A Huge Thank You to Dick’s Sporting Goods!
We are thrilled to express our gratitude to Dick’s Sporting Goods for their incredible support of the Premier Players Sports Foundation! With your partnership, we are changing lives by helping orphaned, foster, special needs, and at-risk children participate in sports and gain valuable mentorship opportunities. Together, we’re building brighter futures and empowering the next generation through the power of sports. Thank you for making an impact!
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Weaver Named Spirit Award Recipient
Kentucky outside linebacker J.J. Weaver has been named the winner of the 12th annual Freddie Solomon Community Spirit Award, the Premier Players Sports Foundation announced Tuesday.
The award, named in honor of “Fabulous” Freddie Solomon, a University of Tampa standout and Super Bowl champion with the San Francisco 49ers, recognizes athletes who embody Solomon’s legacy of giving back to the community.
Weaver was nominated for the honor because of his passion for focusing on mental health and children’s grief.
Weaver, who was born with six fingers on his right hand, was bullied in grade school for being different. He found a reprieve in football and went on to earn four-star prospect status out of Moore Traditional High School in Louisville before signing with the Wildcats. However, from July 2020 to August 2021, Weaver lost his father to homicide, sustained a season-ending knee injury and then lost his beloved high school football coach to cancer.
After talks with UK’s then-head athletic trainer Gabe Amponsah and head coach Mark Stoops, who lost his father to a heart attack while in college, Weaver agreed to attend counseling for his grief and anger. After struggling to find adequate counseling nearby, Weaver has become an outspoken advocate for mental health.
In the fall of 2023, with help from the Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families, he launched an eight-week, peer-led grief counseling group on UK’s campus the first of its kind at Kentucky called “The
Perfect Fit Support Group.” The organization even earned a $40,000 grant from Women in Philanthropy and is now available to all students on UK’s campus. It is now known as “Loss Inspiring New Connections.”
“With everybody on campus, I know somebody’s grieving. When I leave, I want Kentucky to keep having this and have an open campus,” said Weaver. “Every student can come, football players, soccer players — it’s just open for all students at the University of Kentucky.”
This spring, Weaver attended the “Supporting Children and Teens Through Loss” event at the Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families, where he spoke to the group about going through grief and participated in a drum circle with the children. In June, he attended the 2024 Annual Symposium on Children’s Grief in Denver to share his story. He’s also hosted free football camps and bike drives.
On the field, Weaver is a three-year team captain, joining Joshua Paschal and DeAndre Square as the only three-time team captains in school history. He graduated in December 2023 with a degree in community leadership and development and is currently working on a second degree in family science with a minor in communication.
In nine games this season, Weaver has totaled 26 tackles and leads the team with five sacks and six quarterback hurries. He also has 6.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. He ranks third at UK in career tackles for loss and is fourth in all-time sacks.
By Joseph Russell, Messenger-Inquirer
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BUILDING WEALTH
Time May Be Your Biggest Advantage
Starting your financial journey early is one of the smartest moves you can make. As a young investor, time is your greatest advantage when it comes to building wealth. With a little planning and smart strategies, you can set yourself up for financial success. Here’s how to get started.
1. Don’t Fall for Lifestyle Inflation
When you land your first job or start making more money, it’s tempting to spend on things you’ve always wanted upgraded tech, trendy clothes, expensive coffee, or trips with friends. But letting your spending rise with your income can hold you back from reaching bigger goals.
Advice: Keep your spending in check by prioritizing saving and investing. Treat yourself occasionally, but don’t make lifestyle upgrades your default every time you earn more. Also, set spending limits for nonessentials. If necessary, use a budgeting app to track your habits and stay on course.
2. Start Investing Early
The earlier you start investing, the more time your money has to grow. Thanks to compound interest, even small amounts invested consistently can turn into a significant sum over time.
Example: If you invest $100 a month starting
at age 22, with an average return of 7%, you’ll have over $250,000 by age 60. Wait until 30 to start, and that drops to just $120,000.
3. Build a Budget That Works for You
Budgeting doesn’t have to feel restrictive. Instead, think of it as a way to put your money to work toward your goals.
A young investor’s budget should include:
- Emergency Fund: Save three to six months’ worth of expenses in an accessible account for unexpected events like car repairs, medical bills, or job change.
- “Pay Yourself First” Rule: Automatically transfer a percentage of each paycheck to your savings or investment accounts. The 50/30/20 Rule attributes:
- 50% for essentials (rent, food, transportation);
- 30% for wants (entertainment, travel hobbies); and
20% for savings and investments.
4. Be Wary of Debt
Credit cards and loans can be useful, but they can also trap you in a cycle of debt if not managed carefully.
Use smart debt management by:
- Always paying your credit card balance in full each month to avoid interest charges.
- Avoiding taking out loans for things that don’t grow in value, like expensive cars or luxury items.
- Focusing on paying off high-interest debt quickly to free up money for savings and investing.
5. Stay Educated About Money
The financial world can feel overwhelming, but there are plenty of resources to help you learn. Advisors, Apps, YouTube channels, and books are great starting points.
Recommended Resources include Books - The Simple Path to Wealth or Rich Dad Poor Dad _ and Apps like Robinhood, Vanguard, or Acorns to start investing with minimal funds.
6. Set Goals for Your Future
What do you want your money to do for you? Whether it’s traveling, buying a home, starting a business, or retiring early, setting clear goals will help you stay motivated.
An example goal could be to save $10,000 by age 30 for a down payment on a house and invest enough to have $1 million by retirement.
Final Thoughts:
Starting your financial journey early gives you an incredible advantage. By avoiding lifestyle inflation, investing regularly, and sticking to a budget, you can build wealth and financial freedom.
Remember, it’s okay to start small—the important thing is to start. Your future self will thank you for taking action today!
Article by Carnell Moore
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How To Design Your Life for Peak Performance
Achieving peak performance as an athlete is more than just having natural talent or practicing regularly. It requires a holistic approach that includes nutrition, injury prevention, mental health, and disciplined routines. Elite athletes meticulously design their lives to maximize performance and longevity, and you can, too, by following these expert-backed strategies.
1. Nutrition: The Basis of Athletic Success
What you fuel your body with directly impacts how you perform on the field, court, or track. Proper nutrition ensures sustained energy, quicker recovery, and improved overall performance.
Key Nutritional Components:
Carbohydrates: These are your body’s primary energy source, especially during intense activity. Athletes should aim for 5060% of their daily intake to come from complex carbohydrates like whole grains, sweet potatoes, oats, and quinoa.
Protein: Critical for muscle repair and recovery, athletes need about 1.2 to 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily. Lean meats, eggs, Greek yogurt, and plantbased options like lentils and tofu are excellent choices.
Healthy Fats: Fats play a crucial role in brain function, energy storage, and reducing inflammation. Incorporate avocados, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish like salmon into your diet.
Hydration: Staying hydrated is nonnegotiable. Dehydration of even 2% of body weight can significantly impair performance.
Drink water consistently throughout the day and replenish electrolytes with sports drinks or natural sources like coconut water during extended training sessions.
Pro Tip: Plan meals and snacks around your workouts. Eating a balanced meal 2-3 hours before exercising and refueling with a mix of carbs and protein within 30 minutes postworkout helps optimize energy and recovery.
2. Injury Prevention: Protecting Longevity
Injuries can derail your progress, sometimes permanently. Injury prevention should be a core part of every athlete’s routine.
Strategies for Staying Injury-Free:
Warm-ups: Start every workout or game with dynamic stretches and mobility exercises to increase flexibility, blood flow, and range of motion. Incorporate movements that mimic the activity you’re about to perform.
Cross-training: Avoid overuse injuries by mixing up your training. Adding low-impact activities like yoga, swimming, or cycling gives overworked muscles a break while improving overall fitness.
Recovery: Rest isn’t laziness it’s when your body rebuilds and strengthens. Sleep, in particular, is vital for muscle repair and cognitive function. Aim for 7-9 hours per night and consider naps during intensive training periods.
3. Mental Resilience: The Hidden Superpower
Physical conditioning is only part of the equation mental toughness is the gamechanger. More athletes are prioritizing mental health to gain an edge both on and off the field.
Mental Health Strategies for Athletes:
Meditation and Mindfulness: Daily mindfulness or meditation sessions can help athletes reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance performance under pressure.
Visualization: Picture yourself succeeding. Visualization techniques are proven to boost confidence and improve outcomes in competition.
Journaling: Writing about your goals, challenges, and emotions fosters selfawareness and clarity.
Athletes like J.J. Weaver have openly shared how mental health resources helped him overcome challenges. “Counseling gave me tools to process grief and become a better player and teammate,” he says.
Pro Tips for Peak Performance
Beyond nutrition, injury prevention, and
mental resilience, here are additional tips for elevating your game:
Track Progress: Use apps or fitness journals to monitor training, performance, and recovery. This data can help identify trends and areas for improvement.
Listen to Your Body: Pain is a warning sign, not something to “push through.” Address minor issues early to avoid long-term damage.
Surround Yourself with Experts: Work closely with trainers, physical therapists, nutritionists, and mental health professionals to create a well-rounded support team.
Set SMART Goals: Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timebound. Regularly reassess and adjust them as needed.
Final Thoughts
Peak performance starts with taking ownership of your health and habits. From fueling your body with the right nutrients to investing in mental resilience and protecting yourself from injury, success isn’t about luck it’s about intentionality. Remember, the journey to greatness starts with you!
LE NOW
Calling All Fans: It's
Time to Crown the Best in College Football!
College football wouldn’t be the phenomenon it is today without you, the fans. Every cheer, every chant, every moment of passion fuels the game we all love. But for years, when it came to deciding the best college football player and coach in the nation, fans were left out of the conversation.
That all changed in 2010 when The Premier Player of College Football Trophy was born— a one-of-a-kind award where your voice matters most. This isn’t just about stats or expert opinions. It’s about fans like YOU having the power to decide who deserves to hoist the 19-lb Premier Player Trophy.
Here’s how it works:
At the start of each season, we unveil a poll featuring 20 of the nation’s top college football players for fans to follow. By mid-October, as the season heats up, we’ll add breakout stars and remove underperformers, ensuring the list reflects the best of the best.
Then, it’s all up to YOU! Fans have until the last conference championship game to vote for the player who truly defines greatness.
“Fans are such a big part of the games, so we wanted to create an award where they can play a big part, too,” says Carnell Moore, founder of Premier Players and the Premier Players Sports Foundation. “All the athletes in our polls are Premier Players, but we let the fans decide who takes home the trophy.”
And it doesn’t stop there. Our mission goes beyond the gridiron. The Premier Players Sports Foundation operates fan polls across other sports, including NCAA baseball, basketball (men’s and women’s), hockey (men’s and women’s), and softball, as well as pro football.
Even better - Your votes make a difference. Every poll supports our foundation’s work to help orphaned, foster, special needs, and atrisk youth participate in community sports leagues. By funding sponsorships, providing equipment, and offering life management skills through our network of athletes, we’re using the power of sports to change lives.
Now, without further ado, we present our Top Five candidates for the 2024 Premier Player and Coach of College Football Awards, listed in alphabetical order.
THE PLAYERS
Jaxson Dart has delivered an outstanding 2024 season, cementing his place as one of college football's top quarterbacks while breaking Eli Manning passing record at Ole Miss.. Here’s a snapshot of his remarkable year:
Explosive Stats: Dart has surpassed 3,800 passing yards with 25 passing touchdowns, 3 rushing touchdowns, and over 600 rushing yards, showcasing his dual-threat ability.
Key Wins: He led Ole Miss to signature victories over Alabama, Georgia, and LSU, with clutch fourth-quarter performances and gamewinning drives.
Leadership: As a team captain, Dart’s poise and work ethic have inspired his teammates, keeping Ole Miss in contention for the SEC Championship.
Decision-Making: With only 6 interceptions on 363 attempts, Dart’s smart play elevated Ole Miss’s offense.
Ashton Jeanty has had a phenomenal season, solidifying his reputation as one of the most electrifying running backs in college football. Here's a condensed look at his impressive year:
Elite Production: Jeanty has rushed for 2288 yards and 28 touchdowns while adding more than 100 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown.
Key Performances: He delivered standout games, including a 259-yard, 4touchdown performance against Washington State, and multiple 200-yard rushing games against top Mountain West opponents.
Game-Changer: Jeanty’s explosive speed and ability to break tackles have made him a nightmare for defenses, earning him comparisons to NFL stars like Christian McCaffrey and NFL Hall of Famer Barry Sanders.
Travis Hunter is one of the most dynamic and versatile players in the game. Playing both wide receiver and cornerback, he has showcased elite talent on both sides of the ball, drawing national acclaim.
On Offense: A playmaking machine that has amassed over 1,000 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, becoming a key weapon for Colorado's offense. Highlight moments include a game-winning touchdown against Arizona State and multiple 100+ yard games.
On Defense: A lockdown corner with shutdown presence in the secondary, tallying 4 interceptions, 12 pass breakups, and countless gamealtering plays.
Two-Way Excellence: Unprecedented Stamina playing over 100 snaps per game, Hunter has redefined what it means to be a two-way player, earning comparisons to legends like Charles Woodson and Deion Sanders.
Diego Pavia, quarterback for the Vanderbilt Commodores, has been a standout in the 2024 college football season, bringing electrifying performances to the SEC and showcasing his versatility as a dual-threat QB.
Passing Prowess: Pavia has thrown for over 2,100 yards with 17 touchdowns, maintaining a solid 65% completion rate. His deep-ball accuracy and ability to find receivers in tight coverage have been key to the Commodores’ offensive success.
Dynamic Rushing: Known for his mobility, Pavia has added 700+ net rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, making him a constant threat both through the air and on the ground.
Signature Games includes the Commodores' 40-35 win over Alabama on October 5, when Pavia led the team to their firstever victory over a top-five ranked opponent, and against Florida, Pavia recorded 4 total TDs (2 passing, 2 rushing) to lead Vanderbilt to a thrilling upset victory.
Cam Ward has been a standout quarterback for the Miami Hurricanes, solidifying himself as one of the top playmakers in college football. With over 4,000 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions, Ward set both the Miami single-season record for TD passes and passing yards His dual-threat ability has also been crucial, adding over 300 rushing yards and 4 TDs to his tally.
Ward's signature game was the season opener against Florida, where he led the ‘Canes to a 41-17 victory. In the game, he completed 26 of 35 passes for 385 yards and three TDs. He was named ACC Offensive Player of the Week, Quarterback of the Week, Davey O'Brien National Quarterback of the Week, and Maxwell Award National Player of the Week.
Ward's leadership has been pivotal for Miami’s success, and his ability to perform in critical moments has made him one of the most exciting QB to watch.
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THE COACHES
Curt Cignetti's 2024 highlights as head coach of the 10-1 Indiana Hoosiers have already showcased his transformative impact on the program. After being hired in late 2023, he faced the challenge of rebuilding the team, which included a large influx of transfers and recruits. Despite low expectations, Cignetti has brought a renewed sense of optimism to Indiana.
One of his early successes was landing high-profile transfers like quarterback Kurtis Rourke and standout receiver Donaven McCulley, whose return was a huge win. Cignetti also quickly established himself as a highly effective recruiter, leading the Hoosiers to a Top 20 recruiting class, which included multiple allconference players.
Cignetti’s reputation as a program builder, highlighted by his past success at James Madison, is starting to take shape at Indiana. His focus on discipline and high standards is already evident, and many expect him to elevate Indiana to new heights.
James Franklin, head coach of the 10-1 Penn State Nittany Lions, has had a strong 2024 season marked by impressive defensive strategies and a focus on discipline. Under Franklin’s leadership, Penn State has been maintaining a solid record and improving with every game. In a recent 21-7 win over Illinois, Franklin highlighted the team’s dominant defense, especially in the second half. The Nittany Lions held Illinois to just 34 rushing yards and dominated on third downs, thanks to strong defensive adjustments.
Franklin also emphasized the importance of discipline. He stressed the need for accountability both on and off the field, addressing how the team must continue to improve in minimizing errors and grow with each challenge.
With a combination of strong defensive schemes and an offense continuing to find its rhythm, Franklin’s leadership has positioned Penn State as a top contender for the Big Ten title.
Jeff Monken, the 10-1 Army Black Knights football head coach, has guided his team to continued success with notable milestones in 2024. Under his leadership, Army has been ranked in the Top 25, a testament to his coaching prowess and ability to get the most out of his players. The team also finished 8-0 in the AAC to earn the right to host the AAC Championship game.
One of the team's key highlights this season has been their strong performance in the opening games, with impressive wins, including a dominant victory against Lehigh (42-7) to start the season..
Monken's efforts extend beyond just game strategy; his ability to motivate and develop players has helped maintain Army's competitive edge. His leadership is credited with fostering a culture of resilience, discipline, and hard work, aligning with the values of West Point.
Deion "Coach Prime"
Sanders continues to elevate the Colorado Buffaloes, leading them to a 9-3 regular season record in their debut year in the Big 12. This marked a significant turnaround for a program once struggling at the Power Five level. Coach Prime has also:
- Transformed the Buffaloes from a 1-11 team to a competitive bowl eligible team;
- Helped revitalize the program's financial health, bringing the University of Colorado into a new era of national visibility and revenue;
- Revitalize the program's cultural health. He has appeared as a guest faculty member at the university, and the team has posted its highest cumulative grade-point average in program history; and
- Coach Prime is a mentor who pushes his players to excel on and off the field. He focuses on building men of character and faith.
Dan Lanning's 2024 season as head coach of the Oregon Ducks showcased his continued success in shaping a powerhouse program. Under his leadership, Oregon had a standout year, marked by a competitive Pac-12 campaign and a dominant performance in key games, solidifying their status as a national contender.
Lanning became the third UO head coach to reach at least 22 wins in his first two seasons, and his 31 wins are tied with Chip Kelly for the most by an Oregon head coach through his first 36 games.
Lanning's emphasis on a strong defense and strategic recruiting paid off, as Oregon secured another top-tier recruiting class, positioning the team for sustained success.
His personality is a combination of focus, intensity, and drive, and he's able to connect well with the players because he's real and vulnerable.
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