Justin McDonald

LBs Coach Charlotte Country Day | UCF Alumnus | Faith | Family | Football | Business Owner

[Buccaneer Football @CCDSFootball]

#FULLBORE 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️

[Langston Wertz Jr. @langstonwertzjr]

Charlotte Country Day beat rival Charlotte Latin with a come-from-behind win the featured a play Bucs' fans will remember for a long time

https://t.co/rQ9ml8P850

[Justin McDonald @jaymac_34]

@JohnJeanetta7 @CCDSFootball @PrepRedzoneNC @247Sports @Rivals @pepman704 😤😤

[Justin McDonald @jaymac_34]

RT @JohnJeanetta7: Midseason Highlights 🎥
RB/ATH | 5’11 195 | 2027 | Charlotte Country Day (NC)
32 Car | 228 Yds (7.1 YPC)
9 Rec | 111 Yds…

[Buccaneer Football @CCDSFootball]

1-0
#FULLBORE

[Justin McDonald @jaymac_34]

Great things 🔥🔥🔥

[Darius Quartey @DairyQuartey]

#AGTG blessed to receive an offer from the University of North Western! Thank you Coach’s! @UNWMoore @coachboom26 @unwfb @NCSA_Football @NorthActivities @jaymac_34

[Darius Quartey @DairyQuartey]

#AGTG blessed to receive an offer from the University of North Western! Thank you Coach’s! @UNWMoore @coachboom26 @unwfb @NCSA_Football @NorthActivities @jaymac_34

[Justin McDonald @jaymac_34]

🔥

[Nick Monroe @CoachNJ_Monroe]

Had an elite time talking 🏈 with @jaymac_34 during the #MNblitz! The @NorthActivities Polars are in ELITE hands ‼️#MNblitz # RTB #SkiUMah

[Nick Monroe @CoachNJ_Monroe]

Had an elite time talking 🏈 with @jaymac_34 during the #MNblitz! The @NorthActivities Polars are in ELITE hands ‼️#MNblitz # RTB #SkiUMah

[Justin McDonald @jaymac_34]

Nick Saban retiring 😳 Alabama will never be the same again.

[Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness @coachajkings]

In 2017, Austin Ekeler went undrafted and signed with the LA Chargers.

He was the 6th-string RB.

His only goal was to make the team, but it was a long shot.

He was an undersized D-II RB that wasn't drafted and wasn't getting practice reps.

He told his family, "Don't call me. I don't want to be distracted."

Austin was getting 0 real reps in training camp. The only reps that got him noticed were special teams and scout team.

So those opportunities are what he would take advantage of.
✅He ran every special teams rep as hard as he could, flying down the field.
✅He "over studied" to make sure he was in position and consistent.

And the hard work started to pay off. One day, head coach Anthony Lynn noticed his effort on special teams and asked who that was flying down the field.

The results weren't immediate. He kept working hard and being consistent, but he wasn't moving up the depth chart.

He was still 6th-string and barely getting reps. He even broke down crying in front of his position coach because nothing was changing, until it did...

During the preseason, he started to get more opportunities and stand out. He made some tackles and plays on special teams. He was always in position and he continued to get noticed.

Ekeler's effort ultimately paid off when he made the roster.

That year, Ekeler led the NFL in tackles on punts. He realized that was his opportunity, that was his role, and that was his job.

That was just the beginning for him because then his role and job would continue to evolve.

Austin Ekeler is now the starting RB for the LA Chargers and led the NFL in total touchdowns from 2021-2022 with 38.

Takeaway 1: Control what you can control
Focus on what matters and control what you can control. In the face of adversity and long odds, Ekeler focused on maximizing his efforts in areas he could influence. He worked on his special teams skills, doing work in the weight room, and learning the playbook. He even removed distractions from family and friends to focus on getting better.

The most resilient people know that "you can control what you can control." This mindset promotes ownership and a proactive, solution-focused mindset.

Takeaway 2: Do Your Job To The Best of Your Ability
Austin Ekeler's story teaches us the significance of seizing opportunities and performing your role with passion, energy, consistency, and attention to detail. Little details make big differences. He made the most of his limited opportunities by giving A+ effort on every play. People notice when you are consistent in your mindset and actions. Passion and energy can't be faked.

Everyone stars in some role, and your character shines when you give your best. Good character isn't just a trait, it's a choice that leads to a life worth living.

"In my mind where I'm trying to progress, just getting by is never good enough. You owe it to yourself and the people around you to try to maximize your capabilities because that is why you're on this Earth." - Austin Ekeler

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Follow @coachajkings for more content like this!

[North St. Paul High School Activities Department @NorthActivities]

Go Polars!

[Justin McDonald @jaymac_34]

You deserve it cuzzo you put a hell of a lot of work in🔥🔥🔥 let’s go get another 1🙌🏾🙌🏾💍🏆🏆

[Tarvarus McFadden @DaRealTeetime]

RINGSZN 💍🏆🔥
#Gods⏳imingNotYours🖤

[Obed Atsu Asamoah Mortty @ObedArchimedes]

Without Christ, I’m nothing.

[James Chaney @coachchaney96]

Wow Man I feel bad for HS recruits right now. My advice is to go somewhere and play ball. It will work out trust me!

[Justin McDonald @jaymac_34]

@Championship7v7 When will registration be open?

[Justin McDonald @jaymac_34]

Happy to announce that senior DL Doreon Ceaser has been offered by the University of Sioux Falls. We look forward to seeing him continue his football career! @USFCooFootball @NorthActivities

[Coach Brandon Barnes @ig_barnes]

It’s guys out here that have 0 ⭐️ that can play…… Coaches be so locked in on 3,4,and 5 stars

[Austin Westbrook @CoachAWestbrook]

Everybody wanna be a dawg until it’s time to do what dawgs do

[Coach Ern @CoachErn59]

Men lie women lie Hudl don’t 🤧