Theismann Gives Participants a Game Plan for Success

As in his gloried football past, NFL legend Joe Theismann put on a show for a packed house at the SupplySide West keynote presentation Oct. 19 in the Venetian Ballroom, Las Vegas. Cosponsored by BASF and Natural Products INSIDER, the keynote kicked off the show, and Theismann delivered in the clutch. Relating many lessons and realities he learned from his football days and beyond, the famous Washington Redskins quarterback of yesteryear humored the audience, whom he challenged to be better team players, by seizing opportunities and by routine introspection of goals and game plans.

It took a career-ending injury to show the self-proclaimed egotistical Theismann the importance of many interconnected people in success. “No one in this room can be successful without everyone else in here,” Theismann said. He stressed that healthy competition is good for the industry, whose executives should take time to congratulate their teams and themselves. “It is important to do the little things to make people feel special,” he suggested.

Theismann connected with the audience in a refreshing way, repeating his mantra to treat people right and stay grounded. He said leadership is not about being liked or disliked, but about being respected: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

This recurring evaluation of self is relevant to the business world, Theismann contended, especially in the realm of customer service. “Ask yourself if you are doing the same things for your customers that you once did,” he challenged executives in attendance.

A man aware of the march of his life and health, Theismann remarked that his generation is an example of what nutrients can do for people. “Your industry helps people,” he told the nutrition crowd. “As I am growing older in life, I thank you.” Among his nutritional aids, the Hall of Fame QB shared some nutritional changes he has made to improve his current and future health, including the use of glucosamine and chondroitin for his overworked joints, and a drastically changed diet—no red meat, no caffeine.

As for current professional athletes, Thiesmann acknowledged the growing role of nutrition and supplements, especially in football. “These athletes will do anything to gain a competitive edge,” he assured. However, the products today’s athletes are taking are ahead of the testing methods and accuracy. “For every product they address, there are 10 more coming.”

Theismann summed up his optimal game plan for success, which includes seizing opportunity and setting not just goals, but limits. “What price are you willing to play?” he asked, adding most people are motivated by fear and money. In his mind, a balance of work and family is a key to continued happiness. “Life is more than grabbing the brass ring,” he advised. “It is about who you take the ride with.”

Theismann’s words of wisdom were as welcomed by the awed crowd as much as were his tales of football victory and defeat. “I really liked how Joe was willing to accept and use his own faults to offer us the lessons he learned,” said John Turner, vice president of sales with Pacific Rainbow. “I found myself really relating to the things he said.”

“As someone who competed at the highest level of his profession, has faced significant challenges, and yet knows what it takes to win on and off the field, Joe Theismann was an excellent choice to address the dietary supplement industry about game plans for success,” said Simon Medley, group vice president of BASF North America. “Joe delivered a clear message: we all face our share of challenges but planning, hard work and strong execution can still help deliver excellent results.”