So why the relentless pursuit with almost a fully-cemented wall in front of the players? Three words, “Don’t let up,” from his older brother of two years, Harry (Douglas), 27, who is now a wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons.

“He was in the same situation [during the NFL lockout] and he kept working with his teammates,” Toney (Douglas) said. “He told me, ‘You never know when a deal can get done. You just want to make sure that you’re always prepared.’”

Harry instilled that persistence in Toney when they were both teens, especially through his physical play on the football field at Jonesboro High (Jonesboro, Ga.). At first, Toney wasn’t flattered by Harry’s rough behavior with him, but he soon realized the impact it could have on his basketball development, from playing aggressively on offense to defending like a pit bull to diving for loose balls.

via Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York