My name is Fletcher Cleaves — I’m a Memphis native whose life took an unexpected turn that would ultimately shape my purpose. In 2009, I was a college freshman on a football scholarship, living out my dream. But on September 10th, everything changed when I was involved in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, suspected of texting behind the wheel. The crash left me paralyzed from the chest down.

In a moment, I went from athlete to quadriplegic — forced to relearn everything and rebuild my life from the ground up. My family faced unimaginable challenges, including both of my parents losing their jobs to care for me full-time. But through it all, I chose not to be defined by my circumstances. After a year of rehab, I re-enrolled in school and earned a degree in Computer Science from the University of Memphis.

What began as a personal comeback evolved into a calling. I’ve since delivered over 400 keynote speeches nationwide, sharing my story to promote safe driving, resilience, and personal growth. I’ve been featured on ESPN, College GameDay, SportsCenter, Outside the Lines with Bob Ley, and at the National Transportation Safety Board in D.C., among many others.

My mission is simple: to inspire others to lead with purpose, rise through adversity, and never let circumstances limit their potential. My accident wasn’t the end — it was the beginning of something greater. And now, I help others realize that no matter the setback, your story can still lead to something extraordinary.