Most people probably don’t think “good influence” while listening to Snoop Dogg rap, but he actually runs a successful youth football league for inner-city children outside of his music career.
It’s so successful that three former attendees are going to the NFL this season.
NFL.com noted Thursday that it’s “well-documented” that former Oregon star and current Kansas City Chiefs rookie De’Anthony Thomas got his start in the Snoop Youth Football League. But two other SYFL alumni, Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kam Jackson and San Diego Chargers cornerback Greg Ducre, were signed as undrafted free agents.
Snoop told TMZ how excited he was for these three.
“They all got scooped up … we’re very happy and very proud of these kids,” the rapper said.
As per Bleacher Report, the SYFL isn’t just about building good football players. It’s about building good people, also.
“The SYFL serves children between the ages of five and thirteen, teaching them the values of teamwork, good sportsmanship, discipline, and self-respect, while also stressing the importance of academics,” says the league’s website.
They’re even looking to implement a policy where participants who maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average can play in the league for free.
The first SYFL athlete to enter the NFL was Ronnie Hillman, who the Denver Broncos picked in the third round of the 2012 draft.
Photo via Twitter/@TMZ
