NFL's Todd Gurley visits Downey High football team

DOWNEY - The Downey High School football team received a visit from NFL running back Todd Gurley last week.

Gurley previously played for the St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams and the Atlanta Falcons and is currently a free agent. He has made three Pro Bowl and one Super Bowl appearances.

According to Downey Head Football Coach Jack Williams, Gurley’s visit came at time when the Vikings were having issues with attitude during practice.

“This week, we kind of felt a need to talk about leadership,” said Williams. “We had some issues with some practice, the way kids felt during practice.”

“I think he felt the same as he walked in the locker room, because he really addressed some of the issues we talked about yesterday about how important practice is, leadership qualities, and it’s really good to hear it from somebody who’s been there and done that.”

“I’m just the head football coach here at Downey High School; they see me every single day. They’ve actually seen Todd on TV on Sundays, so I’m sure it has a little more importance as he talks rather than when I talk.”

Gurley touched on his high school life, college, the NFL, as well as the importance of having fun and maintaining a good attitude.

“One thing I usually preach to the kids, the student athletes is really just have fun,” said Gurley. “You’re young, you don’t have to figure it out right now.”

Andrew Garcia listens on as Todd Gurley speaks on the importance of good attitude and having fun. Photo by Alex Dominguez

“You do want to prepare yourself for the future, let alone be somebody in the future. Have fun; you’re going to make mistakes, but be able to learn from those mistakes and learn from others. The main thing is to have fun, live your life, and take care of what you gotta take care of whether it’s on the field, or school as well.”

Bryant Carey, Junior, said that listening to Gurley was “inspiring.”

“For him to come in and talk about his life story, it was really inspiring for me,” said Carey. “It pushed me more. I was kind of getting tired of this, it was hard. When he came in, he was talking about how he was struggling, and he was blessed to get where he was, it made me happy; it made me feel like I can do this.”

Andrew Garcia, senior, said Gurley’s visit was “really special.”

“Someone who played at the highest level and was probably the best running back in the NFL for some time, to come down and visit a high school, to talk to us…it was a really special moment,” said Garcia.