Wayne Messam

Wayne Messam – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the life and journey of Wayne Messam — former American football athlete, entrepreneur, and politician. Dive into Wayne Messam’s biography, achievements, and memorable quotes on leadership and public service.

Introduction

Wayne Martin Messam (born June 7, 1974) is an American former football athlete, successful businessman, and political leader. Although not widely known primarily for athletics in his adult years, he played college football at a high level and later transitioned into business and public service. He serves as the Mayor of Miramar, Florida, and once mounted a long-shot run for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. His life illustrates a shift from sports to entrepreneurship and civic leadership, undergirded by perseverance, discipline, and service.

Early Life and Family

Wayne Messam was born on June 7, 1974, in South Bay, Florida, as Wayne Martin Messam. He is a first-generation American, born to Jamaican immigrant parents: his father, Hubert Messam, and his mother, Delsey Messam.

His father worked in sugarcane fields in South Florida's Glades region before the family settled more permanently. Wayne was one of multiple children and was the first in his family born in the United States.

Growing up in South Bay and Belle Glade (Florida’s agricultural “Glades” region), he experienced a rural environment and witnessed firsthand the challenges many migrant and farmworker families face.

From a young age, he showed athletic promise and leadership — traits that would accompany him into adulthood.

Youth, Education & Athletic Career

High School & Rise as an Athlete

Messam attended Glades Central High School in Belle Glade, Florida. He was active in athletics and academics; his performance in high school earned him a full scholarship to Florida State University (FSU).

College – Florida State University

At FSU, Messam played wide receiver for the Florida State Seminoles from 1993 through 1996. He was part of the 1993 team that won the NCAA national championship under legendary coach Bobby Bowden.

In his college football career, he recorded 62 receptions for 793 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also competed in the 55-meter hurdles at the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) indoor championships in 1993.

In 1996, the FSU Black Alumni Association honored him as “Student of the Year” for his outstanding achievements as a student-athlete.

He graduated from FSU in 1997 with a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems.

Attempted Professional Football

After college, Messam went undrafted in the 1997 NFL Draft. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals, but was released on August 4, 1997, before the regular season.

Though his professional football career was brief and did not flourish, the discipline, resilience, and visibility he gained in athletics set the stage for future roles.

Business & Political Career

Entrepreneurship & Construction Business

After his athletic chapter, Wayne and his wife, Angela Messam, co-founded Messam Construction, a general contracting firm. Angela is also a licensed general contractor and LEED-accredited, and together they built the business to undertake projects in education, healthcare, aviation, and infrastructure across Florida.

Wayne holds credentials as a licensed general contractor and is LEED-accredited (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

Entry into Local Government

In 2011, Messam entered public service by being elected to the Miramar City Commission (4th district). Then in 2015, he ran for mayor and defeated incumbent Lori Cohen Moseley, becoming the 10th Mayor of Miramar, Florida. He was re-elected in 2019.

Under his leadership, Miramar saw infrastructure growth, investment in community projects, and strategic development in housing and public amenities.

He has held leadership roles beyond his city, including serving as President-Elect of the Florida League of Mayors, National Trustee of the African-American Mayors Association, and past President of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials.

Presidential Campaign (2020)

On March 28, 2019, Wayne Messam formally launched a bid for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. However, his campaign struggled to gain traction, especially in fundraising and debate qualifications. On November 20, 2019, he suspended his presidential campaign.

While his presidential run was short-lived, it reflected his ambition to scale his public service beyond municipal boundaries.

Legacy and Influence

Wayne Messam’s journey spans sports, business, and politics — making his legacy multifaceted:

• Bridging athletics and public service: His transition from college athlete to public official underscores how sports can build leadership and resilience for civic roles.

• Empowering immigrant roots: As a first-generation American whose parents immigrated from Jamaica, his achievements serve as a beacon for children of immigrants and underrepresented communities.

• Local to national ambition: His presidential bid, though unsuccessful, signaled that municipal leaders can aspire to national platforms.

• Community development: In Miramar, his leadership contributed to infrastructure, housing, and growth, shaping a city recognized for its economic dynamism.

• Business-leadership synergy: His dual role as entrepreneur and public servant shows how private sector experience can inform policymaking and community investment.

While his name may not be synonymous with lasting fame, in his sphere — especially in South Florida — his influence continues to be felt in governance, infrastructure, and representation.

Personality and Talents

From descriptions and reports, here’s how Wayne Messam is often characterized:

• Resilient and gritty: He persevered through setbacks in professional sports and political challenges.

• Service-oriented: He frequently speaks of giving back and uplifting his community.

• Disciplined and strategic: His athletic training and business acumen suggest strong planning, consistency, and long-term thinking.

• Ambitious & visionary: Willing to take risks (e.g. presidential run) and project beyond local boundaries.

• Collaborative & growth-minded: His roles in mayoral associations and civic networks indicate a willingness to work across municipalities and learn from peers.

His talents lie in leadership, project execution, community building, communication, and balancing multiple roles (public office, business, family).

Notable Quotes by Wayne Messam

Wayne Messam does not have a large catalog of widely circulated quotations in the way public intellectuals or authors do. But a few attributed remarks capture his philosophy:

“Winning was a priority, but [Coach Bowden] really cared about the well-being of his players; he wanted us to go through the full college experience and be successful after football.”

“I owe my current life as a successful business owner, a successful mayor, a successful family man to football. It provided an opportunity for me to get an education, … the sport provided me amazing experiences.”

During his campaign, he emphasized the importance of “all options remaining on the table”, reflecting his openness to various paths and ambition.

While not many quotable lines are catalogued, these reveal his mindset around mentorship, gratitude, ambition, and the intertwining of athletics and life.

Lessons from Wayne Messam

From his life and career, several lessons emerge:

1. Leverage foundation roles for later impact
   Even though his professional sports career didn’t last, the discipline and visibility from athletics aided his business and political credibility.

2. Don’t underestimate local leadership
   Starting at the city level (commission, mayor) can be a powerful vehicle for real change, infrastructure development, and scaling influence.

3. Bridge public service and business
   Success in both sectors can cross-fertilize — operational rigor from business can inform governance, and community insights can ground corporate vision.

4. Dream big, but be realistic
   His presidential bid shows the value of aiming high — even if success isn’t immediate, the effort can elevate one's visibility and sharpen priorities.

5. Honor your roots
   His immigrant background, life in the Glades, and commitment to underserved communities remain central to his narrative and drive.

6. Adapt and pivot
   Transitioning across domains (sports → business → politics) demands flexibility, learning, and courage to re-imagine your identity.

Conclusion

Wayne Messam’s journey may not be that of a long-tenured athlete or a nationally famous politician, but it is a layered and inspiring narrative of adaptation, service, and ambition. From a scholarship athlete to business owner and elected official, he embodies how one can channel early passions into broader societal impact.

His life invites us to ask: How can the disciplines we build early on serve us later? How far can local leadership reach? Which bets are worth placing, even when odds look long?