Interview: From Dirt Floor Basement to NFL Coach w/ Ron Blackledge
Explicit content warning
02/07/20 • 57 min
In this podcast episode, Jon interviews Ron Blackledge. They dive into Ron's life and his sports career. It all began for Ron Blackledge from a humble beginning of being born and raised in his aunt's garage with four siblings. Moving from a garage to just a dirt floor basement.
They talk about his early journies in sports. He didn't start playing football until his sophomore year. His one sister forged his consent form so he could play. His journey then took him to Bowling Green State University where he played football and baseball. He got married between his junior and senior years at Bowling Green.
He then coached at Canton South for three years followed by coaching at other local high schools for seven years. In the next phase of his life, he coached at five colleges for 14 years and finally, he coached in the NFL for 16 years.
"Ron Blackledge, What can I say,
RB is a Family Man!! Friendship, Loyal, Amazing in every way. There to help, never forgot where he came from, Loves to laugh, Loves to tell a story, Loves to sing a song, Loves a game of cards ... every single day! But ask him where he’s from and he will proudly say... Canton Ohio,
The best place on earth.
He is the definition of a true friend, and It has been such an honor for him to consider me a true friend.
He is an American Classic, and a treasure to all that love, and know him. What can I say??"
~Jon
The Working Class HUMP Podcast is about hard-working people. Who have blood on their knuckles, callouses on their hands, scabs on their shins and sweat on their brow. People out of sheer principle just would not quit and with continued hard work found themselves in positions that could make a difference in someone else's life along with their own.
Just from being hard Working-Class HUMPS
Humility, Love and Respect in perpetuity.
In this podcast episode, Jon interviews Ron Blackledge. They dive into Ron's life and his sports career. It all began for Ron Blackledge from a humble beginning of being born and raised in his aunt's garage with four siblings. Moving from a garage to just a dirt floor basement.
They talk about his early journies in sports. He didn't start playing football until his sophomore year. His one sister forged his consent form so he could play. His journey then took him to Bowling Green State University where he played football and baseball. He got married between his junior and senior years at Bowling Green.
He then coached at Canton South for three years followed by coaching at other local high schools for seven years. In the next phase of his life, he coached at five colleges for 14 years and finally, he coached in the NFL for 16 years.
"Ron Blackledge, What can I say,
RB is a Family Man!! Friendship, Loyal, Amazing in every way. There to help, never forgot where he came from, Loves to laugh, Loves to tell a story, Loves to sing a song, Loves a game of cards ... every single day! But ask him where he’s from and he will proudly say... Canton Ohio,
The best place on earth.
He is the definition of a true friend, and It has been such an honor for him to consider me a true friend.
He is an American Classic, and a treasure to all that love, and know him. What can I say??"
~Jon
The Working Class HUMP Podcast is about hard-working people. Who have blood on their knuckles, callouses on their hands, scabs on their shins and sweat on their brow. People out of sheer principle just would not quit and with continued hard work found themselves in positions that could make a difference in someone else's life along with their own.
Just from being hard Working-Class HUMPS
Humility, Love and Respect in perpetuity.
Previous Episode
From Childhood to First Round Pick w/ Todd Blackledge
In this episode, Jon interviews Todd Blackledge. They dive into Blackledge's childhood. From three different high schools in four years to his home run at his first at-bat. His years at Penn State and the legend of Joe Paterno. Todd led Paterno to his first National Championship in the 1982 season. Blackledge was the MVP of that game.
They talk about Todd's journey of finding God. Then to him being a first-round pick in the NFL. They talk about his career for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Also, they highlight the fact that his father Ron Blackledge was one of the coaches in Pittsburgh. Lastly, Jon and Todd discuss Todd's broadcasting career and all of the wonderful relationships that have stemmed from it.
"My friendship with Todd has spanned some 40 years.
In that time we have shared many of life‘s changes, however through it all, Todd has met each challenge and blessing with integrity and tremendous character.
I am proud to call him my friend."
~Jon
The Working Class HUMP Podcast is about hard-working people. Who have blood on their knuckles, callouses on their hands, scabs on their shins and sweat on their brow. People out of sheer principle just would not quit and with continued hard work found themselves in positions that could make a difference in someone else's life along with their own.
Just from being hard Working-Class HUMPS
Humility, Love and Respect in perpetuity.
Humble Unwavering Motivated People Sacrificing for all.
Next Episode
Hard Work, Works When Making History w/ Kevin Warren
Kevin Warren has, through adversity, forged a career of firsts.
The 56-year-old officially took over Jan. 2 as Big Ten commissioner, becoming the first person of color to assume command of a Power 5 collegiate sports conference.
Before that Warren was the first person of color to hold the position Chief Operating Officer in NFL history when he was hired as COO for the Minnesota Vikings, a team he's worked for since 2005. Warren was also the highest-ranking person of color working on the business side for an NFL franchise.
But this is his most high-profile opportunity yet, and a heavy one at that.
"Defining the Epitome of consistent never surrender hard work and work ethic:
Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren Shows how to get it done, with love, grace, respect, and empathy.
Join us for a conversation with this kind history-making man."
~Jon Deitz
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