Russell Okung Applauds LaVar Ball for Business Acumen

Former Oklahoma State offensive tackle Russell Okung knows a thing or two about blazing new trails. He negotiated his last two football contracts by himself, cutting out the fees of the middle man and ousting his agent. And although the first went not-so-well with the Broncos, the last one with the Chargers went much better. The dude is getting paid because he cut out his agent and bet on himself unlike most professional football players. So he appreciates those who challenge the status quo, like LaVar Ball.

LaVar is the father of soon-to-be lottery pick Lonzo Ball. He’s a loud, somewhat obnoxious human — the type of person you’d probably avoid because he’s screaming too loud at your son’s soccer game. But he’s doing what many won’t do in encouraging, and helping create, an independent shoe line for his son as part of the family apparel company Big Baller Brand, which released on Thursday. The internet generally disagrees with the logic of going independent, especially because Lonzo could have signed a deal with Nike, Under Armour or adidas that would have set him up with millions. But Okung applauded him for it.

The hate is crazy. @Lavarbigballer is teaching @ZO2_ important things to any business: ownership and value creation.

Perhaps we can learn?

— Russell Okung (@RussellOkung) May 4, 2017

It’s easy to swim with the fish, as the saying goes, but swimming upstream — like LaVar and Okung have chosen to do, for example — isn’t quite as simple. Only time will tell if Lonzo, who is projected to be a top 5 pick in the upcoming draft, will be better off for it. But Okung’s decision to blaze his own trail worked out pretty well for him.