07/06/2026
This narrative talk sounds crazy to some people, but it’s very real.
The control you think you have often isn’t control at all. Agendas vary from state to state depending on politics, influence, relationships, and who controls access to information.
I’ve been fortunate enough to overcome many of these entry-level politics, but there have been lasting effects on my family, my sons, and the programs I’ve built. When media coverage, player evaluations, rankings, and public narratives are controlled by a select few, the playing field is no longer level.
Many of these influences come from media owners, ranking services, shoe-company-affiliated organizations, gatekeepers, and networks that control exposure. What people see, hear, and believe is often shaped long before the public ever receives the information.
The reality is that some doors don’t open based solely on merit. There is often an admission price that aligns with the interests of those making the rules. The break points exist, but they’re frequently hidden beneath politics, loyalty networks, and controlled narratives.
So how do you navigate it?
You walk with PPT:
Patience.
Persistence.
Timing.
Patience to stay focused when recognition doesn’t come on schedule.
Persistence to keep producing results regardless of who acknowledges them.
Timing to recognize when opportunity finally presents itself and be prepared to capitalize.
The truth always has a way of surfacing. The key is building something so real, so impactful, and so undeniable that no narrative can permanently bury it.
Keep working. Keep building. Keep documenting.
The results will eventually speak louder than the gatekeepers.
Tedkye Terrell Bellfield
Tone Travis
MT Zack
Darian Washington