Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

Six NFL rookies will be following in the footsteps of their NFL dads this season. For two rookies this year, those footsteps, like five NFL father-son duos before them, can be traced all the way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Defensive end Chris Long, a first-round selection of the St. Louis Rams this year, and wide receiver Matthew Slater, a fifth-round choice of the New England Patriots, each boast fathers who have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame — defensive end Howie Long (Class of 2000) and tackle Jackie Slater (Class of 2001).

Four other rookies can join the NFL fathers-sons list this year: Minnesota safety Dominique Barber, son of former New York Jets running back Marion Jr. and brother of present Dallas running back Marion III; San Diego cornerback Antoine Cason, son of former Atlanta defensive back Wendell; Pittsburgh linebacker Bruce Davis, son of former Oakland and Houston offensive lineman Bruce; and Arizona running back Dionte Johnson, son of former New York Giants, Cleveland, Detroit and New York Jets linebacker Pepper.

There have been 158 father-son pairs and threesomes that have played in the NFL. The list includes such names as Dorsett (Tony and Anthony); Farr (Mel, Sr.; Mel, Jr.; and Mike); Hasselbeck (Don, Matt and Tim); Kramer (Jerry and Jordan); Klecko (Joe and Dan); Manning (Archie, Peyton and Eli); Matthews (Clay, Sr.; Clay, Jr.; and Bruce); Metcalf (Terry and Eric); Shula (Don, Dave and Mike); and Winslow (Kellen, Sr. and Kellen, Jr.).

Source: NFL Media, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Rookies Follow in Fathers’ Footsteps

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

Recently drafted players like Chiefs DT Glenn Dorsey, Jets DE Vernon Gholston, Rams DE Chris Long, Miami T Jake Long and Falcons QB Matt Ryan will learn the importance of personal brand management as part of the new NFL Player Brand University.

In its first year, the program will consist of two brand boot camp sessions designed to teach new players the fundamentals of brand development, by combining their on-field achievements with the community and business opportunities they pursue off-the-field. The sessions, which are mandatory for rookies and open to veterans, will be held at 19 NFL team facilities throughout May and June (beginning in Chicago tomorrow).

What a great idea. The program is part of an NFL Player Development initiative to assist players in taking a proactive approach to their career development by fully utilizing club and league resources to positively position themselves in their community. That means they have a small window of tremendous opportunity and they’d better take advantage of it. According to Michael Haynes, the NFL’s Vice President of Player and Employee Development:

“NFL Player Brand University is designed to help players develop and execute a brand strategy that will help them maximize their NFL experience and enjoy a successful career within and beyond the game. Our goal is to give every player who comes through the league the ability to fully leverage this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

While learning about brand management, players will work to develop their own Brand Action Plan to define their identity and image goals based on personal preferences and interests. Then players will work with team Player Development staff throughout the season to select opportunities that help them to achieve those objectives. They will be able to use the NFL Brand Playbook throughout their first season as a reference to making wise decisions as they adjust to their new surroundings. NFL Player Brand University’s curriculum will also be included at the Rookie Symposium next month.

Source: NFL Media, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Rookies to Take Part in Player Brand U