The H.E.A.R.T Helmet Hoody Scholarship

We at H.E.A.R.T Athletics LLC are glad to announce that we will be providing a 2 year scholarship to a customer who purchases a H.E.A.R.T Helmet Hoody, is a graduating High School Senior or recent graduate and is committed to graduating in 2 years.

The scholarship will include tuition, fees, books, room and board. For emailed updates and status changes, make sure you create a user account at www.hearthelmethoody.com to stay up  to date on important deadlines and requirements.

For a quick video brief, CLICK HERE (H.E.A.R.T Athletics YouTube Page)

Please let us know what you guys think in the comment section below and by emailing us at: iplaywithheart@gmail.com

Thank you all for your support.

#PlayWithHEART

H.E.A.R.T Athletics LLC Podcast 0005

We published our new Podcast, Episode 0005, please check it out. http://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-jxdun-678467

Trek to Texas

So I've decided to take the full time plunge into H.E.A.R.T Athletics. This decision came after quitting my job in search of obtaining my dream.

Chasing my dream has led us to the 2nd Round of the Shark Tank audition, increased sales and a meeting with the Dallas Coboys.

Over the next few weeks I will be recording and sharing our experiences of the process while we chase our dreams. Enjoy the ride...

Twitter - @IPlayWithHEART
Snapchat - kinghenry_ii
Instagram - heartathleticsllc

3 Steps to Success

I you want to be successful, in any endeavor, there are 3 steps you have to take.

1. Set an end goal

To know where you're going is a hell of a lot easier when you know where you want to go.

2. Make a plan, then work the hell out of it

Plans always change, always. But it's a lot easier to adapt then to create something out of the blue. Make a plan, work the plan, adjust the plan, complete the plan.

3. Persevere

Life's tough, but it's a whole lot tougher when it knows you'll quit. Life isn't here to be your friend. Life enjoys throwing you lemons. Take those same lemons and make some leomonade.

End of Week Update

Not a bad week for H.E.A.R.T Athletics.

It started off a little slow, but we finished well. We have a couple of meetings set up for next week about product placement for our UNR H.E.A.R.T Helmet Hoody. Needless to say I'm really excited about this.

In the upcoming weeks we have two big Pop Warner events where we will be able to market the hoody to a huge audience. Also, our first High School hoody (for Bishop Manogue) is finally complete. 

So in short, it wasn't a bad week, but...The grind doesn't stop.

Play with H.E.A.R.T!

Grindin'

Man, I can't front. I've been on a heater these past couple days.  I've designed so many teams it's crazy.  I'm getting it down to science which speeds up the process but it's still time consuming.  Anyway, if you didn't know, I'm talking about my H.E.A.R.T Helmet Hoody.  It's a little design concept I created.  It's a hooded sweatshirt that zips up to the nose and has a specific football team's helmet and jersey on it.  I think it's pretty cool.  Hopefully others will as well.

Been there...Done that...

The team I help coach is stuck in a 7 game losing streak...Does it suck? Short answer, yes.  Have I been here before?  Short answer, yes.

My Sophomore year in High School, I was good enough to start on Varsity.  I played both ways, and we were not the best team in South Jersey.

In fact, we went 1-8.  The only team we beat was worse than us, but we beat them.  It was a 14-7 score too.

I remember it because I NEVER felt so happy I. My life to get a win...EVER.  But for some reason, there was a side to me that felt for Haddon TWP. because I KNEW how bad they were.

The funny thing is, even with that "win", I knew we deserved more.  We were better than out record indicated.  We practiced hard and needed to stay the course.

I knew deep down in my soul that there were better times ahead.  I didn't know when and exactly if they would ever appear, but I KNEW they would...

Guess what?  They did.

Moral of the story.  Work hard, have faith in yourself and your teammates, and good things will possibly happen.

What the mind perceives, it believes.  That is all...carryon.  

Who do you believe in...?

We're told by most coaches that, sports are metaphors for life.  Every lesson you learn in sports can be translated into the adult world. 

I believe this to be true, but my issue is why then are parents encouraging their kids to aspire to be someone else?

When we see someone imitating another individual, our comments tend to be anything less than reassuring. 

If this is the case, why would you encourage your kids to look up to someone else when they can be taught at an early age (and its a great life lesson) that eventually, at some point, they will only have themselves to lean on.

Any sport I played, I KNEW that my favorite player wasn't able to help me...at all!  In all honesty my favorite player could have been a dirtbag.

Stop enabling your athlete and start building them up to be self reliant and efficient...

Seriously, think about that.

H.E.A.R.T Athletics Helmet Hoody

The H.E.A.R.T Athletics Helmet Hoody is finally here. Here are a few facts about it.

1. There is NOTHING like it

2. You can support your team and not feel awkward by still wearing your Letterman Jacket

3. Letterman jackets are corny

4. You look like you're wearing an actual helmet

5. It'll keep your face warm

6. 15% of EVERY sale is donated to YOUR team.

Your Greatest Opponent

Who is your greatest opponent? Honestly there are probably dozens of answers. Maybe even hundreds if you add in haters.  But in reality, you truly only have ONE opponent...

Your greatest opponent is and will always be yourself.  No matter how skilled or trained an opponent is, THEY can NEVER make you quit.  Ever.  Only you can green light that decision.

Dell Bates III, Nevada Dream Cornerback

This is what prompted H.E.A.R.T Athletics to design this shirt.  It's of one of my defensive backs (Dell Bates III, seen above).  It shows him playing himself.  Although in a game he can't play against himself physically, he can beat himself MENTALLY.  

You have to win the mental battle before you can ever hope to win the physical one.  I hope you guys enjoy the design.

I'm proud of my guys

This weekend (4MAY13) the Nevada Dream traveled over 4 hours in 3 vans to play the first place Pacifica Islanders.

We (the Dream) didn't have a full roster due to some players not practicing (so they don't play), we went to battle with the ballers we did have.

Well, in the first quarter we gave up 21 points which is extremely uncharacteristic of us, we didn't give up.

We went into the half down by 28. But my guys could have cared less (about the score that is).

Our Offense and Defense came out in the second half with a lit fire (we should have come OUT like this, but that's on us Coaches). This passion they played with allowed us to shutout the Islanders and win the second half 7-0.

But...a game is composed of 2 halves, not 1. While I'm proud of my guys for playing their HEARTS out the entire game, we have to play OUR game for the entire 60 minutes.

Moral of this story:
1. Play your game for the entire game
2. Never quit

Nike to Rapist: Here's more $

Let me ask you a few questions, and answer them honestly.

Would you like an "alleged" rapist dating your daughter?

Would you like your impressionable son to look up to the same person just because he played football?

When there is smoke, is there usually fire?

Would you trust this same person with your sister?

Well Nike believes (or had made you to) that he's an "alright" guy. No...he isn't. He's actually a turd. And nobody keeps him or Nike accountable for his actions.

Don't let ANY company force feed a turd down you throat just because he wins games.

Winning is awesome, but when the game is over all you have left is you...and your character.

Scientist have found the gates of Hell...

Apparently, this link will take you to the article ---> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2302755/Gate-Hell-Turkey-Hierapolis-temple-doorway-matches-mythical-portal-underworld.html



I can't help but call BS on this. I've been through the gates of hell and came out smelling like roses.

Actually, many of us have been through those gates and it looked NOTHING like the article's picture...

It actually looks like this

#HEART Contract

 

Before you start reading this blog post, I would like you to actually READ the picture of the contract my awesome sidder Kashia Marshall made for her youngest son, Shawn "Punchie" Marshall...

 

Dope isn't it?  How many times have YOU had to have someone else motivate you to get going?  How many times did YOU want to quit, but someone else didn't let you?  Who's MOM does something like this?

Apparently MY sister (aka sidder) does!  How cool is this?!?!  How awesome is it to have #HEART instilled in you before you even know the concept of it?  How many kids grow into adults (this term can be used lightly, and we ALL know THIS is true) and have absolutely no testicular fortitude?

My kick ass sidder has set the ground rules for the upcoming season and hopefully the rest of my nephew's life.  It may seem "hard" that he can only cry if he's bleeding or has a broken bone, but what happens to his #Toughness if he crys over something trivial?

I'll tell you what happens...he becomes a whiner, a complainer and everything is somebody else's fault.  Period.  And this is something he'll carry with him for the rest of his life.  I don't want this, his Moms doesn't want this...and I KNOW his Pops doesn't want this (even though he's a Giant's fan...I won't take that any further).

This contract will most definitely set my nephew Shauny on the right track to realize the true definition of #HEART for himself when he gets older.  He may not appreciate it now, and he may not realize the ramifications of this contract.  But WE do.  And when he gets older, he will too.

Thank you Sidder for making so important look so simple and understandable.  This is easily one of the illest things I have EVER seen...

Me and Shauny

 

Me and Shauny (after his game)

 

 Future All-South Jersey

Guess what CAN'T be measured....

For every "Combine", every "Pro Day", every "Weight Limit", there are sections of the particular player which can be quantified.  I think it's funny, because, we measure what we can see, feel and touch, instead of actually measuring what actually COUNTS...

The one thing that completely implodes the concept of "scouting" and "COMBINES" is Mike Mamula.

I hate to throw the guy (continuously) under the bus...but hey, he went from a No-Name to a 1st Round Pick.  Did the Eagles actually do their homework before making this pick, or did they fall in love with the #'s...?

The funny thing is, is that Mike had ALL the #'s to make you fall in LOVE with him.  The only thing is that these numbers came in shorts...with no opponent...and no game tape.

To accurately measure a player, you have to see tape, talk to teammates/coaches/opponents, talk to them in person AND see them play in PERSON.

The one thing you CAN NOT measure is someones #HEART.  An individuals #HEART is something that makes them want to get up off the ground and keep going.  Get up early in the "Off-Season" and grind or watch tape when most of the team is watching cartoons.

#HEART can not, will not and most likely will NEVER be able to be quantified...I'm good with that.  Because it's a "feeling", a "way of thinking"....If you never experienced it, you'll never know.  If you have, then you KNOW that there is NO # that will ever encompass it.

Off-Season

Every shirt that is created by H.E.A.R.T Athletics LLC is either rooted in our beliefs, or tailored to a specific athletes liking.  Other companies (no name, no blame) just tend to make cookie cutter crap because of their logo.  *Blogger Note*  I think my business logo trumps theirs...but that's me...

When we created the "Off-Season" shirt (available in Men's, Women's and Youth...), the purpose was to inform those who "believe" in this time of year, that this time of year actually does not exist.  If it actually did exist, Saint Nick would be enjoying it from December 26 to December 24...Exactly.

Any competitive athlete knows (or SHOULD) know that training should be year 'round.  Where the problem lies is that most athletes want to get by on mere talent alone...yeah, that doesn't really work past the High School level.  But the fact remains that it shouldn't exist on that level at all.

The Off-Season is a myth.  It does not exist.  If you want to get better, be better, play better...you have to put in work.  There is no time for days off.  If you want to take days off, don't play.  Don't waste yours or your teammates' time.  Some people actually WANT to win.

So the next time you think the "Off-Season" actually exists.  Go to NIKE's website and order one of the atrocities...

Lazy but Talented...

If you look at this shirt...I mean REALLY look at this shirt, it should piss you off.  It does for me.  I look at this shirt and it makes me sick to my stomach.

There are several reasons why this shirt bothers me, and I'm going to try and explain...

1. "Lazy but Talented"...what is the moral behind this phrase?  What/where is the motivation?  You're talented, ok, there are a ton of people with talent.  But you have the audacity to tell me that you're lazy as well?  Stupid...plain stupid.

2. I WAS the lazy but talented kid.  I look back at the talent that I wasted not working as hard as I should have been.  My college career was cut short because I was too lazy to go to class.  I look at this shirt and NIKE wants kids to think that it's cool to half-ass things...?  Stupid...

3. While you think it's cool to coast and not work hard, there is some kid out there (with probably less talent than you and a much bigger H.E.A.R.T) working his/her ass off to make you look like the lazy bastard you were all off-season.

4. This shirt was made for a professional football player.  What a great item to make for the youth to want to wear and emulate.  Do you really want your kid looking up to a Pro who endorses this type of sentiment?  Is this what you want your kid to strive for?

5. This shirt should now piss you off.

The most thankless job in sports...

Every sport has it's guy/gal who puts in "dirty" work.  Whether it's Baseball/Softball (catcher), Basketball (rebounder, defender, hustle player, charge taker) or Soccer (Goalie...the proverbial goat).  These players are normally NEVER recognized unless something bad happens to the team.  Unfortunately, we all know this is true.

This brings me to football.  In football, when it comes to Kick-offs, the player who gets the most love is normally the kick-off returner.  But for some reason, when kick-offs aren't returned for touchdowns, we never have any appreciation for the kick-off team...strange...

The kick-off wedge buster is ALWAYS a dude who plays his #HEART out.  They never get any love, usually accumulate minimal stats, but continue to play their asses off.  I found a clip of a High School player who exudes the amount of #HEART it takes to do his job, game in and game out.  Check out the clip HERE.

Regardless of making the tackle or not, most wedge busters don't receive the love they should.  They put it all on the line to ensure someone behind them can get the stat.  They normally aren't celebrated at all, but they usually don't give a sh!t.  It's all about going hard and playing the with #HEART. 

Let's face it, without wedge busters...a great kick-off returner is going to be one-on-one with a kicker.  And nobody EVER wants to see this.  Hahaha.

Jeneba Tarmoh doesn't have enough H.E.A.R.T to compete.

The other day I'm at work, and I come across an article about U.S. Track and Field 100 Meter sprinter Jeneba Tarmoh online.  After reading the article twice, I felt deeply disturbed over some of the comments she made about attempting to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Apparently she finished for a tie in 3rd place.  Currently there are no "official" tiebreakers for such an event.  The United States Track and Field Association came up with the idea of having a "run off" to settle the dispute between her and Allyson Felix.

Despite having a chance to run another final 100 Meter Dash for an opportunity to participate in the 2012 London Olympics, she chose NOT to run...

Jeneba and Allyson had a photo finish tie and the result was a final "showdown" between the two .

She said, and I quote, "Running in this (runoff) came down to how I felt internally.  Would my heart be at peace running or would I not be at peace?  If I was at peace, I would have run," Tarmoh told The Associated Press on Monday night.  "My heart was not at peace with running."

MY only problem with this, is that she stated that her HEART was at peace with NOT running...I may be wrong, and feel free to correct me...but...SHE IS A SPRINTER!!!!  Regardless of any outcome, your HEART should ALWAYS be in the spirit of competition.  This is what you do and how you earn a living.

If your existence is to participate (currently that is) in the 100 Meter Dash, you should NEVER give up!  Regardless of the outcome.  Train your ass off and compete the same way.

The Olympics only come around ever 4 years and it is an honor to represent your country, win, lose or draw.  You (Jeneba) should represent yourself the same way...

The one thing that you can't teach, coach or buy is...

HUSTLE. 

It is virtually impossible to teach, coach or buy this state of mind.  You show me someone who can, and I'll show an entire NBA team that has floor burns. But let's stay on track...Hustling whether in sports or in life is about a desire to want "it" more.  The "it" is defined by the individual who has that burning desire.  It burns soooo much that they will stop at nothing to attain it. 

As I watch the NBA playoffs, I can't help but notice some players get a "pass" for not hustling, while those that do virtually get overlooked.  This ultimately reminds me of the consummate hustler...Mark Madsen  (even though as a kid, Kurt Rambis was THAT hustler).

With all the talent in the NBA there is absolutely NO reason that Mark Madsen or Kurt Rambis should be employed...none.  But yet there they were.  Mark for over 9 years and Kurt 14.  Why?  How is it that two individuals who are limited physically can stay in a league this long when the average NBA career is 4.7 years?

HUSTLE

All it takes to succeed in life as well as sport is the desire to do what the next man/woman won't.  As the case with Mark and Kurt, they were willing to sacrifice their bodies for the greater good of the team.  In turn, the team rewarded them with a roster spot.  It's really that simple.  The desire to dive on the floor, grab rebounds, take charges, run back on defense and make their teammates better in practice manifested itself into long careers (by NBA standards).

This term of "hustling" also translates into the "real world".  If you're not willing to go the extra mile (doing what others won't do), then you should never be surprised when your results match your outcome.  It's really as simple as this, work your tail off, reap the benefits...simple.

Just remember, a little bit of hustle (no matter if you think they were scrubs or not) allowed two physically ungifted players to last longer in a sport than the average player...Just sayin'...