Carmel Magazine

034-035 LK Herm Edwards_Layout 4/21/13 9:30 AM Page 1 LOCALKNOWLEDGE Herm Edwards egendary NFL coach and ESPN analyst Herm Edwards is L as local as they come. The son of an Army Master Sergeant, Edwards moved to the Monterey Peninsula at the age of 5 and hasn't left since, in body or spirit. An alumni of Martin Luther King School and Monterey High, he then used our local Monterey Peninsula College as a stepping stone to the NFL. Edwards made his mark as a cornerback with the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, and the Atlanta Falcons. He then coached in the NFL, leading the Kansas City Chiefs until early 2009. His career kept him from living just one part of his dream—being home on the Peninsula—for 30 years. But now as a television personality, Edwards, his wife Lia and their two young daughters live at Tehama, where Herm also gets to hit the links with 31-year-old son, Marcus. Q: The Monterey Peninsula is your home, as you live in Tehama. But, you work full time at ESPN in Connecticut. Do you keep a place there? A: In one word, NO! I travel every 7 or 8 days to ESPN and I stay 4 or 5 days. I stay at a hotel. I don't keep an apartment NFL Coach, ESPN Sportscaster, Father Q: You are raising two little girls after having a 31-year old son. What are some of the differences as a parent this time around? A: When you get older, you appreciate kids even more. When you are a coach and player, you are so much into "you" that that's all you can do—that's life. That's how you mature. But, your priorities in life change, and then when you are older, you have climbed that mountain. As parents, we get hung up on something, and we have to be careful: We want our kids to have it better than we had it. But, don't forget this: The best possession you can give your kids is your wisdom.That is something they have no idea how to get. You can't buy it. You gain it by life experiences. If you can give them the wisdom, they don't have to hit the potholes you hit. And the great thing is, it does- n't matter how much money you make, your income, your nationality. You HAVE the wisdom. But you HAVE TO give it to your children. Q: So, you're a dad with a message! because I never want to feel like I live there! I want to be HERE. A: I tell my kids that we all grow up with ambitions and goals. I Q: What drives you crazy when you see yourself on out a plan is a wish. You HAVE to have a plan. Life is about television? A: Well, high definition drives every one crazy—you can see every little thing on your face. Q: Well, you look great, so you don't have to worry about that. What's the best part about transitioning from the f ield to a television job? A: I am enjoying it because it is an opportunity to talk about football at another level than I had for the previous for 30 years. It's been a great transition. I am still in the game, get to talk about the game, and that's what's so great about it. Q: How did you and your wife Lia meet? A: My first time I visited Kansas City I was on an airplane leav- ing, and she was going home for Christmas to see her parents in Modesto. We sat across from each other and that's how we met. That was 1994. 34 C ARMEL MAGAZINE•SPRING/SUMMER2013 teach my kids, and other kids I get to talk to, that a goal withpreparation with plans. Teachers will tell you write down your goals. What I'm saying is, "Where is the PLAN?" Q: How do you stay involved locally to spread these types of sage messages? A: I speak at university campuses around the country. And here, I am involved with the Boys and Girls Club of the Monterey Peninsula. Anytime I can get in front of young people, I try to do that! Q: When it's not a night for "young people," but for we "grown-ups," where do you take Lia for date night? A: : We are homebodies. But, when we do go out, we just love Rich Pepe and Little Napoli! —Dina Eastwood

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