In football, you’ve got four downs to get ten yards. On 1st and 2nd down, you have options. This is where teams take calculated risks—maybe it’s a deep pass, a play-action, or a trick play. Why? Because the consequences are lower. If it doesn’t work out, you still have more chances. But when those plays do work, they move the chains fast and sometimes flip the entire field.
Now imagine applying that same strategy to your financial life as a student-athlete.
Your “practice years”—college, early NIL income, your first time managing money—are your 1st and 2nd downs. You’ve got time. You’ve got flexibility. And you can afford to take smart financial risks, like:
- Starting a Roth IRA early
- Budgeting and living below your means
- Saying no to instant gratification
- Learning how to invest
- Even starting a small business or brand-building effort
These may not be glamorous or guaranteed plays, but just like in football, small wins on early downs add up. A solid run here, a smart pass there—and suddenly, you’ve crossed midfield.
When you work the field early, by the time you’re in your late 20s or early 30s—your financial “red zone”—you’re not scrambling. You’re in control. The defense is backpedaling. And you’ve got a real shot at scoring big because of the smart decisions you made on 1st and 2nd down.
Don’t wait for 3rd and long in your life. Take those calculated shots now. Move the chains. Own the clock. And set your future self up in the perfect position to finish strong.