Published: 17:39 GMT, 2 March 2026 | Updated: 17:42 GMT, 2 March 2026
NFL hopeful KC Concepcion opened up about his speech impediment after being mocked by vile trolls during the Combine.
The Texas A&M receiver grew up with a stutter and stammered slightly while discussing his chances of playing for the [Buffalo Bills](/sport/buffalo-bills/index.html) with reporters during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
While an [influx of sympathetic fans sent their support online](/sport/nfl/article-15604539/Fans-praise-NFL-KC-Concepcion-severe-stutter-speak.html), a number of heartless critics ruthlessly ridiculed Concepcion's speech.
Amid the negative reaction, the 21-year-old addressed the criticism as he sent a touching message to others with similar speech impediments.
'I just wanna say something if you have a speech impediment there is nothing wrong with us,' he wrote in a lengthy statement shared to his Instagram story.
'I have had this stutter since I can remember talking this is a part of me this is who I am, I cannot control this. I wanna be a role model for those who may be scared to speak up, who may be afraid and not confident in yourself. I stand with you, this weekend has taught me a lot about myself and people out here in this world.
KC Concepcion stammered slightly while speaking with reporters at the NFL Combine
The wide receiver opened up on his speech impediment after being mocked by trolls
'I appreciate everyone who supports me and has reached out to me after these interviews. Don't let an outside person's thoughts, opinions get in the way of you being great or of you achieving something in life. I am blessed to be in the position that l am in and I want to help give back to those who are scared to speak up, who aren't as confident.
'I stand with you, l will always stand with you. We are different for a reason. God has blessed my life in a way I couldn't even imagine in this past year. I love y'all and support y'all as we climb this mountain together.'
The six-foot receiver is coming off a productive season in College Station, where he finished with 919 yards and nine touchdowns on 61 receptions.
It was during his final year with the Aggies that Concepcion opened up about his lifelong speech issues, which he continues to correct.
'I'm really still kind of getting comfortable with it,' he told The Associated Press in September.
'It kind of used to be really, really bad when I was a kid,' he said. 'But, you know, just taking my little speech classes here and there, I really didn't like going to them because I kind of felt like I was a little weird. ... Just being taught how to try to like speak fluently and not stutter or anything.'
Concepcion's father, a Bills fan named Kevin, also had stuttering issues, which became something that helped the two bond together.
'As a little kid, it's kind of tough having kids pick on you for your talking,' he said. 'Just seeing him deal with it also helped me out, you feel me. And it made me feel like I wasn't the only one.'
The Texas A&M receiver grew up with a stutter and his father also suffered with a stammer
The receiver is coming off a productive season in College Station, finishing with 919 yards
The 21-year-old addressed the negativity in a statement shared to his Instagram story
Concepcion ultimately quit his speech classes and instead pressured himself to speak publicly – something he compared to practice reps.
As he told the AP, 'It's literally just exactly like football.'
Speech issues aside, Concepcion is ready to make an impact in the NFL, and confirmed a meeting with the Bills this week that he said 'went really well.'
Of all the praise Concepcion has received on his NFL journey, Aggies coach Mike Elko may be his top reference.
'He's got a tremendous work ethic,' Elko told the AP of Concepcion. 'I really enjoy the way he competes day in and day out, that really showed itself in the off-season as well.
'So, there's a maturity about him that I really like. He wants to be great and that shows every day, which is a really cool characteristic in a kid. And I think he's a kid that rises to moments.'