Tyson Lee looks like a natural.
The former quarterback at Columbus High, Itawamba Community College, and Mississippi State moves through footwork and passing drills with deadly efficiency.
He pauses to emphasize a quarterback needs to keep his eyes down field when trying to complete a screen pass and then demonstrates how to pivot quickly to the side to deliver the pass. He then explains it is crucial for quarterbacks to have their eyes in the right place because hungry defenders will be there to snuff out the play if not executed correctly.
Later, Lee moves in front of the group of more than 70 young football players. He holds a Bible as he walks back and forth and speaks clearly about a simple message — Discipline, dedication, and determination — he hopes the campers take from their time with him and his instructors.
It”s easy for Lee to talk about those principles because they helped him overcome the odds to earn the job as starting quarterback at MSU.
“A lot of kids just need goals,” Lee said. “They need people to tell them how to reach those goals. I had a goal and a dream, and I did things to get there. Like I tell all of the kids who come to the camp, it is not just about sports, it is about life. That is the biggest thing I want the kids who attend the camp to understand. I want them to apply every ”D” in life at home, at school, at church, everywhere you go. If you apply those things, you will be successful.”
Lee will hold another version of his Second Annual 3-D Football Camp on June 6-8 at Starkville Academy. The event is open to all players in the area and will feature groups for first- through third-graders, fourth- through sixth-graders, and seventh- through 12th-graders.
For more information on the event, go to www.starkvilleacademy.org and print out a registration form that needs to be completed for student-athletes to participate, or you can call 662-425-6676.
Lee held his first 3-D camp last year in Columbus. Based on its success, he decided to branch out and hold a second one. He said the timing of the NFL lockout worked in his favor this year in that former MSU players like K.J. Wright (drafted by the Seattle Seahawks), Derek Sherrod (Green Bay Packers), and Pernell McPhee (Baltimore Ravens) had time and were more than willing to give back some of their knowledge to the next wave of football standouts.
Former MSU players Maurice Langston, Rodney Prince, and John McMillan and friends Miles Backstrom and Drew Bernd, a manager with the MSU men”s basketball team also helped out. Lee”s mother, Tammy, and his sister, Tamber, also were on hand, as was Lee”s brother, Trace, a member of the Columbus High football and baseball teams, who was a camper.
Tyson Lee said his heart and his passion is in outreach and working with kids. He already has a bachelor”s degree in secondary education from MSU, and he is working at MSU on his master”s degree in sports administration. He will finish that next May.
Regardless of which direction he goes, Lee said he will attack that journey with focus, just like he pursued his dream to play quarterback in the Southeastern Conference.
Columbus High School football coach Tony Stanford watched as many of his players participated in the event. He said it is gratifying to see a former Columbus High and MSU player like Lee help younger players and set a positive example.
“He is an icon in Columbus,” Stanford said. “The kids look up to him and know how hard he worked to get to be an SEC quarterback. When they see him talk about it, they understand he is telling the truth because he worked hard to get where he went and accomplish what he did. If any of that rubs off on the kids, it is going to help our program more and more.”
Columbus High quarterback Cedrick Jackson worked directly with Lee in drills. He said the footwork tips and the techniques Lee demonstrated were especially valuable. He also feels the lessons Lee illustrated to all the campers hit home and will help everyone realize their dreams.
“It was a great experience to learn from Tyson Lee,” Jackson said. “He can be a great teacher and a great coach.”
Lee isn”t sure if he will become a teacher or a coach, but judging from his work this week at Columbus High, plenty of schools and head coaches might want to contact Lee when he completes his master”s degree to inquire about his final decision.
It”s easy to see how football players will be able to benefit from working with Lee.
“You have to be passionate about what you do,” Lee said. “I could do this for a living. No matter what job you have if you”re passionate about it you can do it. I have been out here for three days and I have loved it.”
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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