JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
When it comes to sports, not everyone will make millions of dollars.
For those not able to make the big bucks, a former Mississippi State football player says there is a plan "B".
"For former Mississippi State football player Dewayne King, his success did not come from sports, it came from the classroom.
"I saw a lot of players and athletes in general that really didn't put as much focus as needed to on academics side of things and really didn't take advantage of a meaningful college degree," King said.
King played linebacker at Mississippi State from 1986 to 1990 and while playing pro-football was dream, it was not his passion.
"Once someone has the ability to make it to the NFL the average career was only 3.2 years which is not very long at all so still it is so critical to plan ahead for that transition from the playing field to the real world," King said.
After graduating from MSU, King became a successful banking executive and is now a successful author.
His first book is entitled "Control Your Own Destiny" which teaches student athletes how to succeed on and off the field of play.
"If you are not focused when you first get to the college campus, it's so easy to waste two to three years but once you actually see the book you'll see the principle applies to all walks of life so it is very versatile," King said.
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