by Al-Hassan Sheriff 01-02-2012 11:38 PM
Athlete Weekly Rundown
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]
Business
- One things that each of us must remember, pro athletes included, is that we must be proactive in settling debts or they will come back to haunt us. Cowboys WR Dez Bryant is being sued by a financial company in New York for failing to pay back $50,000 of a $100,000 loan. [Report: N.Y. Company Pursuing Dez Bryant for Unpaid Loan]
Human Relations
- As important as pursuing our dreams are, it's always healthy to keep things in perspective about what’s most important to us. For Tennessee WR DeAnthony Arnett, his family is top priority. The first-year starter requested a release to play for a college program closer to his father who has been seriously ill. “I want to play football but I NEED to be here for my Dad and with my family,” Arnett told ESPN in an e-mail. [DeAnthony Arnett of Tennessee Volunteers Seeks Transfer to be Near Family]
- Sixers point guard Lou Williams recently avoided a potentially dangerous situation without even knowing it. The NBA star was approached by a gunman who planned to rob him but suddenly had a change of heart. Why? According to Williams, “A guy tried to rob me but decided not to because of whatever I do in the community. He's a Lou Williams fan so he didn't rob me.” [Gunman Balks at Robbing NBA Star]
- Nets forward Dennis Horner’s journey to the NBA is one that could certainly be a feel-good movie. Yet, while the 23-year-old was fortunate by “being in the right places at the right time,” he also has made the most of his opportunity by displaying a strong work ethic and discipline. [For Nets Forward Horner, Longshot NBA Dream Comes True]
Published 01-02-2012 © 2025 Access Athletes, LLC
Keywords: Cam Newton's Work Habits, Carolina Panthers, DeAnthony Arnett Seeks Transfer to be Near Family, DeMarcus Cousins, Dennis Horner, Derrick Rose, Dez Bryant's Unpaid Loan, Gunman Balks at Robbing Lou Williams, Kurt Thomas, Lou Williams, New Jersey Nets, NFL Rookie of the Year Candidate, Tennessee Volunteers
by Al-Hassan Sheriff 11-13-2011 09:39 PM
Athlete Weekly Rundown
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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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