When Benjamin Franklin quipped, “Out of adversity comes opportunity,” he definitely wasn’t thinking of football. However, this inspiring quote is quite fitting for the life stories of many of our favorite NFL players. Many professional football players have experienced the most challenging situations imaginable. Despite the odds, these men have been able to struggle through adversity and emerge victorious in their careers and personal lives. From overcoming humble beginnings to crafting their own Cinderella stories, these athletes remind us that true victories are often won far beyond the football field. Here are the stories of the most inspiring NFL players who turned adversity into touchdowns.
Wes Welker
Wes Welker is a perfect example of not letting setbacks hold you down in life. During his early football career, things didn’t go as planned. Several college football programs denied him until he was signed last-minute to the Texas Tech Red Raiders. He was a huge asset to the team, playing so well that his coaches nicknamed him “The Natural.”
Welker was probably disappointed when he wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. But that didn’t stop him from joining the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent. That didn’t last long, and the Chargers dropped him. Welker hopped around from team to team after that. Despite being undrafted, he had quite an impressive career. He’s now a wide receiver coach for the Miami Dolphins. Not bad, Welker, not bad.