Michael Bennett gets it, and this is one of the most refreshing answers to an offseason question I’ve heard in sometime. The Seahawks defensive end was asked this week by the Seattle Times why he skips OTAs and other voluntary team activities during the offseason.
Bennett, who is a father of three, gave the perfect answer on the heels of Fathers Day.
“I like to be a parent. I’ve got daughters. I’m a coach. I’m a teacher at the school. I do things in the community. I try to balance my football life with my actual reality. So, to find that great balance as a human being. I think it’s important as athletes to find that.
“I think a lot of times athletes have a problem when they retire because they build an identity around sports. Then when the sport is gone you are lost. So along this way you’ve got to transition yourself to be able to life in civilization. So find different things you can be a part of. Find out who you are.
“That’s why I do that I do. I mean, I train harder than anyone in the NFL. So I’m not worried about being in shape or being the best player I can be. What I am worried about is how good of a parent I can be, and how much better a husband I can be.”
Bennett, who has spent much of his offseason touring the country doing speaking engagements on social issues, should have no problem with life after football.
