SETTING THE TONE

Like anything in life, repetitive situations can sometimes cause complacency and that is exactly what was going on during the third day of practice. It was weight room day at John F. Kennedy High School. As the winter workouts kicked into high gear, I couldn't help but notice a few players not giving it their all. It was clear that some were slacking off, maybe just being too comfortable or just not taking lifting weights seriously enough.

I had to step in and have some real talk with them. Drawing from my experiences working with top-tier athletes like Jamar Chase and Justin Jefferson at LSU, I shared stories of how these guys always brought their A-game to the weight room. I had to tell these guys that the work they put in behind the scenes was just as important as what they did on the field.

It was a wake-up call for some of the players. They realized that if they wanted to elevate their game, they had to put in the work, even when nobody was watching. This wasn't about just lifting weights; for me, it’s about building character, discipline, and a winning mentality.

I told them it is easy to be average and get average results, but the truly great ones go above and beyond. As the day came to a close, I could see a shift in the atmosphere. The energy in the weight room had picked up and the players I talked with knew I was there to help them become the best versions of themselves which is a win.