Expert: Thom Brooks - 7/5/2007

Question
QUESTION: My name is Lemuel, I wanted to know if it is not to late for me to get a NFL tryout. First of all I played high school football for four years. My life went into a different direction after high school, I became a teen dad, so I just attended, A local college and worked. Five years later I began to play semi-pro football. My 40 time is 4.4 I can play S,CB, RB, WR. I had scholarships in high school, but I didn't take them because of me becoming a dad. My question is it to you is to late for a person like me , to play in the NFL.

ANSWER: Lemuel, You may have missed the window for this season.  Is your age around 25-27?  Unless you still have the speed, the younger players may beat you out in the tryouts. It would be beautiful if you could make any team, even if it is not the role you prefer.  

If you still have contact with your High School Coaches, and even the College Coach where you attended but did not play, they would be helpful in your quest.  On the semi-pro team, who can help put you in touch with NFL scouts?  

If they will grant a time for you, perhaps you can consider being a Coach.  Some of the greatest Coaches in our history kept themselves in the game by Coaching.

Go to the website :    NFL.com

Write to every NFL team (the same letter) and tell them you have talent, Leadership and desire.  One of them may strike a chord with you!  You have everything to gain with Effort.

Take care and keep me posted on your progress.

Thom Brooks



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the advise, I'm 27 years old, I weigh 196, and I stand at 6'1, speed in high school was 4.2, my current speed is 4.4.

Answer
Lemuel,  

I coach a men's baseball team.  We won our League Championship last season, but have slipped to 4-4 this year.  We still have 65% of the season to play but three of our top players have moved to other cities, so we are reloading.  The MABL/MSBL has over 46,000 members nationwide.  The ages range from 18-65.  The League I'm in has an age 25 minimum.  

One of the Savannah Bombers played pro ball with the St. Louis Cardinals farm system four years.  At age 39, he is batting .550 and just hit two incredible Home Runs for us.  
We have a lot of former college players and some wide bodies that are not very good players.  Pitching is always in demand.  

The point is, everyone of our 150 players in the Savannah Adult Baseball League (savannahmsbl.com) are playing because they love baseball.  Each of us are living the Dream!  Go to our website and look at the guys.  We are on the Bombers website.  Email me at CompnyBiz@aol.com if you cannot get on the site.  

If the Pros are going to take the guy that can run that 40 in 4.1 then you will not make the team.  Remember, we have 300 million in this great country, and only a few hundred NFL players.  

If you cannot follow the Dream, maybe you can consider the Semi Pro Football Leagues in your area.  If you fine tune your skills, some scout will see you.  You could get their attention quickly, especially if you're gifted and especially if someone is video taping!

I'm starting my 3rd year of being a High School Football Official.  I see the good, the bad and they ugly.  Some of the college prospects can be picked out immediately. Others have not blossomed.  Most will never play past the 12th grade.  It's a very small window.  I hope you can still squeeze through it!!

Stay in touch and be Successful!!  Stay Motivated!

Thom Brooks
Savannah, Georgia