motivational keynote speaker

Strategic Consultant

Passionate Visionary

Relationship Builder

ABOUT

Dr. Don Davis is a transformational keynote speaker and leadership expert who draws from his unique background as both an NFL champion and a senior executive to deliver motivational talks that inspire lasting change. As a certified Insights and Trust Edge practitioner, Dr. Don brings a distinctive perspective to his presentations on leadership, building high-performing teams, and navigating change management.

Currently serving as the Chief Player Officer for the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), Don is responsible for advancing and overseeing various aspects of player issues. His expertise in developing talent and managing transitions makes him an invaluable resource for organizations seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities and team dynamics.

Before joining the NFLPA, Don enjoyed a successful 11-year playing career in the NFL and earned two Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots. This championship mindset informs his approach to leadership development and organizational excellence.

Don's transformational speaking engagements provide actionable strategies that empower teams to achieve peak performance while effectively managing change in today's dynamic business environment.

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Blog

HALT: The Importance of Mindful Decision-Making During Times of Transition

Intentional Speech: Thinking it Through to Avoid Conflict

This is the time of the year when I often have the opportunity to get in front of groups to facilitate discussions or share information. Over the past several weeks...

Olympic Lessons: Training, Consistency and the Pursuit of “Next”

Most of us have spent the last two weeks caught up in the excitement of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. From traditional sports like swimming, gymnastics, track and field, soccer, and basketball...

Exposure Creates Expansion: Taking Advantage of Growth Opportunities

Football players across the country are preparing for a new season of play. At the collegiate level, football programs integrate additional educational opportunities into summer training schedules.

Culture Change: Embracing Mental Health Awareness

May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month. It was established more than seven decades ago to educate the public about the importance of mental health and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.

Getting the Call: Practical Tips for Career Longevity After the Draft

The excitement of this year’s NFL Draft resulted in record-setting crowds in downtown Detroit. By the end of the weekend, 259 players heard their names called out, along with the team and city where they will begin their hopefully long NFL career.

Mental Fortitude: The Power of Delayed Gratification in The Time of NIL

NIL (name, image, and likeness) has drastically changed the landscape of college athletics. Today’s college athletes have opportunities that those before only dreamt of.

Emotional Intelligence: Managing Mental Health in Free Agency

While we are technically in the NFL off-season, we are amid the musical chairs of what several media outlets have dubbed “the free agency frenzy”. As announcements are made about player (and coach) movement…

Navigating LIfestlye Changes - Part 2

In my last edition, I discussed the two pieces of advice that all National Football League (NFL) alumni provide to prospective players. In this edition, I discuss what I call the Five Levels of Money Mastery

Navigating lifestyle Changes- Part 1

Most are aware of how transitioning to life beyond the game can be difficult for NFL players. Few have chosen to shine a spotlight on just how challenging transitioning into the NFL can be.

“Black Monday” in the NFL

At the end of every regular NFL season, the players on 18 teams pack up their lockers, say goodbye to teammates, coaches, and other club personnel, and begin making plans for the next few months.

Mid-Season Shifts

What’s your plan when things don’t go according to plan?

We are in week five in the NFL, which means we are a quarter of the way through the regular season.

NFL to Next: The pursuit of excellence

As we begin another week of the 2023 NFL season, the journey has begun toward the ultimate prize—a Super Bowl Championship. Every team starts this journey full of optimism, hope, and a belief that their process, plan, and preparation will produce this desired outcome.

NFL to Next: Transitions after cut week

This week—the week when National Football League (NFL) rosters are finalized, or ‘cut week’—is one of the most challenging weeks for members of the NFL community.

Unlocking the key to optimal mens health

The 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the National Football League (NFL) and the NFL Players Association included significant positive developments regarding the health and safety of players.

Managing change through transitions

This is the time of year when most NFL players get some valuable time off before the start of a grueling season. However, this time each year, there are over 500 players who were on a roster the previous year but have no contract

Transition

Dr. Don Davis, former NFL Player, two time Super Bowl Champion and current Senior Director of Player Affairs at the NFLPA, describes the phases of transition a player when leaving the NFL.