• Loading stock data...
Friday, October 10, 2025
One week until Asset Class at the NYSE Request to Attend

NFL Athletes Gain Valuable Experience Through NFLPA Career Development Programs

  • The NFLPA prepares players for life after football through work opportunities with a number of organizations.
  • Interested organizations can apply now to be considered for inclusion in the NFLPA’s Career Development Programs.

For some professional athletes, transitioning to life after their playing career can be difficult. 

Since 2014, the NFLPA has offered current NFL players the opportunity to gain valuable work experience with organizations like Fanatics, Fox Sports, The Players’ Tribune, United Way, and more through their career development programs. Partners offer a variety of opportunities from initial informational interviews to job shadows to the NFLPA Externship. Program options also include job fairs, fellowships and internships for transitioning and former players.  

“We want to set these up so that they are mutually beneficial exchanges,” Connor Ford, Player Manager at the NFLPA, told Front Office Sports. “It’s not just about players getting some experience in a certain industry. These men are highly talented, highly disciplined, have great ideas, and their work ethic is unparalleled. All those intangible, foundational skills are what employers will be looking for in new hires. On the other side, partners breathe life into new career options for these athletes.”

Recent notable experiences include Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Josh Dobbs, who earned a degree in aerospace engineering at Tennessee, completing an externship with NASA working at the Kennedy Space Center. New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis completed a few rounds of the program with United Way, contributing to their Character Playbook platform and overall athlete engagement. 

Dobbs, along with several other former externs, also spent time working with Fanatics to gain insight into how the apparel brand operates. Fanatics HR Manager Teige Horrigan commented on his experience supporting the program. 

“This program provides Fanatics with the opportunity to align players’ interests with their areas of expertise,” Horrigan said. “Over the past several years Fanatics has gone on to hire six former externs. “Many of their skills on the field transition extremely well to the corporate world. We’re always on the lookout to find the best match for everyone involved.”

Over the last six years, the NFLPA Externship specifically has helped 243 NFL athletes connect with 56 different organizations to develop off the field. The programs continue to grow each year as more players are focused on life outside of their sport and more organizations realize the value NFL athletes bring to the table. 

“Bringing in candidates who have demonstrated the ability to reach the top level of their sport carry with them numerous transferable skills that would make them successful in a lot of different areas of the professional world,” Ford said. “To have partners buy-in to provide space for them to realize those skills, put them to work, and set themselves up for future opportunities is a really exciting thing that again can lead to a win on both sides.”

Interested organizations can apply now to be considered for inclusion in the NFLPA’s Career Development Programs. To be considered for inclusion in the 2021 NFLPA Externship specifically, applications must be submitted by July 31st.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) throws as quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) looks on during rookie minicamp May 9, 2025, in Berea.

Browns Paying $41.6M to 8 QBs, but Only 2 Are on Their..

Cleveland traded Joe Flacco to the Bengals this week.
Netflix

Netflix Claims Bigger NFL Package ‘Doesn’t Really Fit’ Sports Strategy

Roger Goodell has signaled media-rights conversations could restart next year.

NFL Viewership Reaches Highest Level Since 2010, Up 8% from 2024

Through Week 5, the league’s audience levels are at a 15-year high.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Nov 28, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Michael McLeod (20) celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit:

Hockey Canada Trial’s Michael McLeod Signs Outside NHL

Fans in Carolina protested the team’s interest in the Hockey Canada 5.
Napheesa Collier
October 5, 2025

WNBA Tensions Heat Up With Canceled Collier–Engelbert Meeting

The commissioner denied Collier’s version of events at a press conference Friday.
Bucks
October 7, 2025

Bucks Reportedly Discussed Giannis Deal With Knicks This Summer

Antetokounmpo’s future will be a major NBA storyline this year.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Caitlin Clark
October 3, 2025

Cathy Engelbert Denies Saying Caitlin Clark Should Be ‘Grateful’ For WNBA

“Obviously I did not make those comments.”
Caitlin Clark
exclusive
October 2, 2025

Caitlin Clark Will Not Join Second Season of Unrivaled

The Fever star struggled with several injuries in her second WNBA season.
Caitlin Clark
October 2, 2025

Caitlin Clark Backs Napheesa Collier in Fight With WNBA

Clark had her exit interview on Thursday after an injury-riddled season. 
Kuminga
October 1, 2025

With Kuminga Deal, Steve Kerr Now Warriors’ Biggest Looming Free Agent

Kuminga finally agreed to a new deal with the Warriors on Tuesday.