How can you mess up an opportunity to play in the NFL?
I have been a die hard football fan since the age of 5. I played pee-wee football all the way to high school. If I was not injured my Senior year of high school, who knows how far I could have made it. But this is not about me, this is about the young kids trying to make it in the NFL.
There are Kids that grow up in bad areas, kids that may have been spoon fed, and kids that might not have had a family all collide to bring us a sport we love.
The one thing everyone of those have in common is “They Made It”.
All those tough times in the neighborhood, for all the dead “homies” that were lost, for the parents that disowned you as a child, it’s all over.
The worst paycheck you can receive in the NFL is 6000 dollars a week, and that is a practice squad player. If you are on a roster you are likely landing 15,000 to 18,000 a week. What a blessing, Right?
Well, that is not always the case. We have players that get a little bit of money, and all the sudden they want to go to the club, or buy new Jordans, or buy new sports cars.
Their lives immediately change, they are no longer “Josh” from Blankitty Blank High School, now they are the Stars of the City.
Everyone knows who you are, everyone knows your salary because it is posted on the internet, and television. Everyone loves you, but what people forget is the same people ENVY you.
People are ungrateful, they want your money, they want your fame and they want your luxuries. Girls will lie, people will die (to be your situation) and people will hurt you. At the end of the day, you have it all, the Girls, the Money, the Cars and the Fame, but for some reason you lose one thing, YOUR BRAIN.
I have dealt with players over the years and have been friends on Facebook and Social media accounts for ever with some players. I can tell without knowing the person who is good or bad for you, How can YOU not see it?
Not everyone is in your best interest in life, but you are no longer a child. You will be held accountable for your actions, so think before you act. Whether it is leaving the club drunk, smoking a blunt, or engaging in an argument with Clowns. Remember everyone is not your friend, many would much rather watch you sink than swim.
You have one shot to make a name for yourself and your family. You can get them out of the situation you once lived. You can put them in a nice house, move them out the projects, or even help them with some Bills. You are finally a blessing, because you have a God Given talent. Don’t let your talent go to waste, because at the end of the day, you will not help your family if you end up in the same situation you started in.
There is always someone with talent waiting for you to mess up. People are expendable, and especially in this business. Be Smart, Don’t be a Dummy.
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com