Former Gator Patric Young "Chooses Joy"

Keller Williams Amelia Island staff pose with motivational speaker, Patric Young

Mark Dilworth, Patric Young and Ron Acker of Keller Williams, Amelia Island.

Patric Young speaking to KW Amelia Island agents on “choosing joy”

Marianna McIntyre with former Gator Patric Young

Patric Young is choosing joy. All 6-foot-10 of him.

The former University of Florida Gator basketball star, turned TV analyst spoke to Keller Williams agents on Amelia Island March 9th about his life and mindset after he was paralyzed from the waist down in a single car accident, in June 2021.

Young had a stellar four-year career at the University of Florida where he made it to three consecutive Elite Eight appearances, had a trip to the Final Four, and finished his career 27th on the all-time scoring list, with 1,307 points. He then played professionally overseas for six seasons before joining the SEC Network as a basketball analyst.

But now, it’s the sight of Young in a wheelchair - and the authenticity of his words on living a joyful life, regardless of circumstances - that reaches people.

When Young was first told by doctors that his spinal injuries could lead him to be confined to a wheelchair for life, it was an emotional gut punch unlike anything he’d experienced. Young’s accident happened just days before his scheduled wedding to his now wife, Whitney. But life had different plans for him, Young said, and he had to make peace with it.

“Obviously, hearing the news is difficult, that you’re paralyzed and your chances [to walk again] are slim, but there is a chance. I know I will fail at 100% of the things I don’t try”.  Young has been in physical rehab ever since, with the athlete in him working harder than ever.

“First and foremost I realized, ‘Hey, every part that makes me, me, is still here and nothing can stop me from being a good husband, and a good person.”  

Young drove home the point to the Keller Williams audience just how important his faith, and a positive attitude are in his journey. It’s the reason he’s able to smile and laugh and give hope to others in spite of his current condition. He has even begun a foundation to help people with life changing injuries. (The Patric Young Foundation, https://www.py4foundation.org/).
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When Young spoke to the Keller Williams Team last Thursday, his message was clear. “We can’t control our circumstances but the way that we approach them and look at them, we can control that. I make a conscious effort to “choose joy” every day”.