LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL
The NFL also develops business-ready professionals through its Player Development Program
Twelve-year NFL veteran Marcus Robertson served as an NFL player representative for six years during his career.
While he focused on representing his team within the players association, Robertson also used the experience to prepare himself for life after football.
"For me the [NFL] was more than just playing football," Robertson said. "It was about preparing myself for the rest of my life."
Being a player rep helped Robertson understand the business aspect of football. Robertson is now the Tennessee Titans' Director of Player Development and educates current players through the NFL Player Development Program. The program challenges players to be lifelong learners while pursuing continuous improvement in family relations, social interactions, personal growth, and career development during and beyond their careers as NFL players.
"It's about putting yourself in a good situation when you're finished with football," said Robertson, who retired following the 2002 season. "Every time you step on the field it could be your last, so you need to be prepared."
Established in 1991, more than 8,200 players and their families have participated in the program. The program features three main parts: continuing education, career internship and family assistance. With each team tailoring its program to best serve its players, Robertson said there is something each player can gain from the program.
"It depends on each player's education and interest," Robertson said. "It's the job of the player development director to obtain and identify internships in that city or create an internship in that community to help a player prepare for life after football."
"Even if you play twelve years in the NFL, you still have the rest of your life in front of you. So, you need to financially prepare for that and this program helps you accomplish that."
According to Robertson, if a player has not completed his degree requirements, the initial focus is to enroll in the Continuing Education Program. The player development director works with the player's original college or university to develop a plan that allows him to return to school in his franchise city, at his original institution, or at an institution near his off-season home. This program also helps players obtain graduate degrees.
"The players who take the time to finish their degree are preparing themselves for a bright future," Robertson said.
After earning degrees, players become active in business through the Career Internship Program, which gives players an opportunity to gain work experience with companies and organizations throughout the country. Players have experienced careers such as financial management, broadcasting, hotel/restaurant management, and in NFL Europe administration.
Finally, the Financial Education Program helps players become more financially prudent. Its elements consist of financial education seminars that are managed by a national financial education consultant, and a playbook for new draftees that addresses the importance of financial management.
"Players come in as rookies and are steered toward agents and financial advisors; they haven't had the opportunity to development many financial skills," Robertson said. "We give them that opportunity. We're educating guys starting with how to read a check, a pay stub. [We're teaching] the value of money. What is a million dollars? Players need to know [after taxes and agent fees] it's not exactly a million dollars."
"I've seen players play one year and get hurt, I've seen first round draft picks go broke, and I've seen players play 10 years, yet, [they] don't have any money," continued Robertson.
With the average career length in the NFL less than four years, Robertson said it is essential that players participate in the program and gain experience before trying to join the work force.
"The program is set up for players to succeed after football," he said. "It shows that the NFL cares about the success of its players."
Reprinted by permission of USA Football.