← Youth Inc. with Greg Olsen
Youth Inc. with Greg Olsen
Daniel Jones Interview , Working Out with Christian McCaffrey, and the Best Youth Sports Movies
00:19:34
Loading summary
Transcript31 lines
- [00:00]
A
I got to do the bracket. How has this bracket not been sent to me?
- [00:03]
B
We can show you it right now if you want.
- [00:05]
A
I'm doing the bracket right now. Pull it up. Youth sports in America are at a crossroads and I'm here to help lead the conversation forward. I'm Greg Olson. Each week we're sitting down with top athletes, coaches and more to talk about what's working, what's broken and what's next. Welcome to you think. What's up everybody? Welcome back to another episode here on you think. Super pumped for today's episode. Had a really cool moment this. This weekend my family and I break. We traveled all over the world. We went to London, we went to Rome. The idea was we were going to travel east, making our way to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the fanatics flag football classic that Kevin Burkhart and myself were going to be the broadcasting team on fox. You know, Tom Brady, Saquon, Barkley, Gronk. I mean, just stars after stars. The US Flag football team, they were incredible. So that was our original plan. Of course, things didn't exactly work out that way. The game got moved from Saudi Arabia to Los Angeles. So arrived in Los Angeles with my family, my wife and three kids. Jet lag, long flight from Rome. So we're up early Friday morning. So this is the day before the game. I get a text at 5:30 in the morning from Christian McCaffrey. And I had told him earlier in the week that I was going to be in LA and obviously a good friend and a close buddy of mine. And out of nowhere he says, hey, do your kids want to come work out with me? And like I'm thinking to myself, here's a guy that of anybody I've ever played with. Nobody takes their training more serious. And that's been from the day I met him as a rookie in the off season. He was always very wise beyond his years with how he prepared for every season. So of course just the dad in me said, absolutely, like if there was someone, I would want my kids to get a front row view into having the intention, you know, being intentional about their work. Organized, structured, disciplined. Like everything that goes into hard work and preparation, Christian would probably be at the top of the list. So we go meet him at Harvard Westlake High School. There's kids out there on a field day, there's an in and out truck, and there I am on the track with my three teenage kids, my two sons and my daughter. And out comes Christian. And after, you know, some hugs and catching up and saying, what's up? They had an opportunity to go through a two hour track conditioning, multiple different, you know, kind of modalities. And with Christian and his team of coaches. And I had the opportunity to just sit back. I didn't have to run the clinic. I didn't have to teach. I didn't have to give instruction and to see my children watch every move Christian made and to study all of his habits, from how he warmed up to how he talked to his coach, to how he fueled his body, just all the little details. It's an opportunity that just doesn't come very often. So it was just so cool. And I made sure the kids realized, like, when they got home, I said, I hope you realize how unique the last two hours that you got to spend. And there. There might not be a player in the NFL that I have more respect for, that I have not, you know, more appreciate, you know, appreciation of. Cherish our time together in Carolina. And even though I was always a lot older than him, he was actually one of the young guys that I actually looked up to in some ways, which is as weird as that sounds. He was a guy that just did everything at such a high level. His success is obviously followed, and it's not an accident. So the opportunity to have your kids see greatness up close in person, daily, consistency. I don't care about the workout. I don't care how fast they ran, how far they jumped. It was watching an elite performer, his work ethic, his consistency firsthand that I hope they carry with them into everything they do. So, Christian, appreciate you, man. What an opportunity you gave my three kids, and I'll always appreciate it. Daniel Jones is a guy who gets it. Toughness isn't just physical. Off the field, he's a big supporter of Mission 34, an organization fighting to break the stigma around mental health for young people and athletes. Their motto is a new type of tough, that asking for help is strength, not weakness. We sat down with Daniel to talk about his career and why this cause means so much to him. So you spoke in Charlotte this week about Mission 34 and why suicide prevention and mental health is so important to you. So what made this cause hit home? Like, what do you hope actually changes because of the work that you're doing with this?
- [04:35]
C
Yeah, I think the mission 34, you know, for me, you know, was started after the passing of my friend Sean Bonner to suicide. And after that, his family started Mission 34 in an effort to kind of raise awareness and get the word out about this issue and how to help and how to, you know, kind of change the. Change the stigma, change the mindset, change the perspective on a lot of these issues and effort to help people feel comfortable reaching out and to help people understand how to help. So, yeah, Sean was a good friend of mine. I went to high school with him at Charlotte School. Played sports, played a lot of basketball together, and. Yeah, so I guess that's why. That's why it hit so close to home.
- [05:23]
A
So you and I are both well aware in every locker room, there are the guys that step up when things are hard, when things are good. Like, they're the voices that everybody looks to and the faces that everybody turns to. So, like, who are those teammates? Like, who's helped you through those challenges? What's been the biggest lesson that young athletes should take from how they showed up for you?
- [05:43]
C
Yeah, I think being on a team, being on a football team, especially for me, is unique and special and that you're. There's so many different guys. There's guys from all different backgrounds. There's guys with some, you know, very different skill sets and experiences that kind of bring them together and the relationships and what you go through, I think you just form a unique bond and connection with so many guys. So there's been countless teammates who have helped me through, you know, gone through good times and then, you know, helped through some. Some tougher times. And, you know, I think especially about the quarterbacks I've played with and guys you shared that quarterback room with, I think that's a unique perspective of just knowing what it feels like to play the position, to have the ball in your hands, to be the one making the decisions. And, you know, with that comes, obviously, some great highs and, you know, great times, but also some not as good, where people are looking at you when things don't go as well. So, you know, quarterbacks I've played with and guys who've kind of been in that spot, you know, oftentimes I feel like their perspective and advice helps the most.
- [06:55]
A
You're released by the Giants. You had a moment that a lot of players fear. Most players. Players go through it. I was released. Like, it's kind of the reality of the league. But, like, what did that experience teach you about, you know, persistence? It's one thing to talk about it, it's another thing to actually display it. So, like, what would you tell a young athlete bouncing back when things don't necessarily go their way?
- [07:17]
C
Yeah, toughest part of my career was the time, you know, leaving New York, you know, and, you know, being cut and kind of having to find my way that way, and then into the off season where I was looking for an opportunity to compete, and so fortunate and, you know, so grateful to Chris Ballard, Shane Steich and the guys here who gave me an opportunity to play. But I think, you know, what you learn through that is, you know, and obviously it's a much used, you know, overused phrase, but I do think it's true. It's just. It's never as good or as bad as it seems. And I think when you're going through something, you have the. You always kind of. It gets amplified. It feels like it's, you know, you don't necessarily see where it's ending or where it goes from there, but kind of just trusting that, you know, you do the right things, you work hard and kind of keep some of that optimism, keep your work ethic, keep your discipline and drive, and, you know, it's not as bad as you think it is. It's never. And it's not as good when it's good either. So I think that, you know something, I mean, my dad would say that all the time. It's never as good, as bad as it seems. And I think that's. That's true in life, it's true in sports. And, you know, I think that was true for me at that time. It seems like, you know, your career's not. Your career's in a tough spot, it might not get better. Where am I going to go from here? And, you know, it's really not that bad. There's more opportunity and, yeah, just stick with it.
- [08:48]
A
All right, so give us an idea. Like, what did that feel like in real time? What was the first thing you did? What was your first move to try to just start moving forward?
- [08:58]
C
For me, it was like feeling like I was making progress, getting better and improving. That off season was taking a, you know, maybe a somewhat different approach to how I trained and things. I looked at that I wasn't doing as well on the field in the off season. You know, you're focusing on your body, getting physically stronger, faster, and then for a quarterback, you're working on your mechanics and things specific to throwing and, you know, your footwork and all that stuff. So I took, you know, a somewhat different approach to seeing where I could improve in all those aspects. And for me, you know, just kind of that sense, like, I'm making progress, I am seeing some improvement. I'm doing this better. Helped me, you know, just. Just kind of One distracted you a little bit from some of the other stuff, but also gives you a sense of, of optimism, accomplishment, like you're progressing towards where you eventually want to be.
- [09:53]
A
Give us a sense of just one habit. Like, what is one habit that youth athletes should work into their routines. Like something that's super important to you.
- [10:02]
C
You know, if you're serious about, you're serious about your sport, you're serious about what you're doing. I mean, not just sports, anything, but I think, you know, just the attitude that every single day you're working towards seeing if you can, you can improve and knowing that you have to improve every day is a chance to get ahead of who you're competing with, a chance to, you know, get a little bit closer to where you want to go and kind of having the mindset that literally every day I'm doing something that makes me feel like I'm getting closer to what I'm doing and I'm not missing a day. I'm not. There's not a day I'm, I'm. I'm not thinking about and working towards where I want to be.
- [10:42]
A
All right, man. Well, hey, you know, I've been a big fan of yours for a long time, all the way back to our days, back during the COVID off season, training together every single day, getting to know you, man. I'm so happy for all your success. And you're one of the guys that does it, right? So appreciate you taking a couple minutes with us here on Youthink. To learn more, visit Mission 34. All right, so now I've been doing this you think show now for going on and off for about four years. And I get a lot of people, they're like, who's doing this? Like, who's recording you? Who's producing this? Who's editing all those crazy hour long clips of you yelling at teenage boys playing football? So we figured now is the time to kind of take everybody to where the real talent at, you think lies. Our production team, Mikey, Reagan, the two guys that make this entire thing work. We are going to now bring them in front of the camera. We're going to do some Q and A, some new segments, and kind of take you into a different look behind the scenes here at you think. So, Reagan and Mikey, big day for you guys. Making your big debut here on you think.
- [11:46]
B
Yeah, this has been fun. Reagan and I have been together for four years working on your show. So it's about time we got some shine. We have some questions from the listeners that we're going to read to you though. All right, first question. The interview with Kirk Herbstreet hits very much home right now. Was written in by Eliza. US Sports AU is a necessary evil, but we wish there was something better. Curious what your thoughts are in a situation where a coach is very belittling to a girl's basketball player, but the coach in the program give them access to a league that's more competitive that they want to be a part of. She very much is like how Kirk Herb Fre described his son. She's in the garage at 6am Working out, dribbling. This is her dream. We want to support her, but we don't feel like getting crap from the coach is the way to go. How would you handle this?
- [12:30]
A
Yeah, I think it's a, it's certainly a difficult balance. I think as parents, all we want is to give the best possible opportunity to our children, especially when they display a love and a passion for pursuing something. We want to make sure we do everything in our power to make sure that pathway for them is open and clear and that they can pursue whatever it is. So I think so often what, what parents go through is, you know, do they sell a little bit of their soul now? Because there's something at the end of the rainbow and what I would say is it's not worth it. There are too many good teams, too many good coaches in today's day and age. Too much opportunity for you to ever allow someone to, to personally belittle you.
- [13:14]
C
Right.
- [13:14]
A
That doesn't mean they're not going to coach you. That doesn't mean they're not going to tell you when you're wrong. They're going to tell you when you're not performing up to your standards, like high level coaching and high level standards, which anyone who's ever seen any of my videos know I adopt. There's a fine line between that and also making sure the kids know you care about them and you love them. And that when I push you and challenge you and, and, and you know, get it, I'm doing it from a place of I see growth, I see opportunity and faith in you. Once it becomes overly personal, once it becomes that I believe you are beneath and you are only as valuable to me as how many points you can score or touchdowns you can score, that's where as a parent you have to say, hold on, I'm not sure that this is in the best interest of my son or daughter and you might have to start looking elsewhere. This question comes From Justin In Massachusetts I coach U11 box lacrosse. I want us to be competitive and put our best out there. But some kids who have played for five years just can't pick it up. We have small numbers, so these kids need to play. How can Justin as a coach get over the guilt of not playing some of the kids to very limited time? He wants to have a closer game, but he's not here just looking for wins. That's the million dollar question every youth coach lays in bed thinking about at night. And I guess the, this, the thing that I've kind of wrapped my head around and the way I've tried to frame as I've struggled with this over various times is you have to be very clear with yourself, the organization and the kids on the team. And obviously at that age, the families, the parents, what is the goal of this team? What, what level are we at? What is the level of expectation? What is the level of experience, talent? There's a, there is a team for everyone. There is very introductory type teams and there's more high level competitive teams where the goal is to win and go to tournaments and win championships and whatnot. So that's where a parent has to be very clear. Where, where am I on this path and where do I want to put my son or daughter? And then as a coach, did you sign up to teach a lower level introductory type of a team in a, in a church league or a recreation or a town? That's very different than if you signed up for a large club or a large travel organization that's taking kids to big tournaments elsewhere where there is an expectation of performance and an expectation of, you know, winning and losing. So I think if everyone understands and, and, and recognizes where they are, what are the goals and expectations of where they are, then we all can play by the same set of rules. And I can determine whether this is the team I want to coach. You can determine whether this is the team you want your son or daughter to be on. But we all don't have to agree, but at least we all are playing by the same rulebook. I think when I think I'm on a team different than you and we have different goals and expectations, that's where the conflict arises.
- [16:13]
B
Have you ever told a kid or a parent that maybe the sport isn't
- [16:16]
A
for them, not the sport? I believe that there is a level for every young athlete in every sport. Because right now there are so many levels to all of this. There is a team for everyone. And that's my biggest message to everyone. Just because it might not be the team you're on now doesn't mean there's not a team for you. And I think that's sometimes the hardest thing for, for parents to personally accept because everyone wants to be on the team. The good team. Everyone wants to be on the team that people know and they talk about and you recognize the uniform. But that doesn't mean that's the right team for your son or daughter. So there's an ego and a pride element to this to a lot of the adults and. But I think it's the biggest job of the parent is I don't think you should ever be the best player on your team and I don't think you should ever be the worst player on your team. Every parent's goal should be to find that environment where they could be developed and thrive, be pushed from the top. Be pushed from the bottom and feel with that, you know, and experience that team through that angle.
- [17:16]
B
Last question for the day. We are doing a bracket on the youth Inc. Socials this week. I know. March Madness. Everyone wants a bracket. Best youth sports movies we've got. We've got 16 ready to go. What's your favorite? We'll start there. What's your favorite sports movie? And is it a youth sports movie? I guess we'll decide the second part.
- [17:36]
A
All right, so I mean, like, off the top of my head, I was not prepped for this question. So this is just clear, just off the top of the cuff. Mighty Ducks is a classic. Little Giants is a classic. I'm a sucker for like the old, like more cheesy ones like Rookie of the Year and Little Big League. Like, those were like the movies. I remember when I was a kid in the baseball world. I got to do the bracket. How is this bracket not been sent to me?
- [17:59]
B
We can show you it right now if you want.
- [18:01]
A
I'm doing the bracket right now. Pull it up.
- [18:03]
B
All right.
- [18:04]
A
Oh, my God. Right out of the gate, the sandlot and Mighty Ducks. Oh, my God. How is that a 1 verse 16 team or 1 verse 8 or whatever the seeds are. That feels like a 1 verse 1 out of the gate. I'm gonna go the sandlot. Even though I said Mighty Ducks. I, I, I was not thinking. So I'm gonna go sandlot, Little Giants kicking and screaming, Space Jam, Friday Night Lights. Remember the Titans? That might be my favorite of all time. I didn't think of that before. Miracle Rudy. All right, so now I got miracle verse. Rudy. Rudy. I got. Remember the Titans over Friday Night Lights on the other side of the bracket. I've got Sandlot over Little Giants. I've got Space Jam over Kicking and screaming. And then to my. So what is that now? My Elite Eight final Four.
- [19:02]
B
Here you have Final Four.
- [19:03]
C
All right.
- [19:03]
B
Where's the Space Jam?
- [19:04]
A
Sandlot for sure. And then on the other side, I have Remember the Titans against Rudy. I'm going to go remember the Titans. And then I'm going to go sandlot as my all time favorite. Sandlot over. Remember the Titans. Top bracket, though.
- [19:22]
B
We'll see how everybody else feels. We're gonna put it to a vote,
- [19:25]
A
head over to our Instagram and vote in our youth sports movie Madness. Appreciate everyone listening. Catch you again next week here on YOU Think.