Protecting Your Digital Footprint: A Playbook for Athletes
By Judy Selby | Founder, KNKRSM – How Champions Conquer Their Digital Edge

Social media can be one of your biggest strengths. It helps you connect with fans, build your brand, and even create new business opportunities. At the same time, what you share online can put you at risk if you are not careful.

Your digital footprint is every post, photo, video, and comment you leave behind. For athletes, that footprint can reveal far more than you ever intended.

Why You Should Care

You are a public figure, which makes you a bigger target for hackers, scammers, and people who may want to take advantage of your success. A single post can give away details about your location, your schedule, or even your family. Once that information is out, you can’t take it back.

Common Risks for Athletes

• Location Tracking: Real-time posts make it easy for people to know where you are and when.

• Family Safety: Photos and videos can reveal schools, neighborhoods, or daily routines.

• Identity Theft: Small details like addresses, birthdays, or documents in the background of a post can be enough for fraud.

• Competitive Advantage: Opponents, scouts, or media can read into your training, injuries, or even your mindset based on what you share.

Simple Moves to Stay Safer Online

1. Post Later, Not Live: Share content after you leave a place.

2. Double-Check Your Photos: Before posting, ask yourself: what could a stranger learn from this picture?

3. Turn Off Location Services: Make sure your phone is not tagging your posts with GPS data.

4. Separate Audiences: Use a private account for close friends and family. Keep your public account focused on your brand.

5. Get Help Monitoring: Consider using a service or team member who can watch for fake accounts or personal data leaks.

The Bottom Line: Digital Security Is Performance Protection

Protecting your privacy online is part of protecting your career. Think of it as another form of training. Just like you work on your physical skills every day, you should also practice smart digital habits. A few small changes can make a big difference for your safety, your family, and your future opportunities.

If you’re an NFL player, coach, agent, or team executive, let’s talk. [email protected]
The threats are real — but so are the tools to stop them.

Let KNKR helps you maintain your digital edge.

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