{"id":11034,"date":"2023-08-22T15:55:28","date_gmt":"2023-08-22T21:55:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nmblc.org\/?p=11034"},"modified":"2024-01-22T10:25:16","modified_gmt":"2024-01-22T17:25:16","slug":"new-mexico-student-athletes-go-pro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/new-mexico-student-athletes-go-pro\/","title":{"rendered":"New Mexico Student Athletes Go Pro"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Three former New Mexico student athletes make it to the NFL.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This week on the blog, NMBLC spotlights three New Mexico student football athletes who made it to the NFL. The profile \u201cShow and Prove\u201d first appeared in the August 2023 edition<\/a> of NMBLC\u2019s monthly newspaper, the UpLift Chronicles<\/a><\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more great articles about the people, places, and happenings of Albuquerque’s Black communities, subscribe to the UpLift Chronicles<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following piece was written by Sean Cardinalli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Show and Prove<\/strong>\u2014Three former local student-athletes rocket to the NFL<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"Van<\/figure>
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KRQE\u2019s sports director, Van Tate<\/a><\/strong>, has plenty to say when it comes to touting three recent, local student-athlete success stories. It\u2019s because he knows that, these days, there\u2019s a different\u2014and much-improved\u2014ethos for college student-athletes and their success in and out of their sport. Universities emphasize the student <\/em>part of the student-athlete equation now. Tate is not only qualified as a media veteran to rap about athletes\u2019 lives and livelihood, but played tight end himself at UNM back in the day. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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We recently talked with Tate about the positive trajectories of Keshawn Banks<\/strong>, Jordan Byrd<\/strong>, and Jerrick Reed II<\/strong>, three talented Black athletes poised to light the pro football world up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tate states that in decades past, college athletes were kept eligible to play as long as possible, regardless of their academic credits, which Tate says was doing them a disservice. Nowadays, an athlete can get excused from practice if it conflicts with a class, or they can make the class up online. Athletes\u2019 self-regard has changed, too; they\u2019re taking advantage of the education they\u2019re receiving as a result of their physical prowess. Many are like, \u201cLook, I\u2019m trying to graduate; this is my opportunity,\u201d Tate says. They\u2019re hip to taking care of academic business and working on their degree as effectively as clocking their stats on the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Keshawn
Keshawn Banks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Banks, Byrd, and Reed are local football stars who translated great high school and college success into professional possibility. Keshawn Banks<\/a> graduated Rio Rancho High School, winning the state championship in 2016, finishing 13-0. He\u2019s played defensive lineman for the San Diego State Aztecs and signed a free agent deal with the Green Bay Packers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Jordan
Jordan Byrd<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Jordan Byrd<\/a> is a speed demon, beginning as a national track champion in the 100 and 200 meters. He then quarterbacked the Manzano High Monarchs to their only state football championship in 2017. At San Diego State with Banks, he was tops as a running back and kick returner. Tate says there\u2019s \u201cno substitute\u201d for Byrd\u2019s speed. \u201cIf you can\u2019t catch somebody, it\u2019s game over.\u201d Byrd signed as an undrafted free agent for the Pittsburgh Steelers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former Lobo Jerrick Reed II<\/a> got drafted straight to the Seattle Seahawks. And Tate says Reed\u2019s so well-regarded and \u201cso intense even though he\u2019s not the biggest guy,\u201d that Seattle GM John Schneider calls Reed an \u201cangry elf, so he\u2019s in good standing.\u201d He showed and proved at Seattle\u2019s minicamp this past May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Jerrick
Jerrick Reed II<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tate is especially proud of the character of players like Banks, Byrd, and Reed; of the diligence and perseverance these new pros have shown. \u201cThese guys are tough. They couldn\u2019t take a game off. So, by the time they got to the NFL, they didn\u2019t need to be coddled.\u201d Tate notes how smart these local stars are, investing in their future, betting on themselves, and working hard to give themselves all the chances to get where they wanted to go. We\u2019ll all have to keep an eye on them this fall!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more about Banks, Byrd, and Reed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keshawn Banks<\/strong> is in Van Tate’s sports office<\/em> – KRQE – https:\/\/www.krqe.com\/sports\/local-sports\/keshawn-banks-is-in-van-tates-sports-office\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jordan Byrd<\/strong> is holding camp to give back to the community<\/em> – KRQE – https:\/\/www.krqe.com\/sports\/local-sports\/jordan-byrd-is-holding-camp-to-give-back-to-community\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jerrick Reed II<\/strong> – Lobo football player drafted by the Seahawks<\/em> – KRQE – https:\/\/www.krqe.com\/news\/community\/lobo-football-player-drafted-by-the-seahawks\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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