As a child growing up on the North, East, South and West sides of Columbus Ohio, I was diagnosed with a severe case of ADD, Hypertension and Hyperactivity (aka ADHD). I myself was a FOSTER KID and lived in 15 different homes and went to 10 different schools from K-12th grade.

 

During my childhood I didn't see my mother much. She spent a lot of time incarcerated.  When she was home, I use to have to watch helplessly while her boyfriend would beat her to a pulp almost every other day. I spent most of those nights crying by her side rocking her to sleep with ice packs on her face. This was in the 70's and the 80's when people would see it happening but wouldn't get involved. He's a COWARD! My true and only support system was my grandmother. She died of diabetes right after my mother got out of prison. That took my soul. But just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, my mother went missing. She was later found beaten to death in an abandoned building. Life was over as I knew it. I fell into a deep deep depression. Mute, zombie, empty, numb, hurt, worried, ashamed, self pity, angry, bitter are some of the words that described me. I felt alone and trusting people became an adventure. With the pressures of hiding my mental illness and health issues, suicide seemed to be my only option. I'm very fortunate to be here! GOD's plan!

 

Unfortunately my ADHD hindered me in the classroom. My grades suffered and my relationships with others were non-existent. Walking on and earning a scholarship at THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY (after not graduating high school) meant the world to me. While battling every quarter to maintain my eligibility, I lost my scholarship and my best friend Jayson Gwinn (fellow buckeye and high school teammate) but somehow with the grace of GOD I was able to turn those aforementioned words that described me into fuel that burned deep down inside of what soul I had left. The burn generated motivation.  The motivation miraculously got me through my junior year and I was able to accomplish : 1st Team All-Big Ten, 1st Team All-American, Fred Biletnikoff Award (nations top collegiate WR) and was the 7th Overall NFL Draft Pick as a junior. The decision to forgo my senior year was one of the toughest decision's I ever had to make. I knew I needed the money and the way my life had gone, there were no guarantee's. I felt safe in college. Jumping to the NFL after one true year of playing college football, felt like signing my death certificate. A bitter, hurt and angry 21 year old with a 12 million dollar contract and no one to answer to, It was just a matter of time. It all happened in a blink of an eye. I wasn't prepared at all. There was a part of me that didn't want to go. Then there was the part of me that had to go. The thought of being able to take care of my little sister made the decision clear and I signed the forms to enter the NFL draft literally minute's before the deadline! 

 

In the NFL: Super Bowl Appearance Rookie Season, UPI NFL Rookie Of The Year, NFL Rookie Record (90 reception's), 2 Super Bowl Team's, Tom Brady's 1st TD Pass(2001), Pro Bowl, Team MVP's and a 12 Year NFL Career!

 

Seems cool and it truly was! But the coolest thing to me is being able to establish my 83 Kids Foundation in hopes to better the lives of those in need. Everybody deserves a chance. Remember, nobody is perfect and we all make mistakes. Learn from them and keep moving forward. GOD IS GREAT! Thank you with all my HEART! -Terry Glenn