Born and raised in Vidalia, Georgia, Fred Stokes' ability to excel surfaced early in his life. Coming from a rural area, while others struggled with peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, and a lack of guidance, Fred found his focus in basketball and track. During high school, he spent time on the football field as a tuba player in the marching band, but it wasn't until his senior year that he joined the football team. His excellence and ability to meet the challenge was immediately recognized and his career escalated quickly.

In 1982, Coach Erk Russell offered Fred a full scholarship to play offensive tackle with the newly developed Georgia Southern Eagles in Statesboro, GA. He played a vital part of the 1985 and 1986 Championship teams and in 1986 was voted to the First Team All-America. In 1987, Fred was drafted to play Defensive End with the Los Angeles Rams. After two years with the Rams, Fred was picked up by the Washington Redskins. While playing with the Redskins, Fred received the much coveted Super Bowl ring in the victory over the Buffalo Bills in the 1992 Super Bowl. Fred stayed with the Redskins for four years, and then re-signed with the Rams for three years. Following the Rams he played a year with the New Orleans Saints.

After 10 years in the NFL, injuries, and constantly trying to quiet a calling on his life, Fred retired from the league in 1997 to pursue what he views as his purpose - using his life experiences both on and off the field to motivate a change to excellence across the nation.

Fred returned and settled in Vidalia, Ga. with his wife Regina and their three boys. He is living out his purpose through the formation of the Fred Stokes Youth Ranch non-profit organization, serving on the board of Directors at the Boys and Girls Club of Vidalia, participating in mentoring programs in youth homes, promoting his autobiography, "The Bridge that Brought Me Over", and traveling the country empowering and motivating change at schools, corporations, events, and churches.