Stansly Maponga | NFL Career, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants & Becoming Zimbabwe’s First NFL Player in History | Nick Egan Times

Stanly Maponga joins Nick Egan Times for an inspiring conversation about making history, overcoming adversity, and building a legacy that extends far beyond the football field.

Widely recognized as the first Zimbabwean-born player to reach the NFL, Stanly’s remarkable journey took him from Zimbabwe to the highest levels of professional football in the United States. During his career, he played in the NFL, CFL, and XFL, including stints with the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, and other professional organizations, becoming a trailblazer for African athletes pursuing opportunities in American football.

In this episode, Stanly reflects on the challenges of adapting to a new country, chasing an NFL dream, and the perseverance required to compete at the highest level of professional sports. He also shares lessons learned from his football career, the importance of resilience, leadership, family, faith, and maintaining a positive mindset through life’s challenges.

Since this interview was recorded, Stanly has continued to expand his influence beyond football and business, becoming involved in ownership opportunities connected to the Dallas Cowboys and joining an ownership group associated with one of the most iconic franchises in professional sports.

This conversation explores professional football, the NFL, leadership, entrepreneurship, personal growth, overcoming obstacles, and the mindset required to achieve success on and off the field.

A powerful discussion with a history-making athlete whose journey continues to inspire future generations around the world.

Transcript

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SPEAKER_01 0:18

Hi everyone, thanks for Ms. Episode and Mickey Eagle Talents. On this episode, we have an amazing guest who has made NFL history. We have a talented and inspiring athlete, Stanzi Rapunda. Stanzi made history as the first ever Simbabbian player to play and make it in the NFL, marking a significant milestone in both his professional sporting career and his country of birth sports history. Initially drafted by the Adventure Falcon, Stanley paved the way for future Simbablian athletes to pursue their dreams and aspirations on the international stage. Not only did Napoleon excel in NFL, but Stanley also ventured into the CFL and XFL, further solidifying Stanley's remarkable impact in professional football. Stanley's journey showcases resilience and determination, spending over a decade of dedication, determination, and commitment playing across multiple different leagues. Beyond Stanley's athletic achievements, Stanley is known for his commitment to his family and his positive outlook in life, choosing to find the good in every situation. Stanley's legacy extends beyond the field, inspiring others to pursue their passions with courage and optimism. Welcome to Inspiring Stanley. Thanks for coming on the podcast. Oh man, appreciate you, man.

SPEAKER_00 1:30

Appreciate you for having me on here, man. You're welcome, my friend. How's it all been going over there? Oh man, it's been going wonderful, man. Uh it's just, you know, a lot of just pretty much, you know, the same old, you know, season after season, uh, you know, working out, you know, just getting myself prepared, uh, you know, for the upcoming season, uh, NFL season. And uh pretty much right now, uh just kind of focusing on uh, you know, like the last couple, couple years, you know, because I, you know, I got about two to three years left in me. Uh, you know, uh been playing for a while now, and um, you know, now just kind of, you know, trying to reach as many, you know, people out there, you know, uh, you know, going through the same pretty much journey uh as I am too, as well. Uh just you know, just trying to shed the light and uh, you know, just let people know that, you know, once you got your mind set on something, um, and you got a good circle around you, um, and you can accomplish pretty much anything.

SPEAKER_01 2:33

100%. Couldn't agree more. That's tremendous. Um, all right, let's jump straight into it. Take us back. Tell me about life growing up, obviously from Zimbabwe, uh, what it was like growing up there, um, and how obviously you migrated to the United States, um, that story as well.

SPEAKER_00 2:50

All right, uh, well, man, it happened pretty much. Um, you know, I still remember like it was yesterday, uh, pretty much when we was in Zimbabwe, um, you know, kind of growing up in a single parent home. Um, and you know, our mother had to take on pretty much two roles uh as a parent. Um, you know, kind of raising uh three boys, uh, you know, me and my siblings. And uh, you know, that's it kind of pretty much kind of puts, you know, a little bit more responsibility on the on the oldest, which was me. And uh pretty much, you know, from a young age, you know, having to, you know, to grow up a lot quicker uh because of, you know, just kind of watching, you know, your other siblings and you know, just kind of dealing with um, you know, everything that's been going on around uh, you know, my mom, you know, just kind of working her butt off, you know what I'm saying, for, you know, to have us, uh, you know, her kids, you know, just to have a better life, you know, a better opportunity. And um, you know, the first, the first thing, you know, my mom was pretty much uh, you know, because she was in the military uh in Zimbabwe, so pretty much she was just trying to decide on, you know, if she should stay in Zimbabwe or if she should, you know, kind of venture off, you know, uh to you know, to London, pretty much that because that was the first choice, you know, London, because uh, you know, because I'm a big fan of soccer. So uh and you know, kind of growing up, you know, Zimbabwe, you know, the you know, is it's just soccer and cricket, right? And then rugby, of course. Uh, but um, you know, my mom was about um, you know, just wanting a better, a better situation to where our options are open, you know, on whatever we want to do in life. And uh pretty much uh she started, you know, she she went to England. Uh, I mean she lunched, yeah, England. She went to England first. And pretty much um for some reason, you know, she decided that now, you know, I want you guys to uh, you know, to we're gonna move to the United States. And um, and how everything was gonna happen uh was pretty much uh, you know, she would have to leave us uh and let our cousins, you know, um our relatives, you know, kind of take care of us while she's working so that, you know, uh we'll be able to follow her uh to the United States. And uh pretty much it it took her about two years, two years just to get everything kind of set up. And uh in and in those two years, um, you know, uh for me, you know, just kind of taking care of my little brothers, um, you know, we, you know, we grew a bond to where uh, you know, no matter the situation, uh no matter what's going on, uh, you know, we always stick together and we always stay together no matter the situation. And um, you know, and because of those, you know, certain circumstances that we were put in, um, we know we knew that the circumstance that we are in is a good circumstance uh because of you know the opportunities that you know my mom is creating for us, uh, for us to be able to have a horizon of uh opportunities and also choices on what we want to you know venture off into uh career-wise. And uh, you know, uh we kind of bonded together and you know ended up moving here. Um I think it was 2200 and 2002, if I'm not mistaken. Uh, and that's how long ago it's been, you know, and you know, we moved here to Texas. So, you know, it was pretty much a long journey, but at the same time, it's it was well, it was a well perf uh perfected uh situation to where you know everything worked out, you know, accordingly, you know, how you know my mom planned it out and also how we kind of pretty much just stuck together. Uh and you know, and when we got here, opportunities was open.

SPEAKER_01 7:08

Incredible. Thank you for sharing that. That's remarkable, your journey. What does Zimbabwe and I guess the Zimbabwean people mean to you?

SPEAKER_00 7:17

Uh they mean everything, man. Um, you know, just coming here, uh, you know, because this is culture change and uh and pretty much just kind of seeing, you know, what advantages, you know, other countries have uh that also Zimbabwe could also use as well. Um and like I said, you know, for me, you know, I tell, you know, my teammates and you know, friends and family that, you know, man, if we are able to, you know, just kind of present opportunities, um, opportunities for other people, you know what I'm saying, to just kind of see uh the opportunities that are presented, um, you know, it could be life-changing for, you know, anybody. Um, and you know, the first, you know, the first step obviously is to, you know, just have that type of mindset that, you know, you want, you know, you want something in life, you know, that's, you know, achieve, you know, not achievable, but somewhat that looks not achievable to other people's eyes. But, you know, you want to always aim high, you know, in everything that you do. So, you know, just kind of letting, you know, my teammates and also talking to the NFL, um, you know, we're kind of right now, you know, we're in the progress of, you know, trying to create something right now in Zimbabwe to where um, you know, like facilities, you know, stuff like that, you know, uh open up a gym. Uh you know, like NFL Africa is already out there, but now we're just trying to, you know, expand. And as you can see, uh the NFL, they going even more out, you know, to different countries. And uh, you know, that's exciting. Uh so by, you know, just kind of taking it, you know, one day at a time, you know, just kind of just to put all the pieces together to where, you know, uh we're able to just present opportunity. And also, you know, I'm working also with OC, uh, OCU Menior. I know he got his um NFL uh Africa also in London as well, too. So uh I'm gonna try to, you know, we're gonna try to bring something there too, as well, in London too, as well. So uh that's you know, that's what's really I'm working on right now. Um, and you know, just to present more opportunities and to present, you know, the talent that's out there, you know, and you know, people won't believe well how much talent is out there. And you know, those, you know, people just don't have those type of advantages, uh, and then they don't have, you know, um, they don't have pretty much, you know, those rare opportunities to be able to uh you know advance into you know sports, you know, and whatever they will want to do, like you know, other countries kind of provide. So that's what we're kind of working on right now.

SPEAKER_01 10:07

That's awesome. Um, all right. Tell me, tell me about getting drafted into the NFL. Um, you know, it's incredible, you know. And uh I was even looking at the percentages, usually only roughly about two percent actually even makes NFL each year from college. So the odds for you getting into the NFL and actually getting drafted is even more significant, right?

SPEAKER_00 10:29

Yes, yes, yes. Um, you know, I'm not, you know, for me, I'm not a big type of numbers guy, you know, uh, because that's all you you know you hear uh pretty much um, you know, from middle school, high school, and then college, and then, you know, the NFL. But, you know, for me, it was just more as, you know, I this is what I really wanted. Um, and I'm not gonna let numbers kind of predict, you know, what I will be. Um, and pretty much, you know, like you will hear a lot of things, you know, especially um with other, you know, shoot, you know, like other people as well, you know, them trying to make it, but it just like, you know, sometimes people have uh tendencies of kind of making that dream of a keys uh kid's dream uh kind of pretty much not, you know, they they want to make it harder than it is uh to get there rather than just kind of you know believing, you know, um the dream also as well, and then supporting them. But it's it's more of you know, numbers game, um, and also the opportunities that are presented, and then also where uh the location you are at, uh and if uh like football is involved a lot in that state. Uh but you know, for me, it was just more as, you know, this is an opportunity for me to really, you know, take care of my family. Um and for me, I'm like, you know, if if I can play a sport and I can play and I can play really well, and I'm able to get get to the NFL, then and I can see the vision in my head, and I'm like, okay, you know what, I can do this. And once that mindset was imprinted in me, and you know, pretty much with my mom, she was supportive every way, you know, because uh she was worried about college, you know, having to pay for college and stuff like that. And I didn't want my mom to pay for me to college, yeah, to go to college or my siblings. So my thing was, okay, I'm gonna, I got four years in high school, you know, just to perfect my craft, you know, to where when I'm a senior, I will have all the scholarships. And pretty much it took me about a good year uh to kind of pretty much, you know, get the body, uh, you know, the body that I, you know, the muscle, build up the muscle, endurance, all of that, you know, good stuff. And and man, you know, I really took off pretty much my sophomore year, uh, my second year in high school. And pretty much that's where I kind of, you know, you know, took off the roof and you know, started getting offers from, you know, I know my I remember my first offer was from Boys Estate uh in Idaho. And after when I received that offer, uh, you know, I went to my mom and you know, I pretty much told her, I said, hey mom, you know, I got my, you know, I got my first scholarship. And, you know, my mom, she's been working hard and she had just came back uh to the house. So she was, you know, she was tired, obviously. And uh, you know, and she didn't want to, you know, she didn't want me to, you know, kind of joke with her. But I'm like, mom, I'm serious. I got a scholarship, you know, you ain't gotta worry about, you know, having to pay, and you know, this is you know, this is gonna change everything, right? And she still didn't believe it. So pretty much, you know, I started crying to her, and I'm like, mom, just believe me. I got it, you know, like, yo, I got it. You know, please understand, you know, you can call my coach, whatever. And, you know, it took it took her pretty much like a whole week to kind of embrace that, okay, he's really received that scholarship. And then my head coach actually called my mom and explained everything to her. And then after that, man, my mom, you know, it was just like a big relief uh, you know, for her just to hear that, you know, one of her sons, you know, got a scholarship. And uh pretty much, you know, it was just a bundle of joy uh, you know, for my whole family. And, you know, like after that first, after that first scholarship come in, it's like a whole rack of you know, scholarships just start coming in, you know, just because of, you know, what I've been doing on the field and stuff like that, and you know, just kind of putting in the hard work and you know, not having to listen to, you know, many voices, you know, saying that, oh, you can't do it, or you're too small, or you know, you're gonna hear a lot, especially when you're trying to aim for something that is, you know, above um, you know, society, that you know, some, you know, society doesn't even think you can get there because of the numbers. But, you know, I was able to accomplish that, uh, just you know, just having that state of mind of just believing in yourself, believe yourself in anything that you want to achieve, and and you can you can get it, you can get it. So that's pretty much how it kind of started.

SPEAKER_01 15:49

That's impressive. That's that's extraordinary. Um, all right. Tell me about being in the NFL. I guess playing in your first team, you got drafted to the Atlanta Falcon. What was that like? And yeah, like was it a pinching moment actually when you got in there? Like, you know, you're playing your first game. Like, how was it?

SPEAKER_00 16:08

Yeah, so pretty much for me, uh, even when I got drafted, you know, for me, in my head, it was still kind of like not a, you know. Um I'm like obviously that that was a dream to get there. And then when you get there, it's like, okay, what is the next, you know, reach that you're trying to get to? And you know, it kind of puts you like in the limbo of uh just trying to have that same fire, have that same mentality, you know, before you got to the NFL. And, you know, just now knowing that, you know, you're in the NFL, okay, now what is your goals now? What is your, you know, now this journey has begun. Something that you worked all your life to get to. And then now let's, you know, let's develop another goal to get, you know, to where, you know, how far you want to get to in your career. And uh for me, um, that was a limbo for me. Um, because you know, everybody was excited, stoked, you know, everybody was happy. And obviously, I was happy too. You know, don't get me wrong. I was so, you know, I was so happy. And, you know, it was just uh, you know, big relief that, okay, I made it. Okay, now what is the next step? And those things, you know, kind of, you know, the principles of, you know, just okay, this is my work ethic. Okay, now I have to step it up a little bit more because now you win with the big boys and the people that you uh the players that you always looked up, you know, looked up to, you know, now you're playing against them, you know. So it's not like, okay, do I still am I still gonna be like starstruck, you know, like, you know, am I still gonna be able to, you know, just understand the, you know, just the passion of men, you know, that's out there on the field and they are playing for their families. And it's a whole different whole different mentality, you know, because you know, as rookies coming in, you know, it's not a really a welcoming locker room, you know, because you know, as rookies, you know, the veterans know that, okay, some of these rookies that just got drafted, they got drafted for my position. So it's either I will show them the game, or you know, I'll just kind of let them lead some of these rookies astray, you know what I'm saying, to where they don't even get a chance, you know, for you know, for that rookie to take their position, you know. So, you know, just dealing with all of that, and for me, you know, just being drafted in a wonderful, great organization, Arthur Blank, you know, the owner for the Atlanta Falcons, you know, I love the guy. Uh, he's a really, really great man. And uh, you know, just giving me an opportunity and then also letting me know and letting me understand that, hey, this is, you know, like, you know, this is not it's not like playtime anymore because like this is a business. And uh you do what you do, you play, you produce, you do everything that you're supposed to do, and I will take care of you when you know the contract, you know, is up and you know, when whenever you got to re-sign and everything, and pretty much, you know, kind of brought me in and then also just kind of showing me how you know it goes and how I need to approach every practice, you know, as if I'm approaching a game, you know, because the practices are harder than the games. So just dealing with all of that with the vets, also with the owners, and then also with also family too. Uh, you know, just exciting, you know, everybody wanting game tickets, you know, is just crazy. I think one time I think I bought like 30 tickets, uh, which cost me probably like 30,000, just you know, just for family, you know what I'm saying? So and just understanding that uh, you know, this is a big, you know, this is a big business. And also uh it's a family too as well. You know, it's a big, big family that takes care of you. And then all you have to do is just, you know, make sure that you do your job, make sure that, you know, you execute. And one thing, you know, that I can tell everybody is, you know, just make sure that, you know, it's it's it's still the it's still a game, you know, it's still football, you know, still just, you know, get off the, you know, get off the line, run where the ball is at, and get it. You know, it's that simple. You know, that's a that that's just how I kind of looked at it. And uh pretty much, you know, just experiencing everything, you know, and how it's different from college. Uh, because in college, that's scholarship, so you're good, you know, so you don't have to like worry about, you know, battling somebody. But like in the NFL, it's like a year-to-year thing. It's a year you have to fight for your position every year because every year they bring in new rookies and then also undrafted free agents. So it's a battle consistently for, and I could say about six to seven months or something like that, and that's just battling. And then you get like, you know, two months, two to three months of offseason, and you know, and after that you get back right into it. So it's like a yearly thing. So, you know, it's tough, but at the same time, when you love something, you know, um, it won't be tough. So, you know, it's it was it's been a great experience, I can say that.

SPEAKER_01 21:45

Amazing. Thanks for sharing. Do you think the NFL looks off to its place?

SPEAKER_00 21:50

Um, yes, I really do. Um sorry. Um, yes, I really do. Um for me, just understanding. You know, what sometimes what players want and what players need. And pretty much just kind of seeing it within the organization, you know, I can see it from two different perspectives of, you know, the a want and then also a need. And the need is always after the game. You know what I'm saying? And after the game, you know, just kind of dealing with the year-to-year battles, you know, every year, um, you know, your body takes so much, you know, it takes so much force and it takes so much, you know, uh, you know, buildup, uh, especially like, you know, put, you know, in the workout room and then also practice field. And, you know, it's it's it's a lot of hard work. But at the same time, when you take care of yourself off the field, you know, uh have you know, putting in the right uh nutrition in your body, you know, drinking lots of water, taking care of your, you know, um whatever tissue, muscle, whatever you, whatever problem or whatever um whatever, you know, what you're dealing with uh as you know, pertaining to football, um, as long as you take care of yourself, you know, off the field, everything on the field will take care of itself as well. And for us as players, you know, because like I said, you know, the you know, the organization that makes so much money, so much money. And for us players, all we are asking for are guaranteed contracts, right? And the guaranteed contracts are pretty much, you know, because we know how much we bring to the game. And you know, the game cannot be there without the players, and the players cannot be there without the game. So it's like we need one another. It's like 50-50. And um, and pretty much, you know, what us as players, you know, what we you know ask the owners and stuff like that is to, you know, just to see, you know, how much we bring in, you know what I'm saying? And and to see, you know, because this it's not only like the game checks, but it's also like um, you know, uh jersey sales, um, and it's also for like the pro um the promotions, you know, stuff like that. You know, that stuff kind of, you know, that brings in a lot of money. And um, you know, once people see the you know, the face behind the mask, you know, it kind of you know attracts people, you know, to that game. And when you attract more people, that means that's more money for the league. So it's just like, you know, can we just be at least fair, you know, and understand that, you know, 50-50, you know, that's all we ask. And then also like for retired players, you know, like medical, you know, that is that is a need, you know, pretty much, because like I said, every year is gonna be different. Every year a player is gonna have a different ache in the body, you know what I'm saying? Like something that's been, you know, you will probably was not bothering you at that time, but something that, you know, you have injured in the game that kind of, you know, could that kind of can connect to the new injury that you have now, you know, revealed to them. Um, and all we ask you just for, you know, for the NFL to just take care of us too, as well after the game. And then also, but it's also up to the players too, because you know, as a young player, you're not looking at it as, you know, you just excited, you know, but you're not looking at it as, you know, like uh longevity-wise. We just worried about now as young players, but the older you get, and you know, once you get to like 10, 11 years, it's like it just went by just like that. So, you know, that's that's why I'm like, you know, the NFL does treat us, you know, treat the players good, but at the same time, us as players, we also have to hold ourselves accountable um on making sure that we do the right thing with you know the money that we accumulate, and you know, we just don't, you know, you know, it's not it's not like you know, you, you know, we rappers or something like that, you know, like we just buy all these big diamond chains and stuff like that. You know, that's that stuff is cool, but at the same time, like, you know, is that is that really like creating like an inheritance? Like, you know, are you really really creating like wealth, you know, not just for you, but also like two generations down, you know what I'm saying? And you know, that's what you're gonna be remembered of, like the legacy that you live behind for your children's children, you know what I'm saying? So for me personally, I really think that the NFL is fair. It's just players have to take advantage of the programs uh that they offer, and then also they do help too uh when it comes to like financially too as well, and then also they help like the with the business areas, and then they also help with anything that you might need help with, like camps, stuff like that, um uh foundations, they help with everything, but you just have to speak so that they can know they they can't just read your mind, you know what I'm saying? So I for me personally, yes. I think the NFL is fair.

SPEAKER_01 27:30

Wonderful. Thanks for sharing that's great insights. Who's the best player you've ever played with or seen in your career?

SPEAKER_00 27:38

Man, there's so many great players. Okay, so well, first of all, uh Tom Brady, uh playing against him twice. Um heck of a guy, man. And also uh on my trip, like uh my um my uh pre-draft visit trip, you know, uh when he was still playing for the Patriots. Uh, man, he's down low, you know, like he's he's he's a good, he's a great person. Um and you know, real humble. Uh he doesn't hold himself like, you know, he's this. Uh, but you know, he just comes to, you know, he just comes to you real humble. Uh he wants to learn. Uh no matter how many years that he has had in the league, it's like he's still like every year was like still new to him. Uh, because he's always trying to learn something new, something that he can get an advantage uh when it comes to, you know, winning games. And as you can see, you know, seven Super Bowl rings, you know, and heck of a career that he just, you know, that he had. Um, and you know, the worth ethic, you know, just really speaks for itself. And it's not just physical, but also mental as well. You know, you have to be mentally strong just to be able to compete in this league, uh, because of everything that comes with the league. Um uh so Tom Brady, that's one, and then also uh Marshawn Lynch, uh him and Russell, um Russell Wilson, um Julio, uh my teammate, uh Freak of Nature. Uh man, the dude is just his athleticism is just off the charts. Um pretty much you can have him do anything that you know is required of him, or if the coaches are, you know, they'll ask him if he can do it, and it's like he could do anything. And uh and Steven Jackson, um, you know, big running back, you know, 6'4, uh by 250, 255, can run like a gazelle, and also he can shake your out your shoes. It was a real problem. Uh uh, let me see, who else? Um Cam Newton. Uh just playing him twice a year, uh, because he was in the same conference, uh, same uh same division. And Drew Brees, uh yeah, then let's not forget that. Uh crap. Uh there's a lot of players. Uh oh, Odell, obviously. Uh Eli. Um, who else? I've played with a lot of great players. Oh, Tony Gonzalez. I can't forget about him too. Um, Roddy White. Uh, shoot, I can keep on going, but I've played and I've been on great organizations, you know, with great players and people as well. So, you know, that's you know, that's that's you know, incredible for me.

SPEAKER_01 30:51

So amazing.

SPEAKER_00 30:52

Thanks for saying um, what's the best piece of advice you've ever received? The best advice that I've ever received. Um the best advice that I've ever received was from uh it was in Atlanta uh for the Atlanta Falcons, and um it was my linebackers coach. Um, and pretty much the advice that he gave me was, you know, because every, you know, everything that I've approached, um, you know, when it comes to like uh preparation for like um, you know, practice, uh, you know, games, you know, everything just seemed it was not too big for me to be able to handle, I mean to uh to be able to handle. And my coach, my coach seen that in me. And it's not like you know, I went up to him and you know, told him, you know, what is what, but he was just like, you know, coaches are always watching. And when you think they're not watching, they are always watching, and uh, you know, they're just kind of watching how you kind of handle yourself, uh, you know, what type of you know, character uh you are, especially like uh with the with the NFL pre-draft, you know, because you got to go to uh Ohio uh, you know, for the NFL combine and stuff like that, and you know how they have you sit, you know, like with teams. So like it's like you wake up at 4, 4:30 in the morning, and you got like literally like 23 teams that you gotta visit. And how it was, you know, meeting with you know Belichick, you know, and uh also meeting with um shoot, who else did I meet with? The Rams at that time. Um, who else? Um shoot, uh the Patriots, Green Bay, um who else? Uh the Jags, um Tampa, um it's been a while, but it was about 11 teams that I had to meet with at the Combine, and it's like back-to-back meetings, back-to-back meetings. And uh the craziest part about it is, you know, it's like you go inside this room, you know, it's like the lights are dimmed, and it's like you you sit right in the middle, and it's just you, and then all you see is the owners, the coaches, the scouting uh personnel, everybody in the whole organization, and it's just you and them. And uh pretty much what they do is just kind of pretty pretty much kind of see what type of person you are, you know. They're not worried about the game, they got tape. You know, they've they got tape from college, so they already know that you can play. But they really want to know what type of character that you are because like I said, with what the NFL brings, it brings a lot, you know, just like the entertainment business, like you know, it brings a lot. And once, you know, like your mental is not really where it's supposed to be at, you know, you can kind of get drawn away from the game and you become more entertainment. And, you know, like the NFL, they don't they don't like drama, you know, they they don't do drama, you know, so them kind of dissecting you, you know, when you sitting like it right in the middle, and you know, they asking you all types of strange questions, you know, and it's just like, you know, is this a trick question or you know, like, are you serious? And you know, every every you know, like every step of the way, it's like a it's a serious question. Any question, you better, you better answer it seriously, you know what I'm saying? And you know, they just trying to really kind of see what type of person you are, see if you're able, you know, coachable, uh, seeing what type of man you are, and you know, seeing that, you know, that this game is everything to you, and um, you know, just kind of understanding, you know, the mental side of it, uh, because the mental side of it is bigger than you know what it is physical. Um, and you know, just kind of understanding like the mental battles that you will have, like you, you know, you see players kind of leaving the game, you know, because you know, it's a lot to take in mentally. Um, the strength is there, but it's just the mentalness. Once that mental you know kind of gets interrupted and you know, you don't know how to kind of you know get that self-confidence, you know, because they try you to as well. They want to see what how you know what what you can handle, you know, from a coaching standpoint, how you know, from okay, if you have a bad play, how are you gonna react, you know, the next play? And sometimes, you know, like just in that coach's room, they try like the head coach will tell the position coach, like, hey, you need to go try this player. See if you see how he reacts, you know, like stuff like that, you know, like mental games. Like, and for me as a young player, you know, I'm not understanding that, but also having great people, you know, around me. And then also, you know, Tony Gonzalez also, you know, kind of mentoring me at the same time, you know, just like, hey man, you know, don't the coaches, they're there for you, they know what you can do. Don't worry about, you know, if you get cussed out, you know, if they, you know, make sure that, you know, if you do something wrong, don't don't let that kill your confidence. Remember that you are here, and because you are here, that's a good thing. And don't let mental games get get you thrown off to where you're not able to compete because that's how people get cut. And most of the people that get cut, it's all because of the mental game. It's not about a skill set, it's all mental. And most of the players that get cut, you know, it's some type of mental, you know, battle, you know, or whatever the organization decided, you know, that they're dealing with. Uh, and you know, and at the same time, it's also personal choice too for the coaches to, you know, see, you know, can they work with this guy? You know, stuff like that, you know, and uh that's what's really, you know, that's what's really a battle, you know, from being a young player, and also, you know, the older you get, the more you see and the more you re uh you realize. And then, you know, from that standpoint, that's when you have to really kind of take everything in, understand what you have. And then from that point, you know, as long as you take care of business in office, and then when you're out the office, you're still able to take care of business and you're still able to um, you know, show the public that hey you're doing this in the neighborhoods, you fundraising, stuff like that. You know, that's what they really want to see because they have people outside of the facility that follow you and they see everything that you do when you go to the club. They they have birds. So, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 38:20

That's incredible. Thanks for sharing such an in depth answer. Um, it's great insights to understand that. Um Stanley, thanks for coming to the podcast. I do appreciate it. It's magnificent. Everything you've done in your career personally and professionally, and yeah, we should not think of the best in the future.

SPEAKER_00 38:35

My man, thank you so much, brother.