Disney+’s ‘Safety’ Tells The Story of Clemon Tiger Ray-Ray McElrathbey / WATCH

*The freshman year of college is exciting for most college students. It’s the first time away from parents and you have the freedom you’ve been longing for. But for Ray-Ray McElrathbey, his freshman year of college was a lot different from his peers.

His mother had been battling an addiction for years and had to be admitted into a rehab program. This left Ray’s younger brother without a parental figure. Ray stepped up to help his brother after being told his mom would only be in treatment for a month. She needed more care and was ordered to stay in the program indefinitely.  

Ray had to come to the tough decision to take care of his brother so that he wouldn’t be placed in foster care. At just 19 years old Ray had to become a father, student, and football player. That’s a lot for anyone to take on let alone a teenager. Ray’s schoolmate, who was a journalism major, wrote a piece for the school paper about Ray’s situation. The community got wind of the story and offered Ray help. This story grew and even began to make the local news. Movie producer Mark Ciardi saw this story and knew Ray’s story needed to be told on a larger scale.

“I, like a lot of people who saw these stories (about Ray-Ray) and was really moved, says Ciardi.  

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At the time the story broke it also got the attention of the NCAA which didn’t condone the help Ray was receiving because of the rules in regards to student-athletes receiving gifts and money. His scholarship was even threatened which put more stress on Ray who was just trying to do right by his family. We asked Ray if during that time he felt like he would have to give up football for his brother. 

“Yes, there was a time that came about where I had to choose between school and my brother. But family is over everything. I would die for my family. I love football but I wouldn’t die for it, says Ray.  

He is the true definition of family over everything.  

Watch how Ray-Ray McElrathbey‘s story (“Safety“) unfolds on Disney + streaming on December 11th.  

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