Several years ago, I interviewed former NFL tight end Vernon Davis in an interview originally published in Thrive Global. Vernon played in the NFL for 14 seasons, won a Super Bowl, played in two Pro Bowls, and was a Second-team All-Pro. Vernon was entering his last season of his career at the time of the interview. Here is an excerpt from our conversation:

Adam: What is something about you that your fans don’t know?

Vernon: I am a great dancer and a big fan of dancing. I also played defensive back in high school and wanted to be a defensive player rather than an offensive player.

Adam: What is the most surprising thing about life in professional sports?

Vernon: How closely it corresponds to life in the everyday world.

Adam: How did you get here?

Vernon: Hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. When I entered the NFL, I was focused on my independent performance and, as a result, lacked the skills of being a team player. After the guidance of Mike Singletary, I became a team player.

Adam: What are your hobbies and how have they shaped you?

Vernon: Acting has taught me how to create success outside of my comfort zone, as well as how to harness different emotions in order to become a better leader.

Adam: What players and coaches have you learned the most from? What did you learn from them?

Vernon: Mike Singletary taught me how to become a team player, a leader, and how to humble myself. Jerry Rice taught me discipline on and off the field, how to take care of my body, and perfect my craft. Peyton Manning taught me to be a professional and how to work through adversity especially when getting up in age with playing football.

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?

Vernon: The importance of preparation to accomplish a goal and take care of responsibilities. How to use adversity and use it physically, mentally, and spiritually. Learn the importance of a strong network and professionals around you to achieve success.

Adam: In your experience, other than natural talent, what are the defining qualities of a superstar athlete?

Vernon: The defining qualities of a superstar athlete are being level-headed, appreciating the fans, trying to be a positive role model and not being afraid to be vulnerable. Another defining quality is trying different things in the public eye.

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

Vernon: Patrick Willis, Peyton Manning, Alex Smith. The defining qualities of a great leader are acknowledging your teammates when the team accomplishes something great and taking ownership when the team doesn’t accomplish their goals. Always lead by example even when it comes to failure.

Adam: Who is the best teammate you ever had and why?

Vernon: Frank Gore. He is a great guy, positive, friendly, and hardworking. Regarding football, he never complained and was a blue-collar player that exceeded his natural athletic abilities through mental toughness and work ethic.

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

Vernon: Learn as if I’ll live forever.

Adam: How can anyone pay it forward?

Vernon: Each one, teach one. Help those accomplish their goals the same way others have helped you accomplish yours.


Adam Mendler is an entrepreneur, writer, speaker, educator, and nationally recognized authority on leadership. Adam is 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. 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. Adam has written extensively on leadership and related topics, 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. Adam teaches graduate-level courses on leadership at UCLA and is an advisor to numerous companies and leaders. A Los Angeles native, Adam is a lifelong Angels fan and an avid backgammon player.

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