To have “vision” in football is not to be able to physically see the field, as that’s a prerequisite for even being on the field. Good vision is to make better decisions based on a prediction based on the information you gather in real-time. Good players make plays because they can see more than just…
A Lesson in Urgency During the summer of 2013, my freshman year at the University of Arkansas, we had daily workouts with the team. We had to travel from the Quads, where we stayed, to the stadium (the old facility) and then to the weight room near where the new facility was being built. It…
The cost of being an elite player is significant. It requires considerable sacrifice, which some aren’t willing to make. It requires not some but all of your focus to be directed in one singular direction, constantly letting go of distractions to accomplish your goals. Going the Extra Mile: The Elite Mindset Elite players are eager…
Introduction: Protecting Your Brain for the Game and Beyond Experiencing a concussion in football is one of the worst injuries that can happen to you. Your mind and cognition, a precious tool made in the image of God, are not something to mess with. As football’s greatest critique, protecting the “dome” is the most important…
During a junior high football practice in October 2008, I remember taking it easy during just one play and Coach Patrick ripping into me. I thought I had made the tackle and allowed the ball carrier to continue running, but Coach wanted more effort than that. He screamed at the top of his lungs and…
Yesterday, I sat in my girlfriend’s best friend’s living room watching the Chiefs v. 49ers game. I’m a Cowboys fan at heart, but I’m slowly learning to love the Chiefs. It’s a painful process, but so is being a Cowboys fan. Pick your poison, I guess. In the middle of an otherwise normal NFL matchup,…
In April 2017, after attending the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, the New England Patriots selected me as an undrafted free agent. I spent the next four months learning from the greatest football coach ever. Here’s what I learned: I am the worst football player of all time. I’m worthless as a human being. I…
As an athlete, one of the most important lessons I wish I had learned earlier is how much nutrition impacts performance. Paying attention to what you eat can make a massive difference in your athletic development and success. Here are the three tips I wish I had known in high school to optimize performance on…
Life isn’t fair. Sometimes, the better player doesn’t get playing time. Sometimes, the coaches can’t see talent. Sometimes, you can’t see your own mistakes. There’s a plethora of reasons why you may not be seeing more playing time, but the fact is that you’re not getting the playing time you think you deserve. If you…
Winning a big game is what we play the game for. The big crowds, the tailgates, and the excitement at school after the games make all the strain and struggle during practice worth it. In the regular season, a big game can be the defining moment in your season. Winning could mean the start of…
