Howard Shatsky's post on NFL Football | Latest updates on Sulia

The NFL Client I Didn't Want was named Vernon Turner & is now one of my closest friends. It was my 2nd year in the agent business. The agent I worked with & I represented some of the best players in the NFL, including Karl Mecklenburg, David Meggett & Sean Landeta. We received a phone call from one of his former clients who wanted us to do him a favor and take kid who had graduated from his HS. After hearing the kid was a 5'8" 170 lb RB from Carson Newman, I said, no chance he plays in the NFL. However, after several conversations with Vernon, I soon realized there was something special about him. We explained to Vernon that at his size and weight he had no shot at playing RB in the NFL and would have to learn how to play WR. A position change prevents most players from making it to the next level and here was a kid who did not even play D1! Despite the long odds, Vernon never complained or got frustrated. In fact he was so positive I soon began to rely on him to lift my spirits when the football business would get me down. What I did not know at the time, was that this positive spirit shone brightly despite the huge weight Vernon was carrying. You see Vernon's siblings lived with his Aunt, who had told him she could no longer afford to keep the family together. Since that day this longest of longshots was counting on an NFL career to keep his family together! Vernon literally willed his way into the NFL, catching hundreds of balls every day and working out like no one I have ever seen. When I first spoke with NFL teams about him, not a single one knew who Vernon was. By the end of the pre draft process, The Warrior, as we had come to nickname him, was a legit NFL prospect and eventually had the first punt return for a TD in Tampa Bay Buccaneer history. This happened through hard work and dedication. Despite growing up in the ghettos of NY with little parental guidance, today Vernon Turner is a respected executive in the business world with a six figure salary. The fact that I was a small part of his sucess is something I consider one of my greatest achievements. Vernon recently published his autobiography, "The Next Level: A Game I Had to Play". Take a break from reading about NFL players going bankrupt and instead learn about a former player who is truly a role model for you and your children. You can order your copy at www.vernonturner.com Fond out how and why VT had to play in the NFL, I guarantee you will not be sorry you did!

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