Just hours before the 2023 NFL draft, Seattle Seahawks star wide receiver DK Metcalf had boring hair.
In addition to his 6 feet 4 inch frame and incredible physical ability, Metcalf has been known to sport an array of vibrant hair colors during games including blue, purple, blonde and of course Seahawks green.
In an anything-but-boring conversation with MarketWatch, Metcalf discussed, among many topics, his one weakness, how much of his contract he saves, and why people fear his bullshit detector.
MarketWatch: Do you watch the NFL draft now that you’re not in it?
DK Metcalf: I’m probably not watching the draft. If there’s a basketball game on, I’m probably going to chill and watch that. I trust the Seahawks, and I’ll see him once we get to OTAs (organized team activities).
MarketWatch: When you got drafted what was it like to be just sitting there? Your future is uncertain in terms of where you’re going to live, right? What’s that like being kind of powerless?
Metcalf: In college I got to choose where I was going to live. You have to just be open-minded and just not be so self-centered or stubborn with what you want to do. Let God lead you and God will tell you where you’re going. I’d never been to Seattle. Never thought about going to Seattle. I didn’t know anything about Seattle. It’s just crazy. And I only took one meeting with them and they drafted me and it was just like a dream come true because the city is amazing.
See also: Here’s how much money the 2023 NFL draft picks will earn on their rookie contracts
MarketWatch: When you’re at the NFL combine, you’re having all these measurements being done. People are measuring your hands, how tall you are. Is it weird?
Metcalf: The way I looked at it is they’re making an investment in you so they have to check every box and make sure it’s not a bad investment. When a team is spending money or you’re investing your own money into something, you have to make sure all boxes are checked. I knew what I was signing up for.
MarketWatch: When you signed your new contract (3 years, $72 million), did the signing bonus go into your bank the next day?
Metcalf: I didn’t get my signing bonus right after. It was how the team and me and my agent agreed upon — scheduled payments. I didn’t want a lump sum. The way we scheduled it out is for me to set myself up for longevity. It’s not, ‘here’s X amount of dollars’ and we’ll talk later. I got to schedule it out to where it’s going to make the best financial sense for me and my team.
MarketWatch: Where did you get the idea to space out payments instead of receiving the lump sum?
Metcalf: I never wanted anything all at once. If somebody told me I’m going to make a hundred million dollars tomorrow, I wouldn’t want it. I would want to break it down and so I could schedule my life so I don’t just feel boxed in. It’s all about planning and sustainability.
“‘Everybody doesn’t get to touch my money — only the people that I bless.’”
MarketWatch: What was the first big thing you bought after you signed your big contract?
Metcalf: I’ve always wanted to start a legacy and you can’t start a legacy without the correct amount of fun. But I did a pretty good job with my first contract to where I wasn’t feigning or anxious to get my second deal, it was just a matter of being patient. Before I even got the deal done, we prepared like we already had the deal. It’s all a step-by-step process. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
MarketWatch: Right now I can Google
GOOG,
‘DK Metcalf salary’ and see your signing bonus, base salary and guaranteed money. What is it like to have your salary public?
Metcalf: I really hadn’t thought about it. This is the life I chose to live. Having people around me that I trust who have the same motives as me and not just somebody who’s just around me for the wrong reasons. I’m a genuine person, the bad people are going to weed themselves out. Everybody doesn’t get to touch my money — only the people that I bless.
MarketWatch: What were your financial goals after signing your big contract?
Metcalf: Me and Joe (financial advisor) talked, and the first thing was saving 80% of it. So 80% of it’s already gone. The next 20% is investments in stocks, bonds, entrepreneurial stuff. Even if the 20% doesn’t work for me, I still have 80% working for me in the bank collecting interest to where I can go to sleep safe at night knowing that if my career is over tomorrow, I still have money working for me. I can’t live so lavishly all the time, I have to make some sacrifices sometimes.
MarketWatch: Did you see people come out of the woodwork once you made it to the NFL with “can’t miss” investment ideas?
Metcalf: No sir. I’ve never had people like that around me. People know not to approach me with BS. I have people that those people have to go through first before it ever gets to me. So, nine times out of 10, it never gets to me.
MarketWatch: So you’ve got a good bullshit detector?
Metcalf: Correct.
MarketWatch: What is one thing that you don’t mind spending money on?
Metcalf: I do have a vice and that’s clothes. I can only have one vice, and clothes is my vice (laughs).
MarketWatch: What kind of clothing brands are we talking about? Gucci? Dior?
Metcalf: Head-to-toe Louis Vuitton. Dior, Gucci sometimes. I’m allowed to splurge a little bit here and there.
“‘I’ve always wanted to start a legacy and you can’t start a legacy without the correct amount of fun.’”
MarketWatch: Are you planning for retirement?
Metcalf: You have to think about retirement. I want to segue into things that make me happy besides playing football, and that’s acting, fashion, helping kids. I know that’s a tough decision and transition for a lot of people, so I’m preparing myself for that transition now so it won’t be so difficult for me.
MarketWatch: What’s the best financial advice you’ve ever received?
Metcalf: “Always be curious.” I’ve heard Kobe Bryant say it. So anytime the greats say something you have to listen. I’m just being patient and will continue to be curious and ask questions. You never want to be the smartest person in the room, because then you’re in the wrong room.
MarketWatch: What’s your favorite possession? Your house is on fire, and you can only grab one thing?
Metcalf: Probably my car.
MarketWatch: You can’t pick up your car, can you?
Metcalf: I mean I can drive! I can drive it out of the garage (laughs). But I never try to get too attached to material things. So I would probably just walk out of the house and buy another one.
MarketWatch: What’s the biggest money mistake that you’ve ever made?
Metcalf: I wouldn’t even call it a mistake. The biggest money lesson, was from my rookie year. I bought a car and I was paying rent on a house that I was living in. I was paying somebody else’s mortgage and I bought something that depreciated as soon as I bought it. I could have easily got a free car from a dealership, just by using my name or likeness. Not just buying something just because I can.
MarketWatch: What’s the best money advice you would give to the incoming 2023 NFL draft class?
Metcalf: Be patient. Start thinking about retirement. Start thinking about your future. Any player could have their career be over after the first snap that they take. And remember why you play this game. Because you love it. Not for money.
