Former Chiefs executive Lamonte Winston starts program to help high school athletes

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - For 17 years, Lamonte Winston worked on making sure Chiefs players reach their goals on and off the field. Now, he’s on a mission to help Kansas City area high school athletes do the same through The Winston Group.

The former Chiefs Executive Director of player development spoke to athletes at Shawnee Mission West high school on Thursday night in Overland Park, Kan. It was part of his Pushing Excellence program. He gave each student athlete principles and skills to make smart decisions.

Winston wasn’t the only speaker at Shawnee Mission West. He brought former Chiefs tight end Brad Cottam, ex-Chiefs linebacker Shawn Barber and former Blue Valley Northwest and Valparaiso soccer player Jackie Thomas to help share his message.

The Shawnee Mission West athletes learned firsthand about Winston’s core values: Effective Communication, Trust and Meaningful Relationships. Several other schools in the Kansas City area are also participating in the program.

“Our student athletes today have more to give than their athletic talent,” Winston said. “We must strive to push excellence ‘from the inside out’ in our student athletes so they will develop a foundation of balance and perspective while competing that will carry them far beyond their successes on the field and well into their adult lives long after the cheering stops.”

Winston has worked in the NFL and coached college and high school athletes for more than 25 years. The NFL Alumni Association has approved Pushing Excellence. The Overland Park Police Department is also partnering with the program.

For more information, visit pushingexcellence.com.