In every life, there are moments when the familiar must be left behind—when the things that once defined us no longer serve the person we are becoming. For Everett Osborne, a professional athlete turned actor, that moment came during the quiet, uncertain days of a global pandemic. Confined to his apartment, with the hum of the outside world silenced, he began a journey inward—one that would transform his life and lead him to a new calling. It was not an ending, but a beginning. Faith became his compass, and storytelling his mission. His path is a testament that success isn’t about personal achievements, but about connection, purpose, and the lives we touch along the way.

This isn’t just a story of triumph; it’s a story of grace, perseverance, and the power of surrender.

The Awakening

Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

In the stillness of the pandemic, when time seemed to pause, Osborne found himself at a crossroads. The basketball courts where he once thrived were closed. The routine that defined him had vanished. Staring at the ceiling of his apartment, he found himself wrestling with unfamiliar questions: “Who am I, without the game? What comes next?”

This season of isolation, though uninvited, became an unexpected gift. “I had to surrender everything I thought I wanted,” Osborne recalls. “All my plans, my ambitions—I had to lay them down and just listen.” It was in this quiet surrender that a long-buried passion began to surface: acting.

Though basketball had been his world, storytelling had always lived in his heart. He had studied psychology because of his deep interest in people and connection. “I’ve been writing poetry since I was a kid,” he reflects. “It’s always been a way for me to connect with the world around me.” Acting, he realized, could be more than just a career shift—it could become a way to serve others by telling stories that matter.

With renewed purpose, Osborne committed fully to the craft of acting, guided by faith that a new chapter was unfolding.

The Calling

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Osborne’s new path soon revealed itself in a way that felt like destiny knocking. A casting opportunity arrived for Sweetwater, a film about Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, the first Black player in NBA history.

“It blew my mind,” Osborne admits. “I played professionally, and I never even knew who this man was.” The story of Sweetwater—a trailblazer whose courage opened doors for future generations—resonated with Osborne on a deeply personal level. The parallels between Sweetwater’s life and his own were undeniable: two athletes, each walking away from the familiar to pursue a calling larger than themselves.

Determined to honor Sweetwater’s legacy, Osborne immersed himself in the role for three days, studying every nuance of the man’s life. Then, just before submitting his audition tape, he tried something new: surrendering his all to God. “I felt this vibration through my entire body,” Osborne recalls. “It was the craziest feeling. At that moment, I knew—this role wasn’t just an opportunity. It was part of my calling.”

Soon after, Osborne received the confirmation he had hoped for: he had been cast as the lead.

A Mission to Serve

Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Sweetwater (2023)  has garnered significant recognition at various film festivals and events. Notably, it won six awards at the Boston Film Festival, including Best Film, Best Actor (for Osborne), Best Director, Best Story, Best Music, and Best Ensemble Cast​

Additionally, Sweetwater was nominated for a 2024 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Independent Motion Picture, further underscoring its cultural impact.

For Osborne, however, playing Sweetwater wasn’t about fame—it was about honoring history. He saw the film as an opportunity to inspire others through the power of storytelling.

“The reviews have been consistent,” I told Osborne during our conversation. “I want to give you your flowers—everyone’s a critic, but your performance really stood out.”

Grateful but grounded, Osborne responded, “Hearing that means a lot. But for me, it’s always been about the work—about telling Sweetwater’s story the right way.” His focus wasn’t on awards or accolades but on the impact the film could have on its audience.

Osborne believes deeply that stories can be powerful tools for change, but he is clear about one thing: “Movies don’t build community. People do.” This philosophy shapes both his approach to acting and his philanthropic efforts. “If my storytelling can be a light, that’s my biggest goal—to connect with people and help them through this journey.”

Surrender and Transformation

Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

The transition from professional athlete to actor was not without its challenges. “During COVID, I couldn’t go back to who I was, and I had no idea how to get where I wanted to go,” Osborne admits. It was a moment of reckoning—a time when surrender became his only option.

“For me, the checks and balances in life come from my spirit,” he explains. “There’s a quiet voice within that guides me—when something feels right or when it doesn’t.” This spiritual connection has become his compass, helping him navigate both the complexities of life and the challenges of his new career.

Osborne embraces the difficult stories as well as the uplifting ones. “I believe God is light, but He also has stewardship over darkness,” he reflects. “It’s not about avoiding the hard stuff—it’s about finding the truth within it.”

Building a Legacy Through Connection

Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, but encouraging one another.”

Even as Osborne’s career gains momentum, his focus remains on building meaningful connections. “I wrote in my journal when I decided to pursue acting: I’m not here to conquer—I’m here to connect.”

This commitment to connection extends beyond the screen. Through community outreach and philanthropy, Osborne uses his platform to inspire and uplift others. “Everything I do has to have value,” he says. “Not everything has to be serious—there’s room for lightheartedness in life—but it all has to connect back to purpose.”

For Osborne, purpose is the thread that ties together every role, every conversation, and every act of service.

A Soldier of Faith

2 Timothy 4:7
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

At the heart of Osborne’s journey is his unwavering faith. “I’m just one soldier in the army of the Lord,” he says humbly. “That’s why I do what I do—I’m on a mission.”

In a world that often measures success by material gain, Osborne offers a different perspective. “Victory isn’t in what you possess—it’s in what you perceive,” he reflects. “It’s about being present, appreciating the moment, and living with purpose.”

Looking ahead, Osborne hopes to continue using his platform to inspire others to see beyond appearances and trust in the power of faith and purpose. “If people can take one thing from my journey,” he says, “it’s to be driven by what they know within—not just what they see.”

A Journey of Purpose

Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Everett Osborne’s story is one of transformation, faith, and the pursuit of purpose. From the basketball courts to the film set, his journey reminds us that success is not found in fame or fortune but in the lives we touch along the way.

As Osborne continues forward, he leaves us with a simple but profound truth: We are all storytellers, called not just to achieve, but to connect, serve, and inspire.

Photography Credit
Grooming: @flawlesstudiola_
Photographer: Andrey Vlasov
Outfit: Zara