Eric Thomas (motivational speaker) visits M
You may have heard of ET The Hip Hop Preacher (FB Page) before. He's a highly demanded motivational speaker that travels across the country visiting various athletic teams, companies, and organizations, giving his unique brand of pep talk. Think Ray Lewis but more subtle, less dramatic, and more effective.
I've been a fb fan for a while. Imagine my surprise when I saw this:
Great Session with U of M football!!! S/O to coach Hoke and coach Singletary for showing me love!!!
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One of his speeches http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QufehP-F9yo
The guy rules. I hope the team took something away from the talk. He's very, very good at what he does. Athletic teams all over the world and at every level (NBA, NFL) have this guy in high demand.
September 25th, 2013 at 7:52 PM ^
When I think of Ray Lewis, Atlanta, a knife, and burnt clothes come to mind.
September 25th, 2013 at 8:01 PM ^
Semicolons are your friend.
September 25th, 2013 at 8:34 PM ^
Sometimes, but not in this case.
September 25th, 2013 at 9:34 PM ^
Ray Lewis once (allegedly) stabbed a man with a semicolon.
September 25th, 2013 at 10:10 PM ^
Oh, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that, and, I apologize for any inconvenience, disturbance, or annoyance I may have caused
September 25th, 2013 at 10:14 PM ^
Are;forgiven; young; man;
September 26th, 2013 at 12:09 PM ^
Just out of curiosity; where would you put a semicolon in that sentence?
September 26th, 2013 at 11:47 AM ^
I can't believe that asshole is on ESPN. I can't watch any of their NFL coverage anymore.
September 25th, 2013 at 7:58 PM ^
Is he the one that looks like Devin Gardner, or the one that looks like Taylor Lewan?
September 25th, 2013 at 8:25 PM ^
He is no Matt Foley!!!!
September 25th, 2013 at 9:30 PM ^
For anything related to Chris Farley
September 25th, 2013 at 8:01 PM ^
I wasn't at the session, but I think we've had him speak at one of our offsites before, if I am not mistaken. His site - HERE - is pretty cool and the media gallery has some additional videos that folks might like.
September 25th, 2013 at 8:02 PM ^
This guy is the real deal. Seen him speak. He will make you want to jump through a wall just cuz you can.
September 25th, 2013 at 8:08 PM ^
They should have invited this guy to speak two weeks ago.
September 25th, 2013 at 8:19 PM ^
Who pissed in your Wheaties?
September 25th, 2013 at 8:35 PM ^
First off, I think the team could use some motivation going forward this season. The guy also seems to be extremely popular. This might've been the only time they could get him in. Maybe he was in the area. Who cares? Hopefully the talk helped at least one guy on the team refocus or something. Couldn't hurt.
September 25th, 2013 at 8:58 PM ^
Straight
September 25th, 2013 at 8:14 PM ^
I'm too cynical to get motivated by a person who has in his title "motivational". I prefer "3 time Super Bowl Champion quarterback."
Hope it helped the kids, though. And I don't begrudge anybody who can make a living inspring other people to make things happen.
September 25th, 2013 at 8:28 PM ^
This cost more (probably significantly more) than the sky writing over East Lansing.
September 25th, 2013 at 8:40 PM ^
YES! ive been hoping he would visit Michigan. I believe he is a state fan and has worked with MSU and U of M in the past. But who cares he is a great speaker and I think he will connect well with the athletes
September 25th, 2013 at 8:44 PM ^
What are all those things up on the wall? I can't tell what the hell that is.
September 25th, 2013 at 8:51 PM ^
but he won't have any effect one way or another on the blocking—or lack thereof—of the offensive line. Improvement will come from talent, practice, and working together, not listening to speeches by somebody with no connection to Michigan football or the university.
September 25th, 2013 at 9:28 PM ^
You having a conversation with yourself?
September 25th, 2013 at 9:02 PM ^
So.... murder?
September 25th, 2013 at 9:09 PM ^
Have to think this isn't a coincidence. Although if he is so popular you'd think they would have had to get him a lot further in advance. The timing just seems perfect after two weeks that felt pretty rough for on field performance and focus potentially being part of the issue.
September 25th, 2013 at 9:31 PM ^
Are those shovels hanging in that pic (top left)?
September 25th, 2013 at 9:56 PM ^
Maybe they are Carr-era 1997 NC ice axes
September 25th, 2013 at 9:59 PM ^
Did Taylor lewan need motivation? Other players were there too, right?
September 25th, 2013 at 10:17 PM ^
You're totally right, ET is awesome. I really like his talks. But, if Tom Brady didn't motivate our guys enough I'm not sure what ET will do. It's great that the coaches bring in al these people for our guys because it's a great experience for them. But, I don't think our problem is motivation. These kids are tyring hard and giving it their all. Their problem is execution and experience. It's like the old saying experience is a bad teacher because the test comes first and the lessons come afterwards.
September 26th, 2013 at 12:21 AM ^
Does he still like Reese's Pieces?
September 25th, 2013 at 10:25 PM ^
Reminds me of the scene from the natural with Redford.
"Losing is like a desease as catchable as the common cold"
September 25th, 2013 at 11:03 PM ^
Personally, I don't see the purpose of paying a guy a ton of money to come tell a good story. If it works for people, then more power to them. I could get just as "motivated" by watching an ESPN 30 for 30.
September 26th, 2013 at 12:56 AM ^
Its pretty common actually. The same guy who worked for Nick Saban also worked for Jimbo Fisher. His job was really simple....be a positive motivator. Sometimes kids respond to a voice outside of football. Not all players are as spiritiually sound as us bloggers....
September 26th, 2013 at 3:08 AM ^
I could see the point of hiring a permanent fixture to act as a counselor/mentor to athletes, but a one time motivational speech from a hired professional seems like it would have minimal impact. I guess if he changes one person's life, then it was worth the money. However, I would think that most student-athletes are self-motivated. I've just always been skeptical of professional motivational speakers. It's kind of like the people that sell books on how to get rich. If their system worked, they wouldn't be selling books and trading secrets.
September 25th, 2013 at 11:20 PM ^
There is a God after watching the past two games?
/not meant to dis religion
September 26th, 2013 at 12:07 PM ^
We ended up winning, didn't we? If that's not divine intervention (esp. Akron), then I don't know what is.
/RELIGIONED!
September 26th, 2013 at 4:35 AM ^
Can he motivate DG into not throwing interceptions?
September 26th, 2013 at 9:43 AM ^
ET is an amazing speaker. Came in and talked with my team before and it was the greatest motivation one could receive in less then an hour. Despite the fact he is a sparty, the man and the message are second to none. Glad he was able to stop in.
September 26th, 2013 at 9:47 AM ^
young team,so i understand this. Lets hope the team rallies again like they did the first 2 weeks after the Tom Brady speech.
September 26th, 2013 at 10:06 AM ^
Maybe we should set up an MGoVote so that people on this board can approve all use of AD funds beforehard.
September 26th, 2013 at 10:55 AM ^
I have my doubts ...
September 26th, 2013 at 12:06 PM ^
*I see what you did there...*
September 26th, 2013 at 2:15 PM ^
Ahhhhh I watched "Pain is Temporary" nearly every day training for the Ironman.
This dude is the truth.