Podcast Summary: The Code To Winning — Ep. 066

Title: FROM SUPERBOWL WINNER IN ROOKIE YEAR: TO NFL AGENT || ROY LEWIS
Host: Kagiso "KG" Dikane
Guest: Roy Lewis, Former NFL Player & Current NFL Agent
Release Date: October 23, 2025

Episode Overview

In this deeply insightful episode, Kagiso Dikane sits down with Roy Lewis—a Super Bowl champion whose rookie NFL season with the Pittsburgh Steelers culminated in hoisting football’s most coveted title. Now a successful NFL agent, Lewis candidly shares stories of his journey from determined youth in South Central LA, to the elite culture of the Steelers, to his important role in guiding the next generation of athletes. Listeners get rich, behind-the-scenes perspective on elite sports culture, transitions, mentorship, money, and the modern business of being an NFL agent.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Roy Lewis’ Beginnings and Mentality Shift

• Late Start, Rapid Growth:
  • Lewis began football in seventh grade, though his early years were filled with youth sports and martial arts, giving him a sense of discipline and spatial awareness.
  • “I learned how to dissect the body… discipline… In seventh grade… they said I couldn’t [play Pop Warner]. So I told ’em… And my Pop Warner watched me play professionally.” (03:37)
• High School Epiphany:
  • A realization in high school crystallized his confidence and work ethic: “All my decisions started to align with what I needed… to become not only a Division 1 football player, but ultimately an NFL football player.” (00:46)
  • Adopted a habit of mimicry—studying VHS tapes of elite college players to master the technical skills necessary to advance.

NFL Rookie Year & Pittsburgh Steelers Culture

• Steelers’ Unique Family Atmosphere:
  • Unlike anything Lewis had experienced; describes the organization as a tight-knit, mentorship-powered “fabric”.
  • “They brought me into a culture… a family… forged me into a professional.” (09:02)
• Mentorship from Veterans:
  • Surrounded by legends like Troy Polamalu, Ryan Clark, Ike Taylor; “They took me underneath their wing and showed me… This is how you play ball in the NFL. This is what you do… Here’s the etiquette, here’s the unknowns… And I’m gonna teach you at a high level from a winning franchise.” (09:35)
• Coach Tomlin’s Philosophy:
  • “It’s never about the destination, kid. It’s about the journey.” (12:04)

Notable Quote

• Coach Tomlin Before Preseason Game:
  “Tonight there’s two types of people in life. Those that feel pressure and those that apply it. Tonight we’re gonna figure out which kind of person you are.” (12:19)

• Super Bowl Memory:

  • Recounts transformative plays like James Harrison’s 106-yard interception and the importance of team unity and football’s grind.
  • “As the season progresses… we keep winning and winning. Next thing you know… the playoffs… They talk about the rookie wall… I was fortunate. The preparation, attention to detail… was surreal.” (08:22–12:04)

Lessons on Team, Adversity, and Humanizing Athletes

• Football as the Ultimate Team Game:
  • Lewis and KG discuss football’s demand for every role to excel.
  • “Every single piece of the puzzle… is playing their significant role… It’s one of the most team sports out there.” (15:52)
• Human Side of NFL Players:
  • Fans don’t often understand the sacrifices; players perform away from family, are subject to heavier scrutiny, and must maintain relentless focus—even on holidays.
  • “You get to benefit from him performing on the holiday, it’s not for him, he’s performing, that’s his job… They’re humans, we have feelings.” (21:44)
• Media & Social Media Impact:
  • “Now everyone… has a platform to say whatever they want without any checks and balances. So what you get is the wild, wild West.” (23:35)

Meeting President Barack Obama

• White House Visit:
  • Steelers were first Super Bowl team hosted by President Obama; assembled care packages for Wounded Warriors.
  • “Barack Obama walked around, shook every single hand… wasn’t too busy, took the time to hang out with us.” (25:01)

Transition to NFL Agent & Mentorship

• Staying Connected to the Game:
  • “This was my way of directly having an impact back on the game. I can just give the players all the information that I wish I knew I had when I was playing…” (26:51)
• Instant Credibility as a Former Player:
  • Players appreciate an agent who has lived their experience: “It's a brother bond… we talk X’s and O’s first, then we talk about business.” (31:18)
• Mentorship Philosophy:
  • “Stop taking advice from people who’ve done none of the things that you want to do. Go find someone who’s done what you want to do—a player should listen to someone who’s been there.” (29:59)

Notable Quote

• “Life is about being a rookie over and over again… You want to pivot and change and do something else, gotta become a rookie again.” (37:34)

• Handling Financial Pitfalls & Player Welfare:

  • Emphasizes education on money management for incoming athletes, warning of overwhelming sums:
    • “You’re going to get ready to make more money than your parents and your family has ever accounted for. That can be overwhelming.” (42:48)
  • Modern resources abound (NFL Trust, NFLPA, benefits), so “the days of ‘we don’t have the help’ are long gone.” (44:57)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Steelers’ Winning Culture:
  “In Pittsburgh, we’d already decided we’d won the game… It’s just a matter of us physically going out there to articulate it.” (20:20)
• On Being an NFL Agent:
  “I’m not an attorney… I’m a football player. I walk the walk, I talk the talk. We talk X’s and O’s first, then we talk about business.” (31:18)
• On Player Empowerment in Negotiation:
  “Ultimately, the player has the leverage. The agent is just a liaison between the player and the team… Look at Richard Sherman—he represented himself.” (54:51)
• On What Winning Means:
  “Winning is an undying will to be successful… It’s habitual. It’s what you think, how you act, how you carry yourself. Winners love to win. Everything I touch, I win, period… Learning is winning. The more you learn, the more you earn, the more you win.” (63:50–65:54)

Additional Highlights & Timestamps

• [04:50] High school realization; studying tape to mimic greats.
• [08:22] First-year wonder—inside the Steelers 2008 journey.
• [12:04–12:28] Coach Tomlin’s pressure quote; the philosophy of applying vs. feeling pressure.
• [15:20] Steelers mentality—“just chipping” away every day.
• [17:00] Super Bowl XLIII: James Harrison’s iconic interception and team camaraderie.
• [21:44] Human side: performing for fans while sacrificing family time.
• [23:30] Social media’s impact; the “wild, wild West.”
• [25:01] White House visit with President Obama.
• [26:51; 28:17] Decision to become an agent; mentorship.
• [31:18; 32:57] The value of agent-player shared experience.
• [42:48–47:26] The importance of financial literacy for today’s athletes.
• [53:34–56:06] The realities of contract negotiation—business, not drama.
• [63:50–65:54] Poetic, energized definition of “winning”.

Notable Quotes (by Time & Speaker)

• “All my decisions started to align… ultimately, an NFL football player.” — Roy Lewis, (00:46)
• “Tonight there’s two types of people in life. Those that feel pressure and those that apply it.” — Mike Tomlin (via Roy Lewis), (12:19)
• “They brought me into a culture… a family… forged me into a professional.” — Roy Lewis, (09:02)
• “You get to benefit from him performing on the holiday, it’s not for him…” — Roy Lewis, (21:44)
• “Life is about being a rookie over and over again… Gotta be a rookie again.” — Roy Lewis, (37:34)
• “Winning is an undying will to be successful… Learning is winning… The more you learn, the more you earn, the more you win.” — Roy Lewis, (63:50–65:54)

Final Reflections

This wide-ranging conversation is full of warmth, candor, and actionable wisdom—from the importance of model mentorship, to the modern challenges young players face, to what true winning looks like. Roy Lewis stands as a living example: someone who absorbs lessons from every chapter and now returns that value to the next generation, on and off the field.

How to Connect with Roy Lewis:

• Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (noted as "old school, but returning"). See “The Code To Winning” for latest.

Listen to “The Code To Winning” for more strategies from individuals who know what it takes to succeed and inspire.