Shawne Merriman Quotes

I came down the long road, even before I got here. Just to be where I am today is already a positive in my life. But to have something like this happen to me as well, I'm speechless.

I picked up business skills along the way, but there are things you learn at school like speaking the language of business so you can speak with CEOs.

I think that people should find a niche that will work. I have friends growing up who sat around playing video games for hours after school, and now they work for the video game industry. People need to find a niche so it doesn't feel like a job anymore. When I'm working on the "Lights Out" brand, it's fun. It's not work.

Everything is not going to go right, not just on the field but also in business. There were times I was injured on the field and could not play for a year or more. It was easy to quit and say, "I can't do it anymore." It taught me I can bounce back. It's the same in business.

Football is the love of my life. I would never say I don't want to play. Somebody could say that this game is meaningless. Who is it meaningless to? I guess people who are watching the game? Or the people who are playing it? It's definitely not meaningless to us.

It's a wonderful feeling that I get a chance to play with some of the best players in the world.

Don't be afraid to start out small. You see tech companies selling for millions, but you shouldn't be afraid to start small and grow it. I work closely with my employees. I don't believe in things working if you're not passionate about things.

I had a lot of ups and downs. I always said that if I were in a position to give back, I would and I have. As my name became bigger, I started giving. You want to make that connection with people who are less fortunate. It keeps you in touch with reality. When you become a successful individual, and have a thousand tasks going on, you forget that there are people in need. It keeps me grounded.

A lot of the things I've done for charity and the money I've given will never be talked about in the media. I'd rather it be that way, because I don't do it for the media. Of course, having celebrities and media there at events helps bring attention to the need, but seeing the looks on peoples' faces when they receive help is why I really do it.