Man, where do I begin with how Check Your Game has had an impact on my life? I remember back when I was in grade school playing football when Gary Rogers started talking to us about this. Back then I really didn’t think about it in any other aspects of life besides with sports. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized it applies to your whole life. Going into my senior year of High School football I had a pretty serious foot injury that was going to sideline me for most of the season. Instead of moping around and getting down on myself I had to “check my game” and make something positive out of it. I was a captain on the team, so I really had to try to be that leader off the field because I couldn’t do it on the field. I also had to attack rehab hard because I wanted to be out there playing with my brothers. That was a big kind of adversity that hit me in my life and I knew I had to get something positive out of it. Check Your Game also helped me get through college and into the work force as well. There are times when you get down on yourself and I’ve carried this mantra with me to check myself and turn whatever is going on into motivation.
My Advice
My advice for anyone, whether they’re playing sports or just doing anything in life is to not quit and get down on yourself. You can grow a lot from adversity and turn negatives into positives. It may seem like things won’t get better but a lot of that is just a mindset. Always look for ways to better yourself and to keep growing. As Kirby Smart says, “ If you’re green you grow. If you’re ripe you rot.” You always have room to improve and get better, both in sports and in life.
Jeff, it has been a pleasure to get to know you when you were just a kid playing youth football. You were so talented as an athlete and a valuable piece to our team. The great thing about you as well was that you weren’t too confident where you would do your own thing or thought you were better than others. You were a humble kid, listened to coaches and played the best you knew how! I can’t imagine after all the years of playing sports (especially your love of football), how you had to deal with injury your Senior year in High-School! I can imagine how frustrating that would be! Though this story seems to have a bad ending, it doesn’t! You made the decision to not give up and to find another way to help your team (an amazing Check Your Game moment)! This is truly what a teammate does whether in sports, business or in life. It’s not about feeling sorry for yourself or trying to bring the team down so you can feel better either! You made such a wise decision to continue to be a leader on your team even though it was hard. For those kids, adults or whomever who think they might be the only ones to experience something so bad in their life (injury, getting cut, released from a job, losing something very important to them), I know your story will bring hope and encouragement. Thanks for sharing and I know you’ll continue to be successful in life because you’re a team player and you never give up!
Jeff. I remember years ago when Gary first started thinking about the idea behind Check your Game – how it could be a road map for his whole life and not merely for sports or in his case, football. He never gave up. And today seeing young people like you applying the concept to live your best life, well it’s just life affirming. I enjoyed reading your story. Thank you for sharing.
Jeff… I loved reading your story with wisdom from your experience. Thanks for sharing from your heart with the good advice.
Gary… I loved reading your words of encouragement to Jeff. I can only imagine how much you blessed him.
I have known Jeff since he was in 5th grade and I knew he was a special person even back then.He treated everyone around him with utmost respect and dignity.
Here is a story most people don’t know but those that know him should:
I was getting done with a workout one day at the gym around 6:30 AM one day about 2 years ago and the janitor was near my locker picking up towels and saw my polo Job Center shirt. He looked at me with a smile and said “Hey I been up to that place. I spoke with a bald guy that treated me so well. I really enjoyed going to that place.”
I finished Jeff’s description and he confirmed it was him and it just amazed me to have someone next to me picking up a towel at 6 in the morning randomly smiling because of the way Jeff treated this man.
JP has a special place in my heart ❤️
Love this Jeff Prifti! Well done.
Love this ❤️. Jeff’s attitude is amazing and Check Your Game was such a positive influence on our boys during those early years.
Jeff, you were always such a pleasure to have around! You were like another son and always positive to have around! You were an amazing athlete to watch, whether in 6th grade, or as a senior in high school!
It is fantastic to see that you have carried that drive, ambition and positive attitude with you into adulthood and into your outlook on life. I have no doubt you will succeed in whatever you put your mind to!