WEST PALM BEACH – Everyone has a story to be told, and graduating senior student-athlete Quis Icon is no exception.
As he heads into the next phase of his life, he’ll always remember one day that changed his perspective on everything.
On May 16, 2016 Icon became a survivor of a tragic car accident, where his side of the car was pent to the side of a church and crushed him. He suffered a fractured pelvis and dislocated shoulders due to the accident.
Icon recalls only moments before he abruptly blacked out in the immediate aftermath of it.
“I was told I had to be cut out of the car due to the severity of the accident,” he said.
Icon came into his own this past year as a senior on the Forest Hill football team, which had one of its most successful years in program history. He was a direct contributor to the Falcons as a starter on the defensive line.
Icon’s size and playmaking ability garnered the attention of college scouts, which has led to his dream of playing football at the collegiate level realistic.
Truly embodying the student-first mentality has pushed Icon toward his goals.
“Being a student-athlete means bringing the same energy you have on the field into the classroom.” Icon said.
Adversity isn’t anything new for Icon. He’s been able to fight some of his biggest battles off the gridiron that could have sidetracked anyone his age.
“When I’m facing adversity I think about my grandma and what would she wanted me to do back in the eighth and ninth grade,” Icon said. “I was facing legal trouble. She helped me along the way, but before she died, her last words to me was, ‘Promise me you won’t ever be in the court room again.’ Ever since then, I talk to her when a challenge comes in my direction. She always has the right choice of words for me, even though I’m only talking to her spiritually.”
Icon will be attending Crown College in St. Bonifatius, Minn. this fall to further his academic and athletic career.
“I decided to go to Crown College because it felt like home and the coaches up there are great,” he said. “But what mattered the most was the connection I had with the players, coaches, and the rest of the school. I talk to somebody from crown almost every day.”
Icon plans on majoring in business because he wants to have his own trucking business someday. He has been able to pick up knowledge throughout his high school career that has helped him excel.
“The tip I will take with me to Crown is staying humble,” Icon said. “That’s something Coach [Jude] Blessington taught me during our winning season. He’s always telling us, ‘Don’t let the fame get to you.'”
Motivation has played a huge role in Icon’s journey to where he is at today. Many people and special situations have been catalytic to his recent success.
“A lot of people played a role in my success, including the people who doubted me,” he said. “My mom Angel Mitchell, my stepmom Sharettia Icon, my dad Quis Icon, Sr., and my stepdad Julius Mitchell.”
Quis Jr. would admit that Forest Hill defensive line coach Markus White has been a major contributor to his success on the field.
“Without him, I would’ve hung up my cleats after battling a lot of injuries,” the Crown College signee said.
Quis Jr. would thank others who have influenced his play off the field.
“My best friend Treyvon Green, he always finds a way to bring out the best in me,” he said. “Dinesha and Nandi, I speak to them everyday. I talk to them about all my issues. Without them I’ll probably make much more mistakes than I do.”
Not only has Quis Jr. broken down barriers to get where he is at today, but he has set a foundation by being an inspiration to his siblings.
“My little brothers,” Quis Jr. said. “I remember when my stepmom told me about her having them. I was so excited seeing them in the stands. It just makes me go harder. After hearing them say, ‘Dude I like coming to your football game’, it really makes me feel like I’m guiding them in the right direction.”
