Hustling To The Top Of ESPN And The Football World With Adam Schefter

Keep Hustling

In this episode, Aaron Gordon delves into the the talent, sustained drive, and dedication of professional success with Senior ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Adam, one of the top sports reporters in the country and known as an archetype of the hustler in journalism, shares the intrinsic motivation that fuels his relentless work ethic. Likening his compulsion to an athlete's willpower to overcome physical challenges, Schefter attributes his drive to professional pride and a competitive spirit.

This episode explores the critical importance of living your job beyond the constraints of conventional work hours, highlighting the necessity of passion and dedication in achieving excellence. Schefter recounts pivotal moments across his career, from his early years contending with rejection and setbacks to significant decisions that propelled him to his current role at ESPN and his deep connection with the NFL.

Throughout the conversation, Schefter's perspective on work-life balance is emphasized, emphasizing the complex interplay between family and career. This is illustrated by his commitment to attend a concert with his daughter despite his demanding schedule.

The episode also touches on philanthropy. Schefter expresses that giving back and aiding others' success is not only a duty but deeply rewarding. Lastly, he leaves listeners with a poignant message from the poem "The Station," underscoring the notion that life's journey is the destination, urging us to savor all moments along the path. Enjoy the show!

3 Episode Key Takeaways 1. Professional Pride and Passion: Adam sheds light on the inner spark that drives individuals to excel a mixture of professional pride, caring, and a competitive drive that's hard to describe but incredibly potent.

2. Living the Job: In this era, you can't just work 9 to 5. Adam dives into how he embodies his role, showcasing that commitment and a 'no days off' mindset are crucial for those who aim high in their careers.

3. Evolution of Career Paths: Adam shares his pivotal moments and the evolution from a newspaper journalist to an ESPN icon, emphasizing the importance of adapting and trusting your gut when career-defining opportunities arise.

Get To Know Adam Schefter

Adam Schefter is the Senior NFL Insider at ESPN. He joined ESPN as an NFL Insider in August 2009 and now appears on a variety of programs, including NFL Live, Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, SportsCenter and more throughout the year. He also hosts his own ESPN Audio podcast, “The Adam Schefter Podcast”, and regularly contributes to other ESPN platforms, such as ESPN.com and ESPN Radio.

One of the top sports reporters in the country, Schefter has covered the NFL since 1990, and his social media influence is unmatched in the industry. Schefter’s reporting is consumed by millions of NFL fans on his and ESPN’s social media channels, where his connections, tenacity and breaking news prowess adds to the growth and reach of the ESPN brand. Currently, Schefter has over 13 million followers, including almost 10.5 million on Twitter, nearly 1.8 million on Instagram, and another one million plus on Facebook.

Due to the demands of his job, Schefter always has two phones nearby and now is considered the first commentator in sports broadcasting — news or any other genre — to popularize using his device while on television during show appearances to break stories in real-time.

Schefter’s reporting expands well beyond breaking news. He has been a sideline reporter for ESPN’s NFL wild-card games, as well as some NBA games, including the NBA playoffs. He has done other features for Countdown, including a personal story about his family’s connection to the September 11, 2001 terror attacks that led to a book on the subject.

Schefter has earned numerous accolades for his work. Sports Illustrated’s NFL site, The MMQB, named him the 2014 Media Person of the Year for breaking multiple significant stories during the NFL’s free-agent period and off-season. In February 2014, Schefter was named “the most influential New Yorker on Twitter,” according to data from social media company PeerIndex. In October 2010, Sports Illustrated included Schefter in its “Power 40+”, a listing of the most influential people involved in the NFL. SI also ranked him and Senior NFL Insider Chris Mortensen at No. 13 on its list of the Most Powerful People in Sports Media in March 2013. Schefter was voted “Best Insider” three straight years in USA Today conducted fan surveys. Before joining ESPN, Schefter was a reporter/analyst for NFL Network from 2004-08, and a sportswriter for more than 15 years for the Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News, where he covered the NFL and the Denver Broncos team that won back-to-back Super Bowls. He was the Colorado Sports Writer of the Year in 2002 and 2003, and frequently appeared on ESPN’s Around the Horn and the Sports Reporters during his time with the Post.

A former president of the Pro Football Writers of America, Schefter also has authored five books. His most recent, The Man I Never Met: A Memoir — co-authored with Sports Illustrated writer Michael Rosenberg — is a powerful story of loss and hope, centered around his family and the memory of his wife Sharri’s first husband, Joe Maio, who died in the September 11 terror attacks.

Schefter’s other titles include Romo: My Life on the Edge Living Dreams and Slaying Dragons about former Broncos linebacker Bill Romanowski, which reached the New York Times bestseller list. Schefter also wrote books with former Broncos head coach and two-time Super Bowl champion Mike Shanahan and former Super Bowl MVP Terrell Davis. Schefter’s other book, The Class of Football: Words of Hard-Earned Wisdom from Legends of the Gridiron, was released in August 2009. A native of Bellmore, N.Y., Schefter graduated from the University of Michigan in 1989 and later earned his master’s degree at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism in 1990.

Schefter, who is involved in a variety of philanthropic work, is active with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), acting to raise funds and awareness for Diabetes, as his wife, S

harri, is a Type 1 diabetic. In 2023, Schefter was tabbed as a spokesman for the “1 Pledge” initiative to educate and encourage early screening for Type 1 diabetes.

Right around the New Year in 2022, Schefter spearheaded a campaign to help raise $1.2 million for Parker Dickerson, the son of the late ESPN reporter Jeff Dickerson, who lost his battle with colon cancer two years after his wife Caitlin died from complications of melanoma. In honor of his fund-raising efforts, Barrett Sports Media awarded Schefter with its Champion’s Award, given each year to someone that has gone above and beyond to make a difference for others. In June 2023, Schefter was the recipient of the Dick Schaap Memorial Award for Media Excellence, which goes to the journalist who best exemplifies the principles and talents of Dick Schaap; the award was presented to Schefter by his ESPN colleague Jeremy Schaap, Dick Schaap’s son. ESPN Bio X/Twitter Instagram

Show Overview: 02:12 Success requires consistent effort and dedication.

03:50 Dedication to job, always on call.

07:47 Career milestones: from sports reporter to NFL insider.

12:26 Moved to Denver, volunteered for local TV.

15:18 Motivational quotes, especially "The Station."