Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's happening today – Wednesday, Aug. 5 – for your Seattle Seahawks.
Topic of Discussion: Building A Financial Structure After Football
Topic of Discussion is becoming a weekly must-listen for anyone interested in engaging conversations. The podcast is hosted by 10-year Seahawks veteran K.J. Wright, Seahawks Legend Mike Morgan and Ali Samuel. The three bring on guests and discuss a wide variety of life topics.
This week, Wright and Morgan welcomed their former teammate Cliff Avril to discuss financial mistakes athletes make and how to network for future opportunities. They also debunked the myths about money in football and offered advice on how to maintain and grow your wealth as you transition from one career to another.
The episode runs for one hour and is well worth the time. Here are some of the highlights:
On the importance of networking while playing:
"Cliff you said this on your Instagram not too long ago, about another mistake guys make is that they don't network enough with people in the city," Wright said. "There's so many billionaires, people that started businesses, people that we have access to that most people don't have access to. But I feel like we got to do a better job of taking advantage of those people in our community."
"It's all maturity, all of this is maturity," Avril responded. "I know when I was in Detroit, I wasn't thinking about that. I was more standoffish, I was more like 'Man, anybody that wants to be around me, they're around me for football. Like, I don't want to talk to you. You're trying to get something from me.'"
On how asking for advice is better than asking for money:
"One of the things I learned from a good friend of mine who I consider a mentor," Avril said. "He just said, 'Look, if you ask for money, you tend to get advice. If you ask for advice, it tends to lead you to money.' Once he told me that I was like 'Dang, I didn't even think of that, I never processed that.' If you ask for money, they're not giving it to you anyway. But if you ask for advice, that advice will end up getting you to the bag."
On how football players have to start planning for the end before they get to the end:
"You got to have a plan," Wright said. "I started really planning like five years ago."
"That's smart on your part," Avril added. "I would say probably around year six or year seven was when I kind of started thinking about my exit plan. Really it was when I started having kids, which was about year five, year six. I think trying to have an exit plan is great. The problem with us as professional athletes – well, really NFL players because I can't speak for anybody else – whatever that exit plan is, you don't dictate that. It could end tomorrow, while you're even in the midst of thinking of that exit plan it could end. But that one, and then two, we're so programmed and so in-tune and focused, that you feel like if you start thinking about being on the outside, it will be here quicker than you want it to be. A lot of times we think like 'I don't want to think about that because I don't want it to come to fruition.' That's your fault for thinking that way, but that same mentality is also why you're so great at what you do."
Full episode:
First Look At Russell Wilson Connection With Greg Olsen
Greg Olsen joined a loaded tight end group this offseason when he signed with the Seahawks. Russell Wilson has a plethora of options, including Olsen, Will Dissly, Jacob Hollister and Luke Willson. We've seen Wilson connect with the latter three, and now we get to see him find his new weapon.
Olsen has 59 career receiving touchdowns, fifth-most in the NFL among tight ends since 2007. He's had at least five touchdowns in seven of his 13 seasons.
Wilson is definitely happy to have another threat on offense.
Social Post Of The Day
As players continue to work out together in the Seahawks' facility, we're going to get great photos and videos of the team. The latest comes from Duane Brown, who showed off his strength while wearing a mask in the weight room.
More From Around The Web
Seahawks.com reporter John Boyle brings you five things he learned from Pete Carroll’s press conference.
Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times breaks down how the Seahawks will use young defenders Marquise Blair and Jordyn Brooks this season.
Brandon Gustafson of 710 ESPN Seattle analyzes what the next steps are for cornerbacks Shaquill Griffin and Tre Flowers.
The News Tribune's Gregg Bell dives into Pete Carroll’s new personal challenge to himself and his team to defeat COVID-19.
Ben Arthur of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer projected the Seahawks' Week 1 roster and broke it down by each position.
