Professional athletes are usually known for their achievements on the field. But what comes next? The average NFL player’s career lasts just 3.5 years. Even athletes who play for decades are usually still looking to secure their financial future and make an impact off the field. One such player is Keith Smith, an NFL fullback entering his 11th year in the league. Keith has been quietly building his post-football career through real estate investing.
From the NFL to Real Estate: A Strategic Move
Keith Smith’s NFL career has been a blessing, but he knows that it won’t last forever. The wear and tear on his body have made him think long and hard about life after football. For Keith, that means transitioning into the world of real estate. Thankfully, Keith started planning early. Unlike many other athletes, Keith realized that waiting until the end of his football career to start planning for the future would be too late.
“Playing 10 years in the league, I’ve seen a lot of guys come and go,” Keith says. “You’ve got homies who are in all different stages of that transition—some have done it, some are going through it, and others are about to. The plan is the biggest piece.”Many professional athletes’ financial “plan” is to keep playing until they reach a certain number in their bank account that will allow them to never work again. But for Keith, that approach felt outdated.
“A lot of guys in the league think if they get to a certain number, they can just coast,” he says, “but what they don’t realize is that with the right knowledge and investments, that number can grow exponentially.” This mindset shift led Keith to dive headfirst into real estate, where he’s now leveraging his earnings to multiply his wealth.
Learning the Game: Investing in Knowledge
Real estate is more than just buying properties—it’s about building a strong foundation of knowledge and understanding the market. For Keith, the first step was learning the “language” of investing. He credits his mentors for guiding him through this process and helping him gain the expertise needed to make informed decisions. “It’s all about when knowledge meets access,” Keith explains.
Keith didn’t start as a real estate expert. But his willingness to ask questions, study the industry, and lean on mentors helped him learn the essentials that he needed to transition smoothly into real estate. “One of the best ways to mitigate the challenges of transitioning out of football is to figure out what else makes you tick. You need to know what you’re passionate about beyond the game,” he says.
Keith emphasized the importance of mentorship and learning from others. Guidance from real estate experts allowed him to avoid the pitfalls many athletes face when investing without formal experience themselves. “Finding a mentor was the turning point for me,” Keith recalls. “Once I met guys like Teal Henderson in the venture capital space, things became easier. Having someone who’s been there helps you skip a lot of mistakes.”
Why Real Estate? A Tangible, Relationship-Based Investment
Out of all the possible investment opportunities, Keith chose real estate for several reasons. For one, real estate is a tangible asset—something you can see, touch, and know exists. “It’s one of the few investments where you own something real,” Keith notes. But for Keith, what truly sets real estate apart is the relationship-based nature of the business. As a professional athlete, he’s had to develop strong communication skills, quickly adapt to new environments, and work cohesively with people from all walks of life. These skills are just as valuable in real estate, where relationships are key.
“Real estate is all about building relationships with the right people,” Keith says. “Integrity and trust are critical. When you’re reliable, deals come to you.”
The Game Plan: The Power of Triple Net Leases
Keith has focused much of his real estate efforts on the triple net lease (NNN) space, a lesser-known but highly lucrative area of real estate investing. With a triple net lease, the tenant—often a large business like CVS or Chipotle—takes on the responsibility for taxes, insurance, and maintenance, leaving the landlord with little to no property management duties. This arrangement offers a steady, passive income stream with minimal responsibility for the property owner.
“My guy owns a Dollar General, and a tornado ripped through his building,” Keith recalls. “He called Dollar General to check on things, and they told him they were already in the rebuilding phase. They handled everything without him lifting a finger, and he kept getting his monthly check.”
Keith’s decision to focus on triple net leases is strategic—he’s looking for investments that allow him to be hands-off while still reaping significant rewards. “I want my investments to work for me, not the other way around,” he says. “Triple net leases are the most passive form of real estate investment for a landlord. You get mailbox money, literally.”
Advice for New Investors
For those looking to follow in Keith’s footsteps, his advice is simple: find a mentor and build a strong foundation of knowledge before jumping in. “A mentor can help you avoid the mistakes that most people make when they’re new to investing,” Keith explains. “You don’t want to waste your time or money learning the hard way.”
Keith also recommends getting into real estate investment trusts (REITs) as a way to start investing in real estate with less capital. REITs offer an easier entry point into the real estate market while providing consistent dividend income, although they don’t come with the same tax benefits as owning physical property.
“REITs are the laziest, easiest way to invest in real estate,” Keith says. “But if you want to get into the triple net lease space on your own, you’ll need to stack your bread. It’s capital-heavy, but it’s worth it if you’re serious.”
Biggest Win and Hardest Lesson
Keith’s biggest win in real estate so far has been closing on a 245,000-square-foot industrial building that he and his team developed from the ground up. The project was a joint venture with a private equity firm, and despite taking a cut of the profits, Keith was thrilled with the outcome. “Even a cut of the cut was pretty significant,” he says.
But Keith’s journey hasn’t been without setbacks. He openly shares his biggest lesson: losing $250,000 on his first real estate deal. “I was eager and naive,” Keith admits. “I didn’t do my due diligence.” That loss taught him the importance of understanding every aspect of a deal and building a team of professionals he could trust. Now, he’s a better investor for it, with a clear strategy and a stronger support system.
“That $250,000 loss wasn’t about the money—it was about the lesson,” Keith says. “It taught me the importance of due diligence and knowing who you’re dealing with. It made me a better investor.”
The Future Beyond Football
As Keith continues to transition from football to real estate, he’s dedicated to educating others and helping fellow athletes prepare for life after sports. He’s building a business focused on real estate, venture capital, and financial education, with a strong emphasis on estate planning and protecting assets.
For Keith, it’s not just about securing his future—it’s about sharing the knowledge he’s gained with others. “I want to uplift people and spread the knowledge,” he says. “There’s so much opportunity out there if you know where to look.”
The Best Time To Start Was Yesterday–The Second Best Time is Now
Most professional athletes’ careers will be less than half as long as Keith’s. Yet very few will take control of their finances while they’re still earning a high income on the field. While almost 80% of professional athletes go broke after leaving professional sports, athletes like Keith who proactively master their finances can compound their earnings to leave an even greater legacy than they did on the field.
Keith Smith’s story is an inspiring example of how athletes can leverage their earnings and skills to secure financial freedom beyond their playing days. His passion for real estate, dedication to learning, and willingness to share his experiences make him a valuable resource for those looking to enter the real estate world. As Keith says, “It’s all about building relationships and being smart with your money—if you do that, the sky’s the limit.”
Follow Keith on Instagram:
Personal: @beef31
Business: @beefy.business
If you’re interested in learning more about real estate, venture capital, or financial planning, reach out to Keith for advice and insights. He’s always ready to share his knowledge and help others succeed! And for expert help getting started on your path to financial freedom, subscribe to our free newsletter.
