on April 7 | in Gladiator Spotlight, Issue 5 | by Tasneem Yusuf | with No Comments

Perseverance and a positive attitude could take him anywhere in life.

Fuad Reveiz learned early that perseverance and a positive attitude could take him anywhere in life. A natural athlete, Reveiz turned his soccer skills into an asset on the football field as a kicker. He left his life in Miami for the University of Tennessee, where he played under Coach Johnny Majors. His work ethic paid off, and in 1985 Reveiz returned home to Miami—this time as a Miami Dolphin. He had a ten-year career in the NFL before retiring and starting a new chapter in his life as a business owner. Many of the lessons Reveiz learned on the field, however, still apply today, and he sees the results in his life, work, and family. This gladiator keeps moving forward—he knows it’s the way to total happiness.

MG–  How did you get involved with Modern Gladiator?

I’ve done some work for his [CEO Martin Alvarez’s] brother’s other businesses. He started telling me the vision of Modern Gladiator and I absolutely loved it. We talked about it extensively. We discussed the building of the gym and developing those plans. I love those guys. I believe in the vision of what a modern gladiator should be and I like it a lot.

I believe in the vision of what a modern gladiator should be and I like it a lot.

MG–  What was it like to be drafted by the team you grew up watching as a kid?

It was a dream come true. I would have never thought that [would happen]. I was a huge—and still am—Dolphins fan. I grew up cheering for that team. All of a sudden to be wearing that jersey is an amazing feeling.

MG–  Being a kicker can be an isolating job; you catch a lot of slack. Was that an issue for you?

I’ve always felt that you bring prejudices on yourself. People would want to place that on you, but it’s you that allows that. If I allow people to look down on me for the job I do, that’s my fault. I will not allow that.

You learn a lot about yourself and not everyone can do that job. It takes a lot of mental toughness. There’s a lot of stigmatism to have that position. You have to ignore the television cameras, the crowd, the people, and focus on your foot and the job you have to do. You have to be able to block that stuff out.

You learn a lot about yourself and not everyone can do that job.

I take what I learned in football and apply it to life. You grow through ups and downs in life; you need to be able to block good times and bad times out of your mind to focus on what’s in front of you. Not everyday is going to be a great day, but you have to learn how to look beyond that and be positive. Or, you’ll shut down and it will be worse.

MG–  Who influenced you growing up?

My grandfather was someone I really looked up to and held with very high esteem. To me, that’s what a man is supposed to be like. No offense to my dad, but my grandfather…his biggest thing was showing respect and doing the right thing, or not doing them at all. I tell a lot of kids that difference between college and the NFL is very little. It’s in the details. It’s training and doing things the right way.

MG–  What’s one thing you hope you have impressed upon your children? Something that they may carry on or apply in their own lives?

Every one of those three kids takes care of themselves. I’m extremely grateful for that.

I’m very very proud of my sons and daughter. The time my wife has spent with them. I’m extremely pleased to see them take care of each other. If you mess with one, you mess with all of them. They are respectful. They sought out jobs after college. They’re independent. We’re not perfect, but it’s up to the kids to realize what’s right and wrong. Be accountable to themselves. Every one of those three kids takes care of themselves. I’m extremely grateful for that.

MG–  Tell me what do you do now.

I’ve got an insurance agency and construction company and I work with some really great people. I’ve learned through my time in football that it’s all about teamwork. To be a leader, you have to serve first. Everyone has to know that you will do anything at any given time to help them out. You don’t work for me, you work with me. We are all the same and we all work together.

MG–  How long have you had your business?

The construction company started back up two years ago and insurance about five years. I’m starting all over again. The 2009 real estate crash wiped me out…[but] you put your boots on and go back at it. Life is full of ups and downs and you just learn from that and choose to become better because of it. At the end of the day, the only thing you can control is your actions. Your actions and reactions are the only things you control.

The older you get, the more you want to know that you’ve done right by your kids and family.

MG–  What’s important to you?

The older you get, the more you want to know that you’ve done right by your kids and family. That you’ve made an impact on them and that they are the positive influence you hope they are. It’s very important to take care of your family and spiritual life to stay grounded.

MG–  How do you describe a modern gladiator?

It’s someone with an awful lot of responsibilities. Someone who is in tune with his body and his business and overall well-being. If you’re out of balance with one of those three, you’ll be out of balance as a whole. You need the three to work.

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