'The judge saved my life': Former FSU star Tamarick Vanover says prison changed him for the better
Tamarick Vanover has had time while incarcerated to reflect on his life.
"This journey has been strange, to say the least, but it has been well-needed for me," Vanover told the Democrat in a telephone interview.
"I feel better. I feel refreshed. I have established goals."
Vanover — the former Florida State and NFL star receiver — is living in a halfway house in Tallahassee after spending seven months in a minimum security satellite camp at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Wildwood, near Tampa.
It was in federal prison where Vanover dealt with personal issues, strengthened his faith, lost 80 pounds, and chronicled his life with the help of a fellow inmate in a book he wants published and titled "Mr. Run It Back."
Vanover is also interested in starting a non-profit organization to help youth.
Tamarick Vanover prepares for life after prison
Vanover, 48, expects to be released next month from the halfway house, which prepares individuals to re-enter society.
It has been a winding journey for Vanover since January, when he was sentenced to prison for one year and one day by a federal judge in Kentucky for his role in defrauding the NFL’s health care reimbursement fund for retired players.
Vanover was among 15 former NFL players who have pleaded guilty to fraud charges, according to reports.
While court records showed Vanover's recruiting efforts in the scheme led to more than $159,000 in fraudulent payouts for those operating the scheme, Vanover said the investigation showed he never received any money.
According to the Lexington (Kentucky) Herald-Leader, Judge Karen Caldwell believed Vanover’s remorse and regret were authentic and applauded his cooperation in the case.
However, she still believed a jail sentence was required, encouraging Vanover to seek physical and mental treatment while incarcerated. Vanover took Judge Caldwell's message to heart, saying, "I believe the judge saved my life."
"It allowed me to get the rest I needed," Vanover explained. "As I said, it has given me time to reflect on a lot of things I've done in my life. This journey was well-needed.
"I was really hurting mentally and out-of-shape physically."
Vanover said he was determined to change his life while in prison. He read seven books that focused on self-help, dieted and walked the prison grounds, starting at one mile and working up to 10 miles daily.
He also said it was emotional to see his life documented on paper, crediting fellow inmate K.D. for "pouring his heart into telling my story."
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Helping the younger generation
Vanover starred at Leon High and FSU (1992-93) and played professionally for seven years with the Las Vegas Posse (1994), Kansas City Chiefs (1995-99) and the San Diego Chargers (2002).
The receiver-return specialist was a freshman All-American in 1992 and a second-team All-American as a sophomore during the Seminoles' national title run. He had 87 career receptions for 1,123 yards and seven touchdowns and averaged 40.2 yards on 13 kickoff returns during his two years at FSU.
While those glory days seem like a lifetime ago, Vanover is determined to make a difference with his life. Vanover stressed his time in prison helped change him for the better. He also saw other inmates struggle.
"I want to have a voice for people — even those locked up — and try to help the younger generation go straight and narrow," Vanover said. "I also want to bring some awareness .... once you are locked up, people don't think about you as much as they should.
"With God leading me, I know what things can be and how they are."