Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Richard D. Myles Sr..
Dr. Richard D., we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey, creating the Minor Football League began because I witnessed first hand the need to create a professional minor football league. The reality of the current situation in athletics, is that the NFL can not accommodate all the young talent coming out of the nation’s colleges and high schools. From my own journey as a former All-Met football player from the nation’s capital, I played alongside many talented ball players, who did not all get a chance to further their athletic careers. I did not like the feeling of anyone being left being, not getting an opportunity to continue to play the game they loved. The Minor Football League provides an opportunity for young men to go from The field to the front office, as the league has created a pipeline for players to attain coaching, general manager and ownership positions. Players also have the opportunity to work with the league front in accounting, public relations and communications, media, game day operations and business finance. Players also get trained in financial literacy and, through community partnerships, and the Minor Football League Foundation. Through the MFL Foundation, players also have the opportunity to finish or start the process of attaining a degree. As a native Washingtonian, I purposely headquartered the league in Washington, D.C. so players have access to opportunity in the most powerful city in the world. When I first began the league, with the Washington Chiefs franchise, I made sure the guys understood the difference between semi-pro and minor professional football. We first began taking our Chiefs franchise to play other traveling teams. As we took the product on the road, the league grew. Today, the league has expanded across the U.S. and is beginning talks of international expansion. It has been testament to building strong community partnerships, getting “buy in” from individuals and local governments and operating bodies, and partnering with organizations who seek to create generational wealth and increased economic development. As the league has grown, anchored by the Mid-Atlantic division, which carries teams from D.C., Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina, my goal has been to continue to grow the game where football is strong.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like many businesses, no road to success is easy. The Minor Football League continues to work to grow exposure. In a world where many start-up leagues come and go, the MFL has remained true to the league’s vision and mission, creating an opportunity for young men to play in a minor professional league, with success stories to accompany it. The league continues to work to expand to new markets and to secure franchise owners to aid in the league’s growth. The league also looks forward to expanding its partnership portfolio with the hopes that the corporate world wants to be part of true change in sports. As a league with “integrity, commitment and excellence in all we do,” the league also seeks caring individuals who want to help propel the league forward to join the league’s board of directors. This is a call for anyone who wishes to be part of the “laboratory of change” please contact us,
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My name is Dr. Richard D. Myles Sr. and I am a serial entrepreneur who has found success in the world of business, sports and academia. As a chaplain, radio show host, former dean of students and CEO/Chairman and Founder of the Minor Football League, I have also expanded my reach as a professional speaker, using real-life stories and examples as my platform. I specialize in working with at-risk young people in urban communities, knowing where they come from but also knowing the value of where they can go. This has been the premise of the Minor Football League Foundation, that continues to “put kids first.” As a father and revered business leader, I am most proud to not be a product of my environment. Growing up in NW, D.C. as one of seven children, I’ve seen the city transform for better and worse. I made it my mission to be true to myself and to work to make a positive difference. The DMV is home as I grew my family here. This area was the first place to support my dream. The large urban cities in the area from D.C. to Baltimore have a resilient grit. My toughness to endure and remain positive comes from traveling across the area and interacting with many entrepreneurs that looked much like myself. My inspiration is drawn from being from a community of hopeful people who never gave up.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
You take a risk by being born and entering this unpredictable world. As a middle child, I had to navigate my way and find my “why.” As a business owner, you take a risk when you step out on faith and work to create your own. Not everyone understands or sees your vision the way you do. There are many naysayers every time you decide to do something different. Without risk there can be no reward. As I reflect on my life, and look back at the successes and hurdles along the way, the one thing I wouldn’t change is taking risks, because I did it my way. It’s my story that continues to be written and it’s my lasting legacy.
Pricing:
- Looking for game day volunteers
- Looking for Bobby Wilson coaching fellows
- Looking for MFL Foundation board memebrs
- Looking for franchise owners
- Looking for interns to be part of the MFL Developmental seasonal Internship program
Contact Info:
- Website: www.MFLishere.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/experiencethemfl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MinorFootballLeague
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/minor-football-league/
- Twitter: https://x.com/mflexperience
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4cfx6wBDR29RqKHGWU4ZgQ
- Other: https://linktr.ee/MinorFootballLeague
