Kyle Prater is a man who sought to make his dreams become a reality through hard work and determination. While in high school, he was ranked as the No. 1 wide receiver in the country. This allowed him to commit to USC for two seasons, followed by a transfer to Northwestern University
Kyle signed to the New Orleans Saints, where he played professional football in 2015 and 2016. “I became what I wanted to be,” said Kyle in his documentary Shifting Gears. A documentary in which he explores his transition from being in the NFL to becoming a filmmaker.
Kyle’s story and love for football kicked off in Maywood, Illinois near the West Side of Chicago, where not a lot of people make it out as he did.
“I love where I grew up it made me who I am. Where I'm from, not a lot of people make it out and become successful. I was able to beat the stigma and be an inspiration for the next generation.”
Kyle attended Proviso West High School, where he grinded to become the No. 1-ranked wide receiver in the country by the end of his sophomore year. At the time, all Division I schools offered him full rides and he decided to commit to USC.
“L.A. was fun, but as far as football, I didn’t reach my peak, as far as where I should’ve been, because of injuries, and because of injuries, I got addicted to pain medicine.”
After two years of dealing with injuries and coping with them with painkillers followed by a Los Angeles lifestyle, he lived and learned. Kyle was tired of that life and decided to come home.
“Leaving L.A. and returning home, re-centering myself, and having a fresh start with a new team was the best thing I ever did.”
The injuries and addiction to painkillers followed through to Northwestern, although while he was there, he managed to play some of his best seasons, which allowed him to earn a spot in the NFL.
Right after his last season, he went on to the NFL, where he went out undrafted on a tryout basis to the Cleveland Browns. They told him he was too slow and ended up being released. Two weeks later, he went to a rookie camp for the Saints, and he earned his contract in 2015.
“Throughout the years, there’s been a pattern of injuries I couldn't stay healthy. The reason I couldn't stay healthy was the pills and everything that was in my body. You not healing yourself by taking hydrocodone. You really putting yourself in harm's way.”
Kyle beat his addiction to painkillers by going cold turkey. He sat down in front of his family, shaking due to withdrawals and told them about his addiction. His faith in God and determination allowed him to stay away from the one thing taking control of his life.
On September 19, 2015, Kyle broke his foot outside of the team, working out.
“30 minutes after breaking my foot, the Bears call, ‘hey Kyle, we want to sign you.’ What are the chances after being released by the Saints and going home re-train and getting ready for the next opportunity you about to play for your home team and break your foot.”
In 2016 he was reclaimed by the Saints as he was getting ready to be put in rotation. He broke his chest. When he came home on injury reserve, he picked up a camera, and the rest was history as it became a life-changing purchase.
From there on, he began to see life through a camera lens. In 2017 he decided to step away from the NFL and still managed to keep busy as he coached students at Maine West High School. Alongside coaching, his newly found passion for filmmaking was his priority. Kyle discovered his love for visual arts and began to tell the stories of brands, products and people through film.
“I’ve always made it my goal to push myself to be better each day, whether on the football field or behind the camera.”
In 2017 Kyle released Shifting Gears, a documentary that told his story about his transition from field to film. Throughout the year's Kyle’s production company has told stories through visuals for companies such as the NFL, Nike and Def Jam.
Kyle's production company is currently working on a documentary on Kevin Warren, the Big Ten’s first African American commissioner. Alongside directing has begun screenwriting as he wants to start working on crafts he’s yet to master.
Kyle is determined to take Chasing Greatness Productions to the next level by making it become a top tier production house that releases thought-provoking films that will enlighten and motivate its viewers.
"This the time in your 20's put that work in. You gotta build your core, find out who you are as a person, find out what makes you happy, don't live for no one else, don't create for no one else, create for you, and create your own lane.”
