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Opendorse was named to Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list for 2026.
Pretty surreal to see our name on a list alongside companies like Google, NVIDIA, Adidas, Nintendo, and Airbnb.
Blake Lawrence
20.8K posts
Blake Lawrence
@Blake_Lawrence
@Opendorse Co-Founder - Helping athletes, athletic departments, and advertisers navigate the multi-billion dollar NIL industry. Follow for insights and doodles.
- I walked into Coach Leach’s office in the summer of 2006 expecting to hear a pitch about why I should play linebacker at Texas Tech. That is not what happened. Instead, I got to experience the magical mind of Mike Leach. It was unforgettable. 🧵
- Replying to @Blake_LawrenceI’m not sure how many times he did that card trick throughout his career — but it stuck with me. I’ve been trying to figure out how he pulled it off. Finally I think I figured it out. Mike Leach was a magician. He brought magic to our world. He will be forever missed. 12/12
- Replying to @Blake_LawrenceI ended up committing to Nebraska — and Coach Leach sent me congratulations. That says something about the man. He was a goof. But the best kind of goof. He was authentic. He was entertaining. I have always admired him. 11/12
- Replying to @Blake_LawrenceLeach flipped over the first pile. All the cards were red. Whoa. He flipped over the second pile. All the cards were black. My jaw dropped. How in the world? How did he do that? I looked up. We locked eyes. Leach said with confidence: “Ready to be a Red Raider?” 9/12
- Replying to @Blake_LawrenceI was flabbergasted. I didn’t commit on the spot — but Coach Leach had me hooked on the idea of playing for him. We spent more time talking about life (and KC BBQ) than about football. Leach made me feel like an old friend — not a recruit. I liked that. 10/12
- Ndamukong Suh was unstoppable in college. Literally. At practice, we had to make up rules that stopped Suh from making every tackle. So that the rest of the team could actually practice. It was wild. #Huskers ⬇️
00:00 - Trey Palmer is the best talent Nebraska has had at WR in a decade. So fun to watch.
- Every Husker you have ever cheered for — in ANY sport — respects this man. And he knows them personally. And helped them graduate. And helped them grow. Dennis is an incredible fit for the interim athletic director role. Well done.University of Nebraska Interim President Chris Kabourek announced today that he has appointed Dennis Leblanc, Executive Associate AD for Academics, to serve as Interim Athletic Director. #GBR | nebraska.edu/news-and-event…
- Replying to @Blake_Lawrence“Ride my bike?!” Leach replied, looking confused. “…there’s a bike on your ceiling” I said. Leach slowly tilted his head back, squinting at the object hanging 2 feet from his head. “Oh-that? Nope, don’t ride it. I just think it looks cool… …want to see a magic trick?” 5/12
- Replying to @Blake_LawrenceI was one of the top prospects in the 2007 recruiting class, and Texas Tech made my shortlist of places to visit in the summer of ‘06. I’d had a couple calls with Coach Leach — they were quick and quirky. So I didn’t know what was going to happen when I landed in Lubbock. 2/12
- Replying to @Blake_Lawrence“A magic trick?” I confusingly replied (still baffled by the bike-on-ceiling comment) “Yes. A magic trick. But YOU, Blake, are the magician. If you get it right, you have to commit to Texas Tech,” Leach said. “Uhhh…” “You probably won’t get it right” Leach challenged. 6/12
- This is HUGE for the Huskers. Ekeler is the most influential coach from my sports career and an incredible relationship builder and recruiter. Welcome home, Ek!!! #HuskersNebraska is hiring Mike Ekeler, the Nebraska native and former Tennessee, Georgia, USC, Kansas, North Carolina and Nebraska assistant, as its special teams coordinator. Confirmed by a source. First reported by On3. One thing is certain: Ekeler will bring energy to the special
- Replying to @Blake_LawrenceAfter getting a tour of the facilities, it was time to meet the head coach. I was ushered into an expansive office, with a big desk towards the back wall. Coach Leach sat with his hands flat on top of the desk. There was a bicycle hanging from the ceiling above him. 3/12
