Vernon Davis

As far as my career goes, I've never really had an opportunity to reflect on what I've done, with taking in the accolades and achievements that I've been able to bring together.

I grew up a Washington Redskins fan, right? I've always wanted to play for the team as a kid. I always had dreams and aspirations to play for that team. So, for them to change the name, it really hurt. It hurt deep down inside.

Whenever I was done with a scene, I'd go back to my trailer, relax and go over my lines. I'd think, 'I can't wait to get out there.'

I became intrigued with the whole development sector, going into a community, building it up, coming up with a plan from an architectural standpoint, and bringing it to fruition, especially if you're able to make the community a better place in the process.

Life is all about the unexpected.

Just having that time alone, away from the team, just going through the progression of being healthy again with the brain work that I was doing in the hospital and building that company, all I could do is think and it just dawned on me that, hey, it's time for the next chapter of my life. I need to walk away and try something else.

When I'm stressed or I have some things I have to get off my mind, I go to the canvas and I paint.

Everything that I do, I put my teammates first. To me, that's the mark of a true leader. That's what I want to be. I want to be a leader and have guys continue to follow.

Putting my teammates first was the best thing I could've done. Once I did that, things started to happen for me. I started to see the game differently. It wasn't about me anymore. It was more about my team.

Growing as a man, I had to go through some stuff first. I had to figure this thing out, find out who I was as a player.

I was approached by a company in San Francisco called Fantex. I did my due diligence on it. I tried to outweigh the pros and cons. Then I just made a business decision.

I pray that Jimmy Graham passes as a wide receiver. Because at the end of the day, if he passes as a wide receiver, that's better for the rest of the tight ends. He will have opened up a door, a pathway for the rest of the group.

It's just like any athlete, we all want a new contract. But I'm not going to stress over it. It's not the end of the world if I don't get it. If I get it, that's good.

We only live once and tomorrow is not promised. If I can walk in here and see a beautiful smile on your face, or even a conversation with my teammates in the locker room, that's the best part. That's living. That's life.

I'm always thinking about the future and the goals in front of me.

You know what, every decision I make is in the best interest of my brand.

The thing that made me happy is you live to see the next day and you get an opportunity to do it again.

But when it comes to my career, my job, something that I love so much and something that I'm passionate about, I can't let anything get in the way of that.

I don't drink alcohol at all except for special occasions. I definitely do think that it really takes a toll on your body over time, so it's something that I really try to stay away from.

Usually, I'll have egg whites, turkey sausage, fruit, and oatmeal for breakfast. For lunch I'll have some grilled chicken or a turkey burger with veggies, fruit and wheat bread. Between lunch and dinner it's often a protein bar, and then my evening meal is pretty much the same as lunch.

I think the two exercises that have helped me the most include using the bands with my ankles, and then another one of my favorites is where I lean on a balloon-shaped ball with my forehead touching it and rotate my head front, back and sideways to build up the muscles and ligaments in my neck.

To recover from workouts I typically drink a 20-gram protein shake, float in the pool for 15 minutes, then do a hot-and-cold tub contrast soak.

You play this game, that's what you play this game for. You play the game to go to the Super Bowl and that's the only reason why we play to win and make it to the Super Bowl. So anything short of that would not be acceptable and I think my teammates know that as well.

My dream is to retire as a San Francisco 49er.

I bleed red and gold. I'm all about the 49ers. I love the 49ers.