Episode Summary
Executive Summary: In this episode of the School of Greatness, host Lewis Howes interviews former NFL wide receiver David Anderson. Anderson shares his journey from being a 7th-round draft pick (251st overall) to a six-year NFL veteran, despite being cut five times. He discusses the mindset of champions like Peyton Manning, the challenges of transitioning from sports to business, the financial pitfalls many athletes face (78% go bankrupt within two years of retirement), and the importance of separating yourself through preparation and resilience. Anderson also touches on his experience with Tim Tebow and his own post-NFL career pursuits in media and comedy.
Main Topics: David Anderson's NFL Career Journey (Priority: 5/5): David Anderson's journey from a 7th-round draft pick to a six-year NFL veteran, including being cut five times and playing for the Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, and Washington Redskins. Mindset of Champions (Priority: 5/5): The mindset and preparation of elite athletes like Peyton Manning, including the importance of mental reps, slowing the game down, and communicating effectively. Financial Pitfalls for Athletes (Priority: 4/5): The financial challenges NFL players face, including the high bankruptcy rate (78% within two years of retirement), the pitfalls of sudden wealth, and the need for financial education. Transition from Sports to Business (Priority: 4/5): The difficulty of transitioning from professional sports to business, including the loss of status, the need to start over, and the importance of building a network while still playing. Preparation and Resilience (Priority: 4/5): The importance of preparation, resilience, and separating yourself from the pack through hard work and unique contributions. Tim Tebow Experience (Priority: 3/5): Anderson's experience with Tim Tebow, including the challenges of playing with a quarterback who scrambles and the media attention surrounding him. Life After Football (Priority: 3/5): Anderson's post-NFL pursuits in media, comedy, and coaching, and his advice for athletes on finding new passions and building a second career.
Key Arguments: Preparation and mental reps are crucial for success at the highest level; Peyton Manning's greatness comes from countless reps and the ability to slow the game down. Athletes must understand their role and what they do well, rather than trying to be everything; Anderson learned to excel in the slot by being willing to go over the middle. The transition from professional sports to business is difficult because athletes lose their aura of invincibility and must be willing to start over and build credibility from scratch. Financial literacy is critical for athletes; many go bankrupt because they don't understand how to manage sudden wealth and are taken advantage of by people seeking to profit from them. Separating yourself from the pack—whether through extra work, preparation, or unique skills—is what makes great people great. Belief in oneself and/or a higher power is a common trait among champions, but it must be combined with resilience and the ability to adapt and move past mistakes. Networking and building a support system while still playing is essential for a successful post-career transition; many athletes become isolated after retirement. The speed of the game increases at each level (high school, college, NFL), and success requires either being fast enough to make the game slow or thinking fast enough to stay ahead.
Data Points: Years in NFL: 6 - David Anderson's NFL career Draft pick: 251st overall (7th round) - David Anderson's draft position Draft pick: 252nd overall (one pick after Anderson) - Marques Colston's draft position relative to Anderson Downloads in first two weeks: Over 20,000 - Podcast performance Annual salary: $265,000 - NFL minimum salary for a 7th round pick (when Anderson played) Annual salary: $365,000 - Current NFL minimum salary for a 7th round pick Estimated take-home pay: $120,000 - Take-home pay after expenses for a one-season NFL player Percentage bankrupt within 2 years of retirement: 78% - NFL player bankruptcy rate Annual pension: $35,000 - NFL pension value Times cut: 5 - Number of times Anderson was cut Years to graduate: 3.5 - Anderson's college graduation time Years older: 10 - Age difference between Anderson and his older brother Years older: 20 - Age difference between Anderson and his oldest brother Number of NBA players: 4 - Number of players from Anderson's 8th grade basketball team who made the NBA Years: 3 - Number of years before a 7th round pick starts earning minimum salary Audience size: 2,500 - Number of people at the comedy event Anderson performed at Expected audience size: 500 - Number of people Anderson was told would be at the comedy event
Pivotal Quotes: "High school football was like walking on a treadmill and talking to the person next to you. College football was like you hit it up five miles per hour faster, and now they're asking you questions, and you have to answer questions. NFL is you turn it all the way up and they ask you, you know, factor out the X in this equation." — David Anderson: Anderson describes the difference in speed and mental demands between high school, college, and the NFL. "Too often, when guys are playing, everyone wants something from them. ... But everyone's trying to take from them, take, take. So they become really guarded and they shut down. And then your career is over, and those people disappear because the fame and what you can give them is over, and now no one's in your corner, and so you're at it all alone." — David Anderson: Anderson explains why many athletes struggle after retirement and the importance of building a network while still playing. "They separate themselves. ... Whether that's taking a chance, whether that's working harder, whether that's never giving up, I think ultimately you separate yourself from the pack that way." — David Anderson: Anderson summarizes what makes great people great, using a football analogy.
Implications: This episode provides valuable lessons for athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone facing career transitions. It highlights the importance of preparation, adaptability, and financial literacy. The discussion on the high bankruptcy rate among NFL players underscores the need for better financial education and support systems for professional athletes. Anderson's emphasis on separating yourself through hard work and continuous learning is applicable to any field.
About The School of Greatness
Lewis Howes is a New York Times best-selling author, 2x All-American athlete, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur. The School of Greatness shares inspiring interviews from the most successful people on the planet—world-renowned leaders in business, entertainment, sports, science, health, and literature—to inspire YOU to unlock your inner greatness and live your best life.