Today we’d like to introduce you to Ernest Gardner.
Hi Ernest, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hello, my name is Ernest Gardner and I am a professional athlete and founder of I.E. the brand. I.E. (stands for I’m Enough) is an apparel corporation that was eventually formed after my head coach in community college told me that I would never be “Big, Strong, or Fast Enough to play football at a division 1 football school” (letters inside logo B, S, F, and E). However, I still became a Big 12 Champion at the University of Oklahoma the next season and the season after that. The S also stands for smart enough because I had learning disabilities growing up. Since the second grade, it was predicted I would not graduate high school unless I remained in special ed courses. Fast forward, I graduated high school with 3.48 overall from one of America’s toughest high schools academically (Alameda HS, CA) without any special classes). I would also went on to obtain a degree in sociology from the University of Tennessee, became a professional athlete, and gain brand support from numerous high-profile athletes and influencers around the world. Merch: iethebrand.com
To give back, I also founded IE the brand Inc which is a 501c3 nonprofit organization with a focus inner-city kids and walk-on student-athletes at universities. Charity: Iethebrand.org
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a smooth ride. Even as a kid, I always felt “misplaced”. My parents sacrificed so much to have my siblings and I living in a nice neighborhood in Alameda, CA (not a lot of black people), but I played sports in Oakland, CA (At the time was mainly African Americns, but had a lot of people coming/ growing up in gang affiliated neighbors, single parent households, high drugs usage environments, etc). I felt like an outcast because the people you think would accept you actually do not like you because you “speak to proper”,” act too nice”, “don’t know what it is like”, when in reality I had different problems. Honestly speaking, I do believe that played a factor in community college in Oakland, CA. I bring up these experiences because as I got older, started progressing in life, and looked back you realize you do not “need” anyone but God or to rely on being accepted by people, just keep your head down and focus, and the right people will come into your life.
Many athletes know what it is like to not be playing in the games, but performing at a high level in practice yet going unnoticed. At the University of Oklahoma, I was a walk on athlete. My coach in community college told schools not to recruit as if being discouraging was not enough, which caused me to take a chance on myself at the University of Oklahoma. My first year, I redshirted but I won scout team player of the year. At Oklahoma, the winner of that same award the year before was Heisman trophy winner and the first pick of the 2018 draft. The next year I won that award, as well my buddy, Cody Ford who was also a first round pick in the NFL. However, I only played in spring games at Oklahoma. I transferred to The University of Tennessee as a preferred walk-on after two seasons with Oklahoma. I worked my way into the main rotation, played a good game in the spring game, but the coach went with his guys when it was time for camp and put me as scout team running back/ special teams practice guy when I played defense. I eventually graduated from UT and played my senior year at Southeastern University in Florida where I did not give up a catch in over 100 plays of man coverage. Last year, I was honored to play in Fan Controlled Football, a professional football league based in Atlanta, with all games playing on NBC tv, Peacock, Dazn, and Twitch.It was a lot of talent in the league. The majority of they guys had either NFL experience or high accolades in college. The league was really a blessing and fun (performances at half time by Dj drama, Steve Aoki, and more) and really gave me a chance to start my professional career and showcase my talents in front of millions. The reason I am big on giving back is because So many times, I have been discouraged in life, not just football or my brand, but my dad and other mentors were always there to bring me back into a positive mindset.
I bring this up because I had to really learn how to love myself unconditionally and not just put my worth in my achievements . People will always come around when the light is shining, but you have to put in the work when nobody is watching. At the end of the day, as long as you keep going and keep great people around you, the sky’s the limit! This is what my brand is about!
So many times, I have been discouraged in life, not just football or my brand, but my dad and other mentors were always there to keep me in a positive mindset.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I had visions for the clothing line but seeing it worn on some of the people involved just felt amazing and provided motivation to go even harder. Some of the influencers supporting the brand include (Carlos Santana – Major League Baseball All-star, Adolis Garcia- MLB all-star and 2021 American League rookie of the year (selected by the Sporting News), Kenny Harrison- Olympic Gold medalist, and so on (check instagram @i.e.thebrand or iethebrand.com)
As far as the charity. IE THE BRAND INC partners with after-school programs (including YMCAs and the Boys and Girls Club) to help kids (especially inner city kids), as well as universities throughout the country (to help walk on athletes like I once was). To help inner-city kids, we provide time (big brother/sister – positive role models), free training provided by high profile trainers, and gifts (food vouchers, new equipment, toys for the facility, clothes, and more). Inner-city kids are subject to higher rates of growing up in a single-parent household, poverty, gang-affiliated neighborhoods, and so on. We really want to help those living in these environments. For walk-on athletes, we provide assistance primarily financially.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Personally, I look to God, my parents, and a few mentors I consider to be family mainly because they have had my back during my high and low points. Outside of that just surround yourself with people who are doing what you are trying to eventually accomplish because they can help you along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: iethebrand.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/i.e.thebrand/
- Other: iethebrand.org
