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Part II

After spending the morning in Sheridan, Indiana with Nick Zachery, Matt and I stopped by the Colts training center to talk with Mike Prior who serves as the Colts’ Director of Youth Football. He spent 13 years in the NFL playing for Green Bay, Indianapolis, and Tampa Bay. He won a Super Bowl ring as part of the Packers in Super Bowl XXXI. Prior is currently the Youth Football Commissioner for the Indianapolis Colts. His duties include organizing coaching schools, youth football clinics, and camps. He helps put on more than 70 camps a year. “Its a great opportunity to give back what I have learned,” said Prior.

Prior was enthusiastic about Team USA. “It’s awesome to be competing for a world championship,” he remarked. Prior, a veteran of more than 200 NFL games, said he would always feel butterflies before a game, and hopes that the players selected to play for Team USA will feel that too.

He talked about team chemistry and the Indianapolis Colts model for selecting players. “Good character leads to good chemistry,” he said. He views the Junior World Championship as a great stepping stone moving into college, and as a chance to rate how the players measure up against each other.

Above all, Prior said that the players should get ready and continue to prepare. “It’s a tough, physical game.” As we were leaving, we noticed an inconspicuous blue suite case in the corner of the room. We were surprised to learn that the Lombardi trophy, which had been used for our interview, was transported in such a case. And, Matt just had to get a photo of himself holding the trophy.

We’re working on a video right now and will get it up as soon as we’re finished!

- MATT