By Jim Gehman | Engagement Insider
Philadelphia’s all-time leader in total yards from scrimmage, you were clearly multi-dimensional during the eight seasons [2002-09] you were a running back for the Eagles.
And you’re still multi-dimensional as an analyst for the NBC Sports Network’s Pro Football Talk and Football Fantasy Live, Comcast Sportsnet Philly’s Eagles Pregame Live and Postgame Live shows, and 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia. What do you enjoy about broadcasting?
“It gives me the opportunity to talk about the game that I love, the game that I spent a majority of my life playing and being around. It also gives me the opportunity to explain some things to people that love the game just like I do. It allows them to get a little insight. I think people appreciate it because sometimes there’s a part of the game that they don’t understand.”
Is it sometimes difficult to offer constructive criticism to guys who are in the same shoes you were in not too long ago?
“It is. You have to be careful as far as you want to give clear, concise things. You don’t want to be biased. You want to maintain your credibility as an analyst. You want to be clear that this is what you see that’s good and these are the things you see that aren’t so good. You never really want to tiptoe around different things, but sometimes it’s a delicate situation when you’re talking about people that you know or guys that you played against in your career.”
Have you gotten any feedback from the players?
“I’ve talked with a few guys about it and the thing that I tell them is that I’m doing my job the same way they’re doing their job. And quite honestly, if this is the first time that they’ve heard constructive criticism, it’s actually a shame. I’m getting paid to watch tapes. Their coaches are getting paid to do the same thing. So they should be getting feedback way before I say it.”
You seem to be just as busy off the air with appearances, etc. How enjoyable is it to go out and meet with fans?
“It’s great. During your playing career, you’re so focused on playing and doing all the things that make you a good player, it’s good to slow things down just a bit after your career is over and be able to just spend time with people that have supported you.”
On your website (www.bwestbrook.com), you offer to autograph memorabilia with a portion of the proceeds to help fund the future Brian Westbrook Community Center. Where will it be and what are your goals for it?
“It’s going to be in Maryland, the area where I grew up. The goals are very simple. I want to make sure that the kids know the importance of school. We’re going to try to use sports just a bit to draw kids in, but I think the No. 1 thing is that I want them to get a great education.
“And whatever means you need to use to get them to that point, whether it’s sports, whether it’s music, whether it’s another type of vocation, I just want these kids to understand that no one is going to give them anything in this life. You have to go out there and earn it and take what’s yours. I think that we as professionals, we are role models, and we do have to take advantage of the opportunity that we have, this platform that we have, to speak to different types of kids and to adults, as well.”
It doesn’t stop there. You’re also giving back with Brian’s Blessings.
“I’ve been helped by so many people throughout my career, it’s important that I give back the same way that people gave to me. Brian’s Blessings is a charitable arm that we’re able to use to go out and help the people in the community. We go out and give backpacks for school. We think that some kids are getting bullied in school because of their hygiene, so we give out personal care products.
“We also think that it’s important for families to be together for the holidays. So for Thanksgiving and Christmas, we give out food. And at Christmas we also give out presents to underprivileged families. If we can help by giving a present to a kid that wouldn’t normally get a present, I think that’s meaningful.
“The biggest thing really for Brian’s Blessings is not really to show people what I’m doing. The only reason that we actually even publicize any of that is so people can see it and maybe one or two or three or ten people will say, ‘I want to do something similar to that in my hometown. I want to help somebody out.’”