Quincy Avery Breaks Down True Leadership On and Off the Field

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Quincy Avery Breaks Down True Leadership On and Off the Field"

Podcast Information:

Title: Mick Unplugged
Host: Mick Hunt
Episode: Quincy Avery Breaks Down True Leadership On and Off the Field
Release Date: May 1, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of "Mick Unplugged," host Mick Hunt engages in a profound conversation with Quincy Avery, renowned as the "QB Whisperer" and a transformative figure in modern leadership and coaching. The discussion delves deep into Quincy's philosophies on leadership, his personal journey, and his impactful work both on and off the football field.

Quincy's 'Because' and Purpose

Exploring Deeper Motivation: Quincy introduces the concept of moving beyond the traditional 'Why' to discover one's 'Because'—a deeper, more intrinsic purpose that drives action and impact.

"I've always done it with a few things in mind. And really, it is taking care of those around me..." [02:20]

Core Drive: Quincy's primary motivation revolves around supporting and uplifting those around him, especially young men striving to achieve their goals.

Quincy's Journey and Overcoming Adversity

Facing Hardships: Quincy candidly shares his struggles, including periods of homelessness and the relentless grind required to build his career from the ground up.

"I've had a thousand nights of homelessness... trying to figure out where I was going to lay my head." [04:24]

Resilience and Persistence: His ability to work hard despite repeated rejections and setbacks underscores his resilience, a trait he emphasizes as essential for success.

"When I say that I'm committed to something, I want my actions and my words to be congruent." [04:24]

Discovering and Validating His Gift

Moments of Validation: Quincy recounts pivotal moments that affirmed his coaching abilities, including recognition from Trent Dilfer and a transformative session with NFL quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

"Trent Dilfer saw the things that I was doing... but the real moment was training Tyrod Taylor." [06:25]

Implications of Recognition: These endorsements not only boosted his confidence but also validated his approach, propelling him to further success in his coaching endeavors.

Building a Business with Coaching

Transitioning to Entrepreneurship: Beyond coaching, Quincy discusses the challenges and strategies involved in transforming his passion into a scalable business.

"The only way that I could do that was be able to truly build a business that had procedures and we were able to run real systems." [08:33]

Team Building and Leadership: He highlights the importance of surrounding himself with a capable team, predominantly composed of women of color, to manage operations and drive the organization's mission.

"Everybody that you see who's not on the football field who works for that organization is a woman. Primarily women of color..." [08:33]

Balancing Coaching and Business: Quincy emphasizes the intricate balance between hands-on coaching and strategic business management, underscoring the constant challenges of running an organization.

Impact on Quarterbacks and Leadership Insights

Beyond Talent: Quincy asserts that mindset, resilience, and the ability to navigate adversity are paramount in distinguishing good quarterbacks from franchise leaders.

"It's definitely not talent. I think that everybody we see who plays football at a professional level is talented... but it's a mindset." [11:43]

Leadership Principles: Drawing parallels between quarterbacking and leadership, Quincy discusses how leaders must exhibit stability, respond positively to challenges, and maintain personal responsibility.

"When you're playing at the highest level... it's about how do we move forward from this difficulty." [13:25]

The Quincy Avery Effect Documentary

Purpose and Vision: Quincy elaborates on his documentary, "The Quincy Avery Effect," highlighting its role in showcasing the cultural and personal transformations brought about by black quarterbacks in the NFL.

"I want people to see that the work we're doing isn't just about on the football field. It's about building better young men who respond when life gets tough." [17:11]

Cultural Impact: The documentary aims to illustrate how quarterbacks influence not just their teams but also their communities, shaping high schools, colleges, and cities.

Traits and Criteria for Coaching Quarterbacks

Selecting the Right Candidates: Quincy emphasizes that character and the ability to handle adversity are more critical than raw talent when choosing whom to coach.

"First things I want to do is have a conversation with the parents... because the parents have been the biggest determining factor in the kids who I see are successful and the kids who I see aren't." [19:01]

Parental Influence: He critiques overprotective parenting that shields young athletes from challenges, arguing that overcoming adversity builds essential life skills.

"You got to work it. You got to flex it. You got to be able to see yourself in a difficult situation and see you make it out on the other side." [19:01]

Film Analysis and Coaching at Different Levels

Tailored Coaching Approaches: Quincy discusses how his coaching strategies vary depending on the athlete's level, from high school to the NFL, focusing more on fundamentals and mental preparedness at higher levels.

"If they're in high school, I'll be a lot more in depth in terms of their reads, their fundamentals... When you're playing at the highest level, the margin for error is so small." [22:44]

Attention to Detail: At the professional level, Quincy emphasizes the importance of minute details that can make or break a game, reflecting the high stakes involved.

Thoughts on NIL and College Football

Financial Empowerment vs. Risks: Quincy expresses support for athletes earning through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) but raises concerns about young athletes' ability to manage substantial finances responsibly.

"Now, it makes me nervous... I see so many of these guys making poor financial decisions." [24:11]

Critique of Transfer Portal: He also critiques the NCAA's handling of athlete contracts and the instability caused by the transfer portal, advocating for better contractual agreements to ensure stability.

"Real contracts with real buyouts... the NCAA doesn't want to consider these young men as employees." [26:47]

Final Messages and Call to Action

Inspiring Perseverance: Quincy imparts a powerful message about the importance of perseverance and aligning actions with one's true purpose.

"No matter what situation or what it may look like, your destination is your destination... understand it's not always going to look pretty." [32:21]

Avery Effect Foundation: He encourages listeners to support the Avery Effect Foundation, aimed at providing resources and guidance to young men striving to achieve their goals.

"Take a peek at the Avery Effect Foundation... you're responsible for helping change some young man's life." [37:23]

Q&A Highlights

Favorite Athlete Growing Up: Quincy names Warwick Bryant as his favorite athlete during his formative years.

"Warwick." [34:40]

Most Rewarding Student: He shares the story of Austin Smith, a student whose determination transformed him into a college scholarship recipient and NFL contender.

"His name is Austin Smith... he's going to have an opportunity to go to the NFL next year." [35:12]

Alternative Sport: If not football, Quincy believes he would have excelled in baseball, the sport he found most engaging.

"I was probably better at baseball than I was at any other sport." [36:55]

Conclusion

This episode of "Mick Unplugged" offers a deep dive into Quincy Avery's leadership philosophy, personal struggles, and his unwavering commitment to empowering young athletes. Quincy’s insights extend beyond sports, providing valuable lessons in resilience, effective leadership, and purposeful living. His call to action emphasizes the importance of supporting foundations that nurture the next generation, ensuring they have the resources and guidance to overcome challenges and achieve their dreams.

For listeners seeking inspiration and actionable strategies to enhance their leadership skills and personal growth, Quincy's story serves as a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and authentic leadership.

Notable Quotes:

"I've had a thousand nights of homelessness... trying to figure out where I was going to lay my head." — Quincy Avery [04:24]
"It's definitely not talent. I think that everybody we see who plays football at a professional level is talented... but it's a mindset." — Quincy Avery [11:43]
"No matter what situation or what it may look like, your destination is your destination... understand it's not always going to look pretty." — Quincy Avery [32:21]

Call to Action: Support Quincy Avery’s mission by visiting the Avery Effect Foundation at averyeffect.com or qbtakeover.com and contribute to empowering young men to reach their full potential.