Passing on the knowledge, Part Two
In Part Two of "Passing on the Knowledge," Roscoe Nance talks with former NFL players as they share their wisdom and experience with members of the Sheridan Broadcasting Network 2002 Black College All-American football team at the "Skull Session" of the American Urban Radio Network's All-American Weekend in Atlanta.
ROSCOE NANCE
BCSP Writer
"You have to work twice as hard because the odds are against you," said Little, who was not drafted and was supposed to be too small to play in the NFL but became one of the linchpins of the Miami Dolphins' offensive line as they won back-to-back Super Bowls in the '70s. Little is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Greenwood, a stalwart defensive end on the Pittsburgh Steelers' "Steel Curtain" defense that won four Super Bowls, says he isn't sure how receptive the younger athletes are to what they are told. He and his colleagues can only hope that their presence and their advice will smooth the way for them in the NFL and in their lives after football.
Greenwood says he wishes he had been afforded the same type of advice when he went to the Steelers.
"It would have been an eye-opener for me," he says. "Going to Pittsburgh was a shock to me. I had little exposure to the NFL. Few athletes from Arkansas had played in the NFL, and I didn't know the ones who had."
Regardless of the All-Americans' receptiveness the former players are committed to returning for the Skull Session.
"I've said the only reason I won't come back is if I die," says Kenny Burroughs, a Texas Southern product who was an outstanding receiver for the old Houston Oilers franchise. "And if I die, I've told (former Jackson State and NFL linebacker, Robert) Brazile to bring my casket."
The former players are just that dedicated to help black college athletes succeed in the NFL, and more importantly in life.
"This was very helpful to me," said Tuskegee University All-American cornerback Drayton Florence, one of four black college players high on 2003 draft lists. "These guys are role models. Hearing what they had to say is great."
The All-American Weekend began as a banquet 29 years ago and has steadily expanded. The Skull Session has been part of the activities for the last eight years. In recent years it was expanded to include athletes from Atlanta high schools.
"To my way of thinking this is the most important part of the weekend," says AURN president Jerry Lopes. "We wanted to add a classroom component and create a way for the All-Americans to gain experience from these great players."
In addition to the Skull Session, other activities were a golf outing and welcoming reception and the SBN Sports Black College All-American Awards Banquet, which was the highlight of the weekend.
During the banquet, the All-American team was presented. Also, Grambling State was officially crowned the 2002 black college national champion, GSU sophomore quarterback Bruce Eugene received the Doug Williams Award as the top offensive player among black college players. Bethune-Cookman safety RaShean Mathis, also a top draft prospect, received the Mel Blount Award as the top defensive player and Doug Williams received the Eddie Robinson Award as Coach of the Year.
© 2003 Azeez Communications, Inc.