Nolan Smith Jr., selected with the 30th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, now has a Super Bowl ring to reiterate his coming of age as a pro. The linebacker maintained that success was not handed to him on a platter, but hard earned. Having played on both sides of the NIL era in college, Smith is the perfect candidate to advise the next generation of athletes on how to manage their finances while maintaining focus on their development in the game.
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On the latest episode of 4th & 1 with Cam Newton, the Super Bowl-winning linebacker imparted the wisdom he has gained through college and his nascent NFL career. Smith Jr. asserted that too many college athletes get infatuated with big money coming their way, and advised them about the importance of financial literacy.
Smith Jr. reiterated that they should not get infatuated by the lucrative NIL deals and end up forgoing their priority, the NFL. The LB’s NIL value was at a decent $186,000 after signing up with three companies — Life+STYLE by Laura, Georgia Peanut Commission, and Candy Digital. Smith’s vision, however, always lay beyond.
“Don’t pay attention to it [NIL]. Because if your dreams, your goals, your aspirations, if that’s to make it to the NFL, then that NIL is only temporary. I’ll tell you, most of y’all ain’t even doing your taxes and stuff right. Most of them boys ain’t doing the simple things that you need to do when you make a lot of money,” said Smith Jr.
Advising that high school and college players should “…keep the main thing, the main thing,” Smith Jr.’s message is of patience and discipline. Citing his time spent with the Georgia Bulldogs, the Philadelphia Eagle suggested that the earlier days of a player’s career should be dedicated to studying and understanding the game.
“For the first year, I sat at Georgia. That’s the most I learnt football. I knew our whole playbook. So when it was time for [my] number to get called, I’m just waiting on the play call. I could still recite some of those plays now to this day,” he recalled.
The results of Smith Jr.’s method feature a pair of CFP championships and a Lombardi trophy. Well, those are more than good reasons to take his words seriously.
The 24-year-old always knew that he had to go beyond just being the media and sponsors’ favorite and doing promotional videos. The former Bulldogs edge rusher has a long-term vision for himself and that has culminated in him earning a four-year contract with the Eagles worth almost $12 million until 2027, besides winning a title with them in just his second year.
Having finally gotten an opportunity to speak with Cam Newton in a one-on-one conversation, Smith Jr. narrated the role the Carolina Panthers legend had in his journey.
Smith Jr. applauds Newton for his 7-on-7 camps
Smith Jr. highlighted the impact Newton‘s youth programs have had on young kids while sharing a heartfelt “thank you” to the former NFL great for inspiring him to work toward his dreams.
“What you did for kids in the state of Georgia… I’m from Savannah. You know how I found about you and 7-on-7 and all that? YouTube. What you did, and your platform, you made me want to go to camps… I just wanted to say, on some real stuff man, I appreciate you,” said Smith Jr.
Youth football programs may seem like too much of a cliche for NFL charities in this day and age. But Smith’s testimony highlights the real-world impact they often have on their communities. In what can only be described as a full-circle moment, the Eagles’ LB now has his charity dedicated to using sports as a platform to support impoverished communities.
As he continues to give back to the game and communities that helped to change his life for the better, Smith will now turn his attention toward the 2025 regular season, where he’ll attempt to help Philadelphia defend its title.
