There are a couple of ways to attack this, I think. On one level, at the most basic, you need to get good enough grades in order to pass your classes and remain eligible for sports. Its as simple as that: no grades, no play time. So that should be motivation right there. But on another level, coaches and teams really like it if the player has some brains on them. That raises the player's value any way you slice it because every sport has an element of intelligence which is more than a mere intangible. Now, you might argue that some topics like math might not be all that relevant to the types of intelligence needed for an athlete but I'd beg to differ. It is always there whenever you look at whether its about the velocity and torque of your shoulder motion for optimum arm strength, the angle that you need to cut to track down a ball carrier in the open field, or the weight and leverage necessary for a skilled lineman, the topic of math and physics is incredibly important.
John Riggins sat on the edge of his bed awkwardly, just feet away from his nephew Rigby. Rigby had been struggling in school, not because he was dumb, but because he was lazy. Skipping classes to hang with his friends, not completing homework, arriving late to school and even being extremely disruptive in class. Riggins had no wanted to have this talk, as he didn’t feel he was the appropriate figure for Rigby.. It should have been his father. He understood why his mother had asked him however. Rigby was the running back for the highschool team, and always looked up to John Riggins. They had even trained together on weekends when Rigby was young and Riggins was in college. Riggins looked at Rigby in the eyes and began on a stern note- immediately tears swelled into the young kids eyes. “Oh boy….. I never want to have fucking kids…” Riggins sighed
Oh man this one is right up my alley, someone who is trying to give him back to the community that I come from I often travel back to my area high school and colleges to talk to the young men and women trying to move on in sports. one of the most important things that I communicate to them is that working hard is an attitude and a way of life. getting up early to hit that morning workout session. going the extra mile there and cardio. getting the extra reps at practice. but it's not just there it's also in the classroom you have to exercise your brain which is one of the more important muscles. some of the best athletes are also extremely intelligent when it comes to the field. and there's one way to get out of your high school and to get that education for free is to play sports but you still have to have the grades. 1% or less of athletes will actually play at a level that will pay them so getting that free education is paramount for the future. and even if you do make it happen that education to save your money plan for the future in your retirement is just as important as something that I like to instill in the young men and women.
Asher Montain would sit down with the athlete and ask him to look at Asher's own career. Asher would point out the importance of having a backup plan. Yes, he went in the first round, but what would have happened if he got a career ending injury? Would would happen if he just couldn't understand a defensive scheme? If he was cut, what would happen? Asher would then point out that he was never worried about that, because he had a degree. He would point out that he right now has to start thinking about a life after football. He would talk about how if they wanted to have a career in the big leagues, athleticism might get him in the league but intelligence keeps him in the league -- especially if he wants to be a coach or something afterwards. He would end it with, "Remember: EVERYONE in the big leagues is big, strong, fast, or some combination. If you don't focus on your education, you'll never be smart enough to know how to intelligently stop the other side from shutting you down via gameplan."
Look kid, I'm gonna be real honest with you. Getting to this level is hard. Really hard. You don't just wake up and walk into superstardom. It takes an insane amount of effort. You've got to be on top of everything, at all times. You can't let anything slip. Can't show up late for class. Can't let those grades slip. Can't zone out when coach is talking to you. You've got to keep focused. Keep your eyes on the prize. You've got the physical ability, no doubt. But now you've got to show me the heart. The desire. There are a million athletes just like you out there right now. They all want the same thing. You've got to outwork them on every level. No off days. Can't let anything slip. Because if you do they'll be someone else ready and waiting to take your place. I guarantee it. You can either put in the work and become something more, or you can end up just another DeAndre Clown.
look i'm pretty sure you're a smart person and quite frankly you can do better than me. my ass went undrafted out of school. how was i supposed to know that bishop sycamore was not real? sure, i'm illiterate, and that's why i'm doing this instead of getting some fancy accounting job or something. do you want to a kicker? it's a miserable existence, and that's why you should absolutely not become a kicker like me. this is hell. i want you to find something else with your life so that you don't do something dumb like bank your entire life on being able to kick the ball and punt the ball. my legs feel like death. if anyone ever tackles me because i fucked up the kick i will be killed. no one invests in my protective equipment, my ribcage hurts to this very day. id rather be confined to sitting to the rest of my life. don't do this, stay in school and get good grades.