The Playbook with Colin Jonov
Formerly The Athletic Fortitude Show.... Colin Jonov’s Athletic Fortitude Show has rebranded to The Playbook with Colin Jonov, evolving from a sports-centric podcast to a universal guide for mastering life’s challenges. While retaining its foundation in mindset and performance excellence, the show now expands its scope to empower everyone—athletes, entrepreneurs, professionals, and beyond—to live life to its fullest potential
The Playbook with Colin Jonov
Cal Adomitis- NFL Long Snapper On Faith & Resilience
Cal Adomitis shares an intimate look at NFL life through the eyes of a long snapper, revealing how faith and mental discipline guide his approach to football and life.
• Joe Burrow operates on a different wavelength, showing laser focus even among professional athletes
• Leaders who live their faith authentically, like Cal's high school coach, leave lasting impressions that shape character
• Getting cut from the NFL requires resilience and maintaining established routines rather than reinventing yourself
• The system and coaching style you find yourself in dramatically impacts your success as a professional athlete
• The Damar Hamlin incident revealed the human side of football and the critical leadership shown by Zac Taylor
• Mental techniques including box breathing, anchoring words, and the mantra "No extra Cal" help manage high-pressure situations
• Striving for excellence rather than perfection creates better performance outcomes
• Having two conflicting thoughts simultaneously—believing you're the best while acknowledging room for growth—is essential for athletes
• The NFL season feels like "Groundhog Day," testing players' mental endurance over 18 grueling weeks
• Professional football locker rooms contain many virtuous men whose stories rarely make headlines
If you're trying to make it to the NFL, remember: believe in yourself first—nobody else will believe in you until you truly believe in yourself.
what's he like, joe Burrow? Oh, cause dude watching him on the quarterback series. Yeah, like he gives me very much. Like he has like certain personality traits that you see in like super successful people. Yeah, like he just seems like laser focused.
Speaker 2:he seems a little goofy, but like it does not surprise me that he is a successful NFL quarterback yeah, uh, I mean honestly, like I can't say that I'm like, I'm not like boys with him or anything. You know, um, he kind of has a bit of a different like schedule than I do day to day in the building or I guess had a bit of a different schedule. But, yeah, I mean always good leader, like a good, yeah, good, respectful teammate, good guy you could count on. Definitely. You know, I think your assessment feels pretty accurate to kind of my experience, feels pretty accurate to kind of my experience.
Speaker 2:Just a very, yeah, very high level athlete, very high level brain, just ultra, ultra focused. I definitely, yeah, I respect, have immense respect for, like, how he goes about his business. Um, it is different man Like I I don't know exactly how to describe it, but I do think a lot of athletes of that tier have a like a different wavelength, um, just a different level of mental focus they can tap into. Um, not saying that I am not good at focusing or whatever like I, I've felt for it though yeah, exactly, and it's.
Speaker 2:It's interesting to see guys who, even amongst pro athletes, kind of stand there's levels to it exactly which is kind of wild to see, like even at the nfl level, because in college, you know, having a successful career at Pitt, I would have thought that I was one of the guys who was ultra-focused, borderline obsessive on my job. And then you get into an NFL locker room and that becomes the standard, and then even among that there's guys who are just a little bit above the rest in terms of their ability to just be totally bought into what they're doing, into their job, into preparing, and to not lose or at least from outside how it looks from the outside to not lose any steam as you're going about an 18-week season Because that's another factor too is just how long the season is and to sustain the level of focus that guys like that sustain through 18 weeks of regular season, not even talking about playoffs. Yet it's unique for sure. Who's the best leader you've been around.
Speaker 2:The best leader I've been around, well, my. My brain honestly jumps to two people, um, and one is just because I'm. He is a great leader and he I very much appreciated the way that he led our team but was was Kenny at Pitt. Um, I think the way that he went about obviously being kind of like the face of our program, but then also was a weight room guy, a tough guy, no matter what any media person tries to say.
Speaker 1:That's what I said. This is a pro Kenny podcast. I had Carlos Sofco on here and we talked about Kenny and I said the same thing. I was like Kenny is one of the best leaders I've been around and he was the first person that I met that actually made me believe in, like the it factor. Yeah, like just like an energy type thing, like it you can't describe unless you've been around it. Um, but like the media narrative, particularly in pittsburgh, drove me insane and still still to this day, yeah, drives me insane about kenny pickett. Um, because they just don't know him or they haven't been around him in a real setting to know the type of person, leader, competitor that he is. Wait, are you saying?
Speaker 2:the media can be dishonest sometimes.
Speaker 1:Yeah, no way.
Speaker 2:We need to cut this Get down that rabbit hole real fast.
Speaker 1:But that's crazy. That's my problem with the media, like people, that's my problem with the media is they will, at their own benefit, in a, in the snap of a finger, try and tear you down to get views and build themselves up.
Speaker 2:I hate the media Absolutely. Yeah, I mean, I, I definitely um, yeah, it's a two edged sword, like it's. Uh, yeah, I guess it's. It's a good lesson to learn, like for us fairly young into our lives. I know that's something that I've talked to my parents with at times.
Speaker 2:That's interesting about our young adulthood versus theirs is just a general. We're in a time in the information age where it is important to at times, take it into your own hands to find out where you're getting your information from, which is it's sometimes, I guess, like is annoying to have to do that, but at the same time, too, it is a good lesson to learn. I'm just like being a little self-sufficient in that way, because I I don't necessarily, at least from the discussions I've had with my parents feel like kind of no matter which side of the political spectrum you grew up on, like I don't think it was maybe as much of a thing back then of like you know you, everything you hear, you kind of have to like if you want to formulate an opinion on it. It's worthwhile at times to like do a little research on your own Um, but yeah, you know it's, there's a, I guess, a silver lining to that cloud, but yeah.
Speaker 1:Also didn't mean to interrupt you. Who's your second Okay?
Speaker 2:Yeah, leader, I also didn't mean to interrupt you who's your second leader? Something as an adolescent that honestly kind of drove me nuts at times. But he is a very strong Catholic man and he, like, when you talk about a guy who like lives, his faith and like always whether it came down to like how you were practicing that day, to like even what kind of music like we're playing in the locker room, like he to even what kind of music we're playing in the locker room he was always about his Catholic faith and his Catholic beliefs, which are also I'm Catholic, my Catholic beliefs, my Catholic faith, and he never compromised, I guess, and it was something that as a teenager you get annoyed, you're just like come on, man, chill. But then as I become an adult, like I've realized like that is so unique and was such a good influence to have on me at that age and also the the more people I've played through for the years or been coached by through the years, I've also grown to really appreciate that there was a side of me that, because I never had any doubts about his character, it kind of opened the door for me to even more fully invest in what I was doing and trust in him and believe in Nobody's perfect.
Speaker 2:There's no perfect coaches, there's no perfect anybody but someone who, at least I felt like, was consistent and always coming from a place of of real care and real love, um, and real care about, like, my future. It just it helped me to buy in more, buy in more fully and be more coachable. And then, in the end, it was good for me because it made me a better player, it made me more coachable. And then, in the end, it was good for me because it made me a better player, it made me more coachable, it made me more prepared for college and the NFL. So that'd be my other person that I'd say was a is just has been a great like leader in my life.
Speaker 1:There's a level of authenticity that can't be faked, that I can really appreciate and obviously you know I'm Catholic as well. I've talked about that on the podcast Even outside of faith, as a coach, as a person. When people are fully into what they believe and they live it out, there's a certain level of respect that I gain for you, because there's a lot of people out there who will talk about being a certain way, who aren't that way and, like you said, no one's perfect. We all make mistakes. We all, you know, sin if you're a believer, but the people who truly live out their faith and their mistakes are far and few between and they don't seem to make unrepairable mistakes, and you gain a level of respect, whether it's a leadership, whether it's a person of influence in your life, because those people are so true to what they say and who they are, your life, because those people are so true to what they say and who they are, absolutely, absolutely. What was the feeling like of being cut and was it unexpected for you?
Speaker 2:Um, it's obviously like it's not a great feeling, but, um, it's uh, I wouldn't say it was.
Speaker 2:It was like totally unexpected, like I, I obviously didn't think it was going to happen.
Speaker 2:But like, as soon as you know they sign someone else to compete with you, you're like okay, like they potentially see a future without me. Yeah, um, so like not that you change the way you're going about your business. But you're also just aware of like okay, like it's uh, you know, uh, you're aware that, um, you know they're considering it, yeah, and so I guess, like the at least main challenge for me, or something I tried to focus on, was obviously continuing to grow, but also like not feeling like I needed to reinvent the wheel or like totally change what I was doing. Um, because I do believe, you know I'd done a good job, um, and so, yeah, it's interesting, it's like, you know, do I agree with the decision they made? Like, of course not. But you know, at the same time, like I'll never say anything bad about, about Will, will, the, the guy who's who's snapping for them now, I think he's a great dude, he's gonna do a great job and um, I mean, the reality is man, like it's like a part of the business and I think, something I don't know to avoid, like, because I always hate to sound like, uh, I just hate to sound like a complainer in any way, you know, but like the one thing I will say that I guess I feel pretty strongly about, or more strongly about than I had prior to being in an nfl locker room and like learning about the business in the business, is that, um, like, the system you're in can make a large difference in your success. Um, and obviously you know there's, as a long snapper, there's not that much variation overall to like what your job entails.
Speaker 2:Um, but just like the, the different, I guess, coaching styles of different coaches and different points of emphasis on what one coach emphasizes versus another coach emphasize, can make a huge difference in your performance, your perceived performance by them, just based on what is most important to them and what they value the most out of that position. And I'm sure you've had similar experiences even in the college realm of, like you know, coming from Bucknell to Pitt like, just different. Okay, here's what like is most important in this system for you to do, and if that doesn't align with your strengths and high points, like you can kind of end up in a spot where you're just like, if you let it get to this, you kind of doubt yourself and you're like, oh, am I any good at this? And it's like, no, you are good at this.
Speaker 2:It's just like there's different coaches and different systems that want to emphasize different things a little more than others, and you know the that's what's unique about, in my opinion, to, like the most successful, like your hall of fame type guys and obviously how we started, like talking about Joe Burrow like obviously there is a level of, there is levels to it and there are guys who are just on an insane level. But I also think too, just as much as guys like that are for lack of a better term like a unicorn in that regard, they also, in some ways, are a unicorn in regards of also falling, like right into the right system that, like has the right goals for them, or their goals for them align with what they're good at and what they're trying to do, and that can make a massive difference in the success of any football player's career.
Speaker 1:I don't think that can be stated enough. Yeah, something that is not fluff or an excuse or complaining. Where you end up matters who and what you're being taught. Those things make a drastic difference. Because if you were to ask any person on the street in their regular job, do you think it matters who your boss is? Do you think it matters what you're being taught when you enter an industry? Every person would say yes.
Speaker 1:But for whatever reason, everyone thinks that football and sports are just unanimous across the board. You're going to be taught one thing by one person. Everyone's going to have a kumbaya agreeance as to where it's and how it's supposed to be taught, and it's just not that way. And one thing I've learned from talking to different people at different organizations and different levels there's a lot of dumb people in professional sports, the people that shouldn't be there, and whether that's nepotism or how someone got there, you don't know, but there are a lot of people that are in positions that they shouldn't be in. Players by default particularly quarterbacks, I think that's an easy one to isolate and examine are left by the wayside to figure it out and have to coach themselves and teach themselves when they're really not capable at such a young age to have to do those things and the development of athletes is a skill, and it's not one that a lot of organizations are good at. Very few are actually good at it.
Speaker 2:Absolutely no. I think it's interesting, as you see through the years, certain organizations that have just really struggled and, like every kid dreams of being like the number one draft pick. But, like you see guys getting drafted to certain franchises and you're like now I definitely have more of a mixed view about it where I'm like dang, like that's awesome and what a moment. But you just know, like man, the stakes are high, like when an organization is drafting a quarterback in the first round or anybody in their first round. They're expecting them to come in right away and tangibly turn the program around.
Speaker 1:Did you see the clip? There was a five-minute clip of Tom Brady talking about this with Colin Cowherd.
Speaker 2:I don't know if I did actually.
Speaker 1:Really good. Highly suggest you watch it. Anybody listening. It was like five minutes of just pure gold of him talking about this exact concept of like an NFL quarterback comes in and he's like not everyone knows how to develop an NFL quarterback. He's like people. He used the analogy. He's like some people are just physical education teachers that just somehow got promoted through the rings. He's like people. He used the analogy. He's like some people are just physical education teachers that just somehow got promoted through the rings. He's like people have no idea how to do it.
Speaker 1:And he started talking about his development with Bill Belichick and how Bill Belichick eventually became like the pseudo quarterback coach and because he knew defense is such a high level, he was able to coach the quarterbacks from like a different lens and teach them. Hey, this you're looking at, this is the coverage, this is the pros, this is the cons, this is what you look at when a defense does this. This is where you want to check. And it was like really enlightening and I really wish tom brady would actually become an analyst, because it was like. I was like this is what the media is like missing. Yeah, um, but it was like exactly, kind of just exactly to your point and like what you were saying how important it is for young guys that you're the number one overall pick.
Speaker 1:Well, sometimes that's actually a bad thing, Because, think about it, it's the worst team in the NFL. They draft you, you have to solve everything. They're drafting you to solve everything and it's just a pressure and a space that it's like hard to relate to.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and it's a and it's a league nowadays where, like you can put up 28 points in a game and still lose. Like just it's a, yeah, it's. It's interesting. I don't know, and I like my even I mean my football knowledge honestly, like as much football as I played, like my football knowledge ceiling is not extremely high Like I've. I, you know, I played some fullback in Titan in high school and then when I got to college, like long snapping became my my role and that's what I invested all of my mental and physical effort into.
Speaker 2:Um, so, in terms of like schematics and things like that, like I'll be the first to admit, like I am I am no, I'm no genius in that regard, but it is just wild, Like from kind of in some instances with my job, like just finding myself as a fly in the wall with certain things going on in the league. Like just the stories and the different lessons I've learned and just the perspective I've gained of the National Football League is definitely interesting. And I obviously love football and I always you know, I'll always love football and I hope to continue playing football for a long time in the future, god willing. And so you know I'm gonna stay ready. But it is just fun to like even talk with my dad about certain things, because he's a Pittsburgh guy and I mean his first football game he ever went to was the Immaculate Reception game. Like that's his like-.
Speaker 1:What a first game.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you know, he grew up in the 70s in Pittsburgh. In like 70s, Pittsburgh sports ran the world. Like Pittsburgh was the city of champions in the 1970s. Like no debate, it's just I'm sorry, if you try to debate that you're wrong. Like it's just the facts. Um, and but that's just like what he grew up around and like that's his standard.
Speaker 2:And it's interesting to talk to him through the years and and just learning different lessons and and different stories and experiences.
Speaker 2:And he'll be the first to admit of like, yeah, like Pittsburgh fans were like spoiled for for so long with so many sports and winning was just the standard.
Speaker 2:And and then you know, the more ball you play, the more you realize like winning is not easy and like to win you play, the more you realize like winning is not easy and like to win like decisions have to be made, cutthroat decisions have to be made. Um, and yeah, sometimes you gotta, as much as it is in, as much as sports can be ego driven in some ways, and you have to have a level of ego to perform at a high level, um, on a big stage. It's also a league too, where, like your ego will be checked every step of the way and like sometimes you have to know when to leave your pride at the door for the sake of not burning bridges and maintaining good relationships and just elongating your career. You know, and just being like, hey, decisions have to be made, Like that's the nature of the beast, you don't agree with it, but it happens to everyone. I kind of got off a little side tangent there, but just some thoughts that kind of had popped into my head as we continued discussing.
Speaker 1:What is one of the greatest perspective changes that you've had or lessons that you've learned from some of the vets you've been around?
Speaker 2:Let's see.
Speaker 2:I guess the I guess one is more like has touched me from a like more personal side is just that um, a lot of times some of the guys who get the most airtime and the most time on the microphone um can make professional sports look like a just a world where there is um, just a world where there is not a whole lot of virtuous men, but there are some very, very good men that I've gotten to know and just as much as there are some guys who, excuse me, have gotten a little caught up in self and what we would refer to as Christians, as you know the temptations of the world and and things like that, there are guys who also have been tempted, as everyone else has, and used it as an opportunity to like, grow in strength, grow in faith, and are just like the closest things that I've ever seen to like and are just the closest things that I've ever seen to supermen, just dudes who are athletic, strong, traditionally masculine men, but also rooted in faith, rooted in virtue, and have no fear of what anybody else thinks of them, what the world thinks of them.
Speaker 2:It's funny how it seems that times correlate to those being the guys who never end up with the media around their locker room.
Speaker 1:Um, but who are some of those guys, would you say.
Speaker 2:I mean. Well, one guy definitely have an immense amount of respect for um and he does get a good amount of media attention, but it's all for good things is is Ted Karras. He's a. He's a strong Catholic man and a good guy to look up to. He was in New England for a number of years before coming to Cincinnati, won, I think, maybe two or three Super Bowls with New England. He's a man of faith, he's a man of virtue, he's just a great guy to look to and be like. Oh, it's possible to be a high level professional athlete and also like be a man of God, like it's. Those things aren't mutually exclusive, um, and that's just very, been very good to see, especially too from a perspective of um.
Speaker 2:Like one of the things that's been interesting with the just with the way the NFL is now is this is going to be I don't know if this would be an interesting side tangent but the culture of marijuana abuse in professional sports and NFL specifically.
Speaker 2:It's interesting because you don't want guys of camp and guys literally call it the stupid test, because it's the one time a year you're tested for THC and it's not even like what your average employer would like.
Speaker 2:This is from my understanding I'm open to anybody fact-checking me, but to my understanding it's not even like you can't have. There's a threshold when they test for these things and the threshold of parts per million, whatever per. I don't even know how they do it, beyond my knowledge scientifically, but the threshold of what it counts to pass this test is also higher than what most employers do. So, like you, literally you have to have like somehow like consumed or smoked weed, like the, literally the day before or the night before your test, to like fail this test. Like it's, it's pretty easy to pass, yeah, yeah. Anyway, that's a that's getting into a little side tangent, but it's. It's just interesting how, like those are the small things in a locker room where, like as a man of faith like I've, I've kind of tried to grow and, like you know, I'm just trying to live more of like a sober lifestyle.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Um, and it's one of those things that it's like definitely, in some ways, almost like accepted in the locker room as like, oh, this is just the norm, like yeah, it's better than drinking a fifth of whiskey after the game, or something like that.
Speaker 2:Like it's like it's like the lesser of two evils in a lot of guys' eyes, but, like, from a Catholic point of view, you're like, well, you don't want to choose either of the evils, you know, like you want to avoid it altogether. And so having guys who, like, are rooted in faith and kind of go against the grain, even in those small ways where, like of just being, like oh, that's not really like a culture that I like adhere to or something I want to make be part of, like my personality is is good to see guys who are an example of that. Um, I feel like I kind of went on a little tangent. I'm not exactly sure what I was trying to say with that, but I guess just, yeah, just seeing that there are guys in a locker room who are even in the battles that most people wouldn't even look as battles. There are guys who are like um, adhering to the faith in like every way yeah, rooted in principles.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's not to say you know I'm big on like, the difference in like it's not judgment of others. I don't like. Anyone has the right to kind of live their own life. In my opinion, right, it's just like the values and principles that I hold, those, like certain things are just I don't do those things. Yeah, right.
Speaker 1:And being able to stand in those in temptations or when someone you know you want to be liked, you want to be part of the group, but you have to be rooted in your presence, particularly when you're a man of faith, like those are the moments where you really earn the right to say I'm a Catholic, or you earn the right to say you're a Christian or whatever, when you are most tempted to do those things, to be able to say no. And so I always reframe those scenarios, whether it was in the locker room or it's wherever. This is the opportunity to prove to myself I am who I say. I say yeah, and when people do that at a high level, like I said, it's you have like. At least I have grown to have such a respect for those people, right and it gives you like hope too.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah exactly.
Speaker 1:It's like if that person can do it, I can do it. Yeah, right, and I think it is really special and unique to people who do that. Yeah, I think it's pretty awesome.
Speaker 2:For sure, and it's by no means like coming from a place of judgment towards others and, like in Ohio, like it is like, marijuana is recreationally legal.
Speaker 1:So, like it's like, is it recreational legal here in PA? I think so. I don't know. I know it's decriminalized.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'm not sure, I haven't really looked into it, but it's like, hey, if you're in Ohio and you're a law-abiding citizen and that's not a part of your faith, I'm not going to judge you. It's not something I'm going to do.
Speaker 1:Listen, some of my best friends do it all the time. I don't care, it's just not something that I do and, like you said, the perception of like what the NFL is or what professional locker rooms are like may be different than what they actually are, and it's a much different demographic than what people may assume because of guys like you're speaking about.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. And then and you know, obviously we're all imperfect people too and I'm I'm not coming from a place too of being like. This is like I've always lived up to that. Um, because it's certainly something that I've tried to grow through the years and just with, kind of as we were talking about when we were working out earlier, just like different points in time and history when you kind of, uh, for whatever reason, like you just take a step back and you think a little bit and you're like all right, where are the things in my life that I'm not living up to what I profess to believe in? And yeah, I guess those are the blessings of the times that are unsettling is it gives you a chance to take a deep breath and take a step back and be like hey, there's some things I can do to improve myself.
Speaker 2:And if I claim to be a Catholic, like the old saying goes, I don't even know who said this originally, but it's like if I claim to be a Catholic, you know, like the old saying goes, like if, if you I don't even know who said this originally, but it's like if you were on trial for being a Christian like would they have any evidence to persecute you, you know, and it's like that's a.
Speaker 2:It's a. It is something that's like short and sweet and simple and it doesn't make sense. You're like, hey, yeah, that's true. Like if, like as much as I can talk to you about it, and like we can put this on the internet and be like we're Catholic. If today, like we were, for whatever reason, someone was like we need to convict them of being Catholic, like would they actually have any evidence by how we lived our lives, and and that's definitely been something too it's always going to be a battle, but it's uh, yeah, just yeah you hope and you pray that with each year of your life, you can get a little closer to actually living that out.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's funny how simple sayings like carry like a lot of weight. One of my favorite sayings ever is like preach the gospel and then sometimes use words yeah, like you should be able to tell, relatively right, if I am, you know, a faithful man or not by how I live my life Right, and I think that's something I subscribe to and I do my best to to just live things out, not make decisions for an intended outcome, like we talked about. You know, you know off air when we were grabbing a workout before this. Um, but like just by being something right and like that, just you know, I just do something because that's who I am, I don't have to think about it, it just becomes a natural reaction. It's really hard to get to that standpoint, but that is something where me, I aim to grow in every day is to just be a Catholic, not thinking about doing, but just being, and let that be a part and a function of who I am.
Speaker 2:Yep, and I think that's a function too of like a well-formed conscious, you know, I think that's a function too of a like a well-formed conscious, you know. Um, I think it's something that and it's funny how that works because, like, as your conscience forms more, like, you realize more and more the ways that you've like been a hypocrite in your life. Oh, absolutely. And so it is like a two-edged sword where then and I guess it's healthy because it keeps you from becoming prideful, yeah, but it's like, when you do, like, when you do feel God working in you, and then, like it brings to light all the ways you've fallen short, you're like, oh man, I've geez Louie's, like I would, I would, I would not like me if I didn't know, but, um, but it's.
Speaker 2:It's interesting though, too. I had, I've had the chance, like since since being the chance, since being unemployed by the NFL, to do a little more reading and, like we were talking about earlier, I've been diving into a couple shorter CS Lewis books, and he definitely does a great job of talking about the importance of conscience. And it's interesting too, because something has become, I guess, a buzzword around Catholicism is like the concept of Catholic guilt, and and it's interesting because it was one of those things through the years and it certainly can be overdone in ways, but and I wish I had the words to like talk about it as profoundly as CS Lewis does but he does a really good job of describing how, like, in some ways, like we have become a little bit of like a shameless culture and and this might be a hot take but like that's not, that's not a good thing. Um, because if you truly are, like looking at humanity from a standpoint of like we're all fallen beings and like only through like God at work in us and like reforming our souls, that like we will truly be able to love and like be ready to be united with God in heaven. Um, there is a level of like, like we need to be, we need to be changed, like we all need to be changed. We're not like we want to be, like oh yeah, like we're all people and like you want to like put your faith in humanity and I'm not saying we shouldn't try and like have hope in humanity but at the same time, too, like it's not humanity that's going to solve our problems, it's Jesus. Sorry, I'm sounding a little preachy, but it's interesting.
Speaker 2:I've been loving reading the way that CS Lewis talks about just the concept of. Obviously it's not like a self-hatred or a depression or a desolation of oh, we're all screwed. You know a depression or a desolation of like, oh, we're all screwed. But it's also just like we need to be wary of. Like pride, and there is a healthy level of should be a healthy level, I guess, in our consciousness that we are aware that, like, we're imperfect and not that we should be overcome with guilt, but like, in a way way our guilt and our shame for our fallen nature has the if in the right realm and if in a healthy way and backed in love should help lead us closer to God. But yeah, that was another little side tangent there.
Speaker 1:Even to reframe it from a non-religious perspective is people forget, going in the shame route. Some of the greatest enforcers of changed behavior are shame and embarrassment. If I do something and I feel shame, that should change behavior. Society and again that's very broad and generalized, but society has started to create where we want to remove emotion or these feelings that come to us, instead of really exploring and understanding them. If you feel shame or embarrassment, sit in that for a little bit and understand that. Are you feeling ashamed because you did something authentic to you and someone is judging you? Can you sit and rationalize that? Should I feel shame for my religious beliefs for this conversation? If I feel shame because someone gives me a hard time, I would sit and then I'd be able to reflect and I'd be like, no, I feel strongly rooted in what I believe and at that point I can then say, okay, this shame was just because someone's opinion hurt my feelings. Versus, if I do something I harm someone or I do something that would be perceived as like silly or embarrassing, right, and I feel that shame that I can sit there and analyze and be like I probably shouldn't do that again, like that's not a representation of who I want to be. Do that again. That's not a representation of who I want to be, and so I'm very much against like, oh, just be who you are.
Speaker 1:And you talk about this in a way. You have been talking about this is two thoughts can be true at once. I'm not perfect. I always want to grow In that same breath. I am aiming to be the best person I can be and the closest to perfection. That I want. Yep, right, and I think we really struggle as humans to recognize that two thoughts can be true at once. Yeah, and we need to be able to understand like hey, from a sports perspective, I'm not the best in the world, but I'm going to train like I'm the best in the world and I'm going to believe I'm the best in the world. And two thoughts, conflicting thoughts, can be true at once. You just have to know how to implement them and when to lean into which one.
Speaker 2:Yeah, absolutely, and I think that's another way too. That just sports have helped me grow so much as a person is because it like reinforces those beliefs, like you said, where, yeah, like you learn to live in that middle ground of like, hey, I think I'm the best in the world at this, but also I think I am so far from perfect at this and just like every day, like you're tapping into both where you're like I need to get better, but then I also like believe in myself that I am like better than anyone else at this. That's, yeah, another way. I think it's like sport is such a a valuable thing to young people and to develop you like as a person all together, if you let it what are you leaning on right now?
Speaker 1:being cut for the first because I believe your practice squad at all times like this is your first time being unemployed from the nfo, correct? Yeah, so like what are you leaning on right now? Because you have a very unique story for those who don't know it. You were a walk-on, you became a scholarship guy. You became a finalist. I forget what the long snapping award was the Manly Award. The Manly Award, thank you. You started basically at the bottom and you've worked your way up to this point. Like, do you ever sit and reflect on that? Are you purely leaning into your faith? Like, where are you right now in developing the resilience to go through this cut process?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think it's like just relying on the things that have even gotten me this far, um and it it has been nice to have the opportunity to reflect a little bit and, like you know it's I'm very close with my family and like blessed to have a very close family and they're always, you know, my biggest fan and biggest supporter and and uh, and they are never slow to encourage me and remind me, like to be proud of the things that I've accomplished up to this point, and so I'm really grateful for that. Um, but in terms of my day to day, it's really just like going back to the disciplines and continuing to try to develop more disciplines that have gotten me to this point and, like you know, those things like keep me plenty, plenty busy. Like I've gotten more into, you know, since I'm on my own and I'm not eating like meals at the facility every day for a team like I'm more into meal prepping and like so that keeps me busy and and it's like these are things that I've learned through the years and I'm more into meal prepping and like so that keeps me busy and it's like these are things that I've learned through the years and I'm grateful that through the years I've in my times when I've had a little more time, like in the off season, especially in the league, and I've been kind of training on my own but also had a little free time, like starting to learn to cook and meal prep and stuff, and then now it's like okay, it's like I'm really not changing a whole lot of what I've been doing, I guess, is the long and short of it. I'm just like staying close to those disciplines and then trying to use the additional free time I have to do things that develop me mentally and spiritually. So those are the things I'm really like leaning into um at this point in time and I guess yeah, it's like a boring answer, but because of because of my journey up to this point, it has in some ways been a pretty like smooth transition of like I'm not doing anything different, like I'm just I'm still working out hard, I'm still snapping, still running, I'm still eating healthy, I'm still sleeping good and like those are the things that I did for my job every day. And those are also the things that, like I enjoy doing and so, like when I'm years done with playing football, like I still hope to be doing those things.
Speaker 2:So, yeah, those are the things that I've been like rooting myself in and um, it's been, I guess it's been like uplifting, because now that I've seen that like I've built those disciplines through the years and so I've just continued to do them Like, it's like gives me a level of reassurance that like everything's going to be fine, Cause I just like I just still wake up every day and I'm like, all right, I'm gonna get you know three percent better today and I'm gonna eat healthy and, uh, I'm gonna sleep good and I'm gonna snap well, and then if my phone rings, it rings, if it doesn't, it doesn't. Um. So, yeah, I guess it's just been cool that like my life hasn't really like changed that much other than like not suiting up for a team Um, which also reassures me that whenever I do that, get that call Um. If and when it comes like I will be ready to just step in and go.
Speaker 1:So are you a routine oriented person?
Speaker 2:I, I would say so, um, I I'm definitely routine oriented with, like working out and eating, um, like I have really started to enjoy the process of cooking my own food and just keeping track of, um, you know, my macronutrients and protein especially and things like that.
Speaker 2:Um, just because with football I'm I'm always trying to keep on a little more weight and so I'm kind of at a point in my career where I'm like, hey, if I want to do this sustainably for a long time, like I'm not compromising like my cholesterol and heart health to like to hit a certain number on the scale, like realistically.
Speaker 2:So I'm like, all right, if I need to be, if I need to be 240, like for the next hopefully 10 years, I want to do it in a way that's not detrimental to my health. Um, and uh, I gosh, I'm sorry I kind of forget what your initial question how are you routine oriented? Yeah, and so because of that, it's built in me like these routines that have now just become things that I don't even, I guess, think twice or I don't even like consider it as much of a routine, as it's just like how I like to live my life basically one thing I want to go back to you mentioned earlier, um, when we were talking is the length of time that the NFL season is and how exhausting and draining that can be.
Speaker 1:Can you give me a little insight of what that is like in the monotony of a long season?
Speaker 2:Oh, it's like Groundhog's Day Referencing a good 80s movie there but it's no, it is a wildly long season and I think the time in the year that it definitely hits you is when, like the college season is wrapping up and then they're playing bowl games games, and it's like mid-December and you're like we still have three, four regular season games left, like that's. That's when you're like, oh my gosh, like this may never end. Not that you're like don't appreciate the opportunities, but and hey, you know what I could be, maybe I could be unique in saying this, but I, if I was a betting man, I would put my money that I'm not unique at all saying this. But there are a lot of games when you're driving into that stadium and you're just like I'm really doing this again. And not that you don't do what you need to do to get prepared, and once you put the pads on, your central nervous system starts to fire up and you get ready, and you are ready by the time the ball kicks off. But like there, I would argue that and this is one of those things that I guess people outside of the realm of sports may not understand is, like there, I would argue that there is a vast majority guys in the NFL that a lot of those Sundays when they're driving to that stadium and they're like, am I really about to like put my body through this again? Like, and they're like driving in there on game day like questioning everything, you know, I don't know, like, like I said, I'll put that out there, there there could be people who don't want to admit it. I could be crazy for saying that, but I, I don't think I'm crazy for saying that, but I, I don't think I'm crazy for saying that, because it's it is a grueling season, um, but the one thing I will say as well is that it's interesting.
Speaker 2:Everything up to halloween goes super slow and then I feel like everything after halloween flies by. It's interesting because, like those first I guess it's what usually like eight, eight weeks, yeah, eight ish weeks up until halloween, um, and even like, looking at your record, when you're like, oh, like we're six and two, and you're like we're six and two, wait, that means like 10 more games, nine more games, like, oh, my gosh, um, but uh, yeah, and then after, like halloween, then it's like, you know, thanksgiving's coming up and then thanksgiving is. Then it's like Thanksgiving's coming up, then Thanksgiving is usually an excuse for you to be around some family, some more. Practicing on Thanksgiving or playing on Thanksgiving is always fun. It just takes you back to why you signed up for football as a little kid and it helps you refocus on that.
Speaker 2:And then when you get close to Christmas Christmas is coming, there's the excitement of the holidays and family again, and it's also another opportunity where you take a step back and you're like wait, this is really special, like this is a blessing, I get to do this. And then you get to Christmas and then new year's is like oh, it's new year's, we got one, maybe two games left in the regular season. I can power through and finish strong and then you're ready for playoffs. So, um, yeah, I don't say any of this to sound like I'm not appreciative or that I have a like like pessimistic or like dreary view of the season, but it just it is a long and grueling season and I guess too similar to what we also said about two thoughts going on at once. Like it is very possible to love football and be super passionate and motivated about it, but also a lot of the days when you're driving into the building or going to a game.
Speaker 1:Be like what am I doing? You know it's, it's real because like it, I think like the groundhog's day is a really good representation. It's the same thing over and over. But what's different with football versus really any other sport in the world is you're putting your body through hell. You really are Humans aren't meant to just run into other humans every single day for a 17-week period.
Speaker 1:And that's just the season, not even counting camp and pre-season and post-season. It is not a normal human function and you have to be wired totally differently to be able to put your body through that. And it does wear on you and you do have these thoughts and you're like why am I doing this? Even going back to college, I mean, there's days where it's like why am I doing this again? My alarm goes off at 4.30 in the morning, knowing I have to do the treatment, get taped, go to breakfast, have meetings, have practice, and then by the time you're done, watching film and everything, it's bedtime. You do it all over again and that process can wear on you where it's like you finally finish something and you're like well, if I don't go to sleep now, I'm going to be exhausted tomorrow.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And it wears on you, and so you have to find ways to be able to, like, stick through it. When you are driving to the stadium, you're like am I really about to do this again? How do you get yourself reframed to be ready by kickoff, like, what's your process?
Speaker 2:Yeah, what's your process? Yeah, so honestly, going back to another, saying that kind of helps me align my thoughts is the old. I think it's a Native American. I don't know if proverb would be the right term, but it's like we each have two wolves. The one you feed is the one that wins. Oh, I love that. It's a good one. A good one. Just talking about how, like you got the one wolf.
Speaker 2:That's like just speaking doubt to you and like I don't want to do this, like I'm sore, I'm tired, like whatever, it's freezing, cold or it's raining, like why? Why we got to do this today. And then there's a party that's like this is an opportunity, like this is what I love to do, this is what I've dreamt of doing for a lot of my life, and so for me it's just like acknowledging where I'm at being in the moment, being like, hey, it's okay that I feel this way, there's nothing wrong with me for when I'm driving into week 15's game and it's 30 degrees being not super, like, woohoo, this is fun, you know. Like there's nothing wrong with me for feeling that way. But then it's like acknowledging that and like being like hey, that's fair, but like, and then just reinforcing all the positives, and how much of a blessing it is to do this and how hard I've worked and how I've prepared for this and how I'm ready for this opportunity and how all I have to do is just give my 100%. There's no one's asking anything more for me than to just give my 100%, and we can all do that every day of our lives. So you're not doing anything different than you did any other day of your life or any other day leading up to this. All you're doing is just showing up and giving your best, and so it's just feeding myself with just those good thoughts and those good words of encouragement, and then spend some time in prayer and talking to my family on the phone a little bit, and then, yeah, and then just start loosening up and always bringing it back to breath.
Speaker 2:Like it's not a complex formula, you know. It's just like learn how to control your breathing, learn how to take deep breaths, learn how to realize, first and foremost, when your heart rate's accelerated, when you're thinking things that are just coming from a spot of stress in your central nervous system because you're playing a violent sport, thinking like that you're going to battle or something, and so it's like sending all these alerts and whatever um I don't know, a ton of like the true scientific um side of it, just like the primitive, like emotions, yeah, nervous system that we have, like you know, they talk about, like the hedonic, like you know, evolution of like humans, right, and like those same emotions and like heart and like, uh, physiological responses that you're discussing, they saved you thousands of years ago from being eaten by a lion or a saber-toothed tiger yeah, those same things.
Speaker 1:And so now it's just hey, those have grown to show in different areas and the ability to understand those, control them and really understand like what those are telling you is like a such a simple but hard thing to do, absolutely.
Speaker 2:And that'll be one of the things I'll be most grateful for for playing sports all those years, even when I'm done is that it's really just taught me like so much about understanding myself and how my brain works and how to be prepared for whatever life throws at me.
Speaker 1:Yeah, the quote that you just brought up, one people can sometimes trash. They call it quote porn is the joke. But maybe men in particular. I don't know about women as much, but sometimes a good quote is all I need to hear. Yeah, in that quote, which wolf you feed is the wolf that grows? It just reminds me so much of the Tony Robbins quote you don't experience life, you experience life that you focus on.
Speaker 1:And he tells his in a story about his father where they were incredibly poor growing up. It was Thanksgiving, someone I don't know who it was and I'm paraphrasing me mess up some of the details, but someone brought a turkey and food to deliver to their house and the dad tried to slam the door and the delivery man put his foot in the door and was like here, just take the food. And the dad was like no, we don't take handouts. T tried to slam the door and the delivery man put his foot in the door and was like, here, just take the food. And the dad was like no, we don't take handouts. Tried to slam it again and the guy's like no, and then Tony's family I think it was Tony as a kid or his siblings kind of walk up to the door and the delivery man said something along the lines of don't be prideful, take the food for your family.
Speaker 1:And so his dad takes the food, slams the door and goes in. And Tony's reframe of that is he was so focused on being embarrassed that he couldn't provide for the family that he couldn't just realize someone was trying to do something nice for him and that we could have food for Thanksgiving. And I think it's just such a powerful anecdote on when we are going through life and something happens. Like you said. It's not like you have to be a positive poly, but you can choose what you focus on in those moments that can make things more tolerable, more bearable and give you the perspective to take a step forward in the right direction.
Speaker 2:Absolutely, and that takes me back to, as well, a thought of and I was blessed growing up. I have a great family, we grew up in a nice part of town. I went to good schools, I went to Catholic high school. I'm very blessed, but at the same time, too, like I do strongly feel, no matter what your background, like someone helped you get to where you are.
Speaker 2:And sometimes, especially as men, there's a pride aspect of like wanting to be a self-made man, but you're like stealing some of the joy that you could have from your experiences and your victories by like not acknowledging the fact that like someone helped you get to where you are.
Speaker 2:And yeah, I don't know, that's just what you're saying about that story, it just kind of made me think of that too where it's like take the help that's given to you and like be grateful for it and don't let your pride get in the way, and just yeah, and and it's, it's great. It's just great to celebrate your wins with people that helped you get those wins and and they deserve acknowledgement as well. And it's never should be taken, as a man, as like someone trying to make anything less of like the hard work you put in to get what you have and to get where you got, but at the same time, too, like somebody. Somebody helped all of us at some point in our life, you know? Um, yeah, that was just a random thought, that kind of came from that story too. And people want to help, yeah.
Speaker 1:And you not you particularly, but in general you to give someone the ability to help is doing them a service as well, and I have to do a better job of this because I am very much I don't like asking for help on certain things. For example, a really good example was last night. I was at my in-laws and I'm like carrying like 20 different things as we're trying to like get my kiddos out, to like go home, and so I'm carrying like different bags, backpacks, like different whatever bottles in my hands, and everyone's like like hey, like let me help you. I'm like no, I got it. I got it. I go to pick up my daughter and my grandmother. My mother-in-law, excuse me, her grandmother is like let me take Charlie. I'm like okay, fine, if you insist.
Speaker 1:I don't know what it is with that. My thing I say is I don't like to ask for help, because then when I do ask for help, you know I really need it. Like I never want to be like a beggar or like someone who's like a drag on someone's life, but I do need to do a better job of just like letting people help when they want, because people do get a lot of joy and satisfaction of helping. I'm one of those people like I'd love, love to do things for people and help people and it's not a burden on me, and so I need to remember that when I'm in those positions where it's like I don't need to be prideful, I can ask for help.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I mean not to sound like a hippie or something here, but the world is going to be a better place if more people ask for help and give help. And if you ask for help and someone helped you, there's maybe a better chance that the next time someone asks you for help, you think of the time someone helped you and you help them, and that's pretty like elementary school sounding but, like you know, sometimes life isn't complex, like it's hard but it's.
Speaker 2:It's simple but it's hard, and I think it was it might have been coach strap actually back at pit. That strap at one point was talking about, like some of the most difficult things in life are like also the simplest things. Yep, um, but don't confuse like, don't make anything more complex than it needs to be. But also realize too that some hard things are very simple, um, but it doesn't mean that they're not hard, but it doesn't also mean that they're not simple. Yeah, how about strap.
Speaker 2:Have you talked to strap recently? I gotta reach out. I I talked to strap um last time I saw him in person actually, so it's been a couple years when we played we, when we played the buffalo bills at home on monday night my rookie year, the the demar hamlin game. Is that your rookie year?
Speaker 2:yeah, that was, strap was at that game oh was he yeah and uh, yeah, so that was we had connected and, um, it just worked out with his schedule to come to that game and, yeah, I feel, feel bad that that was the last game he was able to make too, because that was not a by any means a, uh, a stress-free night in a weird way, I don't, I don't know.
Speaker 2:I mean from my perspective, selfishly, like nothing's ever a coincidence, and I definitely like on that day, like what a blessing, cause my brother came to that game too and so it was such a blessing for, like a Monday night game, which typically my parents or family hadn't been able to make it to Monday night games just cause they got work, um, and for my brother and coach strap to be at that game. Um, so that, like I was around people that I loved, like during that crazy night was was definitely a blessing. So appreciate coach strap being there. Sorry that that was the last game that you were you were able to make it to with me as a bangle, but you know, definitely love to catch up again with him, cause he's he's an awesome dude.
Speaker 1:What was that game Like when that happened? Like what were, like, the true emotions on the field? Because, like I remember talking like honestly, like knowing demar, I had a hard time actually going to work the next day like having those emotions, not knowing like if he was gonna be okay, like I actually felt like distracted like from work, where I was just sitting there thinking like I hope he's okay.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it was. It was definitely like just one of those. It's weird because, like sometimes in those those days and moments that you look back on and we're like that was wild, like in the moment, you're just kind of like so it's shock of like what's going on, that you don't you don't really like realize what's going on. Um, but yeah, it was definitely I mean like praise God that you know he fully recovered and is back to playing ball and, and I mean massive shout out to like our athletic training staff, all the people at the Cincy hospitals, like the care that he got was like world-class man and they, I mean they just did some amazing work. So you can never like neglect to to uh thank and praise those people for for just doing their job well and, and you know, saving someone's life.
Speaker 2:Um, but yeah, it was the one. I guess, um, not to sound like morbid or anything, but the one moment that I was like will always kind of be etched into my memory. That was just like whoa, like what is going on Was when there was a bunch of people around him on the field and, like you know, when someone goes down, like you can kind of sometimes tell like oh they are they cramping?
Speaker 1:or like that they blow out their knee.
Speaker 2:You know, like you can kind of tell by some of the looks in the faces of like okay, like someone's injured, pretty bad or and and like you couldn't see where he was laying on the field. From where I was out on the sideline, you just saw all the people around him and then guys kneeling around um, but I was like standing on the sidelines and joe mixon was walking off the field like with his helmet off, um, and don't get me wrong, like joe mix, definitely pretty animated guy, like he's he's he's when he's on game day, like he's he's in go mode and yeah, and is a pretty emotionally like, just excitable guy. But he just like was walking off the field and I don't know who he's talking to in particular, but he was like bro, they say he's not gonna make it, and I was I overheard him saying that walking off the field, like I don't know who exactly he was saying it to, on our sidelines. But I was like like whoa, whoa, whoa, like cause you see someone injured and you're just like like shit, man, I hope they didn't like tear their ACL or like I hope they didn't like blow their Achilles out.
Speaker 2:And then then like when he was when he said that it was just very, it was like confusing more than anything. I was like what, what is? What do you mean? He's not gonna make it like, yeah, I'm not gonna make. Like, not gonna play the rest of the season, like, yeah, like, and you?
Speaker 1:know your mind doesn't go to death.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you just like it's like beyond your comprehension yeah, and like your worst nightmares of, like what you think you would witness on a football field, yeah, um, so that was definitely an unforgettable moment, um, and yeah, the rest of the night, like I just remember them getting him in the ambulance, driving off the field, um, and then they'd send us all to the locker rooms and, um, I have immense, immense respect for Zach Taylor. I think he's an awesome guy, awesome coach, and I believe it was him who, kind of like came in and addressed our team and was just like hey, like I want the captains to go to buffalo's locker room. Like you talk with their captains, we're going to decide what we're going to do. Um, because, not to talk shit on the league, but like I don't know, like they might have had us finish that game. I don't know, I don't know, that's all speculation, it doesn't matter and it's all water under the bridge, because they made the right decision in the end. But Zach Taylor was the one that was like this is serious, our captains are going to their locker room. You guys are making the decision on whether we finish this game and we, as the coaches, are supporting you. We don't care if they sue us, if they fine, us, like you guys, are making the decision, and that's something. I have immense respect for him too and just know that he's like a good man for doing that. And uh, yeah, our captains went to their locker room and I guess they discussed it.
Speaker 2:We were praying in our locker room and uh, and came back and they were just like hey, like we're like this one's gonna call it off, we're gonna, we're gonna figure it out later, yeah and uh, yeah, everyone just kind of like showered and and went home and then I had the chance to see see coach strap and my brother, um, and yeah, it was.
Speaker 2:It was crazy. We tried to. We kind of had a feeling like we wouldn't be able to get into the hospital because it was obviously, yeah, it was in that night as well too, like it was like it was monday night football, like it was like world, yeah, world news, you know, yeah and uh. But we were like we'll like pop by just to see if there's any chance we can get in, and we weren't able to that night, um, but luckily, a day or two later tyler boyd was going and so I was able to go with t boyd and and see demar in the hospital and and, uh, you know, just to just, you know, show my, show my support and and do whatever I could. There wasn't really much I had to offer other than just trying to be positive and say what's up and, you know, grateful for his family for letting me to come visit, do you?
Speaker 1:think you would have been able to play after that. Um well, and this is this is, I think, the short answer is like, if you were forced to, I think everybody could have gone out there and played. Yeah, but it's like the type of mental state that you would have been in. Is that the question?
Speaker 2:and that's that's where it does get more into. What is it right or wrong? And, as a pro, yes, and I this is not intended to come off in a cocky or me trying to beat my own chest way as a pro and learning to be a pro yes, I could have gone out there and played. Would it have been my best performance? Probably not, because I probably would have been immensely distracted through the years, strategies and ways to focus myself when I feel immensely distracted. Yes, I have, but would it have been right for us to finish that game? No, it would not have. And am I glad that we didn't? Absolutely yes, I'm very glad that we didn't. Um, no matter what the result would have been, and uh, yeah, so it was interesting.
Speaker 1:I remember seeing, watching on tv the broadcast, them zooming in on Stephon Diggs trying to rally the troops on Buffalo. You guys pumped to play if they were to have to and there was just no response from the Buffalo sideline. Just the guys were looking distraught and like I, you know, you never know unless you're in the situation. But I would remember, like telling my wife, I'm like, I'm like I don't know if, like how I would have, like if I would be able to play or not, like you just don't know right and you don't know how you're gonna respond. And like you know, I I can't believe damar is like still playing. Yeah, like I gave him an insane amount of credit, yeah, for that absolutely like just you know just remarkable.
Speaker 2:No, but there is not a a logical person in the world that would think any less of a man, of him, if he was like I'm good, I'm good, I'm good.
Speaker 2:like shoot, anybody that's played any amount of football, especially in the collegiate or professional level. Anybody who decides to hang it up I have zero judgment for it all. Just after, like even my experience as a long snapper, which is by no means the most physically demanding position, like, yes, do I, is it a challenging position and a very precise and mentally taxing position because of the scenarios and situations you have to operate in. But at the same time, too, like dude, anybody who just decides like, hey, I've had enough, I've gotten what I've wanted out of this game and thank you football. Like I don't judge anyone at this point because it's a dude.
Speaker 2:It's, it is a taxing game in in every way, um, but it's a beautiful game too, because you just learn so much about yourself and and I think that's got to be one of the reasons why you and I, like, feel so similarly about football and so grateful for it is because of all the things you learn from playing it.
Speaker 1:How do you, or what is your process for dealing with the pressure of long snapping, because it is precise and like being off an inch makes a difference. So, like, how do you rationalize that pressure?
Speaker 2:Yeah, Um, I mean, for me it just really comes back to being where my feet are controlling my breathing. Um, and I mean that's like the literally the main thing is just like controlling my breathing. Um, and I mean that's like the literally the main thing is just like controlling my breathing, like making sure I take a deep breath. Um, there's little tricks of the trade too that I've learned from um, do you remember kristin mackle from pit she?
Speaker 1:was like our name.
Speaker 2:Yeah, she was like our pits sports psychologist.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, that's how I know yeah, and so was really grateful through the years, um, to get to work with her at Pitt and and through my time in Cincinnati as well, have have kept in touch and checked in with her and just little small things to help you control your breathing, to help activate different parts in your brain Like a, a silly one I mean it's not silly because it works, but it sounds silly is like literally, when you're running on the field, like thinking left right, left right, because it and I'm probably going to butcher the scientific side of this, but from my understanding of what I've been taught, it quiets or kind of overpowers the emotional side of your brain with the logical action side of your brain, and so by like correlating your left foot and your right foot with your thought of left right, left right, it's like basically just quieting the side of your brain that's not thinking logically or not thinking about task completion. It's like an anchor, exactly. And then just breathing, breathing like the old box. Breathing is a massive technique. I mean there's a reason why freaking like navy seals do that, because it's it works like it calms your heart rate, um, it gives you enough oxygen to think straight, um, and then I mean I'm a big buzzwords guy Like I definitely have through the week and in warmups I kind of root myself in like one or two words that I kind of think and repeat. That helped me do my job. Because the reality too, man, is like I don't.
Speaker 2:When I go out there like and this could be a hot take, some people might think differently, but I honestly I believe that going out there and trying to be perfect is stupid. I think you are stupid for telling someone you have to be perfect or you need to try to be perfect, because you're never going to be perfect and you're probably going to be worse trying to be perfect than just trying to do your job really well and trying to be excellent. I try to be worse trying to be perfect than just trying to do your job really well and trying to be excellent. I try to be excellent. I know that I'm not going to be perfect, but I try to be excellent and do what I know how to do to the best of my ability. And so those are the type of things that I tell myself is like my buzzwords, rooting myself in my breath, the little tricks of the trade to quiet down the emotional side of the brain and then um, and then just not trying to do too much Like that was one of the things that I always talked to to Kristen Mackle about was, like the way she would say it.
Speaker 2:It was like nobody needs extra cow today, like we don't need the extra version of you, we just need cow. We just need cow and cows 100%. No, no extra Cal. So that's always something that I would write down. My teammates probably think I'm crazy if they ever look in my locker room or in my locker. It would always be like something technical, something mental, maybe something spiritual, um, and just like three kinds of things that I could remember and carry with me throughout the day to kind of root myself in. No extra cow was always one that pretty regularly like found itself on my, like game day goal card. Um, but yeah, no, that's awesome.
Speaker 1:Um, oh, hey, I appreciate you coming on. Man, I could talk to you for for hours. You know about, about all this stuff. Um, if you were to give one piece of advice to any long snappers out there anyone trying to make it to the NFL what piece of advice would you leave them?
Speaker 2:Simple, as you need to believe first and believe with all your heart. Nobody else not many people other than people that already love you and even sometimes they aren't going to believe in you until you believe in you first, and I was blessed to have a family that believes in me and coaches that believed in me and teammates that believed in me, and that's a large portion of why I feel I have had the success I've had, because I've been around great people, and so I'm super grateful for that. But you need to believe in yourself before anyone else is going to believe in you. And the more you believe and people doubt you, that's also going to strengthen your belief in yourself, because you'll be like, no, I can do this. And then the more you believe and people believe in you also, the more you're going to believe in yourself because you're like, yeah, they believe in me too. So just believe in yourself.
Speaker 2:Um, and if you do something with your 100% effort, the whether you, whether you succeed or fail on paper, like, it's always going to be a valuable experience. So that should be another reason to believe in yourself. And to, you know, burn the what is. What's the old saying, burn the bridges, or whatever you know like, not burn the, is it burn?
Speaker 1:burn the boats, burn the boats burn the boats, yeah, not burn bridges. That's a difference, don't?
Speaker 2:burn bridges, burn the boats. So yeah, just believe in yourself. That's awesome.
Speaker 1:Well, hey, I appreciate you, brother. Um, if people want to reach out to you, or if there's anything that you're working on other than the NFL, you know what do you have to promote and where can people reach out to you.
Speaker 2:Um, definitely social media. Um, I'm more active on on Instagram than uh, than X or any other social media at this point in time, but you know my handle is just my name, cal Adamitis, and uh, yeah, I'm. I'm also trying not to spend too much time on social media, but that'd probably be the best way to get ahold of me. I can't, brother.
Speaker 1:I appreciate you, man. Uh, listeners, thank you for tuning in tune in next week. Uh, check us out. I thought I'd afford it tocom Download the pod. Subscribe on YouTube.