EATONVILLE, FLA -- There are three versions of a person; who others see, who they see and the truth. 

EJ Dunston's name brings back a lot of memories for UCF fans. He was a star defensive tackle on the 2014 Fiesta Bowl Championships squad. Prior to, he made a name for himself as a standout at Edgewater where he serves as the top assistant and defensive line coach. 

In his mind, he's more than just football. 

“Not everyone looks at you the way you want people to look at you. “I’m a loving father and husband and I’m a dedicated loyal worker.”  

To find the truth you have to go to the northside of the city in historic Eatonville. 

“I really can’t remember the last time I walked these streets," Dunston says going up and down Deacon Jones Blvd. “He was here from Eatonville. Not many big names was here from Eatonville so I wanted to make a name for myself and I wanted to be able to be somewhat like him.”

The memories start flooding back. 

“It’s a bit emotional. You look back where you came from. I never wanted to be the guy that moves away and forget where I come from. I love my neighborhood.”

Not even a half mile down the road is Eaton Street. There you'll find the two houses that raised him. 

“I wish I could walk in that house. Walking in that house would do it for me. This is where my life changed," he says looking at his childhood home. Down the street he finds the home of the head of the family. 

“In this corner house we had to be inside the door before the street lights came on. This man was always there. Not matter what. He was the one keeping us out of trouble with my grandma and my mom.”

“Everybody from Eatonville is special in their own special way and they all have a purpose.”

In EJ's case, they also have resilience and determination. 

A month after his senior season wrapped up, life hit EJ hard. He ended the relationship with the mother of his first child. He then discovered he didn't have enough credits to officially graduate. The worst news came when his grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. 

“I was just in a dark spot. The only happy thing in my mind was thinking about the draft.”

Most analysts had EJ pegged as a round 4-7 selection. 

“Here’s the last day of the draft. Okay what’s going on? Here’s OTAs. Here’s free agency. Nothing. I was depressed dude. I was down in the dumps. I wanted to kill myself. I didn’t want to live. I didn’t want to be around people. I didn’t want people to see me.”

As EJ persevered, life darkened. In August 2015, his brother Robert and friends were at his grandfather's house in Eatonville. 

“He was standing out here thinking he was going to go out with some friends. Later that night he got out of the car and shots started getting fired from over there. When you’re from the ‘hood, when you hear shot you think of a good shot and a bad shot unfortunately even though all shots are bad.”

Robert survived two separate attempts on his life in a few month span. In January 2016, EJ's grandmother lost her battle with breast cancer. 

“You’re never in control. You have to relinquish that control to God. It reminded me you have to pray until something happens.”

Something did happen along the way. He met his now wife, Simone. 

“I could tell he was going through something but even still he was pushing through," Simone said. "We kind of just leaned on each other trying to figure out life.”

“At the time and even right now she was everything I needed because she was my strength.”

EJ made the most of every opportunity. After working a handful of different jobs, he got a job on the security team at Edgewater High School. Along the way he became part of the football staff. 

Five years later, EJ is a full-time teacher and coach. 

“It’s everything to me.”

It's clear to see. His passion is infectious and his honest committment to bettering the lives of student athletes is true to his character. 

“He has his eyes on community and the people," Simone said. "He does everything for everyone else and if people could see that I think they’ll appreciate him even more than they already do.”

They say there are three versions of a person. The truth is EJ Dunston has walked through the fire. Love for his family, community and himself will always light the way. 

“I’m excited about who I am today. Do I still struggle? Of course. Am I perfect? No by far but I love what’s going on for me right now.”

EJ and Edgewater open the regular season August 27 at home vs. Bishop Moore in the Battle of College Park.