Superstar to Underdog to Inspiration

This is a story for anyone who has ever had a dream of a second chance, and anyone who has the guts to fight for what they really want!

If you live close to Lumberton, Mississippi, then there is no doubt you have heard the name “Terry Grant.” Terry was a high school superstar from Lumberton in Football, Baseball, and track. In football, Terry came within 2 touchdowns of tying the Mississippi record for most touchdowns, finishing with 113 for his career. As a senior, he ran for 2,700 yards and scored 36 touchdowns. He was named Mississippi`s 2005 Mr. football. He was a member of the national honor society and graduated with honors.

With a resume like this, Terry was highly recruited for College Football. He received a scholarship from Alabama University and quickly became a major part of the Crimson Tides offensive backfield. As a redshirt freshman in 2007, Terry was the teams leading rusher with 891 yards on 180 carries (4.95 yards per carry), both freshman records for running backs at Alabama. He totaled 9 touchdowns on the season (also a freshman record), and earned SEC “freshman of the week” honors in each of the first three games of the season. Already showing Heisman level talent, Terry’s future looked very bright!

Unfortunately the second half of Terry’s tenure at Alabama was full of many injuries. At the end of his break out season as a redshirt freshman in 2007, Terry suffered his first of two sports hernias. This was repaired with surgery and one month of therapy. This was Terry’s second surgery at Alabama, as he tore his labrum in his first season due to a hard hit on the right shoulder. Heading into the 2009 season, It seemed as though Terry had returned to his old form again. He was named the Tide’s Johnny Musso Offensive Back Award winner for 2009 spring practice. It looked as though Terry was on his way to regaining his reign at the top as one of the biggest Offensive threats in the SEC. Once again Terry would suffer some very disappointing injuries. He tore his labrum due to a hard hit on the left shoulder, and suffered his second sports hernia. Both of these injuries required surgery to repair.

Thinking his dream of playing professional football was out of reach Terry decided it was time to hang up his cleats. For the first time in his life the once named Mr. Football, had lost the desire that made him practically unstoppable on the gridiron. After a very frustrating 2 year run of injuries, that included 4 surgeries (two sports hernias and two torn labrums) and almost a year of physical therapy, Terry decided to forgo his fifth season with the crimson tide to turn his focus on school. Having not lost any of his work ethic, Terry was able to complete his Master’s Degree at Alabama University. He was attempting to make a new plan for his future, but eventually he would realize he couldn’t escape his true calling.

After a lot of hard work it was now time to put his training to the test. On March 9th, 2011, Terry participated in Alabama’s Pro Day. Since Terry didn’t play much in 2009 due to injuries and wasn’t on the roster in 2010 season, the media there wasn’t too interested in watching him. The people that did watch him however, were blown away! Terry’s 40 times ranged from 4.31 to 4.37 (unofficial), his vertical was 36.5” (he actually had one jump of 38” that was thrown out because the judge said he jumped off one foot), and he had a broad jump of 10’3”! If you compare Terry’s Pro day stats to the 2011 combine RB stats, Terry would have the fastest 40 time, he’d be tied for 3rd in the broad jump, and tied for 7th in the vertical Jump! A lot of people have forgotten about Terry Grant, but after a day like this he is well on his way to being back under the spotlight! Terry left Tuscaloosa without any regrets about his performance, but also with the feeling that he can do even better! Terry is eligible for the draft in April and between now and then he will continue his training.

Terry is rewriting his story, and we should all take a page from it! He has been knocked down over and over again, and has gone through tons of adversity. He has been given many chances to quit on his dreams, and every time he has come back stronger than ever! He has believed in himself even when all others have counted him out. No matter how bad things get, Terry never makes excuses, points fingers, or assigns blame to anyone else for his misfortune! He has been such an inspiration to me and everyone else involved in his incredible comeback! Anyone who bets on Terry to lose does not know his heart! He does not understand defeat, he only understands never giving up!



(Story written by Chad Austin of Chad Austin Fitness chadaustinfitness.com and thanks to Teresa Jefferson for sharing the link to this story.)