I’m in Aurora, Ohio this week working as a transition coach with the 2015 NFL Draft picks. We’ve been meeting with the all of the AFC Draft picks since Sunday and the Eagles rookies and the other NFC rookies will be arriving sometime on Wednesday. These groups of players include everybody from the top quarterbacks like Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, to the promising wideouts like Amari Cooper, Kevin White, and Nelson Agholor, to running backs like Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon, and the pass rushers like Leonard Williams, Vic Beasley and Shane Ray are all here.
We’re talking to all of them about many subjects which pertain to playing in the National Football League.
Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett talked to the group about how he went from an undrafted free agent to an All-Pro running back who gamed over 1,300 yard in the 2014 season.
“I’ve faced a lot of adversity and have had many obstacles that I had to overcome”, Forsett. “You are going to get knocked down, but you have to have the ability to get up. Time and time I’ve had friends who let the politics of the game or relationships with coaches and things like that interfere with them making a living and continuing their NFL careers. I didn’t want that to be the case for me. I wasn’t going to let my position or my role on the team stop me from fighting or getting what I wanted.”
The NFL training camps will start in about a month, so we’re talking to them about getting their lives in order so they can concentrate on becoming outstanding NFL players. We talk to them about managing their lives, so they can properly prepare for a NFL training camp. That includes preparing their bodies and minds.
We’re talking to them about the importance of eating a nutritional diet throughout the season and in the off season. We talk to them about how important it is to eat properly and how it could affect their energy levels.
We bring in CPA’s and money managers to talk to them about creating a budget in their first season and managing their money. Many of these youngsters are the first person in their families to have received a check for hundred of thousands and even million of dollars.
We talk to them about how that money can and will change their relationship with their families and friends. We talk to them about properly managing their relationships with their friends, families and females. They could let the money be a blessing to themselves and their families or it could end up destroying their relationships.
We talk to them about performance enhancing drugs, what they are and why they must avoid them. We talk to them about how and why to avoid illegal drugs like marijuana, cocaine, heroin and others. We’ve had some interesting discussions about marijuana since it’s legal in some states, but it’s still banned in the NFL.
We bring representatives of MADD, mothers against drunk driving and let them talk about the problems with drinking and driving. Former Eagles wide receiver Donte Stallworth, who killed a man while driving under the influence, is speaking at this year’s sessions.
Former Eagles wide receiver, ESPN football analyst and NFL Hall of Famer Cris Carter spoke last night and recounted the mistakes he made as an Eagle. He then talked about how the light came on as a Minnesota Viking, which caused him to take his game to another level, so he could become a Hall of Famer.
Another Hall of Famer, cornerback Aeneas Williams spoke about how he leaned on mentors to develop his game. He approached to former Chargers Pro Bowl cornerback Gil Byrd and asked him to show him how to take his game to another level. Williams also talked to them about avoiding problems off the field.
Oakland Raiders General Manager Reggie McKenzie talked to the group about what it takes to be a professional. He touched on being on time, being prepared, putting in the extra work, being focused and being inspired to pursue greatness.
Today we went to the Hall of Fame to give the youngsters a chance to learn the history of the game of football.
Thats awesome G a lot of these guys come from poor families and when they receive this money they blow it fast….Im glad there are programs to help these men be successful not only in football but just life period
I wonder if these ” CPA’s and money managers” go thru any type of a vetting process, to make sure they really have the individuals best interest in mind…When you have never had money you really education first then advice
Sounds good G-Man… All these young Athletes need some Exposure and Education in all matters pertaining to Financing,Budgeting,Contracts, Preparation, learning about all the Off-The Field Organizations and Responsibilities that Players and Teams get involved in..
My Suggestion to any Rookie Player is to get an Apartment that’s close to your Training Center (NovaCare for Eagles Players) perhaps get a Roommate, if your Single, since you will be spending most of your waking hours either at Practice, the Training Facility or at Team Functions that getting some big fancy Place that you will hardly see is probably a waste of $$$… I also Suggest staying away from a fancy, expensive Car right away.. Get something reliable and inconspicuous to take you back and forth to your Practice, Workout .. Once you become established (Usually Year 3) and get to your 2nd Contract or an extension with more $$$$, then you can splurg a little bit.. The first 2 Years for New Players should be focused on working on your Craft to be the best Player you can be.. This will take time, hours of study, film watch, meetings, extra work with Coach’s or learning under Veteran Players.. Give back to your Community that your Playing for as well as your hometown Community and it doesn’t have to a big, financial commitment but something that can help the Kids who look up to Professional Athletes, Fix or upgrade some Parks or a Schools Facilities, Clothing, Toy Packages for the needy around the Holidays..
Herm Edwards rule of 1: 1 piece of jewelry, 1 car, 1 house, 1 girl friend and nothing good happens at 1 in the morning…
This just reinforces the head coaches philosophy that culture breeds character .Surrounding these young potential millionaires ,with solid role models is the best example of building from within.Minimize the distractions and helping these athletes plan for their financial futures is an invaluable tool.Its obvious Chip,is micro managing every aspect of his locker room..I ,like everyone else ,hope they aren’t just good kids with there heads on straight ,but talented ..
Desert, this was a league function that they do every year…don’t be surprised to see at least three of theses guys get busted for something stupid in the next month!
This isht is wack..Man we need something to argue/debate about….
LOL..
Put up something controversial G
A good article about mike Vick making a return to philly would work!
Too funny Gotta Luv It….where is the controversy….I need to be called a lemming or my day just won’t start right.
Hac I’m aware of the fact it’s a league function..what I’m saying is ,that surrounding these young puppies ,new Eagles ,with good high character guys (culture) ,as mentors.compliments this..
Agreed…chip drafts smart, good guys…I think the eagles have the highest percentage of graduates..
Great, now if we can have the highest percentage of wins in the post season in a single season!
That certainly is the plan