THE PRE-INTERNET SNEAKER GAME: Football Saved and Made My Life

"FOOTBALL is like Life; it requires Perseverance, Hard-Work, Sacrifice, Dedication and a Respect for Authority"

In 1972 I was introduced to the game of football. Living in a single parent household, early in my life I was left to find my way into manhood. Looking to give me an opportunity to be around boys my age and adult male figures outside of family, my mother elected to become Team Mother of the Greater Compton Pop Warner Football Organization; little did I know this move would shape, change and direct my life beyond my 5 year old imagination. Too young to participate as a player, I was the team mascot and was allowed to wear a uniform and participate in a supportive role for the players. This experience would plant the seed for my desire to compete in the game I loved. I had found my passion!

My first hero and source of inspiration was Vincent Wooten; three years older, a family friend, and a star of the Greater Compton Youth football team. Vincent would later go on to play at Verbum Dei, a Catholic high school in Watts, California. A running back like I would later become, Vincent played with an uncompromising and tenacious manner that I would later pattern my game after. I remember Vincent participating in running drills. Coach would send the team on a run around the perimeter of Dominguez High School in Compton and Vincent would always start slow, then at the last 200 meters or so he would take off passing the entire team and win the drill. It was a living example of the seldom used quote, "It is not how you start, but how you finish.” 

My Dream would start to materialize in 1976. I remember the moment like it was yesterday. My Mother and I were walking through Lynwood Park; I had no idea where we were headed. I soon came to realize I was signing up to play on my very first team. I was an official member of the Lynwood "Tiny Might" Sabres. It was on! This was the beginning of a life-long brotherhood met with respect. I am still connected with many members of the Sabres team as well as the other teams I would eventually participate on during my days of playing with the Lynwood Pop Warner Football organization. By general standards we were a stellar group with 17 of us from the high school graduating class of '84 and '85 earning Division I scholarships. As we reflect back on these early years of our football experience we recognize we played for the LOVE of GAME; as the impact of the game would instill Perseverance, Hard-Work, Sacrifice, Dedication and the Respect for Authority needed to make the successful transition from Boys to Men.

Today, the game and culture of American Football is not portrayed in the best light. Drowning in controversy surrounding CTE, the Concussion Crisis, Drugs: Recreational + Enhancing, Domestic + Sexual Violence, Deflation, and even Murder Trials. While there has been advancements in the uniforms, equipment, facilities, and schemes, there is still an abundance of room to grow as it relates to the culture and values surrounding the game. Football has a barbaric spirit running deep in testosterone and its violent past is creeping out the closet which in a positive sense should promote change. Some might view the changes as making the game soft, while I view it as making the game better. Even in the midst of headlining topics like, "Death Sentences" and "Savage Breeding Factories," my counter point is, Football Culture is no more violent or corrupt then society as a whole; and with the prevalence of social media these missteps are just amplified at a higher level today.

When you think of some of these unheard of acts happening in cities, fraternities, and other sports, I am quick to defend my game. I still love the game, and if given the opportunity to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing — even with the documented risks.

So How Did Football Save And Make My LIFE?

That little boy who started out as a mascot battled various insecurities, fears and obstacles that we all face in life. While football was my passion, a teacher, and my life; the game would later open up doors of opportunities and a mentality that would push me to persevere beyond the average citizen. In 1978 my mother moved us to the bedroom community of Alta Loma, California - a predominately white community adjacent to the city of Fontana, the once headquarters of the KKK for Southern California; I was in a new world. By no means am I eluding that Alta Loma is a racist city, but I will share that I had my struggles as one of only a few blacks in the schools I attended. During this time football served as a major bridge to my acceptance and helped build my confidence in a land of not many people who looked like me. Sports are simple; the best players play regardless of race, religion, or economic background; and if you have skills it gives you a badge of honor that comes with respect. So the early dream that became a realty when I got my opportunity to sign up and play with Lynwood Pop Warner provided me with the foundation to compete anywhere with anyone serving as a currency of sort.

Unfortunately, although I had a successful high school football career I did not receive any football scholarships. This would re-route me to JUCO (Junior College), and serve as one of my many disappointments and obstacles that I would overcome during my tenure on the gridiron. While my desire to go straight to a four-year university on football scholarship, I would later learn that JUCO was one of the best things that could happen to me. I went on to play at Fullerton College under the legendary Coach Hal Sherbeck, who was one of my greatest examples of a man who exuded good character and coached with a purposeful love. At one time Coach Sherbeck had a record of the most wins in JUCO Football History. Additionally, as I reflect back, JUCO is what I needed to prepare me mentally to take on the responsibilities and the maturity needed as a D1 athlete. Fortunately I landed at Fullerton College, one of the most successful JUCO football programs in the country. Having won numerous JUCO Football National Championships including the 2016 title, and a training ground for an abundance of successful head coaches; many former players have moved on to greater success - Jim Fassel, former head coach of the New York Giants, and Matt Logan, former national high school football coach of the year of the nationally recognized Corona Centennial High School. As the Fullerton motto says, "Once A Hornet, Always A Hornet," my blood and loyalty for my JUCO alma mater runs deep; much like my love and respect for my Lynwood Pop Warner football brothers.

December 1987 I would earn that scholarship. I was headed to become a Bobcat at Ohio University! While I had a successful football career at OU, my proudest accomplishment was becoming the first male member of my family to earn a college degree. I earned a BS in Environmental Health and served a short tenure as a health inspector after graduating. Quickly realizing pocket protectors and metal desks were not my dream environment, I returned back to OU for graduate school earning my Masters Degree in Sports Administration giving me a real opportunity to make my passion for football part of my career. Football served as the "Educational Carrot” that kept me engaged in my academic pursuit. Some may question the validity of sports as an educational motivator, but from myself and many of my teammates, sports was more than a game, it was a vital component that shaped our lives and allowed us the opportunity to learn and receive degrees, positioning us as citizens with something to contribute to society.

After completing my Masters I landed an interview with NIKE. I never knew anyone who worked for an athletic brand growing up, and was only made aware of the possibility when two former Ohio University teammates, Jason LaBeach and Chris Mobley landed gigs at The SWOOSH. I successfully landed a gig as an EKIN (technical representative) — and the new chapter in my life of sports was launched; I went from a player to a professional.

As shared in my last article, THE PRE-INTERNET SNEAKER GAME: Team Works, Brand Works, I transitioned from Product Management to Brand Management landing a coveted role on the NIKE BRANDING team. As a member of the LA Brand Management Team one of my assigned responsibilities was FOOTBALL! I went from inspecting restaurants to placing a stamp on the game I once only dreamed of playing.

From the outside football is a game of violence and corruption; but for most of us who love and lived the game, it is part of our foundation, a gate and guiding post that we use daily. The opportunities I have been afforded through football — creative, travel and impacting the Sneaker Industry is beyond words. From the friends I made, to the lessons learned, I am grateful for journey in the industry. I would not want to imagine my life without the pigskin; without it I would have never pushed myself to achieve academically or developed what I call the "SURANCE" to take on any challenge that life places upon me. So I salute the game, the fraternity of brothers I played with, and those that have run a similar path. I also give major thanks to all the coaches, teams mothers and volunteers who made my DREAM REAL!

FOOTBALL Was Not Just A Game to me but a LIFE COACH! I learned that life is one play at a time, one game at a time, and one season at time; and preparation is required to make that play, win that game, and to achieve that successful season as a team of brothers. 

My story, my journey, and my accomplishments throughout my life all connect back to my experience within the culture of Football.

Football Saved and Made My Life!