A Business Partner, But #NotMyPosse
I returned home last night after practice and turned on ESPN to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers face off against New York Knicks. After the final buzzer sounded, LeBron James immediately embraced his longtime friend and business partner Maverick Carter. The moment was poignant, considering just a month or so ago, Carter was reduced to a member of James’ “posse,” according to the Knicks’ GM, Phil Jackson.
Just as Jackson touched a nerve in James a few weeks ago with his reference to James’ business partners as his “posse”, he struck a chord in me and other black professional athletes as well.
As African-American professional athletes, we are stigmatized every day. We get tagged with labels like “lazy” and “careless.” We are often the targets of business scams by con artists trying to make a quick buck.
Every time I walk into a business meeting, I know I must work to overcome these stereotypes and prove that I belong. There is a burden on me to prove my smarts and savvy that I’m certain only exists for athletes of color. After five minutes of conversation, I typically see expressions and body language change. They recognize my business acumen and realize I know what I’m talking about. Most of the time, by the end of the conversation, they’re seeking opportunities to collaborate.
Surely, I don’t think Phil Jackson is racist or even meant for his comments to be portrayed that way, but the language he used is indicative of the way white executives view black athletes who have become — or strive to become — businesspeople. When Phil Simms or Peyton Manning sit down in a board room, no one questions whether they will understand what is being discussed.
One way to break down this stereotype is for professional athletes of color to talk regularly about the men and women who support them off the field or court. So today, I am calling on professional athletes of color around the country to join me in sharing the stories of the men and women who support us off the field — our friends, family and business associates — but who are NOT members of any “posse.”
So let me tell you about Andrew McGee.
Andrew and I first met as teammates at Oklahoma State after both being highly recruited out of high school, he a cornerback and me an offensive lineman. We quickly became very good friends, mostly because of our commitment to academics and our engaging, thoughtful conversations off the field.
Andrew’s football career ended soon after he broke his neck while tackling a punt returner in the Bedlam Series. While I was devastated for Andrew, I knew his potential as a leader off the gridiron was just as great as his future as a football player.
Once I reached the NFL, I knew I wanted Andrew by my side. Since then, Andrew has remained my best friend. Andrew is my business partner. Andrew is my most trusted advisor. Andrew is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of our nonprofit, GREATER, where he works tirelessly to redefine education so that students of all backgrounds are equipped for the 21st century.
But Andrew is #NotMyPosse.
With the help of Andrew and others close to me, I have developed several esteemed contacts in the technology industry, connected with dedicated mentors, and built relationships based on sharing a common vision. I don’t know it all, but I do know a lot — enough to make investment decisions in people over products, and results over talk.
I’m not just trying to start another steakhouse chain. I’m not another black athlete trying to make millions on someone else’s pipe dream. And I don’t have a posse. I have business partners, friends, teammates, and a family just like everyone else.
