Exclusive interview with Ladell Betts

[themurf]

(photo by Brian Murphy)

Washington Redskins running back Ladell Betts is not your stereotypical NFL player. While most fans might think of football players as nothing more than flashy young millionaires “making it rain” at their choice of gentlemen’s club, Betts is busy setting himself up for success after he hangs up the cleats. We caught up with the eighth-year pro to see what he’s been up to and were surprised with his answers. Here’s part one of our interview.

How was your summer vacation? Did you do anything exciting during your time off?

“Nah, I didn’t do anything too exciting,” he said. “I went down to Puerto Vallarta for a little bit, but other than that I just kind of kicked back and relaxed. I went up to Wharton too, for the Business Management and Entrepreneurship Program.”

Is that an NFL program?

“Yeah, the NFL puts it on,” Betts said. “They have them at different schools. They have one at Stanford, one at Northwestern University and one at Harvard, and I did the one at Wharton.”

Tell us a little bit about that. If we remember correctly, Renaldo Wynn and some other Redskins players have participated in that program in the past.

“Well, they teach you about different business management opportunities,” he said. “The one I did at Wharton has a heavy emphasis on real estate. It’s like a crash course, basically. You go there for four days from like eight in the morning until like seven at night and then you go back for more later, which I’m about to go back and do in a week or so. They teach you about the do’s and don’ts – what to look for and what to be leery of. How to approach things, how to read financial statements and everything. It’s a good course.”

You hear horror stories about folks making one bad business decision and getting taken for all their money, so it’s cool that the NFL is trying to set you guys up for better success, right?

“Yeah, that’s basically what they’re doing,” Betts said. “It’s a good idea and I’m glad I went. I was a little hesitant about going because I’ve never been fond of school, but I’m glad I went. It’s been pretty fun to go.”

Do you call Virginia home these days? Do you stay in the area during the offseason?

“I do. I do,” he said. “I’ve been living here since I got in the NFL. I bought my house my second year in the league and this has pretty much been home for me ever since.”

We know you had the chance to explore free agency a couple years ago and decided to stay here, but it’s nice to know you consider this area home now.

“I think the D.C. market, just as far as the people and the opportunities, as far as business and stuff away from football – life after football – I think D.C. is one of the hardest markets to walk away from,” Betts said. “There’s not very many places in the United States that have this kind of diversity and business opportunities. There’s so many different people you can network with and I just think it’s a good opportunity for me.”

We hate to state the obvious here, but you know you’re still young, right? You’re only 29 and you’re already sitting here planning life after football.

“I am young, but the thing about football is I think too many guys don’t approach it that way and then the next thing you know your name isn’t on the back of that jersey anymore and now you’re out in the real world and you haven’t made any contacts and you haven’t really tried to establish yourself outside of football,” he said. “For most of us, we’ve been doing this since pee wee league through elementary or junior high or whatever. We don’t know much else other than football. At some point in time you’ve got to branch out and try to make that transition smoother, and that’s all I’m trying to do. I’m not trying to retire from football, I’m just trying to make it so when that day does come I’m not out in the dark wondering what I’m going to do now.”

That brings up an interesting question – what would you be doing with your life if you never made it to the NFL?

Click here for the full article.

[McD5]

Sweet Murf.

I love to see a guy like this, who could have easily gone for the money in free agency after his big season, get some exposure and appreciation.

Most players would have just been looking for a payday.

He is well-spoken, and sounds like he has his head on straight.

Very nice to see in today's NFL.

[zoony]

Great interview. He's a sharp dude

[morpheusmeyers]

Good to see that he's already thinking about life after football and is being proactive about taking classes in the offseason. I see a Betts Real Estate Services, LLC in the future.

[IbleedBnG83]

Very good interview and questions. I really like Betts a lot. I think Zorn has under utilized him.

[Jumbo]

Excellent questions, murf. I always appreciate geting a little illumination our player's views of life and how they think outside of football-only commments, though getting their off-season takes on that is always interesting of course. It helps me to connect to these guys who wear the B & G to read this kind of work. Betts is a particulalry good choice sine his status is interesting here, being sandwiched "under" CP's "star" but over long-time fan favorite, Rock, and all the resulting back-n-forth as to just what his level of talent might actually be--the situation makes his head a particularly intersting one to look into, and from this initial part of the interview, he seems failry well balanced, centered, and thoughtful. Good qualties to bring to this organization. Another great job, amigo.

[DCskin]

Sweet!! Now I am at peace.

[STBonecrusher21]

Always the best interviews murf.

Really enjoy them!

[corrupt3d]

I love Ladell, solid solid guy and never once has whined after proving that he can play.


Great interview

[Thirtyfive2seven]

Glad you didn't ask him about fumbles

but seriously, I enjoyed the article. Ladell seems like a well rounded, sharp man.

In some ways I wish he decided to test free agency because two things could have happened which may have benefited both him and the skins.
1) he would have been a starter somewhere else which he deserves - good for him
2) the skins may have drafted a young RB to replace him - maybe good for them

Either way, I hope he gets to see more action in the up coming season. he's a solid player

[terpskins10]

I love to see a guy like this, who could have easily gone for the money in free agency after his big season, get some exposure and appreciation.

We know.

Definitely a good interview though. I am glad he's on the team.

[Peregrine]

Great interview. I could never understand why some people wanted to trade a guy who cost us so little, and yet gave us so much. I can safely say that there are few other teams in the NFL that have a backup RB who can jump in like Ladell can if their starter goes down. The only other teams in the NFL who have that only have it because they drafted rookie RB's, who will get a big pay day in a couple of years, and then they will have to make a decision. We have not had that issue.