Filmed last fall, here is a great story during a not so great time with a timeless message. Thank you to all the generous Panther Athletic Club members for continuing to support not only Ed, but all our student athletes, and helping them achieve their dreams. 


Ed Curney is Atlanta, through and through. He grew up in the city, attended Atlanta Public Schools, and then starred on the gridiron for Georgia State.

And Curney, a team captain for the 2019 Panthers, is no stranger to overcoming adversity. In the middle of October, his standout senior season was ended abruptly by a career-ending knee injury.  Although that was only a few months ago, it feels like it happened a decade ago compared to what the world is going through now with the COVID-19 pandemic. And although the situations are very different, there are parallels for the many student-athletes whose seasons and careers have ended prematurely.

"I tried to take everything off myself and focus on everything that's bigger than just me: my teammates, my son and my family," Curney said. "It was hard, I'm not going to lie, because football is a game that taught me everything in my life and given me so many opportunities.

"I got multiple scholarship offers to play football. I went to college and got a degree, and then got another degree. Nobody in my family had the opportunities that I had. Football changed my life, and changed my family's life."

Curney credits the academic support unit at Georgia State with allowing him to know within five years he could have both his undergraduate and graduate degree if he buckled down and did the work. And he did just that, completing his master's degree in literacy education in December, just before the Panthers' bowl trip. He now pays it forward by being a leader and inspiration to other young people who may not think that is possible.  

"Football taught me how to be a man, it taught me how to get knocked down and get back up, it taught me how to lead. I was able to lead 120 men during my football career, so I know without a doubt, I'll be able to lead a business, or a school, or a congregation."