hawkeye
August 7th, 2008, 09:24 PM
FORMER NFL QUARTERBACK STEVE McNAIR VISITS FOOTBALL PRACTICE AT UT MARTIN.
MARTIN, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee at Martin football team's Wednesday night practice started differently than most have since the open of camp Sunday afternoon. Today when Skyhawk head coach Jason Simpson huddled the team on the field at the start of practice he stepped back and introduced a special guest named Steve McNair, formerly of the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens. McNair shared a few words of wisdom with the team about what to focus on as they work through preseason camp, both on and off the field.
McNair was in town to see his nephews Jason and Julius McNair, who are both freshmen for the Skyhawks' football team this year. McNair stressed to the attentive Skyhawk team that the time in preseason camp is when you decide if you are going to win or lose games during the season. He shared personal stories from his college and NFL days about when he wanted to give up, but had to fight through the pain and injuries in order to be successful.
"It is the work you put in now that determines if you are ready to make that final play in the fourth quarter when it counts," said McNair.
McNair didn't spend the whole time talking football with the Skyhawks. He also added that the time spent in camp is about also growing closer with your teammates and developing the friendships that will last for a lifetime. He closed his remarks to the team by reminding them that while football is a big part of their college lives, it is not the most important job they have while at UT Martin. The most important job they have is to continue working on their education and finish with a degree in hand.
Simpson said of McNair's visit that, "it is always good for the guys on the team to see a guy like McNair in person and hear from him what it takes to be successful. Hopefully this will inspire our guys to keep working hard for the rest of camp and continue it as we get into the season."
MARTIN, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee at Martin football team's Wednesday night practice started differently than most have since the open of camp Sunday afternoon. Today when Skyhawk head coach Jason Simpson huddled the team on the field at the start of practice he stepped back and introduced a special guest named Steve McNair, formerly of the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens. McNair shared a few words of wisdom with the team about what to focus on as they work through preseason camp, both on and off the field.
McNair was in town to see his nephews Jason and Julius McNair, who are both freshmen for the Skyhawks' football team this year. McNair stressed to the attentive Skyhawk team that the time in preseason camp is when you decide if you are going to win or lose games during the season. He shared personal stories from his college and NFL days about when he wanted to give up, but had to fight through the pain and injuries in order to be successful.
"It is the work you put in now that determines if you are ready to make that final play in the fourth quarter when it counts," said McNair.
McNair didn't spend the whole time talking football with the Skyhawks. He also added that the time spent in camp is about also growing closer with your teammates and developing the friendships that will last for a lifetime. He closed his remarks to the team by reminding them that while football is a big part of their college lives, it is not the most important job they have while at UT Martin. The most important job they have is to continue working on their education and finish with a degree in hand.
Simpson said of McNair's visit that, "it is always good for the guys on the team to see a guy like McNair in person and hear from him what it takes to be successful. Hopefully this will inspire our guys to keep working hard for the rest of camp and continue it as we get into the season."