Nobody Cares, Work Harder: Interview with Former NFL Receiver Brenton Bersin

I recently went one on one with Brenton Bersin. Brenton is the co-founder and CEO of OUTLAST Daily Fantasy Sports and was a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers.

Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?

Brenton: Thanks for the opportunity to talk with you.

I went to Charlotte Latin School K-12 then went on to Wofford College to play football, and ultimately signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent after the 2012 NFL Draft. The entire recruiting process in high school and then a similar process during college/into the pros were some of the most instrumental experiences in my growth to date. I played wide receiver, and my high school quarterback was one of the most highly recruited players in the nation coming out that season. Unfortunately for me, I was overlooked constantly by these coaches, and told I wasn’t good enough to play at their program. I decided to take this as motivation, and it helped me succeed at Wofford, who showed great interest in me as a person and player. Once I got to the pros, I was cut after my rookie training camp.  I was not re-signed, so I went and played in the Arena Football League that spring, kept working towards my dream and ultimately was re-signed to the Panthers later that spring. I went on to have a six-year NFL career in Charlotte, N.C., my hometown, and I am thankful for my early challenges to have made that happen!

Adam: What is the most surprising thing about life in professional football? What is something that would shock fans?

Brenton: I think the most surprising thing about professional football is how much timing and opportunity have to do with the success of one’s career. Almost every individual that makes it to that level is uber talented, but if you are not a high draft pick there is no commitment in the NFL. For those playing on non-guaranteed contracts, you are one tweaked hamstring or rolled ankle from your career ending/never beginning. I was fortunate enough to avoid those kinds of things early on and was able to gain the support/trust of our coaching staff and team to be able to stick around for six years. 

Adam: What are the best lessons you have learned through your career in football that are applicable to those of us who will never earn a living playing pro ball?

Brenton: As I said prior, I was fortunate to have a six-year NFL career. Unfortunately for me, I played every year on a league minimum salary (albeit still a very good salary!). The money is not why I played, and I didn’t make enough to retire off it either. The real value came with the relationships made and future connections. I stay in touch with many old teammates, coaches, staff, etc., and if needed I know through those close connections, or the NFL community in general, I can open a door somewhere. Treat everybody with respect and kindness, because you never know who you will need to connect with eventually!

Adam: How did you come up with your business idea and know it was worth pursuing? What advice do you have for others on how to come up with and test business ideas?

Brenton: My high school friend and I came up with the idea for OUTLAST Daily Fantasy Sports several years ago (when sports gambling was legalized in the United States).  Obviously, that market has taken the country by storm over the past few years, so we saw a market fit for a unique app. We focus on player props, hence the daily fantasy sports tag. The idea of our game is to predict how your favorite players will perform, whether choosing over or under their stat projections or picking a player to outscore another player. We are adding different ways to play every day as the app comes into its first year being launched. 

I obviously have sports in my blood, and I have always enjoyed fantasy games. It makes watching sports more enjoyable! My advice to anybody with a great idea that they are passionate about is to put together a presentation/business plan and talk to people. TONS OF PEOPLE. You might get 100 “nos,” 100 “This is stupid,” - because I know I did.  All you need is one person to say “Yes” and believe in YOU and your idea!

Adam: Who is the best teammate you ever had and why? What are the characteristics of a great teammate?

Brenton: The best teammate I ever had was Luke Kuechly.  We came in together to Carolina in 2012.  He was the 1st round pick, and I was undrafted, but you would have never known that observing how he handled himself in the locker room, with employees, etc. He treated everyone with respect, was humble, and of course was a heck of a football player. Future Hall of Famer.

The top characteristics of a great teammate are someone who shows respect to every teammate, outworks everybody, and puts it on the line for the team day in and day out.

Adam: Who are the greatest leaders you have played for and with and why? What do you believe are the defining qualities of a great leader?

Brenton: Luke, for every reason I listed above. Another great leader was Coach Ricky Proehl. He was my wide receiver coach in Carolina and had a 15+-year NFL career himself as a player and won two Super Bowls. One of the best qualities of a leader, one Proehl possessed, is the ability to teach and connect with who you are trying to lead.  He was a player’s coach and was able to properly lead our group without having to be overly assertive. 

Adam: How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?  Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to leaders and aspiring leaders?

Brenton: Listen, Read, Network.  Watch and observe those you respect and look up to and learn from what they do.  

Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?

Brenton: “Nobody cares, work harder.” It is more so a quote, versus a piece of advice. But I love this quote and think of it when I am getting down or negative, or when things feel overwhelming.

Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share?

Brenton: Thanks for the opportunity to talk with you and looking forward to following your work moving forward!


Adam Mendler is the CEO of The Veloz Group, where he co-founded and oversees ventures across a wide variety of industries. Adam is also the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one on one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. Adam has written extensively on leadership, management, entrepreneurship, marketing and sales, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities and non-profit organizations.

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