Kickin’ It: Major League Soccer All-Star Cobi Jones Shares His
Victories (continued)
Following his U.S. Olympic team debut in 1992, Jones headed overseas,
playing for the FC Cologne of Germany, Coventry City of England, and
briefly with Vasco da Gama of Brazil. For Jones, it was while playing
overseas that he was introduced to what he calls a different kind
of soccer experience.
“Just seeing the very serious and business-like mentality towards
the game was a change for me. It’s basically the only sport
they have there (England). It was extremely competitive, and they
have a different approach to the game,” explains Jones, who’s
now playing his ninth season with the Los Angeles Galaxy. He says
that in other countries soccer stars have the same kind of popularity
as Major League NBA and NFL players in the U.S., and remains hopeful
that soccer is steadily gaining attention.
Passing the Torch
Though not yet married with kids, Jones is well known in preschool
cliques. Hosting the “Live and Learn” segment of the hit
PBS Kids series, Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks, Jones offers
worthy advice on beating the odds – something he knows a lot
about. In the animated series set on a farm in Ireland, Piggley Winks,
a young Irish pig and his buddies learn the ins and outs of friendships
and problem-solving techniques. Jones’ offers life lessons during
his show segments.
“I love kids and saw Jakers! as a great opportunity to help
kids learn about getting along and overcoming obstacles,” Jones
says. He says that because kids do look to athletes and entertainers
as role models, it is important to set good examples that help guide
kids in positive directions. In each episode of Jakers!, the animated
characters are presented with real-life dilemmas and set out to learn
creative ways of finding victory in each situation. On the show, the
characters also play soccer as a favorite pastime.
One of the most important concerns Jones shares with many is the increase
concern of childhood obesity. He says that staying fit is especially
important for kids who aspire to become standout athletes.
“There has to be some kind of self-discipline. And if you don’t
follow a well-balanced diet to stay in top form, someone else out
there will, and they’ll take your spot,” Jones warns.
He admits that as a child Jones, too, was a candy addict. However,
Jones says that when he started focusing more on the possibility of
competing at a college- and professional level, he knew that he would
have to be in top form.
Even today, Jones trains for nearly two hours daily, along with additional
team practices during the week. While Jones’ diet no longer
includes hamburgers, chips and fries, he admits to occasionally splurging
on pizza. Jones says that as kids become advanced as athletes, their
bodies will begin to no longer tolerate high amounts of junk food.
Running, jumping and other physical activities become challenging,
according to Jones, who says his body feels sluggish when he’s
eaten large amounts of junk food.
Participating annually in a number of youth sports clinics and workshops,
the MVP soccer star informs kids of the importance of eating nutritiously.
Jones’ daily meals consist of plenty of proteins derived from
meat, as well as lots of salads, smoothies and vegetables. Clearly,
staying in top form is a must for a Jones; whose beat the odds to
attain success in a professional sport not known for an abundance
of stellar black athletes.
To little ones aspiring to make it in major league soccer, Jones leaves
this bit of advice: “Don’t ever let anyone ever tell you
that you can’t do something! Follow your dreams!”
For more information on Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks, visit
http://pbskids.org/jakers/caregivers/index.html.
The 30-minute show airs weekly on PBS, check your local TV guide for
times and dates.
Cobi Jones’ Notable Achievements:
• All-time Leading Los Angeles Galaxy Scorer
• Voted Honda Player of the Year (1998)
• Named a MLS All-Star for eight consecutive years (1998-2003)
• First American to make 150 appearances in the Gold Cup
• One of only two players to play in every minute of both 1994
and ’98 World Cups
• Third player in MLS history to register 50 goals and 50 assists
• One of nine MLS players to appear in 200 MLS matches
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