With the 26th pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected former UCLA Football player Takkarist McKinley. For McKinley, this is just the beginning of what should be a successful career. But last night, the former Bruin let everyone know this moment meant a little more than that.
McKinley grew up in a rough neighborhood in Richmond, California. Abandoned by his mother at a young age, he was raised by his grandmother, who collected bottles and cans on the street to make ends meet.
Given his surroundings, McKinley’s life could have easily taken a very different path.