“The journey through adversity is inevitable if you’re striving for improvement. If things are progressing smoothly, where’s the need for self examination and growth? Why would we stop and evaluate if we were successful, always reaching the outcomes we have set our sights on?” -Tony Dungy

My life as an athlete is all about adversity and perseverance, and it is the driving force underneath the jersey and helmet of number 86 for the edmonton eskimos! It took me a very long time to learn, what i feel is my role, here on this planet we call earth. I think its important everyone must find what it is their called here to do. in 2007 i kinda had a plan, but it was not clear until i decided to give my life to christ who strengthens me, test me, scares me, pushes me and rewards me (just to list a few things). My calling for football and sports training has made me respect His (God) power of change which ive experienced many many times in my 5 year career as a professional athlete.

Im a big believer in the sayin, “it is better to be a sponge in life, than a rock”, and from a very young age i was taught to absorb info, whether it be by lesson plan or example. It helped me make it to this point in my life today. i was a young man always caught in the little brother mode (two older brother Ty and Titan), trying to imitate all they did unless i saw it get them in trouble. What i did not know at the time is that the life lessons i learned as a youth, those lessons would be my weapon against adversities while creating a game plan of prosperity and perseverance…

There’s also an expression that states, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” and I believe im the living testament to that quote. Cut by every team ive played for in the nfl and only once have i questioned myself as a wide receiver. Knowing all that goes on within an NFL franchise i either had to have been very resourceful or very blessed to of been given that OPPORTUNITY. It was something i had dreamed about since the 3rd grade when i first laced up my football cleats. My most memorable story was my first day out for tackle football (i wanna tell this story then get back to my mission of what it takes). My very first team was the Seaside Raiders and i was all of 5′1, maybe 90lbs, give or take. The other kids were huge and we even had a few of the cities future bullies on the squad so it was already intimidating enough. We’re in full pads on the first day and we had a hittin drill called oklahoma drill (a drill where one player has the ball and they both lay on their backs, feet on opposite end. one is the tackling dummy and the other the defender)… and guess what they decide to make me, me being the flashy dude i am (yup even at 12 i was turnt all the way up… yeee) i had no idea about how to hit i had just come off a flag football season where if they tackled me we’d probably end up fighting. And my first test was against my friend, Tony Alexander, who in the 6th grade to us in the 5th we felt like he was all of 6′0 and known for his free safety ronnie lott type hits. To make a long story short, he rung my bell from here to japan and back and i looked at my dad who was there and told him, “dad theres no way im ready for this, i need to play flag again i think”, and he said Mo if thats what u want then im ok with it. Dazed and confused, im like wait “are u saying its ok to quit?” he looked at me with a fierceness, that usually only follwed that was a whoopin, and he said “no chance, ill make sure your hear next yr, same place same time and quiting is not an option”. That was a small lesson for me and i realized id have to work hard with my talent to be just as good as the players ahead of me.

That next year, my first year ever playing tackle football we won the 94′ nat’l championship in vegas and i was not only the mvp but i had scored the only td in the championship game! The rest was history from there, i tasted blood for the game. i saw its highs and lows very quick and i used it as a tool and a weapon against my opponents”… Now back to my learning experience throughout the NFL… When i got to the League (as we like to call it), my self examination was that, i was ready for anything i just needed some fine tuning but definitely NFL caliber wide receiver, but to them i was a 5th round draft pick and a “bubble guy”.A term used by NFL player personnel that describes a player having a good chance if EVERYTHING goes right. This meaning i had to wait for an injury, or hope for a special team spot or hope the team decides to trust in you and sign another veteran wr or notable player from waivers around the league (which has happened to me 3 times and not one of those players are still around to catch passes today in any league). I didnt appreciate being looked at as the little brother again cuz these new athletes were of no relation to me, just speed bumps in my road to being like jerry rice. But as you can see it did not work out that way, and although im open for the opportunity to return to play against the best of the best, something i was called to do, im enjoying and very grateful for my opportunity to be an edmonton eskimo.

In 2007 i was headed to a place where i had never been, slightly recovering from a hamstring injury suffered while in minnesota, but freshly removed from the cleveland browns organization, by ways of air canada. Although, extra nervous i could feel it was the right thing to do, so i took the chance to seize the day and do what i wanted to do most, PLAY football. I have always had the goal of being in the NFL Hall of Fame, but never in my wildest dreams did i think being a member of the CFL would be a part of my journey towards that. I’ve studied some of todays great athletes as well as coaches up close and personal and spoke with some the most intricate minds in the league today. And from these people I have learned that everyone takes their own path. I have also seen what it takes to push myself to that level.

What i’ve learned is that knowledge is power! I want to pass on what ive learned and my testimony onto future athletes so they understand what it takes to win, not only on the field, but in life as well. In 2007, i became a licensed personal trainer. I plan to continue my education in the fields of kineseology, nutrition, sports fitness, strength & conditioning.

In 2008 i began in to develop what i believe is the ultimate training guide for the off-season athlete anywhere anytime. There will be news of this posted soon in the next up coming months… To be successful its important to know “proper preparation provides premium performance” the essence of performance FIVE (P5 training). Its no coincidence the best athletes have the most interesting and challenging workouts, so im here to show whomever wants to learn what it takes to be a top flight athlete!

“For he who regrets lack of opportunity often forgets that small doors, many times open into large rooms…” -Rubin Hurricane Carter

Stay tuned for my training guides and camps coming up soon…