“I consider him my greatest, I tell him, you are my biggest source of motivation,” Funchess revealed. “He has reignited my passion for a sport that I believed I had completely retired from.”
He had always intended to conclude his athletic journey on the basketball court and he achieved this ambition by making his professional basketball debut in November of last year. This brought him one step closer to fulfilling the three promises he made to his grandfather. In his inaugural game, he represented Statham Academy in the 2023 AsiaBasket Dasmariñas Championship, scoring 10 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
Funchess has dedicated his life to accomplishing three commitments he made to his grandfather, James Hester, in his youth. Specifically, Funchess promised to win a Super Bowl, pursue a career in basketball, and ultimately become a farmer.
Funchess attributes the introduction of basketball into his life to his cousin, Aden Holloway of Alabama.
In the near future, Funchess has plans to participate in tryouts for the L.A. Clippers’ G League team, the Ontario Clippers, as well as the Greensboro Swarm, the G League team of the Charlotte Hornets.
Although he never won a Lombardi Trophy, he came close and competed in the championship game as a Carolina Panthers player, which was where he spent most of his career.
“I have been putting in a lot of effort to return to the United States and have [my grandfather] settled in one of the nearby cities so that he can come watch me play,” he expressed, expressing his desire to join the Swarm as his family is from North Carolina.
After choosing to sit out the 2020 season to prioritize the well-being of his grandfather whom he provided care for, his passion for basketball was reignited.
Teal explained that in order to be successful, it is necessary to create a strong resume and gain the trust of companies to take a chance on you. She also mentioned that one’s athleticism can be applied to various sports, regardless of their differences.
According to Funchess, once he started playing basketball again at the insistence of his cousin, he became addicted to it. He had avoided playing for fear of getting injured and affecting his football career. Many successful athletes in basketball emphasize the importance of practicing daily and developing a love for the sport. For Funchess, playing basketball was a way to cope with the challenges of being away from football and it opened up new possibilities for him.
“Participating in that journey towards the Super Bowl shaped my work ethic, discipline, and perception of obstacles. I learned the importance of endurance and the value of maintaining a routine and regimen,” he stated.
GM Cole Teal of Swarm expressed his thoughts on Funchess’ decision to pursue a basketball career, acknowledging his dedication and effort. He also mentioned that joining a professional league in Colombia is a positive step forward.
Devin Funchess, a former wide receiver, has achieved a sports milestone by becoming the initial NFL player to sign a contract with a professional basketball team. At 29 years old, he has committed to joining the Caribbean Storm Llaneros in the Professional Colombia Basketball league.
He retired from the NFL in 2022, but his final regular-season game was in 2019 with the Colts. He then opted out due to the COVID-19 pandemic and spent time on practice squads. Throughout his NFL career, he had 164 catches for 2,265 yards and 21 touchdowns.
“I am striving to be the source of entertainment for my family while also giving them the opportunity to have unique experiences and explore new places. My role in the family is to pursue my own dreams, so that they can also appreciate and partake in my aspirations,” Funchess stated.
