“Youthful exuberance will never beat cunning and experience.”
I adore that line and always have. It reflects how I have operated throughout my career and without trying to sugar coat it… it shows that I am a veteran, slightly grizzled, yet a veteran none the less in this business.
This year marks 32 seasons in the NFL for yours truly and spring reminds me that the NFL cycle continues. As we power toward another Draft, several mini camps, the daunting preparation for Training Camp and ultimately the true kick off of the League season in the fall, I am proud to say that I have plenty left in my tank. While this past post season saw the Chiefs, my colleagues and I relegated to fandom, we were also blessed to have time to strategize, create, relax, and maybe most importantly, reflect.
As I travel further down my career path, I try my very best to continue to actively listen and learn at each mile marker. I never take for granted that every day is an opportunity to collaborate and uncover something - some gem, some hidden idea - that could change the course for the creative team while also making waves in the sports and entertainment world. I also find that it’s time to teach. Just this past week I met with several up and coming professionals as I often do, and I always love the chance to offer guidance and advice as they pave their path, with hopes for the same longevity that many of us have experienced. I have closely looked at (and marked up!) resumes for internal seasonals looking for their next stop. I have even dabbled in the fashion world lending multiple neckties to a young production associate as he ventured into the interview world. I can’t send the seedlings of the family tree into a meeting without some flair, right??
The iconic Deion Sanders (AKA Chiefs Legend, Leon Sandcastle) said, "If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good."
Working with people and getting one-on-one time to teach, guide, listen, and expand my mind and understanding is what I love most about the offseason. And although it wasn’t a banner season on the field, it reminded me that we all continue to learn in every situation. With that, I decided to take a quick review of 2025 and share the top 3 lessons learned and 2 epiphanies I had along the way – you see, a reminder that my 32nd season had to have some kitschy numerology. I thought I share, so here goes…
Top 3 lessons learned in 2025
Mental Health / Balancing Work and Life is Key. I know what you’re thinking. “Wow Rob. Solid effort on something that has been around forever.” You are correct to think that and more importantly, I accept your judgement that this should have been learned quite some time ago. I have family members who are challenged by anxiety, thoughts that keep them up at night, worries, and more. Until I truly felt these feelings and understood just how powerful the mind can be, I was unaware of the level of importance a strong and healthy mind is to overall happiness and growth. Someone once said that “people worry more after the age of 50 than ever before.” Aging kids, aging parents, planning for those groups and your own nuclei is a lot to ask of anyone. Now couple that with accountability to your own family and career and it’s a concoction sure to knock you down a peg or two, regardless of how mentally or physically strong you are. Just as you work out your body (or should) on a weekly basis, I have found that training the mind is just as necessary, if not more! No longer do I dismiss how important mental stability and care is, I evangelize it. Be sure to connect with those around you with an honest tone. Take time to listen when someone needs your ear and be sure to ask for help when needs arise. The world is kinder than it appears to be right now and we need it to continue that trend.
Put the Phone Down. You most likely are reading this on your phone, so if you are, THANK YOU! (but then put it down…). I have 2 phones and at times I truly wish I had none. Its muscle memory to reach for your phone when there is a nanosecond of dead time. I find myself doing it quite often. I have made a concerted effort to “Go Dark” when I am with my wife, kids, or trying to enjoy a little unplugged time on a weekend. I get it… our whole life is on the ^%$#@& thing. Every schedule, class, weather update, trip info, time-killing game, or simply the starting line for a 30-minute doom-scroll session.
Just put it down.
I read an article that so many younger people are doing manual games and crafts because they’ve had enough. Count me in. I’m not ashamed that I love puzzles more than ever before and a good, ole, analog book makes my heart sing. If it doesn’t have a screen or a battery, I am in.
Random Texting to People you Haven’t Seen or Heard from in a Long Time Should Be Practiced. BUT YOU JUST SAID PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN?? I did… but if it’s in your hands, find someone and reach out and ask for nothing, but tell them why they popped in your mind. I reach out to former teammates, colleagues, even peers at other teams. I shoot friends from past lives a shout to let them know they’ve crossed my mind and that’s all I needed to wish them well and hope life was treating them the way they hope to be treated. A random act of kindness is rare and welcomed from me and so I am going to assume that it’s that way for everyone (until someone tells me differently!) I recently reached out to someone who I was very close to but hadn’t communicated with in over a year. That ping allowed me to learn of some struggles that they were enduring. I simple text turned into a lifeline, and you simply never know when your words or thoughts might be just what the doctor ordered.
Now to the two epiphanies… this was tough to boil down to just two as every year I become more introspective and learn things at levels that often catch me by surprise.
The dictionary definition of an epiphany is “a moment of sudden revelation or insight.” I think to polish that definition a bit, the epiphanies that I had weren’t necessarily uncovering these thoughts but truly understanding their enormity. Some of these truths have been in my vision for decades, but for some unknown reason or maybe divine intervention, they have been presented to me in grand fashion. They are as plain as day and as impactful as ever.
In 2026 I had several, but the ones that swept me off my feet and made me think more deeply are as follows.
Time is Fleeting.
As I grow older (and hopefully wiser) I realize that our time and our relationships have an expiration date. Whether we chose that expiration date or not, there is one. Not to come off as morose, but as I connect with my family and as we all get older, I cherish each moment as if it may be our last. Spending time with my wife, kids, mom, dad, sisters, in laws, and more, I am reminded the clock stops for no one. As each member of my family faces challenges – some greater than others – each one of those gauntlets reminds me repeatedly, that life is just a string of memories that we can put together. Make those memories count, make the time count. Honesty, compassion, kindness, and smiles are the currency that really matters. Make the time count.
Lastly, Do Better.
This one can be defined in a million ways, but since you’re reading my blog, I will define it in my terms. As a father, husband, son, friend, co-worker, employee, and mentor, I wake up every day with a mission, “Be the best one of THOSE I can be.” In my opinion, when speaking about myself, that’s not enough. I find that I can always do better. Just like the old saying goes, “You learn something new every day!” (which is so true its frightening) and it leads to the thoughts that you can always do better every day as well. I have found that the more I push myself to serve, the more impact I make.
When times are tough, dig in and help more.
When teaching needs to be done, do it with more patience.
When stress pushes us to the brink, breathe deeper.
Simply put, “Youthful exuberance will never beat cunning and experience” and if that’s the case, experience tells me that growth is never ending. And as I enter year 32, for those in my orbit, I am excited to assure that every moment counts and I can always do better. Join me on that mission and feel free to share with me things that you have learned. I’m always listening.
