Faith, Failure & the Boardroom: Paul T. DeRousselle II Pulls Back the Curtain on the NFL Agency Business

In a world where professional sports are often reduced to spreadsheets, analytics, and nine-figure contracts, Paul T. DeRousselle II is on a mission to bring humanity back to the game. Known to many as “The People’s Agent,” the NFLPA-Certified Contract Advisor has built a reputation not just for the deals he closes, but for the depth of the relationships he maintains.

With the forthcoming release of his book on May 11, titled Faith. Failure. Football., DeRousselle is offering more than a traditional career memoir.

He calls it a “mask-off” account—a vulnerable look at the trials, the spiritual shifts, and the literal “losing seasons” that paved the way for his rise from Eunice, Louisiana, to the highest levels of the NFL.

I caught up with DeRousselle II by phone to discuss the difference between a “how-to” and a “how-through,” the influence of his roots, and why he’s choosing to tell his story while he’s still in the middle of the climb.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You describe this as a “how-through” book rather than a “how-to” book. What is the fundamental difference for someone currently in the middle of a personal or professional failure phase?

Paul T. DeRousselle II: The difference is that a “how-to” book usually gives you clinical steps—like time management or specific habits—to get better. But when you’re in the middle of it, it’s dark. It’s hard to see the light at the end of that dark tunnel. This book is about showing people that through resilience, perseverance, holding yourself accountable, and maybe even having to eliminate people or bad habits, you’re going to be able to make it through those trials and tribulations. Hard times are indiscriminatory; if you’ve ever dared to dream, the difficulties are inevitable. I wanted to show that if you take the correct steps, it’s inevitable that you’ll get through.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Writing a “mask-off” account requires a high level of vulnerability. Was there a specific chapter or memory that was particularly difficult to commit to paper?

Paul T. DeRousselle II: Chapter 6, which is titled “A Losing Season.” It was very hard to go back to that dark space—living on my cousin’s couch, working a job that was well below the standards I set for myself, and going through a divorce where I wasn’t around my daughter every day. I was failing personally, professionally, and financially all at once. When I was living it, I didn’t know how it was gonna end. Reliving that was so painful I actually had to stop writing for a couple of weeks because it resurfaced some painful memories I had suppressed.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: The book mentions that legacy isn’t defined by where you fall, but how you rise. How has your definition of success changed from when you first started as an agent to now?

Paul T. DeRousselle II: Honestly, when you get into the business, you want the $100 million deals, the top draft picks, and for everyone to know your name at the Combine. Now, success has become more about the strength of the relationships I’ve built and the love and appreciation reciprocated between me, my clients, and their families. It’s about the love I have for my daughter and my ability to give back to my hometown of Eunice. Ultimately, success for me has been defined by my growth as a Christian and the character and resilience I’ve shown on this journey.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You talk about the transition from trying to “fit in” to leaning into your truth. How did that internal shift specifically impact the way you negotiate contracts and represent your clients?

Paul T. DeRousselle II: I don’t think you can effectively represent clients without being in alignment with who you’re supposed to be. If you aren’t confident in who you are, you have a propensity to overcompensate or be overly abrasive because you’re not sure you belong at those tables. You make it about your ego. Once I leaned into my faith and became comfortable with myself, it was like an awakening. I realized I was chasing external validation when all I really needed was internal validation. When you’re comfortable within yourself, your “why” counts more, and everything just opens up.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Pastor Terry K. Anderson mentioned the influence of the “hood” on your maturation. How do you balance the lessons from your upbringing in Eunice with the high-stakes environment of the NFL boardroom?

Paul T. DeRousselle II: Growing up in Eunice, Louisiana, gave me the “intangibles.” I interacted with people from all walks of life—from gifted classes and country club tennis to playing ball at the park in the trenches. It taught me how to move in different rooms. I can be with the owner of the Buffalo Bills and understand his line of thinking, but I’m also cool being back on the corner with my people. Eunice isn’t a place I escaped; it’s a place that really taught me invaluable life lessons. It’s a badge I wear with pride.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Keon Coleman described you as more than an agent—a mentor, brother, and therapist. In an industry often seen as transactional, how do you maintain those deep, holistic relationships?

Paul T. DeRousselle II: It’s because I value people. I’d rather be a super person than a super agent. “Agent” is part of the job description; being a good person is a choice. The moment relationships become 100% transactional, you lose the fabric of how I operate. I want to build a tribe and a family where we love and care about each other. When you build that personal relationship, the business relationship becomes better because everyone genuinely wants to see everyone else win.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: This book is dedicated to “outsiders.” What is the biggest misconception people have about the path to becoming a premier NFLPA-Certified Contract Advisor?

Paul T. DeRousselle II: People have this misnomer that it’s just walking around in a suit like Jerry Maguire, doing big deals. That is a small portion of it. It’s not a microwave process; it takes time and resilience. You’re going to be rejected and you’re going to doubt yourself because you’re often investing more money than you’re taking in early on. People see the highlights, but they don’t see the difficult moments. I wanted this book to be a “mask-off” account to show that reality.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: For the young person looking at your career and your book, what is the first step in “humanizing” themselves in a world that often views athletes as just numbers or brands?

Paul T. DeRousselle II: The first step is to realize who you are and who you want to be in this business. You have to truly understand your “why.” My “why” was that I wanted to help young men achieve their dreams and navigate a business that isn’t always tailored to them succeeding. If you’re doing it for the likes and the blue checks, you won’t last. Even when it gets hard, if you always go back to your “why,” you’ll be able to stand the test of time.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You mentioned that writing this was one of the most fulfilling things you’ve ever done. Did you discover anything new about yourself during the reflection required to write this?

Paul T. DeRousselle II: I did. I realized how disciplined I could be again—blocking out the noise to get it done by any means necessary. It also allowed me to dust off my English major and rediscovered my love for writing. I even rediscovered my childhood wonder for football. I remembered the NFL comforter set my parents got me from Walmart when I was six; I used to lie there and try to name every team on the blanket. Realizing that God put that vision in my heart decades ago made me cry. I’m just grateful that my love for the game allowed me to help people and now write this book.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Why was now the right time to share this story with the world?

Paul T. DeRousselle II: There’s never a perfect time, but I felt like I’m right in the middle of my journey. I’m past the point of being a “nobody” in the business, but I’m not at the top of the mountain yet either—I’m still climbing. I’m in my prime, and I’ve done enough that people can see my story and what I’ve overcome. The reader will understand that this isn’t my last book; it’s like dropping my first album.

Closing Thoughts