Inside former NFL receiver Don Beebe's House of Speed
Don Beebe became a recognized figure in the NFL for his prowess in speed. Beebe uses the knowledge of fitness, running technique and a winning attitude to teach NFL hopefuls and other youth athletes at his House of Speed.
The House of Speed is a multi-sport training facility on the grounds of Aurora Christian High School in Illinois where Beebe was the head football coach for nine seasons. At House of Speed, Beebe, along with a staff that can range from 5 to 20 trainers depending on the season, trains youth athletes from elementary school to college. He specializes in all sports and applies workouts like sled pulls, calf raises, in addition to agility and mobility drills, to his athletes.
“We want to change the character of people. I see too many people that feel elitist or feel like they have something coming to them,” says Beebe. “That’s not how it works, you earn it. You go out there and work hard.”
Beebs, as most people call him, is one of the fastest players in NFL history. His record 40-yard dash time of 4.25 seconds at the NFL Combine, which he shared with Deion Sanders, stood until 2008 when Chris Johnson broke it with a time of 4.23. Speed was a gift given to Beebe, and a gift that he carried all the way to the NFL.
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The paw back is drill that stretches out the hamstring and focuses on landing on your toes or forefoot; directly underneath the hip.
When working with an athlete individually, like Quinn, Beebe varies workouts about every month to decrease risk of injury. Training goes six days with one day of rest and normally four extensive days.
Professional athletes are not the only players that Beebe caters too. Beebe says he has received an overwhelming amount of letters from parents and kids.
“It’s not even so much that you made my kid faster and jump higher. As long as they’re willing to work hard, boy or girl, they will get results,” says Beebe. “It’s the changing of the character and the attitude.”
Proper running form is crucial when training the youngsters. Beebe will watch video tape of Barry Sanders, Gale Sayers and Allen Iverson with kids because he doesn't want them learning bad habits early.
When it comes to younger athletes, Beebe instructs them to stand on the balls of their feet, something he taught his four children.
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"I taught them how to jump rope very early. They would do it bare foot on concrete because they last thing you're going to do is hit your heels," says Beebe. "I did a lot of jump roping when I trained."
The footwork ladder is another component of drills at the HOS. It's versatility is paramount because it can be used for virtually any sport, one in particular is basketball.
Beebe himself was a basketball junkie. Back in grade school, he practiced Pete Maravich drills in his parents' basement, something he credits to the success he had catching passes.
"We like to incorporate the ball. It's unique and very hard to do. We want them to do the footwork first and then incorporate the ball," says Beebe. "I remember my son [Chad], he looked like Pete Maravich. It really helped him develop his foot speed and ability to change direction, as well as hand-eye coordination."
It’s not just skill that makes the player on the field but what goes on in the players’ head. The environment at the HOS is nurturing. Beebe recalls moments as coach at Aurora Christian where student athletes crumbled under pressure by parents.
“My son Chad plays football at Northern Illinois, he’s going to be a Sophomore,” says Beebe. “I told him that ‘this is your dream, your life’ and just because I played doesn’t mean you have too. I see so much of the other as a high school coach, it’s sad.”
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Beebe miraculously made it into the NFL and was part of one of the most memorable moments in Super Bowl history. Now he spends his time making the road to becoming a professional athlete easier for others.
