By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, July 25, 2022 – You have the potential if you work hard was the underlying message in last week’s motivational speech courtesy of American-TCI NFL player Faion Hicks.     After being drafted in April, Faion and his mother Schevette Glinton, a South Caicos native, wasted no time reaching out to the TCI Sports Commission for a chance to share his wisdom with the hope that budding Turks and Caicos residents could make it to the top as well.

Despite this being his first trip to the Turks and Caicos, his loyalty to his cultural home is high and Faion brought along his agent Sandy Cornelio with the hope of setting up even more opportunities for TCI youngsters.

The pair paid a courtesy call on the Office of the Premier and met with Washington Misick, TCI Premier, several ministers including for Sport and the Sports Commission about the range of options in programs.

Saturday July 16 was, however, his main event:  My Journey to a Pro.  He took the time out to tell his story to the gathered athletes and well-wishers.

THE VALUE OF EDUCATION

“Growing up, sports was always an outlet for me just being outside and competing. I started playing football when I was about nine so I started late. For those of you who have island parents they don’t play about school. My mom wouldn’t sign me up for football unless I was doing good in school so one day I just decided to sign myself up, that’s how bad I wanted to play football.”

He had encouraging words for students who weren’t at the top of their game yet noting that he wasn’t always good at football.

“My first year playing I barely touched the field but at the end of the day I stuck with it because that’s what I really wanna do.”

He said the kids who were better than him were his motivation.

“The first step to being an athlete is getting rid of that ego, never feel like you’re better than the next person.”

Faion explained that putting in extra effort was the only way to the top even if you’re not perfect at first.

“Take pride in being an underdog.” He urged “when you go out and you earn it it means a lot more— do a little extra, wake up a little earlier, do something you wouldn’t do and it will add up.”

Hicks said he struggled in high school and prayed that he would get recruited to a good school. He explained that he would have to take three trains and two buses to get to and from practice every day.

“It was a lot of lonely nights going to the park working out on my own— my mom couldn’t always pick me up because she was working.”

He urged the athletes, boys especially, to handle their studies and grades first before any type of athletics but to work hard at both. Hicks said he was never a big time prospect in college or high school and he had to work hard to get to where he is now.

“I wanted to go to college so bad I’d get home from practice at 11pm and 12 o’clock at night I went to the park and just jumped rope — I feel like College can better your life in ways that you never imagined.”

Faion’s agent Sandy jumped in with, “When it comes to boys we push them to sports immediately and we don’t push Education. Our males need to understand not everybody is going to make it in football, basketball or track and field. They need to get an education, it will open opportunities. I’m Dominican, we believe baseball is everything. I had a baseball scholarship and I lost it but at the end of the day I got an education and that opened a door.”

THE CALL THAT CHANGED MADE HIS GRANDMA CRY

Faion was recruited for Wisconsin State University and explained that being a university athlete was a delicate balancing act with classes, meetings, games and training but eventually it all paid off. On April 30th 2022, Faion Hicks got the call of a lifetime; he had been drafted to the NFL to play for the Denver Broncos in a first ever for the Turks and Caicos.

He recalled the moment he got drafted.

“Midway through the 7th round I’m like whatever happens happens I’m not even watching the draft at this point. My family started surrounding me and saying if you don’t get drafted it’s okay you tried your hardest. We were just sitting there and the phone rang.”

Unfortunately that call was the Detroit Lions telling him they wouldn’t be drafting him. Faion got one more discouraging call from the Giants who would not be drafting him either, but then came The Call.

“I pick it up and he’s like,”Hey How are you doing”. I didn’t even sound excited and then he was like “we’re gonna draft you” and I just dropped my head and everybody just went crazy. When I saw my Grandma cry that’s when I kinda broke down cause I know how bad she prayed.” Hicks said.

Minister of Education with responsibility for Sport, Rachel Taylor said talks were already underway for new programs.

“He came and asked ‘what can I do for the young people of the Turks and Caicos islands?’ They have already sat down with us and are mapping out when they will return and the kinds of programs they will put in place so we can ensure opportunities are afforded to our children through scouting.”

Faion stressed many NFL Athletes drop out after only three years and despite the hype of the professional career getting an education is paramount. He also urged youngsters to appreciate their high school careers and embrace the innocence and the love they have for their sports as it would be some of their best memories as they grew older.

The Denver Broncos have three pre-season games scheduled this August.  Game one for the Broncos is September 12 against the Seattle SeaHawks.