The Cleveland Browns drafted character with Shon Coleman selection
The Cleveland Browns took a high-character player that overcame adversity more than anyone else when drafting Shon Coleman.
Football has and always will be a sport for tough individuals. There is simply no room for anything short of tough in this line of work. Many start to think of physical toughness at first thought, however that is only half the battle to make it as a “tough guy” in the NFL, or any professional sport for that matter.
You don’t have to put up the most weight, be the biggest player in terms of measurables or talk trash to opponents to be a tough guy.
Shon Coleman, the fourth player selected by the Cleveland Browns in April’s NFL Draft, has overcome loads of adversity growing up and his journey to the National Football League stands out.
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Shortly after committing to Auburn to play football in 2010, Coleman was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The five-star recruit was forced step away from football in order to begin the battle for his life, unable to play again until 2013.
Despite the diagnosis, Coleman never let his dreams perish before his eyes. Instead, he worked his tail off and wouldn’t let anything get in his way of fulfilling his lifelong goals of becoming an NFL player, not even leukemia.
The Memphis native would go on to start all 25 games in his final two seasons with the Tigers as well as receiving All-SEC honors in 2015.
This young man leaves Auburn University with two degrees (bachelor’s degree in public administration and a master’s degree in adult education) and a great professional job along with a story powerful enough to inspire millions across the world that currently go through the same struggles Coleman has faced.
As a matter of fact, the No. 76 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft spent his draft weekend at St. Jude Children’s Hospital, spending his big day with children who genuinely need the support from a survivor such as Coleman.
The Cleveland Browns are clearly well past the stage of drafting young men with questionable personalities (cough, cough…Johnny Manziel) while instead implementing a culture of success and professionalism.
Coleman is expected to compete for the starting right tackle position, although he is currently recovering from right knee surgery that was performed in January. Head Coach Hue Jackson expects the third-rounder to bounce back from this and hopes he establishes himself as a legitimate option to start on the offensive line in the upcoming season.
The 24-year old is all too familiar with competition, having to battle for his life just a few years ago. Just don’t question Shon Coleman’s work ethic and love of life because once you’re close to losing it, you’re full of it.