Willowbrook hosts ‘Life and Football. Done Right,’ featuring three NFL players

On July 19, members of the Willowbrook Football Team, along with other high school football players from 14 local schools, had the opportunity to hear three football professionals speak about the sport and how it relates to life.

Matt Blanchard (Bears quarterback), Nate Turner (former NFL running back) and Jeff Christensen (former NFL quarterback, president of Throw It Deep Quarterback and Receiver Training Academy and founder of Do It Right) discussed leadership and character on and off the field with the student-athletes during a program entitled “Life and Football. Done Right,” which took place at Willowbrook.

“Christensen and the current and former NFL players he assembles to talk to today’s youth do an unbelievable job teaching student-athletes about making positive choices and going about every day the right way," said Nick Hildreth, Willowbrook Football Head Coach. "Bringing the Do It Right program to Willowbrook was an important step for our program to continue moving in a positive direction.”

Christensen said he started Do It Right because he has been working with kids for nearly 20 years and has watched them struggle to do the right thing.

"There's no better sport than football to teach you about life," Christensen said. "Do It Right focuses on good decision making and encourages kids to make a positive impact on their peers and community."

The event also featured a 7-on-7 competition, which was a 14-team jamboree with some of the state’s elite programs and college recruits.

"Having this opportunity gives us a lot of experience and a taste of the competition to get ready for this season," said Willowbrook quarterback Brian Johnson, who will be a senior in the fall. "Hearing the NFL players speak showed us that it takes hard work to succeed and make your dreams come true."