A 2 minute reflective piece showcasing the journey Tonka Hemingway went on to achieve his dream of making it to the NFL.

Throughout his time at USC, Tonka Hemingway embodied everything that’s right about college football, embodying loyalty, hard work, and dependability. When I was given the responsibility of telling his story and how he achieved his lifelong dream, my goal was simple, to do him justice.

I wanted to tell his story from beginning to end, highlighting the early struggles that shaped him into the player and person he became. By contrasting archival footage from his five seasons at South Carolina with his reflections in the weeks leading up to the draft, I aimed to capture the full scope of his journey, his growth, perseverance, and gratitude.

The most meaningful part of the process came at the end, we surprised Tonka by having his parents come to columbia to record a heartfelt message to him. Family means everything to him, and watching him hear their words on draft day was the perfect payoff. It made the entire project one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.