The third NFL WAG feature is of the lovely, talented Mrs. Shevelle Hayes. I met Shevelle ("Shevy" to me) last year in Jacksonville while our husbands played for the Jaguars. Shevelle has such a beautiful spirit and fun presence. She is super family-oriented. I knew I had to feature Mrs. Hayes on the blog and was so happy she agreed to sit down with me to chat. Read more on Shevelle and the Hayes family after the break.
NFL WAG Stats
Name: Shevelle Hayes
Husband: Geno Hayes
Husband is Rookie or Veteran: Veteran. Going into 8th season (Buccaneers, Bears, Jaguars)
Children: Son and daughter
NFLWAG: 7 years (and counting)
Cities You've Lived in with NFL: Tampa, Chicago, Jacksonville
Off Season Home: Home is where we park it
Hobbies: Rv'ing, camping, kickboxing, softball, archery, gardening, reading, singing, barbering (precision cutting) traveling and any outdoor adventures. Always staying active. Being a wife and a mommy isn't really a hobby yet I enjoy creating new adventures and hobbies with my family. I don't have any limits, I will try any and everything. I'm a free spirit without fear.
Interesting Facts: All of my hobbies can be considered interesting facts about me however I'm a inquisitive individual. Very humble, down to earth, and open minded. I attended school for Fine Arts and Fashion Merchandising/Marketing (Famu/The Art Institute). I love Beauty,Fashion and Male Grooming. I have also been into image consulting for some years now. I've owned my own jewelry boutique and after recently completing cosmetology school I am now working more on another business project.
We’re not going to teach our kids anything that wouldn’t help them in life. We don’t want them to be livin' on a high horse. -Shevelle Hayes
Q&A
LM: What are your fears, if any, about appearing on a public blog?
SH: Considering the evolution of the Internet, social media, and GPS systems, I fear my family's safety. The lifestyle we live (NFL) is a public yet private lifestyle and you have to always pay attention to your surroundings and looking to protect yourself and your family.
LM: Where are you from originally and how did you get to where you are now?
SH: I am originally from Tallahassee and I moved to Jacksonville when my husband signed with the Jaguars.
LM: Since your husband went to FSU that makes you an honorary Seminole, right? What’s it like being a part of the FSU community?
SH: I've always been a Seminole Fan. Growing up before meeting my husband I attended alot of FSU sporting, arts and music events. I Love FSU and look forward to becoming apart of the booster club family one day soon.
LM: How long have you and your husband been married? How many years have you been an NFL WAG?
SH: My husband and I have been together for 10 years and married for two of those. I have been an NFLWAG since he’s been in the league (going on 8 years).
LM: What are the pros and cons of being married to an NFL player?
SH: Pros are networking, the opportunity to travel and diversify ourselves and our children. Also being able to inspire, uplift and encourage the youth and families in society by being involved in community projects whenever/wherever. Cons: always being misrepresented by things of zero substance or truth. Being scrutinized for being true to yourself and protecting your peace, and always having to subconsciously accept negative criticism about your spouse and/or loved ones all because people feel entitled to voice their critiques and opinions publicly.
LM: You guys seem to have such a fun relationship. What have been some of your best dates?
SH: We date all the time!
LM: I see (through your posts)! What are some ideas for the newlyweds like me?
SH: Anything that comes to mind that you want to do, try it out! Why not? We recently went to St. Thomas for our anniversary in March and that was special.
LM: What do you think about all the coverage lately surrounding NFL players and domestic violence?
SH:: It’s definitely something that is out there and needs to be put out there in terms of nobody should hit anybody! Bringing awareness to it is good and helps to build up resources for those in need.
LM: Talk about what the NFL has meant for your family.
SH: As I said before, to be able to start a foundation within ourselves and start a foundation with our kids has meant a lot. We don’t live an everyday life. Every child is not able to have these moments and see these places…create these memories…the NFL has helped us to provide that for our kids.
LM: You and Geno are a young couple. How are you navigating parenting with the NFL lifestyle?
SH: When we were talking earlier you mentioned being an old soul. Like that. Being classic. Old school. Understanding where we come from. This helps to build values and morals in us. Our lifestyle allows us to see other cultures and how they raise their kids. Watching our kids interact with others and seeing how they react around people allows us to always find out about our kids and see who they are. It helps us get closer to them. The kids are our future; that’s who we are. NFL is on the field only. That’s how I see it. When we’re at home we’re at home and it’s reality. We’re not going to teach our kids anything that wouldn’t help them in life. We don’t want them to be livin on a high horse.
LM: Specifically, what type of activities do you do with your children?
SH: One of the main hobbies we have is RV’ing. We camp a lot. We watch movies. Anything that excites the kids while keeping them busy and educating. Our son is involved in sports and we’re always recycling within the seasons with different sports. He plays soccer and does Karate; he’s transitioning into basketball right now but soccer is where his love and passion lies. Our daughter loves to dance. We’re waiting on her to get to the proper age where she can be into something, but she starts gymnastics soon. We’re always in some type of water. We travel a lot. We used to travel abroad often but recently Geno and I decided to focus on traveling to new cities within the States. When it’s with the people you love, anything you do is the best. It’s simple. Traveling teaches you a lot about being self-sufficient and you get to teach your kids in the process.
LM: You share the passion for barbering with my husband. Do you have a barber you look up to or who inspires you?
SH: Umm…I have a few local barbers who inspire me…a lot of female barbers. For one, I love the craft. I’m an artist as well so barbering is an expression of that. Two women, Clipper Queen (Dallas) and Barber Doll (Atlanta), inspire me. I’m all about female empowerment.
LM: I know you have plans for your barbering career. Do you want to own a shop one day?
SH: I have a salon homecoming soon. I plan on opening a full day spa. I’ve been working on it for almost 8 years now. I’ve always had that entrepreneurial mindset.
LM: I’ve noticed you post a lot of spiritual stuff on social media. How does faith play a role in your life?
SH: Faith is everything for me and for our family. Faith is always spiritual. That’s all I have in order to live the next day. I’m very God-fearing; I’ve always been around religion but I’m a very spiritual person. It’s all about energy.
LM: What would you like people to know about you?
SH: That I’m me. It’s a privilege to get to know me. Not to sound arrogant but that’s how I feel. Whenever you talk to me or see me, just be you. Just be real and let your energy flow. I’m humble. I know it doesn’t sound like it saying, “It’s a privilege to get to know me” (chuckles) but I am. I’m God-fearing. I’m family-oriented to the core. My family comes first. I’m a very humble, down to earth person that loves to have fun.
LM: What would you like people to know about NFL families or the NFL lifestyle?
SH: I want people to know that there are NFL families just like them. We are normal families just trying to create better lives for ours. There’s a lot of NFL families who are humble and raising the families of other people…raising villages themselves. There’s families out there cultivating truth no matter what society is saying or displaying. This isn’t even just in the NFL but in the sport industry period. Just know that we’re people as well as you. It’s all about cultivating that love.
LM: Anything else you would like to add?
SH: I love that this (blog) is something that you’re doing and I support your movement. I’m opening up to you more because I support it. I wish you well.
Thank you for the support, Mrs. Hayes. Do what Shevelle would do and go cultivate love, people!
-LM
