On a beautiful summer day, there are numerous activities to enjoy in Minnesota. Many will go "up north" to the lake and spend their time on the water boating, enjoying numerous water sports and spending time out on the links.
Once minicamp has been completed, players are given their freedom for a period of 5-6 weeks to enjoy an extended break. Each player will approach this differently with some traveling for a long vacation while others will stick around and enjoy time with loved ones. It's also important to understand the violent nature of football with what they choose to do in the offseason.
Each player will have a different approach to their vacation so-to-speak and Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman is no different.
Blake Cashman discusses balancing football with other sports
It's not just about the offseason for players, as they do have some downtime during the season as well. For Cashman, the season is for focus.
"In season for me it's strictly work and relaxing when I can. I’m pretty much on 'do not disturb' during the season. You could say I’m very extreme when it comes to staying focused. Off season on the other hand... I love to be doing something constantly whether that be: traveling, spending time with loved ones, boating, or hitting the links."
The key word here is relaxing. Football is a violent game that takes a massive toll on the body and activities in the offseason should complement that. That's where the idea of playing golf comes into focus.
A sunny afternoon at the end of May is a perfect time to enjoy a round of golf. In order to play a round of golf, you need some clubs. That led Cashman to PXG in Minneapolis where he received a custom fitting from the golf professionals.
According to their website, Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG) was founded in September of 2013 by well-known businessman, philanthropist and golf nut Bob Parsons. PXG was born out of Parsons’ desire to make the world’s best golf equipment. After spending two hours with them, it's easy to see the passion and in-depth process behind it.
The atmosphere was incredibly loose and fun. It was about trying to find the right mix for Cashman's swing. He was able to hit with impressive power but there was a significant draw in his swing. After each set of swings, the pro made adjustments with the clubs from degree to the shaft and grip. Those changed how Cashman hit the ball and you could sense the enjoyment increasing throughout the session, which is the most important part of the game. These elements will also translate to the football field where Cashman also takes coaching well.
When he was younger, Cashman had a broken three wood as a hand-me-down that he used. It's not a club he can use any longer which led him to PXG. The fitting was a long and in-depth process and one that Cashman enjoyed.
"The fitting experience was awesome. I really enjoyed learning about the fundamentals and little nuances that make you a better golfer, as well as the technology that goes into the game. I loved seeing the difference in my shots by making subtle changes to each club, which the PXG team adapted specifically for my swing. I definitely left the fitting as a smarter and better golfer."
The process of getting his clubs fitted was a very in-depth one. It was similar to watching the game on television. The simulator tracked each ball's trajectory, distance and club speed and the PXG expert was able to help make adjustments in real time. That element was similar to what you see on the field, as Cashman was able to take those adjustments and improve his stroke.
Cashman enjoys golf as a social activity
While he was with the Houston Texans, Cashman took some golf lessons to try and improve his game. Not having the right set of clubs ended up hindering Cashman, who views golf as a social activity from hanging out with friends on the links to participating in charity tournaments.
"Golf has become a leisure sport that I’ve been making more time for. I love the technicality of the game, the competitiveness when it comes to the mental side of it, and it’s a great way to spend time with friends and family."
As we discussed earlier, free time for athletes means they often spend time doing other activities. It's a difficult one as athletes often can get injured. Head coach Kevin O'Connell had some poignant thoughts on the subject, especially since he was a player at one point.
"I think you have to [talk about it], just because there's been some examples of guys maybe getting an injury, and sometimes it's taking part in one of those reckless activities," O'Connell said. "Sometimes it's not. But that whole non-football injury world, that NFI world, it's the last thing you want to see as a coach because you know how impactful this game is already on guys' bodies."
Numerous athletes have had career-altering injuries by participating in other sports or dangerous activities. Running back Nyheim Hynes tore his ACL while on a jet ski last summer and defensive tackle Malik McDowell suffered major injuries while riding an ATV before training camp of his rookie year. Cashman understands that well, which is why golf is something he started gravitating towards.
"The only other sport I occasionally play in my free time is pickleball. Once I get done playing I will get back into pick-up basketball and skiing. As of now I don’t want to risk a silly injury when I’m away from football."
Cashman is taking the smart approach. Individual sports that are low impact is the smart way to go. It's not just about keeping healthy but participating in an activity like golf can be beneficial for how you play on the football field.
"I’d say it helps take your mind away from the game and work, which is always good for my mentals. Golf requires you to do different movements and work muscles in different ways so I think that helps every athlete."
Being mentally sharp is incredibly important for being on the football field. It helps you react rather than think on the field. Thinking is not something you want to be doing on the field and stimulating your brain is a great way to keep things sharp.
The other side of things relates to a discussion happening in youth sports right now. Is it better to focus on one sport or play as many as possible? The latter is focused on using different muscle groups which is a major benefit long-term.
There is this idea that “If I’m trying to become a better softball player I shouldn’t take time away from softball to play volleyball, a sport I don’t feel as strong in but enjoy.”
The bottom-line is that playing both sports is developing different muscles, skills, and ways of thinking that simply won’t be done by limiting yourself to one of the two experiences.
It's a positive thing for players in the National Football League as well. Activating different muscle groups can benefit you on the field, especially when they are put into unique positions. It's also about having fun, something Cashman is already experiencing with his new clubs.
"The golf game has definitely slightly improved and I look forward to continuing to put these new clubs to work so I can up my game. I feel 100 percent more comfortable and confident with my new PXG’s"