KC Concepcion made a statement on the field at the NFL Combine.
His message afterward was even louder.
The Texas A&M wide receiver, a projected first- or second-round pick in next month’s NFL Draft, responded after a snippet of his combine media interview went viral on social media, drawing mockery from some viewers because of his lifelong speech impediment.
The clip came when Concepcion was asked about his combine meeting with the Buffalo Bills, who are widely projected to target a wide receiver in the first round.
Concepcion, 21, was born in Rochester, about 75 miles east of Buffalo, before moving to North Carolina when he was 5 years old.
“I was born in New York, in the ROC, 585,” Concepcion said. The Bills (are) actually my dad’s favorite team. So you know, I’ve been watching them since I was young. Obviously, Josh Allen, he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league. I would be grateful.”
The video spread across social media, drawing millions of views and introducing many NFL fans to Concepcion’s stutter for the first time.
A day later, Concepcion delivered a response where it mattered most: on the field.
He showcased the traits that have made him one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the 2026 draft class. He didn’t participate in timed drills, including the 40-yard dash, but stood out during the gauntlet drill, smoothly catching a rapid succession of passes while sprinting across the field without breaking stride. The 5-foot-11⅝, 196-pound prospect is known for his quickness, precise footwork and ability to separate from defenders.
After the combine, Concepcion addressed the online criticism directly in a message posted to Instagram.
“I just wanna say something if you have a speech impediment there is nothing wrong with us,” Concepcion wrote. “I have had this stutter since I can remember talking this is a part of me this is what I am I cannot control this.”
He said he hopes to use his speech impediment to help others who may struggle with confidence when speaking.
“I wanna be a role model for those who may be scared to speak up who may be afraid and not confident in yourself,” he wrote. “I stand with you.”
Concepcion ended the message with the hashtag #stopthenegativity.
Concepcion has spoken openly about his speech impediment throughout his college career.
In an interview with The Associated Press last season, he said his stutter was severe when he was younger and led to bullying during childhood.
His father, Kevin Concepcion, also stutters and it helped the younger Concepcion feel like he wasn’t alone with his struggles.
“Everybody has their own flaws, and it’s just about how you embrace those flaws and that makes you you,” Concepcion said.
The receiver who once struggled to speak in front of others has now found himself on one of football’s biggest stages. And he’s using that platform to make sure others know they don’t have to stay silent.
From three-star recruit to NFL prospect
Many NFL mock drafts project that Concepcion will be taken in the first round and some are pointing to the Bills as a perfect landing spot.
He was rated a three-star recruit and the No. 567 overall player nationally in the 2023 recruiting class by 247Sports.
Three years later, he could hear his name called in the first round of the NFL Draft.
“Don’t let a outside person thoughts, opinions, get in the way of you being great of you achieving something in life,” Concepcion wrote on Instagram.
Concepcion led the Aggies with 61 catches, 919 receiving yards and tied for the SEC lead with nine touchdown receptions in his lone season at Texas A&M after transferring from North Carolina State. He was also a consensus All-American in the all purpose/return specialist category in 2025 after returning 25 punts for 456 yards and two touchdowns.
Over three college seasons, Concepcion finished with 185 receptions, 2,218 receiving yards and 25 receiving touchdowns. He also added 431 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 70 carries.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Potential Bills draft target shares inspiring message after stutter mockery
Reporting by Ryan Miller, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
