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Born and raised just north of downtown Indianapolis, IN in the 38th and Park Avenue area, Donald Washington remained in a constant transitional state of existence that rarely offered him any stability or security during his core developmental childhood years. Although he grew up in a violent, drug ridden environment without consistent food sources (where free lunch at school was typically his only meal of the day), running water, or heat, all while watching his parents battle drug addiction, he used his circumstances as motivation to create a life that was worth living for himself and his family instead of allowing those experiences to shape his future in a negative way.

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During his high school years Donald became a standout for his athletic abilities in track, basketball and football. He earned a full scholarship to play football at The Ohio State University which lead to him being drafted in the fourth round in 2009 by the Kansas City Chiefs. Facing yet another transition during his playing career, he experienced challenges that led him to play for the Canadian Football League (CFL) for two years while he worked his way back into the National Football League (NFL) all while simultaneously pushing forward in completing his degree in communications from tOSU. He overcame those obstacles and finally finished his professional playing career in 2016 with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

 

During each phase of Donald’s journey from childhood to professional athlete he faced many challenging transitions. When football was over and the cleats were retired, Donald knew he had to give back to young people teaching them to use the strategies he has developed along the way. Donald now uses the platform he has gained through sports and spends his time devoted to serving youth in many cities across the country through his nonprofit foundation, Smooth Transition.

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