Houston Texans safety Justin Reid may only be entering his second professional year, but he is already showing maturity beyond his years.
The former third-round defensive back, who shone his rookie year, has recently discussed the importance of planning for life after football, knowing that before too long his athletic prime will be over.
“I think it’s important for guys to finish their degree,” Reid told the media Monday. “Because school is very important to me and I want to be a role model to kids. You can do both. It’s important to always go back and get your education because football is not forever.”
This is not to say that Reid has any imminent retirement plans, far from it, but it is refreshing to see a young player exhibit the maturity to keep the long term in mind.
“Although I do want to play as long as possible, maybe step up to the ranks of Tom Brady at some point, 20 years, but there’s life after football too and I want to be prepared for that as well.”
Frequently, you find that players are so focused on the present and that ultimate goal of making it to the NFL, that life after football becomes somewhat of an afterthought. Look no further than the Netflix series “Last Chance U.” Those young men constantly talk about the fact that their driving force in life is football, and how they wouldn’t know what to do with their lives if it wasn’t for the sport.
It is refreshing to see a player of just 22 years of age, trying to do what he can to not only help the next generation where he can but also prioritize showing them that there is more to life than football.
