When Jessica Gray finished her panel at the 2025 Player Development Summit, she turned to me and said, “We need this in Detroit.” That single moment sparked the movement that led to the 2026 Player Development Summit being hosted in the Motor City.

In this episode, Keionna Banks sat down with Jessica Gray, the Senior Director of Player Engagement for the Detroit Lions, to unpack what it truly means to develop humans first. Jessica shares her leadership philosophy built on empathy, accountability, and authenticity. She opens up about the boundaries that protect her energy, the lessons that shaped her approach, and how she continues to build programs that transform lives beyond the field.

From the Lions’ Rookie Readiness Program to her candle business that fills her creative cup, Jessica’s story is proof that purpose and balance can coexist in leadership. She reminds us that you don’t need to be perfect to have impact, you just need to be present, intentional, and honest with yourself.

If you’re passionate about player development, leadership, or building systems that care for the person behind the athlete, this conversation will inspire you to think beyond the title, beyond the moment, and beyond the field.

The Player Development Guide → https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

Player Development Accelerator Assessment → https://edward-jones-po11g9mt.scoreapp.com

Is Your Program Player Development READY? → https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com

Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram

100 Tips of Player Development → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/09c6129dc1

Player Development 101 → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/pd101

🎙 About Ed Jones II:

Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit

Follow Ed:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

In this special episode, I am announcing the location of the 2026 Player Development Summit, and it is official. We are headed to Detroit, Michigan.

Before revealing the city, I take a moment to thank everyone who helped make the 2025 Player Development Summit in Kansas City such an incredible success. From the Brain Tank and volunteers to the speakers, sponsors, and attendees, you made history by helping us host our first in-person Summit.

In this episode, I share the full story behind the 2026 decision. We looked at four finalist cities: Atlanta, Houston, Las Vegas, and Detroit. Each city had its strengths, but Detroit stood out for its grit, pride, and resilience. These are the same values that define player development.

You will hear why Detroit is the perfect city to host the next Summit, how it aligns with the Beyond The Field mission of Developing People and Elevating Programs, and what is next for this growing movement.

I also talk about how you can get involved as a sponsor, speaker, or attendee and why the 2026 event is set to be bigger than ever.

🔗 LINKS MENTIONED

📩 Join the Mailing List: https://forms.gle/f5vWTx5b4g4esdb36

💼 Sponsor the 2026 Player Development Summit: https://forms.gle/KDxW5jNnB88jPQZt7

🎤 Apply to Speak: https://forms.gle/kMvsd3afguajbQ8c9

The Player Development Guide → https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

Player Development Accelerator Assessment → https://edward-jones-po11g9mt.scoreapp.com

Is Your Program Player Development READY? → https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com

Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram

100 Tips of Player Development → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/09c6129dc1

Player Development 101 → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/pd101

🎙 About Ed Jones II:

Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit

Follow Ed:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

We sat down with Dr. Melissa Weinsz right after her session at the 2025 Player Development Zone in Kansas City. As the Director of Player Engagement for the Kansas City Chiefs, Dr. Weinsz is not only a local leader but also one of only a handful of women in the NFL to hold this role.

In our conversation, Dr. Weinsz opens up about her journey from Ohio to Florida, LSU, and now Kansas City. She shares how she has helped reshape programs, guided NIL strategy when it was brand new, and restructured athlete development initiatives.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why being a woman in this space is a superpower

• How Dr. Weinsz finds balance and wellness through community, CrossFit, and faith

• The importance of trust, confidentiality, and “being quick to love but slow to share”

• Why player engagement requires both nurturing instincts and strong professional presence

• What Beyond the Field means to her personally and why she believes it is the premier platform for this work

Dr. Weinsz reminds us that leadership is not always about being the loudest voice in the room. Sometimes it is the quiet strength and authenticity that changes lives.

If you are a current or aspiring player development professional, or simply someone navigating leadership in challenging spaces, this episode will leave you with practical wisdom and renewed encouragement.

📌 Be sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who would be inspired by Dr. Weinsz’s journey.

#PlayerDevelopment #BeyondTheField #Chiefs #NFL #Leadership

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The Player Development Guide → https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

Player Development Accelerator Assessment → https://edward-jones-po11g9mt.scoreapp.com

Is Your Program Player Development READY? → https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com

Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram

100 Tips of Player Development → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/09c6129dc1

Player Development 101 → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/pd101

🎙 About Ed Jones II:

Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit

Follow Ed:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program