From the Playing Field to the Boardroom

Original Article: D Magazine - December 04, 2025

The athlete mindset doesn’t retire. It evolves.

D CEO recently highlighted the growing number of professional athletes turning their competitive drive into successful businesses — including Crux Capital’s partnership with Garrett Mills, former NFL tight end and CEO of Crux portfolio company Uncommon Brands.

Mills first connected with Crux Capital after pitching an idea to acquire Sonic Drive-Ins. The idea wasn’t the right fit, but Wayne Moore saw something in Mills — his work ethic, leadership, discipline, and track record of success.

As Moore put it: “We don’t like this Sonic idea, but we love you.”

That conviction led to Mills joining Crux Capital and taking the helm of Uncommon Brands, which oversees Fuego Tortilla Grill and The Rice Box.

For Crux, the partnership reflects a core belief: great businesses start with great people. Experience, resilience, and the drive to compete can be powerful advantages when paired with the right strategy, team, and capital.

Read the full story in D CEO’s The Professional Athlete’s Playbook for Entrepreneurship.