Nutrition and Training are Key

Juwaan started playing football when he was only 6 years old so we basically learned the game together. However, he picked up the information and the plays much  faster than I did. We would do conditioning together like running and throwing the ball. I remember he would always have me running and going long to catch the ball.  In the beginning, I was clueless but as get the opportunity to share his journey, It was all worth it.

As Juwaan got older, at about 8 or 9 years old,  we built a sand box in the backyard so that he could do running drills in the sand box. I ran track in New Jersey so my track coach would have me run on the beach. I incorporated my track experience  to help Juwaan get faster on his feet. I also heard that soccer is a great sport for foot coordination and the running drills keep  you fit, so Juwaan took up soccer as well.

Juwaan has had several personal trainers to help him build up his speed agility and weight training as well. Driving Juwaan from Stone Mountain to Lawrenceville two nights a week and on Saturday mornings during the off season to keep him tip-top shape was important.  Providing him with balance meals and non-carbonated drinks took priority as well. I can’t even remember the last time that he had a soda other than a ginger ale  to settle his stomach from being sick. When you have athletes in the home, you try to change your eating habits as well to give them a healthy example to follow. Healthy breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner along with school work and training is the key.

Juwaan was always one to be out running and conditioning while others were sleeping; some Saturday mornings, we would run Stone Mountain together. For the most part,  when I tagalong I am probably slowing him down but I have enjoyed every opportunity that we get to share together, whether it's running up Stone Mountain, walking around the track, or throwing the ball around at the park. Sometimes I've had to be the alarm clock to make sure that he gets to workouts on time. but as a mother of a student athlete, you put on multiple hats to ensure that they are a successful at their school work, training and their sport. We do it all for the love of our heartbeats!

Deciding on the University of Oregon

Juwaan was blessed with over 40 offers to play football on the college level. As we received offers from each school we researched the school using the information that was available to us online. We ruled out a lot of schools due to the fact that Juwaan was thinking about following the track of a pre-med major. His education was the most important thing to us. A large percentage of the schools had pre-med or biology tracks but the graduation rate was very low for a number of them.  On the other hand, some coaches’ eliminated their schools by indirectly suggesting Juwaan choose to major in business instead of taking on the difficult track of pre-med.

As a family we discussed the importance of narrowing down his selections of schools because the process is already overwhelming without such a variety of options. Juwaan slowly began to pick and choose schools by the interactions and impressions that he was given on his official visits of the schools that were high on his list.  We saw many other students feel pressure from coaches and family members to choose a specific school but we didn't want Juwaan to feel pressured by anyone to make such an important decision. At the beginning of the process my husband and I told him that this was his first adult decision and we would support him 100% no matter what school he chose. . We also told him that if he was ready to make a verbal commitment that we would support him as well so that it would take the pressure off of the press.

When Juwaan was in high school I checked his grade portal everyday, stayed on top of all of his assignments and I even went to tutorials in the morning so that I could learn math the way they taught it in the classroom so that he could understand in school and at home. It was important that he maintain good grades and balance his after school activities.  With Juwaan being at the University of Oregon he has access to his grades and I get to check his grades periodically throughout the semster. Juwaan has declared a major of Journalism and Broadcasting which is totally different from what he wanted in his younger years. I’ve had the opportunity to be apart of some of his work and assignments this summer. He loves the production and research of reporting on a particular story and I love to hear the excitement in his voice when we talk about his assignment. As a mother, all I want is for him to love his craft and the path that he has chosen.

At The University of Oregon Juwaan is on the quarter system which is unique because he normally gets to come home to visit at least three times a year for about a week at a time. Juwaan comes home for Spring Break which is normally late March and then he gets to come home in June. It’s normally Father’s Day weekend which is pretty awesome for my husband as they can have their man bonding time. Then, he begins football training when he returns to campus shortly after the summer break. During football season, our family tries to break up the visits to Juwaan’s gamse to spread the love and support. We try to see him at least once a month for one of his home games. The Oregon Ducks are a part of the PAC-12 conference so they don’t get to the east coast that often. Juwaan also gets to come home around Christmas time but his time home depends on the day and time of his bowl game.  

Juwaan's National Signing Day

Another National Signing Day has came and gone and as I reminisce about Juwaan’s National Signing Day, I can truly say that it was a life lesson for the whole family. We learned a lot as a whole that we will put into play when we do it all over again in five years!

The journey of a student-athlete is a long and hard one, one that is hard to understand unless you have been a student athlete or part of their supporting cast.

The recruitment process can be rigorous for the student athlete as well as the student-athlete’s family.  It has two major parts that play a role before colleges will even inquiring about you: Athletic ability and good grades.

When Juwaan first came home with the flyer from elementary school to play football I was a little less than enthusiastic, mainly due to the fact that I didn't understand the game other than the basics! The first year that Juwaan played football, I was a nervous wreck because he would get hit and it would seem like eternity to me as his mother for him to get up. Then, watching these people decorate their cars, hair, make t-shirts and noise makers at a kids’ game. I said to myself, “That isn’t going to be me!” My sister, Adrienne, my sister's friend, Yolanda, and I would all look at each other and say, “Are these people for real?” It’s a kids’ game!...Needless to say, the next year, that was us at EVERY game.

It’s just something about being your child’s #1 fan and cheerleader that you’ll do whatever it takes for them.  For me, the college games just seemed overwhelming. One time, I was given tickets to a University of Georgia football game and at that time the crowds of people were overwhelming. To me, it was three Black Fridays at Best Buy rolled into one event within a 10 mile radius. The traffic was ridiculous! To an extent, I feared the college games.  I also remember how Juwaan’s face would light up when Coach Miller and his family would invite Juwaan to go with them to Auburn’s football game.  Juwaan became exposed to college and football at early age, which was beneficial to us in the long run. He knew early on that his main focus was to do well in school and keep his room clean (although, sometimes keeping his room clean was a huge task). I could always count on Juwaan to make the honor roll!

As Juwaan entered into the football program at Tucker High School, I recalled meeting with Coach Franklin Stephens and discussing his football program. Juwaan had always been academically strong, making straight A’s and a couple of B’s here or there. The agreement between Coach Stephens, Juwaan and I was that Coach Stephens would help Juwaan develop, if he demonstrated the work ethic that he wanted to play on the next level. Juwaan’s responsibility was to work hard on and off the field. My job was to stay on top of Juwaan’s academics. We worked as team to ensure that Juwaan’s athletic ability would afford him the opportunity to go to school on a scholarship and play the game that he loved.

National signing day for me was closure and final confirmation for me that GOD had answered another one of my prayers. As a mother, you pray and make decisions for your children that you feel will most benefit them in their future endeavours. At times, I questioned all of the decisions that were made throughout this journey but National Signing Day came and Juwaan’s letter of intent to the University of Oregon was a blessing! It gave me the answer to the prayer that every parent has “How would we afford to send my child(ren) to school?” Because of his hard work ethic, God given talent, and most importantly, faith, Juwaan was afforded the most wonderful opportunity to continue bot his football career and his education.

National Signing Day With Kaaryn Taylor

“A man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.” Proverbs 18:16, NKJV

National Signing Day….  Until recently, I didn’t even know such a day existed. Now I find myself looking forward to it as a major milestone not only for our son, but for our family as well.

I am Kaaryn Taylor, and my husband and I have been entrusted by God to raise three children in the nurture and admonition of our Lord, Jesus – the Anointed One. Our eldest is Tony Taylor III, and on Wednesday he will sign a document in anticipation of the end of one season in his life and the beginning of another.

How did he get to this place where so many are interested in his decision, his future?  Only God knows the whole story, but I will share a glimpse of what I have seen unfold.

Tony and his siblings have always been good students, but organized sports have not always been a part of Tony’s life.  Tony played football for the first time ever in the fall of 2010 at age 14, and he played that first season with the Central DeKalb Jaguars.  After football season, he joined a basketball team also for the first time ever, helping his team to win their winter league championship.

In the spring and fall of 2011, Tony played football with the East Atlanta Mustangs in the Glory for Christ League.  (This was also the year he and his brother joined the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, in which they have both had amazing opportunities and are both currently Petty Officers.) 

In the fall of 2012, Tony transferred from Home School to Wesleyan School – a private Christian school.  (This is where he met Miles Smith, and our families became friends.)  Because of the rules in Georgia, Tony was not allowed to play varsity sports that first year but he played varsity his second year at Wesleyan, lettering in both football and track & field.  His third (and final) year at Wesleyan, he was not allowed to play any varsity sports at the beginning of the season (again because of the rules), but a Board hearing in September 2014 would determine if he would be allowed to participate in varsity
sports for the remainder of the 2014/2015 school year.  Thanks to the prayers of the entire Wesleyan School community, the Board ruled in favor of Tony and he
played varsity football as a high school senior.

Throughout all the adversities Tony faced, his faith in God’s plan for his life sustained him and kept him grounded.  Now, here we are, a few days before National Signing Day.  For Tony, this will take place during lunchtime at Wesleyan School.  How did he/we get here? By God’s Grace and Mercy – that’s how!

Oregan vs. FSU: A Mother's Perspective

My name is Danielle Brown. I am the proud mother of Juwaan Williams. Juwaan is currently a redshirt freshman at the University of Oregon. He plays special teams and defensive back while wearing the #17 jersey for the Oregon Ducks. Juwaan previously attended Tucker High School, Tucker, GA where he was a triple threat quarterback.

This past season has been an extraordinary one for those Oregon Ducks. The Ducks were the PAC-12 champs after defeating the University of Arizona on December 5, 2014. Going into the PAC-12 championship game the Ducks were ranked the #2 team by the playoff committee. On Sunday, December 7, 2014, I was glued to the television as the final playoff ranking was made. It was then announced that we were #2 and that we were going to play #3 Florida State in the Rose Bowl. The grand daddy of all bowl games. I started to scream and yell as my excitement took over me. When my excitement had subsided enough for me to call Juwaan I notified him of the news as well.

WE WERE ROSE BOWL BOUND! Tears rolled down my face as I began to think of all of the places that Juwaan has afforded us the opportunity to visit through his success in football. All I can say is that we have been truly blessed. My husband and I had never been to Los Angeles so I began planning for the game FULL Throttle.  As the weeks passed, the excitement built up like I was a little kid at Christmas. We were given the chance to participate in a once in a lifetime opportunity! This year was the inaugural year of the College Football Playoffs and we were determined to be there with Juwaan.

As we traveled to LAX, I was glazing out at the clouds and again my eyes filled with tears of joy as I thanked God for this awesome opportunity. The flight made me reminisce on all the Friday night’s that he would get out of the bath, put on his uniform, and sleep in it so that he could wake up ready for his Saturday morning Pee Wee games. My heart was now overwhelmed with joy and excitement for Juwaan; His dreams are becoming a reality!

To know Juwaan is to know that when he sets a goal, he is determined to see it through. Juwaan has always been hungry to succeed in football. He has played numerous other sports throughout his youth, including soccer, baseball, basketball, and track but his love for the game of football overtook everything else. 

Once we arrived, there were so many activities going on surrounding the Rose Bowl but the highlight for me was attending the parents’ brunch where my husband and I got the opportunity to speak with the University of Oregon’s Atheletic Director, Rob Mullens. He walked around to each table and spoke briefly with everyone. We introduce ourselves as Juwaan Williams’ parents and he finished, “from Tucker, GA. What an awesome kid. Thank you for allowing us to have him come across country to be a part of our program.” My eyes swelled up and sigh of relief set in. I thought about every mile that we’ve placed on our cars, every camp, combine and every piece of advice that Ihad been given. I even thought about the moves that we made to give him the best opportunity. All I could say was “Thank you God for choosing Juwaan and allowing us to be a part of the journey.”

Now, on the day of the Rose Bowl, we were up and out of the hotel by 7:30am. My brothers, Rob and Eric, along with my nephew Eric Jr., and my husband and I, were all in attendance to see the Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl. We were headed to tailgate with Oregon family, the Pietzolds. The excitement began to really build up as the team buses pulled up and they walked into the stadium; game Time was less than three hours away. The look on my son’s face was focused. He looked straight ahead wearing his Beats Headphones, only nodding his head when he walked past us. As he walked through the crowd of fans, I began to pray and ask God for covering over Juwaan and his teammates.

It’s GAME TIME...the parent section is always nice sitting. We were in the front row sitting to the right of the College Game Day broadcast and behind the goal post. My nerves were crazy to start the game, as the players entered the field and said their prayers. I said mine too. I asked God to cover them for the top of the head to soles of their feet and allow them to have fun while the game that they love... After all, they are still kids! Every time Juwaan lined up for the kick-off team, he always does the sign of the cross to give praise and thanksgiving to the man above. At the same time, I repeat the same prayer for Juwaan, asking God to cover him from the top of his head to soles of his feet. AMEN.

As the game entered into the 4th quarter, I leaned over to my husband and he said "We gotta play harder. Florida State is a 2nd half team!" So with  4:00 minutes left in the game, I began to feel overwhelmed. Then with 2:00 minutes left in the game, security was preparing the stadium for awards. Then the buzzer rang and it was the end of the game. I watched the young men celebrate their incredible victory and at that point we all knew that we were headed to the “NATTY”...LET'S GO DUCKS! Dallas, Texas here were come!

The players were running around the field looking for family and friends.  As I was waiting for the right moment to yell for Juwaan, my brother leaned over and said, “ I don’t understand how he hears you over all of these people.” I take that opportunity and to yell, "JUWAAN” at the top of my lungs. He heard me and came running. I had been holding a rose the entire game and handed to Juwaan. He was holding his hat and a t-shirt so he placed the rose in his mouth to give me a hug and a kiss. A photographer caught Juwaan as he was coming down off of the wall and taking that sigh of relief, saying “We got a lot of work to do!” 

My Failure For His Fears

I was determined to play in the Parents versus Staff basketball tournament and my boys were so excited!

Saturday morning rolled around and I put on my husband's sports tights, my t-shirt and I was so ready to get to the gym. I invited my family and friends to be on my personal cheerleading squad. 

As we get teamed up at the gym, I was so psyched that it didn't matter that the team vests that we were given were youth sizes and looked like a tube top on me. I was ready, on fire, ready to drop some buckets! That was until the game started………………………..

The 1st quarter started and the coach told me to get ready. I told him I needed more time, I wasn’t ready just yet. Clearly the coach, who happened to be my husband, was sooooo irritated. I had spent all night telling him how I was going to be a beast, and NOW I needed more time. Ok second quarter and I am getting amped up. I’m talking to myself, drowning out the voices in my head. It’s time to send in a sub and I’m about to unleash the hulk. The coach calls my name and I stand up, walk over to him and say, "I just need a few more minutes”. Truth is, last time I played ball at 8 years old, I had shot the ball into the wrong goal and I was still terrified that I would do it again 25 years later.

So the game went on. I talked to the Lord, talked myself and anyone else that would talk to me. This was very few because all the other parents were annoyed that I hadn’t hit the court yet. Ok......4 minutes left in the game and I AM IN! I get the ball in my hand, terrified, I get in my stance, release and in the basket it goes!!! Yes, yes, yes!!! No cheers, complete silence? I look up to see what's going on and I was at the wrong goal again!!!! I was humiliated, devastated and so embarrassed. My next thought, “I have humiliated my babies. My boys won't live this down”.

Game over! Amen! My son comes up and says "great shot mom, wrong goal but nice shot". My heart was overwhelmed with thankfulness that he still loved me and called me mom. He had not shrunk under my failure.

It was my determination to play in another game and redeem myself. Low and behold I played this past Saturday at the boy's Hoop It Up Birthday Celebration. I played the best five minutes ever!!!! Shot the ball at the right goal, not even close, didn’t event touch the rim or the next. Missed the goal completely, but it was the right goal.



I talked to my son about my performance in the game tonight and he told me, “you couldn't quit just because of the last game, you did good mom”. What a valuable life lesson my failure was for him. On the court or off, never let the fear of failure stop you!

The Beast

My son is literally the fastest kid on the field and on the court. His football career has been stellar and he was recognized at the MVP of his season. Can we say soooooo proud. So going into the basketball season, I had absolutely no doubt that he would release the inner beast. Yes mam, I could wear my referee shirt and talk dog smack everytime they made a bad call on my baby. Because undoubtedly, he was going to be the best.
Ohhhh boy was I wrong!!!!! The first AAU tournament night, which happened to be right before Christmas, baby moved like spoiled milk. It was apparent that something physically was wrong and that he was suffering from ADD and some type of stamina shutdown. Once the game was over, I hug him so tight and told him everything would be okay and that we would talk in the car and that we would go to the doctor on Monday. On the ride home, as we were talking, my son told me that he was just so tired and exhausted and he couldn't understand why because he had eaten a whole bag of Christmas candy at the class Christmas party, including four full size candy canes, two cupcakes and three cookies. Feeling highly irritated and relieved, that my son has suffered a sugar crash and burn. Wiping sweat from my forehead, I knew that the next game would be off the charts amazing for him. He was going to DOMINATE!

The second tournament rolls around and I am self assured that my son is on point and ready to go.............right? Wrong!!!! And don't get me wrong, he's good, he's explosive and confident, but NOT IN THE GAME! There's an open shot, MAKE IT! THROW THE BALL AT THE GOAL! DON'T PASS IT, SHOOT IT! Oh my goooooosssshhhh, I'm thinking to myself! WHERE IS YOUR AGGRESSION, WHERE IS THE BEAST! THIS CANNOT BE THE SAME KID THAT I SEE ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD!

After this long game of "NOT LETTING MY CHILD GET LOOSE" I feel it necessary to have a one one come to JESUS talk. So while listening to the hum of my Armada, I proceeded to ask my son what was going on. And as he begins to mutter out his reasons, it dawns on me that he hasn't realized that HE HAS A BEAST INSIDE OF HIM. Just what I needed a reason to put my smooth negotiation skills into play.

I called my husband to the bedroom for our daily business meeting! Our business tonight is my baby and his beast. I propose that he goes under contract. Even as children, my kids learned the value of a dollar in their desires to get McDonald's Value Meals and the latest Lebrons. So I called my son into the room and offered to sign him to a multi - dollar contract. For every aggressive, beast move that he made on the court. I didn't know if this would work, but it was worth a try to me!

Sunday morning off to the game we go! He gets on the court. My heart is racing a mile a minute and I decided to hold off before I started telling the refs how they needed to turn in their whistles. He starts off a little slow, but later what do I see, A BLOCK! Shut'em down son, shut'em down! What was that a SHOT, oooooohhh he missed. But that's alright because when he looked up at me, I said, " you are still getting a check baby, you are still getting a check!

Ahhhhhh the joy of watching the Beast unfold! And of course the naysayers will complain about paying my kid to channel his inner beast. And how is that any different from giving my child his allowance for doing his chores. Some parents channel the cleaning genie, I choose to channel the untapped potential!

Written by Keschia Martin, Blogger, "She Was At All My Games"

If Miles Will Just Trust Us!

I have personally written about Miles Smith before. But, I am so excited to get the point of view of his Mother; to discuss this journey from talented RB to being sought after for your performance on the field and the classroom. Just like TaQuon Marshall I am so proud of him. And, it is a joy to talk to Tiffany and Tonya about the young men in their homes who have defied all the odds so far. That's what "She went to all of my Games," is all about. To give another side to the story....to the journey.

Tiffany Marshall & Son TaQuon Marshall

I have followed Tiffany when she didn't know I was paying attention. I have been blessed to watch her relationship with TaQuon for awhile now. And, the journey and the path the Marshall has taken has been nothing short of amazing. Because of the parenting skills and the love for their children TaQuon has flourished. A stellar high school football career has lead to offers and a commitment to Ga Tech Yellowjacket Football. This blog is where you will find the thoughts of Tiffany Marshall about the process and get some behind the scene news about TaQuon's next step. Welcome Tiffany!!!!

Excited For The Concept Of The Blog

This Blog will be dedicated to the Moms. I want to chronicle their experiences with the athlete in their home and/or on the field of play right now. We will look at the path of the athlete and how faith and perseverance got them to the point they are at now. The process is just as important as the journey itself and I am positive we all can learn something through their blogging and testimony.