As the Texas heat climbs, a group of high school and college football players in Houston are swapping summer leisure for grueling workouts, determined to turn off‑season minutes into measurable gains.
Incoming Crawford junior Jaemon Hamilton wants to leave no doubt on the field, while Memorial senior Max Costa practices almost every day to become a better playmaker. Kilgore College quarterback Deuce Barrington insists the off‑season decides whether a player truly wants to succeed, and Memorial junior Abram Tovar spends each day chasing a starting spot.
A Mentor’s Method
Guiding them is Jerome Howard, a former Prairie View A&M University football legend whose credentials on the field are matched only by his philosophy off it. Howard teaches that the real competition is the man in the mirror, emphasizing mental resilience as much as physical prowess.
The training sessions blend skill drills with life‑changing conversations. Players learn that discipline in the weight room mirrors discipline in their studies, relationships, and future careers. This holistic approach has turned the summer program into a crucible where athletes are forged into more than just better players.
John Mayfield of St. Francis Episcopal, who has shed more than 80 pounds and switched positions, says the summer work is essential not only for football but for life beyond the game. With Howard laying the foundation, the athletes are learning to resist comfort and push their limits, knowing that today’s effort determines tomorrow’s success.