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Wednesday, July 29, 1998
NFL mothers organize
By BRETT VITO Herald Democrat
SHERMAN, Texas - Quick, you are a tight end in the National
Football League who has caught a pass, burst through the opposing
team's secondary and scored a touchdown. Shortly after, on the
sidelines, the television camera turns to you.
What are the first words that come to mind? That's right. "Hi,
mom."
A quick mention on TV used to be one of the few roles mothers
played in the world of professional football. That could be changing,
thanks in part to former Sherman resident and Fred Douglass High
School graduate Jo Carolyn Chamberlain of Fort Worth.
Chamberlain is one of a handful of NFL players' mothers who
are determined to make a difference in the lives of their sons
and other players' families through the new Professional Football
Players Mothers Association.
"We want to help our sons and give them support through
a strong mother-son relationship," said Chamberlain, the
mother of Denver Broncos tight end Byron Chamberlain. "We
also want to help new players in the league."
The association has already mapped out plans to offer seminars
on finance and stress management for NFL rookies.
While players' welfare is the organization's main concern,
the group also plans to offer support services to the families
of NFL players.
To those who do not know the challenges NFL players face in
the form of public fame and media attention, the aggressive stance
of the association might seem out of place.
Do players who earn the rare privilege of playing football
professionally, with coaches and trainers available in hard times,
need the support of a mothers' organization?
Cassandra Sneed Ogden, the mother of Baltimore Ravens offensive
lineman Jonathon Ogden, says yes.
Players and their mothers can learn from the experiences of
those in similar situations, whether it be dealing with the pressures
of entering the league or adapting to life after football, Ogden
said.
Ogden was among the first to identify the need for an NFL mothers
organization. She helped organize a teleconference between a few
NFL mothers in March with the goal of forming a group similar
to The Mothers of Professional Basketball Players.
Chamberlain was not among those who participated in the original
teleconference, but she became a vital part of the organization
soon after. She is one of three Southwest regional coordinators,
Ollia Anderson (mother of Dallas Cowboy Antonio Anderson) and
Lawanda Davis (mother of Denver Bronco Terrell Davis) are the
others.
Chamberlain helped organize the group's first meeting April
18. She also serves as the national secretary, preparing mailings
and press releases.
While the organization searches for sources of income, Chamberlain
has incurred the cost of producing and mailing all of the organizations
correspondence.
Chamberlain's actions are not a surprise to Davis. She describes
Chamberlain, a special education teacher, as a warm person who
enjoys listening to others to learn how she can help them achieve
their goals.
Byron Chamberlain may be the best example of a person who has
benefited from a mother's helpful ways. Byron said he struggled
in his dream of reaching the NFL while climbing through the ranks
of football.
The Fort Worth Eastern Hills graduate transferred from Missouri
to Wayne State during his college career.
"I went thorough some difficult times in college not knowing
anyone and being away from home for the first time," Chamberlain
said. "She always came through with money and support."
That support helped make Chamberlain a seventh round draft
choice (222nd overall) in the 1994 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos.
He was a member of the Broncos Super Bowl championship team last
season.
Ogden can see Jo Carolyn Chamberlain once again being a vital
part of a success story, this time with the Professional Football
Players Mothers Association.
"She has been instrumental in building the organization,
going out and bringing in other mothers," Ogden said. "She
sees the importance of having a group like this and has worked
hard to see that it succeeds."
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Distributed by The Associated Press
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