The Falcons selected a mammoth of a defensive weapon in Ra’Shede Hageman during the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. At 6’6, 311 pounds, he has all of the tools necessary to make him a success in the NFL. While Hageman’s future may be bright at this moment, it wasn’t always that way. A matter of fact, the story of how Ra’Shede Hageman made it to the NFL is a pretty amazing one.
Hageman’s touching story – which can be found on SB Nation – goes into detail about the incredible life of the Falcons newest defensive lineman. It highlights a tumultuous childhood full of abandonment and foster homes – that is until a newly married couple looking to start a family adopted him at the age of 7. Hageman would go on to face a variety of ups and downs on and off the field. However, through hard work and the support of his family, coaches, and other inspirational people around him, he eventually became one of the top defensive prospects in the NFL Draft and the 37th overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons.
Many rookies will face adversity and obstacles during their first year in the NFL, but that shouldn’t be a problem for Ra’Shede Hageman; he’s been overcoming them his entire life. Come September, he looks to be a vital piece of the Falcons’ new look defensive line.