The 2020 NFL draft took place last week. There are lots of epic stories from the draft each year, none better than the 1989 draft.
Even before he was drafted Deon Sanders was a professional football player. And he knew it. In fact, he knew he was a brand even back in college, having given himself the nickname “Primetime”.
The New York Giants, picking No. 18, had interest in the All-American defensive back. They met with Sanders to interview him before the draft at the NFL combine.
The Giants wanted him to take an extensive 150 question written psychological test before the draft. Primetime had no interest in that, though. And as he immediately got up to leave the meeting, told them:
“I’ll be gone before (your pick),” he told the Giants. “I’ll see ya’ll later. I ain’t got time for this.”
He was right.
Sanders was the No. 5 overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. The Atlanta Falcons took the Florida State product with their top selection.
He went 13 picks before the Giants had a shot at him.
“Primetime” went on to become one of the best defensive players in NFL history. He was a nine-time first-team All-Pro at cornerback and the Defensive Player of the Year in 1994. Deon Sanders was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
How confident was Deon BEFORE he was even drafted? So confident he chartered a private jet to fly him from Florida State University to the NFL combine in Indianapolis. At the airport he had a limo take him to the RCA Dome, where he told the driver:
“Wait here, I’ll be right back.”
He got out of the limo, didn’t bother to stretch and ran a 4.19, setting a new record for the fastest 40 yard dash time ever at the NFL combine.
He didn’t even break stride at the finish line. He just kept running to the exit of the building. Where he hopped back in the limo and told the driver to take him back to the airport.
You’re in that story too.
Why? Because THAT is the kind of swagger you want.
Do you know your value as well as Sanders did?
It’s something most of us wrestle with including Your’s Bruly.
Probably because of a lot of bull$h!t unconscious programming from early in life.
Speaking of which…
Saturday my neighbor’s 10 year old kid, Luca, brought their dog Nero over for a play date with our gorgeous super model dog Quincy. (You can follow him on Instagram @QuincyTheModel)
I’m a sucker for gadgets and gear and saw Luca was wearing a rather unique paracord bracelet, so I had to ask about it.
He explained that he made it himself. This thing was decked out with a built in compass and the buckle doubled as a lighter, with a flint stone on it and 10 feet of paracord.
I asked him where I could buy one.
The young entrepreneur explained it was a new business he started and I could buy one from him. Custom colors, made to order.
“Sold! I’ll take three.” I blurted out.
Not even asking about the price.
He came back the next day with a written invoice for me and wanted to collect payment in full in advance.
(Which I highly recommend everyone do.)
Suffice it to say I was surprised and then laughed when I saw the invoice…
Bracelets: $15.
Sales tax: $10.
Effort tax: $15.
Total: $40.
I answered the door with a $20 bill in hand thinking that would cover it.
When I questioned him on it, Luca didn’t flinch. Didn’t bat an eyelash, and didn’t budge on price.
Why not?
Because he knew his value.
(See effort tax above.)
When I told Mrs. Coach Bru got annoyed with me and then got annoyed with our 10 year old neighbor, Luca.
I told her to go ahead and be annoyed with me but not Luca. Because I was glad to see that someone at just age 10 knew his value and stood his ground on price.
I gladly paid him the $40 because I wanted to reinforce that belief and behavior for him.
It’s a lesson I wish I would’ve been taught at his age.
I will wear Luca’s paracord bracelet every day as a reminder to know my value.
The lesson:
Be like Luca aka Lil Primetime.
Take a look at areas where you are undervaluing yourself. Then do something about it.
I’m walking my talk because I’ve come to the realization that I’ve been grossly underpricing and undervaluing the monthly dues to be a member of my inner circle “Yesterdays Underdogs”.
Starting June 1st, for new members the price will increase from $49 a month to $99.
To quote current member, leadership expert Jon Rennie, “$99. Bucks? It’s easily worth twice that much”
You have just 27 days to join at the current $49. Rate. Here’s that link: