The National Center for Development of Boys will host renowned speaker and 10-year NFL veteran Joe Ehrmann on Thursday, Feb. 18 at Redemption Point Church, 1907 Bailey Ave.
Mr. Ehrmann will speak on the difficulties faced by today’s boys and how teachers, coaches and mentors can help their students and players make good decisions in what can be a confusing time of life. His presentation, titled “Masculinity 2.0: Confronting Stereotypes of What it Means to be a Man” is free and open to the public.
"With so many challenges facing young people, especially young boys, a different strategy and approach to inspiring and raising children is needed. We need to find a way to break the “Boy Code” in which unwholesome concepts of masculinity can lead to poor individual and group choices," organizers said.
In conjunction with his remarks at Redemption Point, Mr.
Ehrmann will conduct workshops with McCallie students, teachers and coaches during his visit to Chattanooga.
“Joe Ehrmann has a great message to share, and we’re happy to play a role in bringing his message to Chattanooga,” McCallie School Headmaster Lee Burns said. “He understands the challenges that boys face growing up today and has a message for how to reshape the way young people and adults can approach issues of masculinity and maturity.”
Mr. Ehrmann is a former firstround draft pick of the Baltimore Colts and an NFL ProBowl selection in 1978. He played defensive tackle for the Colts and the Detroit Lions in his 10-year NFL career, and he played varsity football and lacrosse at Syracuse University.
Mr. Ehrmann has taken the lessons he learned as an athlete and as a high school football coach to develop a message promoting growth, teamwork, effectiveness and individual responsibility. His story and educational concepts are the subject of the New York Times Bestselling book “Season of Life” by Jeffrey Marx, and he share his message and insights with corporate, civic and community organizations throughout the world.
One of the points of focus for Mr. Ehrmann is addressing issues of masculinity in young people to address issues of bullying, sexual assault and proper emotional development.
Through community organizations such as The Door and Building Men and Women for Others, both founded with his wife, Paula, Mr. Ehrmann has developed a message that resonates with parents, teachers, coaches and mentors.
"Joe's approach to this vital work is grounded in the lessons and experiences of his own remarkable life and the profound impact he has had on others," officials said.
His insights are featured in the documentary “The Mask You Live In,” and his 2013 talk at
TEDxBaltimore on what it means to “Be a Man” has drawn rave reviews from educators
and coaches across the United States.
“Joe is an acclaimed athlete, so he understands the concepts of teambuilding,mentoring and coaching young men,” Assistant Headmaster Kenny Sholl said. “Yet he brings a fresh perspective on how young people and those who work with them can achieve success not only on the playing field, but also in life. The insights he will bring to Chattanooga will be invaluable for anyone who cares about the wellbeing of the young people in their lives.”
For more information on Mr. Ehrmann and this event, including directions to Redemption Point Church, visit www.understandingboys.org/BoyCode.