“Your talent determines what you can do. Your motivation determines how much you are willing to do. Your attitude determines how well you do it”(Lou Holtz). That quote perfectly describes a conversation I had recently with Maurice Fountain, a former NFL player, where we talked about his career pre and post NFL as well as some new endeavors he’s embarking on.

         Fountain is from Camden, South Carolina a metropolitan area of Columbia, South Carolina. He attended Camden High School, where he played football. Following his final season he was invited to play in the North-South All-Star Game in Myrtle Beach, where he was named MVP. Before signing to Clemson University he played one year for Fork Union Military Academy. Although, background information is good to know, we here at Overtime U dig deeper than the surface and this is what we uncovered.

          I started the interview asking who Maurice Fountain is minus all the titles he has gained throughout the years.

          Fountain said,  “I’m a really down to earth and humble kid from Camden, South Carolina, I was a little less fortunate than others coming up, but always understood its no price tag on loyalty, love and family”.

          Just from the first question, I was really getting to know him. I also asked him what were his biggest mistakes--not a typical question people are willing to discuss-- but he definitely did. He touched on the fact that he let his personal life affect his schooling and the burden of home was overriding his career at Clemson. His last semester at Clemson he was supposed to go to Ft. Lauderdale to train for the NFL combine, yet he stayed in Clemson to train.

          “I was comfortable in Clemson, my friends were there and people I cared about,” he said.

Fountain also gave advice to his younger self, something he wanted to share, especially with college athletes.  

          “I would of maximized all resources available, including the academics, tutors and study hall.”

Fountain expressed that division one college athletes should take advantage of the resources they are provided as well as any opportunity.

          After college, Fountain went on to play in the AF2 League and the NFL but his career ended because he tore both his patella tendons.

          Fountain turned his negative into a positive. He trained at several facilities only to realize his love for training and the positive impact and effect it had on the youth. Starting a new training facility was not easy, but with the support of his wife and children he kept working at it until his dream became a reality.

         Fountain also stressed the importance of family. Fountain’s humble beginnings and strong views on family still impact him to this day.                                                                                                                                                                       

When asked where he sees STACK Sports Performance and Therapy in the next 10 years, Fountain said, “I want it to be the number one brand of sports performance in the southeast region. I also want to have three different facilities and I want my staff to upgrade in the sports performance business.”

Not only does Fountain see himself growing, but wanting the same with his staff showcases the type of person he is. Overtime U thanks Maurice Fountain aka “Coach Moe” for giving a young sports journalist this opportunity to tell his story.   

Be on the lookout for STACK Sports Performance and Therapy near you!