« Respect the Possession | Home | LeBron, Bosh, Wade »

Joe Ehrmann

By Courtney | March 4, 2010

When I first saw Joe Ehrman in person, it was in March of2007 in Atlantic City at the Tri State Camp Conference.  I had no idea that my entire life was about to change for the better.   He was the guest speaker, and before he was introduced to us, we watched a clip of his interview with Bryant Gumbel on HBO Real Sports.  I knew right then that this was a once in a lifetime chance.  This large husky, grey bearded, man limped to the podium with a cane.  I tried to picture the former first round draft pick of the NFL’s Baltimore Colts in his prime, but I couldn’t. He was now a Church pastor and volunteer football coach.  He began his speech to this large Professional Camp -audience by stating “You are all in a position of power. You all can change the world.  You have all of our children’s eyes and ears hanging on your each and every word in an environment that they choose to be in.”

I was now on the edge of my seat.  I already knew from the HBO clip that he had a positive only approach.  This was a man that was not afraid to challenge teenagers and all children to be better people.  He was inspiring.  He made me believe that we really can change the world.  I also was able to relate to him when he spoke of his late brother and how cancer had taken his brother’s life.  He was drafted by the NFL at the same time and instead of being happy, he was heart-broken.  I, myself, had recently lost my best friend and another close family friend who was only 12 years old in two separate tragedies.  I thought to myself, “I know heartache.”  But it was when he discussed his definition of a man and a woman where I knew my whole life could change for the better.

I was training athletes in a small private company that my former boss had started with me at the time, and I already had been following some of these philosophies at the time.  The more Joe spoke, the more I heard, “CHANGE THE WORLD COURTNEY, CHANGE THE WORLD…I can do it! I can be like Joe.  ”

Joe explained to us that he shows young men that it is okay to show emotion and that masculinity is not purely driven by power and sexual endeavors.  He discussed how he goes about teaching the game of life more than football.  His powerful words of wisdom are life-changing to any young man who has not been able to connect with others on an emotional level.   Joe discussed the relationships that young boys have with their fathers.   He repeatedly said that young men should and cannot be afraid to display signs of emotion to those that they love, and that creating this bond will help them become better men.  He spoke on an even higher level when discussing women telling tales about his “Big Undefeated” HS Football Team signing contracts assuring their proper treatment and respect toward women.  Also he said that women also must be judged based on inner beauty and how much one loves and is loved by their family and friends.  I knew he was right, and I also knew I had to do this.

Later on I went to see him speak in a private setting with a smaller crowd.  There he explained that he makes his players write their own “obituaries.”  I raised my hand and told him I could never do that with the children I work with, and he told me “age appropriate.”  I recently had my entire basketball camp close their eyes and imagine they are 75 years old.  I asked them what do their children, grandchildren, family and friends say about them. It was as Joe had advised, “age appropriate.”

By the time I left the conference in Atlantic City, I knew that my calling in life was to follow his philosophies, apply them in my own way, and become my own version of Joe Ehrman.

Fast Forward: It is 3 years later, and I live in Miami, run my own company that teaches “life skills” through sports, camps, birthday parties, and after school programs.  I read excerpts of Joe’s best-seller , “Season of Life” every week to remind myself that I can change the world one child at a time.   I am no longer afraid of my own emotions, and I focus on my relationships first and everything else second.  I owe this to two people.  First Dan Zenkel who is the reason I met Joe, and Joe himself, who I can say is arguably the best coach in the world!

Thank You Joe and Dan,

Forever Inspired,

Courtney

Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »

Comments