Growing up in the small
city of Calera, Alabama, there were many avenues Byron could have taken
in life. He chose the road to success at a young age. Byron
stated that he was told many times that he would not be successful in
life. Byron didn’t have an older brother or father figure in his
life so he solely depended on one person to be his mother and father,
Katie Gaiters.
After a stellar high school career, Byron made the mistake of not applying himself to school. Instead of playing college football in the Southeastern Conference, Byron signed a football scholarship to play football at Alabama State University. Byron spent two year’s in Montgomery, Alabama. After realizing his dream was fading of actually seeing playing time at Alabama State University, De’Vinner decided to make the transition back to Birmingham.
De’Vinner joined the UAB BLAZERS football
and track team in 1992. Byron ended his career in 1994. Byron
still remembers his playing days at UAB. Being a member of the 1993
team was very special because that team finished the year with 9 wins and
just 2 losses, which is still a UAB record.
He also remembers one
of his most memorable teammates at UAB. Most would think it would
be one of his former football teammates, but it was actually his track
teammate Olympic Bobsled Gold Medalist Vonetta Flowers. De'Vinner
says he always knew Flowers would be special. Vonetta had the
drive to be successful no matter what it took. "She would
encourage me to practice and meet" says De'Vinner. He was so happy to see her accomplishments in the
2002 Winter Olympics. Byron states he was not shocked when he
heard the news she had won the Gold. "I immediately called
and congratulated her on winning the Gold Medal. Knowing Vonetta
loves monkeys, I sent her a large one. As soon as she received it,
she responded to me and stated it should have been a real one
joking."
De'Vinner credits
seeing what flowers has done for Birmingham with encouraging him to
continue to reach for his goals. One of the most important goals
that De'Vinner accomplished was receiving his Bachelor's of Science
Degree in Communication.
Byron started the Byron
De’Vinner Foundation November 5th 2004. This date is very
special to him because it is not only his birthday, but also and more
importantly it is the date that his great-great grandmother Katie Gaiters
past. Byron said that he wanted to do something special on that
date because his great-great grandmother was always special to him.
The
Byron De'Vinner Foundation offers kids in Alabama and surrounding Southeastern United
States a better way of
life. It offers kids the chance to learn from their peers that there are other
alternate avenues in life other than out in the streets. Byron also feels
through his foundation, he can be a role model to show kids that it doesn’t
matter where you come from, it how hard you work to get what is yours at the end
of the tunnel. Byron is also very active in the Special Olympics, Boys and Girls
Club, 2nd Harvest, and Making Strides of Alabama.
