Few dyslexics overcome the odds to emerge super successful in their lives and careers. The larger population often succumb to frustration and in worst cases, wax suicidal. Though the advent of therapy for this special population has lightened things a bit, the fear remains. Nevertheless, there have been survivors. For Peyton Barber, getting diagnosed with dyslexia as a teen did little to quench his dreams. If anything, the NFL star has used that as fuel for his dreams. Today, Barber has beaten all the odds to build a successful sports career.
He plays as a running back for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). A position he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL. Though he went undrafted, Barber has kept stellar records since joining the league as a free agent.
Family and Early Life Struggles of The Footballer
Peyton Barber was born on June 27, 1994, in Alpharetta, Georgia, USA; to the family of Ken and Lori Barber. He admits facing several difficulties growing up. Especially after he was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) as a teenager.
According to Barber in an interview, many of his teachers in school were hardly supportive. The reason isn’t farfetched. Very few, if not none, knew the roots of his poor performance back in school. So he was mostly lumped together with the “unserious” kids.
However, his parents supported him the way they knew best. Today, their efforts have yielded results as Barber has not only built a successful football career but also holds a degree in interdisciplinary studies from Auburn University.
Peyton Barber’s parents divorced in 1998. He has one sibling from his parents’ marriage but three others from his father’s second marriage. Like his son, Peyton, Ken is also dyslexic.
Playing On the Milton High School Team
Barber attended Milton High School, Milton, in his birth state of Georgia. Although he had football running through his veins from earlier on, it was during his senior year that he starts to put it all to work. During his senior year, Barber recorded a whopping 1,700 yards and logged 22 touchdowns for his school team, the Eagles.
This came with several perks including getting ranked as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com. With so many exploits in high School, Barber looked forward to an exciting college career. However, there were choices to make. Although he initially chose to play for the University of Mississippi team, he later redirected to Auburn University. The reasons behind the sudden change are still shrouded in mystery.
His College Career Was Pretty Short
He enrolled at Auburn University where he continued his football career. As a freshman, he was redshirted throughout the season. The following season in 2014, he featured in 6 games and totaled 10 carries for 54 yards. He kicked off his second-year on a more impressive note and also played as a starter. In one of his games that year, he logged 115 yards on 24 carries.
He capped that season with an impressive record of 1,017 yards and 13 touchdowns. When most college fans were gearing to see him perform in the next season, Barber had other plans on his mind. On January 18, 2016, he ditched his college football for the 2016 NFL Draft. Declaring for the 2016 NFL Draft without four complete years of eligibility was a dicey move. And the consequences proved so.
Joining The National Football League
Despite his impressive high school and college records, Peyton Braber spent the 2016 NFL season undrafted. He finally joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent. Initially, he was offered a spot on the practice squad of the team but barely four days later, he was placed on the Buccaneers’ active roster. The reason could be that Barber proved his worth so well with such a short time on the Practice squad.
His first game with the team was in the 2016 season opener which turned out to be quite a poor performance. He failed to make any counts in the game. Afterward, he featured in a game against the Carolina Panthers and recorded his first three career stats; 3 carries for 6 yards.
While the sports dailies were still acknowledging his performance in that game, Barber topped the headlines again. In his game against the San Francisco 49ers; the running back recorded one of the most impressive performances since he went pro; 12 carries for 84 yards and a touchdown. He completed his rookie season with 223 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, with five receptions for 28 yards.
The 2017 Season and Beyond…
The ensuing season was disheartening for the player as his team slacked in several games. He was not featured in most of the games in the early season. Much later, however, he made 5 carries in addition to 2 rushing touchdowns in a game against the Atlanta Falcons. He also logged 23 carries for 102 yards with 4 receptions for 41 yards in a loss to the Green Bay Packers. In the final game of that season, he made 71 rushing yards in a victory against the New Saints Orleans. Despite not getting featured in most games in the season, Barber totaled 423 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 16 receptions for 114 yards.
The next season saw Barber’s top performance. In the first four matches, he had logged 50 carries for 148 rushing yards and 2 receptions for 13 yards. In Week 8, he recorded his first rushing touchdown of the 2018 season with 85 rushing yards in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He concluded the season with 871 rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns with 20 receptions for 92 receiving yards; plus a receiving touchdown.
That figure saw a slight change in the 2019 season where he finished with 470 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns with 16 receptions for 115 receiving yards; plus one receiving touchdown. Peyton Barber was poised to dwarf his earlier records in the 2020 season when the pandemic struck. In March 2020, he signed a two-year contract with the Washington Redskins worth $3 million.
Who Has Peyton Barber Dated?
For the most part, Peyton Barber’s love life has not been the hidden type. Although he talks freely about having a girlfriend, their identity has been the hard part to get. Well, not anymore.
We know the running back is in a relationship with one Paloma Adams. Asides being his girlfriend, not much is known about the young damsel. There are also no details about their dating history, how they met, or what plans the couple share as regards a future together.
Before dating Adams, Barber has been in a relationship with Auburn softball player, Kimberlee Myers. The two met during their studies at Auburn University. Myers attended Casa Grande High School in Casa Grande, Ariz. While there, she played on the school’s team before proceeding to college. There are hardly any records about when they split or the reasons behind their split.
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