To say that Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon constantly monitors the pulse of his football team would be a massive understatement.
Not that we didn’t already know that, but most of the time the perceived focus is on the field. However, there’s so much more to it and that became readily apparent putting together the story of the organization’s involvement in My Cause My Cleats the last two weeks.
Especially with the conversation that happened with player engagement director Josh Marriner and his assistant Jared Reed. Marriner, 29, is in his fourth year with the team and was the youngest in the league when he became director in 2021. Reed, 25, in his second year, and both are as passionate about their roles as anyone in the organization.
Marriner said, “We’re kind of like a jack of all trades. At the end of the day, it starts off with having the right heart, having a heart to serve these guys because there’s so many different things that go on during this NFL journey that many people don’t see. And that many things that go into it. Anything and everything when it comes to off the field development, we are big on.”
Collaboration with many departments is a big part of the job.
“When it comes to community engagement, we also want to be a bridge for our community relations department because we’re here right next to the guys,” Marriner said. “We’re able to eat breakfast, eat lunch, eat dinner and really get to know these guys under the helmet right outside of those white lines, while also helping them to maximize their time within the white lines.
“So, our biggest thing is making sure that at the end of the day, you become a great communicator. And then you have a heart of a server to figure out, like at the end of the day, you might be asked to do different things at times like we kind of fit in where we need to but when it comes to everything within this building, it’s making sure that we can be able to be a one-stop shop for all the players and the resources that they need in order for them to be the best men and players they can be on and off the field.”
Reed said doing the job is helped by the culture that began being implemented in 2023 and having players that are all in.
“I’d say we definitely have a tight-knit group here and that’s just a testament to JG and the staff that came in here and they’ve done a phenomenal job,” he said.
Noting the leadership that exists, Reed added, “Just being able to see them being able to employ those necessary tools and resources, as well as being able to get the guys together and doing various things inside and outside of the building is a great thing to see.”
As far as My Cause My Cleats, the Cardinals had a big increase in player participation this year to 33 players and others would have been participants, but moved on to other teams. The club sent their cleats to their new teams because they were already in the works.
Overall, Reed said to see how big it’s become in the league “is just an astounding thing.”
Especially beyond the players. Marriner credited general manager Monti Ossenfort for wanting to have as many people involved as possible. That led to deciding that Nike Air Force Ones were the best choice for non-players.
Marriner said, “Monti wanted everybody to be involved in an initiative like this. So he was able to approve it and we got so many more people involved this year because people were interested, but now we were able to actually execute it on the organization’s behalf and not just do it for the players, but also do it for coaches and staff.”
Marriner grew up in Chesapeake, Va., and played football at Connecticut and Old Dominion and his father is a pastor and his mom a teacher. Developing in this role is something where he has gratitude.
He said, “Never in my life did I think I’d be working in sports, but for me, I’ve been called to do this and I appreciate everything that God has instilled in me to be able to have a platform like this and to then serve his people, and to just uplift these guys to be the best versions that they can be.”
Reed is a Portland, Ore., native and played at Utah State and Boise State. He said, “Growing up with my mentors, both my parents, they taught me just how to equip the necessary tools in order to not only just focus on football, but focusing on outside of football as well before I get to my passion. So being able to come into this space and being able to impart those same life lessons and teachings means everything to me and just being able to have that passion again, to equip the guys in this building with the necessary resources and tools to be the best men holistically is a phenomenal opportunity.”
They approach the job focusing on every player on the roster. As Marriner said, “You see some guys that are out of the league within one or two years. I want to be a guiding light for guys to be able to maximize this true opportunity. It’s not just about a quarterback that’s on the team. What about the guys that are on the fringe of the roster that make special stories every year and they’re also special guys as well. And so for me it’s about how can I develop myself into getting the right skill set and getting the right exposure to then knowing what these guys are going through.
“And then putting things in place to help implement a better process in a better environment for them to come in and truly maximize their NFL journey. They come with wives, sons, daughters and all these other things that many people don’t talk about. And so, for us, how can we help to make sure that this transition into the team, into the NFL, is as smooth as possible for them to truly maximize their time on Sunday.”
Marriner amplified the point made by Reed about Gannon creating a team that is close.
He said, “We have a building now that we have guys that love football, that love their teammates and love the community. And you’re starting to see the product on the field as well as probably a more tight-knit group than they’ve ever been. I think that’s a testament to JG and Monti working together as a collaboration. But also at the end of the day, these guys go out every single week putting it on the line because they care for their brothers next to them.
“It’s a wonderful thing to see that these guys are not only playing together but serving in the community together. Doing life together. Kids’ birthday parties together. And I think you see a more connected team and you’re starting to see that with Arizona Cardinals.”
When Gannon was asked Friday if he talks to players about how their voices can carry in the community, he said, “Yes. They impact people whether they like it or not. They can provide influence to people outside of the gates and I expect them to provide positive influence.”
As for the job that Marriner and Reed do and how important their role is, Gannon said, “Huge. They’re one of the resources that help develop our guys because it goes back to everyone’s role is a little bit different, but each role is critically important to the players. And that’s a huge piece. I’m really proud of our guys. When they step outside of the gates, I don’t worry about them and I know they’re gonna impact the community in a positive way and they know they have a voice.
“Right, wrong, indifferent; they have a voice because of what they do and who they are. And they use that in a positive way, which is cool to see in the world today. I’m proud of those guys that they do that. There’s some cool causes out there, there really are and it makes you keep things in perspective sometimes when it’s not easy to keep things in perspective with what we do, but it really does.”
Finally, when asked how often he has interaction with Marriner and Reed, he said, “It’s every day, every day.”
And, as he often says about achieving success on many levels, while players often parrot his words, “It’s one day at a time.”
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