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a nice nfl/UF story
here's a young man that is spending hjs off season finishing up his degree after going to the draft after his junior year and is working at a mall shoe store to help pay for it
good for him
For most NFL players, the offseason goes something like this: Take a few weeks off after the season then begin training for voluntary workouts, OTAs and training camp. It's predictable and unexciting but it beats, say, working at the mall.
Unless you're Ravens safety Matt Elam, who just finished his rookie season and now works part time at the Finish Line in a Gainesville, Fla. mall. Elam, the team's first-round pick last April, signed a $6.7 million contract last summer so it's not like he's hurting for money. But this is about preparing for life after football.
“I just need to get retail knowledge,” he told BaltimoreRavens.com. “That's basically what I'm doing. I'm getting that knowledge for when it's time. ...
Everybody was surprised when I started," . "They were like, ‘Why? You got enough money.' But it's not about the money. It's just me building. I went to the store and I just talked to them and told them what my plan was. They were happy to hire me and they hired me two or three days later.”
good for him
For most NFL players, the offseason goes something like this: Take a few weeks off after the season then begin training for voluntary workouts, OTAs and training camp. It's predictable and unexciting but it beats, say, working at the mall.
Unless you're Ravens safety Matt Elam, who just finished his rookie season and now works part time at the Finish Line in a Gainesville, Fla. mall. Elam, the team's first-round pick last April, signed a $6.7 million contract last summer so it's not like he's hurting for money. But this is about preparing for life after football.
“I just need to get retail knowledge,” he told BaltimoreRavens.com. “That's basically what I'm doing. I'm getting that knowledge for when it's time. ...
Everybody was surprised when I started," . "They were like, ‘Why? You got enough money.' But it's not about the money. It's just me building. I went to the store and I just talked to them and told them what my plan was. They were happy to hire me and they hired me two or three days later.”
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Working at a shoe store . . . not so much. Sounds a little like a stunt.
http://www.amazon.com/big-bend/dp/1456453270
Part of the story has been cut out. The reason he is working in a shoe store/retail store is that he intends to buy one in the future. So he thought that would be the best way to learn the ins and outs of that kind of business.
http://www.amazon.com/big-bend/dp/1456453270
Good for him. This is something I can respect, for such a dirty player (don't even disagree Gata fans, he is a fantastic, and hard hitting safety but he was known as a "dirty" player who made hits after the whistle and took many a people out. No, I'm not complaining about when he torpeedo'd EJ, he did it in quite a few SEC games throughout his career) I'm impressed at his turnaround.
I hated him as a Gata, and as a Steelers fan I couldn't stand seeing him head to baltimore.
Needless to say, this is a great story and I would be very proud if he were an FSU alum. Good for him, many NFL players can and should learn from examples like this. What makes the story even better is that it's only his 2nd season.
Hats off to Elam.
South Florida Chapter Coordinator
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Are you effin serious?
Darnell Docket ring a bell?
Coach Bowden..."We play till the echo of the whistle?
GMAMFB dude. Even in trying to make a positive comment you can't resist an EXTREMELY HYPOCRITICAL dig at the Gators.
Did I ever say anything about the shoe landing on the other foot?
We've had our fair share of dirty guys, no questions about it. Elam was a nasty, dirty, hard hitting safety who had a nose for the ball. A terrific player, and made obvious by his draft position. I have a ton of respect for him given his recent financial endeavor. Dockett stomped on Grossmans hand, no question. Every school is going to have their fair share of dirty players, and/or plays. It just happens...
Nobody is as dirty as those stinkin' Canes though :wink
Did you read the rest of my post?
Go take a look at where I've made positive remarks about the Gators regarding basketball, Easley and even their talented young DB (VHIII) or where I gave props to Coach Boom for pulling a rabbit literally out of his hat on this years recruiting class.
Give me a break....
South Florida Chapter Coordinator
https://www.facebook.com/HOWSouthFloridaChapter
"Helping find peace for those who fought to defend it!" :USA
FREEDOM CAPTURED!
FSU Alumni GO NOLES!!! >>
>
2013 Hobie Outback