By Crystal Leday In the course <strong>of</strong> our lives, we face challenges that mold and shape us. One <strong>of</strong> Todd McArthur's first challenges began just three weeks after he was born. In 1963, McArthur's mother and five children were in a non-collision accident when the truck she was driving flipped over several times, ejecting her 75 feet away, and Pictured above: Todd McArthur experienced many academic & physical challenges in elementary school, but says, “Surrounding yourself with successful thinking people will eventually help you have self-discipline. Being a leader is not hard.” Pictured middle: Todd McArthur, 1987 MSU Graduate with a BS in Heath & P.E. Pictured left: Todd McArthur, known as Coach T-Mac, Master Fitness Trainer & Body Sculptor pictured with wife Sheila, Master Fitness Trainer. him lying in the middle <strong>of</strong> the highway. It left her in a coma for over 90 days and he suffered a severe head injury and both hips broken. As he grew older, McArthur’s right leg grew shorter than the left and his academic functioning skills were below average. Elementary educators noticed his low performance in reading, spelling, and writing, and suggested that his mother and father place him in special education services with the help <strong>of</strong> a speech pathologist. His father continued to tell him that he was little, but powerful and could outperform the best, while his mother chose to team up with the special education services. That was when he began to understand the importance <strong>of</strong> mentors. One significant mentor that stood out to him during the 70’s was Coach Rodney Geyen, Head Coach, Pearl Watson Middle School. “He was so patient with me and other students as well. He gave me the chance I needed. All I wanted was a chance to be great, and he gave me that,” said McArthur. McArthur's athletic ability grew as football allowed him to release frustration. He wanted everyone to know that he was small yet powerful. He was capable <strong>of</strong> doing anything he wanted. Coach Rodney Geyen says, "When I first met Mr. McArthur, Todd's father, he told me that all <strong>of</strong> his sons were great, but Todd was the toughest." With the help <strong>of</strong> Coach Rodney Geyen, McArthur was allowed to run on the junior varsity track team at Lake Charles High School under the watch <strong>of</strong> Coach Larry Hunter. He received their instruction and allowed them to get in his head as mentors. McArthur stayed in the gym seven days per week. He did whatever it took to be faster and stronger. His goal was to receive a full scholarship his senior year <strong>of</strong> high school, but that didn't happen. <strong>The</strong> summer <strong>of</strong> his senior year, McArthur saw a guy training at Lake Charles High and wanted to join so he could stay in top shape. “Little did I know that guy was Charles Jefferson. He had just been drafted into the NFL. <strong>The</strong> first week I just watched him. <strong>The</strong> second week I started working out with him. <strong>The</strong> third week we worked out at McNeese with some <strong>of</strong> the players. While there, coaches noticed me and I received a partial scholarship to McNeese,” said McArthur McArthur's teammate and current coach for McNeese, Lark Hebert said Todd was a “good player who was very friendly and liked everybody. He pushed his position to play. He cared about his team.” Hebert also mentioned that being a mentor to our youth today is like having a family. You have to put them first. Another mentor that helped Todd was NFL Hall <strong>of</strong> Famer Lester Hayes. McArthur ran into Hayes during his career at Pictured above: Todd McArthur, Coach T-Mac, Commissioner <strong>of</strong> Dynamic Texas Football Association (DTFA) sticks to policy, guidelines and safety says Evon Boykins, General Manager, DTFA. Pictured at left: Charles Jefferson, 4th round draft choice with Houston Oilers & McNeese Hall <strong>of</strong> Famer with 19 career interceptions tied by Todd McArthur. Pictured below: Charles Avery was the fastest wide receiver at McNeese and longtime friend <strong>of</strong> Todd McArthur. He says, "McArthur is a true friend and very hardworking. Whatever he does, he succeeds in it. We trained hard and went to camps together. I was really fast and not many people could cover me, but he could. He was a no-quitter. It's always been the Mac and Ave and it still is. He is my Hall <strong>of</strong> Famer." McNeese and they became good friends. Hayes <strong>of</strong>ten <strong>of</strong>fered advice about football and life in general. “A very important factor <strong>of</strong> success is sweat. You don't have to like practice. You have to love practice. It takes love <strong>of</strong> what God has given you. I fell in love with the Dallas Cowboys one Sunday morning while watching Coach Tom Landry draw up plays. He taught football strategy and techniques. That was a foundation <strong>of</strong> understanding football. It gave me clarity on what I love. Clarity is an important factor,” said Hayes. Lester Hayes also mentioned that his success was based on training seven days a week during <strong>of</strong>f seasons while other players were only training 5 days a week. His current team, the Modesto Broncos, was the 2015 state champions. “A very important focus I give to youngsters is to not fall into a trap. This trap exists in all 50 states. <strong>The</strong> trap is drinking and smoking. Experimentation has grown so much with our youth today. I warn them to keep a close eye on negative friends. Players will not get into physical condition while drinking and smoking,” said Hayes. Hayes' best advice emphasized that polishing our gifts will prepare us for success and being prepared is key. “You must polish it because if not it will rust and rust turns to dust.” Another teammate and friend <strong>of</strong> McArthur's was <strong>The</strong>ron McClendon. McClendon believes that success is determined by hard work and dedication in any field. His best advice is to be compassionate with yourself. He wants to teach the youth discipline. He yearns to mold and shape those who want to work hard and pass his skills on. “Todd was hardworking. He was willing to learn. He was an underclassman during my time, but he understood how to work hard. He had leaders in front <strong>of</strong> him that he looked up to. He also had good coaches to teach him,” said McClendon. McArthur led McNeese as well as the conference his sophomore through senior year and ended with 19 career interceptions. He had letters from the Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, and Seattle Seahawks, but God had other plans for him. In 1986, Todd went to a camp in Houston and was asked to come back. Only one thing was holding him back. McArthur was employed at Popeye's under the management <strong>of</strong> Sterling August and JUNE 2016 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 3 • Number 11 Volume 3 • Number 11 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM JUNE 2016
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