Florida, USA, Jun 06, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Former football athlete Therrian Fontenot is speaking out about the importance of discipline, mentorship and structured environments for young people, drawing from his own journey from Louisiana to Los Angeles and eventually to collegiate and professional football.
Fontenot, who earned a full scholarship to Fresno State after standing out at Leuzinger High School in Los Angeles, says organised sports helped shape his mindset and gave him direction during critical years of his life.
“Football gave me structure early,” Fontenot says. “It taught me accountability, consistency and how to stay focused on long-term goals.”
His message comes as youth participation in organised sports continues to decline across the United States. According to data from the Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative, fewer than 40 per cent of children between ages 6 and 12 regularly participate in team sports. Research has also shown that structured extracurricular activities can improve academic performance, social development and long-term confidence in young people.
Fontenot believes those lessons extend far beyond athletics.
“Sports teach you how to work with people, how to deal with pressure and how to stay disciplined even when things get difficult,” he says. “Those are life skills, not just football skills.”
After attending Fresno State, Fontenot left college early to pursue a professional football career. Although his time playing professionally was relatively short, he says the experience reinforced the importance of preparation and resilience.
“At that level, everybody has talent,” Fontenot explains. “The difference comes from mindset, discipline and preparation.”
Today, Fontenot continues to focus on fitness, weight training and personal development while building Help2Others, an early-stage charitable initiative centred on encouragement, growth and community support.
“I want to create something positive that helps people stay motivated,” he says. “A lot of people just need direction and support.”
According to the National Alliance for Youth Sports, around 70 per cent of children stop playing organised sports by age 13, often due to pressure, burnout or lack of access. Fontenot believes communities can help change that by creating more supportive environments for young people.
“Not everybody grows up with strong structure around them,” he says. “Sometimes having the right coach, mentor or environment can completely change somebody’s path.”
Fontenot is encouraging individuals and families to focus on practical ways to support discipline and personal growth in everyday life, including:
-
Encouraging consistent routines and healthy habits
-
Supporting local youth sports and mentorship programmes
-
Promoting teamwork, accountability and resilience
-
Staying physically active and mentally focused
-
Leading by example through actions and consistency
“You don’t have to do something huge to make a difference,” Fontenot says. “Sometimes it starts with simply showing up, staying disciplined and helping somebody stay encouraged.”
As he continues building the next chapter of his life, Fontenot says the lessons from football still guide him every day.
“The biggest thing I learned is that growth takes work,” he says. “You keep showing up, keep improving and keep moving forward.”
To read the full interview, visit the website here.
About Therrian Fontenot
Therrian Fontenot is a former football athlete born in Louisiana and raised in Los Angeles, California. He graduated from Leuzinger High School in 2000 before earning a full football scholarship to Fresno State and later pursuing a professional football career. Today, he focuses on fitness, personal development and building his charitable initiative, Help2Others, centred on encouragement, discipline and community support.
The Post Therrian Fontenot Advocates for Discipline and Youth Structure Through Sport first appeared on ZEX PR Wire
