Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Lanett’s own Mr. Football, Kristian Story, signed with the Atlanta Falcons on April 26 as an undrafted free agent. 

“It was kind of stressful because I didn’t see my name called in the draft, Kristian said. 

Story made a name for himself as a Lanett Panther. He played on both of the state championship teams in 2017 and 2019, leading the team as quarterback in 2019. That same year, he was named Mr. Football Alabama, largely considered the highest honor a high school football player can get. 

He was drafted by the University of Alabama, transferring later to end his college career at the University of Kentucky. Story played defensive back in college, a position he hopes to earn in the NFL. However, during his rookie season, he just hopes to make an impact. 

“I’m just gonna go in there with my head down and work hard and prove to people who I am, who I know I am. I am willing to do whatever to help the team and make sure that we win games,” Story said.

Despite not being drafted, Story said the phone rang soon after all the picks were made. Atlanta was the first.

“They were the first team to reach out. I’m just big on people who give you the opportunity…[The Falcons] view me as a possibility to come in and make the most of my opportunity,” Story said.

Atlanta is as close to a hometown NFL team as the Valley has. 

“With my last season playing in Kentucky. They really didn’t like me being that far from home,” Story laughed, talking about his family traveling to see him play. “But now they don’t have to do all that. I am an hour and a half down the road.”

The Story family is football royalty in the area. Clifford Story, Kristian’s father, was his high school coach at Lanett, and his brother Caden plays at Clemson. So, they of course celebrated Draft Night in Lanett.

Story said the highlight of the night was getting to celebrate the achievement with his whole family, something that is rare nowadays.

“It was a blessing for that weekend, for us all to be able to be together. So that’s what we did. We spent time together and celebrated together,” he said.

Also in Lanett sat Trikweze Bridges, Kristian’s former Lanett teammate, who was drafted in the final round by the Los Angeles Chargers that night.

The work is just beginning for Story. But the former Panther star is not afraid of work.

With younger players in the Valley undoubtedly hoping to follow in Story’s footsteps, he advises, “No matter where you come from, no matter the circumstances or hand that you were dealt, just trust God and put your best foot forward. Make the most of it and be able to inspire the people that are behind you.”