Speaker's Corner: Everson Walls May 29, 2008 Looking for a motivational speaker to get your staffers ramped up and ready to go? Take a look at the "Speaker's Corner" to get the scoop on some big names you may want to book.
By Robert Tuchman
Everson Walls is quite the athlete: In his career, he shattered multiple interception records for both the Cowboys and the Giants; was named to the Pro Bowl team three times; and was named the Cowboys Man of the Year in 1987. After retiring from football in 1993, Walls was named to the All Time Cowboy's Team and was elected to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
These days, Walls serves as a TV personality several national sports talk shows. He is an advocate for giving back to his community and he participates in various charitable organizations and events.
Here, Incentive online columnist Robert Tuchman gets the inside story from this former football champ Everson Walls on what motivates his public speaking.
1. What is life like for you nowadays? Life is busy for me with motivational speaking and foundation work.
2. What is your typical speaking topic? My typical topic is about sacrificing for your fellow man, dedication to your fellow associates and the benefits that result from that.
3. Tell us about your career after football? After football, I entered the money management arena as well as my own celebrity promotions business. I also had several stints on TV and radio as well as print.
4. What do you enjoy most about giving speeches? Mostly, I enjoy meeting the people and hearing their stories. Also, I enjoy sharing the stories of the many friends and foes I have been associated with through the years.
5. How do you prepare for these speaking engagements? My preparation comes from people before and getting a feel for what's important to them.
6. Do you enjoy the interaction with clients, signing autographs, and taking pictures? I never turn down an autograph and I am usually among the last to leave.
7. Most outrageous thing you have been asked to do by a client who booked you? So far nothing crazy, thank God.
8. How many private appearances and or speeches will you do a year? I do about 24 per year, not including broadcasting work during football season.
9. Are your speeches more motivational, spiritual, or comical? Yes to all three.
10. How do you come up with your speech topics? Most times, the topic is suggested by the booking party. Otherwise, I gauge each situation differently.
11. What motivates you to do speaking engagements? I have been exposed to a lot of great speakers in church, in class or on the football field. I have always been impressed by their powers of influence.
12. Do you prefer speaking to certain types of groups or industries? I have spoken in front of all kinds of groups. I've enjoyed them all.
13. Favorite speech you gave or motivational moment? My favorite speech was in Sherman, Texas in January of 2008. I am still reaping the benefits from that for myself as well as my foundation, The Ron Springs and Everson Walls Gift For Life Foundation.
14. One of your favorite speakers to listen too? The best was the late coach Eddie Robinson from Grambling State Univ.
INCENTIVE online columnist Robert Tuchman is president of celebrity marketing firm TSE Sports & Entertainment (www.tseworld.com).
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6. Do you enjoy the interaction with clients, signing autographs, and taking pictures?
