When New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith unexpectedly fired his management team shortly after he was drafted to join hip-hop mogul-turned-sports agent Jay Z and his Roc Nation agency, many questioned if it was a smart move. In a recent interview with the New York Post, Smith explained how having Jay’s ear helped him get through his recent slump and face the intense media scrutiny that comes with playing in New York City.
“I talk to Jay a lot,” Smith told The Post. “He gave me some good advice. He told me to not take [criticism] personally. It’s not that people don’t like me. It’s not at me. It’s the position that I’m in. Just realize the position that I’m in comes with a lot of scrutiny. You can’t take it personally. You just have to live your daily life.”
Smith said that, despite the fact that so many people felt that he should’ve gone with a sports agency with more experience, he’s been completely happy with how things have gone with Roc Nation thus far.
“It’s been great,” he said. “I think I made the absolute correct choice. Some of the best people I’ve met, great mentors from all areas. They treat me with so much class, my family and everyone. It was definitely a great move.”
Smith also downplayed the notion that he signed with Jay Z’s agency because he felt it would help him land lucrative marketing contracts. He said that he doesn’t need the hip-hop star’s name to get endorsements.
“It’s not really about him helping me as far as marketing goes,” Smith said. “My play on the field gets me the things off the field.”
