A life changed

Life can change so quickly. One moment everything is on track, then in an instant life can be derailed. The measure of a man is often found after the train wreck.

Dee Hill is living the life of recovery. He caused the train wreck and he accepts the consequences for his actions. Now he is looking to the future.

Dee has experienced things in his short life, many people never experience. His prowess on the football field led to many yelling his name on Friday nights as he broke the football rushing record at West Brunswick High School in 2006. His determination gained him the respect of coaches and peers as he fought through two disappointing seasons due to injuries. He had colleges seeking him out and opportunities on the horizon most high school kids only dream of.

Now he sees those dreams on hold as he looks out through the bars of a jail cell at Polk Correctional Institution in Butner.

Dee says he allowed himself to give in to peer pressure and the results were devastating. He now lives a life all too many young men live as a result of poor decisions. Many of these young men will spend more of their adult lives behind bars than outside. Dee has determined that will not be his fate.

When he sat down with our reporter, he expressed remorse for his actions and determination for a different future. He is focused on how he can be a positive member of society in the days to come. He wants that for himself but also for his two children, his mother, his brother, friends and others in this community he feels he let down.

He has his sights set on football and college. He is taking steps in prison to get him closer to those goals when he gets out.

Dee, in just a short time, became a role model for young men who have a desire to succeed in athletics. He showed success comes from hard work and overcoming setbacks in life.

Now, Dee Hill has the chance to be the ultimate role model to young men facing some of the toughest issues in life. Alcohol, drugs and the wrong influences can change your life in an instant. Parents and kids should look at Dee’s comments and understand he had the opportunity to say no. He could have kept his life on track. But he didn’t. Most people would crumble under the pressure and regret of that mistake. Dee is showing us all that success comes from hard work and overcoming setbacks in life.

We all want to see Dee Hill and other determined young men and women have opportunities to truly be successful.