David Bruton Talks Leadership

Fuel Up to Play 60’s State and National Ambassadors work hard to help bring the program to students all over the country, and so do our NFL Ambassadors like David Bruton! David plays Safety and is Team Captain for the Denver Broncos, so he knows a lot about leadership! He took time this week to do a special call with our State and National Ambassadors and give them some tips on how to lead their teams to success. Check out highlights from their conversation below!

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David: Leadership is not easy; it’s never been easy for me. I was lucky enough to be a captain at Notre Dame and a captain for the Broncos. There’s a lot to take into consideration, like your plans and how you carry yourself. Do you mope around when things are hard, or do you take the challenge head on and make a difference? It’s truly a blessing to be in the position I am because it’s amazing to make an impact on young kids. Aside from football, life is full of challenges, and I feel as though our program Fuel Up to Play 60 is definitely making a change. It’s up to us as leaders to continuously push forward and make the program grow. We’re touching almost everybody; that’s our ultimate goal whether it’s small or enormous. I just think we have a great platform as far as leadership and teamwork. Like your mini lessons, that’s a great way to grow as leaders and make an impact on people’s lives.

I’ve always been the person to lead by example. You don’t want to be a hypocritical leader. Live by your words. If you tell someone to do 20 more minutes, you can’t skip out on it too. Spend time watching film or studying or becoming better; whatever it is, I was taught to lead by example. Some people can persuade people with words. They’re very impactful with words and delivering that message. As a leader, you have to understand that you’ll be criticized through everything. No matter what level, you’re not going to make everyone happy but you have to take that knowledge and keep pushing. Get everyone involved and buying into the program at your school.

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James, NE: In high school, college, and professional football, what qualities do you have that make you a good leader?

David: I’ve always been a do-right guy. I’m always putting in 100% and then some, trying to know the playbook in and out. I’ve always been that guy. It’s all about trust, and it got to the point where players could trust me with the job. We had numerous guys who wanted to transfer during college and they felt comfortable enough to bless me as a captain because they felt comfortable with me going to the coach. It’s all about being trustworthy on the field, no matter what time it is.

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Taylor, AZ: What do you think your greatest accomplishment is as a leader and also as a football player?

David: My greatest accomplishment as a leader is when I substitute taught during the 2011 NFL lockdown. I say that because people don’t think of teachers as leaders, but those teachers have to organize a classroom, teach material, and take charge. A teacher that can engage students is something to admire and strive for. Keep it in mind when you’re in class because these people in front of the class teaching you are leaders in their own right. I had the chance to teach 1^st graders geography and seniors calculus. It was a broad range of students. As for football, that would be being part of the captains that lead us to the Super Bowl this year. It’s one thing to be there, but it’s another to be a captain that got us there. Next year we’ll try to finish the job the right way.

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Heaven, LA: What do you do to motivate your team members?

David: A lot of guys are self-motivated. I just speak from the heart. This is our time, our game. I don’t have a hoorah speech like in the movies. I try to find a piece of me that reaches the other guys that hits home. There’s your motivation. Find something in common. Get fired up.

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Abby, IN: As a parent, what’s the message you want to give students about healthy eating and physical activity?

David: I just tell [my son] when he has a good breakfast he has a good day, he’s able to focus. I just ask him to compare those days (days he eats terribly) and how does that compare to days he eats well? I ask him what he had for breakfast and I tell him what I did and how I was able to do it. It’s a blessing to do what we do. Eating healthy is how we continue working at such a high level and focus in meetings for eight hours a day. That’s how we do it. We eat well throughout the day.

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Trinity, TX: I’m going to a new school. Do you have any advice on starting a FUTP 60 club?

David: I would say look to a teacher. They can put you in the right direction. Look to your past Program Advisors; there’s no reason they can’t support you. It can be a great example to start it at your new school. Show them the great results from your old school. Continue to reach out to advisors and peers and try to come up with a new game plan at your new school. That’s what schools are for: to raise children to be great individuals that do great things in life.

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Ariella, FL: I just want to ask you who inspired you to become a leader?

David: My dad definitely inspired me since he was the leader of my family.  He was always on the road, but every chance he got he was in our ears about homework and training. He’s still in my ear about studying the playbook and helping me become a better father. Things I learned when my son was one or two years old are completely different now. His voice is always a voice echoing in my ear. He’s still a very hard worker; he’s always there for the kids no matter what the problem is.

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Rachel, IA: Have you always been a leader or has it come over time?

David: It came over time. Some people are natural leaders, but I’ve grown into it. In high school it took me four years to feel comfortable there. In college, it took me three years. In the NFL, I became comfortable being a leader in my second or third year. It’s all about taking charge. Even though I wasn’t a captain I was still considered a leader. Some people just have it. They show people how to become a leader and grow. Continue to reach out and make this big web that reaches out into the country.