OC LEADER BOARD

Editor’s Note: Irvine resident Donte Whitner is a former three-time NFL Pro-Bowl safety and 11-year NFL veteran who has the 10th-most combined tackles of any defensive back in history. Today, Whitner is a partner along with James Luthardt at Kirtland Hills Capital where the pair advises professional athletes. Whitner is also a college football and NFL television color commentator and analyst for CBS Sports and NBC Sports and the NFLPA president of the Orange County Chapter. Whitner, who played in the 2013 Super Bowl when his San Francisco 49ers lost to the Baltimore Ravens, wrote this Leader Board about what it’s like the week before the big game.  

Seven days before the Super Bowl, the players arrive at their hotel, which is a five star, only the best of the best. Then you have large meetings where you’re told things not to do, places not to go. You get your security badges. Then you get practice information, what time you’re supposed to be at certain places.

If you have seniority, perhaps more than five years, you get your own room. If less than five years, you’ll probably have a roommate. There’s security on every floor. No one besides team officials are allowed on these floors.

They tell the players to not party. You cannot leave your hotel rooms. They have bedroom checks by assistants to the general manager. Security is at all ends of the floors.

If you’re locked in and focused, you don’t want to be out at night. You want to be in the moment. Once you understand the magnitude of the game and win the game, you can party for the entire month afterwards if you want.

Families won’t stay with you. The hotels are usually big enough for players to be on one side and families on the other side. Families cannot visit you in your room. There are certain hours you can see your family in the hotel up until the game. The teams don’t want the players distracted by their families.

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When the Buffalo Bills signed me as a first round draft pick (No. 8 overall) out of The Ohio State University, they paid me $28 million.

I was 20 years old.

My family and friends saw me as a money tree. It was difficult because I grew up in the same house as them and they are my emotional support team.

After believing in certain people and giving them some things and then having it backfire, I got fed up.

When I became comfortable saying no, that’s when I knew I’d reached emotional maturity.

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While everyone going to the Super Bowl is partying, it’s not a holiday for the players. The days are long, starting at 7 a.m. and ending around 9 p.m.

On Monday, it all begins.

The first thing is the media. It’s a four to five hour spectacle. Everybody wants to be a part of the Super Bowl. The players who are the leaders and the coaches get up on stage and answer questions from the national media.

Individuals who might not be stars will be grabbed by local media. The same questions are asked over and over. It’s mentally draining.

You want to limit the opposing teams bulletin board material. You don’t want to talk bad about your opponents. You want to praise them. Even if you think you’re going to kick their butts, you won’t do that in the media.

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We had a guy on our team who was warned not to say anything to the national media that would look bad. He was asked if he’d play with a gay player and he said no. How big do you think that was? It was a heck of a distraction for our team—we’re representing San Francisco!

Some people take it on their own to become a big brand where everyone is talking about them.

This week, I’ll be looking for the loud-mouth player who says the wrong thing.

It’s chaos dealing with hotels and families and the media and trying to say the right thing. Usually, the team that deals with the chaos wins the game.

Every day there will be team meetings, hours of film prep, weight-lifting, and walk-through practices for every situation.

Friday is a half day. You work on situational football like the red zone and two-minute drill. You get out a little early, about 3 p.m. Players might get haircuts. Have dinner with their families. The curfew might be pushed back an hour.

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When I was 6 years old, I was struck by a car, breaking 37 bones in my body.

I was in a full body cast for four months and was never supposed to walk.

When I was pulled around in a red toy wagon, I’d watch my friends go to football practice with their jerseys, shoulder pads and helmets. I remember being excited about that and telling myself, when I can walk, I’m going to play football.

When I was about 9 years old, I signed myself up for football. My mother was opposed to it so I forged her signature on a card.

My uncle saw me play football and told my mom that I was really good. I had to confess to my mom, who hid my equipment, but I found it and continued to play. No one was going to tell me not to play.

My mom still has that forged card.

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Saturday is another half day. Morning walkthroughs. You’re off by 1 p.m.

There’s a team meeting at 8 p.m. to go over last minute things. There might be a highlight film for the players, showing them making plays during the year, getting their confidence going.

You’re in your room by 9 p.m.

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We were in New Orleans right there by the French Quarter. We could hear everyone outside the room partying. It’s almost like torture.

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Sunday morning, you wake up at your typical time, 7:30, eat breakfast, then attend a team meeting where there are last minute messages from the head coach and leading players. After that, you leave for your room. Maybe a nap. The players get to the stadium four hours before game time, which usually starts at 5:30 p.m.

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Unlike the regular season, the sidelines were packed and it’s standing room only.

I remember seeing Beyonce, Chris Tucker and Jennifer Lopez. It was pretty cool. They’re watching you warm up, doing stretches.

My adrenaline was pumping so much that I don’t think I caught my breath until the second quarter. I was running so hard.

I remember giving up a touchdown. They ran a seam route to Anquan Boldin. I usually just jump in front of it. A million times I make this play. For some reason I hesitated, and he just got in front of me and scored. That’s the play I remember.

We could have won at the end of the game when we were on their 4-yard line if we had given the ball to Hall of Fame running back Frank Gore instead of trying to throw it into the end zone.

After the game, I felt the other team’s confetti falling on our heads. I heard the Ravens running through the halls yelling and screaming. There was silence in our room. Everyone cried. We knew how talented we were.

Over a three-year period, we made it to three NFC championships. A few plays made all the difference that kept us from winning three consecutive Super Bowls.

It’s always a game of inches and that’s how close you are to winning and losing your dream.