After making an immediate impact with the Badgers in 2002 — being named a second-team freshman All-American — he became one of the leading receivers in the Big Ten as a senior, surpassing 1,000 yards receiving and returning two punts for touchdowns. Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2006, he also played for the Steelers and Rams before returning to Madison. Since then he’s become a financial guru and sports commentator, and host of the popular Gridiron GQ podcast.
Rank your top five MCs. Wow, top five MC’s is a question I haven’t had in awhile. I don’t listen to much rap anymore, but when I do, this is who I listen to. The last one, I’m kinda biased about. I’ve known him since I was nine, and helped start his label.
- 2Pac
- Biggie
- Jay-Z
- J. Cole
- McKeem
Which motivates you more: doubters or supporters? What motivates me more are my supporters. Honestly they are the reason why I do what I do. I am a very positive spirit and I try and “kill ‘em with kindness,” so seeing the smiles on people’s faces and hearing the joy in my family’s voice because they are proud of something I’ve done pushes me everyday to recreate those moments.
What does it mean to be an African American in Madison? From my perspective, being an African American in Madison means opportunity. I see so much opportunity for African Americans to evoke change in this community that is under represented in so many areas. From government, to the school system, to the new start up community, diversity is necessary and all Madison needs is people of color to show up. My experience here has been nothing but positive. From connecting with the affluent African Americans to the white community, and now I see a huge Latino community that is stepping up to the plate. In this city, people respect doing the right thing, hard work and results.
What three leaders in Madison under 50 have impressed you the most? Israel Lopez is a young man who is very impressive. His Chins Up organization is helping a lot of youth in this city.
Tremayne Clardy, principal at Sennett Middle School, is doing an excellent job in my eyes, and I look forward to working with him on some projects.
Dr. Jerlando Jackson’s work at the University of Wisconsin to help create an environment of diversity and cultural change in the athletic department will live long after he leaves. The BTG program has already created many opportunities for student athletes.
What’s the biggest stumbling block in Madison to turning the corner on our racial disparities? To me the biggest stumbling block is execution. I’m from Saint Louis, so I have seen a city that has struggled with racial issues for many years. Unless you have a group of committed people who can execute the ideas they come up with, you won’t be able to create energy and a movement. But these activities must be fresh and inclusive within the community.
What are your top three priorities at this point in your life? My life has had a lot of ups and downs over the past six years since leaving the NFL. I am blessed to have made it through all of it to be connecting with you right now. I would say my top three priorities in life right now are to:
- Help any and every athlete to create a mindset that helps them create financial freedom. Since leaving the NFL and experiencing financial ruin, I have vowed to dedicate my life’s work to engaging, entertaining and empowering people, but specifically the athlete community. About 70 percent of NFL players will have financial issues within five years of leaving the NFL. That is scary, and I want to be a part of the solution.
- Become one of the best sports analyst on TV, radio and the internet. Communicating the game of football to millions of fans has been a passion of mine for some time.
- Be the best husband and father I can be. I think that can be accomplished by truly following my purpose, which is to follow the word of GOD.
You hold the record at UW Madison for most career receptions. What was the secret to your consistency? It is still crazy to me that I hold records in this program, because I honestly never thought about them until I was on the cusp of breaking them. Especially when you look at the great talent that came before me and after me, it is really an honor. The secret for me, though, was health. I never missed a game during my career. Now I had some significant injuries, even surgeries, but no missed games and I’m very proud to say that. From day one I came in with a mentality that I was going to start as a freshman and I accomplished that.
On any all-time Badgers football team, you are the number one starting receiver. Who would be your starting quarterback, backfield, and opposite receiver? This is something I’ve never thought about but it’s an awesome question.
Starting Quarterback: Russell Wilson
Running Back: Dwayne Smith
WR: Lee Evans
What made you write your book, A Millionaire Mindset? I have a true passion for the athlete community when it comes to creating a mindset that creates financial freedom. I was a statistic; I was one of the ones who dealt with financial ruin. It should have never happened, so I believe we can change a culture that has created bad habits around money by starting the education process a lot earlier in life. My motto is, “10-year-old to 10-year veteran.” So I wrote my book to be simple and straightforward. I have seen things like 30 for 30 and other books about athletes’ financial troubles, which only told us about the problem, but none of them gave us proven strategies and tips to work toward a solution. So I feel my book is part of the solution.
What are three tips you have for people when it comes to money?
- Release the fear. The number one reason why people struggle with finances is because of fear. They let self doubt and haters and even family deter them from pursuing their great ideas. Every year each person comes up with four ideas that would change their lives, if they would actually take action on one of them.
- You can’t rely on one stream of income. Everybody must create at least three streams of income: 1. Your job, which is your seed capital 2. Some type of investment that grows while your sleep, like life insurance, real estate, or the stock market. 3. That side hustle. What is that one thing that you do that your friends and family will pay you to do, but you just like to do it? Turn that into a stream of income and build a business on the side.
- Get around people who are trying to change their lives and talking about making money and starting businesses, because those type of people will help spark ideas in you.
How often do you work out now that you’re done with football? I work out at least four times a week. I don’t work out the same though. I do less weight training, and more insanity-type workouts with body weight and movement.
Why did you start your podcast, HuddlePass? Well Huddlepass is a podcast network started by one of my friends, and it was a great opportunity to talk about the game of football using a different medium. My podcast on the network is called “Gridiron GQ.” Podcast are becoming very popular to listen to.
I also am starting a new podcast called “Athlete 2 Entrepreneur,” which will be a digital place for athletes to learn about entrepreneurship, leadership, branding and networking, as well as a place for entrepreneurs to come and get the athlete mindset and learn how to use it to become a business success. So I’m very excited about it because it will feature some of the top athletes and entrepreneurs in the world.
