Ex-NFL player Molden provides lessons in overcoming adversity, leadership to Sabers | News, Sports, Jobs

Molden was the eleventh general choice within the 1996 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints out of the College of Oregon. He performed eight seasons within the league with the Saints, San Diego Chargers and Detroit Lions.

“Usually talking with highschool, whether or not it’s a soccer staff, basketball staff, no matter, after I’m talking with athletes, actually, I’m nailing down a pair ideas, ideas that they’ll take and have success in no matter space of life,” Molden mentioned after his 45-minute presentation, his second of the day at Maui Excessive.

“Actually it’s about with the ability to overcome adversity; understanding what management actually is, which is affect, however you’ve bought to begin with main your self; after which the third factor is what do you pursue? And who do it’s worthwhile to develop into to pursue these various things?”

His speak with the Sabers was scheduled previous to the latest wildfires which have ravaged the Valley Isle, however overcoming adversity is a big a part of his message in any presentation he delivers.

Maui Excessive soccer gamers pay attention as ex-NFL participant Alex Molden speaks on Thursday.

“Coming right here at the moment after going by means of what the island has gone by means of is lots of adversity, lots of adversity, however I consider that with adversity, man, there’s a lot fruit that come from it,” Molden mentioned. “I imply I take a look at the whole lot based mostly on what I do know — in my life I’ve had some adversity and it’s been a very long time, however there’s fruit that has come from it.”

Molden added, that regardless of the fires, “to those children my message stayed the identical as a result of it covers foundational ideas. And so I did point out the fires and we don’t know what different persons are going by means of so we will’t decide till we get to seek out out who they’re.

“There’s some issues that persons are going by means of proper now that we will’t even think about. How do you present empathy? How do you present empathy? And never simply, like, present it, however how do you constantly be empathetic to folks?”

Maui Excessive senior large receiver Braden Albrecht mentioned he appreciated the message he heard from Molden.

“It’s largely about overcoming adversity and the way you should use lots of negativity in your life to raised your self, in simply all aspects of your life, whether or not it’s soccer or life normally,” Albrecht mentioned after a consolidated assembly with the Maui Excessive seniors and leaders. “Particularly for a soccer staff it actually helps that he was an ex-NFL star and he is aware of the whole lot about what it takes to get there and teamwork.

“He had a narrative the place he wasn’t at all times a famous person and he labored to get there and we will all be that participant that may take it the additional yard.”

Molden added that he’s a “large Saber fan now” after his go to was coordinated by Jeremy Peterson, the daddy of Maui Excessive junior receiver Charlie Peterson.

“Shaggy dog story, I assumed a Saber was a saber-toothed tiger. I didn’t know that till my man Jeremy informed me that no, a saber is a (Silverword) plant,” Molden mentioned. “So, I’m like, ‘What kind of plant? Does it look imply, does it look robust?’ Silversword, oh that sounds cool. That’s cool, I’m down, I’m a fan now.”

Molden is 5-foot-10 and 190 kilos and he made his mark as a cornerback within the NFL with 4.38-second pace within the 40-yard sprint. He was drawn shortly to Saber senior linebacker Ofa Falekaono, the 2022 Maui Interscholastic League Defensive Participant of the 12 months who himself is undersized for his place at 5-10, 215 kilos.

Molden directed a number of moments of his speech towards Falekaono, who sat within the entrance row with roughly 100 teammates within the MHS cafeteria.

“I had an awesome dialog with him, he’s not the largest man, he’s a bit undersized, and I had the identical message I’ve for everyone else,” Molden mentioned. “I mentioned, ‘No. 1, it’s a must to perceive that you just guys are completely different. You’re taking part in the game of soccer. The factor that you just study, the factor that you just’re going by means of, whether or not it’s adversity, it’s success, failure, staff, management, these issues are priceless whenever you’re achieved taking part in this sport.’

“There’s folks, there’s companies, there’s companies that search for people such as you which have grit, that know how you can talk. All these completely different influencers which have given them success on the soccer discipline are the identical issues that may assist them out in life, in any scenario. You’ve simply bought to have the ability to plug out of that sport, when it’s time, after which plug into one thing else. You’ve gotten the identical DNA.”

Falekaono was paying consideration.

“For me it was very inspiring — an ex-NFL participant coming to inform us about his story, his background, and to inform it particularly for the Maui Excessive soccer staff to tell us that you are able to do something, you possibly can study out of your errors,” Falekaono mentioned. “It was superb for us, I feel.”

Molden mentioned that he has by no means had any scenario the place he gave a presentation fairly like this one, however he did say there are similarities to COVID and the teachings discovered then.

“We do know fires in Oregon, it occurs, the devastation that it has on the atmosphere and folks like psychologically, so it’s robust, however time heals issues, relationships have a strong affect on whether or not it’s good issues or dangerous issues that occur that we have now no management over,” Molden mentioned. “I feel having faculties open, having academics and coaches accessible to have the ability to speak and provides help and simply form of do issues usually, I feel that helps out a ton.”

Charlie Peterson was additionally impressed by Molden. The youthful Peterson was additionally a part of the senior/chief gathering simply earlier than Molden took a bunch image with your complete group.

“Being him, being an ex-NFL participant he has so much to carry to the desk to assist us this 12 months,” Charlie Peterson mentioned. “He primarily talked so much about being a pacesetter for this 12 months and I really feel that our staff, we simply have to develop into leaders and higher ourselves. And I really feel like previous years our staff didn’t actually have what we wanted to (win), however this 12 months with him speaking to us I really feel like all of us have a ardour for the sport and we wish to go to the subsequent degree like him.

“So I simply really feel like he simply bettered us at the moment and now we can assist one another out.”

* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com.