Choctaw’s Khali Grant
By Mike Moguin
Choctaw’s Khali Grant has a family tie to the pros.
“My grandpa inspired me to play football because he played in the NFL,” he said, and Grant has built on that inspiration with hard work that has led to success.
Wendell Davis is Grant’s maternal grandfather. He played for the Dallas Cowboys from 1996-99 and played his college career at OU from 1993-95.
“It is very exciting,” Grant said about being the grandson of someone who has played in the NFL. “It just gives me motivation to keep going with my football career.”
When Choctaw captured the Class 6AII state championship last year, the feeling was special for Khali Grant, a defensive back, just as much as it was for the rest of the team.
What made it exciting was how the title game was won. The Yellowjackets rallied from 18 points down to beat Muskogee, the defending state champion from 2023, 26-25. They also had rallied from a first-half deficit to beat Sand Springs in the semifinals one week before.
“Winning state is the biggest accomplishment I’m most proud of,” said Grant, a senior, nicknamed “K.G.” by his teammates, who alternates at cornerback and strong safety.
Now he wants to use his success as a role model
“Being a champ and someone that the little kids can look up to is what I like most about representing Choctaw,” Grant said.
Grant is also active with the Yellowjackets’ track and field program in the spring. He says that he has become a better person as a result of “football teaching me to be patient,” he said.
Tre Porter is his favorite teacher “because he teaches me outside the classroom,” Grant said. Porter, who also coaches the Choctaw safeties, was Grant’s match teacher during his freshman year.
Teammate Devin Gillispie is whom Grant has made the best impression on. “We are very close, and he taught me how to be a better person off the field,” he said.
The best advice that someone told him was, “You can’t be afraid to fail, it’s the only way you succeed.
“I want to thank God for taking me on the journey,” Grant said. “I want to thank my family for always being on my side and supporting me through this journey. I want to thank my coaches and teammates for never giving up on me.”
Follow Khali Grant on Instagram @Befrl_kg
