Robert Nelson Jr. on Tom Brady, Shedeur, And Building Legacy

Robert Nelson Jr defending a pass (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

After eight years of navigating the highs and lows of professional football, Robert Nelson Jr’s priority has changed from defending receivers to defending his legacy. The former NFL defensive back shared his journey from undrafted free agent to entrepreneur in an exclusive interview with RG.org. 

Reflecting on his time in the league, offering insight on modern-day quarterbacks such as Tom Brady, Lamar Jackson, CJ Stroud, and Shedeur Sanders, and detailing the evolution of his lifestyle and wellness brand, Oautica Wave. 

This is the first of two separate pieces from RG's interview with Nelson Jr. The second exclusive will be released on August 9. 

A Football Journey of Resilience

After going undrafted from Arizona State in 2014, Nelson kicked off his NFL career. The Cleveland Browns signed him and he played seven games during his rookie season. In 2016, he played for the Houston Texans, where he had his most productive season, with 11 games and 20 tackles and an interception. 

He played for the New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, and New England Patriots, as well as the Arizona Hotshots and St. Louis Battle Hawks.  Nelson finished his NFL career with just 20 games, but he left with a firm belief that his future would be even more significant.

The Birth of Oautica Wave

Nelson had already started his business ventures long before he retired from football. Broke Billionaire was founded by him in 2009 while he was still in college. After a game-changing meeting with a billionaire mentor in New York, the brand underwent a transformation and became Oautica Wave, a name that symbolizes originality, luxury, and forward motion in 2015.

“Oautica Wave isn’t just a fashion brand. It’s a lifestyle rooted in wellness, mindset, and long-term vision,” Nelson told RG.org. “The Wave represents staying ahead. Being intentional. Thinking generationally.”

Oautica Wave has expanded to include not only apparel but also wellness-focused products, like hyperbaric chambers, that aim to enhance recovery, performance, and mental clarity, particularly for athletes and high-performers.

Nelson has a strong passion for helping athletes understand their value beyond the game. He is a supporter of ownership, mental health, and financial literacy through Oautica Wave, encouraging players to view themselves as brands from day one.

“Too many athletes wait until they’re done playing to think about business,” he said. “But the real playbook is building your brand while you’re in the league.”

Nelson attributes his legacy to trailblazers like Deion Sanders and cites Phil Knight, co-founder of Nike, for inspiring him in business.

Nelson's current focus is on scaling the brand through collaborations, wellness innovations, and athlete mentorship considering Oautica Wave's growing popularity among athletes and influencers. His objective is to create a company that transcends trends and inspires generational growth.

“I’m not chasing hype. I’m building legacy,” Nelson said. “Oautica Wave is for those who understand that life isn’t just about being seen—it’s about standing for something.”

Exclusive Q&A: Robert Nelson Jr. with RG.org

— If Shedeur Sanders gets an opportunity to see the field in Year One with the Browns, what do you think he needs to show early on to earn the trust of the coaching staff and prove he can handle the NFL stage?

— I believe that playing for the Cleveland Browns is an excellent opportunity, perhaps one of the best in the league. If you succeed there—winning a Super Bowl or achieving significant success—you can secure a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Winning a Super Bowl with the Browns could set you up financially for life, and the city is known for taking good care of its players. 

In fact, you might even become a legendary figure, similar to Jim Brown, who is one of the most iconic players in NFL history. My advice to Shedeur Sanders would be to stay low-key, work hard, and focus on earning the starting position. 

The Browns value consistency and dislike players who draw unnecessary attention. Historically, the team has struggled with quarterback stability, having gone through over 40 quarterbacks in the past 30 years, which reflects their ongoing search for stability at that position. If Shedeur can go out, win the starting job, take care of his health, and perform consistently, I believe he has the potential to lead the Browns to a Super Bowl and transform the organization. This could also help him understand what it truly means to succeed in the league.

— You trained with Shedeur can talk about that experience? 

— I’ve trained with Shedeur Sanders before. Me and Jaydon Mickens were out in Texas—at Andre Johnson’s facility, actually—when we met Shedeur and a lot of his group as they were transitioning to Colorado for his junior year. At the time, I had no real intention of running routes or anything. Jaydon was like, ‘Bro, come out here,’ so I went. At that point, I think I was just about to retire. Everyone thought I was still playing. They were like, ‘Who do you play for?’ And I was like, ‘Nah, I’m a DB. I’m just out here running routes for fun.’ But when I came out of my break on one route, the ball was already coming out. I had to tell him, ‘Hey, you’ve got to get that ball out before I hit my break. That’s the difference between Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. You throw it before I make my cut—so that when I turn my head, it’s already there.’

You have to challenge me as a DB to adjust my eyes quickly—just like that. Because if you don’t, someone like Deion Sanders is jumping that route every time. I’m flying through that as a DB. So, I told Shedeur, ‘Get it out quicker. Don’t wait until the receiver comes out of the break—throw it earlier.’ And once I saw him adjust, it clicked. He listened. He started doing it a couple times and then really started putting the ball on the money. I told him, ‘That’s perfect, bro. That’s the only adjustment you needed. You do that, and you’re gonna lock the game down.’

A couple months later, he goes out and balls against TCU. I’m not saying it was all because of me—but I know we were out there giving him pointers, and his dad and his quarterback coach clearly value input from pros. That’s why they brought us in. And no matter what anyone says, I know we helped. He started throwing the ball exactly how we told him to—by the time receivers were coming out of their breaks, the ball was already there, damn near taking your head off.

Then a month or two later, he goes crazy in that TCU game. And for me, it just made me proud. It’s not about getting credit—it’s about helping someone who wants to be great. And Shedeur has that in him. He’s a humble dude, a cool dude. I want him to win with the Browns, man. That’s my team. And I know—if he balls out in Cleveland—the fans will treat him like royalty. They treated me great. The best fans in the NFL, hands down. So if he succeeds there, I’d tell him: don’t ever leave. Ball out and stay in Cleveland.

— As a DB, how would you approach defending Shedeur Sanders?

— I think it all comes down to film study. That’s how I approach every quarterback—whether it was Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, or anyone else. I’d study every game they played that season, all their preseason snaps, and even go back a season or two before that. I’d break down first downs, second downs, third downs—just to study their mannerisms.

With Shedeur, I’d approach it the same way. I’d watch all his college film—both at Colorado and Jackson State—and probably even go back to his senior year of high school to see what habits or tendencies have carried with him to the NFL. I’d look for that one thing he can’t shake, that tells me, ‘he’s definitely going to do this.’ I’d study his footwork. I’d even go on YouTube to watch his sessions with his quarterback coach, because that’s where players unknowingly give away free game. Anybody can see it, and you never know who’s watching—or who’s preparing for you. I’d also check out his quarterback coach’s page, because it looks like he teaches most of his clients the same mechanics. 

So if I watch someone like Cam Ward, who’s trained by the same coach, I might pick up on similar tendencies that Shedeur could have. Now I’ve got three sources to verify what I’m seeing on film—his college tape, his training videos, and his coach’s other QBs. That gives me confidence that I’ll dominate the matchup. That’s just how I prepare.

If I were Shedeur, though, I’d try to stay off YouTube and social media as much as possible. Because there’s a dog out there—someone like me—who’s coming up and has to play against him. And he knows if he makes big plays against Shedeur Sanders, he’s going to make that team. So if I were Shedeur, I’d limit what I show publicly, keep my training private, and protect my tendencies, because that can be the difference between someone else making a roster spot at your expense."

Cardinals’ Future

— Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. are entering a critical second season together—what signs of growth would you want to see to prove they’re the real deal?

— The main thing I want to see is the quarterback and wide receiver putting in the work together—really building that chemistry. Social media is cool and all, but I want to know: are they actually bonding as teammates? Is Kyler going over to Marvin’s house to watch film? Are they hanging out off the field, talking about coverages, route concepts, or game plans multiple times a day? It’s about more than just showing up on Sundays. Are they lifting weights together? 

Getting massages and recovery sessions at the same time to understand how each other’s bodies feel? That relationship has to be tight—almost like best friends. Because while the offensive coordinator, GM, or owner can try to build something on paper, true success comes when players have that organic bond. That’s what I want to see from Kyler and Marvin in year two—how much time they’re really putting in together behind the scenes. That kind of connection can elevate everything. Especially for a team like the Cardinals, who haven’t had real consistency at that position since Larry Fitzgerald left. If they want to turn things around, it starts with that type of commitment.

— Do you think the Cardinals are building something sustainable with this young core, or do they still need major pieces on both sides of the ball?

— Personally—and no offense to the players or anyone currently there—I still don’t think the Cardinals know what they’re doing. It feels like there’s no clear direction for where the organization is trying to go. From my experience, and being around the game for a while, it just seemed like draft picks were being made without a real plan. 

When I played there, they didn’t know how to use certain players—including me. There’s a culture issue, too. You’ve got coaches, owners, and GMs out partying with players in Scottsdale, and that creates an environment that doesn’t feel serious. 

Something must change. People see Arizona as a party state, and that affects how teams perform. We’ve got talent—Arizona State, the Cardinals, the Suns—but you start to understand why none of these teams can get over the hump. The Suns can’t get to the playoffs, ASU gets there and then falls short, and the Coyotes struggled too when they were here before relocating to Utah. It’s a distraction-heavy environment. 

If you’re on a team in Arizona, you have to make a conscious effort to avoid the nightlife and stay locked in. Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Glendale—it’s all fun, but it can pull players away from their focus. There are beautiful women everywhere, but not all of them have the right intentions. And when players who have something going for themselves get caught up in that, it can derail not just their careers—but the team’s overall chemistry and goals. So until the culture shifts to something more disciplined and focused, I don’t think Arizona can build something truly sustainable.

Practicing Against Tom Brady

— You’ve practiced against the GOAT—Tom Brady. What did he teach you about anticipation and decision-making just by how he ran practices?

— I would say this about Tom Brady—first off, he’s a stand-up guy. When I got to the team, he came and introduced himself to me, which says a lot. Everyone knows he's the GOAT, and most people would go out of their way to meet him, but he came to me and made me feel welcome. 

The biggest thing I took from being around Tom was how prepared he was. He used Coach Belichick’s system to its fullest and always stayed after practice to put in extra work. He wasn’t a loud guy, and I never saw him in the training room or the cold tub. From what I was told, he did all his therapy and recovery privately—he never let people see his weaknesses. What really separated him was his command of the game. The Patriots would go into each play with ten different options—ten audibles ready to go. 

For example, let’s say the play was called ‘Razor Right Sky 23’ with a route drawn up for Gronk. If Brady got to the line and saw something—maybe a linebacker about to blitz or a shift in the coverage—he could instantly check into one of those ten audibles. 

And the entire offense was on the same page. Most teams go into the huddle with one play and maybe one check-down option. The Patriots had ten ways out of any situation. That’s what made Brady different. He and Belichick created a system where they were rarely caught off guard. Nine times out of ten, they had a solution, while most teams only had one or two—and if those didn’t work, they were stuck. That level of preparation and adaptability is what made Tom Brady truly great."

— Was there a particular moment or rep going up against Brady that really stuck with you and made you say, 'This guy’s on a different level'?

— Not against me personally—because I studied Tom Brady for years and made sure I prepared at that level. I hate getting beat, so by the time I got to practice with him, I already knew a lot of his mannerisms. When I saw them in real time, I could anticipate what was coming. 

I watched him complete passes before the corner or the receiver even came out of their break. The ball was already there. All the receiver had to do was turn around and catch it. The throw would land just before the defender could react—maybe a half-second away from being intercepted—but it was placed so perfectly, it couldn’t be picked off. That’s what made him special. He didn’t have to throw deep or work too hard—he just operated with perfect timing. He knew football inside and out—angles, spacing, timing. It was always, 'one-two-three, the ball’s out.' That level of anticipation is what separates him from everyone else.

— What makes Tom Brady so difficult to defend, even in non-contact practices—was it his timing, communication, or something else?

— I think it starts with communication. Tom Brady doesn’t go into the huddle with just one play—he comes in with ten options. While most teams might have one audible, Brady has up to ten different ways to beat you on a single play. That requires an insane amount of studying and preparation. We’re talking about over 150 plays, each with multiple audibles. That’s a different level of mental commitment.

To keep up with that, your body has to be right, your mind has to be locked in, and your chemistry with the team—especially the offensive line—has to be strong. And Tom builds that. Every year, he’d buy his offensive linemen trucks as a thank-you for protecting him. He takes his teammates out to eat, spends extra time at the facility, talks to everyone with respect, and holds them accountable when necessary. He leads with discipline, but he also shows appreciation.

What really sets him apart is that he expects the same level of dedication from others that he gives himself. And when players match that, he rewards them—not just with gifts, but with success. Rings. Championships. That kind of leadership builds loyalty. A lot of quarterbacks don’t give back like that. But when the GOAT is giving back and showing he values you, you don't want to play for anyone else. That’s why he always had a group of guys who were willing to go all out for him. It’s more than just his timing or skill—it’s how he builds a winning culture around him.