Mistral Raymond fulfilled a lifelong dream Saturday when the Vikings selected him in the sixth round of the NFL draft.
The South Florida defensive back had to face more than his share of hardship and tough times before getting to experience that moment.
Myslene Gabriel, Raymond's sister, was found dead in her apartment several weeks ago in Bradenton, Fla. Police reportedly question Gabriel's boyfriend, but no charges were filed, according to the Herald Tribune. The newspaper also reported that autopsy results were inconclusive over the cause of death.
Gabriel, who was pregnant, reportedly had trauma to her face. Her 2-year-old daughter was found unharmed in another room. Gabriel's death initially was ruled a homicide but later was listed as an "unclassified" death, according to the Herald Tribune.
Raymond said his dream of being selected in the NFL draft brought some "relief" to his family members Saturday.
"Having my family here with me, having them see my name come across the screen and seeing the excitement that it brought them, I think it was a relief for all of us," he said. "It helped me realize what type of position that the Lord has put me in. He has blessed me to be an outlet for my family. ... I'm very grateful to be in the position I'm in."
Raymond's road to the NFL was a difficult one. He began his career at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa and had several Division I offers. But his life changed in 2008 when tragedy struck his family in Florida while he was away at college.
A Molotov cocktail was thrown into his family's home, reportedly in retaliation for a shooting that involved his cousin, who didn't live there. The men also shot his older sister, Nanise, in the leg during the attack. The rest of his family escaped the fire, but their home was destroyed.