“Chris, keep driving big boy,” says the loud voice bellowing from the football stands at Magnolia High School (Magnolia, Texas). It is an early humid morning and the man behind the voice is in his usual spot with the other dads who have come out to support their sons. As I get closer, the gentleman let out a forceful, but loving command. “Chris, you gotta drive him off the line.” By this time I make eye contact with the person whose resounding voice can be heard over the music playing in the background. At first glance, this 6’7 human being can be a little intimidating to some because of his stature. Once I reach the bleachers he sticks out his hand, and this huge smile comes across his face. “How are you doing, brother,” he says with a thick Louisiana accent. I soon realize that his size and personality are the same…BIG.

It was this same big size and personality that allowed Glower to take his tremendous amount of talent and propelled that into a 10 year career in the NFL (OAK, MIN, N.O.). He was an early look at what the TE position would eventually become in the latter years. A natural blend of speed, agility, and pass-catching, he had the ability to move a three hundred pound defensive lineman out of his way; things rarely seen by someone in his position before they entered the league. Glover got a lot of practice playing ball before he entered to league with on e of the greats, legendary football Coach Eddie Robinson of Grambling State University.

Glover took those skills he learned on the field and ingrained them in his kids who have followed him into the sports world. He and his wife Mary are their kids’ biggest fans and often at their games. Their oldest PJ is a college football player in California. Middle child Christon is a senior OL varsity football player at Magnolia High School with the baby Alex who is also at MHS as a junior classman varsity volleyball player.

Glover agreed to sit down with me and have a discussion about the state of the National Football League both past and present.

HSM: Let me first say that it is an honor and a pleasure for me to interview you and I appreciate the time.

Glover: Anytime brother. I know we will be seeing a lot of each other this year (both our sons are teammates on the varsity team). And not just at the field. I hope to see you at a couple of the volleyball games as well (Alex has verbally committed to play at Southern Methodist University when she was 15 years old).

HSM: Of course, I hear she is an unstoppable force out there.

Glover: Come on brother. Look at her dad. You know she going to be good.

(We both laugh loudly enough to catch the attention of the players on the field)

HSM: What is life like after the National Football League?

Glover: Life is a big transition post NFL. When you are so use to having a schedule months in advance telling you where to be and when. You get use to following that schedule down to the second. Once that is gone, you are usually trying to find some sort of normalcy to help you cope with that. In addition, it is great to have something else to fall back on like another talent that can help you transition back into the real world.

HSM: What advice would you give some of these young players in the NFL?

Glover: First and foremost you need to learn to listen more than you talk. Learn the layout of the land. Learn what it takes to maintain the elite status in the National Football League.

HSM: When you were in Oakland, you played for the late Al Davis, who is an iconic figure when it comes to owners in the NFL. What was that experience like?

Glover: It was monumental. You are speaking of a guy who was an entrepreneur, leader, coach, etc. who played a major role in the evolution of the game. I learned a lot about football from him, but more importantly, I learned about business and the game of life.

HSM: You played with two all time great receivers in (Hall of Fame) Cris Carter and (Future Hall of Fame) Randy Moss in Minnesota. During that time you had the best seasons of your career (1,227 yds, 12.8 yds avg., 9 TD – three years in Minn.). What was it like playing with those two weapons, while being a valuable weapon yourself?

Glover: You had to be near perfection at all times. When you have an opportunity to make a play, you have to make sure you do. If not, in those guys minds, they could have made that play. Everyone had a role and a responsibility and I just wanted to do my part to the best of my ability.

HSM: It has been almost a year since former 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the National Anthem to peacefully protest social injustices that plague the African American community. Specifically unarmed African American males who lost their life to law enforcement officials. How do you feel about his stance and the movement that has evolved from it?

Glover: I feel that its an individuals right to kneel or stand. While I do believe in showing unity with your teammates, I also feel that each man has a right to do what they feel is best for themselves. No one person knows what other people’s struggles are and I am totally in support of Kaepernick and what he is doing. What perplexes me is that there have been other athletes in the past who have spoken up for social injustices like Jim Brown, Muhammad Ali, etc. who were not blackballed like this kid. The NFL is showing us that it is truly about making money, appeasing the sponsors, and not about wins and losses. No way Colin should not be on an NFL roster right now.

HSM: My next question to him is one that I have learned to ask former NFL players with caution. As a person who personally identifies with mental health issues, I know that if presented the wrong way, it could trigger a set of emotions that may take them back to a very bad place. You played during a time where getting a concussion was as normal as getting Gatorade when you came to the sidelines. Have you felt any effects from your playing days? And how do you feel about the current studies being done for CTE?

Glover: It’s a daily lifestyle that you have to adjust to. There was a study just done (Boston University) that showed 99% (110 out of 111) of the brains studied from deceased NFL football players detected CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy). I have encountered other former players who have had dealt with real serious issues when it comes to this. What I would like to see is the NFL not go back on its promise of helping fund these studies. Human life is way too important not to have these types of procedures done.

HSM: What would you tell a young man who strives to reach the success you have had by playing in the National Football League?

Glover: Preparation is the key. If you learn to take care of your body and do the necessary things to stay healthy. You can make it all the way to the top. I tell young athletes all the time that you must develop the mindset and live the life you want to have. If your goal in high school is to become a college student-athlete then you must start now doing everything they do. If your goal is much higher that that then you must find out what it takes to maintain on a professional sports level and do that.

HSM: Thank you for your time and insight today Mr. Glover.

Glover: No problem. Anytime.

And just like our interview started with a huge smile and a handshake, it ended the exact same way.