I was introduced to David Caldwell, DAC, as he is known to friends, through his agent.
His agent told me about him and sent me a video that had recently been made about him. This was my introduction to the world of DAC:
Wow, I thought to myself, I need to get my camera on that guy and I need to get to know him. My producer, Cheryl, and I went to his house to meet with him. We spent 2 hours talking about his first road to the NFL. How he chose a strong academic school in William & Mary, vs a straight football school. We learned about all his hard work to get to the NFL the first time. He shared with us about his time in the NFL with the Colts and then the Giants. We learned just how grueling the try-out and Summer training camp process is for these guys. Being constantly on the edge of being cut for months while they bring the team down from 90+ players to around 50-even after achieving your dream of being signed to the NFL. Plenty of great players cut after a bad day, others praying they don’t get injured. His injuries, the lockout, more injuries and then heartbreak. We found out about how he had recently been cut from the Giants and how he was determined to get back.
DAC is a very inspiring character – he is a substitute teacher, works for an after-school program, and founded OHGI, which stands for “Out Here Gettin’ It.” It’s more than a slogan or catch phrase, DAC is making it a way of life – a movement. Anyone can be OHGI. It’s a frame of mind – do you set a goal and do whatever it takes to get there? If so? You’re OHGI. OHGI also has a foundation component that he is developing. He has goals – big ones. And the NFL is only a part of it. Fascinating.
For our first shoot we focused on the beginning. His childhood bedroom where all his dreams started. Writing on the walls show goals, triumphs and failures. He has a wall where he writes his goals. He has a wall where he writes inspirational quotes. And he even has a wall where he writes all the negative things he has been told – things “they” say he’ll never accomplish. And his response to those people – OK. That’s all, just OK. “You can think that, but I’ll prove you wrong.”
Recently DAC came to a crossroads – keep pursuing his dreams, or give up and get a corporate job. He even went so far as to ask around a bit for job leads. And then the phone rang. It was the CFL (Canadian Football League) calling. And since a lot of NFL teams pull their roster from the CFL, he signed with them a few weeks ago. He is determined to do well and get back to his dream of playing in the NFL again.
I’ll be following DAC on his road back to the NFL, and sharing his fascinating story. Come along the journey with us – I promise you will be inspired.