"On a visit home for the weekend early in the fall of his freshman year of college, Qwan'tez Stiggers braced himself for the news his mother was about to share. Her tears indicated what was coming.
His father, Rayves Harrison, who had been in a coma since Valentine's Day 2020 after a one-car accident, died in September 2020. Harrison's death shattered his son's life — and not just from the natural emotional fallout.
"I just shut down because he meant the world to me," Stiggers said. "I didn't eat. I turned off my phone. I didn't come out of the house for a couple of weeks. I dropped out of school and stayed away from football. I gave up on my dream."
Encouraged by his mother and fiancée, Stiggers recovered from depression and went on a ground-breaking journey that led to an invitation to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl on Feb. 1 that will likely get him selected in the NFL draft in April. Although he played one pro season in Canada, he believes a solid showing in the bowl game will bolster his cause.
According to ESPN Stats and Info, in the Common Draft Era (since 1967) there have only been two players drafted that didn't play in college: Defensive lineman Eric Swann in 1991 and tight end Moritz Boehringer in 2016. Stiggers is looking to become the third.
https://andscape.com/features/qwantez-stiggers-is-ready-to-make-nfl-draft-history/
- Stiggers was rookie of the year in the CFL and also spent some time guarding Terrell Owens in the FCF.
- He's 6'0, 197 pounds
- He plays a position of need for the 49ers, and we know John Lynch loves perseverance stories like this.
CFL Rookie of the Year Qwan'tez Stiggers is all over this rep at the East-West Shrine Bowl. The Argos star practically runs the route for the WR. pic.twitter.com/Dr7VaDSzvJ
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) January 29, 2024
Qwan'tez Stiggers has been super impressive at first glance. Two PBUs in team and 7v7 pic.twitter.com/k88vnJQRXr
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 28, 2024