Qwan’tez Stiggers had only been in college for a few days when his world fell apart. Seven months after the car crash that put him in a coma, Stiggers’ father died. Stiggers quit college and returned home to support his mother, Kwanna, and 12 siblings.
It was a huge blow to the 18-year-old. His partner, Cheyenne, was also processing a tragedy after her teenage sister had been killed by a stray bullet. Over the last six years, Cheyenne and Qwan’tez have helped each other off the bottom of an emotional well.
Working as a delivery driver and washing trucks while his old teammates progressed in their football careers could have driven him off the rails. You’ve got to create your own success and opportunities. You have to believe in yourself.
That’s what I’ve been doing since I was a kid, wake up each day and keep putting that foot forward. You got to get around people that believe in you, too.” Stiggers certainly had that. His mother wrote to every football team she could find asking for a trial, desperate to see her son back doing what he loved.
She found Fan Controlled Football on Facebook – a professional seven-on-seven indoor football league where fans vote on play calls – and they signed him up. It wasn’t the NFL but it was a start: his first paying gig in the sport. Was her determination annoying at the time?
I just want to focus on getting a job and having you take care of my siblings.’ But then, look what she did. It all worked out in the end.” Stiggers only needed to attend one try-out. I’ll always believe in myself, mentally, physically and spiritually.” Stiggers was then spotted by a Toronto Argonauts scout, who sent him up to Ontario for a trial.
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