Florida State University’s famous “Red Lightning” ball boy, Frankie Grizzle-Malgrat, is set to move up to the next level in the NFL as he joins the Atlanta Falcons, according to a tweet posted over the weekend.
Grizzle-Malgrat, 21, transferred from Tallahassee Community College to FSU and immediately reached out to the Florida State Seminoles equipment operations manager to express his
interest in a job with his favorite team, according to ESPN. Because of his passionate enthusiasm and his devoted work ethic — as well as his easy-to-spot flaming red hair — Grizzle-Malgrat soon caught the eye of FSU fan Jake Brashears, who compiled footage of the ball boy in action and posted a YouTube video. After that, “Red Lightning” became an instant college football phenomenon.
“I never thought just me doing my job would be something out of the ordinary for other people,” Grizzle-Malgrat said, according to ESPN. “Now over a million people have seen me hustle, seen the passion I have toward everything, especially sports. I guess that's what made it big.”
The Florida-raised former high school center-guard stands at just 5-foot-7-inches, and his exuberance for the sport and for his beloved team has continued to catch on with his
fans and supporters, according to Fox Sports.
“I’m going to do this as long as I can until the good Lord tells me I can’t do it anymore,” Grizzle-Malgrat said in 2014 before the Seminoles won the National Championship, according to Fox Sports. “I always wanted to be a part of a Florida State football team, so this is just a dream.”
On Sunday, “Red Lightning” shared his exciting news in a tweet as he announced his ascension to the next level with the pro league:
As one of the U.S.’s most recognizable ball boys for the past two college football seasons, “Red Lightning’s” fans flocked to social media in the wake of his announcement to express their own support and congratulations for the sideline hustler as he takes this new step in his career with the sport that he adores.
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