Excitement filled the halls as first round draft pick for the New England Patriots and Curtis alumnus Dominique Easley visited Curtis High School. “He could have been anywhere in the US today, but he chose to be here at Curtis,” said Dr. Curtis, as the auditorium buzzed with Warrior athletes giving Easley their warmest welcome.

The Florida State Gator was signed to the Patriots less than 24 hours before his visit to Curtis. “I knew it was important to make sure I came back to where I began to thank everyone before I entered a whole new world,” said Easley.

Accompanied by his best friend, girlfriend, and previous coaches including Mr. Oliveri and Mr. Gambardella, Easley spoke encouraging words to the audience of aspiring college athletes. “Make sure more than anything that you stay in school. Get your work done. It may not seem like it now, but every single thing you do in high school is important,” said Easley.

He continued to reflect on the best years of his life, saying, “Look around you,” as he gestured towards the different sports teams, “these are the people that are going to help you become the person you want to be, this is your family.”

After motivating the Warrior family, he took various questions from the crowd. Several students questioned his journey and some of the roadblocks he faced on the way. One student athlete asked what it was like when he faced injuries in his career and how he got through them, alluding to the two knee surgeries that Easley underwent in both 2011 and 2013. Easley replied, “You have to stay motivated. The bad day is gone, life will keep moving with or without you, so never let down.”

According to silive.com, Curtis varsity football coach Pete Gambardella, Easley’s former high school coach said, “Dom has tremendous resiliency. He came back from the first surgery even stronger than he was when he was hurt . . . He just loves to play football and has a tremendous drive.”

To wrap up the visit, many students, teachers, and coaches got to meet the NFL player and take pictures. “He is such a humble and approachable person, it was easy to tell how thankful he is for everything Curtis has done for him. Welcoming him back was a great experience,” said junior Athena McGowan.

Easley’s last piece of advice perhaps resonated loudest with the many Curtis athletes gathered in the auditorium. “Curtis built me as a man,” he concluded, “and helped me believe that people in life want good for you.”