SBR Vault - Conversations with Dick Hoyt and Warri

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Burlington, love the deals, prices and selection vary by store. Sports Business Radio launched in 2004. Brian Berger has interviewed the biggest names in sports and business. Let's step into the sports business radio vault and look back on some of our favorite conversations. This week for Thanksgiving, we look back at two conversations with some of our most charitable guests, Dick Hoyt and Warwick Dunn. Now, enter the

sports business radio vault. Now, here's Brian's interview with Dick Hoyt from November 2009. One on one with those making the big time decisions that impact your sport. This is sports sense on sports business radio business radio. You know, many times we erroneously put our athletes on pedestals and they really have no business being there. I'm about to introduce you to a man who is teamed with

his disabled son, Rick, does he just all about what a real hero is? 66 year old Dick Hoyt and his 45 year old son Rick have competed in countless marathons and triathlons. Dick pushes his 110 pound son, Rick, when they're running, he pedals him, when they're biking and he toes him on a raft when they are swimming. Honestly, I don't think I've ever heard of a

more incredible feat in the feeds, Dick Hoyt and his son, Rick, perform regularly in over 200 triathlons, five iron man, they've competed in 25 Boston marathons together. He's even hauled his son, Rick, across the US on a bike. It is my extreme pleasure to be joined today by Dick Hoyt. Dick, thanks for joining me. Well, thanks for having me. Dick, let's start at the beginning of

your incredible story for those who may not be familiar with it. Your son, Rick, was born with cerebral palsy. He was unable to control his limbs after complications during birth. Doctors told you and your wife, Judy, soon after he was born that you should probably institutionalize him. You didn't listen to those doctors. What gave you the strength you and your wife to be there for Rick

and give him the carry needed? Well, you know, the doctor's really couldn't tell us. Rick was going to progress on anything. And so what we decided is that we just bring Rick home and bring him up like any other child. And this is where we have done. Rick has been mainstream and included all his life. Today, Rick is 45 years old. And he's graduated from public

college, graduated from Boston University. He lives all by himself in his own apartment. Rick and I have competed in over 948 athletic events in the past. 26 years. And we just knew that Rick was smart. We could tell. We were talking to Rick. He'd look right into our eyes. So we knew he understood everything we were saying. We tried to get him in the public school.

And they turned us down. He said, no, he doesn't understand. He won't be able to learn. So we met some engineers from Tushy University. And we told them, and we only talked to them a little bit. And they said the same thing. The school department said that he wouldn't be able to learn. We told the engineers to tell Rick a joke. So they told Rick a

joke and we cracked up laugh. And they said, wow, maybe there is something there. So they said, if you can get us $5,000, we'll build a communicating device for Rick. And that was 32 years ago now. And $5,000 was a lot of money. Right. The whole family raised the $5,000 we gave it to the engineers from Tushy University. Bill was called the Tick. The Tush Interactive

Communicator. And the engineers were coming to our house and everybody was betting whether the first words Rick is ever going to say. Well, his mom said, he'll be high mom and me to dad. And I was going to be high dad. Well, a Boston Bruins. We're going for a Stanley Cup and a very first woman. He ever said it was gold Bruins. So we knew right

then and there that he knew everything that was going on and he loved sports. So we took Rick with us Tick to the school department and the principal of the school took him in a room with some school teachers. See before they were saying his mother and father answered far. So they asked him some questions and he answered them correctly. So they accept him in a

public school. And then when Rick was 11, you know, I guess he came to you. Tell me the story of how he came to you. And he said, Dad, I want to race in a five mile race with you. Yeah. Rick was attending a South Middle School, a Westfield, Massachusetts. And he's just teacher really got involved with Rick with all the different gym activities with all

the other kids. And he was like, well, I'm not sure if he's going to be able to do that. But he was also the basketball coach at Westfield State College and he used to take Rick to the basketball games. Well, I wanted to basketball games. They made an announcement that one of the cross-way of the college was in an automobile accident. He paralyzed the waist down.

So they're going to have this charity road race to try to help him race of money so he could pay his medical bills. And when Rick came home from that basketball game, he told me all about it and he said, Dad, I have to do something for him. I want to let him know that life goes on even though he's paralyzed. I want to run into

race. Well, at the time I was 40 years old. I was not a runner. I used to run maybe three times a week of mileage, time just to try to keep my weight down. But, and it's all we had was a prescription form fitted wheelchair for Rick. And we had a hard time pushing him in it, never mind running in it. But we went down to

the five mile race and gave Rick and I the number 00 and they've gone one off. And we took off with all the other runners and everybody thought that Rick and I would just go to the corner and turn around and come back. Well, we didn't know. We finished the whole five mile coming in next last, but I last, we're never been last in any of

the events that we've been in. And then when we get home from that race that night, Rick wrote on this computer, Dad, when I'm running, feels like my disability disappears, which was a very powerful message to me. If you think about it, somebody can't talk, use the arms and legs. And now the disability seems to disappear when they're out there running. He just called himself free

bird. He all of a sudden he was free. But you know, there's only one problem after that. I was disabled. I didn't know you had so many muscles. I couldn't walk for about two weeks. Well, I've read the story. I mean, all these races that you've competed in, this is superhuman stuff, Dick. This is not I couldn't do this by myself. What you're doing with your

son is literally superhuman. Where do you, where do you get the energy to do this? Is there something? It's just amazing to me. I just brought all the energy from Rick. Rick and I have a very special bond together. He inspires me and he motivates me. To me, he's the competitor. And I'm out there just alone in my arms and my legs so that he can

compete. You know, he's a fighter. And he's never going to give up. And it just, it's just unbelievable. We've been able to do. And even the times that we've been able to run. We never expected to be running apart. I'm marathon. And I try out on you crazy running a bike across the United States. My other thing is, I'm not going to be running. You two

guys are nuts. You're crazy. But we really enjoy it. And we're helping out so many people. And now we're helping people all over the world. And it's unbelievable. And every time we go to a race, some people come up towards and they say, Hey, you guys, we want to thank you. Because we saw you guys out there doing this. And we can do it. We can

do it. And now we're in the best shapes of our lives. Thanks to you. And now people are out running. Dick, when you started, who are your biggest detractors? I mean, people must have looked at you. When you said, like you just said a moment ago, Hey, we're going to do marathons. Then we're going to graduate to triathlons. People must have looked at you like you

were nuts. And you're disabled son through all of these races. Are you just looking for glory and see what they didn't realize was my son dragon. Me through all these races. And then, you know, it's been 30 years, 35 years since you started. And, you know, take us back to that time. And then to today disabled athletes. I hope are being treated better. And I think

you've probably had a large part in the treatment of disabled athletes in the last 30, 35 years. Well, I hope so. Because, you know, when Rick and I first started, we went all the way to do our first race. And they didn't, nobody wanted us in the race. Nobody come near us. Nobody talked to us. You know, but finally the overall race director said that we

could run. And we ran. And, you know, there was 300 runners in this race. It was a 10 K race. And Rick and I finished 150th out of that. And then after that, Rick and I go to a different town and a different city and run. And finally, people started coming up to us and talking to us. And they could see that Rick had a personality.

And he loved to be in the middle of the race. And then we tried to get into the Boston Marathon and they turned us down too. They said, no, you can't run because you're different than anybody else. So we applied, you know, through the wheelchair division that runs in the Boston Marathon. And they also turned us down. They said, no, you can't run because you're different

to anybody else. But what they did say is if you want, you can line up behind us and run. And that's what we did in 1981. We ran up. We lined up behind this. We go to wheelchair athletes. And we ran our very first Boston Marathon. And we ran it in three hours and 18 minutes. 85% of the other runners. That's incredible. My guest is Dick

Hoyt. Part of Team Hoyt. You can learn more about Dick and his incredible story with the son Rick at teamhoyt.com. You know, you were deciding me to cut you off there, Dick. But I read a quote from you last year. You know, you said first, they wouldn't even let us race in the Boston Marathon. And now we have a seat at the head table. That's got

to be an incredible feeling. It really is. Yes. You know, we ran again two more years on officially ran in 19. 82 and 83. We ran down to three hours and 258 and 259. And still they went, let's be official. And so in 1983, I talked to a world. Clowny. It was the executive director of the BAA and asked him why we couldn't be official. And

he said, because we didn't have any qualifying criteria. And we meant by that as Boston is the only marathon in the world. We have to run another marathon. A certain time depending on your age. Well, at the time, Rick was in his 20s. I was in my 40s. So they were using Rick's age. And we had to run on the two hours and 50 minutes. So

that fall, we went down to Washington, DC to the marine marathon, which is called the People's Marathon. And anybody can run in this marathon. And they always get over 13,000 runners. But they don't get the elite athletes because there's no cash awards. It's just very good trophies and plaques. And Rick and I went down there. We ran at 245, 23, which qualified both Rick and I

for the last of the marathon. We submitted a lot of the marathon. And we've been official interns ever since. Matter of fact, 1996 to 100 running at the Boston Marathon. Rick and I were on it as Centennial Heroes by the BAA and his launch at John Hancock. So we have come a long way. And we've been able to break down a lot of areas. Long way.

I was able to push my son in. And what had happened from them is just unbelievable. If you ask Rick that question, he'd tell you it would be the Boston Marathon. And if it comes down to race a year, he'd like it to be the Boston Marathon. I think my favorite one really was the 1989 I.M. Antrayathlon Alpha Colour Hawaii because we had President Ronald Reagan

was in Boston. And he was watching the I.M. Ant. And he said he usually doesn't watch the whole thing. But he had a Nancy watch the whole thing because they wanted to see if we were able to finish it. And he called me up. And he says, if you're ever in California, give me a call. I'd like to meet you guys. And if I'm in Boston,

I'll call you. And we'll get together. And so Rick and I were out in California. And we went to his office and met him. And it was really quite an experience. What a thrill. We've only got a few minutes left. Unfortunately, you're traveling the country now. You're giving motivational speeches. Listen, anything you're talking about. And listening to tell me about that and what you're doing these

days besides racing. We are doing a lot of speak and engagements now. And a fact, I'm averaging about that anywhere from 12 to 15 speak and engagements a month. And we're actually were traveling all over. I'm out here in California right now. And I was in that two weeks ago in Phoenix. And that is down in Atlanta. And it's in Orlando. And it just keeps going

on and on. But it's a lot of travel. It's a lot of flying. It's not fun flying anymore. But it's so important because out there and try to motivate and inspire these big companies that hire us to get this salesman to motivate and we get through to on our presentation. People look at us and say, wow, we thought we have problems. We don't have any problems

at all. So again, you're the eternal optimist. You're someone who's definitely turned lemons into lemonade. What's your advice? Anyone out there who may be depressed or just down about the hand they've been dealt in life? Well, our message is yes, you can. There isn't anything that you can't do. There's no such word as can't in the hoi full cab you're. And you just kind of go

out there and do the very best you can and never give up and never stop. And that's how we live our life. We just live at that. We're the fullest. And we do take no for an answer. Take you epitomize the human spirit. You know, I think you're what we all strive to be you and your son Rick. You're an inspiration to me and anyone who's

heard this story. And you know, I really wish you the best of luck. I'm pulling for both of you. And thanks for making time for us this week. Well, thank you very much. I really enjoy talking to you. You're listening to sports business radio. We'll be right back. You understand what it means to push harder. Reach farther and go the extra mile. This relentless drive runs

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2021. My guest is work done. He is a limited partner with the Atlanta Falcons. Former star NFL running back with the Tampa Bay Bucks and the Atlanta Falcons three time pro bowl selection AP NFL offensive rookie. The year in 1997. Walter Peyton Man of the Year and the NFL in 2004. Finished a 12 year career with 10,967 yards 49 touchdowns. You can follow him on Twitter

and Instagram at work done. Work how are you? Thanks for joining me on sports business radio. No, I appreciate you going through all my stats, making me think about like, man, I need to go back and get a couple more touchdowns. Yeah, I've had guys on this show and they've said that they're like, oh, I need 10 more yards to, you know, Eddie George and Tiki

Barber. You know, they just want a few more yards. So I'm just going to go back and get a couple more touchdowns to move up that list. You were a small running back. But so effective. And I would say, you know, such a great running back when it came to running the ball, but also catching the ball blocking. You did it all. Where did your skills

develop? What was it? The kids in neighborhood and being the last to be picked after a few games. I was first being, you know, I was the first pick because no one could tackle me. And after that, just over the years, you know, I just wanted to run the football. But once I started playing a P.W. football in Louisiana, one of my coaches and he's my

pops. I call him my pops today. Father figured, he moved me to receivers. He said, you need to learn how to catch. We know you can run, but you need to learn how to catch the football. If you want to score touchdown this year, you're going to learn how to catch the football. He moved me out to receiver and just really worked in my overall game.

So I think over the years, I started to just really understand different aspects of the game. I end up playing quarterback in high school. So I understood what quarterbacks go through being the leader running the option and so forth throwing the football down the field. So I started learning reading defenses. And when I went before the state, every school, I tell you, recruit me to play

defensive back. And that's what I'm going to do. That's not what I wanted to play. I wanted to play running back and coach Bowne made a deal with me when I went before the state to play running back. He said, didn't work out. I moved a defensive back. So the rest, it is what it is. I said, worked out pretty well. Yeah, it worked out pretty

well. But I just think over the years, there'll be a smaller back playing professional football today. That's more common. When I came out, you know, I had some of the odds were stacked against me. So, you know, they didn't want to give me the ball on the goal line. Because I wasn't 240, 250. And I had to really prove myself over the years. So, you know,

I just look at my stats and those things. It's like, I played in the air where they really ran them ball inside. And I had to prove that I could run inside. I wasn't that guy who was on the outside, who can line up in the, you know, I lined up in the slide every once in a while. But that wasn't what we did offensively today.

The game is a lot different. So I'm only like 37 years short of 11,000 Russians. So I can go back and get 37 years. I'm sure I can make a guy. It's all good though. I have, I'm almost 15,000 years to our offense. I'm over 15,000. So total offense, receiving a Russian. So no complaints. I mean, I had a great career. Do I think guys better

than me? Not at all. I'm competitive. That's how I grew up being better. That's great. What did you learn from Bobby Bowden, such a legendary coach? What do you learn on and off the field from him? He taught us, you know, more from the leadership perspective that it takes a team. And we need to get to know each other, understand each other. I know before while

we were in camp, we would always go to a Catholic church and a Baptist church. Because he wanted us to realize we're from two different parts of the world. Or we're, you know, we're not all the same race. But when we played together on Saturdays throughout the week, we are one. We have to rely on each other and believe in each other. He was one of

those individuals that really just taught that concept. But he also led through Christian values. And, you know, he was one of those individuals that really, you know, led by example. And he's someone that I relied on for a lot of advice. Well, my college years, because that's just when I lost my mom. So just so thankful that he was there for me. Who made the biggest

impacts on you when you were in the NFL coach teammate in the locker room? Who kind of took you under their wing? And said, hey, Rook, this is how we do it. Well, I can name so many people that were there for me. You know, I know Coach Dungee was, you know, someone who believed in me early on. But he also treated us like men. And

we had to really, you know, be independent in the sense where, you know, I actually spoke a lot, spoke a lot of them words. And he really challenged us to be better. But I can tell you when I first went to Tampa, this guy named Harden Nicherson, he was a linebacker, played 100 years. And, you know, I went to Hardee. I went to Hardee. And I

was pretty much like, Hey, man, you know, what it is to be a pro. I mean, how did you get to play so many years in this or that? And I spent time with him. I went to his home and had lunch and dinner with his family. Spent one holiday with him because my family was in Louisiana. And I just learned a lot about body maintenance,

you know. The little things are really what separates, you know, the good players from great players. And he just taught me so much that I just really took that information. And I was focused on, how can I be the best pro that I can be? And he helped push me down that path. So one of the things that I think is most impressive about you and

most memorable with you, we just rattled off all your incredible NFL stats and all the things that you've achieved. Or I got to tell you, when I think of you, I think first of what you've done in the community and what you've done for charity, you know, you mentioned, you lost your mom when you were 18. And you have six members of your family, you became

the head of the household at age 18. The things that you've done with homes for the holidays to honor your mom. And what's the stat here, 189 homeowners, 512 dependents and 24 markets. I mean, that is what you call a legacy. Think of all the things that you've done with home owners, 512 dependents and 24 markets. I mean, that is what you call a legacy. All

of the families that you've impacted with your community work. First, take me back to when you're 18 and you've got to be the head of the household, you've got to find a house for your own family. How do you do that? Well, it was a, you know, a challenge. But I think, you know, being 18 years old, a time of mom lost her life, you know,

I couldn't be a kid anymore. I had to really grow up and mature at early age. And I grew up really fast. And I was I knew my mom, her dream was thrown over home, never having an opportunity. You know, I went and paid for and bought our first home as a family at 18 years old. And, you know, I knew her dream and what she

wanted. But at the same time, I had no idea about the process, the steps. I mean, I, I wasn't mature enough to really understand the ends and outs of things. I relied on a lot of individuals to help me through that journey. And I just think they were there for me as a resource. I couldn't make all of the decisions because, I mean, obviously, I hadn't

lived a full enough life to really guide and, and move us forward. So I relied on a lot of advisors. And I took a lot of information that they share with me. And I tried to make decisions based on their suggestions. And this is the same thing I did with Coach Bowden. I went to Coach Bowden in college. It was just like, hey, coach, this is

a situation. What should I do? He always gave me situations what he did with his kids growing, you know, when, when he was a young father. So same thing at that age, just really just trying to find my way and find my path. And, and I had a lot of great resources and people that was there to support me. So now you're helping people, single parent

families find those homes. You didn't know how to handle the process. Well, I just think, you know, over the years, I've learned so much more. And as I've gotten more mature, I started to, really, I would say, understand what I was going through as a kid, you know, talking with my mom, you know, starting at 14 years old, understanding the things that she wanted for us,

you know, her dream. And what haven't stable housing would mean. And I just think over the years, I'm just going to, you know, just really, I've really have grown to understand a lot of the issues that single parent families deal with, you know, creating that stability for kids. And at first, I can tell you, first on this program, I was really focused on the parents because,

you know, that was my mom. I was, you know, wanting to help single mothers. And we went to single fathers. But over the years, I started to realize this really amount of Dr. Parents is really about setting a foundation for the kids. And, you know, I do know, I'm going to be a little bit more mature. So home ownership is a way to grow wealth in

this country. I mean, that's a huge issue with all the inequalities and so forth. But having a stable environment changes a lot of outcomes. And it helps kids create a better future for themselves. So for me, it's really more about the kids now and how we move forward and how we help and support families. We'll talk more about work done charities in a minute. You are

a limited partner with the Atlanta Falcons. You played with the Atlanta Falcons. I've had Arthur Blank on this show. I know you two are very close from when you played for the Falcons. That's amazing. I mean, what a thrill it is. I'm sure to be part owner of an NFL franchise. How did that conversation get started with Arthur Blank? And how did that all come about?

Well, it's crazy how it started. I was on a practice field. You know, one day and he would always come out and was like, Hey, how are you doing? Like, you know, it's my end of my career. Just say, Hey, what are you going to do at the football? I had no idea. And he really guided me and wanted me to find answers to the next,

my next journey. And he asked me, did I want to coach? I was like, no, I don't want to coach. I don't think I have patience. I would rather be up there with you. And I just pointed to the top. And it's like, and I think he just understood what I meant by that. I would rather be up there with you. And I just think, you

know, when I was released by the Falcons, you know, I talked to him and he said, or this is the tough part of business. This, this is the part I would, I hate. But when you're done playing the game that you love, I would love to call you a partner. And honestly, I still had no idea what he meant by that. I was like, yeah, sir.

And, you know, when I retired, we had conversations. And he was really pushing me to do something like this. And I didn't understand the benefits of it in the moment. And I was like, you know, today, by the grace of God, I'm thankful that he was persistent and pushing me to do something that would, you know, be an example. You know, better meant for my community,

for my family and my community. And I am so thankful for him and his relationship and his friendship that we've developed over the years. That a lot of things wouldn't be possible without his guidance. So I'm, I'm honored and blessed, you know, to have a great relationship with Mr. Blaine. And the role as limited partner is Arthur Blaine, leaning on you for insight and perspective that

only a player could provide. How are you involved in the organization? Well, I'm just like any other owner. This, I think it's like seven or eight of us now. Okay. A lot of partners. But, you know, when they ask, you know, I share what I know. I, I, I questioned a lot of times. But I'm not in the big meetings. I do interact with players. And

I do go and, and I walk with the guys and, and try to stay engaged as much as possible. But, you know, I'm in the war room on draft, on draft day and those things. But I don't get a chance to make the picks. I'm not out scouting and, and, and so forth. But, you know, if they ask me, I share other than that. You know,

I'm a partner and I, and I try to advise as much as I can when, uh, when this, when there's an opportunity. Seems like they got a generational tight end in the, in the most recent draft and Kyle Pids. I like that pick. Well, no, I, I mean, he's, he's, uh, he's talented. You know, the only negative about him is that he's a gator. So, you

know, being a gator, you know, it's okay. But I, you know, I can look past that he goes out and, and, and be Kyle Pids, great player. And I mean, he's talented. I look forward to actually meeting him. And, uh, you know, just, just seeing how his career progresses. So it'd be, it'd be great to see him definitely blossom. I mean, that's, that's what we need

in Atlanta. I think we need to, uh, continue to build on, on what we've been doing so far. You're listening to sports business radio. We'll be right back after this. This episode of sports business radio has brought to you by underdog fantasy. The fastest growing fantasy app ever released and the official gaming partner of sports business radio. And with early investors like Mark Cuban, Kevin Durant,

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takes care of all of that for you. So do what I've been doing. Go to underdog fantasy, download the app, sign up with promo code SBR and get started right away with a free match on your first deposit. Now back to sports business radio with Brian burger. All right, you've got some work done charities events coming up. June 10th, you and Steve Weisch from NFL Network

are going to be hosting an event. The June teat celebration a night with work done charities. There's going to be an engaging dialogue surrounding diversity inclusion. There's going to be some NFL stars taking part in this. Tell us more about that. Well, it's going to be a conversation Steve Weisch 9th, that night June 10th. It's really just to talk about a diverse and inclusion. Just really

put emphasis on what we've been through as in this country over the last year, with all the racial issues and equalities. And really just try to highlight it and talk with companies about creating more diversity. Equal equity, having more equity. And inside the corporations so that we can see minorities, black individuals, actually who worked hard, who deserve that rise, do that. But just having more diverse

inclusion, I think is important for growth. We want everyone to be treated equal and fair. And I think we need to have a conversation about that. So I do challenge corporations to be a part of the conversation here where we have to say. And let's help. And let's support each other in that journey. And I think it's important that we talk about this important conversation because

it has been a reckoning and it's been a year since the George Floyd death and so forth. I think so much has happened so much has come to light. I think it's important that you know we don't be afraid of change and opportunity. And this is our opportunity to definitely make positive change. How do you find that conversation is going a year later? I've been asking

a lot of athletes that are we seeing. Progress and how do we engage more people in that important conversation? Well, I think we've had a lot of conversations and it was important. You know when in the moment, I just think now because we're a year removed, you know, I think it's not as a high intensity topic today. And I think we need to continue to have

that as one of the, you know, as conversation starts and we can't forget. You know, I think we're going to be able to do that. And what we are as a country with, you know, just all of the history of racial issues and inequalities is like how can we make sure that every American, everyone is treated equal. Everyone has a great opportunity for success. And a

lot of that stuff starts with housing. You know, as the quickest way to grow well, but when we talking with corporations, how do we invest in communities to help everyone in their community? And have opportunity to be successful. When you have healthy communities, you have healthy communities. Health individuals that are now going out and being great citizens. And that's what we should want for everyone in

this country to have an equal footing opportunity to move forward. Hoffman, financial, accord care, PNC bank, RGT, wealth advisors, open sesame, the Owens, these are some of the companies that are involved. You know, I would challenge other companies to get involved. Go to WDC.org for more information on how you can get involved. All right. This next event, June 20th, this sounds like one that I would

really be excited to be a part of the wine, dine, and cigars with celebrities event hosted by Sage Steel, road parish, Mike Hill. I mean, you're going to have Michael Victor, Malcolm Jenkins. You've got some other great guests that are going to be part of this lineup. Tell us about that of it. Well, it's wine, dine, and cigars. Usually we do a golf tournament. This year,

we're changing it up. We have an a virtual experience where you can actually participate from your home. So we have a lot of corporate opportunities, corporations to come in and sponsor and be part of the event. And for me, what's most important is that we want to create long-term relationships, not relationships just for the moment. We want to be able to create a relationship with corporations

that we can build on and impact their community. But I do have a lot of guys that are going to participate. Chris Tucker is going to participate here as Chef Hill. So we're going to be able to do a lot of things. We do have individuals that understand our passion to help individuals, to help families. But we do need the support of different corporations to continue

to work that we're doing. And we're trying to get to home 200. I think it's important that the work going on almost 24 years. We have a 92% success rate. The last time we did a check on all about families that are in their home or they saw their home and bought another home. So we're creating stability for our families. And now we focus on we

have financial literacy. Your needs instead of things that you want, I grew up on a basis. And I just want kids to understand and value that dollar. But we also incentivize them to start a savings account as well. And we matched them up to $500 on a savings account. So they invest in themselves. We invest in them. We also have a program that's called a scope

where we with the food, any quality food deserts in this country as long as you know, a deal with them. With food insecurity, we want to be able to provide a platform to educate them on healthy, quick meals to cook. But also, we got to the point now, we're wanting to incentivize families to grow vegetable garden, build their own vegetable box in their backyard and grow

their own vegetables. So we're trying to really have an approach to, we want to support the families through their journey of home ownership. And now we also have a scholarship program too. We try to help kids who are still trying to move forward. So in an home, you have the home so they can sit at home and participate in this in this a live online event.

It's great. So again, you've got the Juneteenth celebration on June 10th at 630 PM Eastern. On June 25th, you've got wine, dine, and cigars with celebrities go to WDC.org for more information on that. Orc, you've done a phenomenal job with work done charities. There's a lot of athletes that want to start charitable foundations. They don't know where to begin. They don't know how to do it.

You have done such an amazing job over all of these years of running work done charities. If there's an athlete out there listening to this and they say, I want to give back to the community, but I don't know how to start a charitable organization. What's your advice? Well, one, I would tell a individual, what are you passionate about? So one, you got to figure out

what's your passion about. And two, if someone else has already done the work that you want to do, create a partnership. Don't reinvent the wheel. You have so many nonprofits that are competing with one another. I think it's important that we team up, create partnerships. And you can go in advance that nonprofit. And you could have say so. If you bring in a lot of financial

responsibility, I mean financial opportunity to them, you could have the responsibility of really help guiding them in the direction that they should go. It's a lot of financial responsibility. When you deal with the government and so forth, I'm not about hiring family members. It's not about that. So they can have a job. No. We have to be for this year responsible for donors dollars. No one

in my family works for organization. They help support. They have volunteer. But that financial responsibility to your donors, but also to the government. You can save yourself all those issues by just partnering with other organizations. So I already doing a work that you're passionate about. When you have an opportunity to partner with someone business-wise, whether it's for community good or just a business deal, like what

you've done with Arthur Blank, what are the elements that you look for in a business partnership? Well, one, I try to create a relationship. Being in the South is a lot different in being up north. In the South, we definitely push in relationships because I think when you understand, and individual, their values and what they believe in, and that for me, I just care about people.

Money, that stuff comes and goes. But people, we're here. I just care about helping people. And I think you can hear it in my voice, and hopefully see it in the work that I do. But it's just a part of who I am. I am a family man. I don't know anything else. Right? So because of what I've been through, and I try to build relationships

often individuals that it's not one-sided. We can help each other. And I'm all about partnerships. I'm all about helping us to always take a foot forward. And should we make money? Yes. But we can be strategic and smart about creating these partnerships, or we can move forward. And really sending a message to people that this is an opportunity to come together, collaborate, and maybe come up

with new ideas. But I just think all of the messages that we can do things that we do it together. I grew up on the playing football team. It's no I&T. We all had to rely on trust in each other to be successful. And I just think, you know, the message is, hey, I want to create a positive team that's really about change and helping individuals

have the same opportunities that we all had. And remember, we're not going to give anybody anything. Everybody has to do their part. We just want to give a hand up and now to hand out. Waroc done. You can find all his tremendous work with Waroc done. No, I appreciate you having me on. Hey, everyone. Brian burger here. Ron is the new official menswear partner of sports

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business radio. Thanks for tuning in. Thanks to our team at sports business radio. Brian Griggs, Josh Blank, Ryan Nakajima, and our friends at CG sports who power sports business radio. C.G. Young, Matt Amarlin, Nicole Wardle and Calvin Works. I'm Brian burger. Have a great week and we'll talk to you soon right here on sports business radio. This and every SBR podcast is available on Apple podcasts,

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