5 Life Lessons Learned from Playing Football, from Simeon Castille

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When you talk to Simeon Castille, it’s clear he has a deep knowledge of football. And beyond the knowledge, he has a deep love for football. Simeon was a football player at Briarwood Christian School (Birmingham, AL), at The University of Alabama, and in the NFL. He shares with us five life lessons learned from playing football.

Simeon Castille currently owns Castille Academy, a local work out facility that trains athletes in speed and agility and strength training. The gym has been open 4 years, and helps develop overall athleticism in any sport. They want to help train up the entire person and their character--mentally, spiritually, and physically. The first session is free. They also cater to families, where kids 8 years old and up and parents and can work out in the same space. Simeon says working out with this dad so much had a big impact, and that his dad led by example by prioritizing health. He loves helping others find life lessons from football.
Simeon Castille training young athletes at Castille Academy.

When I asked Simeon who was his hardest coach, Coach Nick Saban or his dad, he said it was his dad, Jeremiah Castille (former defensive back at The University of Alabama and pro football player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos,1983-1988). He says his dad had more expectations when it came to his son playing the same position that he played. And Simeon wanted to perform well for his dad. Even if he intercepted a pass for a touchdown his dad would still coach him and tell him where he could’ve done better. And he coached Simeon like this because he saw his potential and wanted him to be the best he could be to reach his goals of playing football at a higher level.

life lessons learned from playing football
Tim, Jeremiah, and Simeon Castille

Football cultivates community from generation to generation, and you can see this with the Castille Family. Simeon’s dad, Jeremiah Castille, who played for Bear Bryant at The University of Alabama and continued on to the NFL, instilled a love for football and Jesus in his sons and family. Their love of football and their faith has inspired Castille Academy, Simeon’s gym located in Pelham. Their gym not only helps train athletes, but focuses on the entire person.

Here are 5 life lessons learned in football, from Simeon Castille…

1. Humility

Playing football teaches you humility. Life isn’t all about you. It’s a team, and you can’t win by yourself. Even Tom Brady, one of the best football players to ever play the game, cannot simply rely on his own skills to single-handedly win a game. He has to trust his teammates and sometimes give them their moment to shine in order to win. Humility helps you to see where your mistakes and failures are and learn to do better.

2. Teamwork

Football is a team sport. You have to rely on each other as a team to win, and no one player can win by himself. You need the quarterback, receivers, linemen, kickers, coaches, etc. in order to win. And in life, you also have team, your family. Your family is like a team, where you look out for other’s interests, help one another out, make each other better, coach each other up, and achieve goals as a family unit. 

3. Work Ethic 

Football is a hard sport to play. It is mentally hard and physically hard. Mentally, you have to have a never quit attitude. Your mind has to be made up before you start that you aren’t going to quit or give up. Physically you have to have lots of athleticism and strength to play football. Football teaches you to have a mental fortitude to do the things you don’t always want to do, but have to do in order to continue playing at a high level. In life we have to do things we don’t always want to do… get up early, go to work, study for a test, take care of a house and family, etc. Having a good work ethic teaches you how to do the hard things you don’t want to do so that in the long run, your life will be better.

4. Coachability

Being able to take criticism is another thing that football helps you learn. Having thicker skin and taking constructive criticism is a life skill that you can learn from football. In life you will get reviews… from a boss, from a co-worker, from a spouse, from a customer. You have to be able to take feedback from others that you can’t always see yourself and make some needed adjustments. Taking the criticism, making the adjustment, and not getting offended is a life lesson that football teaches. Coach Nick Saban told his players ‘You need to listen to what I’m saying not how I’m saying it.’ It may be given in an intense way, but you better make sure you get the message.

5. Fun

Simeon has so many fun memories that football gave him over the years with close friends. Each level of football has different aspects of fun, and he mentions that playing high school football at Briarwood Christian School was one of the purest times of fun. The camaraderie and the relationships in the locker rooms that you build with guys makes football a fun sport to play.

If you are looking to enjoy football (playing or watching), check out Football Programs in Birmingham :: Your Guide to Playing and Watching. Find a football  league to play in near you: https://bit.ly/4fmWHxP

life lessons learned from playing football

About Castille Academy

Simeon Castille currently owns Castille Academy, a local work out facility that trains athletes in speed and agility and strength training. The gym has been open 4 years, and helps develop overall athleticism in any sport. They want to help train up the entire person and their character–mentally, spiritually, and physically. The first session is free. They also cater to families, where kids 8 years old and up and parents can work out in the same space. Simeon says working out with this dad so much had a big impact, and that his dad led by example by prioritizing health.  

We would love for you to follow our friends at Future For Football and the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame for more about the good of the game! Learn more here.

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