Packers rookie Dontayvion Wicks has beautiful plans for the future
Green Bay Packers rookie wideout Dontayvion Wicks is officially in the NFL and he's primed to receive a crack at some snaps in 2023 and beyond. But, that's not the only thing on his mind, these days. Earlier in the week, Wicks let reporters in on one of his future goals and let's just say […]
Green Bay Packers rookie wideout Dontayvion Wicks is officially in the NFL and he's primed to receive a crack at some snaps in 2023 and beyond.
But, that's not the only thing on his mind, these days. Earlier in the week, Wicks let reporters in on one of his future goals and let's just say it's pretty damn inspiring.
"One thing I want to do in the real world… is mentor kids," Wicks told reporters Tuesday. "[I want] to start a business that helps mentor kids and gives them resources to help them develop faster. I want to help kids out because I didn't know what I wanted to do when I was young. Giving kids the opportunity to find out what they want to do at a younger age instead of getting to 10th-11th grade and not knowing what they want to do."
When it comes to the infrastructure supporting the idea, Wicks credits the degree he received from the University of Virginia. He graduated with a degree in American Studies, which enables him to do a lot of things – starting a business being one of them.
And he's not just starting any business, obviously, which makes his goal all the more rewarding.
"It was great. Being at UVA for four years, a lot of people thought I wouldn't graduated from there [because] of where I came from," Wicks said about his graduation. "It was hard, but I just put my mind to it… That was a big thing for me and to put a smile on my mom's face.
"…. With a UVA degree, there's a lot you can do with it. I've talked to people that have started businesses with it… You have to take a lot of classes with American Studies."
Wicks is from the small town of Plaquemine, Louisiana, a town with a population of only 5,956 people, according to the latest US Census data. Louisiana Technical College's Westside Campus is the closest college in the area and they don't have a football team, so it's clear Wicks' path to his Virginia degree is a big deal.
His story is certainly one that can help kids in less-fortunate situations, or, kids in good situations without direction make the best choices for both the short- and long-term outlooks in their lives. It's one of dedication, passion, perseverance, and hard work.
That is inspiring for anyone and it's going to be really exciting to see Wicks follow through with his word.
