After The Season w/ JayCee Ruffin

Ep. 12 Markia Beckwith: Natural Born Champion On & Off Court

In this podcast, we sit down with Baltimore, Maryland native Markeia Beckwith, a State and Regional Champion out of Digital Harbor High school and former collegiate basketball player.  Today we get to hear her story of how she put academics before everything and why she made that choice. We delve into her journey of maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout high school, her desire to attend Ivy League schools, and how she ended up at a lower level college despite being a talented basketball player and academically inclined.  We also explore the role that her non-profit organization, Natural Born Champions, plays in her life today. From securing government funding to partnering with schools and creating a facility, Markeia's work with Natural Born Champions has surpassed her own dream level of success.  Tune in to hear Markeia's inspiring story of putting education first and how it led her to create a non-profit that helps young athletes achieve their dreams both on and off the court.

Ep. 11 Damon Wilson: The Player vs The Championship Coach

Welcome to today's episode, where we have the pleasure of hosting a former tight end star, Damon Wilson. Damon began his journey at Bowie State University 25+ years ago on a full academic scholarship. Although he didn't receive a championship as a player, 20 years later, he delivered the first championship at his alma mater as the head coach and even went on to achieve a 3-peat! In this episode, Damon will share with us his experience and insight on how his transition away from the game he loved was easier than most can say. He will also discuss how his leadership as a Head Coach across multiple conferences; and also, how he's led multiple players to become great pro-level football players, better men, and better student-athletes. Throughout this episode, we'll hear Damon's thoughts on the importance of mentorship, the challenges that come with coaching, and how he has guided his team to success. His story is one of dedication, perseverance, and inspiration to all who have had to make a difficult transition in their life. So, sit back, relax, and join us as we dive into the world of Coach Damon Wilson, the former tight end star turned championship-winning coach.

Ep. 10 Kyle Arrington: From Practice Squad to Super Bowl Champion

Welcome to this episode of our podcast where we talk about the inspiring journey of Super Bowl Champion Kyle Arrington. Kyle Arrington played college football for two of his four years he attended at Hofstra University, then went on to become an un-drafted signee in the NFL. He started out on the practice squads, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, before finally moving up to the roster for the New England Patriots. Kyle played nine years in the NFL, and during his time with the Patriots, he became a Super Bowl Champion alongside Tom Brady. However, things took a turn when he was released after the Super Bowl and picked up by the Baltimore Ravens, where his career ended due to a concussion during practice. But Kyle's life did not stop there. Today, he is a color analyst for Fox, NBC Washington Commanders, a husband, a father, a son, a brand ambassador, and still a Super Bowl Champ. What an inspirational journey and one that proves that with hard work and determination, you can achieve your dreams, no matter what obstacles come your way. Join us in this episode as we dive deep into Kyle's story and learn how he overcame adversity to find success both on and off the field.

Ep. 9 Redd The Shooter: From Hoop Dreams To Camera Queen

In this podcast, we explore the story of Redd The Shooter, a former star woman's basketball player who made waves on and off the court. With a reputation for having a "bad attitude" on the court, Redd quickly became labeled as a problem player, leading recruiters to question her worth. Despite her incredible talent on the court, Redd was not recruited by her own home state college and went on to work with three different coaching staffs over the course of her career. Despite these challenges, she managed to play one full year of basketball before ultimately moving on from the sport. Today, Redd has become one of the top upcoming videographers in the industry, using her unique perspective and eye for detail to capture intimate moments for some of the music industry's biggest names, including Mary J Blige, Ashanti, Ja Rule, Lloyd, and more. Join us as we dive into Redd's incredible journey, exploring the challenges she faced on the court and the creative inspiration that led her to find success off of it. This is the story of Redd The Shooter - a true inspiration for anyone looking to overcome the odds and follow their dreams.

Ep. 8 Jeremiah Brown: From Injury-Prone to Game Changer

In this episode, we dive into the incredible journey of Jeremiah Brown, who made it to the NFL undrafted despite several setbacks. Along the way, he suffered multiple broken bones and concussions, which forced him to sit out for a significant portion of his career.  Due to his injury-prone nature, NFL teams considered him more of a liability than an asset. Forcing him to not be in the NFL for more than 1 YEAR! Thankfully, he had an agent that was thinking about his future more than the RIGHT NOW! His agent structured his contract so that he would make the majority of his contracted obligated monies if his career was to end due to a concussion. However, once the days were done he ultimately found himself making only $240 every two weeks, down from $28,000 per week.  His relationship with former NFL star and actor Devale Eliis saved his life and his soon-to be marriage.  But through it all, Jeremiah maintained his faith, persevered, and emerged as an inspiring speaker and advocate for student-athletes and education. Join us as we explore his remarkable story and learn what it takes to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.