28 Ideas in 28 Days: Eugene Parker

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - As an NFL agent, Eugene Parker knows what it takes to be successful in a competitive industry.

Parker is one of the most respected sports agents around as reflected by his elite client list which includes Hall of Famers Rod Woodson, Deion Sanders and Emmitt Smith.  Parker currently represents around 40 NFL players.

When it comes to his livelihood, Eugene Parker has certainly heard the phrase "show me the money" before - and made it happen.  The popular line comes from the 1996 blockbuster hit Jerry Maguire highlighting the world of sports agency which revolves around money, but that's just one component - albeit a huge component - as to what Parker and other agents provide to their clients.

A graduate of Concordia High School, Parker had a lucrative basketball career at Purdue earning All-Big Ten honors twice before heading to Valparaiso where he would earn a law degree. 

Parker then started Maximum Sports Management 26 years ago building it into one of the most respected sports agencies.

A father of five, Parker understands what it takes to support a family - something many Americans are struggling with in this tough economy.

Parker says the debt crisis is one of the biggest problems that America is facing right now and it's something the country shouldn't expect to be fixed quickly since it took a while for the country to get in its current predicament.

Coming up Friday during First News, Megan Reust talks with Lutheran Health Network CEO Joe Dorko.