In Episode #11 of Real Leaders with Roshini, former Green Bay Packer Darrell Thompson shares how he found his calling for mentoring in college, and how that would come into play in his later role as CEO of Bolder Options, a health and wellness based mentoring program for youth. This 19th overall draft pick in the 1st round of the 1990 NFL draft says he'll "take that stat to his grave," but "you eventually have to hang up your cleats," and advises all young athletes to get an education.
He told Roshini he "married right" with his wife Stephanie and explains why bringing kids into the world is like horse breeding. (Listen to his episode to find out exactly what he means by that.)
Thompson wants to re-set the norm for black men and is bringing more black teachers into schools through his work with the organization Black Men Teach. As for football today compared with when he was a pro? He says it's safer: "You used to be taught techniques to almost knock people out—put the crown of your helmet into the other guy's ear hole."
This leader who mentors young people now maintains his own mentor relationships and counts Manchester Companies CEO Mark Sheffert and Delta Dental of Minnesota CEO Rod Young as two key mentors in his life.