Darren Woodson: NFL Legend

  • Highlights:
    • Culture
    • Empowerment
    • Teamwork
Reading time: 3 min
Reviews: (0 reviews)
  • Travels from: Dallas, TX
  • **Fee range: $35,001 - $50,000

Keynote Topics

Darren coaches others how to tackle the challenges of leadership, build a winning team, and compete to be the best. He inspires organizations to move beyond the mediocre and to create cultures of excellence by leaving them with the motivation to be a compelled leader.

In Real Estate spaces, he brings his current knowledge and investment of the subject and speaks directly to the challenges you may be facing. Especially in the, “New Normal.”

What are the cultural differences between mediocre teams and winning teams, whether they are in sports or business? In this speech, Darren Woodson (5 time Pro Bowl safety and 3 time NFL Super Bowl Champion with the Dallas Cowboys) describes what leaders must embrace in order to build a culture of excellence with their teams.

Learn how to embrace change, competition, and confrontation within your organization.

Cultures of excellence embrace:

  • (hard) change
  • (honest) confrontation
  • (healthy) competition
  • and… individuals with (heartfelt) character

A three-time Super Bowl champion and five-time Pro Bowl selection, Darren Woodson is often recognized as one of the greatest players to wear a Dallas Cowboys uniform.

A native of Phoenix, Woodson played football at Marvale High School as a running back and linebacker. He attended Arizona State University, where he was a converted linebacker for the Sun Devils and earned his Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies.

In the 1992 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected Darren Woodson in the second-round (37th overall). Throughout his 12 seasons (1992-2004) with the Cowboys, he earned a reputation as one of the hardest hitters and most ferocious safeties in the NFL.

Woodson retired in 2004 as the Cowboys’ All-Time Leading Tackler with 1,350 career stops and registering career totals of 11 sacks and 23 interceptions. Throughout Darren Woodson NFL career, his dependability, athleticism and aggressiveness helped lead the Cowboys to three Super Bowl Championships (Super Bowl XXVII, XXVIII and XXX) – securing him an elite position in the club’s history.

In 2015, Woodson was inducted into the prestigious Cowboys “Ring of Honor.” He was also named to the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame (2009) and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame (2017).

Upon retiring from the NFL, Woodson joined ESPN as an NFL analyst in 2005. He appeared on “NFL Live” and “SportsCenter” and also participated on the network’s coverage of the Super Bowl, NFL Draft and NFL training camp specials. After 14 years with the network and commuting weekly to Bristol, Connecticut, Woodson announced his retirement in 2019.

Transitioning from the NFL to a post-playing career is not easy for most athletes —but Woodson has found consistent success. In 2017, Woodson joined esrp and bridged his storied football career and entrepreneurial spirit with commercial real estate.

In May of 2022, esrp merged with Cresa, the world’s only global commercial real estate advisory firm that exclusively represents occupiers and specializes in the delivery of fully integrated real estate solutions operating from over 380 offices in 15 territories.

Darren Woodson offices at the Dallas Cowboy World Headquarters – The Star, Cresa’s primary office in the Dallas-Fort Worth region as a Managing Principal and is an active Board member where he is directly involved with the firm’s overall vision, growth, and strategy.

Darren Woodson focuses on locating, developing, and defining business relationships across a variety of industries and markets. He brings his innate leadership skills and passion for creating winning strategies to meet clients’ real estate needs, while delivering a high-level of service. Clients include NTT DATA, Argo Data, ExamSoft and MTX Group.

Beyond his remarkable talents and dedicated leadership, Woodson has made significant contributions to his community and is actively involved with organizations like: Make-A-Wish Foundation, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, C5 Foundation, My Possibilities, Interfaith Housing Coalition, Children’s Cancer Fund of Dallas, Happy Hill Farm Academy, Send a Kid to Camp, Salvation Army, Athletes in Action, DART Safety Team, and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Twitter

Darren Woodson

Videos

Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry

Speaker Contact Form

Enquiry Form

No reviews available for this post.

Was this profile helpful?

Talent FAQ's

Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.

Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.

The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.

Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.

Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.

  • Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
  • There is typically no difference in fee for a 15-minute speech versus a 60-minute speech.
  • Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
  • When browsing speakers, consider their location to keep travel costs down.
  • Personal connections to your organization or event location can increase your chances of securing a renowned speaker.
  • Be upfront about your needs and expectations to ensure a successful partnership.
  • Speaker bureaus like Speakers Inc help guide you through the booking process to negotiate the best deal with favorable terms.

Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!

View further speakers

  • (84)
Dr. Rebecca Heiss - Image 05 (January 23, 2026)

Dr. Rebecca Heiss is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, author, and expert in evolutionary biology who brings a fresh and dynamic perspective to leadership, communication, and workplace culture. With a background in research and a passion for making science accessible and applicable to everyone, Dr. Heiss is on a mission to empower organizations to thrive […]

  • Travels from: Greenville, SC
  • Workplace Wellness
  • (9)
Watchen Nyanue

Watchen Nyanue is a force to be reckoned with in the world of strategic marketing, business development, and professional speaking. Her journey from surviving the Liberian civil war to becoming the Founder and CEO of I Choose the Ladder is a testament to her resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Since immigrating to Chicago, […]

  • Travels from: Chicago, IL
  • Employee Engagement
  • (22)
Rachel Bogle

Rachel Bogle is a seasoned event emcee, award-winning journalist, and accomplished anchor with over a decade of experience captivating live audiences and television viewers alike. Her dynamic presence, polished delivery, and ability to adapt to any event atmosphere make her a top choice for high-profile corporate events, conferences, and live shows. With her background in […]

  • Travels from: Myrtle Beach, SC
  • Event Emcee
  • (25)
  • (2)
Jen Buck

Jen Buck is renowned for her dynamic presentations and profound impact. With a career spanning over two decades, she has earned accolades as an award-winning Keynote Speaker and distinguished author, leaving an indelible mark on audiences worldwide. Having delivered over 10,000 programs, Jen has touched the lives of more than a million individuals, inspiring and […]

  • Travels from: Phoenix, AZ
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (16)
  • (4)
Lt. Col. Waldo Waldman

Lt. Col. Waldo Waldman is known as the The Wingman and a Hall of Fame leadership speaker, executive coach, and author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller Never Fly Solo. He teaches organizations how to build trusting, revenue producing relationships with their employees, partners, and customers while sharing his experiences as a combat decorated F-16 […]

  • Travels from: Atlanta, GA
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (66)
Chef Stephanie Izard - Image 06 (January 20, 2026)

Chef Stephanie Izard is a culinary force to be reckoned with in the culinary world. With her innovative approach to cooking and an impressive list of accolades, she has earned a well-deserved reputation as a talented and influential chef. Her journey in the world of gastronomy has been marked by creativity, hard work, and a […]

  • Travels from: Chicago, IL
  • Chefs Speakers
  • (57)
Srinivas Rao

Srinivas Rao is a visionary in the realm of creativity and AI. As the host of the acclaimed podcast, The Unmistakable Creative, he’s interviewed over a thousand thought leaders, gleaning profound insights on creativity, innovation, and the transformative power of AI. His bestselling book, The Art of Being Unmistakable, has inspired thousands of readers to […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • (23)
  • (1)
April Hernandez Castillo

April Hernandez Castillo’s journey from aspiring actress to influential keynote speaker is a testament to her resilience, talent, and unwavering dedication. Her career took a defining turn with her breakthrough role as the “Yo girl” in the Visa Check Card commercial featuring Yao Ming and Yogi Berra. This moment marked the beginning of a remarkable […]

  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • GBV Speakers
Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2026.  Designed using Voxel

AI Assistant
Speakers Inc Logo 2024
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.