Behind the Scenes during Charlotte Christian Middle School Football's Dream Season
Charlotte Christian’s middle school football team just wrapped up an incredible undefeated season. The team was led by an impressive coaching staff made up of former Carolina Panther stars Greg Olsen, Luke Kuechly and Jonathan Stewart, former Penn State quarterback and current NBC analyst Todd Blackledge, and Olsen’s father, Chris, a Hall of Fame high school coach who won nine state title at Wayne Hills High in New Jersey.
Throughout the season, we mic’d up the coaches to see how NFL experience translates to youth sports.
Olsen emphasized that the season was not about the scoreboard, but about growth.
“We want to compete, but we also don’t live for the scoreboard. Our goal is to see how good we can get” Olsen said.
Their undefeated record became a natural byproduct of this mindset.
For the coaches, the season was about more than play calling. Olsen reflected on their season: “To be around all of our family and friends and do this together, I think we all appreciate just how special it really is.” He also called out how fun it is to be coaching alongside his friends and former teammates: “These days are really special. I’ve got two of my closest friends in the world standing next to me trying to figure out how to teach 13-year old kids to hold the B gap. It’s an absolute blast.”
Jonathan Stewart added: “Being around these guys just makes you a better person, makes you a better teammate.”
Kuechly highlighted the relationships he’s built with the players: “I talk to the kids, I try to understand what motivates them.”
“As much as we teach the kids, we all probably learn a lot from them as well”
On coaching the kids, Stewart said “I’m a true believer in not over coaching and encouraging them when they are doing things right.”
Under the guidance of these NFL legends, Charlotte Christin’s middle school team not only went undefeated, but they also grew in skill, confidence, and character.
Learn more about their impressive staff of coaches here.
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Charlotte Christian's Middle School Football team have one of the most insane coaching staffs in history. Greg Olsen, Luke Kuechly, and Jonathan Stewart - Carolina Panthers legends, all hit the middle school sidelines for a mic’d up session.
Week 2 brings a new opponent and new challenges.
Follow along as we record these each week on Youth Inc. Charlotte Christian's journey for an undefeated season continues.
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