Gilbert Shepard Named NFL Youth Coach of the Week by the Chicago Bears

Away from the football field, Gilbert Shepard—the NFL Play Football Youth Coach of the Week representing the Chicago Bears—owns a construction company focused on remodeling. When he straps on his whistle to coach the Robbins CalPark Eagles, Shepard is still in the business of building.

"There's no doubt there are similarities between coaching youth football and working in construction," said Shepard. "You're teaching young people how to put together the pieces that will make them football players. I've coached two very talented young ladies as well."

The Eagles are part of American Youth Football & Cheer, located south of Chicago. Shepard has been coaching the team since 1999, when his son brought home football equipment.

"When I saw him with his equipment, I knew I had to coach and give back," said Coach Shepard, who played four years at Richards High School before graduating and entering the U.S. Military. "I loved my head coach, Gary Korhonen, who had 306 lifetime wins. He was a mentor to me, and I try to be like him."

Coach Shepard believes that building up young lives honors the coaches who helped shape him: "Seeing kids grow up and go on to college, trade schools, the military, and succeed in life makes me smile. But I really get a kick out of when I see them later and they still call me 'Coach Shep'—that tells me I affected their life positively, and they're still respectful enough to call me 'Coach.'"

After 26 years of coaching youth football, his philosophy remains consistent: "I know there's no 'standard' way to deal with all kids. You have to meet each child where they're at. I take a holistic approach—some kids come from broken homes and need more than just on-field coaching. They have circumstances that affect their play and need to be addressed."

"We have families that need food, clothes, and some are even homeless. Every year, I partner with the Blue Island Robbins Neighborhood Network (BIRNN) and refer families from our organization to receive Christmas meals and gifts for all the kids. Essentially, my goal is helping the whole child, so they can be better not just on the field, but as a person."

Roman Oben, NFL Vice President of Football Development, praised the program: "The NFL Play Football Coach of the Week Award in partnership with AYF & Pop Warner honors those who do more than teach the game at the younger levels. It celebrates leaders who inspire character, teamwork, and a lifelong love of football in the next generation."

Below, Coach Shepard talks with High School Football America's Jeff Fisher about his high school coach's impact on his life and the thrill of being honored by the Bears.