OUR PICK IS IN!
With the NFL Draft in Detroit, we announce Jessica Gray will be speaking at the 2024 Player Development Conference.
The NFL Draft is in Detroit and so is Jessica Gray. So, it’s only right to announce her as one of esteemed speakers for the 2024 Player Development Conference.
SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT
Jessica Gray will be speaking at the 2024 Player Development Conference.
Title: Culture and Your Role In It
When: Friday, 17th, Afternoon
Get Your Ticket
The Detroit Lions have changed their on-field fortunes the last few years, because of incredible leadership. And I know one of those incredible leaders is Jessica Gray. You can’t convince me that there is NO WAY she hasn’t had a vital part in the culture change of the Lions.
In 2022, I had the pleasure of co-presenting a session on player engagement and development with Jess for the NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy. I was thrilled at the opportunity to be a speaker, but even more thrilled to know I would be able to lead a session with The Jessica Gray.
I got to know Jess through N4A, an organization I am so glad I was a part of and would be of great help to you professionally to join if you aren’t a member, at one of our many Zoom meetings. Then, as what happens all the time in sports, I heard more about how incredible she was through the mutual connections we had.
In 2020 I met her in person, when I made an advance trip to Lubbock before our team played Texas Tech, the meeting was supposed to be a 5-minute meeting of greetings, but then turned into a 30–40-minute conversation about student-athletes, culture, and professional development.
In 2022, I went to NFL Combine to make connections and experience the event. While there, Jess took time out of her BUSY schedule to sit down and talk. I was and still am very appreciative of her allowing me that time during such a busy event, while we were talking the GOAT, Bill Belicheck, walked by and said hello in the tone of voice you think he would.
Back to the NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy, the prep for the presentation was good, I learned so much from Jess professionally and what the role of player engagement looks like. BUT what I will always remember was when we finalized the presentation and were in the lobby hours before our time, she asked me how I was doing. I was about 3 months into my transition from Baylor Football and had difficulty finding a job. My confidence, self-esteem, and outlook were low, and this intentional conversation was what I needed. (I tried to brush over it, but she was having it. LOL) She encouraged me, uplifted me, and empowered me.
I bring these three separate instances up because if I experienced this in three different interactions over the span of two years, how much impact is she having on people she is seeing every day. How intentional is she being with those in the Lions organization. How is she encouraging, uplifting, and empowering the people of Detroit.
THIS IS WHY I AM EXCITED TO HAVE HER SPEAK.
SHE IS A LIFE IMPACTER AND SHE IS A CULTURE SHIFTER!
Conference Giveaway
Click the link below.
This will start the whole process.
Share your WHY.
Why does player/athlete development matter to you? Why do you want to be in this space?
Record the value you provide.
Send in a 60 second video describing what you will contribute to the player/athlete development space.
You can send your videos or video links to info@btfprogram.com
You can also tag Beyond The Field to videos on social media.
There it is! That is what you need to do for this AWESOME opportunity.
Player Development Resources
COURSES
BOOKS
Player Development Guide eBook
Head Coaches Guide to Player Development eBook