Sometimes people throw out lucky because it helps them justify why they haven't made the move that you've made. You know, there were certain things like all that time that I was dribbling the ball and going out there and doing all that work, and then that led to the NFL, and those things didn't happen by accident. Luck is like if I turned the corner and found a briefcase of a billion dollars, that's lucky.

Sometimes people throw out lucky because it helps them justify why they haven't made the move that you've made. You know, there were certain things like all that time that I was dribbling the ball and going out there and doing all that work, and then that led to the NFL, and those things didn't happen by accident. Luck is like if I turned the corner and found a briefcase of a billion dollars, that's lucky.

What if I told you there was more to the story behind game changing events? Get ready for my new podcast, That Moment with Damon John will jump into the personal stories of some of the most influential people on the planet, from business mobiles and celebrities to athletes and artists. Offtball. Welcome man, thank you for thank you so much for taking the time.

What if I told you there was more to the story behind game changing events? Get ready for my new podcast, That Moment with Damon John will jump into the personal stories of some of the most influential people on the planet, from business mobiles and celebrities to athletes and artists. Offtball. Welcome man, thank you for thank you so much for taking the time.

I'm glad man, I'm glad to be sitting just sitting here chopping it up with you.

I'm glad man, I'm glad to be sitting just sitting here chopping it up with you.

Man. We gotta have fun listening. I had. I had a great time with you on family feud by the way I want, we want.

Man. We gotta have fun listening. I had. I had a great time with you on family feud by the way I want, we want.

I guess you go go go ahead and just throw that out there.

I guess you go go go ahead and just throw that out there.

Huh No, I just gotta I just gotta throw it right out there, and uh and you know, the talk always gives me love. And the last time I was there, we were talking about financial intelligence, children and my book, and you guys have always given me love. So it is it is truly an honor to always see you. I've I've always been a fan of your stuff and and actually I've always been a fan of you publicly in the sense of your ability to pivot and and all those things, because I I'm really not a huge, huge sports fan, so I really didn't know all of you at that time, but but since then I've been a fan. So uh oddly enough. You know, when you are on as a competitor on I want to show Expedition, this is possible? Yeah that that was actually done by Mark. Did you see Mark on that set?

Huh No, I just gotta I just gotta throw it right out there, and uh and you know, the talk always gives me love. And the last time I was there, we were talking about financial intelligence, children and my book, and you guys have always given me love. So it is it is truly an honor to always see you. I've I've always been a fan of your stuff and and actually I've always been a fan of you publicly in the sense of your ability to pivot and and all those things, because I I'm really not a huge, huge sports fan, so I really didn't know all of you at that time, but but since then I've been a fan. So uh oddly enough. You know, when you are on as a competitor on I want to show Expedition, this is possible? Yeah that that was actually done by Mark. Did you see Mark on that set?

I did. I saw Mark the every first day we flew into the Kingdom of Morocco, and it was just kind of like, hmm, what is this going to be? Actually I saw him, well, yeah, I saw him during my little audition, and then I saw him again the very first day and he just kind of laid it out almost like a coach, like this is what you're going up again. You're gonna be in the you know, in the desert and all different types of terrains for five weeks and he's just kind of given this whole thing and if you don't think you can make it, you can. I mean I was like, yo, man, this is it. Kind of felt like I was back in training camp and and that was it. That was the I think that was the last time. I know. Actually I saw him one other time. He flew in a helicopter into remote part of Morocco and then that was the only time I ever saw.

I did. I saw Mark the every first day we flew into the Kingdom of Morocco, and it was just kind of like, hmm, what is this going to be? Actually I saw him, well, yeah, I saw him during my little audition, and then I saw him again the very first day and he just kind of laid it out almost like a coach, like this is what you're going up again. You're gonna be in the you know, in the desert and all different types of terrains for five weeks and he's just kind of given this whole thing and if you don't think you can make it, you can. I mean I was like, yo, man, this is it. Kind of felt like I was back in training camp and and that was it. That was the I think that was the last time. I know. Actually I saw him one other time. He flew in a helicopter into remote part of Morocco and then that was the only time I ever saw.

Interesting. So Mark and obviously amazing, one of the most well known producers in the world. You know, he's done Apprentice Contender, Survivor, that show, and of course Shark Tank. A lot of people don't know he saw off selling shirts kind of in Venice Beach. Prior to that, he was special he was Special Forces or in in London in Europe, and uh, they say that Survivor's one of the longest running shows. They say that he'll come on set sometimes, and he doesn't come to our set as much. I mean, we're a contained environment, but he'll he'll, he'll, he'll, he'll whatever you call it, jump out of those helicopters on the ropes and slide down. I know, a couple of years ago he was still competing in the Iron Man.

Interesting. So Mark and obviously amazing, one of the most well known producers in the world. You know, he's done Apprentice Contender, Survivor, that show, and of course Shark Tank. A lot of people don't know he saw off selling shirts kind of in Venice Beach. Prior to that, he was special he was Special Forces or in in London in Europe, and uh, they say that Survivor's one of the longest running shows. They say that he'll come on set sometimes, and he doesn't come to our set as much. I mean, we're a contained environment, but he'll he'll, he'll, he'll, he'll whatever you call it, jump out of those helicopters on the ropes and slide down. I know, a couple of years ago he was still competing in the Iron Man.

Wow. I didn't know that. I had no idea that background, that that kind of gives a little bit of uh, you know, background as to why he came in so hot. And I was like, but it made me respect him more like he wasn't he didn't seem like a TV guy. He said like, Yo, this is for real.

Wow. I didn't know that. I had no idea that background, that that kind of gives a little bit of uh, you know, background as to why he came in so hot. And I was like, but it made me respect him more like he wasn't he didn't seem like a TV guy. He said like, Yo, this is for real.

This is like straight Bride, straight gangster.

This is like straight Bride, straight gangster.

Uh.

Uh.

You know, she was one of those Yeah, I'm gonna go, I'm gonna go punk that TV executive and you all all of a sudden find yourself, you know, tapping out saying let me go. You know, so anyway, but but the nicest man, uh, very very a man of faith, one of the most as you know, and you and I've never even talked about this, one of the kindest individuals you'll ever meet on the planet.

You know, she was one of those Yeah, I'm gonna go, I'm gonna go punk that TV executive and you all all of a sudden find yourself, you know, tapping out saying let me go. You know, so anyway, but but the nicest man, uh, very very a man of faith, one of the most as you know, and you and I've never even talked about this, one of the kindest individuals you'll ever meet on the planet.

I've had a chance to you know, talk to him, you know, multiple times afterwards, and you know, you know, you talk about being a man of faith. I didn't know that because you know, there's you know, in Hollywood, there's just a diverse belief and you know, to even say that you're a man of faith. Sometimes can people can look at you in an awkward way, in a weird way, and so so we were able to share that. But I was surprised that he even remembered me because there was a bunch of competitors there. We came in fourth place and we did. You know, I didn't win like I wanted to win, but he was. He gave me so much in just that little bit of time that we had to get in that five weeks time and just being a part of that production, I learned a lot too. I learned a lot about television in that in that regards.

I've had a chance to you know, talk to him, you know, multiple times afterwards, and you know, you know, you talk about being a man of faith. I didn't know that because you know, there's you know, in Hollywood, there's just a diverse belief and you know, to even say that you're a man of faith. Sometimes can people can look at you in an awkward way, in a weird way, and so so we were able to share that. But I was surprised that he even remembered me because there was a bunch of competitors there. We came in fourth place and we did. You know, I didn't win like I wanted to win, but he was. He gave me so much in just that little bit of time that we had to get in that five weeks time and just being a part of that production, I learned a lot too. I learned a lot about television in that in that regards.

I mean, I think that that that stands as we go into this this this this conversation, there's a lot of things to stand out about that. You learned a lot you You obviously are are very competitive. You played at the highest level of competition period, you know, but you were smart enough to ask him those questions. But also you were surprised he remembered you. There's a reason you're here. People remember you. I'm not sure why. You know why. Probably the story goal is that you know, there was this kind of NFL boot camp where you know, a lot of broadcasting camp and a lot of you know, you know, they brought in I think twenty people or something like that, or they applied. You took this opportunity. How many people do you know applied to it? Was there a limit of twenty or was there just only twenty?

I mean, I think that that that stands as we go into this this this this conversation, there's a lot of things to stand out about that. You learned a lot you You obviously are are very competitive. You played at the highest level of competition period, you know, but you were smart enough to ask him those questions. But also you were surprised he remembered you. There's a reason you're here. People remember you. I'm not sure why. You know why. Probably the story goal is that you know, there was this kind of NFL boot camp where you know, a lot of broadcasting camp and a lot of you know, you know, they brought in I think twenty people or something like that, or they applied. You took this opportunity. How many people do you know applied to it? Was there a limit of twenty or was there just only twenty?

Internet now there was a limit of twenty, and so you had to make a compelling case. You had to write an essay as to why you wanted to get in, and so I just took that time to write it. I don't know how many guys during their off season wants to write an essay to get into too broadcasting. But you know, the truth is day man, like I kind of saw after my third year, I knew things weren't working out the way I thought. In my mind, I thought that and believed that I was going to play in the NFL for ten years, and you know, I was gonna be all everything and whatever, and especially too because my brother played before me and had a tremendous amount of success, and I just thought I'm next in line. Well it didn't work. It worked that way. We're two different beings to two different types of athletes, and so I started to really then start to think about Okay, I'm gonna keep going as hard as I can because I want to get to that ten years. But I'm also gonna start seeing other opportunities. And when that opportunity came, I made sure, like I think it was due, you know, whatever day it was due, I had my essay in the next day because I want to make sure I got my name to the top of the line, because I knew that there might be big name guys who they would go, oh, of course we were won this big name athlete in our broadcast boot camp. Sure enough, I got the acceptance letter and that was the start of my of my broadcast journey.

Internet now there was a limit of twenty, and so you had to make a compelling case. You had to write an essay as to why you wanted to get in, and so I just took that time to write it. I don't know how many guys during their off season wants to write an essay to get into too broadcasting. But you know, the truth is day man, like I kind of saw after my third year, I knew things weren't working out the way I thought. In my mind, I thought that and believed that I was going to play in the NFL for ten years, and you know, I was gonna be all everything and whatever, and especially too because my brother played before me and had a tremendous amount of success, and I just thought I'm next in line. Well it didn't work. It worked that way. We're two different beings to two different types of athletes, and so I started to really then start to think about Okay, I'm gonna keep going as hard as I can because I want to get to that ten years. But I'm also gonna start seeing other opportunities. And when that opportunity came, I made sure, like I think it was due, you know, whatever day it was due, I had my essay in the next day because I want to make sure I got my name to the top of the line, because I knew that there might be big name guys who they would go, oh, of course we were won this big name athlete in our broadcast boot camp. Sure enough, I got the acceptance letter and that was the start of my of my broadcast journey.

Well, let's let's talk of that moment when you decide to do that. Because the athletes, many of them that I have spoken to in general, uh, you know, we all we all try to emulate what we see out there. And there's been some really great athletes who have paved the way they get sports and these amazing accomplishments they've had, but they paved their way as being broadcasters or Magic Johnson and doctor J investors and various other things like that. And I thought, from when I speak to athletes, a lot of them are like they that's a natural PROGRESSI yeah, I'm gonna be a I'm gonna be a sportscaster, broadcast. I hear that all the time. And maybe they think it's because of their name, and maybe they think that that's a natural progression. But what I mean, how many, how many? How many athletes? How many? How many players are on one one NFL team.

Well, let's let's talk of that moment when you decide to do that. Because the athletes, many of them that I have spoken to in general, uh, you know, we all we all try to emulate what we see out there. And there's been some really great athletes who have paved the way they get sports and these amazing accomplishments they've had, but they paved their way as being broadcasters or Magic Johnson and doctor J investors and various other things like that. And I thought, from when I speak to athletes, a lot of them are like they that's a natural PROGRESSI yeah, I'm gonna be a I'm gonna be a sportscaster, broadcast. I hear that all the time. And maybe they think it's because of their name, and maybe they think that that's a natural progression. But what I mean, how many, how many? How many athletes? How many? How many players are on one one NFL team.

And fifty three fifty three guys on a roster, you know, the NFL roster. You multiply that by thirty two, whatever the math that is. I think they's close to what sixteen hundred guys in the NFL, And every given year there's about three hundred plus athletes that come in through the draft system. So that means for all the young rookies that are coming in, somebody's going out. So you have that kind of that cycle that makes the NFL what the NFL is. It's a young men's game, and so you do know that, you know, very few will get that opportunity to play. The ten years that I was drinking for average careers two and a half years, I'm throwing all that number, those numbers out because you realize it's a flooded market and everybody wants to get in and try to become this broadcaster because it feels like the natural progression. It is because look, you've invested over twenty years of your life in playing a sport that you absolutely love and then to be able to go back out there because you haven't invested much time in doing anything else because this was the dream. And so you say, okay, I've got this equity in knowledge in sports. Let me take that and talk about it. Not everybody can talk about it, not everybody can express themselves. Not everybody's made for television. Right, there's a great combination that you have to have. And you've seen this, you know where guys get kind of trapped like I just got to do this, I gotta do this, and they think about nothing else, so they haven't invested in the work that it takes to actually become a broadcaster. And there's a process. It's not just I'm here, I've arrived, because there are a lot of big name guys who we grew up loving in sports that aren't on television. And that's for a reason, and not because they're bad people, but A it's not for them, or B it's just not a skill set that they that they have.

And fifty three fifty three guys on a roster, you know, the NFL roster. You multiply that by thirty two, whatever the math that is. I think they's close to what sixteen hundred guys in the NFL, And every given year there's about three hundred plus athletes that come in through the draft system. So that means for all the young rookies that are coming in, somebody's going out. So you have that kind of that cycle that makes the NFL what the NFL is. It's a young men's game, and so you do know that, you know, very few will get that opportunity to play. The ten years that I was drinking for average careers two and a half years, I'm throwing all that number, those numbers out because you realize it's a flooded market and everybody wants to get in and try to become this broadcaster because it feels like the natural progression. It is because look, you've invested over twenty years of your life in playing a sport that you absolutely love and then to be able to go back out there because you haven't invested much time in doing anything else because this was the dream. And so you say, okay, I've got this equity in knowledge in sports. Let me take that and talk about it. Not everybody can talk about it, not everybody can express themselves. Not everybody's made for television. Right, there's a great combination that you have to have. And you've seen this, you know where guys get kind of trapped like I just got to do this, I gotta do this, and they think about nothing else, so they haven't invested in the work that it takes to actually become a broadcaster. And there's a process. It's not just I'm here, I've arrived, because there are a lot of big name guys who we grew up loving in sports that aren't on television. And that's for a reason, and not because they're bad people, but A it's not for them, or B it's just not a skill set that they that they have.

And so accurate about that, because I mean, if you really think about so let's look at the couple of careers that and you can elaborate on this that that athletes and we're not talking about we're talking about purely. Let's just so the NFL. I think there's a couple of different areas right there. I want to either be a coach or office, broadcasts or as thing. But if you broke down the sixteen hundred on average per year, there's athletes we all times ten, that's sixteen thousand people. Now, even if you're a broadcaster, right, it doesn't mean that somebody else from another genre, Stephen A. Smith or somebody else like that, is not gonna still take your show.

And so accurate about that, because I mean, if you really think about so let's look at the couple of careers that and you can elaborate on this that that athletes and we're not talking about we're talking about purely. Let's just so the NFL. I think there's a couple of different areas right there. I want to either be a coach or office, broadcasts or as thing. But if you broke down the sixteen hundred on average per year, there's athletes we all times ten, that's sixteen thousand people. Now, even if you're a broadcaster, right, it doesn't mean that somebody else from another genre, Stephen A. Smith or somebody else like that, is not gonna still take your show.

Yeah, it's competitive, it's super competitive, and there are only a certain amount of spots that are open. Right. If you look at the landscape of television, you know you've got your major networks and then they've got people already in those seats. So it's not like you know, there's a room for a bunch of people. Every year. There might be one or two opening, and some guys can hold a seat for a very long time, and you're sitting there like, man, that person's got to pretty much die off or retire before I get that opportunity. And by that time you might already be seven eight years out the game, you know, So then why you?

Yeah, it's competitive, it's super competitive, and there are only a certain amount of spots that are open. Right. If you look at the landscape of television, you know you've got your major networks and then they've got people already in those seats. So it's not like you know, there's a room for a bunch of people. Every year. There might be one or two opening, and some guys can hold a seat for a very long time, and you're sitting there like, man, that person's got to pretty much die off or retire before I get that opportunity. And by that time you might already be seven eight years out the game, you know, So then why you?

That's the question, right because when it, when it happened and they had that opportunity, was it more like I'm really gonna do this, or you know what, let me just throw my hat in the ring. Because this is one of the potential angles or or directions. I'm gonna go, why you? And why did you do it?

That's the question, right because when it, when it happened and they had that opportunity, was it more like I'm really gonna do this, or you know what, let me just throw my hat in the ring. Because this is one of the potential angles or or directions. I'm gonna go, why you? And why did you do it?

That's a great, great, great, great question, And I'm going to open up about a lot of the insecurities that I had. So you know, I told you that I wasn't a big name guy. You google me, you look it up. My stats were not impressive. I don't fit the category or that that that model for what a person transitions from from sports into into television because I don't have the accolades that you can constantly refer to. And but in my own mind, you know, everyone, you know, if you're an athlete, you suffer from some level of delusions of grandeur where you think you're bigger than than whatever. And so I did this this program at the Wharton School of Business through the NFL, and it was an executive program business program, and you know, I wanted to explore my option into business as well. You know, growing up in the Nigerian household, my parents, you know, were constantly talking about being both my parents were entrepreneurs, and so I wanted I was interested in that. And so anyways, I applied to to try to get a job an interview at ESPN, and I'll never forget Al Jaffee and Fred Brown they brought me in not because I played in the NFL, but because they saw Wharton Business program on my on my uh my resume, and they thought this is odd. So they brought me in. And I'm sitting here thinking like, you know, I'm about to be on ESPN. You can't tell me nothing. And so I go in and so they said, so we brought you in. We just wanted to meet with you, just kind of saying and say, yeah, I want to be the next Stuart Scott and uh uh Stewart of excuse me. Fred Brown stopped me right there. He goes, son, we already have a Stuart Scott. We don't need another Stuart Scott. He goes, so, what's your plan? Told him, I want to be on ESPN talk about football. He goes, why you Why shouldn't we let you on mare? And he just called me out and I was just like, he goes, what experience do you have? I'm like and I was just stuck. I mean literally I was fried in this interview. I'm like, oh my goodness. And he brought al Jackie in, who's at a big head hot show at ESPN, And they sat me down and just said, look, you need to go out there and get reps. You can't just walk in here thinking because you played in the NFL that somebody's just going to give you an opportunity. We really only brought you in because we saw Wharton and wanted to see what you were about. And they gave me a tour and told me to go, but that in a bad way. It was like, we'll show you around, showed me the satellite, showed me all the different studios, and walked me out. And as soon as I got back on that plane, I devised a plan. I go, Okay, be real with yourself. You didn't have a big name in the league. How can you get in? And so what I did was I went back to my home, my hometown, not my hometown, but the place where I went to schools and Diego. I had a year with the Chargers. I was a standout at San Diego State, and I said, this is where people know me here. Let me take the time to develop locally. I developed locally at the local stations. I did that for free for two years. I knocked on the door at NBC for free, for free, free, I knocked on the door, and I went and talked to the general manager at the local NBC and I said, Hey, can I do the postgame show for the Chargers and the Aztecs and I'll do it for free. Hired me on the spot, on the spot.

That's a great, great, great, great question, And I'm going to open up about a lot of the insecurities that I had. So you know, I told you that I wasn't a big name guy. You google me, you look it up. My stats were not impressive. I don't fit the category or that that that model for what a person transitions from from sports into into television because I don't have the accolades that you can constantly refer to. And but in my own mind, you know, everyone, you know, if you're an athlete, you suffer from some level of delusions of grandeur where you think you're bigger than than whatever. And so I did this this program at the Wharton School of Business through the NFL, and it was an executive program business program, and you know, I wanted to explore my option into business as well. You know, growing up in the Nigerian household, my parents, you know, were constantly talking about being both my parents were entrepreneurs, and so I wanted I was interested in that. And so anyways, I applied to to try to get a job an interview at ESPN, and I'll never forget Al Jaffee and Fred Brown they brought me in not because I played in the NFL, but because they saw Wharton Business program on my on my uh my resume, and they thought this is odd. So they brought me in. And I'm sitting here thinking like, you know, I'm about to be on ESPN. You can't tell me nothing. And so I go in and so they said, so we brought you in. We just wanted to meet with you, just kind of saying and say, yeah, I want to be the next Stuart Scott and uh uh Stewart of excuse me. Fred Brown stopped me right there. He goes, son, we already have a Stuart Scott. We don't need another Stuart Scott. He goes, so, what's your plan? Told him, I want to be on ESPN talk about football. He goes, why you Why shouldn't we let you on mare? And he just called me out and I was just like, he goes, what experience do you have? I'm like and I was just stuck. I mean literally I was fried in this interview. I'm like, oh my goodness. And he brought al Jackie in, who's at a big head hot show at ESPN, And they sat me down and just said, look, you need to go out there and get reps. You can't just walk in here thinking because you played in the NFL that somebody's just going to give you an opportunity. We really only brought you in because we saw Wharton and wanted to see what you were about. And they gave me a tour and told me to go, but that in a bad way. It was like, we'll show you around, showed me the satellite, showed me all the different studios, and walked me out. And as soon as I got back on that plane, I devised a plan. I go, Okay, be real with yourself. You didn't have a big name in the league. How can you get in? And so what I did was I went back to my home, my hometown, not my hometown, but the place where I went to schools and Diego. I had a year with the Chargers. I was a standout at San Diego State, and I said, this is where people know me here. Let me take the time to develop locally. I developed locally at the local stations. I did that for free for two years. I knocked on the door at NBC for free, for free, free, I knocked on the door, and I went and talked to the general manager at the local NBC and I said, Hey, can I do the postgame show for the Chargers and the Aztecs and I'll do it for free. Hired me on the spot, on the spot.

Well, it wasn't a higher.

Well, it wasn't a higher.

Yeah, yeah, right right, that's true, that's true.

Yeah, yeah, right right, that's true, that's true.

I got you all day, I got you all day. You want to hang out with me for free?

I got you all day, I got you all day. You want to hang out with me for free?

So I did it. I did that, and I knew that that was the only way that I was going to jump the line to get an opportunity, because I didn't think anyone else would compete with that. And so that's what got me in.

So I did it. I did that, and I knew that that was the only way that I was going to jump the line to get an opportunity, because I didn't think anyone else would compete with that. And so that's what got me in.

So, you know, and that's the whole purpose of that moment right to freeze and not to brush over this extremely extremely powerful things you've said here. And I want to make it very clear because everybody here listening, whoever you are, they want to pivot. I know, actors want to be athletes, Athletes want to be actors, singers want to be dancers, and dancers want to be singing. I mean, this is just it's a natural progression, especially if you are an A type personality. You are always looking for a challenge. However, very important people don't usually do exactly what you do, which is two things. Number one, hack yourself, ask yourself the tough question, why the hell am I gonna be in this room? Because they ask you something we are what do you have for us? We already have a what's senna? And I even noticed that with the president of my company, Ted right. You know, I'll have friends come up and say, hey, man, I got this business idea for Damon, and I'll be like, yo, make sure you're talking about man and whatever the case is, and he'll ask them questions and they get insulted. Yo, come on, Damon's my man. And you know what he says, he goes, you know, Damn's your friend and true, I'm only asking you questions if somebody else is going to ask you, And if they don't ask you, they're already thinking it. Wow, So do you want me to ask you in person or do you want damon and I have this conversation behind your back. Wow, And then they have to sit back and say, damn.

So, you know, and that's the whole purpose of that moment right to freeze and not to brush over this extremely extremely powerful things you've said here. And I want to make it very clear because everybody here listening, whoever you are, they want to pivot. I know, actors want to be athletes, Athletes want to be actors, singers want to be dancers, and dancers want to be singing. I mean, this is just it's a natural progression, especially if you are an A type personality. You are always looking for a challenge. However, very important people don't usually do exactly what you do, which is two things. Number one, hack yourself, ask yourself the tough question, why the hell am I gonna be in this room? Because they ask you something we are what do you have for us? We already have a what's senna? And I even noticed that with the president of my company, Ted right. You know, I'll have friends come up and say, hey, man, I got this business idea for Damon, and I'll be like, yo, make sure you're talking about man and whatever the case is, and he'll ask them questions and they get insulted. Yo, come on, Damon's my man. And you know what he says, he goes, you know, Damn's your friend and true, I'm only asking you questions if somebody else is going to ask you, And if they don't ask you, they're already thinking it. Wow, So do you want me to ask you in person or do you want damon and I have this conversation behind your back. Wow, And then they have to sit back and say, damn.

You know.

You know.

We have this thing of when we have to justify ourselves. Yes, I understand that that could be if you have to justify yourself and said for the wrong reasons. Why I'm not talking about that. When you have to justify why you are qualified as a man, whatever the case is, right, man, woman, whatever the case is. But when you have to justify the value that you offer to somebody, those people had a network that they have to be able to be able to consistently put out information. They have very skilled people. There you right now, at the moment nobody knew you. Why is your opinion? Was it whether it's your voice or your unique way of delivering it.

We have this thing of when we have to justify ourselves. Yes, I understand that that could be if you have to justify yourself and said for the wrong reasons. Why I'm not talking about that. When you have to justify why you are qualified as a man, whatever the case is, right, man, woman, whatever the case is. But when you have to justify the value that you offer to somebody, those people had a network that they have to be able to be able to consistently put out information. They have very skilled people. There you right now, at the moment nobody knew you. Why is your opinion? Was it whether it's your voice or your unique way of delivering it.

Or your homework?

Or your homework?

Why is their of value? A lot of us don't want to ask the tough question of why me, why this? And why now?

Why is their of value? A lot of us don't want to ask the tough question of why me, why this? And why now?

Yeah? And the other part time too, is the sacrifice. There's a sacrifice element too, and.

Yeah? And the other part time too, is the sacrifice. There's a sacrifice element too, and.

Are you ready to rock? And that's the next one, because you know when you decided listen, whether nobody nobody knew you or not, you're still You were still and you are now, but you were still a star. You were still somebody who went from team to team, somebody who played at the highest level and the NFL was behind you. Right. So I know people who think they're just a star in the hood because you know whatever the reason, right, because they used to because they were known as the one who wore the freshest sneakers in high school and they refused to work in a grocery store in bad groceries. Right, What made you decide to say, yo, I do this for free? Because you know, my buddy Jay will say ego means edging God out right, because you don't want to accept certain things, right, and you you know your ego could have been Yo, that's aw ball, man.

Are you ready to rock? And that's the next one, because you know when you decided listen, whether nobody nobody knew you or not, you're still You were still and you are now, but you were still a star. You were still somebody who went from team to team, somebody who played at the highest level and the NFL was behind you. Right. So I know people who think they're just a star in the hood because you know whatever the reason, right, because they used to because they were known as the one who wore the freshest sneakers in high school and they refused to work in a grocery store in bad groceries. Right, What made you decide to say, yo, I do this for free? Because you know, my buddy Jay will say ego means edging God out right, because you don't want to accept certain things, right, and you you know your ego could have been Yo, that's aw ball, man.

I heard.

I heard.

Even though nobody knows you're doing the refree, some people's ego is so big that they like, man, I know that. I know the head of that the local TV station privately like this. Everybody, Yeah, you know, awkward missus superstar. He over here working for free. He begged me for a job, and that could have held you back from even this chance. That this chance wasn't a guarantee. It was just a chance, because they could have cut your ass, just like in football the first week. What made you put that ego aside? In the town that you are already known, you were definitely a superstar in the town you went to. What made you put that ego aside?

Even though nobody knows you're doing the refree, some people's ego is so big that they like, man, I know that. I know the head of that the local TV station privately like this. Everybody, Yeah, you know, awkward missus superstar. He over here working for free. He begged me for a job, and that could have held you back from even this chance. That this chance wasn't a guarantee. It was just a chance, because they could have cut your ass, just like in football the first week. What made you put that ego aside? In the town that you are already known, you were definitely a superstar in the town you went to. What made you put that ego aside?

I wanted it badly, honestly, because I like there was something. You know, when you gravitate, you want something like a little kid and candy store. Who wants something so bad? Heck, he's even willing to steal it because he wants it badly and he knows it's wrong. Right, I wanted it badly, and so for me there was no pride really in it or ego in it. It was just I was hyper focused on it. And some people may say, well, you know it's easy because you had money, you could work for free. Well, yes, I did play in the NFL, but I didn't make that kind of money that I could sacrifice not working for two years, right, I mean.

I wanted it badly, honestly, because I like there was something. You know, when you gravitate, you want something like a little kid and candy store. Who wants something so bad? Heck, he's even willing to steal it because he wants it badly and he knows it's wrong. Right, I wanted it badly, and so for me there was no pride really in it or ego in it. It was just I was hyper focused on it. And some people may say, well, you know it's easy because you had money, you could work for free. Well, yes, I did play in the NFL, but I didn't make that kind of money that I could sacrifice not working for two years, right, I mean.

Who laughed at you? Who laughed at you the who who? Because you know you being some who you are? Right, it is kind of like, oh ah, you're returning home. Some people could have said that. Some people are gonna said, what the hell are you doing? You were fortunate enough to get where you were. By the way, your brother is much better than you.

Who laughed at you? Who laughed at you the who who? Because you know you being some who you are? Right, it is kind of like, oh ah, you're returning home. Some people could have said that. Some people are gonna said, what the hell are you doing? You were fortunate enough to get where you were. By the way, your brother is much better than you.

I got that a lot, so you.

I got that a lot, so you.

Oh, I'm gonna tell you to you right now. I don't even know your brother, but I'm gonna tell you suck. Just just a thought it at you?

Oh, I'm gonna tell you to you right now. I don't even know your brother, but I'm gonna tell you suck. Just just a thought it at you?

You suck?

You suck?

So what you're doing? Who laughed at you? How many laughed at you? And even if they did, it's fine, right even if it was one? How did you say? I don't care, man, there's a bigger goal right now.

So what you're doing? Who laughed at you? How many laughed at you? And even if they did, it's fine, right even if it was one? How did you say? I don't care, man, there's a bigger goal right now.

You know. I'm sure there were people laughing at me. But to be honest with you, I don't know who laughed because I wasn't paying attention to them. I really didn't pay attention to them because it was just I was being surgical with it. I was just going from one show after the next trying to get better. And it's funny because damon, I would wait literally and sometimes a couple of hours after the show for them to give me my tape, and at the time it was TAKEE, I was like, I need my tape because oh yeah, we'll get it to you. I would sit there and just be messing around, talking to everybody until I got my tape because I knew that's what I needed. I need to be able to compile enough tape and then go back and watch myself. And I saw the progression too, So there was nothing on the peripheral that mattered outside of what I was doing. And I didn't have a lot of distractions. I was a single man. I didn't have anything going on, so I could just focus in on that and develop that. And after two years, you know, I got the next pump. And I remember walking meeting Michael Wilbond, who's on part in the Interruption at ESPN. I met him and his wife at an sb's event and he told me, after I put in my two years, and I'm thinking, all right, I put in my two years for free, and he says, it will take you about five years before you hit your stride in this business? Are you willing to wait that long? And his wife gave him a slap on and she's like, baby, why would you tell him that? Why would you say that to him and break that kid's heart like that. I still remember we're in the back room and I had just met Mike Tyson and my eyes were like wide open, and then I saw Michael Wilbon and he told me that. I was like, dang, I got three more years to go before I hit my shrine. And as God is my witness, almost to the mark of five years. Three years later, that's when I got Ninjanem where I got an interdup, where I got Ninjaview.

You know. I'm sure there were people laughing at me. But to be honest with you, I don't know who laughed because I wasn't paying attention to them. I really didn't pay attention to them because it was just I was being surgical with it. I was just going from one show after the next trying to get better. And it's funny because damon, I would wait literally and sometimes a couple of hours after the show for them to give me my tape, and at the time it was TAKEE, I was like, I need my tape because oh yeah, we'll get it to you. I would sit there and just be messing around, talking to everybody until I got my tape because I knew that's what I needed. I need to be able to compile enough tape and then go back and watch myself. And I saw the progression too, So there was nothing on the peripheral that mattered outside of what I was doing. And I didn't have a lot of distractions. I was a single man. I didn't have anything going on, so I could just focus in on that and develop that. And after two years, you know, I got the next pump. And I remember walking meeting Michael Wilbond, who's on part in the Interruption at ESPN. I met him and his wife at an sb's event and he told me, after I put in my two years, and I'm thinking, all right, I put in my two years for free, and he says, it will take you about five years before you hit your stride in this business? Are you willing to wait that long? And his wife gave him a slap on and she's like, baby, why would you tell him that? Why would you say that to him and break that kid's heart like that. I still remember we're in the back room and I had just met Mike Tyson and my eyes were like wide open, and then I saw Michael Wilbon and he told me that. I was like, dang, I got three more years to go before I hit my shrine. And as God is my witness, almost to the mark of five years. Three years later, that's when I got Ninjanem where I got an interdup, where I got Ninjaview.

That's when I got Ninja warrior it It and then and that's where that's where you start to see and that and that's what happens. You sort out the people that don't have the endurance and that same business, right, I think I think business is about five or six years. Used to be eight. But with the advent of all the way the things are, yeah, the way that things are moving really fast, it takes about five years to really about six to hit your stride. You know, you know you're starting year one, year two, year three, you hope to be in business. Year four you're starting to correct the business. And year five and six you're starting to grow the business. And then you're starting to say, Okay, we got this, you know, and and I think that that's critical. And so now Ninja, uh you know, uh Ninja Warrior, Now, how did that happened? Was it because you were a competitor Broadcat? Was it all combined? Like how did you get to that level? And how many rejections or how many things did you apply for? It didn't have to be a rejection, maybe they had already casted somebody. How many things did you apply to getting up to that point?

That's when I got Ninja warrior it It and then and that's where that's where you start to see and that and that's what happens. You sort out the people that don't have the endurance and that same business, right, I think I think business is about five or six years. Used to be eight. But with the advent of all the way the things are, yeah, the way that things are moving really fast, it takes about five years to really about six to hit your stride. You know, you know you're starting year one, year two, year three, you hope to be in business. Year four you're starting to correct the business. And year five and six you're starting to grow the business. And then you're starting to say, Okay, we got this, you know, and and I think that that's critical. And so now Ninja, uh you know, uh Ninja Warrior, Now, how did that happened? Was it because you were a competitor Broadcat? Was it all combined? Like how did you get to that level? And how many rejections or how many things did you apply for? It didn't have to be a rejection, maybe they had already casted somebody. How many things did you apply to getting up to that point?

And tell me a lot that that is exactly what I believe helped me get into the front door or helped me get that opportunity for Ninja worried, But I was doing I was working at the NFL network, and at that point I felt like, man, I made it to the NFL network, and you know, I'm catching my stride. And somebody said, you know, spotted me on the NFL network and say, hey, we should get this guy an audition. I go in in audition, but you know, being in Los Angeles, you going in on a million auditions. I've auditioned for everything, right, and I got no a million times. Of course, I'm exaggerating a little hyperbolic there, but you get the point rejection after rejection. And it's an interesting thing about rejection because after a while you can come you can be a little bit and you can be a little numb to it, right because it's like, oh whatever, I gotta say no. So this time when Ninja came around, I was just like, all right, I'll go on this audition. But I was my mind wasn't like so I wasn't so pent up like I gotta get this job, I gotta get this job. I just came in there and I just literally came as myself, and it was something that I learned in that process because I'm a huge WWE fan and so the inspiration of how I call the Ninja Warrior calls is inspired by my youth of watching WWE and listening to the announcers was my favorite part of the WWE experience outside of Hawkogen and Macho Man and those guys. But I went in there and did my version of that, like just the way Awkward would and I was just literally just clowning around having fun, like oh my goodness, look at that guy. That guy just swapped around like a popsy, you know, just just going off and going crazy, walked out, think everybody's hands, you know, shit, everybody's head cool, Thanks, guys, didn't even think twice about it. And I get a phone call two weeks later, say, hey, you're going to be the host, you know, a host on American Ninja Warrior. And I'm going, wait, what, like that's where so I think I came in there, not like with my butt all tight and just you know, so like focused to where I couldn't beat me, and uh, it was the rejection that allowed me just to go whatever like and so yeah, so the real meat was able to shine through.

And tell me a lot that that is exactly what I believe helped me get into the front door or helped me get that opportunity for Ninja worried, But I was doing I was working at the NFL network, and at that point I felt like, man, I made it to the NFL network, and you know, I'm catching my stride. And somebody said, you know, spotted me on the NFL network and say, hey, we should get this guy an audition. I go in in audition, but you know, being in Los Angeles, you going in on a million auditions. I've auditioned for everything, right, and I got no a million times. Of course, I'm exaggerating a little hyperbolic there, but you get the point rejection after rejection. And it's an interesting thing about rejection because after a while you can come you can be a little bit and you can be a little numb to it, right because it's like, oh whatever, I gotta say no. So this time when Ninja came around, I was just like, all right, I'll go on this audition. But I was my mind wasn't like so I wasn't so pent up like I gotta get this job, I gotta get this job. I just came in there and I just literally came as myself, and it was something that I learned in that process because I'm a huge WWE fan and so the inspiration of how I call the Ninja Warrior calls is inspired by my youth of watching WWE and listening to the announcers was my favorite part of the WWE experience outside of Hawkogen and Macho Man and those guys. But I went in there and did my version of that, like just the way Awkward would and I was just literally just clowning around having fun, like oh my goodness, look at that guy. That guy just swapped around like a popsy, you know, just just going off and going crazy, walked out, think everybody's hands, you know, shit, everybody's head cool, Thanks, guys, didn't even think twice about it. And I get a phone call two weeks later, say, hey, you're going to be the host, you know, a host on American Ninja Warrior. And I'm going, wait, what, like that's where so I think I came in there, not like with my butt all tight and just you know, so like focused to where I couldn't beat me, and uh, it was the rejection that allowed me just to go whatever like and so yeah, so the real meat was able to shine through.

I get that, and I think the people could take away from that. Don't ever walk into an interview with a tight butt. I think that that's what you're trying to say. And but now all of a sudden, you know, this thing is going great, and you have the audacity to want to go and be, you know, on the talk as a host. Now in the woria clearly a lot of things that work with you. You know, you are definitely a very competitive person, whatever the cases. But now all of a sudden you're trying to go onto a talk show and there's only a couple of African Americans allowed in Hollywood. Uh, and now we're already busy here. We got my we have Turry Cruz, we have Nick Cannon, Terrence J and Damon John. You're definitely not as cute as Damon John or as short as Damon John. Why the hell would you want to go? How dare you come into our area simultaneously? You should be have you with what you got?

I get that, and I think the people could take away from that. Don't ever walk into an interview with a tight butt. I think that that's what you're trying to say. And but now all of a sudden, you know, this thing is going great, and you have the audacity to want to go and be, you know, on the talk as a host. Now in the woria clearly a lot of things that work with you. You know, you are definitely a very competitive person, whatever the cases. But now all of a sudden you're trying to go onto a talk show and there's only a couple of African Americans allowed in Hollywood. Uh, and now we're already busy here. We got my we have Turry Cruz, we have Nick Cannon, Terrence J and Damon John. You're definitely not as cute as Damon John or as short as Damon John. Why the hell would you want to go? How dare you come into our area simultaneously? You should be have you with what you got?

Yeah, I will tell you that's that's actually what kind of gets me going. I actually like when people tell me you can't do something. And so there are a lot of people and any people on my team at the time that didn't believe in me doing it. And the more you tell me I can't, the more I pushed towards. I'll show you. For example, you and I met a several years back, and you introduced me to your literary agent, which I'm forever grateful. But at the time I was with this mega you know, uh agency that didn't believe in my book idea. And I went and pitched my book to this mega Hollywood agency and the agent was about twenty minutes late to the meeting, laughed at me, sat back like, ah, yeah, whatever, whatever, okay, and so it was your reference, Kirsten who sat with me and said, we love this idea, we love it and turned around and the book came to life, and it was a pretty sweet deal for me. And it was like, oh my goodness. Like but it was that like, just because one person doesn't believe in you doesn't mean that that's it. And no matter how big the name or how big the title, and this was a big Hollywood agency, I was like, so what. And so I pushed through that and so I wanted to be able to make that pivot because to me, it was it was a I had a story to tell. B you know, there was a lot that goes into it was a new skill set for me. So just like you know, transitioning into the talk, it was a new skill set something that I grew up watching, you know, on ABC at three pm Oprah Winfrey growing up. You know, I was like, I would love to do this, and that opportunity came around, I went towards it. When everybody says, no, stay in this lane. And so I've had the thought and the vision that I didn't want to just be the guy who was a former athlete. You me mentioned you know, Terry Crews. Terry Crews I think has done a phenomenal job. Michael Strahan, who I consider a random mentor who like transitioned out of sports and not necessarily just being defined as just a one dimensional person. And I think that's that's the society we live in, right. You do have to be you have to have, you know, a multitude things that you're able to do. And so that's an area that I felt like I had a lot to offer, I have a lot to say. I wanted to be able to join the conversation, especially as I sat back and watch the conversation become so confrontational these days. It's just like you bloods or you crip. Like you know, I grew up in a crypt neighborhood and it was just like you one or the other. What neighborhood do you live in? I'm like, how come we just can't have a conversation instead of there's all of this confrontation. And so that was my motivation, that was the genesis of I want to get into the talk show space because I want to be able to add a different element to it, which is conversation over confrontation.

Yeah, I will tell you that's that's actually what kind of gets me going. I actually like when people tell me you can't do something. And so there are a lot of people and any people on my team at the time that didn't believe in me doing it. And the more you tell me I can't, the more I pushed towards. I'll show you. For example, you and I met a several years back, and you introduced me to your literary agent, which I'm forever grateful. But at the time I was with this mega you know, uh agency that didn't believe in my book idea. And I went and pitched my book to this mega Hollywood agency and the agent was about twenty minutes late to the meeting, laughed at me, sat back like, ah, yeah, whatever, whatever, okay, and so it was your reference, Kirsten who sat with me and said, we love this idea, we love it and turned around and the book came to life, and it was a pretty sweet deal for me. And it was like, oh my goodness. Like but it was that like, just because one person doesn't believe in you doesn't mean that that's it. And no matter how big the name or how big the title, and this was a big Hollywood agency, I was like, so what. And so I pushed through that and so I wanted to be able to make that pivot because to me, it was it was a I had a story to tell. B you know, there was a lot that goes into it was a new skill set for me. So just like you know, transitioning into the talk, it was a new skill set something that I grew up watching, you know, on ABC at three pm Oprah Winfrey growing up. You know, I was like, I would love to do this, and that opportunity came around, I went towards it. When everybody says, no, stay in this lane. And so I've had the thought and the vision that I didn't want to just be the guy who was a former athlete. You me mentioned you know, Terry Crews. Terry Crews I think has done a phenomenal job. Michael Strahan, who I consider a random mentor who like transitioned out of sports and not necessarily just being defined as just a one dimensional person. And I think that's that's the society we live in, right. You do have to be you have to have, you know, a multitude things that you're able to do. And so that's an area that I felt like I had a lot to offer, I have a lot to say. I wanted to be able to join the conversation, especially as I sat back and watch the conversation become so confrontational these days. It's just like you bloods or you crip. Like you know, I grew up in a crypt neighborhood and it was just like you one or the other. What neighborhood do you live in? I'm like, how come we just can't have a conversation instead of there's all of this confrontation. And so that was my motivation, that was the genesis of I want to get into the talk show space because I want to be able to add a different element to it, which is conversation over confrontation.

Well, well, let me ask you something about how you know I love the fact that and you're just like, like I believe you. Just you know, you kiss another frog until they find value, until you find the right frog, or you go down the line. But the question becomes when you get turned down by the big agency or not even turned down. They just was like, you're not when you go to somebody else, do you go with what you currently got turned down with or do you go in a room, look at the tape and say, how do I reassess this delivery or my value proposition for the next frog I'm going to kiss. Because some people will say, all right, well I'm just taking this over here. I'm just taking this over here. Well I'm just taking this over here, and they don't. They're so caught up on what they want to accomplish where they're not thinking, how am I adjusting this for the next person or people.

Well, well, let me ask you something about how you know I love the fact that and you're just like, like I believe you. Just you know, you kiss another frog until they find value, until you find the right frog, or you go down the line. But the question becomes when you get turned down by the big agency or not even turned down. They just was like, you're not when you go to somebody else, do you go with what you currently got turned down with or do you go in a room, look at the tape and say, how do I reassess this delivery or my value proposition for the next frog I'm going to kiss. Because some people will say, all right, well I'm just taking this over here. I'm just taking this over here. Well I'm just taking this over here, and they don't. They're so caught up on what they want to accomplish where they're not thinking, how am I adjusting this for the next person or people.

I'm gonna tell you, the hardest person to get to know is yourself. And that's because God has given us all of us denial, and so we can deny the things that are painful for us to realize. And I think the greatest thing that ever happened to me in my life is a having both my parents in the house, but having my father as a person who just kind of instilled discipline in me, and then making sure we played sports. And it was making us play sports so we could a keep us out of the streets, but the discipline that came behind it. And there's something when you play football, there's this word accountability and not only just having people keep you accountable, but you have to keep yourself accountable as well. And so when this agency laughed at me, of course, it made me reassess my delivery for the next time I had a story to tell. I had to be honest with the story that I was getting ready to tell, and it made me reassess and redelivered. I didn't shift it a lot, but I shifted enough to make it to where, you know, my literary agent goes, I love this story. We can do something with this.

I'm gonna tell you, the hardest person to get to know is yourself. And that's because God has given us all of us denial, and so we can deny the things that are painful for us to realize. And I think the greatest thing that ever happened to me in my life is a having both my parents in the house, but having my father as a person who just kind of instilled discipline in me, and then making sure we played sports. And it was making us play sports so we could a keep us out of the streets, but the discipline that came behind it. And there's something when you play football, there's this word accountability and not only just having people keep you accountable, but you have to keep yourself accountable as well. And so when this agency laughed at me, of course, it made me reassess my delivery for the next time I had a story to tell. I had to be honest with the story that I was getting ready to tell, and it made me reassess and redelivered. I didn't shift it a lot, but I shifted enough to make it to where, you know, my literary agent goes, I love this story. We can do something with this.

In mistakes, right, you know, we know that sixty five percent of players are bankrupt after leaving the league. Now that could be for various reasons. That could be three years after leaving the league. That could be because they were not a big player, and you know, they did not make a lot of money as people perceived they could have been a bench person. Or most likely they didn't have financial intelligence because our country doesn't give us financial intelligence in the school, And like you said, for twenty years you're being taught and or you are being the best physical and the mental and competitive specimen you can. You can't learn everything at the same time. Or they have the wrong people around them, and they think that when they get to this level, everybody else is supposed to handle it. Or maybe they're not taking advantage of the programs at the and or the mentors that are in there. Well, you know, what do you think are a combination of the things that the young men and women in sports don't maybe don't take advantage of them.

In mistakes, right, you know, we know that sixty five percent of players are bankrupt after leaving the league. Now that could be for various reasons. That could be three years after leaving the league. That could be because they were not a big player, and you know, they did not make a lot of money as people perceived they could have been a bench person. Or most likely they didn't have financial intelligence because our country doesn't give us financial intelligence in the school, And like you said, for twenty years you're being taught and or you are being the best physical and the mental and competitive specimen you can. You can't learn everything at the same time. Or they have the wrong people around them, and they think that when they get to this level, everybody else is supposed to handle it. Or maybe they're not taking advantage of the programs at the and or the mentors that are in there. Well, you know, what do you think are a combination of the things that the young men and women in sports don't maybe don't take advantage of them.

They should. They should consider it's social equity, right, there's this social equity that every athlete, no matter how big a name you are, right, because that's kind of how we are judged. There's this system of you know, you know, your bench guy, your main guy, how much you get paid, so on, so, but you all have social equity. So whenever I talk to young athletes, I tell them I don't care if you're the fifty third guy on the roster and you're barely making the team. You can call any CEO and I bet you you'll get a meeting because like such and such player from the Seattle Seahawks are from the Las Vegas Raiders want to meet with me. This is interesting. I'll take this meeting. You're not just going to get like you know, scooted away. They'll take the meeting because you have social equity. So I tell guys, while you're in the league and you have that platform, utilize your social equity. But they don't see the value in it because they see, you know, what kind of name brand clothes they can wear on their chest, stend their shoes, and the bags that they carry on the plane and all the other you know, you know, crazy stuff that they put value in. But that's the real value. Because I'll tell you something, Damn the minute you leave, I'm gonna call it two weeks after you're done out of the league. Maybe that's too much time, but I'll say two weeks. Nobody cares because they're off to sniff the next jock. Just being I'm keeping it real. They're off to sniff the next jock and they don't care about you and you were literally and that's pretty cold because it's it's weird because that's how I felt. It was just like, whoa Like the same access I had when I was playing, I don't have the same access when I'm not playing. Wait a second, do you mean to tell me I'm not like, you don't really care about me. You care about my status, you care about my you know, my affiliation. And I was like, and so many players go through this depression when they leave because they get a root awakening. And I don't care how many m's you got behind your bank account, right, there's still the person that you have to deal with. And when you see people are off to the next big thing and the next new star and they're not responding to your phone calls the way they did just a month ago, You're like, it's it's mind blowing. And you start to, you know, try to try to reorganize. And so I tell guys, it's underutilized, it's undervalue. Like doing the off season, I know that there's so much pressure, like you got to get better, you got to get better. I mean, you can take two weeks out of the off season to create relationships, to plan the vision of where you want to be when your career is over plant the seed. I'll tell you the story, because Troy polam Malo, big time Hall of Famer. He's Troy pola Malo. Troy polam Malo I was doing. I had a meeting at this big production company and they make movies, all the big movies in Hollywood and whatever. And I'm there to take a meeting and this guy who runs his place, he's an sc alum and so anyways, they said take a seat and he'll come, you know, they'll come and get you. And as I'm backing up to turn and sit down a seat, I turn around and say, oh, I said, Troy, what you're doing here? Man? He goes, oh, I'm interning here. And this is in the middle of his career. Like this is, you know, towards the end of his career, but in the middle. I'm like, what are you doing here? And you would and he's just with a cup of coffees, just strolling through the thing, you know, doing his internship there. And I'm like, this is I mean, this is a guy who's not hurting for cash, who's not hurting for status or anything. But he's out there saying and tell I don't know what if he was testing it or he was moving in that direction. But I thought, this is how it's done, This is exactly how sim But some guys just feel themselves so much like you know, you get Nike and Adidas and under Arment. Everybody just coming at you. We want to we want to be attached to you. We want to be attached to you. So you think that everybody owes you something, that everybody should come to you when you have the equity and the power and the influence to go and you have the ability to do the outreach.

They should. They should consider it's social equity, right, there's this social equity that every athlete, no matter how big a name you are, right, because that's kind of how we are judged. There's this system of you know, you know, your bench guy, your main guy, how much you get paid, so on, so, but you all have social equity. So whenever I talk to young athletes, I tell them I don't care if you're the fifty third guy on the roster and you're barely making the team. You can call any CEO and I bet you you'll get a meeting because like such and such player from the Seattle Seahawks are from the Las Vegas Raiders want to meet with me. This is interesting. I'll take this meeting. You're not just going to get like you know, scooted away. They'll take the meeting because you have social equity. So I tell guys, while you're in the league and you have that platform, utilize your social equity. But they don't see the value in it because they see, you know, what kind of name brand clothes they can wear on their chest, stend their shoes, and the bags that they carry on the plane and all the other you know, you know, crazy stuff that they put value in. But that's the real value. Because I'll tell you something, Damn the minute you leave, I'm gonna call it two weeks after you're done out of the league. Maybe that's too much time, but I'll say two weeks. Nobody cares because they're off to sniff the next jock. Just being I'm keeping it real. They're off to sniff the next jock and they don't care about you and you were literally and that's pretty cold because it's it's weird because that's how I felt. It was just like, whoa Like the same access I had when I was playing, I don't have the same access when I'm not playing. Wait a second, do you mean to tell me I'm not like, you don't really care about me. You care about my status, you care about my you know, my affiliation. And I was like, and so many players go through this depression when they leave because they get a root awakening. And I don't care how many m's you got behind your bank account, right, there's still the person that you have to deal with. And when you see people are off to the next big thing and the next new star and they're not responding to your phone calls the way they did just a month ago, You're like, it's it's mind blowing. And you start to, you know, try to try to reorganize. And so I tell guys, it's underutilized, it's undervalue. Like doing the off season, I know that there's so much pressure, like you got to get better, you got to get better. I mean, you can take two weeks out of the off season to create relationships, to plan the vision of where you want to be when your career is over plant the seed. I'll tell you the story, because Troy polam Malo, big time Hall of Famer. He's Troy pola Malo. Troy polam Malo I was doing. I had a meeting at this big production company and they make movies, all the big movies in Hollywood and whatever. And I'm there to take a meeting and this guy who runs his place, he's an sc alum and so anyways, they said take a seat and he'll come, you know, they'll come and get you. And as I'm backing up to turn and sit down a seat, I turn around and say, oh, I said, Troy, what you're doing here? Man? He goes, oh, I'm interning here. And this is in the middle of his career. Like this is, you know, towards the end of his career, but in the middle. I'm like, what are you doing here? And you would and he's just with a cup of coffees, just strolling through the thing, you know, doing his internship there. And I'm like, this is I mean, this is a guy who's not hurting for cash, who's not hurting for status or anything. But he's out there saying and tell I don't know what if he was testing it or he was moving in that direction. But I thought, this is how it's done, This is exactly how sim But some guys just feel themselves so much like you know, you get Nike and Adidas and under Arment. Everybody just coming at you. We want to we want to be attached to you. We want to be attached to you. So you think that everybody owes you something, that everybody should come to you when you have the equity and the power and the influence to go and you have the ability to do the outreach.

That is so powerful because of course me not knowing the business. I mean, so I've always said something very similar to one part of what you're saying, But I mean, you just really brought it home. I always said, and this may not be the same in football, but I always when I talk to basketball players, I always say, guys, you know you got you got rows of people front the first three rods that are really wealthy. They're very connected. They have a lot of access to industries and various things, and they know you. They got this season ticket holders. And I know that that's different from you guys, because you're further away. And I was like, why aren't you talking to them saying and even college wus right, Hey can you give me advice? Or how can I be of service? And whatever the case is, to get to know them, because they don't need you, and to get to know them. But I think that you said something even way more powerful. You don't They don't have to be the front line. You don't have to be right there. You can call somebody on the other side of the country because you have a level of interest in whatever their businesses are.

That is so powerful because of course me not knowing the business. I mean, so I've always said something very similar to one part of what you're saying, But I mean, you just really brought it home. I always said, and this may not be the same in football, but I always when I talk to basketball players, I always say, guys, you know you got you got rows of people front the first three rods that are really wealthy. They're very connected. They have a lot of access to industries and various things, and they know you. They got this season ticket holders. And I know that that's different from you guys, because you're further away. And I was like, why aren't you talking to them saying and even college wus right, Hey can you give me advice? Or how can I be of service? And whatever the case is, to get to know them, because they don't need you, and to get to know them. But I think that you said something even way more powerful. You don't They don't have to be the front line. You don't have to be right there. You can call somebody on the other side of the country because you have a level of interest in whatever their businesses are.

If the fifty third man on a team, let's just say I don't know Cincinnati Bengals and you get a call to you know, either to you or your assistant and says, hey, such and such from the Cincinnati Bengals want to wants to meet with you. How do you respond to that? Honestly, like on the spot, how would you respond to that?

If the fifty third man on a team, let's just say I don't know Cincinnati Bengals and you get a call to you know, either to you or your assistant and says, hey, such and such from the Cincinnati Bengals want to wants to meet with you. How do you respond to that? Honestly, like on the spot, how would you respond to that?

I would say, what does you want?

I would say, what does you want?

You want to learn how to start a business?

You want to learn how to start a business?

I would say, probably send him over to one of my guys or let me ask my guys about him. But that is way different than somebody who may not be because of somebody who was not from the Cincinnati Bengals fifty third player. I always say, please go to damon and damage on dot com. Please put in there what your intent is and if we have a level of interest so we feel that we can add support a value, give you resources, will send it to you. But it definitely wouldn't have been sent into one of my guys or girls because I can't do that all day. So yeah, they would. They would get to the point where and if they do have something of value, you'll get right to me immediately. The other people most likely, because I get one hundred of those calls of a day, I would have to put them into a certain area where we can hopefully, you know, extract exactly where we can be of service. If not, I'll just be.