In considering Father’s Day, I thought it would be interesting to do something a little different. Instead of writing a regular feature story on an NFL dad, I thought, why not have one of these well-respected men share his secret to successful fathering? Former NFL wide receiver André Davis was the first to come to mind.
So I reached out and Davis welcomed the opportunity. Not only that, within a few minutes of me contacting him, the list that follows was in my inbox! What this tells me is that Davis’ tips are not something that he had to take a lot of time to think about or try to figure out in order to contribute to this article. These 10 tips are things he practices daily with his own children. He isn’t suggesting that others do what he has not already done, but he’s merely sharing what has helped him to be a better father to his children.
It’s a given that no one can be perfect, but I think Davis’ list is a good one to consider.
10 GREAT TIPS FOR FATHERS:
1. Follow and obey God FIRST!
2. Honor, support and love your wife, the mother of your children.
3. Guide your children through discipline, experiences and love.
4. Take an active part in your community.
5. Be a mentor and a role model.
6. Spend QUALITY time with your family.
7. Do your best to provide for your family.
8. Take time to relax and have fun with your kids.
9. Teach your kids right from wrong.
10. Encourage your kids to be the best they can be in whatever they choose to pursue.
Being a good father takes time, discipline and commitment. We only have our kids for a short while. So giving them our undivided attention is just as important as providing for them. Hopefully, these tips will at least get you current dads thinking about your own relationship with your kids and give you future dads a head start on being a great father.
About André Davis
In 2002, André Davis was drafted in the second round, out of Virginia Tech by the Cleveland Browns. He spent three seasons with the Browns before moving on to the Patriots, Bill and finishing up his career with the Houston, Texans. Davis is currently enjoying a successful career in real estate. He also continues to influence the lives of current NFL athletes through his service on the board of Pro Athletes Outreach. Davis resides in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with his wife, Janelle and their two sons.
Wishing all you Dad’s out there a very Happy Father’s Day!
Kim Anthony can be contacted through www.KimAnthony.net or on Twitter @RealKimAnthony.
