Tryout

It was a tragic day when Deondre Jackson was hit by Ohio State lineman Tracey Porter. Deondre was projected to go in the second round in the 2002 NFL draft as a 6'4 290 pound Defensive End for the LSU Tigers. He had a bright future till the november 24th game against Ohio State when Tracey hit Deondre.

It seemed like a normal game for Deondre, he had 3 tackles and 1 sack. Until one play late in the third with a 14 all tie when a pass was deflected by LSU defensive tackle and landed right in the hands of Deondre. After he caught the ball he had turned to run with it but Lineman Tracey Porter had already started going for the tackle but had slipped and sent all of his weight straight in to Deondre knee, destroying his ACL and breaking his femur and tibia leaving the crowd in shock. They took Deondre to the hospital immediately after the play to get x-rays and was having surgery within hours.

About a year later Deondre was still going through physiotherapy while other players were preparing for the upcoming draft. Deondre will not be attending the draft even after getting a promise to a spot the year before, because he was no longer considered a high round talent and was projected to go late in the 7th. Fans were confident that teams would take a chance on the once star player even with his injury, but most scouts were positive he would never fully recover.

Deondre had gone in to a full state of depression and anxiety of never being able to do play what he loves again. He had started training at a young age and was a 5 star prospect going into college with aorund 20 scholarship offers, but had no plans on learning and took classes like communications and business. All he wanted was football but now that was gone.

When the draft came around teams passed on Deondre for players he was far more skilled than. When it was all over Deondre got a offer to tryout for the Falcons but he was not able to attend due to his leg recovering, that was the most painful for Deondre. He became mad at himself and wanted to end it all.

In 2004 there was a get together for ex LSU players, that everyone he used to play with was attending. He really didnt wanna go but his mom threatened to kick him out if he didn't attend so he got a old suit together and went. When he got there he was greeted by all his old teammates and coaches and they all started talking about their lives after football and some telling stories of their NFL career so far. Deondre just listened and hoped no one would ask him about his depressing life after football, but eventually his old coach asked him what he'd been up to. Deondre was lost for words and didn't know what to say and they coach could tell Deondre was embarrassed so he pulled him aside to chat. Coach told him that he had been in contact with his mother and new the struggles he was facing and said he had a offer for him. Deondre asked what the offer was and Coach told him that he wanted him to be the D-Line coach in the next season because there's was retiring this season. Deondre said he was interested and would like to get back to him on the offer.

It was 2005 and Deondre was 25 years old and was returning to the Tigers but not as a player but as a coach. He was quite excited to get back on the field but was nervous his knee would hold him back in demonstrating drills. He was also super rusty after not playing for over 4 years and had 3 surgeries to his knee since then, but he was determined to better these player and start a new life for himself.

The first Training camp came around and players were shocked how good he was and how much knowledge he had to offer. It was almost like he had never left, like he was the same player he was before.

Lots of players were constantly telling him to try out for the NFL but he would always just ignore them thinking it was all just a joke. Scouts would come by and always talk to him about why he just gave up and never gave it another shot and try to talk him into trying out for there team. Once again he would just ignore them. Everyone thought he was done at this point and knew he had no interest in playing again, but what they didn't know was that everyday he was secretly in the weight room working his body to be able to comply from his injury. He was also doing the same practice drills the team was doing at night. He wanted to come back to football and he wanted it bad.

People thought Deandres intentions were to coach but really he had discussed with the coach before signing a full on comeback plan to return to football and make the NFL. He never wanted to coach but when he was told the idea of using it as a disguise to play again he was on board, but what even the coach didn't know was he was only staying for one year. Originally they planned for him to stay for two or three years and Deondre agreed but when he got on the field again and realized he still had it he wouldn't need to train that long and he was going to try to return for the 2006 NFL season.

The season went well, the defensive line Deondre had trained played amazing leading the league in almost all stats for run defense and QB pressure. Deondre was also now in peak performance shape and was ready for tryouts. He now had 3 offers Eagles, Saints, and the Falcons. All three teams are ready to give him a entry level deal if impressed by his play.

Now in the off season Deondre had started doing his tryouts and was playing great and looked like a real NFL player. Teams were impressed and were shooting deals his way almost everyday. The media was just exploding over his incredible story and he was turning into an icon almost overnight.

When it came to signing time he had decided to choose the Falcons, because they were the only team that were willing to give him a chance to play there back in 2002. He was going to sign a 3 year contract for 6 million guaranteed and 9 million if he plays out the three years. Deondre considers this to be one of the greatest days of his life because he could finally fulfill his dream.