Ze'Veyon Furcron, Chairperson

I grew up in Joliet, Illinois, as a multisport athlete, dabbling in T-ball, basketball, and wrestling before finally convincing my mom to let me play football in 7th grade. Once I started, I was hooked. At Joliet Catholic Academy, I played both basketball and football, but by my sophomore year, I decided to focus solely on football. In 2016, I committed to Southern Illinois University, starting as a defensive lineman before switching to offensive line after my redshirt year—a decision that changed everything.

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From that point on, I made 47 consecutive starts for the Salukis, became a 3-time captain, a 2-time All-American, earned a spot on Bruce Feldman’s 2021 Freak List as “The Strongest Man in College Football,” and won the Doris Robinson Award for excellence on and off the field.

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Graduating in 2021 felt like the start of something big. The XFL had just relaunched, and while I went undrafted in the NFL, I was selected in the 6th round by the Orlando Guardians. I started all 10 games that season on the offensive line and felt ready to build on that momentum. But just as I was gearing up for my second professional season, the XFL merged with the USFL, and the Orlando Guardians were cut in the merger.

Suddenly, I was left wondering, “What’s next?” Football has always been the driving force in my life, and not being on the field has been a tough adjustment. While training to stay ready for the next opportunity, I became a licensed insurance agent and began applying some of the discipline and determination I learned from football to the business world.

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I know my story isn’t over yet. Football will always be a part of me, but I’m learning that my worth goes beyond the game. That’s why Afterlete means so much to me—it’s a reminder that athletes are more than their accomplishments on the field. My hope is to help others navigate the same challenges I’ve faced and remind them that their best chapters are still ahead.