Cardinals’ Peterson, Mathieu run intensive drill with LA high school team

The Crespi Carmelite High School football team in Los Angeles runs one of the most intensive drills in the country. Arizona Cardinals defensive backs Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu recently dropped by to give some words of wisdom and do “The Countdown” with the squad, as seen in a video on the athletics site STACK.

STACK partnered with athletic gear distributor Eastbay to feature Peterson and Mathieu’s “Preparation Nation” visit to Crespi. Head coach Troy Thomas said Crespi has been running “The Countdown” drill since 1992.

The drill consists of the team doing 16 crunches and 16 push-ups in unison and working its way down to one rep of each. To save you from doing the math, that’s 136 of both by the time it’s all said and done. Each player also is required to yell out which number they’re on as they are counting down. Thomas said if one guy is out of sync or doesn’t count aloud, then they must start the reps over.

Mathieu capped the visit by encouraging the players to hold each other accountable and become their “brother’s keeper” — not just on the field, but in the classroom as well.

You can watch the “Preparation Nation” video here.

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