This year’s NFL rookie symposium has garnered more attention this year due to the amount of ex-NFL athlete’s filing for bankruptcy or going flat broke during or after their playing careers.
I feel that the symposium is great for the players coming in. They get to learn and hear about mistakes that previous players had during their playing career on and off the field. Not saying that all of the stories and warnings will reach all of the rookies, but there will be a few that will take what they learn and utilize it while being a professional athlete. Former players such as Michael Irvin and Terrell Owens provided great information for the players as well as current players Adam “Pac Man” Jones and Michael Vick.
Talking to a bunch of 20 something year old millionaires may be like talking to a statue, but with them seeing Vick and Pac-Man share their stories it can hit home for them due to their not being a huge gap in age.
The resources are there for the players. Financial advisors, security, mentor’s, chaplains, and etc. Anything you can think of they have it to make them succeed the best way possible.
Logical thinking tends to go out of the window when someone has money, power, and fame. Idiots become idiots after they cash a few checks with a lot of zeros on the end. They lose the humility and work ethic that brought them to that point.
Michael Vick is the prime example of why the rookies should take notes at the symposium. Vick had it all, money, fame, status as an elite athlete, and it was all taken away from him due to foolish behavior. I won’t go into the dog fighting details, because it is a dead horse. The fact of the matter is that paying attention and listening at the symposium can save you from going rock bottom to realize you need to make a few changes.
Players like Michael Vick, Plaxico Burress, and Adam Jones are fortunate to receive another chance to play in the NFL after their mishaps off of the field. Former players such as Jamarcus Russell, Charles Rodgers, and Matt “Cocaine” Jones have had their fair share of issues off the field which led them to remain in the unemployment line.
It is hard to prepare for life in the NFL. Women, money, drugs, alcohol, entourages, ego, and lack of work ethic can derail a player from succeeding in the league. I just hope that the rookies take this serious and learn from the mistakes of others rather than making the same mistakes. I would hate to see the so-called next Calvin Johnson turn into the next Derwin Davis due to foolishness.
Take Notes Rooks! Listen to the Vets!
