This week I want to talk about an NFL charity event I went to, my visit to watch Khano Smith and the Red Bulls play and give you an update with the Baltimore Blast.

Last week I was invited to the Ed Block Foundation NFL Courage House awards in Baltimore.

The Courage House is a Charity set up to help support abused or neglected children. The children who receive care from the Courage Houses are children who have belonged to a "family in crisis" and are in dire need of professional therapy, guidance, nurturing, general support, mental health counselling, vocational/educational training and abusive behaviour management therapy.

This programme has helped up to 100,000 abused or neglected children this year alone. Some of the players from the NFL have been also selected to receive the Courage House awards based on their struggles or, for some, who are battling through tough times while playing through their season.

This award means a lot to them and the young children who are facing great struggles.

Sitting at the banquet listening to the NFL players' stories and what they had to overcome through the season was amazing.

There is a lot of people that watch professional athletes and do not realise what they are going through and feel sometimes that they are not human,

If you get a chance l want you to look up your favourite team or athlete, try to find more about who they are and not just their career stats and I would promise that many of you would be more understanding of who they really are and why they do what they do. You would realise that many go through the same struggles in life as we do.

I did get a chance to meet a couple of players that I would be networking with and bringing to Bermuda in support of the Hope4Life programme, they were very excited to be involved and I look forward in meeting them in the next few weeks.

I have realised as the commissioner of the ISL I have to continue to expand my networking circle not just focus on soccer professionals, because not everyone young person in Bermuda does not just play soccer and the ISL/Hope4Life is trying to reach many young people not just soccer players.

This is also why I would be setting up meetings with NBA players and TV celebrities next month.

Last week I got the chance to watch Khano Smith and his MLS team Red Bulls play against USL Division Two team Crystal Palace, the game was at Navy Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.

The game was good and I strongly feel that the Red Bulls will be a good fit for Khano.

I have seen him play many times, but on Thursday he looked comfortable and relaxed. I saw a different side of his game that I did not see at New England.

The system and style they play will allow him to be more involved and give him the chance to shine with his new club.

He played the first half and scored with two minutes left in the half, his team was in control of the game but did allow Crystal Palace to create some chances, which they should have capitalised on.

The game ended up 2-0 for Red Bulls and showed good signs for their season, which starts on Thursday.

I wish Khano the best of luck and hope that he and his club complete their goals and task this season.

On Saturday the Baltimore Blast played away against the Philadelphia Kixx and we lost 11-6.

John Barry Nusum played after a long period of time out with an injury. Philadelphia basically did what they had to do and the win keeps their chances alive to make play-offs.

The Kixx played better and the result showed. As we move towards our last two games of the season, we have to stay focused and set out to finish playing well.

We do not want to be heading into the play-offs being inconsistent.

So, for us at this time as coaches our main focus is to maintain the players edge and continue to challenge them in training so no complacency sets in.

Until next time!