up and
people do that how can people get up and
people do that how can people get up and just go through the flow in life how do
just go through the flow in life how do
just go through the flow in life how do people do that
people do that
people do that like I can’t do that when I look at my
like I can’t do that when I look at my
like I can’t do that when I look at my son I can’t say son I just got up and I
son I can’t say son I just got up and I
son I can’t say son I just got up and I flow through life today and he looked
flow through life today and he looked
flow through life today and he looked back at me like that you just float no I
back at me like that you just float no I
back at me like that you just float no I can’t do that I can’t tell my wife
can’t do that I can’t tell my wife
can’t do that I can’t tell my wife maybe I just float through life today
maybe I just float through life today
maybe I just float through life today without look at my wife I tell it no
without look at my wife I tell it no
without look at my wife I tell it no matter what happens in our life no
matter what happens in our life no
matter what happens in our life no matter what we go through you’re gonna
matter what we go through you’re gonna
matter what we go through you’re gonna be straight you’re gonna be straight
be straight you’re gonna be straight
be straight you’re gonna be straight you’re gonna be straight you’ll never
you’re gonna be straight you’ll never
you’re gonna be straight you’ll never have to worry about a thing my kids will
have to worry about a thing my kids will
have to worry about a thing my kids will never see the life that I saw when I was
never see the life that I saw when I was
never see the life that I saw when I was a kid I’m promising that maybe they’re
a kid I’m promising that maybe they’re
a kid I’m promising that maybe they’re not seeing it right now and we’ll never
not seeing it right now and we’ll never
not seeing it right now and we’ll never see it because of Who I am
see it because of Who I am
see it because of Who I am now understand who I am not know i’ma go
now understand who I am not know i’ma go
now understand who I am not know i’ma go get it when it boils down to it I’m a
get it when it boils down to it I’m a
get it when it boils down to it I’m a go-getter and I’m afraid I won’t get it
go-getter and I’m afraid I won’t get it
go-getter and I’m afraid I won’t get it and nothing will not stop me from
and nothing will not stop me from
and nothing will not stop me from getting a lot of people you have to be
getting a lot of people you have to be
getting a lot of people you have to be chasing something or it has to be a
chasing something or it has to be a
chasing something or it has to be a reward attached to it or they seek some
reward attached to it or they seek some
reward attached to it or they seek some type of validation or they need some
type of validation or they need some
type of validation or they need some type of encouragement a pat on the back
type of encouragement a pat on the back
type of encouragement a pat on the back to say man you’re doing a good job when
to say man you’re doing a good job when
to say man you’re doing a good job when you tell me I’m doing a good job and not
you tell me I’m doing a good job and not
you tell me I’m doing a good job and not gonna give everything they’ve got to
gonna give everything they’ve got to
gonna give everything they’ve got to everything I’m involved in because
everything I’m involved in because
everything I’m involved in because that’s just the way I’m cut I’m gonna
that’s just the way I’m cut I’m gonna
that’s just the way I’m cut I’m gonna give everything I’ve got to everything
give everything I’ve got to everything
give everything I’ve got to everything I’m involved in because that’s the way
I’m involved in because that’s the way
I’m involved in because that’s the way I’m cut you will have to give me a
I’m cut you will have to give me a
I’m cut you will have to give me a reward for that’s what I’m supposed to
reward for that’s what I’m supposed to
reward for that’s what I’m supposed to do that’s how I supposed to rock and
do that’s how I supposed to rock and
do that’s how I supposed to rock and that’s how I supposed to live my life I
that’s how I supposed to live my life I
that’s how I supposed to live my life I mean nowhere war phone you know cookie
mean nowhere war phone you know cookie
mean nowhere war phone you know cookie like I’m checking in the half and then
like I’m checking in the half and then
like I’m checking in the half and then you giving me a cookie cuz I’m checking
you giving me a cookie cuz I’m checking
you giving me a cookie cuz I’m checking in now I’m gonna live my life a certain
in now I’m gonna live my life a certain
in now I’m gonna live my life a certain type of way because this is the standard
type of way because this is the standard
type of way because this is the standard of excellence that I should possess
of excellence that I should possess
of excellence that I should possess standard of excellence and everything
standard of excellence and everything
standard of excellence and everything that I do it’s not about the outcome is
that I do it’s not about the outcome is
that I do it’s not about the outcome is not about the circumstance it’s not
not about the circumstance it’s not
not about the circumstance it’s not about the situation it’s not about
about the situation it’s not about
about the situation it’s not about people and it’s about me taking pride in
people and it’s about me taking pride in
people and it’s about me taking pride in what I do they having a certain standard
what I do they having a certain standard
what I do they having a certain standard of excellence I could have worked at
of excellence I could have worked at
of excellence I could have worked at McDonald’s
McDonald’s
McDonald’s I guarantee you I would have been the
I guarantee you I would have been the
I guarantee you I would have been the best work at McDonald’s there was I
best work at McDonald’s there was I
best work at McDonald’s there was I couldn’t wash cars I guarantee you I’d
couldn’t wash cars I guarantee you I’d
couldn’t wash cars I guarantee you I’d have been the best car wash it was they
have been the best car wash it was they
have been the best car wash it was they had nothing to do with outcome that’s
had nothing to do with outcome that’s
had nothing to do with outcome that’s just out of cut I’m gonna go get it
just out of cut I’m gonna go get it
just out of cut I’m gonna go get it because I’m built forward stop needing
because I’m built forward stop needing
because I’m built forward stop needing the reward for what you do stop seeking
the reward for what you do stop seeking
the reward for what you do stop seeking validation for what you do if you set
validation for what you do if you set
validation for what you do if you set out and you say you’re gonna do
out and you say you’re gonna do
out and you say you’re gonna do something do yourself a favor and don’t
something do yourself a favor and don’t
something do yourself a favor and don’t lie to yourself because that is the
lie to yourself because that is the
lie to yourself because that is the worst thing that an individual can ever
worst thing that an individual can ever
worst thing that an individual can ever do you think you lying to your peers
do you think you lying to your peers
do you think you lying to your peers right you think you lying to your mother
right you think you lying to your mother
right you think you lying to your mother you think you learn to your teaching you
you think you learn to your teaching you
you think you learn to your teaching you think you lying to your coach at the end
think you lying to your coach at the end
think you lying to your coach at the end of the day when you look in the mirror
of the day when you look in the mirror
of the day when you look in the mirror you lino you because that’s your life in
you lino you because that’s your life in
you lino you because that’s your life in ten years from now
ten years from now
ten years from now nobody can do anything for you that’s
nobody can do anything for you that’s
nobody can do anything for you that’s gonna be the light that you created not
gonna be the light that you created not
gonna be the light that you created not anybody else
anybody else
anybody else that you created you make your bed you
that you created you make your bed you
that you created you make your bed you got a lay in it and the moment that we
got a lay in it and the moment that we
got a lay in it and the moment that we understand that and every day we wake up
understand that and every day we wake up
understand that and every day we wake up we understand that life is a blessing in
we understand that life is a blessing in
we understand that life is a blessing in life is again and if you were to check
life is again and if you were to check
life is again and if you were to check out today how would you want to be
out today how would you want to be
out today how would you want to be remembered it’s bigger than you we have
remembered it’s bigger than you we have
remembered it’s bigger than you we have to elevate to that point where we keep
to elevate to that point where we keep
to elevate to that point where we keep that standard we keep that expectation
that standard we keep that expectation
that standard we keep that expectation and everything that we do and understand
and everything that we do and understand
and everything that we do and understand that it’s a lot bigger than us us doing
that it’s a lot bigger than us us doing
that it’s a lot bigger than us us doing everything that we do is a lot bigger
everything that we do is a lot bigger
everything that we do is a lot bigger than us and we want to leave a legacy
than us and we want to leave a legacy
than us and we want to leave a legacy and everything that we do people just
and everything that we do people just
and everything that we do people just want to be good people just want to look
want to be good people just want to look
want to be good people just want to look cute doing things look cute I don’t care
cute doing things look cute I don’t care
cute doing things look cute I don’t care about being cool think I care about
about being cool think I care about
about being cool think I care about being cool Manish people dying out here
being cool Manish people dying out here
being cool Manish people dying out here it’s young black males getting that life
it’s young black males getting that life
it’s young black males getting that life taken it’s people depending on us out
taken it’s people depending on us out
taken it’s people depending on us out here in the world think I care about
here in the world think I care about
here in the world think I care about being cool I would rather somebody look
being cool I would rather somebody look
being cool I would rather somebody look at me and say man that cat came from the
at me and say man that cat came from the
at me and say man that cat came from the hood in that lanta his mother had him at
hood in that lanta his mother had him at
hood in that lanta his mother had him at 15 he came from a two-bedroom home 14
15 he came from a two-bedroom home 14
15 he came from a two-bedroom home 14 people he slept on the floor with
people he slept on the floor with
people he slept on the floor with roaches and rats
roaches and rats
roaches and rats he missed meals at night his arm got
he missed meals at night his arm got
he missed meals at night his arm got paralyzed while he was in college
paralyzed while he was in college
paralyzed while he was in college chasing the dream he was eight games
chasing the dream he was eight games
chasing the dream he was eight games away from the NFL he almost lost his
away from the NFL he almost lost his
away from the NFL he almost lost his life he was back in class and next week
life he was back in class and next week
life he was back in class and next week he went on to get this bachelor’s degree
he went on to get this bachelor’s degree
he went on to get this bachelor’s degree he would only get his master’s degree
he would only get his master’s degree
he would only get his master’s degree that’s cool that’s what I want to be
that’s cool that’s what I want to be
that’s cool that’s what I want to be like because he never gave up and I
like because he never gave up and I
like because he never gave up and I don’t plan on giving up anytime soon
don’t plan on giving up anytime soon
don’t plan on giving up anytime soon as a matter of fact I’m going record
as a matter of fact I’m going record
as a matter of fact I’m going record right now on tape to tell you I’ll never
right now on tape to tell you I’ll never
right now on tape to tell you I’ll never give up regardless of what may happen
give up regardless of what may happen
give up regardless of what may happen because I’m chasing something different
because I’m chasing something different
because I’m chasing something different and it’s not about the product it’s
and it’s not about the product it’s
and it’s not about the product it’s about the process it’s about me
about the process it’s about me
about the process it’s about me understanding me going at things a
understanding me going at things a
understanding me going at things a certain type of way what is gonna build
certain type of way what is gonna build
certain type of way what is gonna build and instill within me
and instill within me
and instill within me that’s gonna sustain me for the rest of
that’s gonna sustain me for the rest of
that’s gonna sustain me for the rest of my life
my life
my life [Music]
”
Be First to Comment