Michael Shelton Aims to Be a Part of Pro Day in 2011

Over the years, the Oakland Raiders have been tagged as a team who gives guys a "second chance."

This tag has been attached to Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston. 

The tag that Michael Shelton, a defensive end in college, has given TSU is what helped this writer make a connection with the supportive environment and team spirit that has been historically attributed to the Oakland Raiders.

Some young people have a head start because they know exactly what they want to do when they complete their college education.

Shelton is focused and determined to reach his goal. He is both surprised and attentive when I demonstate the use of all types of mathematics, science, technology and engineering in the structure, training and performance statistics of the Oakland Raiders during their 50-year history.

Shelton calls Texas Southern University a "second chance" university for many college football players. He is honest about some of his past challenges, but he is also confident that he can reach his goal to play for the NFL someday.

As this BR writer is an avid fan of the Oakland Raiders, Shelton has heard my pep talks and several discussions of the data. One thing is clear to Shelton: a man can change, and a man can reach his goal if he has a few people encouraging him along the way.

Shelton enjoys hearing the stories of some of the guys who attended Texas Southern University in the late 60s and 70s.

It's clear that he is comfortable with his collegiate experiences at TSU because of the candid exchange about the successes and challenges of earlier generations of NFL players who attended historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

But, as we all know, the challenges are not just with those who attended HBCUs it is with many of those who have played professional football or other sports.

In Shelton's case, he attends a school with an excellent support system for its athletes, and he has met a professor who is researching mathematics and sports on a daily basis.

Since this month is Mathematics Awareness Month with a theme "Sports and Mathematics," Shelton was excited to share his aspirations since he is currently studying mathematics in order to complete his degree.

Shelton has been described as quick on the football field. He is also smart, with a confidence that draws attention to him.

Will Shelton take advantage of the "second chance" that he has to play football at Texas Southern? I believe so.

Shelton's openness, confidence, and his candid discussion of his own personal challenges serve as an impetus for those around him. As he left the classroom after this interview, one student said, "He is a very nice guy."

Shelton, a very capable athlete and student, sits in the back of the classroom. He walks forward near the end of class to show his work and to get advice.

Polite and focused, he admits that he has become more cautious about his choices of friends and places he may go. He knows that even college students need to be selective in choosing roommates and friends so that they do not cloud their focus.

When asked what he specifically wants to do after completion of college, he answered that someday he wants to play for any team in the NFL. Eventually, he wants to be a college coach.

Since my favorite team is the Oakland Raiders, this writer had to pop the question of whether Shelton would like to consider being a part of the Raiders. He answered that he likes the Raiders.

Shelton is smart enough to leave his options open. He is a man with a plan, and he seems disciplined and focused to make his dreams come true. 

He mentioned one of the TSU players who tried out for Pro Day on March 30, 2010.

He added that only a few players at TSU tried out, and that he is preparing for 2011, near March 29 or 30.

He smiled as he shared the name of several young men who aspire to make it into the NFL in 2010.

One of them is Jonathan Hannah, who caught nine passes for 135 yards in a game between Jackson State University and TSU. Shelton shared with me that Hannah is an impressive player.

Once this writer became aware of Hannah, a tight end who is 6-4 and weighs 266, it is clear that Texas Southern is headed in the direction of developing more talent to build its team just as the Oakland Raiders must do.

Hannah's 40 time is 4.86 and he transferred from South Carolina.

Will Michael Shelton reach his goal?

I am sure you join me in hoping that he will.