Warren Buffett’s 2 Success Lessons Ndamukong Suh Still Follows

Rich & Famous September 12, 2026

Ndamukong Suh learned about success from one of the most respected investors in the world. More than 15 years ago, while still a college student, Suh arrived two to three hours early for his first meeting with Warren Buffett. He wanted to make sure there was no chance of arriving late.

The extra wait turned into a meeting that lasted for hours. Suh and Buffett connected during their conversation, and Buffett eventually agreed to become his mentor. Years later, Suh says two lessons from that relationship still shape how he approaches money, business, and personal success: patience and choosing quality people.

Buffett’s Advice on Patience

Buffett taught Suh plenty about stocks and how to assess companies. Still, one broader lesson surprised the former NFL player.

“Great things come to you with patience,” Buffett told him, according to Suh.

Instagram | @ndamukongsuh | Warren Buffett’s mentorship taught Suh that patience and quality people drive long-term success.

For Suh, patience means giving an idea enough time to develop instead of chasing quick results. He learned that lesson through experience, including some investments that did not work out.

Suh recalled putting a significant amount of money into a media concept similar to LeBron James’ “Uninterrupted.” The venture eventually failed. According to Suh, the timing, infrastructure, and people involved were not right.

The experience reinforced Buffett’s point. Moving quickly does not always produce better results. In some cases, waiting for the right conditions can protect an investment from unnecessary risk.

Choosing the Right People

Buffett’s second lesson focused on relationships. Suh said the billionaire investor stressed the importance of finding quality people and staying close to them.

“If you can learn to have patience and stick to quality people and identifying that, those two things will serve you right,” Suh said, recalling Buffett’s advice.

That principle has influenced more than Suh’s investment decisions. He believes a strong mentor should genuinely want to see someone succeed without expecting something in return.

Suh found that quality relationship in Buffett. Their connection continued long after their first meeting. During NFL offseasons, Suh spent time with Buffett and also spoke with him by phone. These days, the two try to catch up about once a quarter.

Suh’s NFL Career and Investments

Ndamukong Suh shares financial education lessons

Instagram | @ndamukongsuh | Suh played 13 seasons as a premier NFL defensive lineman for five teams, winning a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay in 2021.

Suh spent 13 years in the NFL and became one of the league’s dominant defensive linemen. He played for five teams and finished his career with a Super Bowl victory alongside the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021.

His career earnings also gave him an opportunity to build a broad investment portfolio. His interests have included real estate, private equity, venture capital, and hospitality businesses. In 2021, Forbes described Suh as building an “investment empire.”

Rather than leaving every financial decision to advisers, Suh took time to understand his own finances. He went through several financial advisers before finding a group he trusted. He also read books and studied financial topics so he could take an active role in important discussions.

“I’m not passive,” Suh said.

That approach closely reflects the two lessons he learned from Buffett. Patience helps him assess opportunities, while careful attention to people helps him decide who should be involved.

Sharing Lessons on Wealth

Suh now discusses money, business, and long-term wealth through his podcast, “No Free Lunch.” The show features athletes, experts, and business leaders who discuss their experiences and the ideas shaping the sports business.

For Suh, the goal is tied to a broader interest in helping others learn from successful people and their decisions. His experience with Buffett remains a major influence, especially when it comes to making thoughtful choices rather than chasing immediate results.

More than a decade after Buffett became his mentor, Suh continues to apply the same two principles: be patient and choose people carefully. His NFL career, investment experience, and financial education have given those lessons practical meaning.

Suh’s experiences also show why understanding money matters. Professional success can create opportunities, but thoughtful decisions, trusted relationships, and the willingness to learn can shape what happens next.