Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn O’Dare.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Shawn. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
On September 18, 2015, I received news that I had passed the exam to become an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor. Not many people know what my official job title means until I switch up to the term made famous by Jerry McGuire–NFL Agent.
As one of the 38.7% that passed that year, let me offer you further perspective.
I grew up working on my Dad’s organic produce operation (shout out to Osceola Organic Farm!) in the retirement community of Vero Beach, FL, where northerners came to escape winter. As a kid, I would go surfing every weekend, but I ended up growing a deep passion for sports — primarily football and basketball. I went to St. Helen Catholic School through 8th Grade, where each class had around 30 students at most, so it was very small.
Needless to say, it wasn’t as competitive as the public school, although I did play travel basketball on a team that won a pair of Florida State Championships. Basketball was fun, but football was always my passion. I was the Quarterback on my junior high team, but that was flag football. So, let’s just say, I wasn’t taken seriously my freshman year at Vero Beach High School–until I started every game that year. The naysayers respected me by the time I graduated, leading Vero Beach to district titles as the starting signal caller my junior and senior year.
I received a lot of smaller school interest, and I ended up signing to play Quarterback at Jacksonville University. It took two weeks for me to know I was in the wrong spot after I got to camp that fall, and I put in for an immediate transfer.
I only reached out to one school — my dream school — where I earned a preferred walk-on spot. The idea of being a part of one of college football’s richest legacies was where it was at for me. For I was joining the bad boys of the 80’s, the inventors of swag, The U. Yes, I wanted to be a Miami Hurricane. Coach Randy Shannon told me they were already set at Quarterback, so I switched to Wide Receiver. To say the competition at that position was fierce would be a vast understatement.
That first team meeting I remember being as nervous as I’ve ever been in my life, not knowing a single person in the room. Luckily a high school rival of mine, John Calhoun (who put a huge hit on me in high school) couldn’t have been more welcoming. I can never repay him to this day for what he did for me (I even ended up being a groomsman at his wedding!). It is said that the biggest breakthroughs in your life occur when you break out of your comfort zone, and I couldn’t attest to this more. My time as a Hurricane was incredible. I lived in a townhouse (or as it became known, “The Traphouse”) with three teammates — Quarterback Stephen Morris, Fullback Maurice Hagens, and Defensive Back Kacy Rodgers.
Today, I represent six players that played at the University of Miami. My partner, Alex Gavilla, also has a background representing Miami Hurricanes. We met when I was finishing up graduate school through a mutual friend, and quickly found out that our values aligned in this industry. He was an undergrad at Miami during the 2001 National Championship and returned to The U in 2010 to earn his MBA after receiving his law degree at Georgetown.
Alex represented a few of my former teammates: Linebacker Ramon Buchanan, Safety Vaughn Telemaque, and Punter Dalton Botts. He also represented Wide Receiver DeVonte Christopher from Utah to round out his first recruiting class.
By 2015 (the year before I became certified), he became the co-agent to the all-time leading rusher at the University of Miami, Duke Johnson as well as working with Linebackers Hayes Pullard and Thurston Armbrister. I was fortunate enough to work on the marketing side of things that year where I gained valuable experience, which would prepare me for the next year when I became officially certified.
As a child, whenever I was asked what I wanted to do when I grew up I gave the typical answer of being an NFL Player.
But then, NFL Agent was next.
People would laugh, and say, “Jerry McGuire huh?” So, I would just smile and agree. I am only 25 but always get younger students asking me how to get into this business. My answer is the same every time — RELATIONSHIPS.
Sure, playing at one of the top colleges in the nation helped to get me where I am today, but the character that my parents instilled in me at a young age has propelled me to early success in my career. That character comes with work ethic, which helped me build up what I needed to go through the expensive process of becoming an NFL Agent.
Warning, this is not a cheap industry to get into!
Just to initially apply and have a background check done, the NFLPA charges a $2,500 fee. If you pass the background check application process, you then receive an invitation to the annual NFLPA Contract Advisor seminar in DC (which is held at the Ritz Carlton) so factor in a flight and hotel room for two nights.
The seminar is a day and a half with an exam that takes up the second half of day 2. Next, once you pass the exam, another annual fee, and insurance kicks in. This is all before you are even allowed to start talking to potential clients!
After I did all this, I was officially certified October 1st, 2015. About a month later, my career would officially begin signing my first of six clients in the next 4 months…
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There have certainly been struggles throughout this journey, and you can’t get too high or too low with the ups and downs. Continued success is about maintaining a level head, and the relationships that you have is key to longevity as an agent. This is an extremely competitive and cutthroat industry, but the athlete in me knows that the competition will drive me to be the best that I can be.
EPIC Agents – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Entertainers & Players Innovative Consultants, also known as EPIC Agents, is a dynamic sports agency focused on establishing a higher standard of professionalism and personalization in the representation of athletes. Located in Miami, Florida, a mecca of sports and entertainment, EPIC is capable of serving all premier markets throughout the world. Our contract experience, personal attention, family atmosphere, and being able to relate to our clients is what sets us apart from others and what I am most proud of.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Everyone defines success differently. I define success as achieving the goals you set for yourself, whether that be in your personal or professional life. You can’t compare your success or where you are at in your career to others because that takes the focus away from achieving your own goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: EpicAgents.com
- Instagram: @ShawnODare / @EpicAgents
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EpicAgents/
- Twitter: @ShawnODare / @EpicAgents
Image Credit:
@Dopetographer
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