INDIANAPOLIS -- Shawn Oakman has dealt with dire situations and serious family problems while growing up in a rough Philadelphia neighborhood.
The grim circumstances often made him ponder his proximity to death or winding up in jail.
The sculpted Baylor defensive end once lived in a homeless shelter. His mother, Vernetta, was addicted to crack cocaine and contracted the HIV virus. She attempted suicide, was arrested twice for prostitution, once for assault and possession and another time for theft and served time in prison.
His mother is now clean from drugs and has been dealing with her mental-health issues with prescriptions to treat HIV, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, according to Oakman.
Baylor defensive end Shawn Oakman says rough upbringing toughened him
