Program focuses on turning champions into heroes
Consider the bedroom walls of young people? And, the millions of dollars spent on sports and sports memorabilia? We place great VALUE on these teams and these athletes. Many Americans young and old want to emulate them, dream about their success, and admire their accomplishments.
Serving as role models, such high-profile personalities often are expected to know and live life better than the rest of us. Yet, many live without a clear understanding of values much less how to live daily life governed by those values. Sports commentator James Brown says, “The definition of success and what it takes to be successful has been warped and twisted. High profile ‘role models’ are often looking for a guiding light themselves.”
So what happens to gifted athletes when life does not go as planned? When they get cut the day NFL rosters have to be down to 53? Or, after two years when they get told ‘we are going in a different direction, good luck to you’? What if no phone call is made in the first place to attend an NFL training camp? Or even worse, you are ‘washed up’ at 34?
Statistics reveal roughly 3% of all college football athletes will play at the professional level. 60% of NBA players and 78% of NFL players are broke within five years of leaving the game. Many report struggling with depression and relationship issues.
A recent Sports Illustrated and CBS News investigation found more than 200 college football players in the top 25 programs have been in trouble with the law. Many times the athlete’s trouble started in high school.
Just yesterday, the nation heard Ray Lewis, the flamboyant LB for the Baltimore Ravens, tell ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio a rise in crime will take place if the NFL lockout continues, “Do this research if we don’t have a season — watch how much evil, which we call crime — watch how much crime picks up if you take away our game.”
Dave Duerson, a former NFL safety, committed suicide a few weeks back. Family, financial, and physical woes contributed to his fatal decision. He is not alone. Beijing Olympic marathon gold medalist, Sammy Wanjiru took his life last week. Apparently, financial and domestic issues were thought to contribute to his choice as well.
In a separate issue of SI, Ryan Leaf, often referred to as the #1 biggest NFL draft bust, said, “You don’t want to say the money changes you, but it definitely does. I think getting drafted later would have been a benefit.”
One local non-profit is aiming to help change the path for such athletes. Champions2Heroes exists to provide the best mental training and mentoring for athletes to reach peak performance in all areas of life. David Dickerson, one of the founders of C2H, says he was motivated to start the program after seeing so many great athletes derail their careers and lives, “What kind of legacy do these athletes leave? Anyone with a God-given gift can win a championship, but few have the tools to become the kind of person with staying power of a genuine hero.”
Steve Foster, bull pen coach for the Kansas City Royals and former professional pitcher, knows firsthand how mentoring makes a difference. “Each of these mentors (in his life) engaged me with their eyes, their conversation and their hearts more than they cared about their agenda or ego. There is an absolute need for this.”
Abilene Head Football Coach Chris Thomsen says he focuses on real life with his athletes during their four years with him, “We talk to our guys when expectation doesn’t make reality. What do you do when it doesn’t work out the way you think? Have faith that God has a plan for your life and He has a very unique and specific plan just for you.”
Champions2Heroes is targeted for high school to professional level athletes. It’s a revolutionary program according to Dickerson, “We offer a ‘mental boot camp’ then match each athlete up with a mentor who will walk with them as they transition and deal with the tough and temping aspects of life.”
Mentors must qualify and commit to a one to two year relationship with an athlete. Dickerson and his staff will train the mentors and also provide a professional team should an athlete face more than what the mentor can deal with, “We are serious about rising up generations of athletes who our kids can proudly put up on their walls. We will teach them key mental strategies to make good choices and give them a ‘recovery system’ when they get off track.”
Future expansions to C2H include a track for entertainers, actors, and high level professionals.
Kip Watson
