Aqib Talib is arguably one of the most successful and important college football and NFL players around. As ESPN says, he’s played for the University of Kansas, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, and Denver Broncos. Talib even won the Super Bowl 50 while with the Broncos. As explained by the Topeka Capital-Journal, Talib had grown up with a somewhat rough life. He went to school in Richardson, Texas in a neighborhood known for gang violence and below poverty line living standards.
Talib became a varsity cornerback in his junior year. He was known for his exceptional skills in athletics — and not just in football. As Jim Ledford, Talib’s high school coach, told the Topeka Capital-Journal,”If you ever saw him in the gym, he’s unbelievable in the gym. He can take off just inside the free-throw line and jam. He had that kind of ability, 360 dunks. We’ve all seen him do that, he just had massive hip explosion. He had the record for our vertical. Athletically, he was unbelievable.” And while Talib eventually achieved his football dreams, he wouldn’t expect the tragedy that would hit him.
