Nfl Star Kayvon Thibodeaux On Financial Literacy And Wealth Management

NFL and college football fans likely know Kayvon Thibodeaux for his excellent play on the field. The New York Giants edge rusher was one of the top high school recruits in America before starring in college for the Oregon Ducks.

The Giants selected Thibodeaux out of Oregon with the fifth pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and he’s been a key piece of New York’s defensive front over the last few seasons. Thibodeaux is among the best in the league at his position, but he’s looking to master another realm away from the gridiron.

Thibodeaux is one of several athletes to partner with JPMorganChase for their Athlete Council, which seeks to help athletes with tools to better understand and manage their finances.

Men’s Journal spoke with Thibodeaux about his work with JPMorganChase, his own financial journey, and the wisdom he hopes the Council can impart on young athletes looking to manage their wealth.

Thibodeaux’s Work With JPMC’s Athlete Council

“When I look at the relationship between financial advisors and athletes, I think it is a little ‘cookie cutter’,” Thibodeaux said.

“I think the traditional way you look at money is by the books, by the rules and the standards that they go by. The human side of the learning curve gets lost. I think with the athlete council, we are strategically responding to what athletes need in an advisor.

One of my main focuses is giving athletes the information so they can equip themselves for the conversations they’re going to have. It’s hard to know what to look out for when you don’t understand the language and the ins and outs.”

The New York Giants star says that financial literacy and giving players real, tangible advice starts with the relationship between athletes and financial advisors.

“I think it starts with relationships,” he said.

“When you’re able to educate athletes about money through the people who understand it – the advisors – we’re bridging the gap. That’s the goal – to get athletes to have these conversations at a more frequent rate, and to create the conversation among athletes themselves with the information they learn through their advisors.”

Thibodeaux noted that athletes are coachable, and he believes that trait is something financial advisors should lean on to develop those important relationships with the athletes they work with.

“It can be cliche when you talk about trust, but for me as an athlete, you gain that trust almost like coaching,” the edge rusher noted.

“Athletes love our mentors and our coaches, and I think that’s the perspective in a financial realm that an advisor should take when it comes to being a mentor, so that the athletes can start to find a sense of home when it comes to conversations around money.”

How Kayvon Thibodeaux Manages His Finances

At a personal level, Thibodeaux noted that there’s a “fine line” between enjoying life in the present and preparing for the future when it comes to his personal finances.

“The biggest fear as an athlete is that the checks will soon stop, but the bills continue to come,” he said. “For me it’s how do I save, invest, budget to be able to not only sustain my lifestyle now, but to grow it to the rate that I want.”

Thibodeaux says that the humans behind the investment opportunities are extremely important, and that he believes in investing in people rather than concepts.

“When I look at who I want to align with, I want to align with the heartbeats behind the businesses,” he added.

“When you see different deals, you want to make sure your ideology is aligned, and you want to make sure that you’re creating long-term partnerships.”

Thibodeaux is one of several notable current and former star athletes on JPMC’s Athlete Council, joining seven-time Super Bowl champion and current broadcaster Tom Brady, five-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson and NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson.

Taking Advantage of Opportunities in New York

As a player in New York – one of the world’s biggest media markets – Thibodeaux says he appreciates the opportunities he has to talk to people from all walks of life.

“I’m in a position where I have my own name, but I’m also affiliated with a name that’s bigger than mine in my organization. Just utilizing the fact that I represent a great organization, being able to create a network of people who want to interact with me from a fan community standpoint,” he said.

“Being able to show my interests and personality to the different people I meet. I guess it is holding on to relationships, but it’s also being able to immerse yourself or interact with the different people you meet along the journey.”

Years from now, Thibodeaux says he wants to see the evidence of the plan he’s worked on since his days as a five-star high school recruit.

“My life, making it to the NFL, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to create financial freedom for my legacy,” Thibodeaux said.

“I’ve taken it upon myself to make that my journey. I’m not necessarily chasing a number, but I definitely want to be a business tycoon. If I’m doing big deals, I’m enjoying my life and my legacy and my future is right, I’ll be happy.”

Fans can learn more about JPMorganChase’s Athlete Council – including how it empowers college and professional athletes looking for wealth advice – here.