My Mentor, Uncle Charles

Hey Yardbarkers,

I wrote yesterday about the guys I study, but as I started thinking about who has had the greatest influence on me my uncle Charles stands out. He's a youth football coach in Florida and taught me everything as a youngster. The game is huge in my neighborhood. I remember the older guys always coming around telling stories about the game, what they did in high school and some of their standout moments. I gained a love for football during all of that, but it wasn't always that way. When I was 5 my uncle would take me outside and throw the football at my face. I couldn't really catch at that age so it would hit me in the face all the time and I'd start crying. But he wouldn't let me quit and kept going until I could catch it. Looking back, I credit him with making me a tough guy on the field and teaching me all the basics. You look at Derrick Brooks in that Super Bowl year and he had 5 or 6 interceptions for touchdowns that year. That's a pretty nice set of hands. My uncle taught me how to catch when I was little and I learned way back then that the football couldn't hurt me. He also taught me how to push myself to the limits and made me always believe in myself. Coach Charles. He's been coaching little league football for 22 years and for the same team I played for when I was 7. He's coached all the guys in my neighborhood and they all call him Coach Charles. He's still coaching me. I get a call or text from him after every game. I could finish with 10+ tackles, a sack and interception and he'll always point out what I could've done better. I'm my own toughest critic, but he adds a lot to the conversation and I listen to everything he has to say. I trust his knowledge and instincts. It's part of the pursuit of always getting better and I look forward to those calls after every game.

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• Rousey said December 12, 2008

  Behind every great player, there are always a lot of unsung heroes that helped them along the way. Great story.

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• croflash said December 13, 2008

  You deserve a lot more comments, your blog is fantastic. It goes beyond the usual stuff, standard and boring blog entries, your entries are well-thought and always worth reading. Keep up the great on and off the field.

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  • pudge50 replied December 13, 2008

    I agree. You let us know what is going on with you outside of football and what makes you a better players. Keep up the great work.
• astar5338 said December 17, 2008

  I agree that your uncle Charles is a great Mentor. He is my big brother and I must admit that he is the greatest, I sometimes wonder how he juggles everyday life, family, work, coaching, mentor, photography, and BIG BROTHER, man he walks in some very big shoes. Congratulations on your nuptials, I too was just recently married, and yes my big bother Charles gave me away at the alter, Charles senior wasn't able to be in atendance, may he rest in peace, but as usual my big brother came through for me again. I wish you the best of luck during the rest of the season, and I hope that you get selected to participate in the PRO Bowl. You are going to love Hawaii, I lived there for 5 years, by way of the military of course, but it was great, and I actually got a chance to attend a PRO Bowl while I was stationed in Hawaii.
  Tara Dixon-Holliday

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• KarenH said December 20, 2008

  I think your right Quell, about your uncle Charles. Just wanted to let u know that im a big fan of yours and even a bigger fan of your uncles.he has taught me alot about the game...He let me coach with him at a time in my life when i needed something different and it was the best experience. Your uncle really knows his shit and for that im not to bad myself...I LOVE THIS GAME(Football)

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