Ra’Shede Hageman, defensive tackle for the University of Minnesota Gophers football team, knows about strength and resilience – and not just on the football field. After being removed from his mother, Ra’Shede and his brother were placed in foster care. After twelve foster homes, Ra’Shede had a natural distrust for people.
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[Photo by Jerry Holt] Then he met Eric and Jill – the couple who would end up his adoptive parents. The couple, both attorneys, are white. Hageman is black. Like many other transracially adopted people, Hageman had his share of identity struggles. As stated in the Star Tribune article:

Hageman wanted to fit in seamlessly with a crowd. He was self-conscious about his size and about the skin color of his adoptive family. He harbored anger over the traumatic years in the past. At a young age, he concocted lies when strangers were faced with the truth.

Over time, and with the support of his parents and family and coaches, Hageman began to feel his differences actually served to be his assets. Today Hageman is succeeding as an athlete and is looking forward to his future.
To read more about Hageman check out the featured story on the Star Tribune.