Social media takes a toll on many people’s lives, but uploading a video online had the opposite effect on two brothers: they were given the opportunity of a lifetime.
Standing tall at 6-foot-5, and geared up in sneakers and workout clothes, twin brothers Tyree and Tyrin Stone-Davis exude an enthusiasm for the sport they’re about to practice: football.
The Philadelphia natives have been playing football together since they were 8 years old; Tyree playing cornerback and Tyrin, wide receiver.
“We came to LA because our grades were bad coming out of high school and couldn’t get any scholarships, so coming to Pierce would help us get more exposure since there’s more opportunity out here,” Tyrin said.
Striving for their goals, Tyrin decided to upload a video at the beginning of this semester onto Hudl.com, which is a sports recruitment site available to athletes and coaches. Mike Bellamy, a coach from the University of Illinois, watched the footage and reached out to the brothers.
“Coach Bellamy called Tyrin, because he had seen his highlight tape on Hudl,” said Tyree. “A few weeks later he flew out to [California] to see us work out in person, and offered us both a full ride scholarship.”
Tyrin said that because they have always played with each other and have a high level of talent, they possess everything any school would need, and the fact that they play different positions helps them stay together.
“We felt relieved that we got into the same school so we can get the exposure we need to make it to the next level,” Tyrin said.
The twins’ ultimate goal is to make it into the NFL, having admired and studied players such as Darelle Revis, a cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and A.J. Green, a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Although the twins received a scholarship, they did experience some obstacles along the way: living on their own away from home, juggling football and school. They both keep an eye on the NFL with friends who enjoy fantasy football through places like DraftKings while concentrating on school.
“For now school work is the hardest part. We’re both taking accounting, sociology, anthropology, and economics,” Tyrin said. “If all goes well and we pass our classes we will be on our way to Illinois to start the spring ’14 semester.”
Though they are still young, the twins are embarking on a journey they hope will last for the rest of their lives. Tyrin and Tyree both have faith that if they work hard they will get where they need to be as long as their future involves football.
“If football doesn’t work out, I want to be a coach,” Tyrin said.
Tyree agreed, adding that he also wouldn’t mind a career as a model or actor, as long as his face is seen and his voice is heard.
“Fortunately we have a supportive family who can’t wait to see us play and are actually coming to our Ohio state game,” Tyree said.
In hopes of making it big in football, both Tyree and Tyrin know that everything requires dedication and a little bit of elbow grease.
“Everything big starts out small,” Tyrin said.
Tyree won’t let anyone tell him there’s anything he can’t do. He believes everything is possible.
“Dreams really do come true,” Tyree said.
The twins are red-shirting sophomores and are not on the active roster for the Pierce football team; however, you can see their older brother Tre, 21, play for the Brahmas at their next game on Saturday on the road against LA Southwest College.
