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TEN SLEEP – Former high school and college football star turned motivational speaker Brian Pruitt is visiting Ten Sleep School Wednesday to speak with students, staff and community members during two assemblies Wednesday. Pruitt will speak to elementary students at 9:45 a.m. and middle and high school students at 12:30.

“His main topics are dreaming big, respect, bullying, academic success, school pride and making the right choices. [Superintendent Jimmy] Phelps has seen him before and then I got to sit and do an interview with him on the phone and I couldn’t wait. As soon as we hung up I was excited and ready to go, so I am excited to get him here,” Ten Sleep School Administrative Assistant Neysha Lyman stated.

Most people who remember Pruitt, remember him as a Michigan high school and Central Michigan college football star who was considered to be a sure pick for the 1995 NFL draft and the next NFL legend until fate stepped in, in the form of two injuries during the 1994 college season. A neck injury during a Mid-American Conference game and a knee injury which prevented him from playing in three crucial games ended his football career before it started. According to his website, brianpruitt.org, “Brian Pruitt was a sure pick for the 1995 NFL draft before being set back by what seemed to be tragedy. Nevertheless while faced with this obstacle, Brian began to forge his unique message of hope and encouragement. By drawing from his own personal experiences, Brian enlightens both youth and adults alike on how to overcome obstacles.

“During some of Brian’s greatest challenges, he held on to the words of his mentor and coach: ‘If you don’t do something with life, life will do something with you.’ This profound statement helped Brian to take control of his own destiny despite tough circumstances. It was at this point that Brian pursued his passion of helping people overcome obstacles to accomplish their dreams.”

Pruitt seemed to have everything going for him, in high school and in college. But what people didn’t realize is that Pruitt’s family history is rifled with spousal abuse, child abuse, murder and fatherless families. Pruitt, growing up in a fatherless family was left with a lot of anger and pain that even stardom could not take away. The pain and anger led him during his senior year of high school to take the step of committing suicide, a step that was averted solely due to a fellow student introducing him to God.

After that fateful day, Pruitt’s faith has been foremost in his life. It was his faith that turned the tragedy of not being able to be that NFL legend into becoming a motivational speaker who has changed the lives of many and also helped him break the cycle of abuse, death and fatherlessness in his own family.

Pruitt wrote the book, “The Power of Dad” and also created the “Power of Dad” program in Michigan for fatherless men ages 13 – 18. The nine-month program helps fatherless men learn the skills that they should have been taught by their fathers and also helps them forgive their fathers for not being there for them, a crucial step in healing.

Some of Pruitt’s motivation speeches and a portion of his history can be found on YouTube.