| Over the years I have seen and played with some of | | | | because I was an athlete. While on campus for my |
| the most talented athletes on the planet. I am talking | | | | recruiting visit, very few schools took time to seriously |
| about Hall of Fame players, and people with rare | | | | talk about my education. Most of the emphasis is on |
| God-given talent. Unfortunately, I have also seen some | | | | sports, and what I could do on the field at the school, |
| of these same people waste their talent and | | | | with little to no discussion about what I should prepare |
| opportunity because they either did not prepare | | | | to be off of the field while I am there. |
| themselves off the field, or they felt the rules did not | | | | When parents, teachers, and recruiters stop |
| apply to them. | | | | emphasizing the importance of school and an |
| One of the worst things that can happen to an athlete | | | | education, it leaves a major void in the person and |
| is for them to be treated differently because of their | | | | they are typically not ready for life during or after |
| talent. I went to high school in the suburbs of Detroit, | | | | sports. Too many players struggle because school |
| Michigan, and attended Detroit Country Day. I | | | | was something they did to play sports, not something |
| remember when I was getting recruited the | | | | they did to prepare them for life. |
| preferential treatment that I and other players would | | | | 80% of NFL players end their careers broke! Why? |
| receive in school. I remember getting pulled out of my | | | | Because they never learned the value of a dollar, and |
| history class to talk to the head coach of the | | | | thought that money will always be there. Even worse, |
| University of Colorado! It was great to be recruited, but | | | | many athletes don't know how to market themselves |
| the message that was given was that my football | | | | off of the field, because everything was given to them |
| career was more important than my education. | | | | on it. |
| Even the applications I received from various colleges | | | | If you are an athlete, or helping to develop one, please |
| were different from my peers. Many schools that | | | | push them just as hard off the field, as you support |
| required an essay, waived the requirement for me, | | | | them on it! |
