‘10 GREAT THINGS COYOTE DADS DO’ – WR MARIO ‘THE PRESIDENT’ BROWN: CLEAN HANDS, PURE HEART

(PALM SPRINGS) – When disaster strikes and help is needed, the three-time champion SoCal Coyotes dial up ‘The President,’ a nickname tagged on Mario Brown years ago by his head coach out of respect for his character, dependability and demeanor in the line of fire.

From the very first time South Carolina’s Brown tucked in his original SoCal Coyotes jersey and helped lead the team to its first championship in 2012 – and long before the organization blossomed into America’s #1 Developmental Football Program – he set a standard with actions that speak way louder than words.

Over seven Coyote seasons, the former College of the Desert star has quietly out-played and out-lasted flamboyant loud-mouths who arrogantly sought to replace him. He has overcome startling injuries that would end the careers of most players. Again, and again, and again, he has come through at critical times with critical plays in critical games – like his brilliant 45-yard touchdown to open last Saturday’s 68-32 win at San Diego, or his devastating blocks that break loose the torrent of Coyote talent around him.

Yet, with the eyes of the AAA football world upon the nationally ranked 10-1 Coyotes, this veteran cares most about the tiny eyes of his two sons – Micah and Demario, whom he relentlessly leads by example. He supports his boys with a sustainable income. He volunteers in his community. He personifies Psalms 24 – clean hands, and a pure heart, two clear signs of a man after God’s own heart.

Mario Brown is our second selection in a new series where we ask for ‘10 Things Great Coyote Dads Do.’ We hope you enjoy discovering how Coyote dads are juggling the journey of life, in their quest, as Dallas Cowboys chaplain Tony Evans challenges, to “make the most of who you are, where you are, and God will do the rest.”

Here are Mario’s ‘10 Things Great Coyote Dads Do.’

1. Be a provider.
2. Don’t just tell them you love them. Show them. Make time.
3. Teach them right from wrong, every day, over and over.
4. Be very patient. Be a good listener.
5. Teach responsibility and respect to authority.
6. Be a protector.
7. Show them what a hard worker works like.
8. Show them how to lead, in all things.
9. Be understanding.
10. Set the example with all of these things, because my life is how they measure my words.

THE SOCAL COYOTES NON-PROFIT sports leadership organization encourages the development of its players and young leaders through a series of questions: Do you protect the women under your care? Do your children look to you with confidence? Do other men look to you as someone to emulate? Can your community call on you for strength and leadership? Are you a preserver of culture and a champion of society? Are you a man fulfilling your destiny? Are you a man after God’s own heart?

FOR MORE GREAT things that great dads do, we recommend the book 10 Great Things Dads Do – Strategies for Raising Kids, by fathering expert Rick Johnson.

–Brandon O’Neill, VP Program Development

(For more information, or to book the SoCal Coyotes at your business, school or church, contact Ron DiGrandi, SoCal Coyotes Community Outreach Director, 760.285.7073.)