1/27/26: Hall of Famer Champ Bailey Takes You To School, When Kids Handle Their Adversity, Introducing LutzGo

INSPIRE

👏 NFL Hall of Famer Champ Bailey Gives Masterclass on Character, Lessons Learned Through Sports

Champ Bailey was a decorated player at every level. A two-way star at Georgia, Bailey was a first-round pick and played 15 years in the NFL. He was selected to the Pro Bowl 12 times, the most in NFL history by a defensive back, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019. But as good of a lock-down corner as Bailey was, it is his character that has opened so many doors after his playing days.

Developing character and the positive life lessons learned through sports were the common themes shared when Bailey joined Greg Olsen this week on the Youth Inc. flagship podcast.

“When I look back and I think about all the opportunities that come [to me] now, it really has nothing to do with what I did on the field,” said Bailey. “It’s more about the way I made people feel when they were around me, the fact that they didn’t hear a lot of negative things about me throughout my career. It always came back to my character, not the game itself.”

INFORM

💡When your Kid Handles it Better Than You Do

This weekend, my son, a senior, a captain and a leader on a track team that earned a trip to Nike Nationals, found himself on the receiving end of a coach’s anger. There was a breakdown in communication around a college visit. It wasn’t malicious. It wasn’t careless. It was human. Still, the response was loud, public and sharp. AND in front of teammates.

As a parent, that moment landed hard. I was mad ...

I felt protective. I felt angry. I replayed the scene in my head more times than I can count. I wanted to step in, set the record straight and demand better. I wanted to remind the world who my son is: deeply committed, accountable and respected in that space.

And then I watched him handle it.

ENTERTAIN

🤣 LutzGo: Guiding Youth Sports with Clarity

Zach Lutz played at the highest level of baseball, reaching the majors and playing third base for the New York Mets. Lutz is now a youth baseball coach in suburban Philadelphia and is passionate about teaching the game – and the fundamentals of youth sports – the right way.

Youth Inc. is following Lutz in our latest mic’d up series. In this episode, Lutz stresses clear communication and setting standards for athletes and parents. 

YOUTH INCRECOMMENDS

Turning Setbacks into Strength

Nate Tucker

The Car Ride Home: Connect First, Correct Later 

 Alex Compton

What Scouts Looks for in Recruits

 Youth Inc. Team

“This thing is forever. When people talk about the minutes, the injuries, everything we went through, that’s our trophy. That’s our trophy, man.”

 – Luol Deng after the Chicago Bulls retired Derek Rose’s jersey last Saturday night.