Thanksgiving in Oklahoma has a rhythm of its own. The smell of turkey wafts from the kitchen. Family members pile into the living room. Football hums in the background. Here, faith, family, and football aren’t separate traditions; they’re woven together. Few understand this more than former NFL wide receiver and Tulsa native Dillon Stoner.
From the moment he strapped on pads in the third grade, football was Dillon’s world. At Jenks High School, he became a two-way standout before heading to Oklahoma State, where he grew into a reliable receiver. By the end of his career, he had caught 191 passes for 2,378 yards and 17 touchdowns, earning a reputation as a dependable playmaker. The NFL wasn’t just a dream—it was his destination.
In 2021, that dream came true when Dillon signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent. He found himself in an NFL jersey, lining up against the best in the world. But even as he achieved what so many only imagine, he battled immense anxiety.
After a strong preseason, Dillon earned a spot on the practice squad and went on to play six games that year. It was the affirmation he had long chased, but he wanted more. He entered the 2022 season on a high note, turning heads during offseason practice and putting himself in a strong position to make the 53-man roster. However, that momentum didn’t last long. On the first day of training camp, Dillon fractured the sesamoid bone in his big toe. The injury sidelined him and ultimately landed him on the practice squad. Still determined to prove he belonged on the active roster, he pushed forward. Just two weeks into the season, though, a torn Achilles ended his dreams before they truly had a chance to take shape.
For most athletes, it’s the moment they fear most. For Dillon, it brought a complicated wave of emotions. In a strange way, he felt relief—not because he wanted to give up the game he loved, but because the pressure he carried suddenly eased. For the first time, he had space to breathe. Yet the injury forced him to face what he’d avoided: who he was without football, and where he would turn if his lifelong dream fell apart. In that struggle, faith became his anchor. “My identity is not football,” Dillon says. “My identity is in Christ. God is always good, even when the plan doesn’t make sense.”
After the 2022 season ended, he received crushing news—his time with the Raiders was over. Determined to return, Dillon fought through rehabilitation. Unwilling to give up, he pursued an opportunity in the CFL, only to suffer another injury. The setback was heartbreaking, yet he chose to lean even more on his faith. “God is always good,” Dillon states, “When one door closes another will open.” The test was not about understanding why, but about trusting God’s faithfulness in the unknown.
Today, Dillon is back in Tulsa, forging a new path in commercial real estate. Football remains part of his life, but now it shares the stage with new callings and a broader perspective. Gratitude has shifted from highlight reels to simple blessings: a roof overhead, the ability to walk, and time with loved ones.
This Thanksgiving, Dillon reflects on a journey that carried him from backyard games to the NFL. Faith still grounds him. Family still surrounds him. And football—though different—still has its place. For Dillon, that’s the rhythm of life.
“Football ends for everyone. My identity is not football—my identity is in Christ, and that grounds me.”