We recently connected with Quantay Person and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Quantay thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My parents weren’t together most of my life, so when I lived with them separately it gave me a variety of views about life.

My mom is my heart. As I believe she gave me hers. She is very kind and loving. Even when things weren’t going her way, or even when life was okay, she always finds a way to smile through it all. We didn’t always have money for food, clothes, bills and more things I noticed other people had. No matter what she was shared a positive outlook on life. She always tell me things will get better. As they often do. My mom is one of the strongest women I know and no one can say she doesn’t care about something or someone because she will find a way to bring love into any situation. Growing up in the environments we lived in was never easy. Lots of poverty and violence surrounded the areas and my mom didn’t want me to become someone who wouldn’t be able to leave, one way or another. My mom taught me to be positive and don’t let the past define who you are and love those around you. This allowed me to live life encouraging peoples’ differences and treating everyone with respect and compassion. I always remember where my humbleness comes from.

Living with my dad was a major change in my life. I had to learn new rules, I had to learn how to be observant and use critical thinking skills. My dad is probably one of the smartest people I know. He is also a natural teacher, as I like to view myself. The things my dad taught me about life I had to see with my own eyes. He taught me how to take care of myself. I was so used to taking care of my younger sisters for so long at that point that I didn’t comprehend that I was neglecting myself in the process. He taught me how to cook, clean, do laundry. My dad taught me the importance of family. I could go on forever about the things my dad has taught me throughout the years, but I always soak in as much knowledge as I can. My dad taught me that my curiosity was a tool that I should use in life. In 2010 my dad had gotten into a terrible car accident (along with my stepmom, step sister and nephew) and he shattered both his legs to the point where some of his bones stuck out. The doctors told him he was never going to walk again. Surely my dad as fierce as he is, started learning how to crawl up the stairs on his own, then baby steps, all the way up until he could jog again. It’s only something you’d see in a movie. The perseverance I saw in my dads eyes will stick with me forever. That’s what my whole life journey has been about and I know where I get it from. I am and forever will be my father’s son.

I take all this with me not only in life, but on the field as well. I am able to be a leader not only to teammates but fans and younger kids too. No matter what happens in life, there is a way to seek what you need or want most. You just absolutely have to be able to succumb to your dream, follow your heart, and turn your dreams into words and your words into actions.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Quantay Person, a pro football player, artist, photographer and entrepreneur. Playing college football has taken me to so many states and helped me build connections around the country. During my college football journey, I was able to find my passions in life and surrounded myself with like-minded individuals. I was able to connect with a sports merchandising company through a NIL deal. The company name is MILLIONS.co and this is where my very own merchandise is sold through. MILLIONS allows me to use my creativity to designing my merch line, “WORQ.” Which is about putting in the work. Whatever it is in life, whether it’s job or sports related, doing the work leads to success. There will be a lot more designs coming this year so I am excited to share this with the world.

I also have a media company in the making as well.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson I had to unlearn is having trust is a bad thing.

I used to be a popular loner of sorts. I had a lot of people I was friendly with but was so used to being on my own that I stopped opening up to people as a whole. I had a lot of help from people who saw past my apparent need for isolation, and mentally, the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. I learned to let as many things go as I could, but talking about the things that bothered me will allow me to focus on bettering myself.

I dealt with a lot of back to back losses of loved ones of mine in a short period of time. While I was in college I felt helpless at times, I ended up breaking a stigma about counseling or therapy as I had others tell me they followed my footsteps. I now encourage others to find themselves and push towards a healthier lifestyle.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

Yes I most definitely would. It’s almost cliche now to say, but, I truly believe if I didn’t go down the path I went, I would have been worse off. Especially being back home where going to prison is common and so is death. I wasn’t given the ability to see the path I was supposed to take. I would like to believe it was chosen for me and with a purpose. Who would I be to question it you know?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://millions.co/quantay-person-athletics
• Instagram: X.Skadoosh.X
• Twitter: @athletic_prince

Image Credits

Moniikon Photography

Instagram (@shotbymonii)