Shannon Brooks Road to CFL

Hello my name is Shannon Brooks and I am 26 years old. I’m born and raised in Marietta Ga. As a lot of people know I have been playing football since I was 6 years old. I spent my high school years in Pickens County playing football and by my senior year I was blessed with and opportunity to either go Georgia Tech or the University of Minnesota and I chose to attend the University of Minnesota. I spent 2015-2020 at the University of Minnesota and I played 5 years for the Golden Gophers. After I graduated in 2019 I stopped playing football for 2 years and I took the time to really search and find myself and see who I really was. During those 2 years came a lot of struggles, trials and tribulations, but also plenty of pain. Despite all the negative energy I held my head up and I continued to search for my purpose & what I was going to do next. I spent a lot of time with myself for the first time and during that process I did a lot soul searching, thinking, and praying. I also had some authentic motivating conversations with the right people and I decided to return to play football in 2022. I had the opportunity to play with the Arizona Rattlers in the IFL this past season. I had an amazing rookie season with the rattlers and I honestly feel the best I’ve ever felt in my entire career. As of November 2022 I signed a contract to go play football in the CFL(Canadian Football League) for the Edmonton Elks for the next 2 years into 2024. I’m currently living at home in Atlanta Ga with family. I’m also training day in and day out rather I’m in the gym or on the field my grind doesn’t stop there. I’m still chasing the same dreams that I had since I was a kid and I’m beyond thankful to have this opportunity to further my career. I can’t wait to get to Canada to be able continue to impact others in a positive way and continue to change lives. This is a bigger platform for me to share my story and all that I’ve overcome. I want the world to know my story. I plan on being more stable once I arrive in Canada in May of 2023 but lately it has been a struggle to be able afford the proper resources I need to be in the best shape Mentally Physically and Emotionally. Im blessed to have this opportunity to build myself up as a man and to put more into my future football career. It’s been very difficult to put my all into training, eating consistently and even sleeping consistently at times especially when I’m constantly focused or worrying about ancillary things but at the same time when you want to be the best you have to sacrifice. I currently have less than 5 months to build my mind, body and spirit up for this CFL season. I am creating this fundraiser to help me afford the proper resources I need on my journey. Within these next 4 months I need help so I can focus all my time, energy and funds into training for the upcoming CFL season. I truly appreciate and thank everyone who has supported me over the years and to all that continue to support me along my journey to achieve my dreams and future endeavors. I’m super excited to see what the future holds. Thank you all and God Bless!! “To whom much is given much is required.”