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by Al-Hassan Sheriff 02-02-2012 11:58 PM
Athlete Weekly Rundown
Athlete Development
- Longevity is a very important goal for today’s athlete, and this article provides a few tips from several NFL players 34 or older. [NFL’s Fountain of Youth]
- For any baseball players aspiring to make it to the pros, ESPN offers an article with some details of the advantages of playing college ball over being drafted immediately after high school. [The Benefits of Choosing College Over Pros]
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Each year, many overlooked high school football players head to
Nike Football SPARQ Combines around the U.S. hoping to improve their regional and national buzz. For Miami Class of 2012 DE Dwayne Hoilett, the experience was a major benefit. “Without those camps, I would be a lot more underrated than I am,” Hoilett says. “I’d be good for my area, but I wouldn’t have the state or national recognition. I wouldn’t have had as many offers.” [
Players Use Camps to Earn Scholarships]
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In an ESPN article, several NFL pros were asked to reflect on their senior seasons in high school. Cleveland Browns TE Ben Watson’s advice about the recruiting process stood out. “I think the greatest advice would be to be really proactive in the process. It's hard to speak up and ask the tough questions that you want answered when a smooth coach is recruiting you or some older guys on the team are showing you around, but it's really about you and how you feel about the school and the program. Have a firm set of priorities and don't waver from them just because you are impressed by a visit or a call. Never forget that it's about you and your decision in this important stage of life.” [
Senior Season: Insights From Proven Pros]
Business
- If you and your family had to meet with several agents to determine who is going to represent you, how would you choose? What questions would you ask? If you have never thought about it or are stuck, prominent NFL agent Jack Bechta offers some topics to consider when interviewing a player agent. [Inside the Player-Agent Interviews]
Human Relations
- In a matter of a year, senior DB Jenoris Jenkins went from a projected first round pick at Florida to a member of Division II North Alabama after being kicked off the team for a series of drug arrests. “It humbled me down a lot, seeing that I went from Florida, a Nike school getting three or four pairs of cleats a year, to going to a Division II football school where I’m getting just one pair of cleats. It really humbled me as a kid. The environment was totally different as far as 95,000-plus in the Swamp to 3,500 at North Alabama. It was a big difference.” [Ex-Florida DB Trying To Impress at Senior Bowl]
- After 11 seasons in the NFL, DT Chris Hoke has decided to retire following a neck injury early in the season. When asked what caused him to retire instead of attempting to return for another season, he responded that risking his health would be “irresponsible” and “would be doing my family a disservice.” However, Hoke mentioned that his decision wasn’t such an easy one. “I’m in a great organization, I’m playing for great coaches, I’ve got great teammates. I didn’t want to give that up. To me it was more than just going and chasing the almighty dollar. It was about my family and my way of life.” [Steelers NT Hoke Ready To Embrace Retirement]
- Imagine being a freshman DB and hearing a snap after making a tackle. While laying down on the field unable to move and panicking you hear a familiar voice telling you to stay calm and telling you that you will pull through. For former Penn State player Adam Taliaferro, the voice he heard after sustaining a spinal cord injury was Joe Paterno, the former long-time coach who recently passed away at 85. ESPN’s Rick Reilly offers an interesting story of a bond between player and coach that went beyond the gridiron. [Reilly: Paterno's True Legacy]
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Kudos and best wishes to high school DE Addison Marshall, who battled a two-year battle with leukemia to play in the final game of his senior season. Marshall’s courage earned him the
2011 Inspirium Football Awards, which is awarded to young athletes who inspire their teammates, classmates, families and communities. He will head to Texas A&M this fall to major in physical therapy. [
Get Familiar with Inspirational Addison Marshall]
Published 02-02-2012 © 2024 Access Athletes, LLC
Keywords: 2011 Inspirium Football Awards, Adam Taliaferro, Addison Marshall, Ben Watson, Benefits of Playing College Baseball Over Pros, Chris Hoke, Dwayne Hoilett, Inside the Player-Agent Interviews, Jack Bechta, Jenoris Jenkins, Joe Paterno, NFL's Fountain of Youth, Nike Football SPARQ Combines, Rick Reilly
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by Al-Hassan Sheriff 01-02-2012 11:38 PM
Athlete Weekly Rundown
22858 Views
Athlete Development
- NFL rookie QB Cam Newton had lots of expectations coming into this season, as well as many critics who questioned his ability and work ethic to run an NFL offense. After setting several league records with the Carolina Panthers, Newton’s head coach and several teammates discuss the level of commitment the Rookie of the Year candidate displays on Sundays. [Work Habits, Once Questioned, Are a Key to Newton’s Success]
- Derrick Rose will never let a lucrative contract extension dampen his desire to improve his game. "“Knowing that nobody ever in my neighborhood ever saw that kind of money and knowing the background that I came from, the struggles that I went through, it’s just going to make me work harder. That’s the only thing that I thought about: I’m never satisfied. No matter how much money I have or whatever, I will never be satisfied as a player.” [Rose held firm by his Chicago roots]
- DeMarcus Cousins better start listening to Kurt Thomas' advice or he won't be in the League for long. Thomas told ESPN, "This is a business. You're not playing for just one team, you're playing for the 29 other teams. You've got to keep playing, keep your head. A lot of guys think it's all show. You've got to keep your head." [Cousins Must Grow Up -- On Another Team]
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by Al-Hassan Sheriff 12-26-2011 11:18 PM
Athlete Weekly Rundown
42202 Views
Athlete Development
- Former NFL TE Ben Utech won a Super Bowl as a member of the Indianapolis Colts, but he retired after suffering multiple concussions in six seasons. “Will I experience early-onset dementia in my 50s? Will I experience more issues with amnesia or headaches or behavioral changes? All of these things are consequences of brain injury. I think now that I'm aware of them -- especially now that I'm the father of three beautiful little girls -- it's definitely in my heart and on my mind. I'd be lying to you if I said it wasn't.” [Former Super Bowl Winner Suffering Memory Loss at 30]
- As a response to the Browns not testing QB Colt McCoy for a concussion he suffered during a game, the NFL has decided to hire an athletic trainer who specializes in brain injuries for each team. [NFL Adds Concussion-Specific Trainers for Games]
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More former pro athletes are speaking out about how concussions they sustained during their playing day have affected their lives. Former New York Jets wide receivers Al Toon and Wayne Chrebet recently shared their stories. [
Two Ex-Jets Have Moved On, but Concussion Effects Linger]
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by Al-Hassan Sheriff 11-13-2011 09:39 PM
Athlete Weekly Rundown
53985 Views
Athlete Development
- It appears more often than not that each year the potential No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft will be highly scrutinized. While Stanford QB Andrew Luck seems to be the favorite to be selected first on draft day, he has at least one tough critic: former Giants QB and Super Bowl XXI MVP Phil Simms. “I think the hype is a little too much,” Simms said. “I feel bad for him in that respect. I mean, [how's] he going to do to match what they say he can do? There's a lot to him…But the one thing I don't see, I just don't see big-time NFL throws. I don't care what anybody says. I've watched a lot of him. He never takes it and rips it in there…Hey, he can develop it but, even in the USC game, you know, he's very careful with it, guides it a lot. That's what I see.” [Phil Simms: Andrew Luck hype is ‘a little too much’]
- It’s no secret that many of today’s pro athletes, including the star athletes, are talented. Yet, one factor that appears to fuel their success at sports, and elsewhere, is a motivating factor or a source of inspiration. For Kentucky Forward Terrence Jones, his inspiration came from the role his aunt Ava Mashia played in his life. ESPN writer Dana O’Neil takes a look at how that relationship has helped him currently, and perhaps will help the sophomore lead a Wildcat squad with a talented freshman class back to the NCAA Final Four. [O'Neil: Mature Jones Focused on Taking Next Step at Kentucky]
- This LA Times article takes an in-depth look at why NFL rookie receivers are having so much success this season. The interesting part in particular is the input from a couple of Hall of Famers at the position. [For Rookies, It's So Much Better To Receive]
Business
- Imagine having to go to work with the feeling that your employers have little regard for your physical well-being. Well, that’s the scenario Bears RB Matt Forte paints with his comments regarding his current stalemate in contract negotiations: “The running back position is the most physically demanding on the field. Everyone acknowledges that. So to continue to give me the touches I've had since my rookie year but not award me a long-term contract sends the message that you're OK grinding me into a pulp.” [Matt Forte: Bears Are Grinding Me Into A Pulp]
- New York Times columnist William C. Rhoden feels that Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is “in the top two” at his position. And he may have a valid point: the signal caller has more Super Bowl wins and appearances than every starting QB in the NFL not named Tom Brady. Yet, Big Ben’s off-the-field issues have critics overlooking his success on the gridiron. A classic case of how your personal life can interfere with your work life. [Video: Credit Where It’s Due]
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by Al-Hassan Sheriff 10-30-2011 04:58 PM
Athlete Weekly Rundown
67785 Views
Athlete Development
- In the NCAA’s annual report of graduation rates over the last six years, student-athletes are earning their degrees at a higher rate than the overall student body at Division I universities. For any student-athletes interested in going pro, here’s some evidence that perhaps going through college first wouldn’t hurt. [NCAA: Six-Year Grad Rate at All-Time High]
- Ironically while student-athlete graduation rates are improving, a powerhouse may be penalized for its players underperforming academically. The defending national champion UConn Huskies may not be eligible for the 2013 NCAA Tournament due to its low Academic Progress Rate (APR). The program already has lost 2 scholarships as a result of their APR scores. [UConn Academics Could Jeopardize 2013 Tourney]
- While many speculated that injuries to players would increase due to the NFL lockout, one Pro-Bowler has publically made that claim. Redskins TE Chris Cooley, who was recently placed on injured reserve, alleges that the NFL’s no contact policy between players and team personnel during the lockout affected him. “I fe[e]l 100 percent that I'm a casualty for the season of the lockout,” Cooley said. “I think it was a shame that they didn't let players who had surgery spend time with the doctors and trainers they trust on daily basis, I wish I could've.” [Redskins TE Cooley Says He’s a Lockout Casualty]
Business
- In response to decades of countless scandals due to improper benefits, the NCAA approved several changes, including allowing conferences freedom to increase the amount and length of athletic scholarships and allocate an additional $2,000 of spending money per student-athlete. Many NCAA critics believe these rule changes were a much needed step in the right direction. “I think it needs to happen or else I think what's left of the system itself is going to implode,” said an Ohio University professor and past president of The Drake Group, an NCAA watchdog. “We've always lost the moral high ground by saying the educational model is what makes this thing go. I think we're delivering a model that can exploit kids while they're here.” [NCAA Approves Scholarship Changes]
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by Al-Hassan Sheriff 10-22-2011 01:30 PM
Athlete Weekly Rundown
71690 Views
Athlete Development
- Although college athletes getting suspended is hardly unusual, the reason these three LSU football players were suspended is an exception. CB's Tyrann Mathieu and Tharold Simon and RB Spencer Ware suspended after failing a drug test with synthetic cannabinoids in their system. The drug is a mixture of exotic herbs and plant materials that produces a high similar to the one produced when smoking marijuana. [Sources: LSU Players Had Positive Tests]
- It’s amazing how a minor detail in a trade (a physical) can be so vital in one’s life (and health). Fortunately for Detroit Lions RB Jerome Harrison, his failed physical to complete a trade to the Philadelphia Eagles allowed him to learn of his benign brain tumor. [Jerome Harrison’s Failed Physical Turned Up A Brain Tumor]
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by Al-Hassan Sheriff 10-05-2011 10:07 PM
Athlete Weekly Rundown
79197 Views
Athlete Development
- It’s tough for anyone to walk away from doing what they love, but even more so for an athlete. Yet, in many cases, it’s typically the best long-term decision they can make. I tip my hat off to Texas safety Nolan Brewster for making such a prudent choice. "It was probably the toughest decision I've had to make so far in my life, but I think at the end of the day, it's the right one," Brewster added. "It's difficult because I love football and playing for Texas, but I know in my heart this is the right thing to do. I just know I can't keep playing worrying about this continuing to get worse and knowing that I'm risking my long-term quality of life." [Texas' Nolan Brewster quits football]
- New York Times columnist William C. Rhoden offers a piercing critique of the NFL and the Philadelphia Eagles for allowing QB Michael Vick to start and play in last Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, a week after suffering a concussion in a tough, physical game. [Weighing The Risk With Vick]
- Eagles’ Pro-Bowl WR Desean Jackson has been involved a lengthy contract negotiation with his current team. Yet, he has made clear what his main goal this season is: to stay healthy. That way, e can prove he’s outplayed his current contract (he’s making $600,000 this season) if he’s injured. “Whether I have the ball in my hands or not, I feel like I already established myself in this league as one of the great receivers,” said Jackson. “I just gotta go out there and keep doing what I can do. Stay healthy is the biggest thing. As long as I can stay healthy, regardless of where I’m playing, I think I’ll be alright.” [Desean Jackson's First Priority: To Stay Healthy]
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by Al-Hassan Sheriff 09-27-2011 12:45 AM
Athlete Weekly Rundown
74595 Views
Athlete Development
- This article is full of lessons. But to me the biggest takeaway is you have to ask yourself why you are playing the game? What is your motivation? Love of the game? Money? Fame? Jason Wright was not getting enough satisfaction from playing in the NFL. In the article Wright, who spent seven seasons in the NFL, says, "That was the thing that was on my mind, the biggest hiccup. What's the motive behind me playing longer? What is it in there that draws me? So people would know my name? For me, it was superficial. For me and my family, and our belief in God, it wasn't a good enough motivation." [Jason Wright passes up NFL contract to attend business school]
- Getting sent down to the minors is always a tough pill for any baseball player to swallow. But given what Logan Morrison has been through after losing his father to cancer and his brother to a car accident, Logan is battling more than any 23-year-old should have to at his age to get back to playing for the Florida Marlins. I highly suggest you read this heart-wrenching Outside The Lines story by Amy K. Nelson. [Marked For Life]
- Injuries are a part of sports, especially in such an extremely physical sport like football. Yet, sustaining injuries from practicing too hard is not common. An investigative committee recommended that the University of Iowa football program abandon its intense workouts that resulted in 13 student-athletes being hospitalized. Prospective athletes looking at programs, please research their workouts, practices and training. Always factor your health and safety into which school you ultimately select. [Iowa Football Players' Injuries Blamed On Brutal Workouts By Report]
Business
- Far too often athletes make the news for lawsuits stemming from an altercation either they or a member of their entourage were engaged in. It’s quite rare to hear about an athlete suing others. Yet, Braylon Edwards aims to collect money he claims he lost in free agency after being falsely linked to a fight at a restaurant that he didn’t take participate in. [Braylon Edwards Sues Restaurant After Altercation]
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by Al-Hassan Sheriff 09-18-2011 11:21 PM
Athlete Weekly Rundown
24755 Views
Athlete Development
- Here’s an interesting article on Chicago White Sox pitcher Jake Peavy, who discussed his decision to not pitch the rest of this season in order to fully rehab from multiple injuries. This quote really stood out to me: “You find out what you’ve got maybe in a couple of these younger kids and I can start the rest to recovery and start what I look forward to being a good winter of work, just coming back next year and being hopefully a brand new man.” [Peavy: Multiple Reasons for Shutdown]
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by Al-Hassan Sheriff 09-11-2011 11:53 PM
Athlete Weekly Rundown
29459 Views
Athlete Development
- There’s so much hype, expectations and money thrown at today’s elite athletes—especially for a No. 1 overall selection. While there are countless stories of folks shrinking under such enormous pressure, Washington Wizards star guard John Wall is taking the road less traveled by embracing the lofty expectations placed upon him. [John Wall Wants To Prove He's A Franchise Star]
- Many times, the saying “Birds of a feather flock together” could apply to almost anything but sports and/or education. Yet, the Associated Press recently reports a trend occurring with student athletes at BCS institutions “clustering” or choosing the same majors. With networking and building connections a major part of sports and career advancement, today’s athlete should take note of this development. [At BCS Schools, Players Tend To Pursue Same Major]
- Imagine being the most recognizable and arguably best athlete in your sport, one of the youngest team captains and already a world champion. If you were injured and needed extra time to heal, would you take it, or would try to play through it while knowingly putting yourself at a greater long-term health risk? Well, these are some of the factors Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby must weigh in deciding to return from a concussion that kept him out most of the 2010-11 NHL season. [Crosby Says His Concussion Symptoms Continue]
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