Before the Green Bay Packers linebacker, Jayrone Elliott, received the nickname Shakespeare, because he makes so many plays, he lived in Cleveland.
"My mom was kind of struggling," Elliott recalls. "Being a young adult, I told my mom 'you don't have to really worry about me. I got people in my life that is willing to help me.'"
Elliott credits members of the Cleveland community along with his former high school football coach, Ted Ginn Sr. for shaping him in act one.
"He always stuck with me, making sure I was going to class," Elliott said of Ginn. "He put me in position to be a leader and that really helped me with my maturity. And he made sure I always had somewhere to stay."
Elliott had a successful career at Toledo but went undrafted into the NFL.
"I was heartbroken on draft day, but then again I told myself I never want to have that feeling again and that is one thing that drives me," Elliott explained.
Last season it looked like Elliott was going to have a breakout year, but a quad injury limited his role.
"I feel like I haven't even scratched the surface of how good I can be," he said.
While the curtains are far from closing, an ovation is already in order. Elliott is proud of his performance so far but he also hasn't forgotten the cast of people that helped him avoid a tragic ending.
"I am forever grateful for everyone who helped me get to the point where I am at now."
