E4A Featured on Daily Herald Article “Eyes up see more: BYU junior quarterback Jaren Hall finding balance through giving back”

BYU junior quarterback Jaren Hall has become a role model both on and off the field. His dedication to the game is matched by his commitment to making a positive impact through Especially For Athletes (E4A). Recently featured in the Daily Herald in an article titled “Eyes up see more: BYU junior quarterback Jaren Hall finding balance through giving back”, Hall’s journey with E4A exemplifies his drive to balance football with meaningful community engagement.

At media day, Hall addressed the inevitable questions about his prospects on draft boards with his characteristic directness: “I just tune it out. Nothing is promised. Those people don’t make any decisions, so why let it impact you?” Instead, Hall focuses on what he can control, emphasizing that “it’s about quieting the noise, staying focused on the things I need to focus on.”

Hall’s passion for E4A is evident. He proudly wears a grey wristband inscribed with the phrase “Eyes up, do the work.” As he explains, “‘Eyes up, do the work’ kind of goes through everything in your life and the football field, and every sport you play. That’s the main slogan. Keep your eyes up if you are a person of faith. Keep your eyes up when you are at school in the hallway. Stay off your phone and see opportunities to do good. Keep your eyes up and see the opportunities in your sport that you need to focus on. Then the last part is do the work. Don’t just think about it. Go do something about it.”

Hall’s involvement with E4A began through his father, former BYU star running back Kalin Hall, and E4A founder Dustin Smith. “Dustin and my dad go way back. They coached together and then Dustin started coaching quarterbacks and I was growing up playing quarterback. We got in touch and started training, then I joined Especially For Athletes in high school and stuck with it. I believe in it and think it makes kids better.”

Even with a busy schedule balancing football, school, family, and NIL responsibilities, Hall remains dedicated to E4A. “This is something that matters to me,” Hall says. “People want to play video games or hang out and go to parties. When I can, my wife and I will go to an event and I’ll speak to the kids. I still like to do my own stuff like go golfing or go to the pool. But every now and then when I have a free night, I’ll cruise somewhere and speak with Dustin to the kids. I think it just betters me and keeps me focused on what is important.”

Hall’s commitment to giving back is evident in his interactions with young athletes. “Every time we go to an event, you have kids to stay after take pictures and they’ll share what they learned and how much it meant to them, what part made them feel good,” Hall says. “It’s pretty special just to see. A lot of kids are crazy. When I was a kid once I used to bounce off the walls. But it’s great to see them sit down and listen to all the athletes who will come speak with Especially For Athletes from all over the place, to see them to sit down and focus. You can tell that it means a lot to them and it shows that we’ve got some good kids coming up who will take care of things. It should give us hope. That’s why I do it.”

Smith praises Hall’s influence on the program, noting that “Jaren has been a great example of a young man who has never let the attention of athletics change the way he treats people. He is kind and aware of everyone he meets and is an optimist. Those are all things we try to teach at Especially For Athletes and at QB Elite.”

Hall recognizes the importance of balance, especially in today’s fast-paced world. “I think if you lose balance, everything goes out of whack,” he says. “I think if you’re solely focused on football, everything else falls apart outside of that. If you’re not focused on football and only focused on everything outside of football, football is going to fall apart. This is another way to help me keep balanced. You’re never gonna be perfect but when you have a good feel for balance, when you’re confident in yourself as a person and your connections with people and you’re confident in yourself as an athlete, you can make a difference and be at your best. I just think balance is something that we lack a lot of times today with all the craziness. We all have our own issues going on but I really strive to keep a good balance and good things happen.”

Jaren Hall’s story is a testament to the power of focus, dedication, and giving back. His journey with Especially For Athletes continues to inspire young athletes to look beyond the game and make a difference in their communities.

You can read the full article by going here: https://www.heraldextra.com/sports/byu/2022/jun/25/eyes-up-see-more-byu-junior-quarterback-jaren-hall-finding-balance-through-giving-back/