Austin Ekeler  -  From Undrafted to Unstoppable: Building Wealth Beyond the Field

Austin Ekeler was never supposed to be here. Undrafted out of Division II Western Colorado, he entered the NFL with no guarantees, no signing bonus, and little more than relentless drive. Today, he’s not only one of the league’s most versatile running backs - he’s also carving out a blueprint of financial resilience, business ownership, and long-term wealth that stands tall off the field.

His story isn’t just about breaking tackles - it’s about building structures. And that’s Tall Cotton.

From Western Colorado to NFL Stardom

Ekeler’s rise is a study in persistence. Coming from tiny Eaton, Colorado, and playing at Western Colorado University, his path to the NFL was improbable. In 2017, he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent. No one expected him to last long.

But Ekeler’s production silenced doubters: over 4,700 rushing yards, 43 rushing touchdowns, and nearly 3,600 receiving yards across his career. He became one of the league’s premier dual-threat backs, earning a reputation for toughness, consistency, and versatility.

Even as he established himself, Ekeler knew football was only one piece of the puzzle. The average NFL career is 3.5 years. His plan was never just to survive on the field - it was to build permanence beyond it.

Entrepreneurship: Gridiron Gaming Group & Beyond

While many athletes chase endorsements, Ekeler built platforms. In 2021, he launched Gridiron Gaming Group, a company designed to help athletes and personalities monetize livestreaming and online communities. At its core, the idea was simple: don’t just rent out your brand - own the ecosystem.

By empowering athletes to connect directly with fans through Twitch and digital platforms, Gridiron Gaming positioned Ekeler not just as a football star, but as a business architect of the athlete-to-fan economy.

It’s a model of ownership rather than endorsement - an approach that reflects Tall Cotton’s ethos of planting right for sustainable harvests.

The Austin Ekeler Foundation: Planting Seeds in Community

In the same year, he founded the Austin Ekeler Foundation, dedicated to creating opportunities for underserved youth. Its projects have ranged from funding weight rooms for schools, to building accessible technology labs, to mentoring programs.

For Ekeler, philanthropy is not an afterthought - it’s embedded in his wealth philosophy. He speaks often about how opportunity shaped his life, and how it’s his responsibility to widen that access for others.

It’s strategic giving: equipping young people with tools that yield dividends in their own futures.

The Real Estate Playbook

Where Ekeler truly sets himself apart is in real estate. Early in his NFL career, he began investing in properties in Colorado, carefully constructing a portfolio that generates passive income.

Unlike flashy short-term plays, Ekeler’s real estate strategy is conservative and cash-flow driven. He avoids over-leveraging, focuses on rental yield, and holds for the long term. For him, properties aren’t trophies - they’re safety nets.

“I’ve always understood the NFL doesn’t last forever. I want to make sure I have something stable in place to support myself and my family long after I’m done playing.”

This philosophy turns real estate into more than an asset class - it becomes his anchor. It ensures that whether he plays one more season or five, his wealth continues to grow silently, brick by brick.

Financial Philosophy: Living Below the Headlines

Ekeler’s financial approach mirrors his playing style: efficient, disciplined, unflashy but effective. Despite earning millions in NFL contracts, he’s spoken openly about living modestly in an apartment, driving a non-luxury car, and keeping his lifestyle controlled.

To him, wealth isn’t about appearances - it’s about positioning. Football gave him a platform, but business gives him permanence.

He is also active with the NFL Players Association, advocating for smarter contract structures and financial literacy among players. For Ekeler, ownership means not just holding assets - but controlling knowledge.

Challenges & Setbacks: From Overlooked to Overdelivering

Ekeler’s NFL story began with rejection. No draft selection, no spotlight, no promises. He entered camp as a body, and left it as a weapon.

Injuries have slowed him at times, including a recent season cut short in Washington. But adversity has been less a wall than a teacher - reminding him to think about sustainability, not moments.

That mindset is what led him to build a business portfolio early, before the spotlight could fade.

The Blueprint of Ownership

Austin Ekeler’s legacy won’t be measured only in yards or touchdowns - it will be measured in the empire he builds beyond the game. His blueprint rests on three pillars:

1. Diversify Early  -  from gaming tech to foundations, Ekeler moved quickly to expand beyond football.
2. Anchor in Assets  -  real estate provides permanence, passive income, and long-term wealth.
3. Invest in Access  -  through philanthropy and NFLPA advocacy, he extends opportunity outward.

It’s a model that athletes and entrepreneurs alike can study: start small, stay disciplined, and plant strategically.

Austin Ekeler & The Tall Cotton

At The Tall Cotton, we document stories of quiet excellence and strategic planting. Austin Ekeler represents that vision perfectly.

He didn’t just break tackles - he broke the mold.

He didn’t just earn checks - he built assets.

He doesn’t just play for yards - he plays for legacy.

Read. Learn. Then ask:

“What’s my version of The Tall Cotton?”

Because greatness isn’t in the headlines - it’s in the harvest.