navy football

T.O.!  Nick Henderson everybody. NFB '09, class of 2010 wide receiver.  Nick became a Naval Flight Officer (NFO) and has transitioned in to the consulting industry (Med and Sports specifically with Russel Reynolds Consulting.  Nick spends some time in the Non-Profit world with "AT LAST" working with under privileged kiddos getting them support with academics and development.  Also learning some real estate, hitting some rec sports, and enhancing his golf game.  Nick hits on listening to what matters, playing the long game (relationships), and how to "just do it" - swoosh.  Through perseverance and trusting the process, Nick is doing quite well today!

Mongo!  A 2001 NAPSter, NFB senior 04. Class 05. Flying CH-53 Helos. 3 AFG deployments. A Presidential Pilot of 5 years, flying Marine One for Obama and Trump. On to a squadron Ops O -> XO -> CO of “Ironhorse”.  Now currently serving as the Heavy Lift Detachment OIC for VMX-1 (Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One). Adam Horne is described as a natural leader who has been taking care of his friends, teammates, and family for a long time. He is also known for his ability to find the best qualities in people and form the best teams. I specifically enjoyed his take, as a Commanding Officer - “Find an XO that’s not like you”. He believes that the NFB Brotherhood has taught him to be a better person and is grateful for the experience. Horne advises that all the things learned from Navy Football make a good Marine officer. Adam has a Masters in Leadership from Marshal University. Horne’s “Price of Admission” is showing up every day and taking care of the people around him, even if it hurts.  

Chaps! and Author of “Into the Fire: A Season of Navy Football, Fortitude and Faith”.  John Owen was the Navy Football team Chaplain for the 2007 season.  A 10 year Coast Guard Helo pilot, transitioned to 17 year Navy Chaplain. Now retired, living in Spokane, Washington.  Alum of Cal Berkley for a year then Whitworth College as an english major.  Chaps talks about the lessons he’s learned over the years, specifically in his one year with NFB.  He discusses “when things are not going well”, his journey through prostate cancer, talking through PTSD, and his Price of Admission.  ...A lot of it was Gratitude.

Chaplain Owen’s book - “Into the Fire: A Season of Navy Football, Fortitude and Faith” is a book written by John Owen, chronicling the 2007 season of the United States Naval Academy football team. The book provides an insider’s look at the team, the coaches, and the players, as well as their struggles and triumphs on and off the field.
For most college football players, practice is the most difficult part of their day, and for many of them, playing for the NFL is the goal. At the United States Naval Academy, the twenty-one hours a day the players spend off the field are at least as demanding as the three that they spend on the field, and their post-college futures are determined: serving their country as officers leading Sailors and Marines. For over 130 years, Navy football has maintained a proud tradition of courage, resilience, and never flinching in the face of long odds and a good fight. The 2007 season was a thrilling and timeless example of the inseparable goals of Navy football: winning on the field and developing future officers of character and integrity. Through the words that the team chaplain shared with the team prior to every game, you’ll see why, at Navy, football is about a lot more than just football. “ . . . more than a story about athletics . . . It is a stimulating read” -Roger Staubach, USNA ’65, 1963 Heisman Trophy & Super Bowl VI MVP. “It is inspiring to learn the truths that Chaplain Owen shared with the team prior to each game. The lessons are universal . . . what a great read” -The Honorable John H. Dalton, former Secretary of the Navy

The Mayor!  Mr. Craig Carter of Oklahoma is a HUGE NFB supporter and advocate.  Once an Oklahoma State Cowboy Footballer, Craig reflects a little about the past, but better yet, where he is today.  I love one of his pieces to the Price - “Nothing’s free, fair, or equal, but if you get 2 of the 3, you’ll be alright.”  Shaking hands and taking names, the Mayor might be in your neck of the woods soon while he's traveling, making deals, and staying engaged for GOOD.

We talk about his son and our brother Blake, shared some memories and stories while discussing ways to support each other through the process. Just call. 
This one goes out to Blake Carter!

Now a Wealth Manager from Raleigh, NC, Trey Grissom shares his POA.  NFB senior '10, Class of 2011, Marine Corps Infantry Officer, and Military Staffing Salesman. Trey stays focused on finishing what he starts, staying uncomfortable/not getting complacent, and prioritizing leading himself first.  Hit Trey up if your have and need some wealth to be managed!

Mike is a Tyler TX native, former Marine Corps Infantry Officer, Class of 2010 USNA Boxing Champ, current day entrepreneur and content creator.  We get to Mike's Price of Admission after gaining a little more insight to his podcast series "Always Faithful" episodes, discuss sections of his Book "Black Veteran Entrepreneur, and touch a little bit on culture change.  An all around good dude and advisor on many fronts based off of his experiences, grit, and determination.  

"Iron" Mike is the author of "Black Veteran Entrepreneur" Available on Amazon- Professional Business Coach building the next generation of confident, resilient, and badass entrepreneurs & brands @IRONBOUND & @The Lions Pride

Marine Corps Major Jordan Eddington tells us about his experience as the Battalion Operations Officer for 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, running the largest airlift in modern history, ending the United States’ longest war ever.  Jordan starts his career washing cars, then working at Six Flags selling turkey legs, on to NAPS -> to USNA where Jordan was a NFB linebacker and fullback.  Class of ’10, NFB senior ’09 season.  Jordan enters the Marine Corps as an Infantry Officer taking over a platoon of Marines in LAR (Light Armored Reconnaissance), on to leading a Company at Paris Island, joins the “Big 6” at 1/8, now the Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Recruiting Station Houston.  This San Antonio, Texas native is the oldest of 4 siblings, bolstering his independence and self reliance.  JE is definitely someone you want in your corner for a fight in any climb or place.

If you haven’t seen the HBO documentary “Escape from Kabul”, I recommend you do to get a small glimpse of what the situation looked like on the ground.  ChatGPT summarizes the documentary for us below: 
“Escape from Kabul” is a gripping documentary produced by HBO that recounts the frantic and harrowing events of the evacuation of American citizens, Afghan allies, and other vulnerable individuals from the city of Kabul, Afghanistan in August 2021. With the Taliban rapidly taking control of the country, chaos and confusion reigned in Kabul’s airport as people scrambled to board evacuation flights amid security threats, bureaucratic hurdles, and the fear of being left behind in a war-torn and hostile environment. The documentary provides a detailed account of the challenges faced by the evacuees, the military personnel and aid workers who facilitated the evacuation, and the political decision-makers who were responsible for orchestrating the operation. “Escape from Kabul” offers a vivid and emotional portrayal of a critical moment in recent world history, and sheds light on the complexities of the military and political dynamics that shaped it.

NFB ’09, class of 2010, slotback Corey Finnerty now an Explosive Detection Canine Handler!  From Ventura California -> Naval Academy Prep School -> USNA -> Selected Pilot -> Naval Architect -> Gov Civilian Engineer for NAVSEA and the ARMY -> Explosive Detection Canine Handler.   Home is now called Pasadena, MD with his wife Elisa.  Recruited by Niumat, site visit with Matt Nechak, hosted by Bobby Mac, and reinforced by his father’s tough love and perspective - Corey knew the Chesapeake Bay was the place for him.  Today Corey has a new sense of purpose in the K-9 handling profession.

NFB ’06 Offensive Captain, Class of ’07, James Rossi tells us about hard work.  Hailing from Buda, TX and a few “Hays County Nights”, Rossi digs deep in to the simplicity of his successes - hard work.  His path initiated as a surface warfare officer, to Medical Sales, on to Financial Advising for WestPac Wealth Partners, now an RVP Kingsbarn Real Estate in sunny Southern California.  James also spends time serving on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Food Bank.  He never has a low gear, nobody has anything bad to say about him, staying true to his values and hitting it hard everyday. 

USNA class of '05 and '04 Senior Defensive Captain, Josh Smith gives his take on the Price.  Josh gets detailed on his navy football days and the keys to turning around the program.  This turnaround process engrained a "never quit" / "never settle" mindset.  Now Nicknamed "Coach", flying P3s in the Navy, Josh still gets after it coaching his kids, enjoying the outdoors, and getting to church.  

The Pigskin Pod Cats turn back the clock to describe a trio of great Army-Navy games. In 1946, West Point was one impressive win from an unprecedented, third straight, undefeated national title. Navy had other plans, however. The mysterious “Lonely End” was unveiled by the Cadets in 1958 and carried Army to a come-from-behind win over Navy. In 1963, Navy, led by Roger Staubach, had one of its greatest teams, and fought through another nail biter with its rival.