David's success in the industry has been documented pretty much everywhere in sports media right to look at just his record breaking deals that he's done in his career, from Earl Thomas to Collecciosemile, Jordan Love, Deshaun Watson, who we're going to talk about today, Jalen Ramsey, Derwin, James Jalen twice, so Thomas is another one.

David's success in the industry has been documented pretty much everywhere in sports media right to look at just his record breaking deals that he's done in his career, from Earl Thomas to Collecciosemile, Jordan Love, Deshaun Watson, who we're going to talk about today, Jalen Ramsey, Derwin, James Jalen twice, so Thomas is another one.

Bobby Wagner, Buddha Baker, Durwin, James Winfield Junior.

Bobby Wagner, Buddha Baker, Durwin, James Winfield Junior.

We go down the list, so we could do a whole podcast all these record breaking deals, right.

We go down the list, so we could do a whole podcast all these record breaking deals, right.

Welcome back to episode seven of The Athletes First Family podcast, the Quarterback Series. I am Athletes First CEO Brian Murphy, joined once again by my co host AJ Stevens. Arguably one of the best negotiators in the business, but David probably would disagree with that.

Welcome back to episode seven of The Athletes First Family podcast, the Quarterback Series. I am Athletes First CEO Brian Murphy, joined once again by my co host AJ Stevens. Arguably one of the best negotiators in the business, but David probably would disagree with that.

Welcome back, Aj, Thanks Murph, happy to be back on this podcast. We discuss athletes First success in representing quarterbacks in the NFL. We currently have one point four billion dollars of quarterback deals on our books. On today's episode, we have have the agent who represents two of those players, Deshaun Watson and Jordan Love.

Welcome back, Aj, Thanks Murph, happy to be back on this podcast. We discuss athletes First success in representing quarterbacks in the NFL. We currently have one point four billion dollars of quarterback deals on our books. On today's episode, we have have the agent who represents two of those players, Deshaun Watson and Jordan Love.

Davi Mogeta happy to be here, yep.

Davi Mogeta happy to be here, yep.

Athletes first equity partner David Mulligeta legend as we're going to get into but thanks for joining us, David. It was tough getting into the office table all your fans outside blocking block and stuff. But uh yeah, so we're gonna we're gonna jump into you know, your journey from where you grew up to super agent. I want to start with no superport. You tell us about your current family, your wife, kids.

Athletes first equity partner David Mulligeta legend as we're going to get into but thanks for joining us, David. It was tough getting into the office table all your fans outside blocking block and stuff. But uh yeah, so we're gonna we're gonna jump into you know, your journey from where you grew up to super agent. I want to start with no superport. You tell us about your current family, your wife, kids.

I am married.

I am married.

I have a beautiful wife, Sandra Mulighetta, and we have three lovely kids, DJ, Dallas and Davin.

I have a beautiful wife, Sandra Mulighetta, and we have three lovely kids, DJ, Dallas and Davin.

So yeah, family man here yep.

So yeah, family man here yep.

It's one of the things that I'm most impressed about to you is that you've become the best at what you do without sacrificing the family at all. And the family has always been first to you and that's super impressive. But let's go back to the beginning. Like, tell us about your childhood. Where did you grow up and what was that family?

It's one of the things that I'm most impressed about to you is that you've become the best at what you do without sacrificing the family at all. And the family has always been first to you and that's super impressive. But let's go back to the beginning. Like, tell us about your childhood. Where did you grow up and what was that family?

Like, Yeah, I grew up in Dallas, Texas. Both my parents were immigrants from a small country in East Africa, Eritrea, and they migrated here or immigrated here in late in the late seventies. My older brother me and I was born in Rome, Italy. Actually in his first couple of years of life were spent in Rome, and they moved to the States about nineteen seventy nine or nineteen eighty somewhere there. I was born shortly thereafter in Dallas, Texas. I have a younger brother, Abel, and a younger sister in Niat, and I'm probably the dumb one of the group, to be honest with you. My older brother, you know, it was kind of, you know, the guy that set the standard in our household, right. Both my parents never even graduated, you know, never got past elementary school, let alone going to college. So my older brother kind of was the standard bearer. And he graduated high school obviously, and went on to Texas and M University got his undergrad and engineering, I believe, and then went on to SMU where he got his NBA and kind of set the standard for myself, kind of had somebodyok, you know, look at us, like, Okay, this is kind of what I need to do. And then my younger brother graduate from University of Texas Austin where I went, and then he got his a lot you know, his j D from SMU as well. And my little sister, who I think would be this, we consider her the smarty pants of the family. Uh, the true standard bear. I would say, you know, she did her undergrad at Harvard University and uh we just graduated h with her MBA from Stanford. So yeah, man, So tough U. Tough group there. Yeah no, but I'm ranked number four OAT of the groups.

Like, Yeah, I grew up in Dallas, Texas. Both my parents were immigrants from a small country in East Africa, Eritrea, and they migrated here or immigrated here in late in the late seventies. My older brother me and I was born in Rome, Italy. Actually in his first couple of years of life were spent in Rome, and they moved to the States about nineteen seventy nine or nineteen eighty somewhere there. I was born shortly thereafter in Dallas, Texas. I have a younger brother, Abel, and a younger sister in Niat, and I'm probably the dumb one of the group, to be honest with you. My older brother, you know, it was kind of, you know, the guy that set the standard in our household, right. Both my parents never even graduated, you know, never got past elementary school, let alone going to college. So my older brother kind of was the standard bearer. And he graduated high school obviously, and went on to Texas and M University got his undergrad and engineering, I believe, and then went on to SMU where he got his NBA and kind of set the standard for myself, kind of had somebodyok, you know, look at us, like, Okay, this is kind of what I need to do. And then my younger brother graduate from University of Texas Austin where I went, and then he got his a lot you know, his j D from SMU as well. And my little sister, who I think would be this, we consider her the smarty pants of the family. Uh, the true standard bear. I would say, you know, she did her undergrad at Harvard University and uh we just graduated h with her MBA from Stanford. So yeah, man, So tough U. Tough group there. Yeah no, but I'm ranked number four OAT of the groups.

I agree with that.

I agree with that.

That's tough.

That's tough.

Number two in this group.

Number two in this group.

Sy's fine, you know.

Sy's fine, you know.

Yeah, But so David, tell me about that. So your parents came over and they didn't they didn't they didn't go to high school, whatnot. And how how did they influence you all to be so successful academically?

Yeah, But so David, tell me about that. So your parents came over and they didn't they didn't they didn't go to high school, whatnot. And how how did they influence you all to be so successful academically?

Yeah?

Yeah?

I think for them, you know, coming from UH at the time war torn country and you know, having to do, uh, you know, a lot just to make it to the United States, Right, for them, it was like, hey, you know, we've we've done all these things to put you guys in the position to be successful at least have a shot at being successful.

I think for them, you know, coming from UH at the time war torn country and you know, having to do, uh, you know, a lot just to make it to the United States, Right, for them, it was like, hey, you know, we've we've done all these things to put you guys in the position to be successful at least have a shot at being successful.

Uh.

Uh.

And you know, it was always great having a mom and dad.

And you know, it was always great having a mom and dad.

At home obviously, and just you know, seeing you know, the work that they put in on a day to day uh. You know, my dad had two jobs us growing up. My mom you know, she used to clean homes. So just kind of seeing everything that they put into it. And it was always about us, always about the family. I think it was just the for us. You know, the expectation was that we took advantage of everything, you know, the opportunity that we had being here in the States. And like I said once, my brother, my older brother, kind of set that standard of you know what that looked like.

At home obviously, and just you know, seeing you know, the work that they put in on a day to day uh. You know, my dad had two jobs us growing up. My mom you know, she used to clean homes. So just kind of seeing everything that they put into it. And it was always about us, always about the family. I think it was just the for us. You know, the expectation was that we took advantage of everything, you know, the opportunity that we had being here in the States. And like I said once, my brother, my older brother, kind of set that standard of you know what that looked like.

You know, for us, it was you know, it was easy to follow. Yeah.

You know, for us, it was you know, it was easy to follow. Yeah.

Yeah, And did you enjoy school or did you feel like there's something you wanted to do and you want to do well make them proud.

Yeah, And did you enjoy school or did you feel like there's something you wanted to do and you want to do well make them proud.

I think it was more of the latter, Right. I was good at school. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, you know, like most kids. You know, I enjoyed going to school, you know, being around friends. But as far as the learning aspect of it, you know, I have a I say I had a really good memory where I would read something once and I could remember it. So I was left in that way where maybe I wasn't super passionate about school. But luckily, you know, for whatever reason. I was good at school, so I was able to maintain good grades. You know, had my had my screw ups like you know, most kids, but I was able to find a way to make it, you know, through that and and you know, graduate and you know, I went to University of Texas at Austin, which I think kind of for me, it was a dream to go there. It be in the flagship, you know, university in the state of Texas. But also I was you know, I always want to do something, even though I looked at my brother as a role model, and I always wanted to kind of follow in his footsteps in ways. You know, when he went to a and M I was like, I gotta go to Texas. You know, I want to do kind of the opposite in that manner. So he was Aggie and I was a Longhorn. So that was pretty cool, and you know, we still have our battles to this day.

I think it was more of the latter, Right. I was good at school. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, you know, like most kids. You know, I enjoyed going to school, you know, being around friends. But as far as the learning aspect of it, you know, I have a I say I had a really good memory where I would read something once and I could remember it. So I was left in that way where maybe I wasn't super passionate about school. But luckily, you know, for whatever reason. I was good at school, so I was able to maintain good grades. You know, had my had my screw ups like you know, most kids, but I was able to find a way to make it, you know, through that and and you know, graduate and you know, I went to University of Texas at Austin, which I think kind of for me, it was a dream to go there. It be in the flagship, you know, university in the state of Texas. But also I was you know, I always want to do something, even though I looked at my brother as a role model, and I always wanted to kind of follow in his footsteps in ways. You know, when he went to a and M I was like, I gotta go to Texas. You know, I want to do kind of the opposite in that manner. So he was Aggie and I was a Longhorn. So that was pretty cool, and you know, we still have our battles to this day.

You wanted to be unique, Yeah.

You wanted to be unique, Yeah.

I want to be a little different. I want to kind of, you know, in a way, have my own road. So yeah, I want to be University of Texas.

I want to be a little different. I want to kind of, you know, in a way, have my own road. So yeah, I want to be University of Texas.

That does not surprise me at all. But did you play sports? And AJ claimed to be a three sport athlete before.

That does not surprise me at all. But did you play sports? And AJ claimed to be a three sport athlete before.

But I was okay, Yeah, I played a few sports in high school. Unfortunately, you know, didn't get too far. You know, I played baseball. I mean I even wrestled, and I wrestled at one hundred and three pounds my freshman year in high school.

But I was okay, Yeah, I played a few sports in high school. Unfortunately, you know, didn't get too far. You know, I played baseball. I mean I even wrestled, and I wrestled at one hundred and three pounds my freshman year in high school.

Wow. Yeah, man, it's crazy. You know.

Wow. Yeah, man, it's crazy. You know.

I didn't hit my growth spurt unfortunately until after my junior year. I was about five six, one hundred twenty pounds until my junior year of high school.

I didn't hit my growth spurt unfortunately until after my junior year. I was about five six, one hundred twenty pounds until my junior year of high school.

Wow.

Wow.

In the summer after my junior high school, I sprung up to six foot and you know about one forty five to fifty which is not huge, but where else coming from? You know, in about four month period. You know, gaining six inches was cool. But I was never big enough at the time to play football.

In the summer after my junior high school, I sprung up to six foot and you know about one forty five to fifty which is not huge, but where else coming from? You know, in about four month period. You know, gaining six inches was cool. But I was never big enough at the time to play football.

You know. I loved football.

You know. I loved football.

Grew up in you know, Dallas in the nineties, the Troit ah Man Michael Smith, Irvin Era where were winning Super Bowl.

Grew up in you know, Dallas in the nineties, the Troit ah Man Michael Smith, Irvin Era where were winning Super Bowl.

So I was always a football fan, yep.

So I was always a football fan, yep.

But physically that just wasn't a place you know, I could fit on the football field. So never played football. But oh yeah, you know I was definitely you know, I played sports growing.

But physically that just wasn't a place you know, I could fit on the football field. So never played football. But oh yeah, you know I was definitely you know, I played sports growing.

Up awesome, And so you went to UT you loved it, Oh, yeah, for sure. And when you went to UT, like did you go there, like did you know at that point you want to be a sports agent or you had no idea?

Up awesome, And so you went to UT you loved it, Oh, yeah, for sure. And when you went to UT, like did you go there, like did you know at that point you want to be a sports agent or you had no idea?

No, no, not at all.

No, no, not at all.

I didn't even know what a sport agent sports agent was at the time. And I went to UT. And again going back to my parents being immigrants, you know, all they knew was doctor, lawyer, engineer, So like, pick one of those three. We know those you know they get paid well, right, you guys canna be successful. So I was scared of blood, so I wasn't going to do the doctor out.

I didn't even know what a sport agent sports agent was at the time. And I went to UT. And again going back to my parents being immigrants, you know, all they knew was doctor, lawyer, engineer, So like, pick one of those three. We know those you know they get paid well, right, you guys canna be successful. So I was scared of blood, so I wasn't going to do the doctor out.

Uh.

Uh.

So, you know, and I was a little I won't say a little bit. I enjoyed talking.

So, you know, and I was a little I won't say a little bit. I enjoyed talking.

I was a little aquacious as a kid, so I thought, hey, you know, I feel like I could be a lawyer. They do a lot of talking, so that was kind of my mindset. I wanted to be a lawyer. But universitys had a really good business school, so I want to get into business school. So I actually was a I went to University Texas and I majored in business my BBA from there. But yeah, no, at no point did I ever think about being a sports agent. That didn't come along till you know, toward I would say, probably the back end of my college career.

I was a little aquacious as a kid, so I thought, hey, you know, I feel like I could be a lawyer. They do a lot of talking, so that was kind of my mindset. I wanted to be a lawyer. But universitys had a really good business school, so I want to get into business school. So I actually was a I went to University Texas and I majored in business my BBA from there. But yeah, no, at no point did I ever think about being a sports agent. That didn't come along till you know, toward I would say, probably the back end of my college career.

And then when you were in college, like you know, you said you saw both parents work hard, you know, do everything that could to make some money. Like did you do some work in college? Like how did you make some money?

And then when you were in college, like you know, you said you saw both parents work hard, you know, do everything that could to make some money. Like did you do some work in college? Like how did you make some money?

Yeah? Man?

Yeah? Man?

So when I was at UT you know, we had pretty goo football teams, and like you said, it was like, how do I figure out a way to make some money? You know, I didn't come uh, you know from money, so it was like how do I how do I figure it out?

So when I was at UT you know, we had pretty goo football teams, and like you said, it was like, how do I figure out a way to make some money? You know, I didn't come uh, you know from money, so it was like how do I how do I figure it out?

So I had a lot of.

So I had a lot of.

Friends of mine that played football, you know when I first got there, A couple guys that had went to my high school. Uh you know Montreal Flowers, Hodges, Mitchell, you know, the different guys were on the team. So, you know, had a relationship with a bunch of guys. So we should just start a brainstow And I was like he half, I started throwing parties you know after the football games. That might be a way I can make some money. So I started doing that. I want to say, that's probably my junior year in college. I started to do that and started did pretty well. You know, we're winning games. You know, you get the football team there, you get you know, crowd follows, you're able to make some money. So that's kind of how I got uh. I would say that was probably the very very initial see that was planned in my agent career, right unknowingly started developing a lot of relationship with a lot of football players at Texas and uh, you know, kind of just steamroll from there.

Friends of mine that played football, you know when I first got there, A couple guys that had went to my high school. Uh you know Montreal Flowers, Hodges, Mitchell, you know, the different guys were on the team. So, you know, had a relationship with a bunch of guys. So we should just start a brainstow And I was like he half, I started throwing parties you know after the football games. That might be a way I can make some money. So I started doing that. I want to say, that's probably my junior year in college. I started to do that and started did pretty well. You know, we're winning games. You know, you get the football team there, you get you know, crowd follows, you're able to make some money. So that's kind of how I got uh. I would say that was probably the very very initial see that was planned in my agent career, right unknowingly started developing a lot of relationship with a lot of football players at Texas and uh, you know, kind of just steamroll from there.

It's funny because I think, like guessing, but at that time, you weren't befriending them because you want to be a sports agent. You were just it's just natural relationships.

It's funny because I think, like guessing, but at that time, you weren't befriending them because you want to be a sports agent. You were just it's just natural relationships.

Natural relationships. And then, like I said, just throwing the events obviously, uh, you know you would meet more guys. Uh, And again I knew a few guys on the team already, so just more of a natural thing. And like I said, I didn't even know the sports agent was at the time. That didn't come until, you know, after I graduated undergrad I wanted to go to law school, but I took a couple of years off, started my own had a small marketing business that I started while I was still throwing the events, and one of my good friends at the time. Jamal Charles was wrapping up school and heading into the NFL at the time, and I met his agent, Andrew Kessler. I met him uh in Austin at some point and kind of yeah, you know, at that point, I came and visited Jamal while he was training, uh here in California for the draft, and met a couple of other people here athletes. First, and Andrew offered me an internship, and kind of one thing led to another, and we're here today.

Natural relationships. And then, like I said, just throwing the events obviously, uh, you know you would meet more guys. Uh, And again I knew a few guys on the team already, so just more of a natural thing. And like I said, I didn't even know the sports agent was at the time. That didn't come until, you know, after I graduated undergrad I wanted to go to law school, but I took a couple of years off, started my own had a small marketing business that I started while I was still throwing the events, and one of my good friends at the time. Jamal Charles was wrapping up school and heading into the NFL at the time, and I met his agent, Andrew Kessler. I met him uh in Austin at some point and kind of yeah, you know, at that point, I came and visited Jamal while he was training, uh here in California for the draft, and met a couple of other people here athletes. First, and Andrew offered me an internship, and kind of one thing led to another, and we're here today.

Yeah, and then you you left u T you took a couple of years off, and then you did go to law school.

Yeah, and then you you left u T you took a couple of years off, and then you did go to law school.

Yeah, I'm sorry, I skilled that part.

Yeah, I'm sorry, I skilled that part.

Yeah, did you go to law school? At that we actually going on.

Yeah, did you go to law school? At that we actually going on.

So I I was going to law school and then I met that that spring before I started law school. Actually is when I met Andrew, and I came out here and I was California while Jamal's training got off of the internship and as at that point is when I started thinking like, hey man, this is something that I might, you know, have some interest in. Obviously, I was a huge football fan. I enjoyed sports growing up, and I figured, hey, this is the way I could use my law degree. You know, I plan on going law school anyway, and I can use this law degree and also stay involved in sports. So kind of seemed like a win win to me.

So I I was going to law school and then I met that that spring before I started law school. Actually is when I met Andrew, and I came out here and I was California while Jamal's training got off of the internship and as at that point is when I started thinking like, hey man, this is something that I might, you know, have some interest in. Obviously, I was a huge football fan. I enjoyed sports growing up, and I figured, hey, this is the way I could use my law degree. You know, I plan on going law school anyway, and I can use this law degree and also stay involved in sports. So kind of seemed like a win win to me.

Yea at University of Nebraska.

Yea at University of Nebraska.

I went to University of Nebraska law school.

I went to University of Nebraska law school.

So how do you how do you settle in University of Nebraska.

So how do you how do you settle in University of Nebraska.

Man, So I wanted to go to Texas. I took the l SAT late in December, and Texas as a rolling admission. They you know, that was back when in eight I believe, is when kind of the economy crashed, so everybody was coming to Texas and just you know, as it was going to happen, I was probably gonna get deferred to the next year. So I was like, now, I don't want to wait. I want to go ahead and go law school. So I looked up top one hundred law school programs in Nebraska. Was at a time they're in the tope hundred I can't remember the number, the number of time, and they were still accepting applications. And I talked to my brother and we were just like, hey, man ite, somewhere we can go go to law school. At the same time, somewhere we can actually focus. You know, law school obviously is a grind somewhere that you don't know a lot of people, somewhere you can really lock in and get it done. So decided to go to the university. Luckily, they had a good.

Man, So I wanted to go to Texas. I took the l SAT late in December, and Texas as a rolling admission. They you know, that was back when in eight I believe, is when kind of the economy crashed, so everybody was coming to Texas and just you know, as it was going to happen, I was probably gonna get deferred to the next year. So I was like, now, I don't want to wait. I want to go ahead and go law school. So I looked up top one hundred law school programs in Nebraska. Was at a time they're in the tope hundred I can't remember the number, the number of time, and they were still accepting applications. And I talked to my brother and we were just like, hey, man ite, somewhere we can go go to law school. At the same time, somewhere we can actually focus. You know, law school obviously is a grind somewhere that you don't know a lot of people, somewhere you can really lock in and get it done. So decided to go to the university. Luckily, they had a good.

Football program at a time as well, so that didn't hurt.

Football program at a time as well, so that didn't hurt.

And uh yeah, man spent two and a half years there, graduated a semester early, and you know, enjoyed my time at aun L.

And uh yeah, man spent two and a half years there, graduated a semester early, and you know, enjoyed my time at aun L.

So you wanted to go to a law school where there wasn't a lot going on, and conversely I went to Tulane in New Orleans.

So you wanted to go to a law school where there wasn't a lot going on, and conversely I went to Tulane in New Orleans.

What there is a completely different I had heard a lot, you know, a lot about law school, a lot of stories about you know, how difficult it was, especially your first you know, your one l year. So for me it was like, okay, you know this, this makes sense an somewhere I can apply to now and you know, obviously I got in, So it worked out cool.

What there is a completely different I had heard a lot, you know, a lot about law school, a lot of stories about you know, how difficult it was, especially your first you know, your one l year. So for me it was like, okay, you know this, this makes sense an somewhere I can apply to now and you know, obviously I got in, So it worked out cool.

So you did, You came out, You met Jamal Charles, met cass Andrew Kessler, who's going to be in a podcast with you later about Jordan Love. You did two internships, right, I did back to back summers and back.

So you did, You came out, You met Jamal Charles, met cass Andrew Kessler, who's going to be in a podcast with you later about Jordan Love. You did two internships, right, I did back to back summers and back.

Back Actually, oh no, no, No.

Back Actually, oh no, no, No.

So I did internship going into my first year of law school, prior to my first year of law school, and I always tell the story I did an internship and it made me never want to be an agent at the time, right, you know, I was getting lunch orders and print this and buying this, and I was like, hold on, this is not what I signed up for. Right, So I did that internship before I started law school, and then after my first year of law school, I actually didn't do that, you know, I didn't come back after my second year of law school.

So I did internship going into my first year of law school, prior to my first year of law school, and I always tell the story I did an internship and it made me never want to be an agent at the time, right, you know, I was getting lunch orders and print this and buying this, and I was like, hold on, this is not what I signed up for. Right, So I did that internship before I started law school, and then after my first year of law school, I actually didn't do that, you know, I didn't come back after my second year of law school.

I ended up doing the internship.

I ended up doing the internship.

Spoke to Andrew Kesler, who again will be on the podcast later or another date, but spoke to Kess and he kind of told me if I come back, he allowed me to shadow him and kind of get a better feel for what being an agent was.

Spoke to Andrew Kesler, who again will be on the podcast later or another date, but spoke to Kess and he kind of told me if I come back, he allowed me to shadow him and kind of get a better feel for what being an agent was.

So I came back.

So I came back.

That was, like I said, after my second year law school, and that's when I really knew, like, Okay, this is something I do want to do.

That was, like I said, after my second year law school, and that's when I really knew, like, Okay, this is something I do want to do.

It just feels like Kessler is recruiting you at this point where you don't even really want to be a sports agent, and he's like, no, you need to come back and try this.

It just feels like Kessler is recruiting you at this point where you don't even really want to be a sports agent, and he's like, no, you need to come back and try this.

Again, yeah, I would say Keats probably saw saw something to me before I did. As far as the industry, right, And again I didn't know much about the industry, but you know, you know I've talked to Kess about that since and he was just like, hey, you know, your ability to kind of to people that come from different backgrounds and just kind of those relationships you had. He felt like it was, you know, it's a business, I could be successful. And so I would have to say he was. You know, it turned out that you know, he gave me some good advice there.

Again, yeah, I would say Keats probably saw saw something to me before I did. As far as the industry, right, And again I didn't know much about the industry, but you know, you know I've talked to Kess about that since and he was just like, hey, you know, your ability to kind of to people that come from different backgrounds and just kind of those relationships you had. He felt like it was, you know, it's a business, I could be successful. And so I would have to say he was. You know, it turned out that you know, he gave me some good advice there.

Yeah, Bentley and I for talent.

Yeah, Bentley and I for talent.

Well, I'll say this right because David talked about how unique you know, he wanted to go to Texas to be unique or different whatnot. And like David is taking a completely different path to start them than most people. And I, like you say, talk about the first year internship, Like I'll say, like, you know, David's maybe the best football agent ever, but he might have been one of our worst interns ever that first year. And it's because he didn't want to go get lunches, he didn't want to clean the fridge, he didn't want to do all those things that you know we want in terms to do to like prove themselves right and like say, hey, you're going to do whatever it takes to be successful and this is part of the pecking quarter. But you were kind of against that. And why was that?

Well, I'll say this right because David talked about how unique you know, he wanted to go to Texas to be unique or different whatnot. And like David is taking a completely different path to start them than most people. And I, like you say, talk about the first year internship, Like I'll say, like, you know, David's maybe the best football agent ever, but he might have been one of our worst interns ever that first year. And it's because he didn't want to go get lunches, he didn't want to clean the fridge, he didn't want to do all those things that you know we want in terms to do to like prove themselves right and like say, hey, you're going to do whatever it takes to be successful and this is part of the pecking quarter. But you were kind of against that. And why was that?

Well, I think again, when I first got here, I never really want to be an agent. I had no intention. So I think you know now that I look back at it, a lot of times when you're intern and it's like, hey, you.

Well, I think again, when I first got here, I never really want to be an agent. I had no intention. So I think you know now that I look back at it, a lot of times when you're intern and it's like, hey, you.

Have a goal in mind, like, hey, I really want to be.

Have a goal in mind, like, hey, I really want to be.

An agent, So I'm willing to do A, B and C to become an agent, right, and you understand you have to put in the work. For me, it was like, okay, I'm gonna come here and see what it's like, and I don't like it, right what I want to do. I didn't really see the you know, the light at the end of the tunnel, right, So I think for me that's probably what it was.

An agent, So I'm willing to do A, B and C to become an agent, right, and you understand you have to put in the work. For me, it was like, okay, I'm gonna come here and see what it's like, and I don't like it, right what I want to do. I didn't really see the you know, the light at the end of the tunnel, right, So I think for me that's probably what it was.

It was just it wasn't something I was really interested in that time.

It was just it wasn't something I was really interested in that time.

It was more something I was doing because you know, somebody gave me the opportunity, and you know, I want to kind of test it out.

It was more something I was doing because you know, somebody gave me the opportunity, and you know, I want to kind of test it out.

So I think that was probably what it was.

So I think that was probably what it was.

Well, yeah, you did two two internships. He did the first one and it wasn't didn't go great. The second one, you catch took you on his wing. It did well. You had some fun with other interns, and then, uh, you know, you wanted to come back. We wanted to have you come back, and I offered your job. Do you remember what that job offer was?

Well, yeah, you did two two internships. He did the first one and it wasn't didn't go great. The second one, you catch took you on his wing. It did well. You had some fun with other interns, and then, uh, you know, you wanted to come back. We wanted to have you come back, and I offered your job. Do you remember what that job offer was?

Yeah?

Yeah?

Man, I think you wrote it on a napkin after I asked for a job. I'm not sure if you wipe your mouth with that napping or not.

Man, I think you wrote it on a napkin after I asked for a job. I'm not sure if you wipe your mouth with that napping or not.

You know, I do eat a lot.

You know, I do eat a lot.

I don't remember, but uh, yeah.

I don't remember, but uh, yeah.

I mean, you know, coming out of law school, you always go to law school and any you know, you go to law school, you know.

I mean, you know, coming out of law school, you always go to law school and any you know, you go to law school, you know.

Whatever it is.

Whatever it is.

You know, when you have higher education, you assume I'm gonna come out, I'm gonna make a good amount of money.

You know, when you have higher education, you assume I'm gonna come out, I'm gonna make a good amount of money.

Uh.

Uh.

And that wasn't the case, unfort to it, right, Yeah, I was coming out of law school. I think some you know, you know, people that were graduating alongside of me were coming out making you know, one hundred and twenty one hundred, fifty thousand dollars at the time, and I think the offer is like fifty thousand, yep, And with a ten thousand dollar bonus if you signed the first round pick or something like that. So yeah, it wasn't you know, what I was hoping for, I guess when I started law school. But at the same time, by then, I had realized it's something I do want to do, and I felt like I was gonna be successful. So I wasn't really worried about kind of what the initial starting pay was because I knew where I would be in a few years. I had, you know, had that faith and believe in myself that I could do it. What year was that That would have been two thousand the end of twenty ten is when I graduated law school, so somewhere in there into twenty ten, early twenty eleven.

And that wasn't the case, unfort to it, right, Yeah, I was coming out of law school. I think some you know, you know, people that were graduating alongside of me were coming out making you know, one hundred and twenty one hundred, fifty thousand dollars at the time, and I think the offer is like fifty thousand, yep, And with a ten thousand dollar bonus if you signed the first round pick or something like that. So yeah, it wasn't you know, what I was hoping for, I guess when I started law school. But at the same time, by then, I had realized it's something I do want to do, and I felt like I was gonna be successful. So I wasn't really worried about kind of what the initial starting pay was because I knew where I would be in a few years. I had, you know, had that faith and believe in myself that I could do it. What year was that That would have been two thousand the end of twenty ten is when I graduated law school, so somewhere in there into twenty ten, early twenty eleven.

So fourteen years ago, you're making fifty thousand dollars. You know, if you ever got a first round pick, you give you a ten thousand dollars on us, right, I.

So fourteen years ago, you're making fifty thousand dollars. You know, if you ever got a first round pick, you give you a ten thousand dollars on us, right, I.

Got a lot of first round picks since then.

Got a lot of first round picks since then.

Yeah. Yeah, we won't go into how much we have to pay him today. But like the the you know ag we talked about the salary cap and like going from Drew Bloodsloe to you know, Dak Prescott and everything like, if you started David to David, it was it's it's been pretty impressive and we'll get into that. But a j why don't you tell us a little bit why we have to pay David so much money nowadays?

Yeah. Yeah, we won't go into how much we have to pay him today. But like the the you know ag we talked about the salary cap and like going from Drew Bloodsloe to you know, Dak Prescott and everything like, if you started David to David, it was it's it's been pretty impressive and we'll get into that. But a j why don't you tell us a little bit why we have to pay David so much money nowadays?

Yeah?

Yeah?

So, I mean, David's success in the industry has been documented pretty much everywhere in sports media, right, But to look at just his record breaking deals that he's done in his career, from Earl Thomas to Collecci, Jossemile, Jordan Loved, Deshaun Watson, who we're going to talk about today, Jalen Ramsey, Derwin James, Jalen Twice. I know there's more of them. I'll just forget. Michael Thomas is another one.

So, I mean, David's success in the industry has been documented pretty much everywhere in sports media, right, But to look at just his record breaking deals that he's done in his career, from Earl Thomas to Collecci, Jossemile, Jordan Loved, Deshaun Watson, who we're going to talk about today, Jalen Ramsey, Derwin James, Jalen Twice. I know there's more of them. I'll just forget. Michael Thomas is another one.

Bobby Wagner, Buddha Baker, Durwin, James.

Bobby Wagner, Buddha Baker, Durwin, James.

Or we could go down the list.

Or we could go down the list.

So we could do a whole podcast all these record breaking deals, right, But he's also got twenty five first rounders he's represented in the last twelve years, So you can see where it's just these good players year over year that are signing with David because of his expertise and because of the relationship that he builds with these guys coming out. He was also voted, not voted. He was the number one sports agent on the Forbes list in twenty twenty, so the most powerful agent in the NFL in twenty twenty. I know that's the first time that an African American had held that title and maybe the youngest as well.

So we could do a whole podcast all these record breaking deals, right, But he's also got twenty five first rounders he's represented in the last twelve years, So you can see where it's just these good players year over year that are signing with David because of his expertise and because of the relationship that he builds with these guys coming out. He was also voted, not voted. He was the number one sports agent on the Forbes list in twenty twenty, so the most powerful agent in the NFL in twenty twenty. I know that's the first time that an African American had held that title and maybe the youngest as well.

Is that what it was?

Is that what it was?

For sure the youngest as well. So my mom was proud.

For sure the youngest as well. So my mom was proud.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I always tell people that she should was the most important thing of that one. You know, got to take it home. And mom saw it, and they were always a little doubtful about the business, right, like, what do you mean you're being a sports agent?

I always tell people that she should was the most important thing of that one. You know, got to take it home. And mom saw it, and they were always a little doubtful about the business, right, like, what do you mean you're being a sports agent?

You know, they didn't really know what it meant.

You know, they didn't really know what it meant.

So I think that was kind of the first time they saw it and like, oh, okay, I guess you are doing okay.

So I think that was kind of the first time they saw it and like, oh, okay, I guess you are doing okay.

Yeah, and we're here to talk about quarterbacks.

Yeah, and we're here to talk about quarterbacks.

But if we were to ever do a safety podcast, we'd probably do nine of the ten episodes would all be with David because he currently has five of the top six highest paid safeties in the in the NFL are all represented by David right now, so he's cornered the market there, and in twenty twenty four alone, he negotiated over one billion dollars in NFL contracts, unheard of, never been done before by a single agent, and that's the first time it's ever been done.

But if we were to ever do a safety podcast, we'd probably do nine of the ten episodes would all be with David because he currently has five of the top six highest paid safeties in the in the NFL are all represented by David right now, so he's cornered the market there, and in twenty twenty four alone, he negotiated over one billion dollars in NFL contracts, unheard of, never been done before by a single agent, and that's the first time it's ever been done.

Never been done before by probably ninety percent of the agencies, right, I mean, like you take the two or three top agent, I mean you talked to like agencies number six, like they've done it. They done a billion dollar deals. So David did that led those negotiates. Someone say, that's mind boggling, And I think, would you tell me about that, David, Like, what was your goal when you started?

Never been done before by probably ninety percent of the agencies, right, I mean, like you take the two or three top agent, I mean you talked to like agencies number six, like they've done it. They done a billion dollar deals. So David did that led those negotiates. Someone say, that's mind boggling, And I think, would you tell me about that, David, Like, what was your goal when you started?

Man?

Man?

My goal when I started was just to be able to create, you know, sustain a job and be able to take care of myself. And obviously at some point my goal has always been, you know, retired my parents. I think for me that was kind of always a driving force, just seeing everything they had done for us and the work they put into it, you know, and maybe not being paid what they should have been being paid, you know, with everything they put into it. So for me, it was like, you know, you know, that was my light at the end of the tunnel. My why was you know, putting my parents in a situation where they consider, you know, sit back and relax and kind of enjoy.

My goal when I started was just to be able to create, you know, sustain a job and be able to take care of myself. And obviously at some point my goal has always been, you know, retired my parents. I think for me that was kind of always a driving force, just seeing everything they had done for us and the work they put into it, you know, and maybe not being paid what they should have been being paid, you know, with everything they put into it. So for me, it was like, you know, you know, that was my light at the end of the tunnel. My why was you know, putting my parents in a situation where they consider, you know, sit back and relax and kind of enjoy.

You know, their their kids, their grandkids.

You know, their their kids, their grandkids.

And you know when I got to that point is when I really felt like, Okay, yeah this this has worked out.

And you know when I got to that point is when I really felt like, Okay, yeah this this has worked out.

Yeah. No, I mean it's ag as you can. I mean, if you've been in the business a long time, I've been along twenty four years, Like I've never seen anything like David, anyone like David, or a career like David. Right, I mean you think about like he started fourteen years ago, what like as a as an intern making I mean as a first ye associate making fifty thousand dollars a year. You had no idea he'd ever had a first rounder. And then what he's done and how he's done it is and that's when we get into a little bit like how he's done it is more impressive to me than what he's done. And again, we have agents out there where have no no integrity, you know, we'll cheat what and they haven't got to that level. David did this with a complete integrity, buying into the team, you know, supporting the team and always putting his family first and then also porty athletes first first. Like it's been it's been remarkable. So it's uh, do you ever sit back and think about.

Yeah. No, I mean it's ag as you can. I mean, if you've been in the business a long time, I've been along twenty four years, Like I've never seen anything like David, anyone like David, or a career like David. Right, I mean you think about like he started fourteen years ago, what like as a as an intern making I mean as a first ye associate making fifty thousand dollars a year. You had no idea he'd ever had a first rounder. And then what he's done and how he's done it is and that's when we get into a little bit like how he's done it is more impressive to me than what he's done. And again, we have agents out there where have no no integrity, you know, we'll cheat what and they haven't got to that level. David did this with a complete integrity, buying into the team, you know, supporting the team and always putting his family first and then also porty athletes first first. Like it's been it's been remarkable. So it's uh, do you ever sit back and think about.

It, got and that, and that's funny, man, I have that conversation with you know, a lot of friends all the time. In this business, you don't really have time to sit back and enjoy it, right, because it's literally, you know, it never ends, right. It's an ever flowing business, and you don't really appreciate the wins. You only feel the losses. I always tell people, right, because if you're recruiting, you know, a player, his family, and at some point, you know you're talking to the player in the family so much, you know, they become a part of your you know, you know, uh, extended family, and so when you sign them, it's like, okay, that that's an expectation. Like I've been dealing with this player family like they're part of my extended family for a.

It, got and that, and that's funny, man, I have that conversation with you know, a lot of friends all the time. In this business, you don't really have time to sit back and enjoy it, right, because it's literally, you know, it never ends, right. It's an ever flowing business, and you don't really appreciate the wins. You only feel the losses. I always tell people, right, because if you're recruiting, you know, a player, his family, and at some point, you know you're talking to the player in the family so much, you know, they become a part of your you know, you know, uh, extended family, and so when you sign them, it's like, okay, that that's an expectation. Like I've been dealing with this player family like they're part of my extended family for a.

Year or two years.

Year or two years.

Uh, you know, it's kind of becomes, you know, kind of an expectation. I think it's the ones that you miss out on that really bother you. Therefore, there's no real time for you to kind of wait and kind of smell the roses. As they say, I guess yep. But you know, it's an interesting industry. But I've been blessed. I've been lucky. I work with a lot of good families and clients obviously, and you know they're really the reason why, you know, I've been able to be so successful.

Uh, you know, it's kind of becomes, you know, kind of an expectation. I think it's the ones that you miss out on that really bother you. Therefore, there's no real time for you to kind of wait and kind of smell the roses. As they say, I guess yep. But you know, it's an interesting industry. But I've been blessed. I've been lucky. I work with a lot of good families and clients obviously, and you know they're really the reason why, you know, I've been able to be so successful.

And I you know, obviously we're not can get into private contract details and now your conversation whatnot. But I will say we've done four or five employment contracts together, and every single time, including the at the beginning when you said you take ten thousand dollars for different like every time you have said I don't want the guaranteed money. I don't want, you know, I just want to bet them myself. Just let me better yourself. At one point I had offraje equity in the company, like, hey, Murph, I don't know if that equery is worth anything. I know, I after that upon you for that, I want to lie upon myself. Now you an equity partner and we're very proud of that. But what I mean, why do you what convinced you just keep betting on yourself and you want to be bet He did much better this and he did he gave Vegas Like what like what?

And I you know, obviously we're not can get into private contract details and now your conversation whatnot. But I will say we've done four or five employment contracts together, and every single time, including the at the beginning when you said you take ten thousand dollars for different like every time you have said I don't want the guaranteed money. I don't want, you know, I just want to bet them myself. Just let me better yourself. At one point I had offraje equity in the company, like, hey, Murph, I don't know if that equery is worth anything. I know, I after that upon you for that, I want to lie upon myself. Now you an equity partner and we're very proud of that. But what I mean, why do you what convinced you just keep betting on yourself and you want to be bet He did much better this and he did he gave Vegas Like what like what?

What? Uh?

What? Uh?

What? Why did you do that?

What? Why did you do that?

Man?

Man?

I think for me, I always had the mindset that if you're successful in something, you're going to always wish you would have better on yourself.

I think for me, I always had the mindset that if you're successful in something, you're going to always wish you would have better on yourself.

Right. But if you you know, if.

Right. But if you you know, if.

You don't bet on yourself and you don't do well, you're not You're gonna be out of a job anyway, right, So you know, taking a little bit guaranteed money or taking what.

You don't bet on yourself and you don't do well, you're not You're gonna be out of a job anyway, right, So you know, taking a little bit guaranteed money or taking what.

You feel like it is a safe bet.

You feel like it is a safe bet.

Yeah, it lasts only for so long and then you're going to be you know, if you know, if you don't produce, you're gonna be out of the door. So for me, it was like, I know I am going to produce, and if that's the case, then it's always going to be best to better my on myself and only that.

Yeah, it lasts only for so long and then you're going to be you know, if you know, if you don't produce, you're gonna be out of the door. So for me, it was like, I know I am going to produce, and if that's the case, then it's always going to be best to better my on myself and only that.

But it keeps you hungry, right.

But it keeps you hungry, right.

I didn't ever want to get to a place of being complacent because I knew there was guaranteed this or I knew I was going to have this. For me, it was always he's staying hungry and the competition part of it. Honestly, man, I don't even think you know, at this point, I've been blessed you know over the years that it's not really about the money anymore. You know, it's more about the competition. Now, Uh, you know, I want to be the best. You know, I want to represent the best. I want to get my guys the best contracts. So everything is about being the best. It's no longer a financial decision for me. And I'm lucky to be able to say that. But for me, it's like I said, every year, you know, I want my clients to be able to look at me and say, hey, you know, obviously I'm lucky to work with the guys I work with, but I also want the guys I work with to be like, hey, I'm excited that I work with David right because I know he's going to maximize every opportunity that comes across table for me, whether you know it's on the field, off the field, contracts, whatever it may be. So for me, it's it's a competition part about it. It's about trying to be the best at this point. And that's why you know, I'm always bet on myself.

I didn't ever want to get to a place of being complacent because I knew there was guaranteed this or I knew I was going to have this. For me, it was always he's staying hungry and the competition part of it. Honestly, man, I don't even think you know, at this point, I've been blessed you know over the years that it's not really about the money anymore. You know, it's more about the competition. Now, Uh, you know, I want to be the best. You know, I want to represent the best. I want to get my guys the best contracts. So everything is about being the best. It's no longer a financial decision for me. And I'm lucky to be able to say that. But for me, it's like I said, every year, you know, I want my clients to be able to look at me and say, hey, you know, obviously I'm lucky to work with the guys I work with, but I also want the guys I work with to be like, hey, I'm excited that I work with David right because I know he's going to maximize every opportunity that comes across table for me, whether you know it's on the field, off the field, contracts, whatever it may be. So for me, it's it's a competition part about it. It's about trying to be the best at this point. And that's why you know, I'm always bet on myself.

Yeah I know. I mean. Another future podcast could bring Equity partner Todd Franston, who's also been ranked Forbes number one and the best, and I know when we talked about bringing him, it was very important to us that you were okay with that. And I remember you saying like, I want my I want the team to be the best, right, you know, I want to win championship at team champions But I also like he'll be working with him, will push you to be better. And I think you've enjoyed working with Todd and you guys have that competition, but it's worked out well.

Yeah I know. I mean. Another future podcast could bring Equity partner Todd Franston, who's also been ranked Forbes number one and the best, and I know when we talked about bringing him, it was very important to us that you were okay with that. And I remember you saying like, I want my I want the team to be the best, right, you know, I want to win championship at team champions But I also like he'll be working with him, will push you to be better. And I think you've enjoyed working with Todd and you guys have that competition, but it's worked out well.

No, for sure, Man, Todd is somebody that I always looked at, you know, in the industry. Uh, you know, there are always a few guys you look at and you're always like, Man, you know, I wonder you know what drives him, you know what, you know, what causes him to work so hard? Especially Todd's done phenomenal he I'm sure he doesn't do it for the money anymore either, you know, he's he's done.

No, for sure, Man, Todd is somebody that I always looked at, you know, in the industry. Uh, you know, there are always a few guys you look at and you're always like, Man, you know, I wonder you know what drives him, you know what, you know, what causes him to work so hard? Especially Todd's done phenomenal he I'm sure he doesn't do it for the money anymore either, you know, he's he's done.

Really well for himself.

Really well for himself.

So just being around other guys like that, iron sharpens iron, you know, picking his brain on how he kind of looks at things, how he you know, when he talks to teams, you know what what indicators as he used to know whether he's gonna, you know, negotiate this way or that whatever it may be.

So just being around other guys like that, iron sharpens iron, you know, picking his brain on how he kind of looks at things, how he you know, when he talks to teams, you know what what indicators as he used to know whether he's gonna, you know, negotiate this way or that whatever it may be.

Right. So for me, I'm constantly learning.

Right. So for me, I'm constantly learning.

I hope to think, you know, I like to think that he does the same with me and obviously the other agency at Athletes Firsts as well. But for for me, like I said, I think at the end of the day, it honestly just comes down to the to the competition at this point in my career and wanting to work with the best and kind of do the best contracts.

I hope to think, you know, I like to think that he does the same with me and obviously the other agency at Athletes Firsts as well. But for for me, like I said, I think at the end of the day, it honestly just comes down to the to the competition at this point in my career and wanting to work with the best and kind of do the best contracts.

Now we could go. I mean, there's I have a thousand stories we get into with David, mostly good, you know, some funny, but it's the quarterback series, so we want to talk about the quarterbacks. And David, one thing I give you mad props for is you were, even at a younger age, you're always very strategic, like you were always very deliberate in port posseful and how are you going to build this dynasty of yours? And I remember at one point you saying, listen, I can't be Forbes number one if I don't represent quarterbacks. Do you remember?

Now we could go. I mean, there's I have a thousand stories we get into with David, mostly good, you know, some funny, but it's the quarterback series, so we want to talk about the quarterbacks. And David, one thing I give you mad props for is you were, even at a younger age, you're always very strategic, like you were always very deliberate in port posseful and how are you going to build this dynasty of yours? And I remember at one point you saying, listen, I can't be Forbes number one if I don't represent quarterbacks. Do you remember?

Do you remember? That's for sure? Now that's that's super important.

Do you remember? That's for sure? Now that's that's super important.

I mean, if you look historically at the guys that are considered, you know, the best agents in the business or the most powerful agent. However you want to kind of you know, create that rank, and it's always guys that have had quarterbacks and that work with the quarterbacks. And it makes sense, right because quarterbacks are kind of the face of teams a m B. They get paid the most, right, so you know you're going to have to work with those guys if you want to consider yourself on the mount rushmore of the business. So for me, that was super important. And when I first got in the business, unfortunately, there wasn't a lot of African American agents that were representing quarterbacks. You know, I can't, I don't. I could be wrong, but I think I don't know that it was a an African American agent that had more than one first round pick, you know, ever at quarterback, right, So for me it was important and I need to be a challenge because again you know, it's not the norm quarterbacks kind of you know signed with. There was a certain few of agents that all the quarterbacks signed with, so that was super important. And you know, over the years, I've been super lucky.

I mean, if you look historically at the guys that are considered, you know, the best agents in the business or the most powerful agent. However you want to kind of you know, create that rank, and it's always guys that have had quarterbacks and that work with the quarterbacks. And it makes sense, right because quarterbacks are kind of the face of teams a m B. They get paid the most, right, so you know you're going to have to work with those guys if you want to consider yourself on the mount rushmore of the business. So for me, that was super important. And when I first got in the business, unfortunately, there wasn't a lot of African American agents that were representing quarterbacks. You know, I can't, I don't. I could be wrong, but I think I don't know that it was a an African American agent that had more than one first round pick, you know, ever at quarterback, right, So for me it was important and I need to be a challenge because again you know, it's not the norm quarterbacks kind of you know signed with. There was a certain few of agents that all the quarterbacks signed with, so that was super important. And you know, over the years, I've been super lucky.

You know.

You know.

My first quarterback actually was Brandon Bridge from South Alabama who gave me the opportunity.

My first quarterback actually was Brandon Bridge from South Alabama who gave me the opportunity.

Great kid. I still talk to him to this day. Toronto yeah. Yeah.

Great kid. I still talk to him to this day. Toronto yeah. Yeah.

He told me the other day he's gonna name his first son after me. So I'm waiting to see if he does it or not. But Brandon is my guy. But yeah, man, you know, he gave me an opportunity. And then the quarterback is my second quarterback who really was a guy that's a household name, you know, obviously Deshaun Watson, who's coming out of Clemson. Uh, and he was a big time recruit, you know, you know, at the time, arguably the best player in the country. And met him a few times, and you know that was my know for me, it was like, man, this is a guy that you know, I get along with. It's a guy that I think is gonna be an elite player, comes from a phenomenal family. And he was really the first quarterback. They gave me an opportunity and that kind of allowed me then to kind of continue to work with quarterbacks. And at this point, now, man, you know had had a few guys.

He told me the other day he's gonna name his first son after me. So I'm waiting to see if he does it or not. But Brandon is my guy. But yeah, man, you know, he gave me an opportunity. And then the quarterback is my second quarterback who really was a guy that's a household name, you know, obviously Deshaun Watson, who's coming out of Clemson. Uh, and he was a big time recruit, you know, you know, at the time, arguably the best player in the country. And met him a few times, and you know that was my know for me, it was like, man, this is a guy that you know, I get along with. It's a guy that I think is gonna be an elite player, comes from a phenomenal family. And he was really the first quarterback. They gave me an opportunity and that kind of allowed me then to kind of continue to work with quarterbacks. And at this point, now, man, you know had had a few guys.

You knows, you skipped over a little bit, like Deshaun Watson wasn't just a very good call. I mean, tell us about what DeShawn did in college.

You knows, you skipped over a little bit, like Deshaun Watson wasn't just a very good call. I mean, tell us about what DeShawn did in college.

Yeah, I mean, he was he was only a starter for the two full seasons. He's a Heisman finalist both of those years, he's an All American. And then his final season of college football, he goes onto. At the time, Alabama was kind of a juggernaut.

Yeah, I mean, he was he was only a starter for the two full seasons. He's a Heisman finalist both of those years, he's an All American. And then his final season of college football, he goes onto. At the time, Alabama was kind of a juggernaut.

Right.

Right.

He goes on to beat them in the National Championship in Tampa, Florida. And you're not allowed to sign a college player until he's done playing college football, right, So you know, I know you had been recruiting him leading up to that, but then when do you actually sign to Shawn?

He goes on to beat them in the National Championship in Tampa, Florida. And you're not allowed to sign a college player until he's done playing college football, right, So you know, I know you had been recruiting him leading up to that, but then when do you actually sign to Shawn?

So DeShawn was interesting, Actually he was. I would say, he's the one guy that I don't see. I didn't think I was going to sign to Seawan, right. I met him prior to the season and had some dialogue with him and he kind of went ghost.

So DeShawn was interesting, Actually he was. I would say, he's the one guy that I don't see. I didn't think I was going to sign to Seawan, right. I met him prior to the season and had some dialogue with him and he kind of went ghost.

Let me jump in for sec. Just to set the tone for listeners, like you said that we had there's some super agents out there who kind of represent all the quarterbacks, right, I mean you had a Tom Conn and you had Dave done right, you had least time bring in the past, and you know they they represent most of the quarterbacks. And you had one quarterback who was a great guy, but he wasn't the first round pick, right, and so like, and you're relatively young in the business as well. And so when you said that you're recruiting Deshaun Watson, that's awesome. He's the best player in college football right now. I just want you to like, good luck to you that if you get him as great and we'll support you anyway we can. But that was like, that was not like as you sit here now, any quarterback in the league should want to sign with you, right, they should be calling you. But back then, it was that was an uphill back I mean a huge uphill battle for sure. So I just want to set the scene a little bit now.

Let me jump in for sec. Just to set the tone for listeners, like you said that we had there's some super agents out there who kind of represent all the quarterbacks, right, I mean you had a Tom Conn and you had Dave done right, you had least time bring in the past, and you know they they represent most of the quarterbacks. And you had one quarterback who was a great guy, but he wasn't the first round pick, right, and so like, and you're relatively young in the business as well. And so when you said that you're recruiting Deshaun Watson, that's awesome. He's the best player in college football right now. I just want you to like, good luck to you that if you get him as great and we'll support you anyway we can. But that was like, that was not like as you sit here now, any quarterback in the league should want to sign with you, right, they should be calling you. But back then, it was that was an uphill back I mean a huge uphill battle for sure. So I just want to set the scene a little bit now.

For sure, Like I said, it was, you know, it was the first time I had went after a quarterback that was as highly you know ranked, or you know was you know, like you said, he was a face of college football at the time, right. So, uh spoke to him a few times prior to the season, and Deshaun kind of locked in during the season.

For sure, Like I said, it was, you know, it was the first time I had went after a quarterback that was as highly you know ranked, or you know was you know, like you said, he was a face of college football at the time, right. So, uh spoke to him a few times prior to the season, and Deshaun kind of locked in during the season.

Uh, And you know, you know, I didn't know that.

Uh, And you know, you know, I didn't know that.

I just thought he obviously didn't like me, right because he because he stopped texting me back the whole season.

I just thought he obviously didn't like me, right because he because he stopped texting me back the whole season.

But uh, I get a text from him.

But uh, I get a text from him.

Who was that probably a week about four or five days before the National Championship game, and he had probably replied to two or three of my texts during the season, so I don't want to say he didn't hit me back at all. So I probably had text back and forth him twice over a six month period, and uh, he asked me, was I come into the National Championship game? And I was like, Uh, it's sure if you're you know, if you're inviting me, He's like, yeah, shouldn't just to prove it, but yeah, he was like, you know, you know he should come. So I was like, oh, yeah, for sure, I'm there then, right, so, you know, I hurried and book a flight to jump on a flight. I get there, and then after the game, you know, the obviously they beat Alabama.