Coach Singletary

Yardbarker,

We just finished our walkthrough for the St. Louis Rams, Edward Jones Dome. As we left the field we met the East St. Louis High School football players who recently won the state championship. The kids were impressed with Isaac Sopoaga's ability to throw a football a mile. It was pretty funny.

I want to thank everyone for their comments and questions. I will use your comments as material for my blog.

The first comment (from Polevault1542) asked about Coach Singletary, a question I get almost daily, so I thought I'd write about that. Mike Singletary is taking the NFL and sports world by storm. During the course of the last four years, I have been fortunate to be exposed to Coach Singletary's words and actions. When he speaks we listen. He is inspiring, motivating, and empowering. Mike Singletary is a leader and our coach.

Like the kids from East St. Louis High, I first met Mike Singletary when I was a kid. During one summer when I went to visit my grandparents in Iowa, my Grandfather (Jackson) decided to drive up to watch the Bears practice (training camp) in Wisconsin.

It would have been in 1987 or 1988 and I would have been eleven years old or so. I grew up playing baseball and had not played organized football at that point in my life. Arriving at the training camp we walked across the grass and found a place to watch practice. I remember William "the Refrigerator" Perry striking a one man sled at throwing it 5 yards in the air.

Then the shrieking sound of wood twisting and cracking commanded our attention. The linebackers were hitting spring loaded pads that were attached to railroad ties. Each linebacker went down the line hitting the pads one at a time, but the sound was #50 striking the pads.

My Grandfather reminded me who #50 was, Singletary - the Bears' linebacker with the intense eyes. I knew who he was, when I played football with my friends, I would either pretend to be Ronnie Lott or Mike Singletary.

As practice ended we walked over to where the players exited the field. Dan Hampton walked by me and he appeared to be ten feet tall, then my Grandfather was able to get the attention of Mike Singletary. He stopped and spoke with me for a moment. Singletary's intense eyes where replaced with a kind confidence. He encouraged me to do well in both school and sports. I left that brief encounter with a totally new perception of both Mike Singletary and myself. For some reason I believed I could become a professional athlete. Mike Singletary who was one of the most feared players ever, was actually a "nice" person.

When Coach Nolan was hired, Mike Singletary came to coach the linebackers. I was excited to tell him that I met him at the Bears training camp all those years ago... Although he did not share my enthusiasm, he was happy to hear that I was influenced so greatly by our chance encounter.

Who knows maybe one of those kids from East St. Louis will be inspired to realize their dreams.

I look forward to reading comments.

Have you ever had a chance encounter someone who had a dramatic influence on your life? Whom do you admire and respect?

Go Team

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• DBack21 said December 21, 2008

  I live in Germany and I once met Michael Strahan and Brian Dawkins in a football camp I attended. Both of them held a little speech and I was just ever so impressed by these guys who had acomplished so much in their lifes! I remember how Brian talked about always being the first guy on and the last guy of the practise field and that you can achieve anything you want if you just work hard at it. These guys have definetaly left a mark!

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• FanOfHughes65 said December 22, 2008

  Brian, this is awesome that you are on Yardbarker. As a long snapper, most people don't know who you are, but I know who you are because my full name is also Brian Jennings. I'm a huge Giants fan, but I like the 49ers too because how could I not root for a team that has someone with my name. What'd you think of that play a few years back in the 49ers/Giants playoff game when Trey Junkin messed up the snap and basically caused the Giants to lose? Have you ever messed up a long snap that lost the game for your team?
  
  You're listed as a tight end. Do you ever get to get in on offensive plays or do you only play special teams?

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• lisa1111 said December 22, 2008

  Brian Jennings IS the most influential person I have EVER met in my ENTIRE LIFE!!! Not only has he been one of my best friends for the last eight years, but a Huge motivator and an inspiration!! All I can say is buckle up and hold on tight yard barker fans!! You are in for a real treat by getting to know the AMAZING Brian Jennings!!!!

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• michelev said December 27, 2008

  Hi Brian. I live down the hall from you and met you with Rejwant. I apologize as I felt that I was rude the last time I saw you. I was in a rush but amazed to hear that you teach / take Vinyasa! How awesome. I have a great story about Mike Singletary. I am from Chicago and followed the Bears back in the day twhen he and Walter Payton were playing. That team was amazing. I was eating with a friend of mine at Mimi's Cafe in Saratoga at the counter when I noticed to her right - Mike! I had to do a double take because no one was recognizing him. I got so excited and practically pushed my friend aside and said "aren't you Mike Singletary?" - he gave this huge big smile with those piercing eyes and said "yes." I think he was excited someone recognized him. He had just been hired as the defensive coordinator. I had such a nice conversation with him. I made a point to also tell him about yoga too :-) and how good it would be for the team to do. Anyway, I do hope that he stays with you as coach. I can only imagine his influence. Just his presence is inspiring. Good luck this weekend. How is your yoga?

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