Twenty years ago, Jamel Anderson and two other peers were not allowed to walk the ceremony stage at Eisenhower High School because they competed in a state track meet which was scheduled the same day.

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Twenty years ago, Jamel Anderson and two other peers were not allowed to walk the ceremony stage at Eisenhower High School because they competed in a state track meet which was scheduled the same day.

"I really hadn't faced any even through adversity like that. And so, I was determined to get over it fairly quickly because I was ready to go to college," Anderson said.  

Days later, the boys graduated on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," giving them the graduation they thought they would never have. Now, two decades later, Anderson looks at the moment as a positive turning point in his life.

"That opportunity of a lifetime was one that catapulted us to think, and a mindset of greatness. You know, don't let that moment that we didn't get to walk across the stage define us," Anderson said.  

In St. Louis, Anderson is a football training coach and mentor, helping student-athletes earn college scholarships across the country. His business, Torque X, and nonprofit Starfish aim to reach kids about generational wealth and positive choices. 

"I grew up not having anybody to help me in my career. When it came to that type of stuff, I really had to figure it out on my own," Anderson said.  

Anderson's graduation experience inspired him to lead young student-athletes to high school graduation and beyond. 

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