The good fight
Erdmann’s impact off the football field has also been immeasurable. As he and his family did many times, Erdmann volunteers to feed the hungry. As part of an SJU Kids Fighting Hunger event, Erdmann has helped pack meals each of the last three years.
He’s also been assisting in teaching an English class designed for those wanting to learn a second language. But Erdmann isn’t attending school to be a teacher. He’s doing this because it will come in handy the next time he’s in Thailand. Yes, you heard me correctly. Erdmann plans on going to Thailand–again.
Let’s back things up a bit. One day, during an awareness week held by St. John’s University, Erdmann decided to attend some events. What was the college promoting awareness for? Sex trafficking.
After attending the on-campus events, Erdmann felt driven to help in some way. He’d catch wind of something called an ABE or Alternative Break Experience. So, instead of savoring the extended school break like most college students, Erdmann volunteered his time.
During the break, he’d spend a week at a “safe home,” preparing meals, completing chores, and spending some time with victims of sex trafficking. Once school started back up, Erdmann’s passion for being involved only grew stronger. Several weeks later, while attending church, he strikes up a conversation with someone working with an organization designed to fight sex trafficking. The kicker? It’s in Thailand.
A call to fight
The only problem with this organization is it wasn’t through the college. This meant Erdmann would have to miss class and even offseason workouts for the team. But this was bigger than any of that. He’d talk to his teachers and coaches, and six months later, he was there.
“Knowing this goes on, Working with these kids and helping them–I don’t know if I can live the rest of my life sitting back in a regular job, Not knowing this goes on or not being able to do anything about it.”
After dropping his major at Penn State, Erdmann decided to make a switch. Although he’d shift his focus to business, the St. John’s quarterback had found his true calling.
His degree will always be there. However, he would rather work with these types of organizations for the rest of his life. So learning how to teach English as a second language could give Erdmann an avenue for income when he decides to travel out of the country long term.
So I had to ask, what if you get a shot at the next level? What if you happened to get a phone call during the 2020 NFL Draft? Do you have any thoughts on how you’d go about handling that?
“Well, there’s absolutely a thought. I absolutely love the game. It’s been a dream of mine forever… But You know, it’s not my intention right now. I’m going to work on myself, just being the best player I can be for St. John’s next year and getting that national championship. And then moving forward, we’ll see where the road takes me. but just still trusting that process and everything. (And) I feel like if I do play in the NFL, if I do get to that level, that’s a platform I would have to spread awareness.”
Continue reading: Part III: The Prospect (PFN Film Room)
Shane G. Tyler is the Film Room Content Director for Pro Football Network. You can follow him on Twitter at @SugaShane15.