Steve Wright's Journey from NFL Greatness to an Inspiring Spiritual Balance
By Sandy Rodriguez
Throughout former pro football player Steve Wright's life, courage has been a recurring theme—from hockey in Minnesota to a stellar NFL career and even prize- fighting. His life has taken him from gridiron battles to entrepreneurial success, reality TV, and, eventually, a spiritual search.
Steve's NFL tenure spanned 11 years with the Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore and Indianapolis Colts, and Los Angeles Raiders, leaving an indelible mark at each stop. Post-football, he pioneered a revolutionary cooling system for sports teams, NASA, and the Atlanta Olympics. His adventurous spirit later led him to take part in Survivor. This show took him to the depths of the Nicaraguan jungle, where he tested his resilience and embraced meditation, now central to his daily life.
Today, alongside his wife Lizzy, Steve champions Globall Giving, a nonprofit which provides used sports equipment to underprivileged children worldwide.
Steve, a Buddhist, advocates spiritual growth and personal evolution. He embraces a minimalist lifestyle— sans TV and sometimes clothes. In his award-winning memoir, Aggressively Human, he shares his journey, urging readers to develop empathy alongside strength. You can find more on Steve's website: WrightAuthor.com.
Steve sat down with Heart Of Hollywood
Magazine to discuss his inspiring story.
Over the course of your life you have engaged in several physical activities that require much courage, including hockey when you still lived in your native Minnesota, football, and even prize-fighting featuring matches similar to human cockfights. Why do you believe you gravitated toward these activities or ended up participating in them?
The principle of parsimony suggests that the simplest explanation is often closest to the truth. That’s certainly true here: I followed my gut, plain and simple. Even at a young age, I trusted my most basic internal compass, which hasn’t let me down to this day. With faith— the internal self-belief variety, not religious per se—courage was no longer a requirement to act. Conviction, I discovered, was a far more powerful antidote for fear.
My environment also played a considerable role in my choices. Growing up in Minnesota, hockey was practically a birthright. It was all around me, so like many kids in my neighborhood, I reflexively put on skates not long after learning to walk. Then, my classmates joined sports teams, and I wasn’t about to sit on the sidelines. That’s when, listening to my gut, I fell hard for football at the age of 10. My instincts didn’t lead me astray with a passion that persisted until I retired from the NFL at age 35, a quarter of a century later. While my size and physicality certainly helped get me on teams, my internal faith and drive kept me in the game.
As for the Tough Man Contest, that was an aberration, or more specifically, an opportunity to win one thousand dollars. As a college kid without much extra cash, I jumped at the chance to fill my cup, literally and figuratively. My economic reality and gut instinct propelled me into the ring to beat out 26 other guys, from farm boys to future Mafiosos. It would be fair to say that I protected my mug, took care of business, secured the funds, and never looked back.
You played for three different teams. What year did you join each of these teams, and what did you like best about each one?
The Dallas Cowboys found me at the University of Northern Iowa in 1981 and signed me to a free-agent contract with 120 other players. Out of this motley gaggle, just three of us made it onto “America’s Team.”
Love them or hate them, the Cowboys, along with the rest of Dallas, were on fire in the 1980s. It was heaven, yet it was also Gomorrah—the perfect playground for a 21-year-old with a healthy salary and few inhibitions. The scene lit my hair on fire with every bit of debauchery you can imagine. The only thing - that was more fun than my antics off the field was playing with future Hall of Famers. Plus, I was learning from the best coach in the business, Tom Landry, along with my special teams coach, Mike Ditka. Both men were coaching gods.
Then, reality hit me harder than the vicious “Manster,” Randy White. I discovered I was merely a product in the much larger picture for the NFL. My wake-up call came in the form of an abrupt trade to the Baltimore Colts in 1984 over a plate of eggs. By my second cup of coffee, I had a plane ticket and four hours until liftoff. It was the one and only time I drank to lose myself and numb the pain. While the move tore my heart out, there was a silver lining: I fell right into a coveted starting position. While the Colts’ performance in 1984-85 left much to be desired, it was a tight band of brothers with stories that live on, many of which appear in my book, Aggressively Human.
My last move was in 1987; thankfully, I was more prepared this time. Hell, I was headed for LA to join the Raiders—what’s not to love? In fact, I enjoyed my time so much that after seven more years of playing, I retired and call LA home to this day. Out of all the teams, I identify most as a Raider despite the craziness, highs, and lows that come with the franchise. No one stays on top for too long. But through it all, the Raiders have proven to be a special organization with a steadfast commitment to its mantra: “Once a Raider, always a Raider.” They show a deep love and commitment to all who played and bled for the team. In return, I will always call myself a Raider, first and foremost.
What are some of your favorite career highlights as an athlete?
My greatest sports achievement, bar none, was making the Dallas Cowboys as an underweight, undrafted, no-name kid from a shrug-worthy school. Think David vs. Goliath-type odds. While my chances of making the team were slim, my unflinching belief made all the difference.
The second highlight was my rookie year as well, playing for the Cowboys. I blocked for Tony Dorsett’s record-breaking 99.5- yard run in my hometown of Minneapolis, with my whole family, neighbors, and buddies in attendance. It’s a record that can never be beaten. There I was, a fresh-faced kid, making history with a bunch of Hall of Fame-bound football legends. I couldn’t believe my good fortune.
When did you retire from professional football? What advice do you have for those retiring from careers they were passionate about?
My Buddhist belief in impermanence has helped me transition in and out of many things throughout this wild ride, including football.
My retirement from football came in 1993 when the Raiders returned to Oakland. Knowing I couldn’t play forever, I opened my eyes and soul to other opportunities. I recognized that my passion for the sport could manifest itself again if I stayed open to other possibilities and sure enough, it did. My company concept, later named Cloudburst, appeared out of thin air and took off during my final years in the league.
Perhaps the impulse to compete was still present inside you after retiring. You then decided to become active in business and compete in that arena. You became successful with a system used for cooling off people in hot climates. Please tell me more about that business venture.
I never saw it as an impulse to compete but rather a desire to find fulfillment. There wasn’t a focus on being the best or making a ton of money, but on finding something that stirred my gut to act. Once I followed my instincts, opportunities and money followed.
It all started during the fourth quarter of my football career. I was enjoying an evening of margaritas at Las Casuelas in Palm Springs when I stumbled into entrepreneurship. It wasn’t my intent, but like other things in my life, being open to possibilities ultimately led to the creation of my company, Cloudburst. I watched the continuous spray of mist that dusted patrons who seemed grateful for its cooling effect during a blistering heat wave in the desert. After learning the system’s simplicity, I pieced one together and tried cooling the sideline for the Raiders’ first preseason game.
The system also caught the attention of a few important suits in the stands who flagged down a ball boy to pass me their business cards. After the final whistle, still in full game attire, I had my first real business meeting about installing my system at the Hollywood Park racetrack. Keep in mind that I had only jerry- rigged an experimental solution for the first season game and had no real experience. Nonetheless, my entrepreneurial instincts prevailed. I bet on myself.
Eventually, this blossomed into a successful business with units in over 1,500 stores, including Home Depot, Costco, Target, Walmart, and others. There were plenty of big jobs, too, including contracts to cool the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, the Peninsula Beverly Hills, aircraft carrier decks, NASA, and much more. As proud as I am about my time in football, Cloudburst was one of my most fulfilling life adventures.
You were asked to take part in a reality show, which took you to the depths of Nicaragua. How did that come about?
My philosophy of charging through open doors was in full force when reality television entered my world in 2009. I was on the set of Fox NFL Sunday to catch up with Howie Long and share a few laughs about our years as teammates. When he left to kick things off in the studio, I struck up a seemingly benign chat with a stranger in the green room. The brief encounter planted a seed that ultimately led to 31 days of mind-bending starvation on primetime television. I had no clue what awaited me when I joined the twenty-second season of Survivor.
While I feel fans deserve to hear more from contestants about what goes on behind the scenes, I would be eyeball-deep in legal trouble or hiding out in the Andes Mountains if I shared anything. So, like many contestants before and after me, I must refrain from discussing my experience on the southwest coast of Nicaragua, where time froze and my light grew dim.
I understand the show not only tested your physical limits, but also inspired you to explore your spiritual side.
When you find yourself starving for 30 days, you either rough up antagonists or get spiritual. I’m joking, of course.
I found meditation on Survivor, and it was the greatest gift. One of my tribemates was a practitioner and showed me the way. From then on, it became my escape to find a nearly unshakable peace.
You are now with your second wife, who appears to be your soulmate. Together, you live a life of minimalism, in which you limit the belongings you own and don’t even have a TV set. What do you believe are the benefits of this type of lifestyle?
We are real-deal minimalists. When people enter our place for the first time, I witness a flicker of surprise. Even though we live in one of the global epicenters of consumerism, there’s no dining table to clutter up our space, no television to waste our time, just a single cozy chair for each of us to enjoy the evenings.
It would feel strange to many, but our living room houses our surfboards and a massage table, while a bench and weights fill out our dining space. Each item is essential and used daily. And no, I don’t get massages each day. I use it to stretch every morning and evening as part of my warm-up and cooldown. I would recommend that every couple get a massage table for other reasons, too, but that topic is for another conversation. I found that if you can stay disciplined and resist the urge to add nonessentials, the freedom and lightness you receive through a minimalist life are valuable gifts.
Tell me about the nonprofit Globall Giving and its purpose.
Our friend Mark Rolison created Globall Giving (globallgiving.org) with my wife, Lizzy, who has been on the board since its inception in 2012 before getting me involved in 2015.
Globall Giving operates under a simple yet powerful motto: all kids deserve a chance to play. To that end, we collect used sports equipment from families throughout the U.S. and provide this gently used equipment to kids in need around the world. We’ve worked in over 35 countries, distributing over 47 tons of slightly used sporting equipment to impact over a million kids.
How do you stay in shape? I know you have lifted weights for many years. Is there anything else you do besides lifting?
If I were to pick any small town in America that matched my health and wellness-centric values, it would be Malibu, California. It isn’t uncommon for my tribe to discuss innovative exercises, the latest biohacks, or new treatments to optimize our health. While it sometimes goes a bit extreme, the intent that drives these conversations resonates. I don’t profess to be an expert, but I stayed healthy throughout my life and explored many practices. Experimenting and listening to my body has worked well for me.
I do what I can to make my workouts enjoyable and stay consistent with something every day to stress my system. My philosophy is to wake it up, move it, bend it, and crank the heart up. I also drink a gallon of water a day, eat clean, and try to stay away from the dreaded but all-to-tempting white devil, aka sugar.
You mentioned that a surfboard is one of your few possessions. What went through your mind back in the day when you were running onto a football field, and how does it differ from what goes through your mind now while you are surfing?
Thoughts of being a gladiator permeated my mind running onto the Coliseum field— a kill-or-be-killed mindset essential to endure the next three hours of battle.
Surfing is an entirely different mindset. Mother Blue rules and you abide with respect and appreciation. If you do, she will deliver a session that will make your day. I have a whole chapter in Aggressively Human on my journey into the world of surfing. And while surfing isn’t without risks, the same could be said for driving on the freeways around Los Angeles. I can honestly say that no matter what happens on the water, I’m always glad I went.
It’s clear that you and your wife have extreme body confidence, so much so that you decided to have a wedding ceremony in the nude. How can the average person build that kind of body confidence?
Great question. I believe it comes down to simply loving yourself and not giving other opinions too much weight. We also practice the nude thing around the house, forgoing the clothes almost every day. When that becomes the norm, it no longer feels strange. Viva minimalism in every aspect of life.
Let’s talk a bit about your book, which you co-wrote with your wife. It’s very entertaining and, of course, inspirational. It’s clear that it was written from the heart.
Aggressively Human goes into greater detail about everything we’ve discussed today. It was a #1 New Release and received two awards. It was a wonderfully rewarding nine-month daily journey writing with my best friend, love, and partner in all things.
What are your personal or professional plans for the future?
Nothing is off the table. That’s how I choose to live. If an opportunity arises that tickles my gut, you can bet I’ll jump on it, from more travel abroad to surfing new breaks, all while embracing life fully every single day.
LEARN MORE ABOUT STEVE WS: https://www.wrightauthor.com
Contact us today to elevate your brand presence to the next level.
Contact: (323) 705-2111 manager@heartofhollywoodmagazine.com
For international PR, media production services, fashion shows, and event production, please contact through WhatsApp at +1 (323) 705-2111.
Heart Of Hollywood Magazine Subscription Options:
Monthly Subscription ($1.99): https://www.heartofhollywoodmagazine.com/plans-pricing/payment/eyJpbnRlZ3JhdGlvbkRhdGEiOnt9LCJwbGFuSWQiOiI0Mjc1Y2VlMi1mOGZhLTQxY2EtYWE0Mi0yYmYxNDMzMTMyMzEifQ
Yearly Subscription ($20.00): https://www.heartofhollywoodmagazine.com/plans-pricing/payment/eyJpbnRlZ3JhdGlvbkRhdGEiOnt9LCJwbGFuSWQiOiJiZGQ3MjUwYi0wZmY4LTRkYmUtODllNy0zZDhlNmRiNzhkNTkifQ
Single Copy Download ($10.00): https://www.heartofhollywoodmagazine.com/product-page/digital-n-28-heart-of-hollywood-magazine-holiday-issue
Get access to Heart Of Hollywood Magazine events! Join the Club:
Stay up to date and attend our events!
Heart Of Hollywood networking and social events! These exclusive gatherings are designed to connect you with industry leaders and fellow creatives, providing a valuable platform for networking and collaboration.
To join us, please fill out the registration form below to be added to our guest list.
Follow us on social media: We will follow you back!
X formerly Twitter: https://twitter.com/heartofhollywod
먹튀검증은 온라인 카지노나 도박 사이트를 이용할 때 중요한 과정입니다. 사용자들은 먹튀검증을 통해 사이트의 신뢰성과 안전성을 확인할 수 있습니다. 먹튀검증 서비스를 이용하면 사이트가 합법적인지, 과거에 사기나 문제를 일으킨 적이 있는지 등의 정보를 알 수 있습니다. 이를 통해 사기를 예방하고, 안심하고 게임을 즐길 수 있습니다. 특히, 먹튀검증 은 새로운 사이트를 이용하기 전 필수적으로 체크해야 할 사항입니다. 신뢰할 수 있는 먹튀검증 서비스를 선택하면, 더 안전한 온라인 도박 환경을 유지할 수 있습니다.
尽管代写服务能够帮助学生在短期内提高GPA，但学生最终需要通过自身的努力来提升学术能力。代写 http://www.hotessay.net/our_service1.php 服务可以为学生提供一个学习的范本，帮助他们更好地理解课程内容，但要想真正掌握物理学知识，仍然需要通过自主学习和实践来积累经验。因此，学生应在使用代写服务的同时，积极投入到课程的学习中，确保自己能够在未来的学术生涯中独立应对类似的学术挑战。