When injury and illness upended Malachi Hopkins' dreams of playing college football, he reflected on his experiences and began to build Everybody Gets a Chance, a nonprofit that would allow him to give back and provide support for children in the community.
Now a human development and family science major, Hopkins continues to pay it forward. His work was highlighted and rewarded through Union Bank & Trust's Magic Moments, and here Hopkins shares more about his efforts to positively impact youth.
You've overcome a lot of obstacles. If you're comfortable, can you talk more about that and where you find your drive to persevere?
Sports have always been my passion, and my childhood dream was to play college football. I went on to play for Coffeyville Community College until I suffered a serious neck injury, forcing me to move back to Lincoln. Football was such a huge part of my life that when spinal stenosis took it away, I felt lost. Later on, I faced another medical issue — thyroid cancer. During this time, I struggled with my identity and my future. My mom reminded me that I had once dreamed of being a teacher and a football coach. I also reflected on the nonprofit programs I had participated in as a kid here in Lincoln. Everything started to come together — I realized I could combine my love for sports and my desire to mentor youth by starting a nonprofit.
That’s how EGC was born — to give back to the community and support families and young athletes who lack resources. Now, through EGC, we provide sports performance training, scholarships for kids to play organized sports and financial support for equipment and gear. More than that, we are building a new generation of leaders who will give back to their communities. I also know what it’s like to grow up with little and to be raised by a single mother, so I wanted to help kids who are in the same position I once was.
My drive and perseverance come from my faith. Growing up, my family had a strong faith, and I participated in nonprofit programs that reinforced those values. As I matured, my faith deepened. When I hit rock bottom, I found strength in my relationship with God, and eventually, I made the decision to be baptized. I give all glory to God and my Lord and Savior, Jesus. There were moments when I nearly lost faith in myself, but I held onto the promise that through Christ, I could overcome anything. Even though I face daily struggles, I know that God’s plan always prevails — EGC is proof of that.
How did your experience in the Teammates program helped you succeed at Nebraska?
The Teammates mentoring program has also been a huge part of my journey. They helped me secure scholarships that covered my books and other expenses. My mentor and I still talk every week — he encourages me to stay focused on my goals and reminds me to keep pushing forward. Having someone in your corner is invaluable. My teammate Demoine Adams, who played football at Nebraska and in the NFL, is now the CEO of Teammates. Life truly comes full circle.
You’re majoring in human development and family science. Do you hope to continue working on Everybody Gets a Chance or do you see yourself helping youth in another way?
After college, I plan to dedicate a few years to making EGC my full-time job. I want to see it grow — not just in Lincoln but across Nebraska and even nationwide. I dream big! However, I also see myself expanding into other ventures, whether that’s coaching football, working as a mentor, or starting new businesses. No matter what, I’ll always be invested in youth development and giving back to my community.
If you do hope to continue growing your nonprofit directly, what are some goals you have for its future?
One major goal I have is to grow EGC to a point where we can compensate for the incredible people who volunteer their time to make this happen. Right now, we operate on a volunteer basis, but I want to provide financial support to those who help run the program. Without my board and volunteers, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Within the next three years, I want to establish our own sports performance training facility. And beyond that, I want to take EGC beyond Nebraska — there are kids everywhere who need help, and I believe we have the blueprint to support them.
Can you share a specific story of how your nonprofit has impacted someone in the community?
One of the most rewarding experiences so far has been helping a young girl named Maleeyah. She’s a foster child of a close friend and had never been able to participate in sports due to instability at home. We awarded her a scholarship to join a gymnastics team and covered the costs of her equipment. She’s now training hard and discovering a new passion. Staying connected with her family and seeing her growth has reinforced why EGC exists — to give kids opportunities they might not otherwise have.
Is there anything you hope to accomplish in your lifetime?
Like many men before me, I come from a tough background. My mom did everything she could, but we never had much. I want to build a strong, stable family of my own, where my future wife and kids will never have to worry the way I did growing up. More than anything, I want to be a man of integrity — someone who is remembered for lifting others up and helping people succeed.
What or who inspires you?
A lot of people are inspired by the role models they had, but for me, I’m even more inspired by the ones I didn’t have. I want to build a life where when I have kids they have the support and guidance that I lacked. That’s what drives me every day — to be the best man I can be and to set an example for future generations.
What is your advice to other students looking to make an impact on campus?
To students who want to make an impact but don't know where to start: Take risks! Jump into the unknown! You will rarely feel "ready" for the next big challenge, but you have to push forward anyway. Pursuing your dreams is scary, but it’s worth it. If you want to make a difference in your community, start now. If you’re looking for ways to invest in local youth, reach out to me. I’d love to connect you with EGC and help you make an impact right here in Lincoln.
