As most of you probably know, Freddie Solomon died last week at age 59 in his home of Tampa, Florida. When you look up the phrases football confidence or mental preparation for football Solomon’s picture should be right beside them. He was the epitome of psychologically preparing himself for football along with physically and he had the confidence enough in himself and his coaches and mentors to give up his dream of becoming an NFL star quarterback to becoming and NFL star receiver, which he did.

When discussing the psychology for football using Solomon as an example is appropriate and right on target as far as football players are concerned. He was a man of outstanding character as well as attitude and a football mind.

Born in 1953 in South Carolina Solomon was selected in the 1975 NFL Draft as a second rounder by the Miami Dolphins. He went on to play for the San Francisco 49ers on teams that won two Super Bowls.

There are many things that we as the public know about Solomon and many things that certainly remain unknown and private about Solomon. What is known, however in regard to football psychology, is that Solomon was only 5 feet 11 inches tall and was an incredibly successful wide receiver. This is extremely rare. The vast majority of NFL wide receivers are much taller than Solomon was. It is clearly evident that Solomon had a mental toughness along with a mental preparedness for each game to reach his extremely talented ability and level.

This fact in itself gives credence to how psychology for football can be used. When a player at any age is at a disadvantage due to his or her physical stature to be successful in their sport of choice they can use, if the sport is football, the psychology in football to overcome this disadvantage and be successful. Solomon in himself proved that to all of us.

One can conclude therefore that football psychologists are extremely important in the game as well as in all sports. They assist and are successful at helping players overcome whatever disadvantage they may have.

RIP – January 11, 1953 – February 13, 2012