A barely conscious Joey Slackman awoke from his anesthesia-induced slumber on the morning of Nov. 20th. The Penn defensive lineman found himself in a hospital bed in Philadelphia, recovering from a three-hour surgery to fix a torn biceps.
On the same day, Joey’s name appeared in the transfer portal, the central hub for college football players seeking a new school. Having graduated from Penn with a political science degree, he was now pursuing his master’s, opening the door for coaches to reach out to him.
“It was completely surreal,” remarked Paul Slackman, Joey’s father. “We didn’t even realize it was the day he entered the portal. We were somewhat in the dark about the whole process.”
Despite entering the Ivy League four years before as an unnoticed football recruit from Long Island with a background in wrestling, a post-surgery Joey found himself surprisingly sought after in the transfer market.
Amidst the chaos of responding to coaches while still groggy from the anesthesia, Joey’s journey from a wrestling standout to a top football talent began to unfold.
Throughout this whirlwind period, Joey’s parents played a significant role in shaping his determination and work ethic, instilling in him a mindset that nothing was impossible.
At the conclusion of his remarkable college football career, Joey was faced with the decision to enter the NFL draft or explore his options in the transfer portal. Despite the challenges he faced due to his injury, numerous schools, including Michigan, Texas A&M, and Miami, expressed interest in bringing him on board.
After weighing his options, Joey settled on Florida as his new destination, a fitting fit for the hardworking and determined athlete.
His journey from high school anonymity to Ivy League stardom, and now to a potential NFL career, showcases his unwavering dedication and perseverance in the face of all odds.
(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photos: Andy Lewis, Getty Images; Courtesy of the Slackman family)