His close-knit group of friends in Georgia introduced him to American football, teasing, “You do not have any extracurriculars after school. Come play football with us.” When Diaby tried on his first football threads at 11, he felt a euphoric sense of freedom at the line of scrimmage. As the helmet closed over his face like a vault door, peace transcended. The Xs and Os became a liberating escape for him and nurtured his mental health. It was his avenue of staying out of trouble and gradually, the game manifested into more than a passive hobby for Diaby. It became his destiny, propelling him forward.
In middle school, he played defensive end, but due to his small frame Diaby was moved to kicker at the outset of his freshman season. At North Clayton, Diaby lettered in football, basketball, wrestling and track. As a senior, he guided North Clayton to the 4A playoffs, playing multiple positions and earning All-State and first team All-Region honors in 2016. Diaby was a zero-star recruit in the Class of 2017, a result of his then-undersized 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame. After receiving no offers, Diaby took a year off and worked at the bustling Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as a wheelchair assistant. The humbling venture forced Diaby to develop patience with passengers in what is known as ‘Airport Purgatory,’ and it fostered fortitude.
The B concourse became his favorite because it marked the international hub where Diaby could interact with individuals from all over the globe. As he remembered the first passenger he helped, Diaby let out a face-consuming grin. In the jetway, an elderly gentleman served as a blessing in disguise on an unassuming workday. The inquisitive man showed genuine interest in not only Diaby’s background, but his aspirations. Like it happened yesterday, Diaby repeated the words he said to the gentleman.
“I am here temporarily but I have faith that I will find football again.”
As those words hung in the air, the stranger in the wheelchair pulled $100 out of his pocket and handed it to Diaby. Although brief, that interaction and kind gesture is forever entrenched in Diaby’s mind. That bill signified a tangible investment in his lofty dream, and it left a sizeable imprint.
“Football being taken away from me when I was working at the airport, really opened my eyes and made me see that when I got the opportunity again, I would take full advantage of it and work hard every day I get a…
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