AW Presents: The ATHLETE Workshop (Football)
The first Athlete Workshop was held at Todd Beamer High School in Federal Way, Wash. on September 16th, 2023. The panel consisted of former professional athletes and coaches, who presented useful information in front of the Todd Beamer football team to give them insight on being a remarkable athlete.
“Like The Artist Workshop, The Athlete Workshop is designed to empower the entire athlete community sport by sport,” says founder, Shyan Selah. “Football is a culture and community within itself. We are here to create awareness and help grow the industry of football beyond the game itself.”
The first Athlete Workshop was held at Todd Beamer High School in Federal Way, Wash. on September 16th, 2023. The panel consisted of former professional athletes and coaches, who presented useful information in front of the Todd Beamer football team to give them insight on being a remarkable athlete.
Speed does not just mean being the quickest person on the field. Head Coach Rodney McCurry shared that it was much more than that.
“In High School football, you only get four years to develop into the player and man that you need to be to play at the next level,” said McCurry. You do not have time to be a late bloomer, if you don’t have the speed to grow and learn, you won’t make it to your full potential. You get what you give out of those four years.”
Darren “Grasshopper” Wilson shared some experiences in his career that represented the importance of speed from a different POV. With being a redhat for multiple organizations like the NFL and Pac 12, Wilson said speed is highly important to keep the game flowing smoothly. Not only the athletes, but the officials as well need to be giving it their all.
When it comes to recruiting, it is more than just being a good football player. Former Washington State University Coach, Mike Walker shared his personal experiences that would help any inspiring athlete. Walker shared with the group that recruiters are looking for multi-sport athletes. Being a multi-sport athlete shows that you have the ability to move around and grow at any position or adapt in any situation. Recruiters are looking for athletes who take their academics seriously, have a passion for the sport, commitment, and have a good personality.
Injury is something that comes with being an athlete. Some injuries are minor, and some are career ending. It is up to the athlete themselves to determine how they overcome those setbacks. Andre Jones, former CFL DB, shared with the group his wrist injury that caused him to retire at the early age of 32. Finding your own coping mechanism and having the right mindset helped him get through his injury. Coping with ways that will keep you busy, if you are faced with a career ending injury, was a piece of advice that Jones shared. Having the right mindset will go a long way when dealing with a sports injury, as well as remaining dedicated and reminding yourself of the love that you have for the game.
Your journey can start anywhere, whether that is right out of High School or years down the road. Being resourceful is one of the most important tools to have when trying to advance to the next level. The panel showed us that there’s more to being an athlete, and the Athlete Workshop was designed to bring those ideas to life. Make sure to visit our Athlete Workshop Schedule for upcoming workshops and events!
