|
How would you like to go from outside the sports agent business to representing a player in the National Football League? What would it feel like to see your player running up the field at Texas Stadium working through blockers trying to tackle a Dallas Cowboy player? Well, we are able to let Al Thomas tell you what it felt like for him last Sunday.
Thomas will tell you that two years ago, he would have never thought it would be possible that he would represent an NFL player on his home town Philadelphia Eagles.
"It's just exciting," said Thomas. "I can't tell you. I called everybody I know. It was so exciting watching that game and looking for Akeem [Jordan] out there."
Last weekend was Akeem Jordan's first opportunity to be on the field in an NFL game. An accomplished collegiate athlete at James Madison, Jordan had hopes of hearing his named called on draft day. When it didn't happen, Thomas was there for him and explained that this was not the time to give up. Soon Thomas and SMWW president and successful NFL agent, Dr. Lashbrook, would receive calls from NFL teams inviting Jordan to training camps.
"It was an easy decision for Akeem," said Thomas. "Akeem is very grounded and wanted to stay close to home so he chose the Eagles. We both believe that they have a well run organization and it has worked out great for Akeem."
Thomas, like so many others, came to SMWW with a passion for sports and a desire to help young athletes. SMWW and its President, Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, preach a strong message to anyone who will listen; the agent business isn't all about the money or the fame that can come with having success as an agent, it's about helping athletes with their lives. Right away, Thomas picked that up and he felt it matched what he was hoping to do as an agent.
"I got into this because I wanted to work with these young men," said Thomas. "I wanted to be a voice for them to try to achieve their goals. When I got into the Athlete Management course, I loved it and I really bought into Dr. Lashbrook's message about being a mentor to them, not just helping them with their contract."
"Akeem and I do not just have a client/agent relationship. We're friends. I talk to him two or three times a week and that is what I like so much about SMWW's Agent Advisor Program, the relationships and the opportunity to mentor young men and women."
Jordan and Thomas' relationship formed in a way that Dr. Lashbrook teaches over and over in the course; through relationships and referrals. Through a relationship that Thomas had, he began meeting athletes at James Madison University. Thomas' first interaction was with Kevin Winston on James Madison's football team. As he watched more games, he saw starting linebacker Akeem Jordan flying around the field making tackles.
"I go out to watch a game and Akeem makes like 14 tackles during the game. That was it for me, I knew that Akeem had a shot and that I wanted to work with him," said Thomas.
"When I first spoke to Akeem, it was a little difficult because he is a pretty quiet guy. He gave a lot of one- word answers so I wasn't sure if I even had a chance of getting him. I stayed in touch and then sent down some information to him about SMWW. I was planning on following up and one day, I get a text message and Akeem just asked if I wanted to represent him."
For the first half of this year's NFL season, Jordan stayed on the practice squad for the Eagles. The limited space on the active roster is a tough balance for NFL teams. Following training camp, when Jordan made the practice squad, the coaches expressed how much they liked him and thought he had a chance of becoming an impact player in the NFL.
They also asked that if any other NFL teams wanted to sign Jordan, that they would like the opportunity to be the first to put him on their active roster. Dr. Lashbrook gave his word to the Eagles that he would.
Fast forward to two weeks ago; the Eagles are on the road playing the Minnesota Vikings and Dr. Lashbrook is in London, England attending the New York Giants/Miami Dolphins game.
"I'm in London and my cell phone just keeps ringing and the Kansas City Chiefs want to sign Akeem," said Dr. Lashbrook, President of SMWW and veteran NFL agent. "I immediately pick up the phone and call the Eagles because I wanted to honor our word that we would let the Eagles know if another team wanted Akeem. Andy Reid (Head Coach for the Eagles) calls me and asks me to give him until Monday, when the Eagles return from their road trip, and I told him we couldn't do that because we had a team ready to put him on the active roster."
"So Akeem gets on a plane headed to Kansas City to join the Chiefs and the Eagles intercept him on his lay- over in Atlanta and tell him that they want to activate him and ask him to come back to the Eagles. It's a great story. The kid wanted to be loyal to the Eagles and I respect that. Akeem has worked hard this year and he has earned the opportunity to be activated on the 53 man roster."
For Thomas & Akeem, the hard work had paid off.
"Make no mistake, it takes a lot of hard work, but its fun and I enjoy doing this very much," said Thomas.
Reflecting on how far he had come, Thomas wanted to share with others who were looking at SMWW's program where he was two years ago.
"I was practically computer illiterate," said Thomas with a laugh. "The course and the Agent Advisor Program have pushed me to do things in life that I probably wouldn't have done otherwise. I have made a lot of new friends and I'm excited to see where things can go from here. I want three players next year!"
When asked what advice he would give to others who would like to get into the sports business, its simple.
"Listen to Dr. Lashbrook and the SMWW staff," said Thomas. "Everything that they taught was right on and it worked for me. If you have a love for sports and people, I would recommend that you go for it. A lot of people are now asking me for advice and I tell them all the same things: persevere, be honest and work hard. All the things that Dr. Lashbrook taught me."
If you are interested in becoming an agent advisor with Sports Management Worldwide, select this text to register for the Athlete Management course...
Or call us today at
1-877-SMWW-Now
or +1 503-445-7105
|
