Why Every Athlete Needs a Strong Support System
Every athlete faces adversity. Maybe you’ve been overlooked, doubted, or told you’re not good enough. Maybe your home life is tough, and you feel like the odds are stacked against you. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to do it alone.
That’s where mentorship comes in.
At Change the Game Foundation, we’ve seen firsthand how the right mentor can change an athlete’s life—not just in football, but in the classroom, at home, and in the real world. Because success isn’t just about talent—it’s about having the right people in your corner when things get tough.
1. Everyone Faces Adversity—It’s How You Handle It That Matters
No one gets through life without obstacles. Injuries happen. Setbacks happen. Sometimes, you work your hardest and still don’t get the opportunity you think you deserve.
That’s when most people quit. But the athletes who push through? The ones who refuse to stay down? They’re the ones who make it.
“The game will test you. Life will test you. But with the right mindset and the right people around you, you can push through anything.” – Coach Steve Calhoun
2. The Right Mentor Can Change Everything
A mentor is more than a coach. A real mentor is someone who believes in you before you believe in yourself—someone who’s been where you are and knows what it takes to succeed.
At Change the Game, we’ve mentored athletes who were one step away from quitting. But with guidance, discipline, and the right opportunities, they turned things around.
Mentorship in Action:
- A high school QB who wasn’t getting recruited—until he learned how to showcase his skills and landed a D1 offer.
- A wide receiver who struggled with confidence—until he had someone in his corner, pushing him to believe in himself.
- A student who was failing classes—until a mentor helped him create better habits, turning his grades around and making him eligible for college ball.
“You need people in your life who will push you, correct you, and lift you up. No one makes it to the next level alone.” – Coach Calhoun
3. Football is Temporary—Your Character is Forever
Most athletes won’t go pro. That’s just the reality. But the lessons you learn through sports—the discipline, the work ethic, the resilience—those last forever.
Mentorship isn’t just about making better athletes. It’s about making better men.
What a Good Mentor Teaches You:
- How to handle adversity without breaking
- How to carry yourself with respect on and off the field
- How to be disciplined, responsible, and mentally tough
- How to turn football into real opportunities—scholarships, education, and a better future
“The game will end one day, but who you become because of it—that lasts for life.” – Coach Calhoun
4. Who’s In Your Corner?
Look around. Who’s pushing you to be better? Who’s helping you when things get tough?
The best athletes, the ones who go far, all have mentors. They all have someone who believed in them, guided them, and held them accountable.
If you don’t have that person yet, it’s time to find one.
And if you’re a coach, a parent, or a former athlete, it’s time to be one.
5. How We’re Changing the Game
At Change the Game Foundation, we don’t just train athletes—we mentor them. We teach them how to navigate adversity, how to build confidence, and how to win in life.
But we can’t do it alone.
If you believe in the power of mentorship, you can help us reach more athletes, create more opportunities, and change more lives.
Support the next generation of athletes.