For Myron Rolle, All Rhodes Still Lead to NFL, Philanthropy

Myron Rolle wants to help change the world - one decision, one charity, one day at a time.

Rolle, who delayed his NFL career to attend Oxford University this fall as a Rhodes Scholar, has plans to become a neurologist. He also wants to be an All-Pro safety and win a Super Bowl. Rolle is already supporting domestic and global health and education initiatives through his nonprofit foundation he created last spring.

How is he doing all this? On his own timetable and through sparkling brown eyes that see life as a gift and an opportunity to make a difference. Just 22 years old, the former Florida State standout realized early that education, athletics and mentorship can together be used as a platform for a greater purpose.

"I am educated enough, I am knowledgeable enough and I have the intrinsic drive to turn the blessings given to me in my life into positive actions for other people," Rolle told FanHouse.

"If people wanted to help -- not even with their money but with their time, efforts and energy -- the person next to them, I feel a lot of problems in this world could be alleviated and we'd see a much happier place. I know that sounds like a cliché, but I believe it, I live by it. Some of it has been because I've been tremendously blessed so far in my life, but I don't want to not take advantage of time I have on this earth by not sharing and imparting some of my gifts and talents with other people."

While not one to twiddle his thumbs, Rolle's schedule over the next eight months will be tricky.

Rolle currently is training five mornings a week with renowned speed and agility coach Tom Shaw at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Orlando. Rolle, whom many believe has the physical tools for the NFL, said he ran a personal-best 4.4 40 in Monday's workouts session. But that's not to say Rolle is all work and no play. There have been afternoons this month where he has stripped out of his workout clothes and suited up in blue scrubs and shadowed an orthopedic surgeon at Florida Celebration Hospital. And let's not forget about the spirited debates about sports, fashion, politics, even President Obama's health care plan.

"It's difficult to be constantly training as hard as Myron is every day and not actually be working for something immediate as an upcoming season or an NFL workout, so it has been different," Shaw said.

"But he does know that he wants to play at another level and that motivates him daily. He works hard. He's intelligent. He wants to know and understand stride length and stride frequency. No one has ever asked me to see the data I have compiled [on former players], but Myron wants to know all of the rhymes and reasons and understand how it makes him better."

Rolle's next hurdle is over the big pond and in a different country.

Rolle departs for England in late September, when he will begin studying for his masters in medical anthropology in Oxford. With the help of older brother McKinley, who manages Myron's busy schedule, Rolle also plans to work out to maintain his standing in the NFL. Rolle will return to Florida and Shaw in December for a six-week break, when he plans to work out for NFL scouts, coaches and executives in advance of the draft in April. Although Rolle must return to England in late January, he said his teachers in Oxford have expressed understanding and a willingness to help him.

"I have talked to my teachers and obviously I am required to get my research done, but I don't have to be physically at Oxford all the time and I will be permitted to go back and forth," Rolle said, pointing to the NFL Combine in February, FSU's annual pro day in March and the end of classes in Oxford in June.

That's not to say Rolle hasn't had to make a transition himself.

Rolle, who completed all necessary pre-medical requirements and graduated from FSU in just 2 1/2 years with a 3.75 grade-point average, admits it's weird not suiting up in August for the first time since he started playing football in New Jersey at age 7. Rolle, tabbed the nation's top prep recruit in 2006, keeps tabs on the Seminoles through the Internet and last weekend watched former teammate Everette Brown make his professional debut with the Carolina Panthers.

"It has been different but I have to remember what my ultimate goal is and why I made this decision," Rolle said. "I keep reminding myself it is a positive decision that can impact my future in a good way."

Rolle will return to Tallahassee for the Seminoles' opener against Miami on Labor Day, Sept. 7. A night earlier at the University Club Center, Rolle will hold a fundraiser with proceeds distributed to children and families in need through the Myron L. Foundation. Rolle's foundation's board of directors includes FSU coach Bobby Bowden, whom Rolle affectionately calls a "wonderful figure in my life." While FSU has appealed the ruling, Rolle says it's frustrating that Bowden and the Seminoles must vacate 14 victories as part of the NCAA penalties because of an academic cheating scandal at FSU.

"Coach is concerned with wins, don't get me wrong, because he's very competitive," Rolle said.

"But I think he's more concerned about creating men. He takes on the role as a father figure for a lot of the athletes when they walk through his door for the first time. His impact to the players he has coached and to the university goes beyond wins and losses. What has happened is extremely unfortunate, but I don't think it will affect his legacy."

Rolle, of course, is building his legacy, step-by-step, day-by-day.

In his spare time, Rolle goes on speaking engagements around the country, he plans to write a children's book about success and has already secured five acres of land in Exuma, Bahamas, his parents' hometown, to build a health clinic. He expects that dream to be realized in the next two or three years.

John Lata, director of student services at FSU, is not surprised by Rolle's ambitious nature. Rolle, raised in a stable family environment with loving parents and four older brothers, marches about his business without arrogance or an ounce of bravado. He has a warm, engaging smile and is polite beyond manners. Yes, Rolle is special, but he's human, too. Rolle enjoys relaxing on the beach, flirting with women and updating his Facebook page.

"When I first met Myron on his recruiting visit, I could just sense by the way he spoke, the way he talked about his dreams for the future, that he was going to be a very special young man," Lata said. "I knew from his background, the family support he had, the success he enjoyed in high school -- sometimes you have a preconceived notion about a person's maturity level -- but Myron was just amazing. Nothing was or is going to deter Myron from chasing his dreams."

To help accomplish those dreams -- and change the world -- Rolle has already met two of his idols in Rhodes Scholars Bill Clinton and Bill Bradley. He also speaks regularly to his mentor Jesse Jackson by phone.

Rolle is represented by Leigh Steinberg and Jeremiah Donati of Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment in Newport Beach, Calif. Although Rolle is a year away from his NFL opportunity, the firm has already secured an endorsement contract for Rolle with Xenith Helmets, a deal that obviously reflects Rolle's unique brand power.

While Rolle is just the third FSU student, and only football player, to be awarded a Rhodes Scholarship, he also wants to be known as a great football player. In last year's game against Miami, defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews remarked that Rolle played the best and most complete game he has ever seen a safety play at FSU in his 25 years of coaching. Rolle had four tackles (two touchdown saving tackles), one tackle for loss, four pass breakups, one sack, two quarterback hurries and three critical third-down stops.

Rolle's journey to the NFL is certainly unique, a quality that probably best describes this young man.

"When I am watching these preseason games on TV, I am thinking that could be me," Rolle said. "I want to be an impact player. I feel like I've improved athletically and I think I am going to be emotionally focused and physically prepared when that time comes. That's my goal and I will work very hard to get there."