Curtis Blackwell – Sound Mind Sound Body Academy

‘We Are Putting Safety Over Athletics’, SMSB Reschedules the 5th Annual High School 7v7 Showcase for July

Blog, PressJune 29, 202360Views 0Likes 0Comments

DETROIT - Sound Mind Sound Body, the organizers of the highly anticipated 5th Annual High School 7v7 Showcase, regretfully announced the event's cancellation due to unforeseen air quality concerns. The decision to postpone the two-day showcase featuring over 30 schools and some of the nation's top players was determined to prioritize the well-being of attendees,…

Jakobe Watkins went from a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus to four offers and more to come

BlogNovember 20, 202058Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Perry A. Farrell SMSB Editor-in-Chief Jakobe Watkins knew something was wrong. In March of 2019, after completing a season at Belleville High School where he was named All-Conference and made some All-State teams as a freshman offensive lineman, he felt something uncomfortable in his left knee. “I was at the Nike Opening in Akron,’’ said Watkins. “We were…

Maxwell Hairston, ranked 19th best player in the state of Michigan, ‘you have to be just as successful in the classroom as well as the field.’

BlogOctober 28, 202056Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Perry A. Farrell SMSB Editor-in-Chief A seasoned 7on7 veteran, West Bloomfield High School, and Sound Mind Sound Body (SMSB) Max Ex participant, Maxwell Hairston is ready for the Southeastern Conference. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound defensive back committed to Kentucky on his father’s birthday. “It was between Virginia Tech, Purdue, Minnesota and Kentucky,’’ Hairston said. “Everything I wanted in a…

It takes a village: How Derek Jeter prepared SMSB’s Portage Northern star, Anthony Tyus, for Northwestern University

BlogOctober 27, 202063Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Perry A. Farrell SMSB Editor-in-Chief Portage is roughly two hours and 30 minutes from the east side of Detroit. For Portage Northern senior Anthony Tyus III, the ride was worth it. Being a part of the Sound Mind Sound Body program allowed him to gain exposure that the west side of the state doesn’t afford him. “The trip wasn’t…

From Chinese Prison To Prosperity, ‘It’s A Blessing To Be An SMSB Mentor’…

Blog, Recent NewsOctober 22, 202047Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Perry A. Farrell SMSB Editor-in-Chief Wendell Brown’s darkest days were spent in a Chinese prison for three years. In 2016 Brown was imprisoned in Chongqing, China. He was involved in a bar fight while attending a birthday party for a friend. Initially he was charged with intentional assault and sentenced to four years. “I was in there for…

Melik Williams Leading On And Off The Field With 3.9 GPA / 1230 SAT

BlogOctober 19, 202045Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Perry A. Farrell SMSB Editor-in-Chief Melik Williams is an academic star at Ypsilanti Lincoln High School and his talents on the football field are quickly catching up. He’s entering his second year with Sound Mind Sound Body (SMSB) Football Academy, and his exploits in the classroom have been eye-opening. Last month, SMSB hosted SAT practice testing for their…

Five-Star Will Johnson, ‘I Don’t Attend Camps, Just Sound Mind Sound Body Football Academy’

BlogOctober 13, 202049Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Perry A. Farrell SMSB Editor-in-Chief When ESPN and Rivals.com released their rankings of the top football players in the class of 2022 there was a five-star by Will Johnson’s name. It was significant because Johnson, a junior defensive back at Grosse Pointe South, doesn’t attend camps -- just the Sound Mind Sound Body Football Academy camps that…

How I Went From No College Football Offers to Three in Three Weeks

BlogOctober 7, 202043Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Perry A. Farrell SMSB Editor-in-Chief Cornell Perry was entering his junior season at Woodhaven High School with no college football offers. The 6-foot, 170-pound safety heard about the benefits of being part of the Sound Mind Sound Body program and thought three weeks ago was the right time. “My dad (Ryann Perry) knew a person who was able…

My Return, and My Time with SMSB E.L.I.T.E.

BlogAugust 21, 202055Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Tyriq Thompson In 2012, I attended my first Sound Mind Sound Body (SMSB) Football Academy camp held at Southfield High School. It was my first time ever participating in a camp of that magnitude. I hadn’t even decided which high school I would attend in the fall, yet SMSB had me thinking about college.…

Detroit King and SMSB, Legacy Coming Full Circle

BlogAugust 4, 202059Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Tyriq Thompson SMSB Alum / Intern – Staff Writer Detroit Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School has a long history as a football powerhouse, not only in the city of Detroit, but in the state of Michigan. Detroit King has produced All-Americans, collegiate ball players across all levels, and many have gone on to…

Taking Advantage of the SMSB E.L.I.T.E. Opportunity, and Making the Most of It

BlogJuly 28, 202049Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Tyriq Thompson SMSB Alum / Intern – Staff Writer Masai Reddick is one of Detroit Cass Technical High School stars on the rise. The 6’4 285-pound offensive tackle will be entering his junior year this fall, and already possesses the maturity and wisdom of someone who has graduated college. Reddick holds scholarship offers from Ole…

Sound Mind Sound Body, A Life-Changing Force In the Community

Blog, UncategorizedJuly 10, 202055Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Tyriq Thompson SMSB Alum / Intern – Staff Writer While there have been no reliable studies in recent years that calculate the literacy rate for Detroiters, it is not lost on many residents that illiteracy in our communities is a real thing. At a time when conversations on building generational wealth and gaining…