Meet Frostee Rucker | 2 Time National Champion/Retired NFL Athlete/Entrepreneur/Venture Capitalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Frostee Rucker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Frostee, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
With NIL (name, image, likeness) being one of the most profound subjects of college sports, I felt it was necessary to build an apparel brand that not only highlights dynamic sports icons but finally gives them an opportunity to profit off their collegiate likeness. With that in mind, the Active Legends GOAT series was conceptualized. Starting with my alma mater, the first collection to drop is officially licensed with USC and features Carson Palmer, LenDale White and Mark Sanchez.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started playing football at 8 years old and fell in love with it; the game, the teamwork, the sense of commoradity and brotherhood, I knew it was something I wanted to continue for as long as I could. I dreamt of playing in college and was taken back when USC approached me to take part in their program. To then go on to win back to back national championships with them was mind blowing. My childhood dreams only continued to come true with getting drafted out of college to the Cincinnati Bengals. I was fortunate to have played 13 seasons in the NFL for 4 different franchises – the Bengals, Browns, Cardinals and Raiders.

Each year of my football career came with it’s own set of challenges and struggles, whether it was injuries, changing positions, moving to a new team and city, etc. With every bump in the road, I knew the importance of keeping the right mindset and having a positive attitude. With that and a strong support system, especially from my teammates, I continued to thrive. The friendships and bonds I was able to forge throughout the years with my teammates, whether pop warner, in college or in the pros, all are something that are irreplacable and indescribable. I have carried their support with me in all my endevours, on and off the field.

When I retired after the 2018 season I was left to figure out what I wanted to do with my new post-football life. It was not long after my retirement that the NIL ruling was announced. It was the first time ever that athletes could finally monetize off their collegiate achievements; I knew it was something I wanted to tap into and be a part of. In my head I could envision exactly what I wanted to do; create the GOAT series – an elevated streetwear line as a platform to honoring some of the past guys I had played with. I wanted the materials to be high quality, the trims to be detailed and unique and the artwork to be eye-catching and have a 1990s aesthetic, like the folders I would carry back in elementary school. It was then that Active Legends apparel line was born. As we began to carefully curate the GOAT series, it came to me that Active Legends was much more than just collegiate pieces but should be a brand that’s focused on offering a new take on active wear – stylish, quality, and versatile basics that you can style in a variety of ways; whether you’re casually running errands or grabbing a drink out with friends. Just as my childhood dream came true with my football career, my vision of Active Legends came into full existence this past fall when we launched our Butter Basics line as well as our officially licensed GOAT Series x USC collection.

Now we are focusing on expanding both lines, the Basics to offer an assortment of different styles, bodies and accessories and we plan on taking the GOAT series across the nation, highlighting both male and female athletes from a variety of sports at schools throughout the U.S. Though my career on the field may have come to an end, through Active Legends, I am still able to carry a part of the game with me and support the bonds that were forged through the game, while also tapping into my newly found creative side.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d take them to my favorite beach, Emerald Bay and order Gina’s Pizza to the sand. After a day beachside, we’d go to my hometown of Tustin and grab a cold beverage at Tustin Brew Co where my jersey is hanging high and proud.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Big ups to the folks who fought tooth and nail to get the NIL ruling passed! The gives current athletes the chance to make a great income while competing and also sets the stage for the trailblazers who packed the stands and didn’t monetize off their own jersey sales. Now’s the time to do the work and celebrate these legends.

Website: www.ActiveLegends.com

Instagram: @ActiveLegendsApparelCo