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One of the most prominent names in the 2024 NFL Draft‘s wide receivers class is Keon Coleman. A polarizing topic among analysts, the Florida prospect has been oscillating between the first three rounds in projection. After spending two years in Michigan, he transferred to Florida State in 2023, achieving a first-team All-ACC.

As Coleman awaits his selection, his family will be just as excited, if not more, for the wide receiver to begin his career in professional football. His mother has been the source of his motivation in his journey of building himself in the crime-ridden cities of Louisiana.

Raven Savoy: A single mom of five

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The Louisiana native was born on May 17, 2003, to mother Raven Savoy. Coleman grew up in Opelousas, a sparsely populated town 50 miles west of Baton Rouge, and has a significant crime rate. In overcoming these extra sets of hurdles, his mother played a pivotal role in ensuring he gets to fulfill his dreams of becoming a professional athlete.

As an eighth grader, Coleman entered into football. With an interest in football and basketball, his road to getting committed to a university was hard, coming from Opelousas. But he had his mother by his side, who was raising two daughters and three sons all by herself. The single mother wasn’t alone in her hardships, though, and got help from the community, especially the non-profit Hope for Opelousas, which helped keep him on the right path.

A director of the organization, Fisher, spoke about the tribulations a kid living in a town where “there’s a lot of crime” has to face and ultimately credits Savoy for the feat. “He’s had hardships that most kids would struggle with,” he explained. “He made it because of his mom. She did everything to make sure he never got away. She used resources like us.” It was her efforts to leave no stone unturned that gave her son the opportunities he deserved. Reaching out to the community services and having an encouraging hand on Coleman’s back, Savoy’s efforts finally paid off when he joined the college that he couldn’t get a scholarship for. And no one was happier than his mother!

When Savoy was elated by Keon Coleman’s performance against LSU

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Being from Louisiana, LSU was a no-brainer for Keon Coleman. However, the WR’s love for basketball came in between. He wished to pursue both sports and, as a result, couldn’t get a scholarship to play in the Tigers. Ultimately, he got an opening in Michigan, where he led in receiving yards in his sophomore year. Last year, he switched to Florida State, where he got the chance to face off with his home team.

As Coleman helped the Seminoles defeat LSU with a score of 23-17, Savoy was over the moon. “It’s been so many years of him against everybody else,” said the emotional mother. “It’s always him against everybody else. No one believed in him. Even them from his home place.” With nine receptions and 122 receiving yards, the WR proved his mettle and, to this day, thanks his mother for her sacrifices. His social media posts are dedicated to Savoy, a testament to the precious bond.

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Keon Coleman is a living example of an underdog story. A young boy coming from a difficult background makes it to college football and is on the brink of entering the league. All this because a single mother of five persisted through the adversities for her son to achieve his NFL dream.