When he later made the Bengals\u2019 practice squad<\/a>, he had to figure out new terminology even though a lot of the concepts were similar to the Browns\u2019. It felt like having to learn a language on the fly.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought there, like, man, why don\u2019t teams have a better system to onboard players because guys get traded all the time and have to be able to learn a lot of this information on their own and fast?\u201d Felton told the California Post in an exclusive interview. \u201cIt\u2019s stressful, and it costs opportunities; it can cost missed plays and lost games.\u201d<\/p>\n That\u2019s why Felton, a player known for zipping around the field, is speeding up the way others can learn their playbooks.<\/p>\n Having recently retired from playing<\/a> to take a position as a player development assistant with the Browns, the 28-year-old is creating an online platform that allows players to immerse themselves in every aspect of the team\u2019s scheme. The system measures their understanding of concepts through interactive demos and quizzes.<\/p>\n It will include different position-specific modules so that players can learn what they need to do in any given scenario. For instance, a running back can study his responsibilities in pass protection on various blitzes, bringing that knowledge with him to the practice field.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we can create ways for players to put themselves in that situation in an accessible way to mimic the type of stress that that situation puts them in,\u201d Felton said, \u201cwe can then be able to make it instinct or a reflex on the field.<\/p>\n \u201cThroughout my playing career, I always felt like I played the best when I wasn\u2019t thinking and I just reacted, and when you\u2019re confident that you know your responsibility, it allows you to play that way and that\u2019s our whole goal with building this.\u201d<\/p>\n Felton hopes his platform \u2014 which will be accessible via cellphones, iPads and laptops \u2014 can dispel the notion that football players who struggle to learn plays lack intelligence.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like the NFL and all football levels have a learning, teaching and player development problem,\u201d Felton said, \u201cand that we can be a lot more efficient with it through technology.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for the California Morning Report newsletter\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCalifornia’s top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Having completed a working demo for running backs, Felton plans to expand his platform for other position groups and believes it can eventually be used by teams at all levels and in different sports. He received positive feedback from a handful of NFL players who tested his platform at a recent MIT founders academy.<\/p>\n \u201cThey love the ability to mentally rep a full play while they\u2019re studying,\u201d Felton said. \u201cIt was reaffirming to know that this is a real problem that we can solve and that I\u2019m the right person to solve it.\u201d<\/p>\n Felton\u2019s passion for his project gives him confidence that his transition from playing the game \u2014 he made 20 catches for 189 yards and two touchdowns in two seasons with the Browns \u2014 to helping others succeed was the right move.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not retiring because I don\u2019t love this game,\u201d Felton wrote on Instagram as part of his announcement. \u201cI\u2019m retiring because I know there\u2019s a football player out there who needs me.\u201d<\/p>\n Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> \t\t\t\t\t\t![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-1229843630_0395d2.jpg\")
Former UCLA star Demetric Felton Jr. had to learn two positions during his rookie season in the NFL. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Football](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2149894975_756b6a.jpg\")
Felton played running back and wide receiver during his first NFL season with the Browns. Getty Images<\/p>\n
California Post Sports Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, X<\/a>
California Post Opinion<\/a>
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!<\/a>
California Post App: Download here!<\/a>
Home delivery: Sign up here!<\/a>
<\/a>Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!<\/a><\/p>\n