The cost of room and board alone was too much to handle, never mind the full price of the college experience. Living at home seemed like the best bet for Micah St. Andrew.
Imagine putting yourself through vigorous weight loss and getting close to your athletic dream, only to see it slip away because of financial hardship.
That's where this NFL journey nearly ended, but it's also where it started.
St. Andrew's chance at an NFL career would never have happened if not for taking a risk, stepping out of his comfort zone, and improving his physical health for life.
After a recent Detroit Lions training camp practice, the undrafted rookie out of Fresno State stood nearly in disbelief about how far he has come.
"This was always unforeseen for my future, at least in my own head," said St. Andrew, 23.
How he got to Lions training camp is a testament to his dedication not only to the game of football, but also to transforming his body.
College coaches did not offer the then-400-pounder a football scholarship out of high school because of his weight. His play was never a question, but his physical condition was.
After high school, St. Andrew wanted to improve his body and enrolled in a fitness boot camp. He paid a $500 deposit for the six-week training session.
"The Camp Transformation Center is the place to be if you really want a serious change in life and health for better," the program's website reads. "This is an amazing place to get real results, melt your lbs down, change your life for good, kill bad habits, build strength and find true people with the same objective as you and also make friends."
If St. Andrew lost at least 20 pounds, he'd get the money back. If not, the $500 was gone.
That was all the motivation he'd need.
