After NFL prospect KC Concepcion not too long ago obtained on-line flack for his speech obstacle, he’s talking out and talking up for others like him.
On Sunday, March 1, the 21-year-old star extensive receiver from Texas A&M took to Instagram Tales to ship a message on to others who wrestle with speech impediments.
“I simply wanna say one thing, you probably have a speech obstacle, there’s nothing flawed with us,” he started within the put up. “I’ve had this stutter since I can keep in mind speaking that is aside of me that is who I’m I can not management this. I wanna be a job mannequin for many who could also be scared to talk up who could also be afr[ai]d and never assured in your self. I stand with you.”
Starting on Monday, Feb. 23, and working by way of March 2, Concepcion participated within the 2026 NFL Scouting Mix at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. As clips of him talking to reporters circulated on-line, some social media customers fixated on his stutter, leaving a wave of destructive feedback of their wake.
The backlash feels particularly jarring in 2026, when it’s broadly understood that speech impediments, which have an effect on hundreds of thousands of individuals of all ages, usually are not a sign of intelligence or comprehension. They will vary from stutters to problem saying sure sounds. And practically everybody has skilled being tongue-tied or stumbling over a phrase in some unspecified time in the future.
“This weekend has taught me quite a bit about myself and folks out right here on this world. I respect everybody who helps me and has reached out to me after these interviews,” he continued.
He additionally urged followers to not let an “exterior individual’s” opinions get in the way in which of “being nice” and “attaining one thing in life.”
“I’m blessed to be within the place that I’m in,” he added. “And I wish to assist give again to those that are scared to talk up, who aren’t as assured. I stand with you, I’ll all the time stand with you. We’re totally different for a purpose. God has blessed my life in a means I couldn’t even think about on this previous 12 months. I really like yall and assist y’all as we climb this mountain collectively.”
Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, and of Afro-Puerto Rican descent, Concepcion first made a reputation for himself in highschool as a breakout soccer star. After a formidable exhibiting on the mix, he has solidified himself as a high NFL draft prospect, with many projections inserting him within the first spherical or early within the second.
