What’s something that you rarely see in the same sentence? Super Bowl champ and HBCU Graduate. In Episode 5, Deonte, Tykera and Ced sit down with Super winning champion Ryan Smith and hear about his journey to the NFL and what Law #7: Stay Ready So You Don’t Have to Get Ready means to him.

Jumping straight into a lively conversation, Ryan comes ready for what the hosts have in store for him. No worries, the hosts were ready, just the normal foolishness from your favorite host Deonte. After a little black fraternity banter and lesson sharing, they get into Law #7. Understanding that there is a need to be ready for any opportunity that may come your way, so always be prepared.

Making it from an HBCU to the NFL is not the norm, let’s be realistic. So, for Ryan he showed that he was ready for any opportunity that came his way. As an athletic high schooler, he focused on basketball with only one year of football to show scouts. Everyone is thinking the same thing, how does one year of high school football equal an NFL champ? When offers came around things didn’t necessarily go his way, he stayed patient and eventually his football career took off at North Carolina Central University.

Being that his career was a unique one full of setbacks, Ryan said that he almost gave up on football and knew that he had to take obtaining his degree seriously. Friendly banter breaks out on the topic of plans and networking. As an athlete, you are seen as a part of the school’s business and if you detour from your athletic goals in college, it may not come across the best way. But shouldn’t athletes have a safe space to discuss the “what if’s” if sports aren’t in the future?

Relationships. Building relationships is very important and Tykera is very transparent saying going into college she wasn’t the best at building them, Ced agrees it is a learning process. Opening up to new connections prepared the hosts and Ryan to always be aware of what’s before them to excel them in life. Tagging along, Deonte and Ryan speak on their relationships built from their fraternal organizations, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. respectively and the benefits of being in them. The relationships you build in school, will help you outside further in life.

Ryan is as humble as they come, even as a Superbowl Champion. He speaks on being on the same team as what some call the football goat, Tom Brady was like and his influence as a teammate. Brady’s work ethic stood out to Ryan and inspired him to want to do more. As a teammate, he saw the leadership that Brady possessed to put the pieces of the team together and eventually take it all the way. Ryan says even though people want to be where he’s at, he’s continuously trying to improve to get the level of the greats, like his teammate Tom Brady.

Playing football has prepared Ryan for life by understanding that you have to balance life. After another round of rapid (rather slow) fire questions, Ryan struggles with his choice of chicken sandwich. Switching up, Ryan fires back at the hosts asking no hair maintenance or un-fresh breath. What would you choose? From his time in college to making it to the pros, the journey hasn’t been an easy one, but he has always been ready for what’s next, encompassing Law #7: Stay Ready So You Don’t Have to Get Ready.

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Through the Law of Athlete Podcast, you will get a unique breakdown of the 12 Laws of Athlete. We welcome new guests each episode where athletes and industry professionals can connect with their fans and share their point-of-view from important topics and aligning their experiences with one of our 12 Laws.

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