NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Davis on why business is like sports
NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Davis is no stranger to coming through in big situations. Now the Super Bowl XXXII MVP is coming up big for women, veterans, and minority-owned businesses while running his own CDB-based drink brand DEFY.
“We’re just asking these retailers to look at some of these-minority owned companies, get behind them, and help them for exposure, visibility,” Davis told Yahoo Finance Live.
Davis noted that there's a difference between having a minority-owned business and having a successful minority-owned business.
“We’re just encouraging that because it’s one thing to have a minority company, but there’s another thing to have a successful minority company so that people see that and our young people are able to identify with that and say, ‘Oh, wow, we see this company they’re having success.’ So now they’re inspired to want to start their own company. So I think right now, we all understand that it’s important to kind of see representation and all sectors,” said Davis.
Many former professional athletes struggle while trying to transition into their next phase of life after leaving pro sports. Davis, who retired 20 years ago, also had some advice on how fellow athletes can transition to the business world.
“Hard work, it’s just like football. I mean, you’re going to have a lot of failures. You’re going to have successes, but it’s really about getting up every day and pushing through the noise, pushing through the pain, as we say, getting knocked down, getting back up, having a passion for it and just don’t accept 'No,'” he added.
“That’s the grind I’ve been on. I enjoyed this because it’s similar to sports, right? The more you put into it, the more you dedicate yourself the most, the more likely you are to succeed. So I like that formula. It’s been great. It’s hard to sleep at night because you’re excited, but not knowing what the future holds, but it’s been really fun for us.”
Davis is taking a chance with his own company by adding a non-CDB alkaline pH nine water to his roster of DEFY beverages and that some of the proceeds will go to help people in need.
“A portion of the proceeds of our water goes to those three organizations … The Center for African-American Health, we have the National Association of Women Business Owners, and then we have the Disabled American Veterans. And so we’re giving a portion of proceeds to those communities.”
Davis added that he's still a die-hard Broncos fan — and was shocked and elated to hear rumors that Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers might come to play for his former team.
“When I first heard the news I was extremely excited ... But that was the first time I’d heard it. And I was like, wow, if that is true, I’m super excited. I hope there is something to the rumor. I hope Aaron does want to go to Denver and play because that makes us right now, instant contenders. I know we have the Chiefs in our division, but still with Aaron on the roster, that would be special. Hopefully that’s true.”
Reggie Wade is a writer for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter at @ReggieWade.
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