Former San Diego Charger Stephen Cooper shares his words of wisdom with Wareham's youth
Former San Diego Charger Stephen Cooper returned to his alma mater on Feb. 16 to speak as part of "A Night to Remember" and he shared some words of wisdom that he picked up on his journey from Wareham High to the NFL.
ADVICE TO ASPIRING STUDENT-ATHLETES
“Get good grades, treat people how you want to be treated, treat people with respect.”
“If you’re not taking care of yourself, understand why things are passing you by and why people don’t give you opportunities. You are in charge of your future.”
“Please do not post stuff on social media. People are going to see these things on social media and you’re pretty much telling on yourself. Understand that these phones are going to be the demise of your future.”
“If you get good grades, you dictate how your future moves. You should sit there and get the best grades possible, make sure your recommendations are from the principal and guidance counselor and teacher in order for you to start your life off the right way.”
“At the age of 18, something we don’t talk about enough is financial literacy. You have the opportunity to build credit. When you get the first credit card at the common and you get a $500 credit limit and you think you can go to Applebee’s and you can charge it up and not play it on time. Understand what you are doing. You’re digging yourself a hole. Pay your bills on time and build your credit up.”
“Nutrition is a big part of your development as a student athlete. In order to be the peak of your game, you have to make sure you’re hydrated. You must make sure you’re eating fruits and vegetables and protein. You build your body up to break it down.”
“As long as you walk the right path and treat people with respect, you’ll get a chance. Most people want to give you a chance.”
“Choices and decisions have consequences. You have a choice and you have to decide which way you want to go.”
“Don't take things for granted. How many times do you leave the house and don’t say I love you to your mom or your dad or your kids?”
“You control effort, kids. There is no reason why coach (Steven) Faniel has to say get on the floor, get the loose ball, box out. Those are things you control.”
“You can be as big as you want, as fast as you want, but if you don’t understand the game and the emotional roller coaster that goes with it, you will not succeed because you have to be able to focus in — whether it’s 40 minutes, 60 minutes, an hour and a half. You have to be the best individual you can be as a teammate and come together as a group.”
“There are a lot of people that want to help you on your journey so you have to ask for help. A lot of you kids nowadays think you can do it yourself. That’s not the way to do it. People love you and want you to be successful. They want you to achieve your goals.”
“To each and every one of you kids in this crowd, good luck along the way. Do everything in your power to be the best person you can be. Get good grades. Treat people with respect. Say please and thank you. Do the best job in this community that you can.”
A NIGHT TO REMEMBERTwo Wareham graduates made it to the NFL. Now they are coming home to inspire others.
ADVICE TO COACHES
“This goes to a lot of coaches, don’t make it so hard. If athletes have to think a lot, they have to process the information and they have to go slower.”
ADVICE TO PARENTS
“The biggest thing is being supportive on and off the field. Academics first ... Try to make sure you build a rapport with coaches. You’ve got to understand that coaches and teachers are trying to put your children in the best position possible regardless of what you think. In a team sport you have to understand there is only one ball.”
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Former San Diego Charger Stephen Cooper gives advice to Wareham's youth
