HENDERSON, Nev. -- Tre Tucker knew, as an eight-year-old playing backyard football, that speed was his superpower and a trait that would ultimately propel him to become an NFL wide receiver.

In rain, snow and sunshine, Tucker played alongside his eight older brothers and friends, ranging from 15 to 16 years old, in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. They played tackle football without pads, so Tucker, the youngest of the group, knew he had no business being taken down by kids twice his age.

Tucker's fear of getting tackled and his quickness went hand in hand. He would catch the ball before slipping by everyone, turning heads in the process.

"When you fear something, you run a little faster," said Tucker, who also has four sisters. "Everybody was like, 'How old are you again?' I'm like, 'I'm

See Full Page