Former Clemson football standout Clelin Ferrell: 'Life isn't going to be perfect'

Clemson's Clelin Ferrell explains how wealth of talent, camaraderie on the Tigers' defensive line helped prepare him for the NFL, March 2, 2019. Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press
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Clelin Ferrell says he always felt like that little weed that seemingly emerged from the most unlikely of locales.

“I know you’ve seen concrete, but then you see weeds growing out of the concrete, right?,” Ferrell asked more than 400 attendees at Tuesday night’s Coaches 4 Character program at Relentless Church in Greenville. “That has always been so amazing to me because out of all the adversity I’ve faced in my life I feel like I represent that weed or that piece of grass growing through that concrete. I made my way out. I just grew where I was planted.

”It’s fair to say that Ferrell has blossomed. The former Clemson football All-American is expected to be a first-round selection in next month’s NFL Draft, and the future millionaire had plenty of advice to impart to elementary and junior high students from across the Upstate.

“Life isn’t going to be perfect,” said Ferrell, the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. “You’re going to go through some hard times – just ask your parents and the people around you – but it’s all about that belief that you have in yourself.”

Ferrell was joined for the program’s annual “Two Competitors…One Cause” presentation by former South Carolina football standout Deebo Samuel, who last season was voted first-team All-Southeastern Conference as an all-purpose player and second-team as a wide receiver.

Samuel, who starred in both football and basketball at Chapman High School, graduated in December and will enter the draft along with Ferrell.

“Always listen to your parents, they won’t lead you in the wrong direction,” Samuel said. “My stepmom has been a great influence in my life.

“Taking education seriously is a major key, and you don’t need friends who want to hang with the wrong crowd – peer pressure.
That’s not right.”

Ferrell underscored a similar message.

“Picking your friends is so big, especially at y’all’s age,” he said. “The older you get, the more distractions and more temptations
come into your life so having the right people around you is important.

“And you can do whatever you want to in life and it starts with having a good attitude. Respect can take you a long way. Being
respectful, looking people in the eyes and just having good manners can take you a long way.

"Not everybody’s going to grow up with their father in their life, or their mom in their life or grow up with the best health or things
like that, but it’s all about your attitude and how you go about things in life. With a good attitude you can do anything you want to
do.”

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