Trials to Triumph: Former Florida State Fullback Freddie Stevenson's Inspiring Journey Beyond Football

An uplifting story from the former Seminole and National Champion.

Life after football can be easy for some and even harder for others. One who knows firsthand is former Florida State fullback Freddie Stevenson, who has experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows. From being homeless as a child and dealing with his father in and out of prison while turning his life around, among countless other tribulations, Stevenson, like many living in poverty in the small central town of Bartow, Florida, chose football as his way out. He was one of the lucky ones to make it.

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Although Stevenson's ascension to a BCS National Championship and a shot in the NFL was not just luck. Perseverance, faith, accountability and resilience all played vital roles in helping him succeed. Those were just some of the things he chose to put into words in his book 'Trials to Triumph', which would become a best seller and is now a documentary.  

Stevenson realized the need for guidance during his transition and used his journey to help other athletes. However, after the book was released, it reached a much wider audience beyond just athletes, resonating with a wide array who struggled to find their purpose in life.

"I was struggling with the transition [from sports] and kinda felt like I didn't have a true identity. Once I started to figure out what was for me in life and started to figure out my purpose, I wanted to use my story - my journey to help out athletes because I know that's one of the toughest things for athletes: committing your whole entire life to a sport and then having it end." Stevenson said to NoleGameday's Tommy Mire. "That was something I wanted to get across throughout that journey and throughout that transition."

Ernst Peters/The Ledger-USA TODAY NETWORK

Freddie's original intention had taken on a life of its own, providing hope and guidance during a difficult time. The book's message of perseverance and finding one's purpose proved relevant and meaningful to people from all walks of life.

"After releasing the book, it kind of took a life of its own and started reaching people that were outside of the sports world, just the story was resonating with people that were on everyday jobs, you know, blue-collar jobs and the pandemic hit, and people were losing their jobs," Stevenson said. "The message started hitting them as well because they were struggling and trying to figure out what their purpose was and what was meant for them in life."

It's been a week since 'Trials To Triumph' released on digital streaming platforms. We appreciate all the support so far, it's dope to know our story is making an impact.

If you haven't checked it out then make sure to go click that link in the bio and add it to your list of… https://t.co/C1dzF5NNoG

— freddie stevenson (@strugglemade105) May 9, 2023

Emmy-winning actor Maurice Bernard, who Stevenson did not know personally, reached out to have him on his platform, which boasts over 100,000 subscribers. Bernard shared his struggles, and the book seemed to resonate with him.

"Maurice is a person who came across my story, and he fell in love with it. We didn't necessarily know each other, and he wanted me on his platform, on his podcast ... and he just wanted to help in any way that he could," Stevenson said.

After reaching such a vast audience, others alongside Bernard stepped forward to share their experiences and get behind the movement Stevenson was creating. Author and motivational speaker Tony Gaskins, former teammate Ryan Green, and former New Orleans Saints cornerback Delvin Breaux were able to help drive the message home.

After speaking with the former fullback, it was apparent that Stevenson still has a strong core of FSU fans that continues to grow and have supported him throughout his journey.

"You got some FSU fans that, from day one, they treated it like it was theirs as well. Like anything that I put out, they support. So, I definitely appreciate all that they do... They just want to see me be successful and anybody who was an older player on the field; they want to see them go on and do great things," Stevenson said. "That's important because a lot of people don't really care about the players once they're done playing. So, to see that their fans actually care about the players' well-being and look at them as people outside of the game, that was amazing."

Now a motivational speaker, you can support Stevenson and witness his story captured by streaming 'Trials to Triumph' on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and YouTube or by picking up a copy of his book by the same title.

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