Full Circle Moments: From the Field to the Hall of Fame

I’ve always believed that every dot in life is meant to be connected. Some links are quick and subtle, while others hold tight, forming the bigger picture over time.

Football was a big part of my upbringing in the city — if you really played, you knew the others who did too. I first met Kevin Ogletree when our high schools shared a field. Years later, after he and Jared Green both made it to the NFL, Kevin referred Jared to me for a tattoo — reconnecting our paths in a way I never saw coming.

Now, I don’t always think consultations are a must, but Jared had a specific vision and was incredibly open about what he wanted. From that first conversation, I knew we’d click. One session turned into two, and before long, we were working together on an annual event his company produces for none other than the NFL Hall of Fame.

That experience was surreal. I found myself surrounded by legends — all the gold jackets in the room, the energy, the legacy. I may not have made it to the league, but that moment reminded me that there’s more than one way to enter the room. Sometimes, it’s not about throwing the pass — it’s about painting the story.

I created four 4’x8’ panels honoring the newest inductees: Jared Allen, Eric Allen, Sterling Sharpe, and Antonio Gates. These were athletes I grew up watching, so to contribute creatively to their recognition was more than an honor — it was personal.

Life really does have a way of connecting the dots. You just have to stay open to the picture it’s trying to draw.