March 25, 2025 • 24 mins
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Shawn Harper shares his journey from the south side of Columbus to seven seasons in the NFL carries powerful lessons about purpose, perseverance, and spiritual transformation. With remarkable vulnerability, he shares the exact moment his perspective shifted from external validation to internal purpose: "Sometimes, when we lack identity, we tend to want to develop an image. But God didn't call your image, God called your identity." What separates an image from an identity? Former NFL offensive lineman Shawn Harper reveals the transformative wisdom that changed his life after a devastating career injury threatened everything he'd built.
For young people especially, Shawn offers transformative advice about the relationship between present moments and future momentum: "Focus on the moment, and the moment will generate the momentum." This wisdom helps prevent the common regret of sacrificing meaningful present experiences while blindly pursuing future goals.
As owner of American Services and Protection since 2004 and an international motivational speaker, Shawn has mastered the art of turning adversity into opportunity. His refreshing take on failure—viewing it as "tuition" rather than defeat—challenges conventional thinking. "The greatest teacher is life, and sometimes your greatest friend is failure," he explains, noting that even the most successful entrepreneurs typically face multiple bankruptcies before achieving lasting success.
Shawn introduces listeners to the concept of being a "Winologist"—someone who studies the distinctive mindset and habits of winners. Winners, he explains, learn early to be comfortable standing apart from systems designed for conformity: "I am built to change the system. I'm not built for the system."
What legacy will you leave? Shawn answer is refreshingly simple yet profound: "Live, give, and forgive." Join us for this inspiring conversation that will challenge you to build a legacy that transcends your lifetime and impacts generations to come.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Lord, please don't leave me like this, because if
you leave me like this, I'm notgoing to make it.
See, sometimes, when we lackidentity, we tend to want to
develop an image.
But God didn't call your image,god called your identity.
And sometimes he gets you tothe point where all you have is
him.
And I said please, god, invademy life, change me.
(00:23):
And you know what he said.
He said you are going to playagain.
They said you will never playagain, but you're going to play
again.
But you're going to play for me.
And since that day I've beenplaying for Christ.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Welcome to Be A Baller where we're building a
lifelong legacy for our families, communities and the world.
Your host, coach Tim Brown, isexcited for you to join him on
this journey On.
Your host, coach Tim Brown, isexcited for you to join him on
this journey.
On each episode, we'll betalking about how to be
intentional, about building alasting legacy.
We'll be exploring what itmeans to leave a mark that goes
beyond just our lives but has apositive impact on those around
(00:56):
us and even generations to come.
So if you're looking forinspiration, guidance and
practical tips on how to build alasting legacy that makes a
difference, then you're in theright place.
So grab your earbuds, getcomfortable and let's dive in.
It's time to be a baller.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Welcome to Be A Baller Podcast.
I'm your host, Coach Tim Brown,and I'm excited about our guest
today, Brother Sean Harper.
Brother Sean is a former NFLoffensive lineman who played a
total of seven seasons with theRams, the Oilers, the Colts and
NFL Europe.
Since 2004, he has owned andoperated American Services and
(01:35):
Protection, a security companyheadquartered here in his
hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
Most importantly, he uses manyof his powerful lessons he
learned in the NFL andstrategically applies them to
his business.
He's also a giftedinternational motivational
speaker.
Sean has inspired countlessindividuals and corporations.
But I know Sean as a man, amighty man of God, who has
(01:58):
impacted students throughout theyears in a way that they have
come to believe in themselves,you know, to understand that God
created them for a purpose.
So I'm excited for this podcasttoday.
It'll be more than a podcast.
It's a ministry opportunity togive Sean that opportunity.
So thank you, Sean, for being apart of the show today.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
You know what?
Thank you so much for having me, and it's my prayer, it's my
hope, it's my intention thatthis message will not only
affect but it will infect, thatit will grow in the lives of
people for now and for years andgenerations to come.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Well, you're already dropping gems.
We ain't even got started.
You know I can't let you offthe hook because I've heard this
story before.
The audience got to hear thisstory on how you and your wife
connected.
I know you went to high schooltogether.
In high school, How'd y'allconnect?
Speaker 1 (02:51):
So I first met my queen in the sixth grade.
Believe it or not, we were inthe same sixth grade class,
sophomore, middle school.
She was on one side of the room, I was on the other side of the
room.
We never spoke.
We had two different worlds,like different tracks, right,
(03:11):
and from the sixth grade to thetwelfth grade we never spoke.
Maybe get out of my way, orsomething like that.
I mean, you know, she was astraight-A student, she was a.
I mean, she was the epitome ofthat student who didn't really
socialize with people like me,who was in gym four and home ec
five, and she was in like thesecret society, right Cause she
would always like catch the busand and, uh, go to, like you
(03:34):
know in roads and you knowcollege tours.
And it's like Sean, go back tohome ec, he's like, well, bye,
who's who's these people?
And and so, uh, I'm off inToronto.
I'm off in Toronto, a differentcountry, and around four in the
morning I see this amazing,beautiful woman and I'm like I'm
(03:55):
looking, I'm like I know herbut I don't know her.
It's like 20 something yearslater and then make a long, long
story short.
I saw her a little later on.
I called her the wrong name,she graciously corrected me and
then that's when I started thepursuit.
God, that is my wife.
And years later, ups and downs,it happened Wow.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
That's a great story, Sixth grade huh.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Listen, she was the Valley Victorian and I graduated
last in class Same year.
Her picture's up there I justleft Independence and her
picture's right up there.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
It's right there.
Yeah, and where's your pictureat Independence?
Speaker 4 (04:30):
It's somewhere.
I hope it's not in like thedelinquent file somewhere, oh
wow.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
You know you have a great faith journey.
You're a strong man of faith.
Can you share with the audienceabout your journey?
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Wow, you know what?
I had a really unique drugproblem growing up because my
mom would drug me to churchWednesday, thursday, friday, all
day, sunday.
It was just a heart knowledgeand rituals, but it was not—I'm
sorry, it was a head knowledge,but it wasn't an actual heart
knowledge, that actualinformation that leads to
(05:08):
transformation in probably 1993.
I was playing, I got draftedand I'm playing for the Rams.
I'm excited, everything's onthe outside.
I'm that guy, tim, and I feel apop in my right foot and the
doctor was like son, stay down.
And they took me to get x-raysand they determined that it was
(05:29):
the fifth metatarsal Jones bonefracture.
And in that moment, theclearance shields.
That doctor looked at me and hesaid, son, your season and
possibly your career is over andeverything that I had built on
the outside was image.
But God was after my identity.
And now that I'm able to sit inisolation and just shed
(05:53):
everything, shed my image, shedmy.
You know my brand.
I'm big Sean Harper, I'm thisand I'm that.
No, I'm just Sean.
Lord, please don't leave melike this, because if you leave
me like this, I'm not going tomake it.
See, sometimes, when we lackidentity, we tend to want to
(06:13):
develop an image, but God didn'tcall your image, god called
your identity.
And sometimes he gets you tothe point where all you have is
him.
And I said please, god, invademy life, change me.
And you know what he said.
You know what he said.
He said you are going to playagain.
They said you will never playagain, but you're going to play
again.
But you're going to play for me.
(06:34):
And since that day I've beenplaying for Christ, amen.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Amen, that's powerful .
That's powerful, you know, Iknow.
Growing up, you grew up on theSouth side of Columbus, south
side, south side, south side.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
I'm Southfield now.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
South side of Columbus.
How'd you realize from being a?
You talked about being a.
Well, I would just say anaverage student.
I'll give you the averagestudent.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
You'll give me average student.
Thanks man.
Thanks for the average man.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
And then just an average football player.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
Sub-average, sub-average, dude, dude Listen,
wait, wait, wait Listen.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
I wasn't even honorable mention on conference.
Like this guy was all state,all city, all intergalactic
universe, first team.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
And then here's Harper you know that slow clap.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
You know the slow clap I was so embarrassed I
didn't even invite my parentsand I just walked in and picked
up the actual trophy, coachMarvin Bohannon.
But the amazing thing about Godis God rarely calls to qualify
but he qualifies to call.
And in that transformationprocess I can only give him the
(07:39):
glory and he brought me fromthat, moved me all the way
through that, into more thingsand bigger things and blessings,
to this moment right here.
But you know what?
You get to the point where it'shave, you know, maybe gotten to
a car accident or some, andsomehow you just made it out in
(08:11):
in in your heart.
You know it wasn't you.
That means that you're here fora season and you're here for a
reason.
Let's go, let's win.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Hey, what was that moment when you realized that,
hey, I can play thisprofessional football, I can be
a good football player?
What was that moment when yourealized that, hey, I can play
this professional football, Ican be a good football player?
What was that moment?
Speaker 1 (08:27):
I mean, it was a dream of mine at a certain point
in junior college.
But the actualization happened,believe it or not.
Believe it or not, I'm gettingin trouble for saying this my
junior year, when we wereplaying Ohio State and I went up
(08:48):
against a guy named his lastname was Spillman Big boy.
He was a big boy, big defensiveend, and the next day I had a
good game because this guy wasgood.
The next day there were scoutsin the training room and we have
to check in.
And I walked past and I said hi, I'm Sean.
(09:09):
And two of the scouts were likewe know exactly who you are.
And that moment I was likeuh-oh, there's an opportunity,
wow.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
That moment, and all it takes is one moment, one
person to see you.
One person to see you, wow, andon it takes is one moment.
One person to see you, that'sit.
One person to see you, wow, andon that stage you're playing,
on that big stage, this is OhioState.
You know, as you went throughall these challenges in your
life I read your story with thelearning disabilities, poverty,
speech challenges and thosethings but you chose to rise
(09:41):
above those obstacles and focuson your strengths.
I heard you share this.
Can you talk about what weresome of those takeaways from
those experiences that youlearned?
Speaker 1 (09:50):
Well, a lot of the takeaways that I've learned and
that I'm learning is the powerof humility, is learning how to
be dadgone, it learning how tobe teachable, and that life is
always teaching.
Class is always in session.
Unfortunately, we're taughteither after high school or
(10:12):
college.
That class is over, so thatpart of our brain shuts down.
But I've just learned somethinghere today, talking to you.
I've just learned somethingthis morning class and
succession, and so having ahumble and broken heart before
God is essential, because if not, you're not going to grow and
(10:34):
you're not going to learn.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
Yeah, you shared some of your playing experiences.
You know, there was a time whenyou got hit pretty hard.
Can you share some of thosemoments where you start thinking
now wait a minute.
Now, this is for real.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
You ever been hit so hard?
I remember one time I got hitso hard.
I'm playing Miami and there's aguy on there His last name is
Cox, so I'm going to say hislast name is Cox.
He was a ferocious linebackerand he hit me so hard.
I knew.
I knew beyond a shadow of adoubt that I was about to order
(11:10):
donuts at Seaside Donuts inNewport Beach, california.
But I'm not in Newport BeachCalifornia.
I'm playing Miami.
For about three or four secondsI'm out and the ref almost hit
the whistle to call that andthen I woke back up but yeah,
but in that it was never.
I can't do this.
(11:31):
It's like you know what You'rein it.
Let's go.
Speaker 3 (11:33):
Yeah, yeah, that's part of your MO.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
Yeah, in it.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Let's go.
Yeah, yeah, that's part of yourMO.
Yeah, let's go.
Let's go.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
You're all the way in .
I didn't want to hit him nomore, but let's go.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
You know there's a couple of powerful quotes that
you say a lot.
One is you're not born winnersor losers.
You're born a chooser.
You also have shared this one Asetback is a setup for a
comeback.
These are powerful messages.
Can you share with the audienceabout how you apply these
principles to your life and yourcareer.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
Let's focus on the second one first, if that's okay
.
You know, the greatest teacheris life, and sometimes your
greatest friend is failure.
We're taught that failure isyour enemy.
We're taught to run into fearfailure.
However, if you learn lessonsin the adversity, you know the
(12:28):
pain.
At that moment it stopsbecoming failure and it actually
turns into tuition, and this isthe tuition that I have to pay.
You know and in fact not sayingthat wealth is the actual
(12:50):
barometer or measuring stick butif you go to Google right now
and you type in millionaire andbankruptcy, you'll see that the
average millionaire has fell forbankruptcy 3.2 or 3.5 times.
Failure is your friend.
That's how you learn.
We learn how to walk by falling.
You learn how to ride a bike byfalling, and it's the
(13:11):
persistence through resistancethat gets most people to where
they need to be.
I mean, can you imagine?
I mean Tim, mr Tim, I'm sorry.
I mean I hope I don't get introuble with this, but can you
imagine how many times Elon Muskfailed?
I mean, can you really take arocket to space and let it come
back and land on a launchpad?
Speaker 4 (13:33):
I mean NASA couldn't do that.
What makes you think that youcould do that, mr Elon?
Speaker 1 (13:37):
Boom, A car that drives by itself on electricity.
Come on, Come on.
Failure is your friend.
I had to learn that and thefirst one I used to always say
you're not born winners orlosers, You're born choosers.
Honestly and I believe in fulltransparency, I had to amend
that.
I believe that everyone is borna winner, but you're also born
(14:01):
a chooser, because everyone hasa God-given purpose, calling and
destiny on your life.
And what happens in our societyis that they kind of hijack the
win and they turn it intosuccess.
And God didn't call you to besuccessful.
God called you to win, which isthe fullest expression of who
you are mentally, spiritually,socially, financially and legacy
.
God has called you to win thisrace.
(14:23):
He talks about a race.
We are born to win, but we haveto make the choice to win.
Speaker 3 (14:30):
Wow, whew, you on a roll today, bro, it's the coffee
, it's the coffee, it's thecoffee.
Speaker 4 (14:35):
Hey, give me some of this coffee.
Speaker 3 (14:43):
I'm just joking, you know, as you're sharing, I was
thinking about knowing thatyou're a motivational speaker.
How did that opportunity comeabout?
How did you get thatopportunity?
Speaker 1 (14:50):
You know what?
So I was playing with the Ramsand the Colts and one thing that
the NFL does it's a great jobis that their outreach programs
are absolutely phenomenal.
So they'll say hey, you know,we would like for you to go.
Who wants to go speak at theYMCA for $1,000?
I'm like I'm going to speak.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
Like who's this guy right?
I'm just stumbling over myselfand tripping over words.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
But you know what?
That's the actual start.
The actual calling of thathappened at Indiana University.
And I'm speaking in sociologyclass and after class this young
lady walks up to me.
She said, sean, have you evernoticed how people look at you
when you talk?
I said no.
She said watch next time.
(15:38):
And that you know, sometimes ittakes that one breath of
encouragement and that's, andthe rest is history.
Wow.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
Yeah, you know, you were part of John Jacobs and the
power too.
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (15:52):
I was just looking at those old videos.
I was like did I really runthrough all that ice?
That was a great platform tolearn because they just threw
you out there, sean.
I'm on a share testimony infront of 20,000 people.
I'm just like good job, sean,sit back down.
It's just the 10,000-hour rule,persistence and learning.
Speaker 1 (16:13):
I learned so much about ministry and life from
that organization.
Yeah, it's a great organization.
Speaker 3 (16:19):
Yeah, I know you did quite a few of those feats of
strength and all those kind ofthings.
No, that was great.
You know you have written twobooks Now you're an author now
as well, so you're going fromall these others, now you're an
author.
Can you share with us thevision behind those books?
What inspired you?
Speaker 1 (16:38):
to do.
Well, because the averagelifespan probably is like 75, 80
years.
And what will be the legacythat you leave behind?
In this world's operationalsystem Like, what are you going
to leave behind?
Number one aside from youroffspring, you get the kids.
You get kids.
(16:59):
What is the legacy that youleave?
I mean, I could work real hard,make money, put my name on the
wall or somewhere.
I mean that's great and that'sin a space for that.
But can I motivate people inthe grave?
Can I inspire people when I'min heaven?
Heaven that, to me, is sopowerful, it's such a blessing,
which is why I love things thatyou do, tim, because you're just
(17:21):
grinding, pouring into people,ministering to people,
encouraging people, and they'regoing to have kids, and they're
going to have kids and they'regoing to.
You are changing the trajectoryof people's lives, which is the
win.
Which is the win.
The second reason real quick isbecause I I'm I'm getting in
trouble with this one.
I break rules.
I'm not a follow, I'm not aprogram follow the rule guy,
(17:45):
okay, but I don't break laws.
You break laws.
Laws will break you, and I'velearned how to win by building
my life on laws like sowing andreaping, laws of forgiveness,
law of the 212, and looking forspiritual laws that are in this
world system since the beginningof time, learning them and
using them to my advantage towin.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
That's good.
And speaking of that win,you've got this little fancy
nickname.
Now You're the win-a-knowledges.
See you, messed up.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
You messed up.
Come on, mick, no way, you knowwhat?
Because?
Speaker 4 (18:19):
it's not a word.
I just made up a word.
I promise you I did that right,I'm playing with you.
No, I made that word up.
Look it up, I'm going to Googleit.
Google it it's called thewinologist.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
It's like it is the study of winning and the study
of winners.
Winners are different.
Winners are set apart frombirth.
They do things differently.
I mean, you can be, you knowand this you know, and most
people who are listening to meand you know, you got
competitors and you got winners.
Winners are different and theydo things different.
(18:56):
Like I would just throwsomething out there.
We are taught at a young age tobe conformist, to conform.
In school we're taught toconform okay, but when we're
older we celebrate people whoare different.
When we're young, we criticizepeople who are different, but
the winners, when we get older,we celebrate.
(19:17):
The winner has to make adecision at a young age.
I am built to change the system.
I'm not built for the system.
I'm a winner.
That's one of the things thatseparates a winner.
You have to be able to becomfortable being separated.
Mm-hmm, they train differentEverything.
Anyway.
Speaker 3 (19:36):
That's good.
Speaker 4 (19:39):
He was rolling there.
I didn't want to cut you off.
Now I see you picking up thecue card.
I'm trying to learn your bodylanguage.
The cue card is coming likethat's the next question.
Man, come on, let's go.
I didn't want to cut you offbecause you was rolling, but
since you asked for it, as aguest on a Beer Baller podcast.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
We ask our guests to commit to what I call the wisdom
pledge.
Okay, it's to give away allyour wisdom you know.
Okay, Because a lot of thingsyou know you were talking about.
We got this down about money.
You can't take it with you, butwe also have to understand
there's wisdom, there's a lot ofwisdom, Right, so we actually
so.
Can you just tell us, tell theaudience, you gave us so much
(20:23):
wisdom already, but can you giveus just one more piece of
wisdom you gained through yourcareer that you can share with
our audience?
Man, Particularly young people.
Let's go to the young ones.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
Okay, okay, okay, let's go to the young ones.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, okay,the moment generates momentum.
Sometimes when we're younger,you know, 18, 19, 20, in college
, whatever we put all of ourenergy into our momentum.
This is what I want to do, whatI'm going to be in life, and
(20:55):
blah blah that we miss themoments.
We miss the very importantmoments to build relationships,
moments to just really drilldown and be the best that you
can be, moments to just smellthe roses and just eat in the
moment.
And if you put your energy inthe moment, that will generate
your momentum.
But we are so focused on themomentum till we get to our late
40s and 50s and all we have is,because of the lack of momentum
(21:20):
, all we have now is memories.
And so then we run to ourmemories to see if we can
generate the moment, to generatethe momentum.
Focus on the moment and themoment will generate the actual
moment, will generate themomentum, and then you won't
have those negative memories.
Speaker 3 (21:39):
Wow, yeah, powerful, so true, especially for young
people.
Yeah, live in the moment,moment, live in the moment, get
it, live in the moment, andthat's going to create that
momentum.
Yes, yeah, that's going to pushyou forward.
Yeah, you're in that moment.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
I told my son man, I'm like son, look, you are a
senior at the University ofKentucky.
Okay, your LinkedIn profileshould be you should have no
less than a thousand people thatyou met at school in your
LinkedIn, that you'recommunicating with, that you can
network with later in life.
They're all going to begraduating with degrees, that's
good.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
That's good as we come around the corner.
You kind of alluded to thisearlier, but what is the legacy
of Sean Harper?
Speaker 1 (22:23):
Live, give and forgive.
I want that to be my legacy.
I lived in the moment I gave.
I gave till it hurts, there'snothing left.
I want to die empty and toforgive and to release and to
bless everyone on the waythrough.
I don't even want them to evenknow.
(22:43):
I mean, you can know, seanHarper, but I want you to know
more about the lessons that I'vetaught, or that God taught me,
that I share.
It's not so much about me.
Speaker 3 (23:02):
You know how many people who die every second,
versus the legacy behind thepeople who die every second.
Wow, yeah, boy, you're droppingthe mic.
Speaker 4 (23:14):
Well, that's all the time we have.
I don't know if there's muchmore to be said.
It's the coffee man.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
I want to thank our special guest, sean Harper, for
his encouragement of payingforward and being a blessing to
the next generation.
Sean, thank you for buildingthat legacy in sports but also
off the field the things you'vedone after using football as a
platform you know to blessothers.
And don't forget to subscribeto our podcast so you can stay
(23:41):
up to date with all our latestepisodes.
Our podcast guests are alwayswilling to share wisdom and
inspire others to build a legacythat lasts.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
If you've enjoyed this episode, please share it
with family and friends.
The Be A Baller podcast isavailable on all major podcast
platforms.
This podcast was created byCoach Tim Brown and recorded and
edited by the video productionclass of Worthington Christian
High School.
Be sure to come back next weekas we continue to discuss on how
to build a lifelong legacy.
(24:11):
Until then, don't forget to bea baller.
Lord, please don't leave me like this, because if
you leave me like this, I'm notgoing to make it.
See, sometimes, when we lackidentity, we tend to want to
develop an image.
But God didn't call your image,god called your identity.
And sometimes he gets you tothe point where all you have is
him.
And I said please, god, invademy life, change me.
(00:23):
And you know what he said.
He said you are going to playagain.
They said you will never playagain, but you're going to play
again.
But you're going to play for me.
And since that day I've beenplaying for Christ.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Welcome to Be A Baller where we're building a
lifelong legacy for our families, communities and the world.
Your host, coach Tim Brown, isexcited for you to join him on
this journey On.
Your host, coach Tim Brown, isexcited for you to join him on
this journey.
On each episode, we'll betalking about how to be
intentional, about building alasting legacy.
We'll be exploring what itmeans to leave a mark that goes
beyond just our lives but has apositive impact on those around
(00:56):
us and even generations to come.
So if you're looking forinspiration, guidance and
practical tips on how to build alasting legacy that makes a
difference, then you're in theright place.
So grab your earbuds, getcomfortable and let's dive in.
It's time to be a baller.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Welcome to Be A Baller Podcast.
I'm your host, Coach Tim Brown,and I'm excited about our guest
today, Brother Sean Harper.
Brother Sean is a former NFLoffensive lineman who played a
total of seven seasons with theRams, the Oilers, the Colts and
NFL Europe.
Since 2004, he has owned andoperated American Services and
(01:35):
Protection, a security companyheadquartered here in his
hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
Most importantly, he uses manyof his powerful lessons he
learned in the NFL andstrategically applies them to
his business.
He's also a giftedinternational motivational
speaker.
Sean has inspired countlessindividuals and corporations.
But I know Sean as a man, amighty man of God, who has
(01:58):
impacted students throughout theyears in a way that they have
come to believe in themselves,you know, to understand that God
created them for a purpose.
So I'm excited for this podcasttoday.
It'll be more than a podcast.
It's a ministry opportunity togive Sean that opportunity.
So thank you, Sean, for being apart of the show today.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
You know what?
Thank you so much for having me, and it's my prayer, it's my
hope, it's my intention thatthis message will not only
affect but it will infect, thatit will grow in the lives of
people for now and for years andgenerations to come.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Well, you're already dropping gems.
We ain't even got started.
You know I can't let you offthe hook because I've heard this
story before.
The audience got to hear thisstory on how you and your wife
connected.
I know you went to high schooltogether.
In high school, How'd y'allconnect?
Speaker 1 (02:51):
So I first met my queen in the sixth grade.
Believe it or not, we were inthe same sixth grade class,
sophomore, middle school.
She was on one side of the room, I was on the other side of the
room.
We never spoke.
We had two different worlds,like different tracks, right,
(03:11):
and from the sixth grade to thetwelfth grade we never spoke.
Maybe get out of my way, orsomething like that.
I mean, you know, she was astraight-A student, she was a.
I mean, she was the epitome ofthat student who didn't really
socialize with people like me,who was in gym four and home ec
five, and she was in like thesecret society, right Cause she
would always like catch the busand and, uh, go to, like you
(03:34):
know in roads and you knowcollege tours.
And it's like Sean, go back tohome ec, he's like, well, bye,
who's who's these people?
And and so, uh, I'm off inToronto.
I'm off in Toronto, a differentcountry, and around four in the
morning I see this amazing,beautiful woman and I'm like I'm
(03:55):
looking, I'm like I know herbut I don't know her.
It's like 20 something yearslater and then make a long, long
story short.
I saw her a little later on.
I called her the wrong name,she graciously corrected me and
then that's when I started thepursuit.
God, that is my wife.
And years later, ups and downs,it happened Wow.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
That's a great story, Sixth grade huh.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Listen, she was the Valley Victorian and I graduated
last in class Same year.
Her picture's up there I justleft Independence and her
picture's right up there.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
It's right there.
Yeah, and where's your pictureat Independence?
Speaker 4 (04:30):
It's somewhere.
I hope it's not in like thedelinquent file somewhere, oh
wow.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
You know you have a great faith journey.
You're a strong man of faith.
Can you share with the audienceabout your journey?
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Wow, you know what?
I had a really unique drugproblem growing up because my
mom would drug me to churchWednesday, thursday, friday, all
day, sunday.
It was just a heart knowledgeand rituals, but it was not—I'm
sorry, it was a head knowledge,but it wasn't an actual heart
knowledge, that actualinformation that leads to
(05:08):
transformation in probably 1993.
I was playing, I got draftedand I'm playing for the Rams.
I'm excited, everything's onthe outside.
I'm that guy, tim, and I feel apop in my right foot and the
doctor was like son, stay down.
And they took me to get x-raysand they determined that it was
(05:29):
the fifth metatarsal Jones bonefracture.
And in that moment, theclearance shields.
That doctor looked at me and hesaid, son, your season and
possibly your career is over andeverything that I had built on
the outside was image.
But God was after my identity.
And now that I'm able to sit inisolation and just shed
(05:53):
everything, shed my image, shedmy.
You know my brand.
I'm big Sean Harper, I'm thisand I'm that.
No, I'm just Sean.
Lord, please don't leave melike this, because if you leave
me like this, I'm not going tomake it.
See, sometimes, when we lackidentity, we tend to want to
(06:13):
develop an image, but God didn'tcall your image, god called
your identity.
And sometimes he gets you tothe point where all you have is
him.
And I said please, god, invademy life, change me.
And you know what he said.
You know what he said.
He said you are going to playagain.
They said you will never playagain, but you're going to play
again.
But you're going to play for me.
(06:34):
And since that day I've beenplaying for Christ, amen.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Amen, that's powerful .
That's powerful, you know, Iknow.
Growing up, you grew up on theSouth side of Columbus, south
side, south side, south side.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
I'm Southfield now.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
South side of Columbus.
How'd you realize from being a?
You talked about being a.
Well, I would just say anaverage student.
I'll give you the averagestudent.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
You'll give me average student.
Thanks man.
Thanks for the average man.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
And then just an average football player.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
Sub-average, sub-average, dude, dude Listen,
wait, wait, wait Listen.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
I wasn't even honorable mention on conference.
Like this guy was all state,all city, all intergalactic
universe, first team.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
And then here's Harper you know that slow clap.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
You know the slow clap I was so embarrassed I
didn't even invite my parentsand I just walked in and picked
up the actual trophy, coachMarvin Bohannon.
But the amazing thing about Godis God rarely calls to qualify
but he qualifies to call.
And in that transformationprocess I can only give him the
(07:39):
glory and he brought me fromthat, moved me all the way
through that, into more thingsand bigger things and blessings,
to this moment right here.
But you know what?
You get to the point where it'shave, you know, maybe gotten to
a car accident or some, andsomehow you just made it out in
(08:11):
in in your heart.
You know it wasn't you.
That means that you're here fora season and you're here for a
reason.
Let's go, let's win.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Hey, what was that moment when you realized that,
hey, I can play thisprofessional football, I can be
a good football player?
What was that moment when yourealized that, hey, I can play
this professional football, Ican be a good football player?
What was that moment?
Speaker 1 (08:27):
I mean, it was a dream of mine at a certain point
in junior college.
But the actualization happened,believe it or not.
Believe it or not, I'm gettingin trouble for saying this my
junior year, when we wereplaying Ohio State and I went up
(08:48):
against a guy named his lastname was Spillman Big boy.
He was a big boy, big defensiveend, and the next day I had a
good game because this guy wasgood.
The next day there were scoutsin the training room and we have
to check in.
And I walked past and I said hi, I'm Sean.
(09:09):
And two of the scouts were likewe know exactly who you are.
And that moment I was likeuh-oh, there's an opportunity,
wow.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
That moment, and all it takes is one moment, one
person to see you.
One person to see you, wow, andon it takes is one moment.
One person to see you, that'sit.
One person to see you, wow, andon that stage you're playing,
on that big stage, this is OhioState.
You know, as you went throughall these challenges in your
life I read your story with thelearning disabilities, poverty,
speech challenges and thosethings but you chose to rise
(09:41):
above those obstacles and focuson your strengths.
I heard you share this.
Can you talk about what weresome of those takeaways from
those experiences that youlearned?
Speaker 1 (09:50):
Well, a lot of the takeaways that I've learned and
that I'm learning is the powerof humility, is learning how to
be dadgone, it learning how tobe teachable, and that life is
always teaching.
Class is always in session.
Unfortunately, we're taughteither after high school or
(10:12):
college.
That class is over, so thatpart of our brain shuts down.
But I've just learned somethinghere today, talking to you.
I've just learned somethingthis morning class and
succession, and so having ahumble and broken heart before
God is essential, because if not, you're not going to grow and
(10:34):
you're not going to learn.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
Yeah, you shared some of your playing experiences.
You know, there was a time whenyou got hit pretty hard.
Can you share some of thosemoments where you start thinking
now wait a minute.
Now, this is for real.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
You ever been hit so hard?
I remember one time I got hitso hard.
I'm playing Miami and there's aguy on there His last name is
Cox, so I'm going to say hislast name is Cox.
He was a ferocious linebackerand he hit me so hard.
I knew.
I knew beyond a shadow of adoubt that I was about to order
(11:10):
donuts at Seaside Donuts inNewport Beach, california.
But I'm not in Newport BeachCalifornia.
I'm playing Miami.
For about three or four secondsI'm out and the ref almost hit
the whistle to call that andthen I woke back up but yeah,
but in that it was never.
I can't do this.
(11:31):
It's like you know what You'rein it.
Let's go.
Speaker 3 (11:33):
Yeah, yeah, that's part of your MO.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
Yeah, in it.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Let's go.
Yeah, yeah, that's part of yourMO.
Yeah, let's go.
Let's go.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
You're all the way in .
I didn't want to hit him nomore, but let's go.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
You know there's a couple of powerful quotes that
you say a lot.
One is you're not born winnersor losers.
You're born a chooser.
You also have shared this one Asetback is a setup for a
comeback.
These are powerful messages.
Can you share with the audienceabout how you apply these
principles to your life and yourcareer.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
Let's focus on the second one first, if that's okay
.
You know, the greatest teacheris life, and sometimes your
greatest friend is failure.
We're taught that failure isyour enemy.
We're taught to run into fearfailure.
However, if you learn lessonsin the adversity, you know the
(12:28):
pain.
At that moment it stopsbecoming failure and it actually
turns into tuition, and this isthe tuition that I have to pay.
You know and in fact not sayingthat wealth is the actual
(12:50):
barometer or measuring stick butif you go to Google right now
and you type in millionaire andbankruptcy, you'll see that the
average millionaire has fell forbankruptcy 3.2 or 3.5 times.
Failure is your friend.
That's how you learn.
We learn how to walk by falling.
You learn how to ride a bike byfalling, and it's the
(13:11):
persistence through resistancethat gets most people to where
they need to be.
I mean, can you imagine?
I mean Tim, mr Tim, I'm sorry.
I mean I hope I don't get introuble with this, but can you
imagine how many times Elon Muskfailed?
I mean, can you really take arocket to space and let it come
back and land on a launchpad?
Speaker 4 (13:33):
I mean NASA couldn't do that.
What makes you think that youcould do that, mr Elon?
Speaker 1 (13:37):
Boom, A car that drives by itself on electricity.
Come on, Come on.
Failure is your friend.
I had to learn that and thefirst one I used to always say
you're not born winners orlosers, You're born choosers.
Honestly and I believe in fulltransparency, I had to amend
that.
I believe that everyone is borna winner, but you're also born
(14:01):
a chooser, because everyone hasa God-given purpose, calling and
destiny on your life.
And what happens in our societyis that they kind of hijack the
win and they turn it intosuccess.
And God didn't call you to besuccessful.
God called you to win, which isthe fullest expression of who
you are mentally, spiritually,socially, financially and legacy
.
God has called you to win thisrace.
(14:23):
He talks about a race.
We are born to win, but we haveto make the choice to win.
Speaker 3 (14:30):
Wow, whew, you on a roll today, bro, it's the coffee
, it's the coffee, it's thecoffee.
Speaker 4 (14:35):
Hey, give me some of this coffee.
Speaker 3 (14:43):
I'm just joking, you know, as you're sharing, I was
thinking about knowing thatyou're a motivational speaker.
How did that opportunity comeabout?
How did you get thatopportunity?
Speaker 1 (14:50):
You know what?
So I was playing with the Ramsand the Colts and one thing that
the NFL does it's a great jobis that their outreach programs
are absolutely phenomenal.
So they'll say hey, you know,we would like for you to go.
Who wants to go speak at theYMCA for $1,000?
I'm like I'm going to speak.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
Like who's this guy right?
I'm just stumbling over myselfand tripping over words.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
But you know what?
That's the actual start.
The actual calling of thathappened at Indiana University.
And I'm speaking in sociologyclass and after class this young
lady walks up to me.
She said, sean, have you evernoticed how people look at you
when you talk?
I said no.
She said watch next time.
(15:38):
And that you know, sometimes ittakes that one breath of
encouragement and that's, andthe rest is history.
Wow.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
Yeah, you know, you were part of John Jacobs and the
power too.
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (15:52):
I was just looking at those old videos.
I was like did I really runthrough all that ice?
That was a great platform tolearn because they just threw
you out there, sean.
I'm on a share testimony infront of 20,000 people.
I'm just like good job, sean,sit back down.
It's just the 10,000-hour rule,persistence and learning.
Speaker 1 (16:13):
I learned so much about ministry and life from
that organization.
Yeah, it's a great organization.
Speaker 3 (16:19):
Yeah, I know you did quite a few of those feats of
strength and all those kind ofthings.
No, that was great.
You know you have written twobooks Now you're an author now
as well, so you're going fromall these others, now you're an
author.
Can you share with us thevision behind those books?
What inspired you?
Speaker 1 (16:38):
to do.
Well, because the averagelifespan probably is like 75, 80
years.
And what will be the legacythat you leave behind?
In this world's operationalsystem Like, what are you going
to leave behind?
Number one aside from youroffspring, you get the kids.
You get kids.
(16:59):
What is the legacy that youleave?
I mean, I could work real hard,make money, put my name on the
wall or somewhere.
I mean that's great and that'sin a space for that.
But can I motivate people inthe grave?
Can I inspire people when I'min heaven?
Heaven that, to me, is sopowerful, it's such a blessing,
which is why I love things thatyou do, tim, because you're just
(17:21):
grinding, pouring into people,ministering to people,
encouraging people, and they'regoing to have kids, and they're
going to have kids and they'regoing to.
You are changing the trajectoryof people's lives, which is the
win.
Which is the win.
The second reason real quick isbecause I I'm I'm getting in
trouble with this one.
I break rules.
I'm not a follow, I'm not aprogram follow the rule guy,
(17:45):
okay, but I don't break laws.
You break laws.
Laws will break you, and I'velearned how to win by building
my life on laws like sowing andreaping, laws of forgiveness,
law of the 212, and looking forspiritual laws that are in this
world system since the beginningof time, learning them and
using them to my advantage towin.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
That's good.
And speaking of that win,you've got this little fancy
nickname.
Now You're the win-a-knowledges.
See you, messed up.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
You messed up.
Come on, mick, no way, you knowwhat?
Because?
Speaker 4 (18:19):
it's not a word.
I just made up a word.
I promise you I did that right,I'm playing with you.
No, I made that word up.
Look it up, I'm going to Googleit.
Google it it's called thewinologist.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
It's like it is the study of winning and the study
of winners.
Winners are different.
Winners are set apart frombirth.
They do things differently.
I mean, you can be, you knowand this you know, and most
people who are listening to meand you know, you got
competitors and you got winners.
Winners are different and theydo things different.
(18:56):
Like I would just throwsomething out there.
We are taught at a young age tobe conformist, to conform.
In school we're taught toconform okay, but when we're
older we celebrate people whoare different.
When we're young, we criticizepeople who are different, but
the winners, when we get older,we celebrate.
(19:17):
The winner has to make adecision at a young age.
I am built to change the system.
I'm not built for the system.
I'm a winner.
That's one of the things thatseparates a winner.
You have to be able to becomfortable being separated.
Mm-hmm, they train differentEverything.
Anyway.
Speaker 3 (19:36):
That's good.
Speaker 4 (19:39):
He was rolling there.
I didn't want to cut you off.
Now I see you picking up thecue card.
I'm trying to learn your bodylanguage.
The cue card is coming likethat's the next question.
Man, come on, let's go.
I didn't want to cut you offbecause you was rolling, but
since you asked for it, as aguest on a Beer Baller podcast.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
We ask our guests to commit to what I call the wisdom
pledge.
Okay, it's to give away allyour wisdom you know.
Okay, Because a lot of thingsyou know you were talking about.
We got this down about money.
You can't take it with you, butwe also have to understand
there's wisdom, there's a lot ofwisdom, Right, so we actually
so.
Can you just tell us, tell theaudience, you gave us so much
(20:23):
wisdom already, but can you giveus just one more piece of
wisdom you gained through yourcareer that you can share with
our audience?
Man, Particularly young people.
Let's go to the young ones.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
Okay, okay, okay, let's go to the young ones.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, okay,the moment generates momentum.
Sometimes when we're younger,you know, 18, 19, 20, in college
, whatever we put all of ourenergy into our momentum.
This is what I want to do, whatI'm going to be in life, and
(20:55):
blah blah that we miss themoments.
We miss the very importantmoments to build relationships,
moments to just really drilldown and be the best that you
can be, moments to just smellthe roses and just eat in the
moment.
And if you put your energy inthe moment, that will generate
your momentum.
But we are so focused on themomentum till we get to our late
40s and 50s and all we have is,because of the lack of momentum
(21:20):
, all we have now is memories.
And so then we run to ourmemories to see if we can
generate the moment, to generatethe momentum.
Focus on the moment and themoment will generate the actual
moment, will generate themomentum, and then you won't
have those negative memories.
Speaker 3 (21:39):
Wow, yeah, powerful, so true, especially for young
people.
Yeah, live in the moment,moment, live in the moment, get
it, live in the moment, andthat's going to create that
momentum.
Yes, yeah, that's going to pushyou forward.
Yeah, you're in that moment.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
I told my son man, I'm like son, look, you are a
senior at the University ofKentucky.
Okay, your LinkedIn profileshould be you should have no
less than a thousand people thatyou met at school in your
LinkedIn, that you'recommunicating with, that you can
network with later in life.
They're all going to begraduating with degrees, that's
good.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
That's good as we come around the corner.
You kind of alluded to thisearlier, but what is the legacy
of Sean Harper?
Speaker 1 (22:23):
Live, give and forgive.
I want that to be my legacy.
I lived in the moment I gave.
I gave till it hurts, there'snothing left.
I want to die empty and toforgive and to release and to
bless everyone on the waythrough.
I don't even want them to evenknow.
(22:43):
I mean, you can know, seanHarper, but I want you to know
more about the lessons that I'vetaught, or that God taught me,
that I share.
It's not so much about me.
Speaker 3 (23:02):
You know how many people who die every second,
versus the legacy behind thepeople who die every second.
Wow, yeah, boy, you're droppingthe mic.
Speaker 4 (23:14):
Well, that's all the time we have.
I don't know if there's muchmore to be said.
It's the coffee man.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
I want to thank our special guest, sean Harper, for
his encouragement of payingforward and being a blessing to
the next generation.
Sean, thank you for buildingthat legacy in sports but also
off the field the things you'vedone after using football as a
platform you know to blessothers.
And don't forget to subscribeto our podcast so you can stay
(23:41):
up to date with all our latestepisodes.
Our podcast guests are alwayswilling to share wisdom and
inspire others to build a legacythat lasts.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
If you've enjoyed this episode, please share it
with family and friends.
The Be A Baller podcast isavailable on all major podcast
platforms.
This podcast was created byCoach Tim Brown and recorded and
edited by the video productionclass of Worthington Christian
High School.
Be sure to come back next weekas we continue to discuss on how
to build a lifelong legacy.
(24:11):
Until then, don't forget to bea baller.
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