Episode 33 – Garrett Boorojian and Richard Yeargin III discuss relationship building in a team environment.
Richard is a 2x National Champion (2016 and 2018) as a former member of the Clemson University Tigers’ NCAA Division I Football program. Richard was on his way to becoming a top NFL Draft pick but, while he was at Clemson, he sustained a serious neck injury in a terrible car accident that changed his life forever.
Richard was able to turn his tragedy into a triumph.
Richard started the two-year rehabilitation process and when he attempted a comeback to play collegiate football, Clemson’s Atlantic Coast Conference rival, Boston College, reached out to Richard in the transfer portal and asked him to join its Division I program.
After hearing that he could play again from his doctor, he took the necessary time to make an informed decision of what he wanted to do with respect to football.
Engaged and with a son, Richard made the journey to Boston and never looked back.
Richard played well at Boston College and proved that he could still be effective on the gridiron.
At Boston College, Richard was awarded the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Brian Piccolo Award in 2019.
Richard talked about the positive influences in his life, including his older brother Richard Jr. and his former coach, future College Football Hall of Famer Dabo Swinney, throughout his football and professional career journey. Richard also spoke about his strong faith in God who helped him get through the most challenging and difficult times of his recovery period.
Since his playing days, now at the age of 26, Richard is a husband and father, has been very active as a servant leader and professor at Clemson, and is a nationally recognized motivational speaker. After receiving his undergraduate (Sports Communication & Business Administration) and graduate degrees (Athletic Development & Organizational Leadership) at Clemson, he’s now on pace to get his Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy, Educational Leadership) from the University in 2027.
Richard’s story is the true definition of relationship building.
Heart. Determination. Mental Strength. Faith. Resilience. Winner’s Attitude. That’s Richard Yeargin III.