I recently went one-on-one with former NFL wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi.
Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?
Mohamed:I have lived a few different lives. Athlete. Finance professional. Organizational psychologist and founder. Each season has taught me something new.
My transition from the NFL was complicated. Like many athletes, I had to figure out who I was without the game. I started my next chapter in finance. It was a valuable experience, but I realized it was not where I wanted to be long-term.
The real turning point came after a near-fatal ATV accident in 2017 that led to the amputation of my left hand. That experience forced me to pause and re-learn myself. It helped me understand that growth is not about starting over. It is about taking everything you have already built and using it to move forward with purpose.
Adam: What is the most surprising thing about life in the NFL? What is something that would shock fans?
Mohamed: Maybe 5% of the league is made up of ultra-talented players. The truth is, the barrier to entry is so high that everyone in the league is already elite. What separates the good teams from the bad ones isn’t talent, it’s leadership.
The best teams know how to bring out the best in every player and build systems that are consistent, repeatable, and designed for long-term success. That’s why some teams are always competitive, year after year, while others struggle no matter who’s on the roster. In the end, it all comes down to leadership and development.
Adam: What are the best lessons you have learned through your career in football that are applicable to those of us who will never earn a living playing sports?
Mohamed: Almost everything I’ve learned in life comes from sports — teamwork, performing under pressure, developing your craft, earning trust, building discipline, and adapting to whatever comes your way. Sports taught me that on any given day, anybody can win. That’s why you play the game. If you prepare the right way and give everything you have, you always give yourself a shot to succeed.
I’ve also learned that performance is about the present moment. What you did last year, last week, or even on the last play doesn’t matter. It’s about making an impact right now and giving yourself the best chance to win in this moment.
Lastly, sports are fun. There’s something special about competing, growing, and driving impact while enjoying what you do. I’ve learned that leadership can be fun, work can be fun, and showing up with the mindset to perform at a high level is one of the greatest privileges we have.
Adam: Who is the best teammate you ever had and why? What are the characteristics of a great teammate?
Mohamed: The best teammates always put the team first. They worked hard for the team, stayed accountable to the team, and showed up. They weren’t in the game for personal glory, but to make everyone around them better. They brought the best version of themselves because they knew that’s what it took to create real value together.
I’ve played with countless teammates over the years, so I can’t single out just one. But the ones who embodied those qualities back then are the same kind of people I rely on in life now. Whether it’s on the field, in the boardroom, or in high-stakes situations where results matter, those teammates remain the ones you can depend on to get the job done.
Adam: Who are the greatest leaders you have played for and with and why? What do you believe are the defining qualities of a great leader?
Mohamed: The greatest leader I’ve ever had was my high school coach. He took a group of kids from challenging backgrounds and limited resources and gave us the hope and belief that we could become more than our circumstances. To me, that’s what leadership is really about elevating the people around you.
Under his guidance, we won 109 games in a row and seven straight championships. But what stood out most wasn’t the winning, but how he led with heart, how he held us accountable, and how he believed in who we could become. The impact went far beyond the field. Many of us went on to college, some even to play professionally, and the lessons he taught still guide me today.
Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to leaders and aspiring leaders?
Mohamed:
- Build trust first. Without it, nothing else works.
- Lead with self-awareness. You can’t lead others effectively if you don’t understand yourself.
- Embrace discomfort. Growth and change are always messy, but that’s where transformation happens.
Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?
Mohamed: To ask for help. Strength isn’t about doing everything alone—it’s about surrounding yourself with people who can spot you when you’re lifting heavy, in life, and in business.
Adam: What can anyone do to pay it forward?
Mohamed: Share what you’ve learned. Everyone’s experience, especially the difficult ones, can help someone else navigate their own transition. Paying it forward isn’t always about grand gestures; sometimes it’s just about being honest about your journey.
Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share?
Mohamed: Change is inevitable, but confusion is optional. Whether it’s on the field, in business, or in life, clarity about who you are and what you stand for makes every transition easier to navigate.
