Top 2011 NFL Draft Picks Branded by Former Sports Illustrated Editor

May 2, 2011 - PRLog -- Tallahassee, Fla. -- Nearly half of the 2011 first-round draft picks, including Marcell Dareus, AJ Green, Julio Jones and Christian Ponder join the growing number of NFL athletes who have graduated from Brand U – an intensive personal branding and media training program led by longtime Sports Illustrated Editor and established media coach Don Yaeger.

“I’ve already met with teams and have been trying to incorporate the [brand] words – trying to get my brand across to those guys,” Ponder said shortly after the training, in reference to one of Yaeger’s exercises. Now, Ponder will continue protecting his brand as a Minnesota Vikings quarterback.

This is the fifth year in a row that Yaeger has served as media coach to the top NFL draft picks.  

“The time has come and gone when players are drafted solely for their athletic ability,” Yaeger said. “Coaches are looking for athletes who portray positive images and communicate effectively. One of our main goals is to teach these players that they are a unique brand and that everyone -- including NFL teams -- wants to align themselves with the best brands on the market. Teams know their players' brands reflect directly on their own, so they are choosing much more carefully."

Yaeger’s 180 Communications team partners with Athletes’ Performance Institute to prepare the players for the NFL. API is a combine-prep center with facilities in Phoenix, Ariz.; Los Angeles; Frisco, Texas; and Gulf Breeze, Fla. that focuses on enhancing performance on the field and recognizes the value of personal branding off of it.

“I have witnessed firsthand that our athletes immediately implement the techniques they learn from Don and his team,” said Peggy Iralson of API. “The principles the athletes learn are a great value for their draft process and throughout their entire NFL career.”

As part of the program, Yaeger presents the fundamentals of building a personal brand and interacting with the media. Afterward, he and his team host individualized, hour-long training sessions, where the athletes practice using their “Brand” words in front of the camera and receive direct feedback on their speaking skills.

"You guys [Yaeger’s team] taught me about my brand and terms I can use,” said Cameron Jordan, New Orleans’ #24 pick. “I'll be using it for interviews in the future."

Other first round picks branded by Yaeger include Aldon Smith, Tyron Smith, Blaine Gabbert, JJ Watt, Robert Quinn, Prince Amukamara, Danny Watkins, Jimmy Smith and Cameron Heyward. Overall, Yaeger trained more than 50 athletes who are now part of an NFL roster.

If you are interested in interviewing Yaeger about his media training sessions, contact Lee Gordon at Lee@Team180.com or 904-860-8848.