June 17, 2022 • 35 mins
Warrick Dunn is a former runner back for the Atlanta Falcons. He has shifted his efforts to give back to the community by launching several nonprofits focusing on specific needs for the community: financial literacy, housing, and mental health.
He joins the podcast to discuss his philanthropic pursuits.
Host IG: @itstanyatime
Guest IG: @warrickdunn
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, money Movers, Welcome back to the Money Moves Podcast
powered by Greenwood. Our next guest is a former American
football running back who played in the National Football League
NFL for twelve seasons. He's played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,
(00:23):
the Atlanta Falcons, and then back to the Buccaneers. In
addition to an impressive on field accomplishments and a resume,
he is perhaps best known for his philanthropic efforts through
his various programs and organizations and nonprofits. Home for the Holidays,
Count your Future, sculpt and Hearts for Community Services scholarships.
Money Movers, please welcome all star running back with a
(00:46):
heart of gold. Work done. I appreciate to havevy. But
that was pretty cool. That was pretty cool. Well, welcome
to the show. I mean, it's our honor and privilege
to have you here, you know, not for what not
just for what you've done on the field with the Falcons,
but also what you've done in the community, both here
in Louisiana. So it's truly a privilege to have you
(01:07):
on the Money Moves Podcast today. So good morning and welcome. No,
I appreciate you guys having me look forward to it.
So let's start at the beginning work because UM, I
am truly impassioned by your story. Um, and so I
want to go back to the beginning because I feel
like you and I both share a very pivotal life
experience that happened to us early on. And I want
(01:29):
to talk about you know, coming from a single parent household,
and you've suffered a great loss in the very early
days of life. Yeah. So most people know me from
housing right that they think I give housing away. But
you know, all of that started because I lost my
mom when I was eighteen years old and being a
(01:49):
high school senior. In high school, you know, two days
after my eighteenth birthday, my mom was ambushed. She was
shot and killed and she was a Bedroom City police officers,
so she was killed a lone of duty and on
the notus of six. So I had to become an
a dought at eighteen years old and help raise my
pride brothers and sisters. And you know, it's just been
a journey ever since then, uh, you know, being a parent,
(02:13):
but also still trying to accomplish the ghost that I
had for myself what she had for me. And unfortunately
I was I was forced to just grow up at
an early age, and my mom she did a great
job preparing me for if something ever happens to her.
She prepared me for that moment. So I think I
was in good position mentally. Wow. I mean, that is
(02:34):
an incredible story, and thank you for sharing that testimony
with us. I also lost my mother at a young age,
so I completely understand how impactful that is. Um. But
then you transitioned to this illustrious career in the NFL.
How did you make that happen? You know, you're caring
for your younger siblings, but you're this all star athlete.
Talk about that. Well, I think early on, you know,
(02:58):
I started playing for you know, it's definitely playing football
when I was seven, started playing organized sports when I
was ten, and I just think over the years, I
played every sport. I played football, basketball, baseball, I ran track,
and I wish they would have had soccer back then, right,
I mean I would have did soccer. But yeah, I
think all of those uh sports helped really helped me
(03:22):
mentally and physically developed my skill set and being a
small guy, I mean I was small, being a small guy. Um,
you know, I love the game football, and for me,
it just took that I had to work more, I
had to do more. I had to go out and
prepare myself more than the average guy because I wasn't
(03:44):
the biggest. You know, I can run, but you know,
most football was a physical sport, so I had to
make sure that I can survive and sustain. And I
just did everything I can. I sacrificed a lot of times.
When when you want to be consistent, know, a really
good at something, great at something, you have to sacrifice.
And I sacrificed a lot then. And I took care
(04:05):
of my family first. But then my own personal life
took a back seat because I was so focused on
making sure that I could sustain. So I got a scholarship,
you know in high school to Florida State University, and um,
I went there. I was last on a depth chart.
After you know, the one week in training camp my
(04:26):
freshman year, you know, I moved up to like third
on the depth charte. So it was, you know, because
I proved early on that you know, I don't care
that I'm small, and I was a homely I was
a hundred and fifty pounds when I went there. Yeah,
that was crazy, right, And but no one could tackle me.
I made guys miss and then that's when I played
(04:47):
my freshman year and and after that, I started starting
my sophomore year and the rest is history. So it
just really pushed me just to be the best that
I can be. And I've always prepared myself for the
moment and was really more of my mantra. And since that,
you know what, when they called my number, I'm not
the biggest, you know, I can't always say you're the fastest,
(05:09):
you know, but I knew that I had ability that
I'm going to prove that I can be durable and
I can sustain and get through the fire, but also
just be ready for when your numbers called. And I
was always trying to make sure that I was ready
for when my number was called. And you know, I
was able to survive for for twelve years. And I
wrote a book, you know, after I finished playing, and
(05:32):
called running for My Life, because during those twelve years,
I was literally running for my life. That I was
the only a hundred and eighty pounds five now running
back a hundred and eighty pounds. Most people thought I
was two hundred and stuffing, So I was running. I
was just playing having fun and uh, you know, just
trying to live the best life that I could under
(05:52):
the circumstances. So at this point, now you've been drafting
into the NFL and ninety seven, had you written the
book yet? No, I didn't write my book into two thousand.
I was working on two thousand seven, and um, I
retired in two thousand, NATS to two thousand and eight.
It came out in two thousand and eight, and I
(06:13):
was just at a point where I wanted to share
my story, but I've also wanted to talk a lot
about mental health. Um, just the struggles that I had
of being depressed, you know, for so many years not
knowing it, just coasting through life and you know, figuring
out a way that you know, hearing the story and
now figuring out the path of how we move forward.
(06:35):
And you know, counseling really helped me move forward and
just become a better overall humans. So I just think,
you know, it's good for me too, and it was.
It's something I wanted to do, is really open up
about counseling and importance of it, you know. And I
mean as soon as someone brings that up on the show,
I always like to touch on it because I think
it's a narrative that gets lost a lot that Black
(06:56):
men don't go to counseling, especially in our community. These
are things that we don't talk about. And you know,
I think about my own sort of grief history with
my mom. Like in the black community, it's kind of
like button it up and just buck up and keep moving.
And I think that narrative is changing right now. So
having you write a book and talk about it opening,
I mean, you're helping so many more people. But well,
(07:17):
I just think, you know, it is in a black community,
you know, going to counseling and being a football player,
that's weird. You know, that's just something that we don't do.
It's just supposed to be tough and take all the
hits and just keep moving. Oh yeah, I mean that's
what they think, but that's not life. We put our
pants on just like everyone else. And the more that
(07:38):
you know, I learned about counseling, I took it upon
myself to reach out to a friend to help me
find a counselor. And I heard a story reached out
to a friend and said this is something I need
to do for me because I just looked back on
my life all those years since my mom. I was
depressed and I was just coasting through life. You gotta
(07:58):
think for four years and college, I didn't go out,
I didn't party, I didn't do anything. I mean, I
was just football, school, football, family, right, and it was
more like school, family and football. You know, football came last,
and you know that was my focus forever. But you know,
I started to move to Atlanta after I left Tampa,
(08:19):
and I really started to focus on how can I
just be better? What do I need to do? And
I just came to the realization that I think I
need counseling. And I did it in shame, honestly in
the beginning because when I talked to the counselor, I
told the counselor and look, I'm work done. And I
played for Atlanta Falcons. I can't come to the front canner,
(08:40):
coming to backside door. And you know, they told me everything,
and you know, I was shameful. But after like six months,
six to nine months, I didn't care anymore. You know,
I just like, I'm gonna tell the world, you know,
And I was able to share that that I started
going to council because I be much more confident in
my so But you know, it's just I wasn't ashamed
(09:03):
that I was feeling better, being better, you know, And
that's that's life. A lot of times we are ashamed
a certain things and and we're not. You know, I
wasn't afraid to help myself, and you know, really that's
what like my future philanthropic and all those things, that's
what it's about. You know, we all have to do
our part. I did my part early on, but you know,
(09:25):
we all have to do our part to move forward
and be better. Wow. No, I really appreciate that, and
I'm sure so many appreciate the courage that you had
to share your story and you know, give other people
the tools to really impacting their own mental health and
taking it into their own hands. So let's segue a
little bit. I want to talk about, you know, your
career in the NFL and the business side of it,
(09:45):
because you were you know, you're just a young kid.
There's so many people out there who are watching, who
are considering, you know, or hoping to get into the NFL.
Talk about, um, you know, those first early days when
you were negotiating contracts and what team you're going to
go to How did you have the business savvy to
understand what was really the opportunity being placed in front
of you. Well, I think for me, you know, I
(10:08):
had to learn about money management at eighteen years old,
and I really had to understand, you know, do I
spend on once or do I spend on need? And
when you're trying to take care of five other individuals,
my focus was more on need, right. And you know,
since I became the bread winner with my mom, because
(10:31):
all the money was in my name, so I had to,
you know, make sure you know that we were to
pay bills to me. I bought a house with with
her the insurance policy at eighteen years old, and you
have money left over, so you're trying to manage all
of that stuff. And I just really grew up on
a need basis. And once I got drafted, you know,
(10:54):
I hired an agent and tried to learn about it,
about that process of how much you an agent? And
you know, so I was just like, Okay, I gotta
try to keep as much money as possible. But you know,
I held out for what I thought was fair for me.
When I got dropped by a time of big Buccaneers
and I ended up getting a nice signing bonus. And
(11:14):
I didn't take the signing bonus all of a sudden
go out and buy a fandom and rose warrants and
nothing like that. I really I had a nine three Mr.
Bishop Glan that I that I drove. I continued to
drive that car and I and I had I rushed
for two and ten yards that car park next to
Fandoms and Batman's taking on the Sunday. But that's a
(11:37):
rat I am. But I you know, the thing is,
I really just focused more on just trying to make
sure that I was, you know, spending more on need
and not nessary all things that I wanted. And you know,
I didn't buy my first car to like my ninth
year in the league. Um, you know, I bought my
(11:57):
family cars. I bought those guys car because you know,
I bought that that's what they needed. And sometimes you
do things because that's what they want. It it's right
to do. And you know, but I bought about my
second home, you know, my my rookie year in the
middle of my rookie year. People don't know this that,
you know, Ruanda Barbera and I we stayed in the
(12:17):
hotel Homestead Villa Suites for half the football season, and
that was what like twenty nine dollars a night. I
had unlimited parking, I had made service and everything, so
you know, I was I was many. Funny about this
is every other story would be I was living large
at the four Seasons. You're at the Homestead Suites and
(12:37):
you even said I had need service for twenty months.
Oh yeah, I had unlimited you know, phone calls. You know,
it was it was crazy. I mean listen, unlimited parking.
You know usually the hotels you gotta pa the park
of a night. Shoot. Man, this is it's about mindset though,
you know, I mean even hearing you talk about it,
You're like, I was living I had a maid vis,
(13:00):
I had unlimited It's about mindset and fast forward. You
you know, you carried that mindset through to prosperity and
abundance and you've kept it, you know, well, you know
I did. I kept that mindset because the one thing
is for me, I didn't forget where I came from, right,
I knew my struggles. I mean we didn't have a lot.
(13:21):
My mom made thirty six thousand dollars raising six kids,
that's not a lot, you know. Reason, you know, we
lived from house to house. The house because we couldn't
afford mon need to make a down payment or to
purchase the house. We had the rent and sometimes because
she was a police officer, rent was free at an
apartment complex because she was the security so you know,
(13:43):
we figured out way to, you know, to to move around.
And I really just took that same mentality that man,
it's really more about need. Do I really need a fandom?
Do I need Gucci Louis? I mean, I'm not really
into that stuff. Proud of you know, you want quality
this stuff, you know, but do I need the big
(14:03):
name that's not gonna make me a better person? And
I just think sometimes we get lost in that, and
that really wasn't my focus then. I was really more
focused on my responsibilities take care of my brothers and sisters.
If I don't do that, my Mom's gonna turn over
in her grave. Yep, yep. So this has become an
absolute lifestyle for you now, you know, you've had this
(14:23):
illustrious career in the NFL, and it's come full circle
because you're also a part owner of the Atlanta Falcons.
Am I correct, I am, I am, and trust me,
I had to manage dollars in order to do that.
I wasn't the highest paid player. You know, I wish
I had contracts like these guys today, but you know
that was you know, I was after me and my time.
(14:46):
We were just trying to make what we can make.
So for me, you know, I was able to manage,
you know, my money to where I was able to
save enough that I could, you know, put money away
and and act like it was gone. I've forgotten about
because it is an investment long term, you know, when
you have to put money into the land of falcons,
(15:07):
and you know, I had to pretend that money was
none existent. So it's my lifestyle going to change. And
that's the one thing that I was focused on, is
that I didn't want my lifestyle to change, and it hasn't.
So I tried to do a good I think I've
done okay job of managing um the dollars so far
during this time. No, and I think so many people
(15:29):
will appreciate this story because you know, we often hear
the opposite side of the coin, where the money is
lost or spent on phantoms and all that but I
also want to flip now to your long history of
philanthropic endeavors, Um, and let's start at the beginning. When
did you really start, Um, you know, following this passion
of building houses and giving back to the community. Well,
(15:54):
I think for me, that's started when I was drafted
by the ten Big Bucaneers and coach Tony Dungee. You know,
he took all the rookies every year and took us
into a room. And this this year, we were in
one buccaneer place and we just met in the locker room,
and he was really more about it. If you're gonna
live here and play here, you need to give back
(16:16):
and care about the people in your community. And I
was like, wow, what can I do? And I kept
thinking and thinking and thinking, and like, what can I
do to help people? You know, it's important. I hear
what coaches saying, I want to do something. And I
thought about it for a couple of days, and I
thought about my mom. My mom's issue was she couldn't
afford to save up for a down payment. Even if
(16:38):
we moved into the home, we couldn't fully furnish the home.
And you know that's how I came up with the
idea of homes for the holidays, you know, helping single parents.
And first it was just single moms. Right over the years,
we transitioned to single parents and how can we help
individuals have a true fresh start to home ownership. And
that's how the program was started. We did it. It
(17:01):
was a program for five years, and when I moved
to Atlanta became Atlanta Fouton, I started a nonprofit and um,
you know, as part of my program, and it's it's
been going ever since. We're almost a year twenty four
during this up to a hundred and ninety I don't
want to get this. A hundred and ninety four a
single parent families that we've helped. Wait wait, you've built
(17:23):
almost two hundred homes for single parent families. Well, we partnered,
so we don't we don't actually do all the bills.
So we partner. We partnered with you know, CDC or
latest been mainly habitat right, so you know, they helped
us prepare the mom for home ownership and we come
in and we give the five thousand dollars down payment
(17:45):
and we fully furnished to homes for food, French and landings.
Growing to be only down to the twoth for us,
so you pretty much just have to bring your clothes right.
And for me, you know, that was my mom's issue.
Her struggle was save enough for the down payment. Now
if we did, how are we going to outfit this
(18:06):
entire house to have all the things that we need.
And you know, today with fifteen states, twenty four markets,
we've been able to really help a lot of families
and we have a nine success rate of families that
are in their home or they sell their home and
bought another home. So you know, it's it's been it's
been fruitful to see the growth of individuals and how
(18:29):
they moved forward because they had to put in the work.
We do out a part, and they still have to
do their parts. So I'm just thankful that people allow
me the opportunity to help them. That is, I mean
a tremendous opportunity. And just the amount of families that
you've placed in homes, and I think it also, like
from what you're saying, success right, you're now educating and
(18:50):
teaching people on how home ownership can change their wealth
capabilities for families, and I think that is just really
a phenomenal thing and we're really we're really happy to
hear more about that. Let's go back to talking about
running nonprofits. You have um the work done charity and
under that umbrella they're symple. I mean, you have your
housing initiatives, count on your Future, SCULPED and Hearts for
(19:14):
Community Service, and I want to touch on all of
them because I think they're all incredibly important. We talk
about count your Future. Yeah, count of your Future is
a financial RELATESIP program that we we started on a
few years ago. And I forget when we started it,
but I just got to the point where after you know,
working with the families and meeting with the families, you know,
(19:37):
we wanted to try to figure out how can we
help assist and support them through their during the home ownership.
And that's really what it came about, just doing research
and for us, you know, everybody's educating people and checks
and balances and so forth, and that's like the basics, right,
but we wanted to dig a little bit deeper. Well,
(19:57):
we really talk about you know, saving you know, investing
and saving money, and for us, the Caryati is really
that you go through our program, you invest five up
to five hundred dollars. We will match you up to
five hundred dollars to start a savings account and you
have access to a financial advisor for two years. So
(20:18):
to me, that's like, hey, you have opportunity to meet
with them, work on monthly budgeting, you know, just really
talk about your overallching goals. And right now, because we
started the program and that's how things are, we're continuing
to really work on how do we continue to improve
the program and make it better just going in the future,
because we want people to really understand compounding interests, meaning
(20:42):
that if you put money into an account you know today,
and let that money just grow compound over the years
and ten years, you know, five, ten, fifteen, twenty years,
you can see you can go from having you know,
ten thousand dollars or five thousand dollars to you know,
six eight thousand or a hundred thousand. It really depends
(21:04):
you know, you know, the type of investment. But people
sometimes don't have that patience. So we're really just trying
to grow what we do with that program to to
educate people about the importance of saving money. Let the
stand the account and you know what I'm starting to
tell them now is that you need to really have
(21:27):
an account for housing, right, you need to have a
house account because things break all the time, and you know,
people come out who who's fixing things that break? They
want their money now, So why not planning for that?
So you have a Savers account, you have a house
account to help help to keep your house and spend
your money on the things that you need as a family,
(21:49):
not necessarily things that you want, one of the things
that you need. And you know that's really more of
that program now, is that we're really trying to incentivize them.
But what sad about the program is that the people
don't follow through. You know, we don't have a really
high success rate of individuals following through on that investment.
(22:10):
And that's the one thing I'm trying to work on
just moving forward, Like how do we get people to
cross the finish line, across the gold line, you know
and go for that two point conversion? Is since a
kick that right point right to get that investment. So
that's the one thing we're trying it is because i mean,
you know, it's such an interesting thing. You're like, hey,
we're offering five dollars, we're going to match it. You know,
(22:33):
and it's just isn't just. I mean, I think it
takes time, and part of what you're doing, what we're
trying to do with Greenwood and Money Moves is really
like realigning how people think. And you know, we've had
just years and years of generations where people have had
mistrust about banking or just haven't talked about it enough.
And I think like these conversations are really going to
sort of change it, maybe not for you know, our
(22:56):
parents generation, but like for future generations to come. So
I feel like the work you're doing is invaluable, but
we've got to like really just change how people look
at saving. Well, if you if you think about it,
it's hard to change somebody, right because they've lived a
certain life for a certain way and it's about you know,
not just survival, but they want to do Oh this
(23:19):
person has that, why can't I have that? Oh I
need to go and buy you know, the Mercedes that
they don't understand, the monthly up keep buying the gas
for an expensive car like that that that's premium and
not necessarily just regular, that costs money, the maintenance to
get a service job. I mean, things like that of
educating people. But it's really about you know, changing the
(23:42):
habits over time. So you know, you have to hold
people accountable. We can educate them, but how do we
hold them accountable change those bad habits and turn into
something positive that can help them long term? And you
know that's the problem, right and for us, you know,
that's our challenge. And so what we're trying to work on,
like how do we create better habits, you know, a
(24:04):
long term for individuals so that we can change that
thought process uh wants and put it towards more of
the things that I need to live a good life,
not saying that you can't go out and buy those
things or you know, take this trip up, save for it,
you know, playing for it down the road. And it
shouldn't just be something that oh I'm just oh I
(24:24):
want to get I see somebody with Oh let me
go get this, Let me go get that. You can
still live a good life, for successful life, you know,
by spending you know, buying things and getting the things
that you need instead of things you want. Yeah. No,
I mean, I just I love that that message just
needs to be shouted from the rooftops. And I think
it's just repetition and having it more readily available on
your platforms, on our platforms, and we'll we'll get the message. Well,
(24:46):
we'll get there. And last but not least, I don't
want to miss out on your community service scholarships program
as well. Oh yeah, so we have a scholarship program
HORSEP Community Service where you know, in the past years
there's a thousand dollars. This ever, raise it to five
thousand dollars because I felt like that's more of an impact.
So we went from twenty recipients tea and hopefully over
(25:06):
the course of time, we're going to get back to
you know, the goal is to get back to having
twenty recipients received five thousand dollars because I think it's
important that we help people that are going above and beyond,
not just great academically, but they're also involved in their community.
They actually supported people in their community, giving back and
if you can help people that are trying to help
(25:28):
other people move forward, that's what it's about and that's
what hard community services all about. Okay, so now there's
the thing. I mean, you have all these nonprofits, but
there's a business to running nonprofits. Do you fundraise for
this or is this all coming out of your pocket.
How do you make this magic happen? Well, I've gotten
past a part of using my own fund sports. So
(25:50):
we we have a fundraise. When I've started the non profit,
yes I put my own money in it to get
it going, but now we try to create partnerships, well
try to uh have fundraisers, raised money and people can donate,
Like if they went to w DC dot org they
can learn more about our programs. They can also donate,
(26:10):
right because we to do the work, we need support,
we need community support, and um the nonprofit is is
really you know we're going we're fundraising, were constantly trying
to raise awareness, raised the understanding the need for housing.
That solves a lot of social and society issues. And
(26:32):
we can create stable housing for families. We can do
a lot of positive things, build healthy communities, and that's
what really is about. So I have and I have
work done charities, but also have an entity called w
D Communities and ask a non profit where we're building housing.
So you know, these things co exist together in a
sense where we're just trying to help families, you know,
(26:54):
uh with housing. Yeah, Mark, this is incredible what you
continue to do for our community is truly a gift,
a gift for so many. And last but not least,
because you have so many different initiatives, Can you tell
us about sculpt Yes, ma'n so, Scope is a healthy
food initiative, but we try to educate families are quick
(27:15):
and healthy meals to cook. You know, we've gotten to
the point now because of child obusits in this country
and you know, low income communities really rely on more
fast food chains. That's not a healthy meal, uh necessarily
healthy diety, a lot of drink, a lot of soldas.
We try to get families to now grow and build.
(27:36):
They build their own vegetable boxes and they grow their
own vegetables in their backyard. So we're getting to the
point where now we're trying to encourage them and grow
their own vegetables in their backyard. And you know, that
program has just really taken off because people have opportunity
to grow things they love in their backyard, I mean,
and that reduces cost on buying things in at the
(27:57):
grocery store. So and we can help with all of
that stuff. We're doing it. So sculpe Is is important
because you know, uh, diabetes, you know, hard a lot
of things out. Yeah, so and our in our culture,
you know, our issues. So how can we help, you know,
(28:17):
our kids be healthy. But we also have to encourage
them to get outside and play and play they sitting inside, Yeah,
they don't play outside anymore. So get outside from behind
the computer video games, go out and enjoy outside, you know,
with the sun shines down, and need natural vitamin B.
I mean. So it's it's certain things that we're trying
(28:38):
to really incentivize families to do moving forward scope And
you know what I think also something that I love
about this program, and there's something to be said for
growing something, you know, coming back a week later and
seeing the progress of your prants they've sprouted, like you
actually created something. It's it's the ownership when you can
actually harvest your own vegetables or whatever it is, herbs, fruits.
I think that's such a great thing for kids to
(29:00):
learn as well. Well. Just so you know, I I
grow my own vegetables in my back yards. I got
cucumbers and tomatoes or simple things, easy things to do.
I've done corn, you know, growing herbs and stuff. So
it's things that you can do in your back y'all.
And I do it and I actually eat it. I
(29:21):
mean it's really good too, So you know I'm saving money.
I mean I like it. Next thing, you know, you'll
have a chicken crew and you'll have fresh every morning.
What not yet I thought about it. You know, it's
like you want to chickens and lay your own eggs,
you know, and I gotta make sure zone to day.
Definitely look in the back. What's fascinating to me is,
(29:43):
you know, oftentimes people think, like, oh, you're a football player,
you make all this money, you just kick your legs
up and like enjoy life for the rest of you know,
your days. But you were involved in so many different
initiatives and you're also selling insurance now, so you don't
ever rest. Yeah, well I have a lot of job.
Let's tell people have a lot of jobs. Like I
worked part time for the NFL, you know, um, I
(30:05):
work with retired players the Legends program. You know, I
sell life insurance. You know, I do public speaking and
make it. I mean, I you know, I like to
stay busy. And that's I grew up in a in
an environment where my grandfather was an entrepreneur. Early on
he changed times, so watermelons firecrackers become can't. I mean,
(30:25):
we did it all and so I saw a firsthand
with my grandfather did. And for me, it's just like,
you know, I learned something. I knew how hard my
mom worked. And I just don't feel like you can
just sit back and wrest on your laurels. And the
thing is, for me, it's not that I need the money,
you know, I think it's important that I continue to
(30:46):
work ethics, show that I can show, you know, my
family that no matter my no matter what my journey
has been, it's important that we do something be productive
in society. So selling life insurances and the need I
I and the black community, black and brown community, we
don't you know, resort to life insurance right, and so
(31:08):
that's things that we need to educate and continue to
get people to understand that these there are opportunities for
us to better secure our future when we want to
leave that generational wealth right, and and isn't that people
don't understand that, Like, give us an example of why
you know, life insurance is so important because I don't
think people this this message connects with our community. Well,
(31:30):
when you when you think about life insurance, you know
some you know, as a as a parent, you're you're out,
you're trying you put you have life insurance so that
if something happens to you, your family don't have this
income coming in, you have a policy that can help
support that lost income over the course of time. And
that's what you do, right, and you you pay a
(31:52):
monthly premium or you can pay bi monthly or every
six months a yearly premium to you know, get this
and it's called term policies, you know, whole life policies,
variable policies that you can do. And it's term is
usually for individuals that are just starting off in the
workplace and they're growing over course of time. And when
(32:13):
you get a whole life and variable that is where
now the money that you actually put in is actually
growing and working and you can use that as tax
free take that money out and tax free as it grows.
People don't realize that. So this is stuff that Now
what you do is you leave this for your family,
right for yeesh. This is part of part of your estates.
(32:36):
So if something happens to you, your family would have
something that they could use too if they're you know,
trying to get back on their feet or you know,
trying to make sure their footing is solid for a
little bit so that now you know, then you push
them to do the same thing as well. But that's
what life is, students all about it it is it
is a support mechanism and it doesn't you know, depending
(32:59):
on what type of let's see you have and your
health conditions, you know, you can you can manage that.
So these are things that actually need because we always
talk about generational wealth. Yeah, that's just a one tool
that you could use to create that generational wealth path.
So if something happens to you or your significant other, wow,
(33:21):
work you really are a wealth of information. And again
I just commend you on all that you're doing for
our community and just in order to educate so many
and provide shelter and good food and healthy choices and
financial literacy for so many. Can you tell us what's
next for you? And also people can find you on
social media so they can follow all the great things
(33:41):
you're doing. I just want to grow our impact so
we can grow and help more people overall. And you know,
when on social I'm at work done and it's simple
work done, Twitter, Instagram, I mean I'm on LinkedIn. I
of that. Well, we are excited to see what's more
(34:02):
to come for you, and thank you for being such
a champion of everything from mental health, to heusing, to
family and of course football. I want to make sure
that we remind people to check out your book as well,
Running for Your Life. Um, you know, I'm sure it's
it is a classic and they can still find it
on shelves everywhere. So thank you so much for coming
on our show. Work You've truly been encouraging and I
(34:23):
look forward to hearing all about the people's lives that
you're changing through your charities. Thank you again, well, thank you,
I appreciate you having me on. Thank you, Money Movers.
Make sure to follow Work on all his social media
handles and go and support his charities at w DC
dot org. Alright, Money Movers, that is all the time
we have for today. Make sure to tune in Monday
(34:44):
through Friday and subscribe to the Money Moves podcast powered
by Greenwood, so that you can have the keys to
the financial freedom you so rightly deserve. Thank you so
much for tuning in Money Moves audience. If you want
more or a recap of this episode, please go to
the Bank greenwood dot com and check out the Money
Moves podcast blog. Money Moves is an I heart radio
(35:07):
podcast powered by Greenwoods Executive produced by Sunwise Media, Inc.
For more podcast on iHeart Radio, visit the i heart
Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts from.
Hey, money Movers, Welcome back to the Money Moves Podcast
powered by Greenwood. Our next guest is a former American
football running back who played in the National Football League
NFL for twelve seasons. He's played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,
(00:23):
the Atlanta Falcons, and then back to the Buccaneers. In
addition to an impressive on field accomplishments and a resume,
he is perhaps best known for his philanthropic efforts through
his various programs and organizations and nonprofits. Home for the Holidays,
Count your Future, sculpt and Hearts for Community Services scholarships.
Money Movers, please welcome all star running back with a
(00:46):
heart of gold. Work done. I appreciate to havevy. But
that was pretty cool. That was pretty cool. Well, welcome
to the show. I mean, it's our honor and privilege
to have you here, you know, not for what not
just for what you've done on the field with the Falcons,
but also what you've done in the community, both here
in Louisiana. So it's truly a privilege to have you
(01:07):
on the Money Moves Podcast today. So good morning and welcome. No,
I appreciate you guys having me look forward to it.
So let's start at the beginning work because UM, I
am truly impassioned by your story. Um, and so I
want to go back to the beginning because I feel
like you and I both share a very pivotal life
experience that happened to us early on. And I want
(01:29):
to talk about you know, coming from a single parent household,
and you've suffered a great loss in the very early
days of life. Yeah. So most people know me from
housing right that they think I give housing away. But
you know, all of that started because I lost my
mom when I was eighteen years old and being a
(01:49):
high school senior. In high school, you know, two days
after my eighteenth birthday, my mom was ambushed. She was
shot and killed and she was a Bedroom City police officers,
so she was killed a lone of duty and on
the notus of six. So I had to become an
a dought at eighteen years old and help raise my
pride brothers and sisters. And you know, it's just been
a journey ever since then, uh, you know, being a parent,
(02:13):
but also still trying to accomplish the ghost that I
had for myself what she had for me. And unfortunately
I was I was forced to just grow up at
an early age, and my mom she did a great
job preparing me for if something ever happens to her.
She prepared me for that moment. So I think I
was in good position mentally. Wow. I mean, that is
(02:34):
an incredible story, and thank you for sharing that testimony
with us. I also lost my mother at a young age,
so I completely understand how impactful that is. Um. But
then you transitioned to this illustrious career in the NFL.
How did you make that happen? You know, you're caring
for your younger siblings, but you're this all star athlete.
Talk about that. Well, I think early on, you know,
(02:58):
I started playing for you know, it's definitely playing football
when I was seven, started playing organized sports when I
was ten, and I just think over the years, I
played every sport. I played football, basketball, baseball, I ran track,
and I wish they would have had soccer back then, right,
I mean I would have did soccer. But yeah, I
think all of those uh sports helped really helped me
(03:22):
mentally and physically developed my skill set and being a
small guy, I mean I was small, being a small guy. Um,
you know, I love the game football, and for me,
it just took that I had to work more, I
had to do more. I had to go out and
prepare myself more than the average guy because I wasn't
(03:44):
the biggest. You know, I can run, but you know,
most football was a physical sport, so I had to
make sure that I can survive and sustain. And I
just did everything I can. I sacrificed a lot of times.
When when you want to be consistent, know, a really
good at something, great at something, you have to sacrifice.
And I sacrificed a lot then. And I took care
(04:05):
of my family first. But then my own personal life
took a back seat because I was so focused on
making sure that I could sustain. So I got a scholarship,
you know in high school to Florida State University, and um,
I went there. I was last on a depth chart.
After you know, the one week in training camp my
(04:26):
freshman year, you know, I moved up to like third
on the depth charte. So it was, you know, because
I proved early on that you know, I don't care
that I'm small, and I was a homely I was
a hundred and fifty pounds when I went there. Yeah,
that was crazy, right, And but no one could tackle me.
I made guys miss and then that's when I played
(04:47):
my freshman year and and after that, I started starting
my sophomore year and the rest is history. So it
just really pushed me just to be the best that
I can be. And I've always prepared myself for the
moment and was really more of my mantra. And since that,
you know what, when they called my number, I'm not
the biggest, you know, I can't always say you're the fastest,
(05:09):
you know, but I knew that I had ability that
I'm going to prove that I can be durable and
I can sustain and get through the fire, but also
just be ready for when your numbers called. And I
was always trying to make sure that I was ready
for when my number was called. And you know, I
was able to survive for for twelve years. And I
wrote a book, you know, after I finished playing, and
(05:32):
called running for My Life, because during those twelve years,
I was literally running for my life. That I was
the only a hundred and eighty pounds five now running
back a hundred and eighty pounds. Most people thought I
was two hundred and stuffing, So I was running. I
was just playing having fun and uh, you know, just
trying to live the best life that I could under
(05:52):
the circumstances. So at this point, now you've been drafting
into the NFL and ninety seven, had you written the
book yet? No, I didn't write my book into two thousand.
I was working on two thousand seven, and um, I
retired in two thousand, NATS to two thousand and eight.
It came out in two thousand and eight, and I
(06:13):
was just at a point where I wanted to share
my story, but I've also wanted to talk a lot
about mental health. Um, just the struggles that I had
of being depressed, you know, for so many years not
knowing it, just coasting through life and you know, figuring
out a way that you know, hearing the story and
now figuring out the path of how we move forward.
(06:35):
And you know, counseling really helped me move forward and
just become a better overall humans. So I just think,
you know, it's good for me too, and it was.
It's something I wanted to do, is really open up
about counseling and importance of it, you know. And I
mean as soon as someone brings that up on the show,
I always like to touch on it because I think
it's a narrative that gets lost a lot that Black
(06:56):
men don't go to counseling, especially in our community. These
are things that we don't talk about. And you know,
I think about my own sort of grief history with
my mom. Like in the black community, it's kind of
like button it up and just buck up and keep moving.
And I think that narrative is changing right now. So
having you write a book and talk about it opening,
I mean, you're helping so many more people. But well,
(07:17):
I just think, you know, it is in a black community,
you know, going to counseling and being a football player,
that's weird. You know, that's just something that we don't do.
It's just supposed to be tough and take all the
hits and just keep moving. Oh yeah, I mean that's
what they think, but that's not life. We put our
pants on just like everyone else. And the more that
(07:38):
you know, I learned about counseling, I took it upon
myself to reach out to a friend to help me
find a counselor. And I heard a story reached out
to a friend and said this is something I need
to do for me because I just looked back on
my life all those years since my mom. I was
depressed and I was just coasting through life. You gotta
(07:58):
think for four years and college, I didn't go out,
I didn't party, I didn't do anything. I mean, I
was just football, school, football, family, right, and it was
more like school, family and football. You know, football came last,
and you know that was my focus forever. But you know,
I started to move to Atlanta after I left Tampa,
(08:19):
and I really started to focus on how can I
just be better? What do I need to do? And
I just came to the realization that I think I
need counseling. And I did it in shame, honestly in
the beginning because when I talked to the counselor, I
told the counselor and look, I'm work done. And I
played for Atlanta Falcons. I can't come to the front canner,
(08:40):
coming to backside door. And you know, they told me everything,
and you know, I was shameful. But after like six months,
six to nine months, I didn't care anymore. You know,
I just like, I'm gonna tell the world, you know,
And I was able to share that that I started
going to council because I be much more confident in
my so But you know, it's just I wasn't ashamed
(09:03):
that I was feeling better, being better, you know, And
that's that's life. A lot of times we are ashamed
a certain things and and we're not. You know, I
wasn't afraid to help myself, and you know, really that's
what like my future philanthropic and all those things, that's
what it's about. You know, we all have to do
our part. I did my part early on, but you know,
(09:25):
we all have to do our part to move forward
and be better. Wow. No, I really appreciate that, and
I'm sure so many appreciate the courage that you had
to share your story and you know, give other people
the tools to really impacting their own mental health and
taking it into their own hands. So let's segue a
little bit. I want to talk about, you know, your
career in the NFL and the business side of it,
(09:45):
because you were you know, you're just a young kid.
There's so many people out there who are watching, who
are considering, you know, or hoping to get into the NFL.
Talk about, um, you know, those first early days when
you were negotiating contracts and what team you're going to
go to How did you have the business savvy to
understand what was really the opportunity being placed in front
of you. Well, I think for me, you know, I
(10:08):
had to learn about money management at eighteen years old,
and I really had to understand, you know, do I
spend on once or do I spend on need? And
when you're trying to take care of five other individuals,
my focus was more on need, right. And you know,
since I became the bread winner with my mom, because
(10:31):
all the money was in my name, so I had to,
you know, make sure you know that we were to
pay bills to me. I bought a house with with
her the insurance policy at eighteen years old, and you
have money left over, so you're trying to manage all
of that stuff. And I just really grew up on
a need basis. And once I got drafted, you know,
(10:54):
I hired an agent and tried to learn about it,
about that process of how much you an agent? And
you know, so I was just like, Okay, I gotta
try to keep as much money as possible. But you know,
I held out for what I thought was fair for me.
When I got dropped by a time of big Buccaneers
and I ended up getting a nice signing bonus. And
(11:14):
I didn't take the signing bonus all of a sudden
go out and buy a fandom and rose warrants and
nothing like that. I really I had a nine three Mr.
Bishop Glan that I that I drove. I continued to
drive that car and I and I had I rushed
for two and ten yards that car park next to
Fandoms and Batman's taking on the Sunday. But that's a
(11:37):
rat I am. But I you know, the thing is,
I really just focused more on just trying to make
sure that I was, you know, spending more on need
and not nessary all things that I wanted. And you know,
I didn't buy my first car to like my ninth
year in the league. Um, you know, I bought my
(11:57):
family cars. I bought those guys car because you know,
I bought that that's what they needed. And sometimes you
do things because that's what they want. It it's right
to do. And you know, but I bought about my
second home, you know, my my rookie year in the
middle of my rookie year. People don't know this that,
you know, Ruanda Barbera and I we stayed in the
(12:17):
hotel Homestead Villa Suites for half the football season, and
that was what like twenty nine dollars a night. I
had unlimited parking, I had made service and everything, so
you know, I was I was many. Funny about this
is every other story would be I was living large
at the four Seasons. You're at the Homestead Suites and
(12:37):
you even said I had need service for twenty months.
Oh yeah, I had unlimited you know, phone calls. You know,
it was it was crazy. I mean listen, unlimited parking.
You know usually the hotels you gotta pa the park
of a night. Shoot. Man, this is it's about mindset though,
you know, I mean even hearing you talk about it,
You're like, I was living I had a maid vis,
(13:00):
I had unlimited It's about mindset and fast forward. You
you know, you carried that mindset through to prosperity and
abundance and you've kept it, you know, well, you know
I did. I kept that mindset because the one thing
is for me, I didn't forget where I came from, right,
I knew my struggles. I mean we didn't have a lot.
(13:21):
My mom made thirty six thousand dollars raising six kids,
that's not a lot, you know. Reason, you know, we
lived from house to house. The house because we couldn't
afford mon need to make a down payment or to
purchase the house. We had the rent and sometimes because
she was a police officer, rent was free at an
apartment complex because she was the security so you know,
(13:43):
we figured out way to, you know, to to move around.
And I really just took that same mentality that man,
it's really more about need. Do I really need a fandom?
Do I need Gucci Louis? I mean, I'm not really
into that stuff. Proud of you know, you want quality
this stuff, you know, but do I need the big
(14:03):
name that's not gonna make me a better person? And
I just think sometimes we get lost in that, and
that really wasn't my focus then. I was really more
focused on my responsibilities take care of my brothers and sisters.
If I don't do that, my Mom's gonna turn over
in her grave. Yep, yep. So this has become an
absolute lifestyle for you now, you know, you've had this
(14:23):
illustrious career in the NFL, and it's come full circle
because you're also a part owner of the Atlanta Falcons.
Am I correct, I am, I am, and trust me,
I had to manage dollars in order to do that.
I wasn't the highest paid player. You know, I wish
I had contracts like these guys today, but you know
that was you know, I was after me and my time.
(14:46):
We were just trying to make what we can make.
So for me, you know, I was able to manage,
you know, my money to where I was able to
save enough that I could, you know, put money away
and and act like it was gone. I've forgotten about
because it is an investment long term, you know, when
you have to put money into the land of falcons,
(15:07):
and you know, I had to pretend that money was
none existent. So it's my lifestyle going to change. And
that's the one thing that I was focused on, is
that I didn't want my lifestyle to change, and it hasn't.
So I tried to do a good I think I've
done okay job of managing um the dollars so far
during this time. No, and I think so many people
(15:29):
will appreciate this story because you know, we often hear
the opposite side of the coin, where the money is
lost or spent on phantoms and all that but I
also want to flip now to your long history of
philanthropic endeavors, Um, and let's start at the beginning. When
did you really start, Um, you know, following this passion
of building houses and giving back to the community. Well,
(15:54):
I think for me, that's started when I was drafted
by the ten Big Bucaneers and coach Tony Dungee. You know,
he took all the rookies every year and took us
into a room. And this this year, we were in
one buccaneer place and we just met in the locker room,
and he was really more about it. If you're gonna
live here and play here, you need to give back
(16:16):
and care about the people in your community. And I
was like, wow, what can I do? And I kept
thinking and thinking and thinking, and like, what can I
do to help people? You know, it's important. I hear
what coaches saying, I want to do something. And I
thought about it for a couple of days, and I
thought about my mom. My mom's issue was she couldn't
afford to save up for a down payment. Even if
(16:38):
we moved into the home, we couldn't fully furnish the home.
And you know that's how I came up with the
idea of homes for the holidays, you know, helping single parents.
And first it was just single moms. Right over the years,
we transitioned to single parents and how can we help
individuals have a true fresh start to home ownership. And
that's how the program was started. We did it. It
(17:01):
was a program for five years, and when I moved
to Atlanta became Atlanta Fouton, I started a nonprofit and um,
you know, as part of my program, and it's it's
been going ever since. We're almost a year twenty four
during this up to a hundred and ninety I don't
want to get this. A hundred and ninety four a
single parent families that we've helped. Wait wait, you've built
(17:23):
almost two hundred homes for single parent families. Well, we partnered,
so we don't we don't actually do all the bills.
So we partner. We partnered with you know, CDC or
latest been mainly habitat right, so you know, they helped
us prepare the mom for home ownership and we come
in and we give the five thousand dollars down payment
(17:45):
and we fully furnished to homes for food, French and landings.
Growing to be only down to the twoth for us,
so you pretty much just have to bring your clothes right.
And for me, you know, that was my mom's issue.
Her struggle was save enough for the down payment. Now
if we did, how are we going to outfit this
(18:06):
entire house to have all the things that we need.
And you know, today with fifteen states, twenty four markets,
we've been able to really help a lot of families
and we have a nine success rate of families that
are in their home or they sell their home and
bought another home. So you know, it's it's been it's
been fruitful to see the growth of individuals and how
(18:29):
they moved forward because they had to put in the work.
We do out a part, and they still have to
do their parts. So I'm just thankful that people allow
me the opportunity to help them. That is, I mean
a tremendous opportunity. And just the amount of families that
you've placed in homes, and I think it also, like
from what you're saying, success right, you're now educating and
(18:50):
teaching people on how home ownership can change their wealth
capabilities for families, and I think that is just really
a phenomenal thing and we're really we're really happy to
hear more about that. Let's go back to talking about
running nonprofits. You have um the work done charity and
under that umbrella they're symple. I mean, you have your
housing initiatives, count on your Future, SCULPED and Hearts for
(19:14):
Community Service, and I want to touch on all of
them because I think they're all incredibly important. We talk
about count your Future. Yeah, count of your Future is
a financial RELATESIP program that we we started on a
few years ago. And I forget when we started it,
but I just got to the point where after you know,
working with the families and meeting with the families, you know,
(19:37):
we wanted to try to figure out how can we
help assist and support them through their during the home ownership.
And that's really what it came about, just doing research
and for us, you know, everybody's educating people and checks
and balances and so forth, and that's like the basics, right,
but we wanted to dig a little bit deeper. Well,
(19:57):
we really talk about you know, saving you know, investing
and saving money, and for us, the Caryati is really
that you go through our program, you invest five up
to five hundred dollars. We will match you up to
five hundred dollars to start a savings account and you
have access to a financial advisor for two years. So
(20:18):
to me, that's like, hey, you have opportunity to meet
with them, work on monthly budgeting, you know, just really
talk about your overallching goals. And right now, because we
started the program and that's how things are, we're continuing
to really work on how do we continue to improve
the program and make it better just going in the future,
because we want people to really understand compounding interests, meaning
(20:42):
that if you put money into an account you know today,
and let that money just grow compound over the years
and ten years, you know, five, ten, fifteen, twenty years,
you can see you can go from having you know,
ten thousand dollars or five thousand dollars to you know,
six eight thousand or a hundred thousand. It really depends
(21:04):
you know, you know, the type of investment. But people
sometimes don't have that patience. So we're really just trying
to grow what we do with that program to to
educate people about the importance of saving money. Let the
stand the account and you know what I'm starting to
tell them now is that you need to really have
(21:27):
an account for housing, right, you need to have a
house account because things break all the time, and you know,
people come out who who's fixing things that break? They
want their money now, So why not planning for that?
So you have a Savers account, you have a house
account to help help to keep your house and spend
your money on the things that you need as a family,
(21:49):
not necessarily things that you want, one of the things
that you need. And you know that's really more of
that program now, is that we're really trying to incentivize them.
But what sad about the program is that the people
don't follow through. You know, we don't have a really
high success rate of individuals following through on that investment.
(22:10):
And that's the one thing I'm trying to work on
just moving forward, Like how do we get people to
cross the finish line, across the gold line, you know
and go for that two point conversion? Is since a
kick that right point right to get that investment. So
that's the one thing we're trying it is because i mean,
you know, it's such an interesting thing. You're like, hey,
we're offering five dollars, we're going to match it. You know,
(22:33):
and it's just isn't just. I mean, I think it
takes time, and part of what you're doing, what we're
trying to do with Greenwood and Money Moves is really
like realigning how people think. And you know, we've had
just years and years of generations where people have had
mistrust about banking or just haven't talked about it enough.
And I think like these conversations are really going to
sort of change it, maybe not for you know, our
(22:56):
parents generation, but like for future generations to come. So
I feel like the work you're doing is invaluable, but
we've got to like really just change how people look
at saving. Well, if you if you think about it,
it's hard to change somebody, right because they've lived a
certain life for a certain way and it's about you know,
not just survival, but they want to do Oh this
(23:19):
person has that, why can't I have that? Oh I
need to go and buy you know, the Mercedes that
they don't understand, the monthly up keep buying the gas
for an expensive car like that that that's premium and
not necessarily just regular, that costs money, the maintenance to
get a service job. I mean, things like that of
educating people. But it's really about you know, changing the
(23:42):
habits over time. So you know, you have to hold
people accountable. We can educate them, but how do we
hold them accountable change those bad habits and turn into
something positive that can help them long term? And you
know that's the problem, right and for us, you know,
that's our challenge. And so what we're trying to work on,
like how do we create better habits, you know, a
(24:04):
long term for individuals so that we can change that
thought process uh wants and put it towards more of
the things that I need to live a good life,
not saying that you can't go out and buy those
things or you know, take this trip up, save for it,
you know, playing for it down the road. And it
shouldn't just be something that oh I'm just oh I
(24:24):
want to get I see somebody with Oh let me
go get this, Let me go get that. You can
still live a good life, for successful life, you know,
by spending you know, buying things and getting the things
that you need instead of things you want. Yeah. No,
I mean, I just I love that that message just
needs to be shouted from the rooftops. And I think
it's just repetition and having it more readily available on
your platforms, on our platforms, and we'll we'll get the message. Well,
(24:46):
we'll get there. And last but not least, I don't
want to miss out on your community service scholarships program
as well. Oh yeah, so we have a scholarship program
HORSEP Community Service where you know, in the past years
there's a thousand dollars. This ever, raise it to five
thousand dollars because I felt like that's more of an impact.
So we went from twenty recipients tea and hopefully over
(25:06):
the course of time, we're going to get back to
you know, the goal is to get back to having
twenty recipients received five thousand dollars because I think it's
important that we help people that are going above and beyond,
not just great academically, but they're also involved in their community.
They actually supported people in their community, giving back and
if you can help people that are trying to help
(25:28):
other people move forward, that's what it's about and that's
what hard community services all about. Okay, so now there's
the thing. I mean, you have all these nonprofits, but
there's a business to running nonprofits. Do you fundraise for
this or is this all coming out of your pocket.
How do you make this magic happen? Well, I've gotten
past a part of using my own fund sports. So
(25:50):
we we have a fundraise. When I've started the non profit,
yes I put my own money in it to get
it going, but now we try to create partnerships, well
try to uh have fundraisers, raised money and people can donate,
Like if they went to w DC dot org they
can learn more about our programs. They can also donate,
(26:10):
right because we to do the work, we need support,
we need community support, and um the nonprofit is is
really you know we're going we're fundraising, were constantly trying
to raise awareness, raised the understanding the need for housing.
That solves a lot of social and society issues. And
(26:32):
we can create stable housing for families. We can do
a lot of positive things, build healthy communities, and that's
what really is about. So I have and I have
work done charities, but also have an entity called w
D Communities and ask a non profit where we're building housing.
So you know, these things co exist together in a
sense where we're just trying to help families, you know,
(26:54):
uh with housing. Yeah, Mark, this is incredible what you
continue to do for our community is truly a gift,
a gift for so many. And last but not least,
because you have so many different initiatives, Can you tell
us about sculpt Yes, ma'n so, Scope is a healthy
food initiative, but we try to educate families are quick
(27:15):
and healthy meals to cook. You know, we've gotten to
the point now because of child obusits in this country
and you know, low income communities really rely on more
fast food chains. That's not a healthy meal, uh necessarily
healthy diety, a lot of drink, a lot of soldas.
We try to get families to now grow and build.
(27:36):
They build their own vegetable boxes and they grow their
own vegetables in their backyard. So we're getting to the
point where now we're trying to encourage them and grow
their own vegetables in their backyard. And you know, that
program has just really taken off because people have opportunity
to grow things they love in their backyard, I mean,
and that reduces cost on buying things in at the
(27:57):
grocery store. So and we can help with all of
that stuff. We're doing it. So sculpe Is is important
because you know, uh, diabetes, you know, hard a lot
of things out. Yeah, so and our in our culture,
you know, our issues. So how can we help, you know,
(28:17):
our kids be healthy. But we also have to encourage
them to get outside and play and play they sitting inside, Yeah,
they don't play outside anymore. So get outside from behind
the computer video games, go out and enjoy outside, you know,
with the sun shines down, and need natural vitamin B.
I mean. So it's it's certain things that we're trying
(28:38):
to really incentivize families to do moving forward scope And
you know what I think also something that I love
about this program, and there's something to be said for
growing something, you know, coming back a week later and
seeing the progress of your prants they've sprouted, like you
actually created something. It's it's the ownership when you can
actually harvest your own vegetables or whatever it is, herbs, fruits.
I think that's such a great thing for kids to
(29:00):
learn as well. Well. Just so you know, I I
grow my own vegetables in my back yards. I got
cucumbers and tomatoes or simple things, easy things to do.
I've done corn, you know, growing herbs and stuff. So
it's things that you can do in your back y'all.
And I do it and I actually eat it. I
(29:21):
mean it's really good too, So you know I'm saving money.
I mean I like it. Next thing, you know, you'll
have a chicken crew and you'll have fresh every morning.
What not yet I thought about it. You know, it's
like you want to chickens and lay your own eggs,
you know, and I gotta make sure zone to day.
Definitely look in the back. What's fascinating to me is,
(29:43):
you know, oftentimes people think, like, oh, you're a football player,
you make all this money, you just kick your legs
up and like enjoy life for the rest of you know,
your days. But you were involved in so many different
initiatives and you're also selling insurance now, so you don't
ever rest. Yeah, well I have a lot of job.
Let's tell people have a lot of jobs. Like I
worked part time for the NFL, you know, um, I
(30:05):
work with retired players the Legends program. You know, I
sell life insurance. You know, I do public speaking and
make it. I mean, I you know, I like to
stay busy. And that's I grew up in a in
an environment where my grandfather was an entrepreneur. Early on
he changed times, so watermelons firecrackers become can't. I mean,
(30:25):
we did it all and so I saw a firsthand
with my grandfather did. And for me, it's just like,
you know, I learned something. I knew how hard my
mom worked. And I just don't feel like you can
just sit back and wrest on your laurels. And the
thing is, for me, it's not that I need the money,
you know, I think it's important that I continue to
(30:46):
work ethics, show that I can show, you know, my
family that no matter my no matter what my journey
has been, it's important that we do something be productive
in society. So selling life insurances and the need I
I and the black community, black and brown community, we
don't you know, resort to life insurance right, and so
(31:08):
that's things that we need to educate and continue to
get people to understand that these there are opportunities for
us to better secure our future when we want to
leave that generational wealth right, and and isn't that people
don't understand that, Like, give us an example of why
you know, life insurance is so important because I don't
think people this this message connects with our community. Well,
(31:30):
when you when you think about life insurance, you know
some you know, as a as a parent, you're you're out,
you're trying you put you have life insurance so that
if something happens to you, your family don't have this
income coming in, you have a policy that can help
support that lost income over the course of time. And
that's what you do, right, and you you pay a
(31:52):
monthly premium or you can pay bi monthly or every
six months a yearly premium to you know, get this
and it's called term policies, you know, whole life policies,
variable policies that you can do. And it's term is
usually for individuals that are just starting off in the
workplace and they're growing over course of time. And when
(32:13):
you get a whole life and variable that is where
now the money that you actually put in is actually
growing and working and you can use that as tax
free take that money out and tax free as it grows.
People don't realize that. So this is stuff that Now
what you do is you leave this for your family,
right for yeesh. This is part of part of your estates.
(32:36):
So if something happens to you, your family would have
something that they could use too if they're you know,
trying to get back on their feet or you know,
trying to make sure their footing is solid for a
little bit so that now you know, then you push
them to do the same thing as well. But that's
what life is, students all about it it is it
is a support mechanism and it doesn't you know, depending
(32:59):
on what type of let's see you have and your
health conditions, you know, you can you can manage that.
So these are things that actually need because we always
talk about generational wealth. Yeah, that's just a one tool
that you could use to create that generational wealth path.
So if something happens to you or your significant other, wow,
(33:21):
work you really are a wealth of information. And again
I just commend you on all that you're doing for
our community and just in order to educate so many
and provide shelter and good food and healthy choices and
financial literacy for so many. Can you tell us what's
next for you? And also people can find you on
social media so they can follow all the great things
(33:41):
you're doing. I just want to grow our impact so
we can grow and help more people overall. And you know,
when on social I'm at work done and it's simple
work done, Twitter, Instagram, I mean I'm on LinkedIn. I
of that. Well, we are excited to see what's more
(34:02):
to come for you, and thank you for being such
a champion of everything from mental health, to heusing, to
family and of course football. I want to make sure
that we remind people to check out your book as well,
Running for Your Life. Um, you know, I'm sure it's
it is a classic and they can still find it
on shelves everywhere. So thank you so much for coming
on our show. Work You've truly been encouraging and I
(34:23):
look forward to hearing all about the people's lives that
you're changing through your charities. Thank you again, well, thank you,
I appreciate you having me on. Thank you, Money Movers.
Make sure to follow Work on all his social media
handles and go and support his charities at w DC
dot org. Alright, Money Movers, that is all the time
we have for today. Make sure to tune in Monday
(34:44):
through Friday and subscribe to the Money Moves podcast powered
by Greenwood, so that you can have the keys to
the financial freedom you so rightly deserve. Thank you so
much for tuning in Money Moves audience. If you want
more or a recap of this episode, please go to
the Bank greenwood dot com and check out the Money
Moves podcast blog. Money Moves is an I heart radio
(35:07):
podcast powered by Greenwoods Executive produced by Sunwise Media, Inc.
For more podcast on iHeart Radio, visit the i heart
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