By LaMar Campbell
This past weekend, the 2014 NFL Prep 100 Series Presented by Under Armour and the National Guard made a stop in Atlanta to educate over 100 High School student-athletes and their parents on life skills components to go along with their already developing football attributes. With additional assistance from the NCAA and Gatorade along with former NFL players, the student-athletes were educated on developing themselves as proper citizens with guidance on how that transcends to their career and success on the gridiron.
The NFL Prep 100 Series is a one day seminar that emphasizes developing the “total athlete of tomorrow,” focusing not only on the talent of the student-athletes, but also on enhancing their personal development. Atlanta can be debated as the home of College Football with the arrival of the College Football Hall of Fame and numerous highly televised games such as the Chick-Fil-A kickoff game, Chick-Fil-A Bowl, SEC Championship game and the new NCAA playoffs slated to visit every 4 years. On top of the plethora of future NFL talent being recruited within state lines, Atlanta is not foreign to football camps and what the NFL Prep Series brings is a welcoming caveat to their football camp. They incorporate and educate parents on what to expect for their sons in the recruiting process, and on the importance of developing young men of character as they pursue their football aspirations.
In the morning session parents and student-athletes were welcomed to a series of informational breakout sessions led by NCAA representatives, NFL executives, current NFL players, and local collegiate players. The sessions focused on professional, character, football and leadership development. Latoya Shaw, mother of participant Aurthur Holmes says, “It has helped make me very aware of what I need to look for with him being an upcoming senior and looking forward to helping him land at the right school, so that he would be aware of the in and outs of being an NFL Player and understanding that value of an education.”
Standout Georgia Tech FS Isaiah Johnson, who heads into his senior campaign with his undergraduate degree in hand while working on his Masters said, “I didn’t have this opportunity as a high school player. I think that it is good that they can hear from some guys on the level of where they want to be. I think my story made them believe that it can happen.”
After the morning breakout sessions the student-athletes and parents loaded buses to the Falcons training facility in Flowery Branch to take part in some on-field instruction led by former NFL Players such as Jeff Blake and former Falcon Chris Draft. When asked about the importance of catching these young men at an early age, Atlanta Falcons Director of Player Development Kevin Winston remarked, “I think it’s imperative whenever you get a chance to impart information, wisdom and exposure to young individuals. It gives them a better chance to prepare for what’s ahead. It’s always a good mixture for success and roadmaps for these guys moving forward.”
The student-athletes were treated to some impromptu appearances by NFL players around the facility such as former Baltimore Ravens RB Jamal Lewis, who had an opportunity to impart some knowledge that helped him manage a 2000-yard NFL season, as well as current Atlanta Falcons tackle LaMar Holmes who had some encouraging and thought provoking words for the young men before the team drills began.
With this NFL Prep 100 Series, the NFL has taken on the responsibility that the brand stands for more than what is put out in television; it also consists of grooming the men that the players are off the field. Setting the tone and attitude of the event was very clear from the beginning of the program. “The numbers are clear. It is going to be very tough,” said 12-year NFL veteran Chris Draft. “1.1 million high-school players to 66,000 college players to 300 NFL players. And if they get their degree, they will play longer and get paid more. If you have committed to being more than football, then you’ll actually get paid more and leaving the game, you will actually transition better. What’s best for you as a man is actually what’s best for you as a football player.”
The NFL Prep series continues in Houston, Texas on March 22 and Miami, Florida on April 5. Follow @NFLPrep100 on Twitter for live updates.