Blending Passions

Even during the idle period of an NFL offseason – a six-week stretch typically designated for traveling and relaxation before training camps open – Britain Covey remains active.

In the midst of balancing his personal time and exhaustive training regimen, the Eagles’ third-year wide receiver is also finalizing details ahead of what he hopes to be an annual offseason event: “The Covey Classic Golf Tournament.”

The tournament, a major charitable venture, blends two of Covey’s passions: golf and the charity “Bridle Up Hope: The Rachel Covey Foundation.”

“Bridle Up Hope,” which Covey has been involved with since his college days at Utah, is a cause he holds near to his heart.

And the Covey Classic affords him another platform to commemorate his cousin and share the enduring message in hopes of uplifting others.

“My cousin, about 10 years ago, she died by suicide,” Covey said, telling Rachel’s story. “And so, my uncle and aunt, they created a charity out of it where they don’t charge a single person who goes to the program. But it teaches young girls the seven habits of highly effective people – my grandpa’s book – through equestrian training.

“It’s proven to be one of the most effective ways of helping girls build confidence and stuff. It’s kind of, like, service animals. They have a bunch of locations, in the country, out of the country.”

GETTY IMAGES: Eagles PR/WR Britain Covey is supporting a cause personal to him while training for his third season.

The equestrian training piece stems from Rachel’s affinity for horses, and the gratification derived from inspiring optimism and positive light through the training, to girls encumbered by internal plight.

With credos from Stephen Covey’s book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” serving as a prominent fixture throughout the program, the primary objective, per the description, is to “inspire hope, confidence and resilience in girls and women through horses and habit.”

“I’ve always wanted to have a golf tournament, and I’ve always wanted to promote this charity,” Covey said. “In college, I promoted it. My Cause, My Cleats, last year, I promoted it. So, it’s a good way to combine two things that I love.”

While the event required considerably more meticulous planning than initially anticipated, Covey won’t have to shoulder the burden of running the event solo.

With some help from a couple of his friends from a sports marketing agency, Covey is also utilizing his Utah network.

The goal, he said, is to solicit the help of athletes from Utah and BYU to be a part of the event.

The NIL clauses require charity work, and the golf tournament provides an opportunity for them to get involved in helping inspire the community for a wonderful and meaningful cause.

The expected headcount for the “Covey Classic Golf Tournament,” slated for July 2 at Soldier Hollow Golf Club in Midway, Utah, is 200, with several businesses sponsoring the event. All 36 holes have been rented out.

“I hate golf tournaments where you can buy mulligans,” Covey said. “It’s like my pet peeve in life. There’s nothing more annoying.

“This is gonna be a legit, high-quality golf tournament with rules and no mulligans. And then all the sponsorships, and there’s gonna be proceeds going to Bridle Up Hope.”

Along with his charitable undertaking, a considerable chunk of Covey’s time off will be devoted to honing his craft, which includes a rather crammed itinerary.

Covey, who has the luxury of having former BYU quarterbacks Jaren Hall and Zach Wilson nearby, plans to get some throwing sessions in with both at BYU. Hall, with the Vikings, and Wilson, with the Broncos, are two NFL quarterbacks Covey can work with before training camp.

He also plans on getting some return reps in with punter Ryan Rehkow, fielding punts from the former BYU punter twice a week.

Covey also intends on working with some fellow receivers, including former Utes pass-catchers Devaughn Vele and Tim Patrick, both of whom play for the Broncos.

Furthermore, Covey will get some personal training from former NFL wide receiver and BYU alum Austin Collie, a veteran of five NFL seasons who was known for crafty route-running, finding soft spots in zones, and toughness.

Fresh off an impressive succession of spring practices, in which Covey showcased short-area quickness, burst, razor-sharp route-running and suddenness in and out of breaks, the third-year pro appears to have a good chance to demonstrate his value to new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, not just as a special-teamer.

“It should be a good offseason,” he said. “And I’m really excited for fall camp.”

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.