Rowan University Center for Sports Communication and Social Impact hosted Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Famer Brian Westbrook on Nov. 24 for its final session of the fall semester. With King Auditorium filled with many Eagles fans from around campus, Westbrook spoke about his football career and his foundation, which focuses on empowering youth.

As a Maryland native, Westbrook established his name in the Philadelphia sports world early, attending Villanova University and playing football for the Wildcats. Westbrook was then drafted by the local Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft.

Opening the conversation, Westbrook reminded students that there are always going to be ups and downs in life, but pressed on how important it is to stay focused on what you want to accomplish.

Westbrook shared that this was advice he often gave his children during their athletic careers. During his discussion, he talked about his athletic career that began in Maryland in high school. There, he worked hard to become a starter in his sophomore year. 

“I didn’t play one down [freshman year], and I think that was the most humbling experiences,” Westbrook said. “You think you’re good, and then you go somewhere, and they tell you you’re not good enough, that hurts.”

He noted how he was never the fastest, biggest, or strongest person, but he stood out by working harder than everyone else.

“I was willing to do the things no one else was willing to do,” Westbrook said.

Now, as a retired player since 2012, Westbrook is grateful for everything that has come his way since then.

One thing that stands out to him is how much time he is able to spend with his family, especially his three children, now that he is not traveling around the country for football every week. Westbrook said retirement has also allowed him to do the things he truly loves, including the horse farm he has always dreamed of having.

The next part of his conversation shifted to his foundation, The Brian Westbrook Foundation, and everything it has done since its creation. Westbrook spoke to his wife following the Colin Kaepernick situation and decided he wanted to do more to help his community. From there, he decided to turn his horse farm into an empowerment center for the youth to visit and better themselves. 

“Our mission was very simple: we wanted to educate and empower young people, and show them an opportunity to advance,” Westbrook said. “We want to give them an opportunity to reach their goals. It was our belief that our young people are walking around with blinders on, and it’s our job to give them education and opportunities so they can take those blinders away and see all the opportunities in front of them.”

Westbrook further discussed the programs he offers for both people who choose to go to college and those who don’t. He stressed how important it is for young adults to take advantage of the education that is available to them while they are young, so they are able to set themselves up for success in the future.

With the help of his foundation, Westbrook credits the stories from former people as one of the things that makes the greatest difference to him. He told students in attendance a story about a dad who thanked him for helping his daughter work harder in school after meeting with him.

Before ending his time with Rowan students, he left them with one last piece of advice. Westbrook credited hard work, discipline, and focus as things he has carried with him to help him with his time after college, including his athletic career. 

“Hard work, discipline, and focus are the only things that I know,” Westbrook said. “Those are the things that made me successful in life and in football, but those are the only things I’m focused on now.”