How Athletes Are Winning Beyond The Games Money Moves
Who Turn Success Into Service Playing It Forward
In Cartier’s repertoire of animals, the elephant is most often depicted in a naturalist manner. For this necklace, it has been given a new interpretation that blends figurative and abstract styles. With its ears, trunk and emerald eyes, the animal emerges from the center of the necklace to form a harmonious combination of triangle, lozenge and kite-shaped diamonds. This graphic mesh continues around the neck, with fine openwork details that accentuate its precision.
Premier Players is our registered trademark. Premier Players, Inc. is a sports information, marketing, training, event management and apparel company that focuses on how athletes use sports to help themselves and others. The company also gives fans opportunities each season to vote for the player they believe is the Premier Player of NCAA College Football, Men & Women Basketball, Baseball & Softball and Men & Women Hockey. Polls and events are then used to help The Premier Players Sports Foundation raise funds to support orphaned, foster, special needs, and at-risk children participation in sports.
How Strong Relationships Fuel Success
In the world of sports, physical training, strategy, and talent usually grab the headlines. But behind the scenes, there’s a quieter, equally powerful force driving many athletes to greatness: strong, supportive relationships.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes serves as a perfect example. Long before he became a household name, Mahomes had the unwavering support of his high school sweetheart now wife, Brittany Matthews. Their bond has remained a cornerstone of his life even as his career has soared. In an interview with Men’s Health, Mahomes reflected on the importance of having someone like Brittany by his side:
"Having someone there who knows you before the world did that’s huge for staying true to yourself," he shared.
Mahomes' experience is a reminder that behind many successful athletes are meaningful personal connections that help keep them grounded, focused, and emotionally healthy.
The Quiet Strength of Strong Relationships
In both sports and life, authentic relationships form the emotional foundation needed for real success. Partners, family, friends, coaches, and teammates all play a vital role in shaping an athlete’s mindset. Supportive relationships offer:
Mental health benefits:Athletes often
face intense pressure, scrutiny, and expectations. Strong emotional support can help manage anxiety, boost resilience, and maintain overall psychological wellbeing.
Stress reduction: Knowing that someone truly understands and supports them allows athletes to decompress and reset, preventing burnout.
Enhanced focus and performance: Emotional security off the field can free athletes to concentrate fully on their training, games, and goals without personal distractions undermining their performance.
When athletes feel genuinely supported, they are often more confident and more capable of handling the highs and lows of their careers.
Authentic Connections Matter
While social media followers and public accolades are fleeting, real relationships offer lasting value. Having people who celebrate you not just for your achievements, but for who you are at your core, helps athletes stay true to themselves.
Importantly, these connections must be genuine. Superficial relationships based on fame or success can lead to feelings of isolation and distrust. True bonds are built on honesty, loyalty, and mutual respect qualities that can withstand the inevitable challenges of life and competition.
Mahomes’ relationship with Brittany is a powerful example of how authenticity and history matter. She knew him before the fame, before the NFL titles, and before the Super Bowl MVPs — and that history provides a grounding influence that money and fame can’t buy.
The Ultimate Game-Changer
The world often values performance over people. However, investing time and energy into real relationships might be one of the smartest plays an athlete — or anyone — can make. Success is rarely achieved alone. Whether it's the steady encouragement of a spouse, the wisdom of a mentor, or the solidarity of teammates, strong relationships give athletes the strength to persevere through challenges and celebrate triumphs with humility and gratitude.
Takeaway: Relationships aren’t just
important they’re essential. By building and maintaining real, honest connections, athletes create a foundation that supports both their personal growth and professional success. Genuine love, loyalty, and support aren’t just “nice to have” — they are often the ultimate game-changers.
Article by Andrew Paxson
The Champion’s Health Blueprint Beyond Training & Nutrition
The applause thundered through the stadium as Serena Williams waved to the crowd one last time. It wasn't just a farewell to tennis; it was a celebration of a life devoted to chasing greatness, not just through titles, but through self-respect, resilience, and a deeper understanding of health.
When she announced her retirement, Serena didn’t talk first about her Grand Slam victories or the records she shattered. She talked about her health; the quiet battles that no camera ever caught.
"You can’t win if you don’t take care of yourself," she said, her voice strong and steady. "That means listening to your body, your mind, and your spirit.“
It was a lesson she learned not just in the glory of championships, but in the lonely moments of pain, exhaustion, and doubt. And it’s a lesson that today’s athletes and all of us are finally beginning to embrace.
A New Kind of Champion
Once upon a time, the image of an elite
athlete was all about grinding harder, pushing through pain, sacrificing sleep, ignoring injuries. Grit was measured by how much you could endure without breaking.
But somewhere along the way, the true champions realized something deeper: longevity isn’t built on ignoring the body — it's built on honoring it.
Today’s blueprint for greatness looks different. It’s not just early-morning workouts and endless reps. It’s:
Balanced, intentional nutrition - fueling the body with care, not just calories.
Consistent, high-quality sleep - allowing the body and mind the time to rebuild.
Mental wellness practices like meditation and visualization - keeping focus sharp and emotions steady.
Injury prevention and recovery strategies - treating aches and strains early, not when it's too late.
Modern athletes have learned that training smart beats training hard. That rest isn’t weakness it's strategy. That listening to the whispers of fatigue or stress can prevent the screams of career-ending injuries.
Listening to the Whole Self
Serena’s journey reminds us: true strength is holistic. It's not just physical might, but mental clarity, emotional balance, and spiritual resilience.
There were days when Serena pushed
There were days when Serena pushed her body to the limit. But there were also days when she stepped back, chose recovery, and trusted that patience was a weapon just as powerful as power serves.
Behind every trophy, there was not just sweat — but wisdom. Wisdom to know when to fight harder, and wisdom to know when to heal. And that’s the secret most never see: the champions we admire aren't just warriors. They're caretakers of the very vessel that carries their dreams.
The Real MVP
The biggest victory isn’t just standing on a podium. It’s still standing after the world stops watching. It’s still loving the game and yourself long after the final match is played.
The true takeaway: Health isn’t just about pushing past your limits. It’s about respecting them. It’s about working smarter, not just harder. It’s about treating your body like the true MVP it is because without it, none of the dreams, none of the victories, are possible.
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Kirk Cousin
Turning Gridiron Glory Into Life-Changing Impact
The blinding stadium lights, with tens of thousands cheering and millions more watching from home, Kirk Cousins has made his name as one of the NFL’s most steady and respected quarterbacks. He’s engineered game-winning drives, signed record-breaking contracts, and shown up season after season with grit and grace.
But for Cousins, what happens off the field may matter even more than what happens between the goalposts. You won’t always hear about it in the headlines, but while he's known for precision passes and calm under pressure, he’s also building a legacy defined by generosity, humility, and purpose.
"I’ve been blessed beyond anything I deserve," Cousins once said in an interview. "And that blessing comes with responsibility - to serve others with what I’ve been given.“
Faith, Family, and a Bigger Purpose
Raised in a tight-knit, middle-class family in Michigan, Cousins grew up on values of faith, discipline, and gratitude. Even as he climbed the ranks from high school standout to Michigan State legend to NFL star, those values stayed with him. Rather than lose himself in the spotlight, Cousins used his rise to reflect on how he could give back, not someday, but right now.
Early in his pro career, he and his wife Julie founded the Julie & Kirk Cousins Foundation, with a clear mission: To
support organizations that serve underprivileged youth, empower families, and spread hope through tangible help.
Through this foundation, Cousins has supported: Youth sports initiatives for atrisk children; Food banks and housing programs for struggling families; Scholarships for students with limited financial means; and Faith-based programs promoting mentorship, character, and leadership.
More Than a Quarterback
In a culture where wealth and fame can easily become the destination, Cousins sees them as tools - ways to open doors
for others. He often speaks to young athletes about the importance of living with intentionality. Not just chasing stats or contracts but building a life that uplifts others.
"The goal," he says, "is not just success; it's significance!“
Cousins has even taken personal steps to model financial responsibility and humility. Despite signing one of the NFL’s first fully guaranteed contracts, he’s known for driving a dented van from his college days and making thoughtful, long-term financial decisions. Why? Because he wants to set an example, especially for young players, that what you do with your money matters more than how much you make.
Paying It Forward, One Life at a Time
The message is simple: Greatness isn't measured by the size of your bank account, but by the number of lives you impact with it.
The Takeaway: Giving Is the Real GameChanger. Cousins may be best known for his arm, but it’s his heart that’s building a lasting legacy. He proves that you don’t have to wait until retirement to make a difference. You don’t need to be a superstar to start giving back. And you don’t have to choose between excellence and empathy; the best athletes bring both.
Article By Carnell Moore
Whether it’s writing checks behind the scenes or showing up in person at a local youth event, Cousins is intentional about how he spends his time and influence. He and Julie don’t just fund programs, they build relationships with the people they’re helping.
How Athletes Are Winning Beyond The Games MONEY MOVES
The first time Shaquille O’Neal cashed a big NBA check, he felt unstoppable. He bought luxury cars, houses, jewelrywhatever caught his eye. Within a blink, he had spent $1 million in a single day. Shaq was living large, just as he had always dreamed.
But it wasn’t long before reality tapped him on the shoulder. Despite his massive contracts and endorsement deals, Shaq realized something terrifying: he was burning through his fortune faster than he could rebuild it. It was then he learned a lesson that would shape his life.
"It’s not about how much you make, "Shaq would later say, "It’s about how much you keep.
"It wasn’t the dunks or the championships that taught him true greatness it was the near-miss of financial disaster.
The Silent Opponent: Money Mismanagement
In professional sports, fame and fortune often come fast, and so do the pitfalls. Statistics have long painted a grim picture: a shocking number of athletes file for
bankruptcy just a few years after retirement.
Why? Because when the final whistle blows, the paychecks stop, but the habitsthe spending, the giving, the lifestyleoften don’t.
Shaq's brush with financial ruin became a wake-up call not only for himself but for an entire generation of athletes who watched and learned. He decided to get smart really smart. He sought out financial advisors, attended business courses, and became a student of money management. Today, Shaq is not just a basketball legend; he’s a business mogul, investor, and brand in his own right.
A New Era of Financial Champions
Inspired by stories like Shaq's, today’s athletes are taking their financial futures into their own hands. They’re:
- Investing in businesses rather than buying fleeting luxuries.
- Building portfolios of real estate, stocks, and startups.
- Partnering with trusted financial advisors who understand the unique needs of professional athletes.
- Giving back strategically, creating foundations and scholarships that outlast their playing days.
The smartest players understand: your career can make you rich, but your habits will decide if you stay rich. And it’s not just for the stars of the court, the field, or the
pitch. These lessons are for everyone athlete and fan alike.
Mastering money isn’t flashy. It’s steady, disciplined, and often invisible. But it’s how real legacies are built.
Playing the Long Game
When Shaq looks back, he doesn’t just see the championship rings or MVP trophies. He sees the hard conversations with bankers. The humility to admit he didn’t know everything. The wisdom to plan for a future bigger than basketball.
The takeaway is simple but powerful: No matter how much you earn; financial literacy is the real championship move. Save wisely. Invest smartly. Give generously, but with a plan. Because life, much like sports, isn’t just about the highlights. It’s about having a strategy that wins the whole game. long after the crowd has gone home.
Article by Andrew Paxson
DJ Lagway: Florida’s Hope For The CFP
As the Florida Gators gear up for the 2025 college football season, all eyes are on sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway. After a breakout freshman year, Lagway is poised to lead the Gators into a new era of competitiveness in the SEC.
His 2024 season was nothing short of remarkable. Stepping in after an injury to starter Graham Mertz, the true freshman quickly showcased his talent. In his debut against Samford, he threw for 456 yards and three touchdowns, breaking Florida's freshman passing record previously held by Chris Leak .
Over the season, Lagway completed 93 of 157 passes (59.2%) for 1,610 yards, 11 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also added 97 rushing yards on 46 carries. His performance earned him the No. 16 spot in 247Sports' final top 20 quarterback power rankings for 2024 .
Analysts are optimistic about Lagway's potential in 2025. Chris Hummer of 247Sports noted, "Few quarterbacks come with the ceiling of Lagway, a monster at 6-foot-3, 239 pounds with a rocket for an arm. Given a full year of development and reps as QB1, expect Lagway to emerge as one of the top overall passers in the country" .
ESPN included Lagway in its "way-tooearly" Heisman Trophy contenders list for 2025, highlighting his impact on Florida's late-season resurgence . Athlon Sports echoed this sentiment, stating, "Lagway’s move into the starting lineup was instrumental in Florida’s late-season improvement. The sophomore-to-be has
enormous upside and talent that will only get better with more snaps in ’25".
Ari Wasserman of On3 even speculated on Lagway's NFL potential, saying, "If I could bet right now at some long odds... that DJ Lagway will be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft in two years, I would bet it right now. Because he has the measurables" .
While Lagway's freshman year was impressive, there are areas for improvement. He threw nine interceptions and had a completion rate of just under 60%. Developing better intermediate passing accuracy and decision-making under pressure will be key focuses in the offseason. Additionally, staying healthy will be crucial.A hamstring injury against Georgia limited his mobility, underscoring the importance of durability for a quarterback with his dual-threat capabilities.
With Lagway at the helm, Florida's offense is expected to be dynamic. The return of key players like wide receiver Eugene Wilson III and a strong recruiting class bolster the team's prospects. If Lagway continues his upward trajectory, the Gators could contend for an SEC title and a College Football Playoff berth.
In summary, DJ Lagway's emergence has reignited optimism in Gainesville. His development will be pivotal to Florida's success in 2025 and beyond.
Article By Carnell Moore
A CAPtivating collection of hats to make you dizzy.
