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Inky Johnson - Embrace the Process
Created By Shedrick White
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Inky Johnson grew up in a rough part of Atlanta with drug dealers and gang members on every corner. He attended one of the lowest performing public schools in the entire state of Georgia. While others around him were going to jail, and dropping out of high school, Inky had no intention of following in their footsteps.
From an early age, Inky knew he wanted to make it to the NFL, so he worked tirelessly to turn his dream into a reality and take care of his mother. Inky’s work ethic while striving towards his goal of the NFL was undeniable. He was eventually offered a scholarship to play Division 1 football for the University of Tennessee which was proof that his perseverance was paying off.
During the summer heading into Inky’s Junior year at Tennessee, he was told that he was projected in the top 30 draft picks for the NFL draft. Inky called his mother and grandmother and told them that “after this season there will be no more struggle. We will never miss another meal”. All he had to do to become a multi-millionaire was finish the next 10 football games and he would finally achieve his goal of making it to the NFL.
The season started off great, but during the second game of the season tragedy struck. Inky collided head first with a wide receiver from Air Force, his body went completely limp, and he blacked out. When Inky woke up his teammates urged him to get up and keep playing. It was then, while still unable to move, that Inky uttered two words for the first and only time in his life.
“I can’t.”
Inky was rushed to the hospital and nearly died. The doctors were able to save him, but he suffered significant nerve damage to his right shoulder. He would never be able to play the game of football again.
Throughout all his hardships during his path to the NFL, not once did Inky cheat himself. Instead of making excuses and quitting on his dreams after his injury, he saw this as the perfect opportunity to become a blessing in other people’s lives.
Inky’s never-ending determination and resilience throughout his life prepared him to become an author, philanthropist, and world renowned inspirational speaker.
Inky encourages all his audiences to embrace the challenges of life. The next time you’re struggling with something and thinking of quitting, remember that the process is more important than the product.