The “Value” of Scouting – from an NFL hopeful (31 Mar 15)

 
La’el Collins, Offensive Tackle, Louisiana State University (LSU) for four years. He is expected to be a first round pick when the 2015 NFL Draft starts a month from today. Collins, who grew up in Baton Rouge and graduated from Redemptorist High School, is an Eagle Scout…one of hundreds of college football players who have earned that rank. He talked to the media recently during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine. I wish my parents were still alive to read this…here’s what he stated in part about the experience of competing for a spot on a professional football team…and about Scouting:
“I met with about 22 teams. The questions were good questions. If you’re making an investment on somebody that’s going to come in and help the team, and you’re trying to find the guys that’s going to do the best with what you give them and be able to come in and be coachable, they want to know everything about you. Where you grew up at, your family members, how many brothers and sisters you have, every little thing you think they’re going to ask you. They’re giving you the opportunity of a lifetime. They want to know the ins and outs.
The strangest question was they asked me whether I was a cat or a dog. That was funny, first time I’ve heard that one. I have to go with being a dog because I’ve never seen a dog run from a cat.
They will drill you. They ask you numerous questions in a matter of seconds to see how you respond and the way you think. That was definitely something I enjoyed doing. I feel like I’m good in situations like that.
A lot of teams asked me about being an Eagle Scout. I told them what it was, that getting through that process was one of the first challenges I’d been through and that it’s not easy. It was something I enjoyed sharing with teams. Being an Eagle Scout means a lot to me, I know a lot of people don’t know that about me. I started (Cub Scouts) in second grade finished up (earning Eagle Scout) my senior year of high school.
Absolutley, that’s what we do (helped little old ladies across the street). The best part about it all was how it fell in line. Once you are able to learn how to help other people, and be responsible, it translates over to being disciplined and understanding how to work hard and do things the right way in football. Being there for one another, sacrificing your own things that you love to do for the team. That was something that gave me  an advantage to being successful. I understand what it is to work hard, and do things the right way and be all about team. I’m very fortunate to have had that happen for me.”
Scouting needs your financial support as we continue to reach youth like La’el and assist with making quality strong citizens of positive character of them. We do it every day, literally around this globe of ours. To provide Scouting to a youth take between $140 – $200 a year — the cost of a tall coffee drink every day, whether you brew it at home or buy it from a store somewhere. Think about that a little…
You still think that Scouting is for those “other people”?  and not something your son and your family would benefit from? Think that it doesn’t really “get you anywhere?”
Ask La’el. He’ll tell you. I wish him continued success — he doesn’t need luck.
He’s an Eagle Scout. He knows that he’ll do well. After all, he’s been trained for life.
 
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About Settummanque

Take your standard Oliver North. Add strong parts of Bill Cosby and Sir Robert Baden-Powell (the founder of Scouting). Throw in Johny Bravo without the "hurhhs!" and his pecks. Add a strong dose of parenting, the sexuality of a latin lover, and Mona Lisa's smile. And a 40 year old's body frame. That's me basically *grinning*
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