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Football in motion over grass

Source: Thomas Northcut / Getty

Devonta Freeman, 24, is an Atlanta Falcons’ running back who has more than just football on his mind.
Freeman was drafted last year in the 2014 NFL Draft in the fourth round, 103rd overall, but he was originally back-up for his rookie year for Stephen Jackson.
Freeman received that starter spot when the Falcons released Jackson, but when Coleman injured his hamstring, his position went to Tevin Coleman.
In week 2, Tevin fractured a rib and that’s when Freeman’s broke out!
In his last three games, Freeman has gained 193, 149 and 197 rushing-receiving yards.
The Falcons’ Coach, Coach Don Quinn said, “He has so much fight in him. He can’t back off, anything.”

Freeman is taking two online courses to work his way towards his degree from Florida State. This is the college he played his College career until he went into the NFL and bypassed his senior year.
Freeman is taking Social Psychology of Groups and Intro to World Cities after the team’s afternoon home games and during Tuesday off-days and at times at the team hotel.
His Florida State academic advisor, LaToya Williams said, “Most guys are daunted when they see they still need 18 credits. They put it off until after they’re done playing. Not Devonta. He said, ‘Ok, let’s begin chipping away’ ” In a story by Emily Kaplan of The MMQB that Freeman did.
Freeman says in his story, “I don’t want to be average. I don’t want to ;ay just to collect the check every week- actually, I don’t even know how often we get paid because I don’t pay attention to it. The point is, I love football, and I want to be the best at football, and if there’s anything I can do to get my body right and be better I’m going to do it.”
His coach also said, ” I knew. But only because somebody told me. It’s just so Devonta. He doesn’t want to call attention to himself, he just wants to compete. Throughout his life he has had to overcome so much, but never found excuses, just tackled everything with tremendous grit. Then all of the sudden you have a 23-year old who is ready to take on the world.”