cover 0708.qxd - PhillyFIT Magazine
cover 0708.qxd - PhillyFIT Magazine
cover 0708.qxd - PhillyFIT Magazine
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PhysicallyFIT<br />
FORMER PHILADELPHIA EAGLE<br />
Fred Barnett<br />
Takes It to the Streets<br />
And to Cyberspace!<br />
By Ronald Sklar<br />
(THE INTERNET HAS PROVEN TO BE AN AMAZING FORCE FOR<br />
BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER. ANOTHER AMAZING FORCE,<br />
FRED BARNETT, IS BRINGING PROMISING YOUNG ATHLETES<br />
INTO THE FIELD OF VISION OF INFLUENTIAL PRO SCOUTS<br />
AND COACHES WITH HIS NEW WEBSITE, THE NEXT ICON<br />
WWW.THENEXTICON.COM).<br />
Barnett, a veteran of eight seasons in the NFL (including, six with the<br />
Philadelphia Eagles) has designed The Next Icon so that scouts, coaches<br />
and recruiters can easily pinpoint the type of athlete they are looking for<br />
(by sport, state, statistics, grade scores, height, or weight), and to actually observe these athletes<br />
in action, on video.<br />
The Next Icon also serves as a showcase for high school and college athletes, allowing them<br />
access to interactive forums, advice and networking opportunities. As well, professional athletes<br />
are invited online to share their stories and unique advice.<br />
While with the Eagles (1990-95), Barnett started eleven games as a rookie, catching eight<br />
touchdown passes. He also holds the franchise record for the second longest reception in team<br />
history: a 95-yard touchdown catch against the Buffalo Bills during his rookie season. He was<br />
selected to the Pro Bowl in 1992 after tallying 1,083 receiving yards for the Eagles.<br />
Here, Barnett discusses The Next Icon and his passion for keeping the dream alive in young people.<br />
How did you come to create The Next Icon<br />
The Next Icon was created after learning that there were young athletes having the same experience that I had in high school. I played<br />
only one year of football during my senior year. I had no scholarship offers until a friend told a recruiter about my talents. That<br />
recruiter, who is now an Assistant Coach with the Indianapolis Colts, stopped by my high school and watched my highlights. I ended<br />
up getting a full scholarship to Arkansas State University.<br />
The Next Icon is a stage for young athletes who are under the radar. They can go on and upload their highlights and create detailed<br />
profiles including stats, grades, and test scores. The recruiters can sign on, create a wish list, then start to search specifically for athletes<br />
of every kind, male and female, by using all criteria.<br />
After finding their athlete, they can store them in a locker for future presentations to their staff and just to have them on hand when<br />
they log in again. The Next Icon will soon be the best tool to match colleges and athletes in the US and the world.<br />
What were some of the challenges you faced along the way<br />
There were lots of decisions I had to make along the way that made it both hard and easy. People were in and out of my life, friends<br />
came and went, and I had to learn how to take the emotions out of what was real and right in front of me, and then move forward.<br />
What are some of the triumphs and success stories you are most proud of<br />
I’m from Gunnison, Mississippi. Enough said! I’m proud to say that I had a clear vision of what I wanted to do and did it. I had a<br />
desire to be the best and was voted that by my peers. Helping young athletes create a future is a true triumph and it is something completely<br />
different.<br />
14 I <strong>PhillyFIT</strong><br />
March/April I 215-396-0268 I www.phillyfit.com
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