Troy Hill is best known for his work on the field as a cornerback for the Cleveland Browns. While his NFL career has been nothing short of inspiring, his path to the league and the obstacles he faced drove him to found Star Players Academy as a way to support students’ academic and career aspirations in low-income communities.

Troy grew up in Youngstown, Ohio as one of the youngest of 15 siblings. He lived with his mom and attended a public school in his hometown until he was 15 years old, when he made the tough decision to leave his community and move to Los Angeles with his uncle. Troy juggled rigorous coursework, football practice, and night classes.

After graduating, Troy received a scholarship to the University of Oregon where he played football for four years and was signed to the Bengals as an undrafted free agent. Today, Troy is an integral part of the Cleveland Browns but he wants his legacy to continue beyond football.