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There is a certain tone heard in a person’s voice that only comes out when they are reminiscing about something they love.  It’s the type of sound that not even an Oscar-winning actor in his prime could replicate. 

For Orlando Predators quarterback Shane Stafford, that tone is apparent when he talks about his days playing youth football in Reading, Pennsylvania.

“I miss being able to run the ball,” Stafford said with a laugh when asked what his fondest memories were during his playing days as a youth.  “It was so simple then, being out there with all of your buddies, enjoying the game and just having fun.” 

Stafford is currently playing his seventh season in Arena Football League.  This season he ranks third in the League in passing yards (1,483), passing touchdowns (28) and passer rating (126.9). 

The University of Connecticut alum credits his youth experiences for his collegiate and pro success. He says that the best part of his early football experience was getting to step onto the same field as the older kids.

“One of my fondest memories is playing at George Field,” remembered the Orlando quarterback.  “That’s where the Reading High School football team played.  Being able to play at that stadium was a really cool feeling.”

When he isn’t leading the Predators to victory, Stafford has found a way to reconnect to his youth in the fall by coaching the quarterbacks at Tampa Catholic High School in Tampa, Florida.  While the opportunity to learn from a professional football player is no doubt invaluable, Stafford has learned plenty from his players as well. 

“When you’re coaching you hit on the finer points of the game that you tend to miss when you have been playing for so long,” said Stafford.  “When you are teaching the players you are almost re-teaching yourself. You can’t take anything for granted as a coach.”

Aside from the fundamental aspects of football, coaching has also helped Stafford with the mental side of the game. 

“Coaching quarterbacks has helped me with the momentum changes of the game.  I learned that you might start off as a house of fire to start the game, but you still have three quarters to play and vice versa,” noted Stafford.  “You may start off struggling but you still have three quarters to play.  You have to make it a four-quarter game, it doesn’t matter how you start, you still have to keep playing.” 

Stafford, who hopes to be an offensive coordinator at the collegiate level once his playing days are over, is also doing his best to absorb the knowledge of Tampa Catholic head coach Bob Henriquez.

“Coach Henriquez has helped me with a lot of things as far as game planning; how to run a practice, how to run the offense and things of that nature,” says the University of Connecticut product.  “He’s given me a lot of responsibility which is going to really help me down the road.” 

With a year of coaching under his belt, including a trip to the state championship game, the future transition from quarterback to coach should be a smooth one.  For now though, Stafford’s focus is on not only helping the players at Tampa Catholic become better football players but better human beings.

“It means a lot being able to work with these kids and not only teach them how to be football players but teach them how to be young men,” Stafford said.   “Just teaching the players respect for the game, to respect their peers and discipline.  You’re just hoping that you’re teaching these kids the right things on and off the field so that they can become successful men.”

Men who someday will no doubt speak of their experiences with Stafford in that same one-of-a-kind, reminiscing tone.