• Loading stock data...
Sunday, July 13, 2025

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

NFL

30 NFL Second-Rounders Still Unsigned With Camps Set to Open

Saturday is the earliest rookie report date for training camp.

Najee Harris Contract Situation Unclear Following Fireworks Injury

The running back signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract with the Chargers in March.
Jeff Kaplan

Letting PE Invest in Family-Owned Teams Is a ‘Watershed’

Liquidity gives owners greater flexibility to manage salary cap.

NFL Likely to Stay With CBS, Targeting Mass Renegotiation in 2029

The league instead looks toward a broader set of contract opt-outs.

Featured Today

May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
Sinner
July 11, 2025

ESPN Gets Dream Alcaraz-Sinner Rematch in Wimbledon Final

The pair have won the last six men’s majors.
July 12, 2025

Misiorowski’s Path From Anonymous to MLB All-Star In 5 Games

The Brewers flamethrower has just five games of major-league experience.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Apr 9, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Katie Taylor (left) and Amanda Serrano (right) pose in front of Jake Paul during a press conference ahead of their boxing match at Madison Square Garden.
July 11, 2025

Serrano vs. Taylor 3 Set to Be Biggest Women’s Boxing Match in..

“I’m just sick of the whining and complaining from your team.”
Jul 10, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter of their game at Thomas & Mack Center.
July 11, 2025

Cooper Flagg Makes Mavericks, New Balance Debut in Win Over Bronny

Thursday marked Flagg’s first game donning New Balance shoes.
July 10, 2025

Jalen Williams Signs Max Deal As Thunder Commit $822M to 3 Stars

Oklahoma City also extended Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren.
Hall of Fame Open at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport.
July 10, 2025

Andy Roddick Slams Billionaire Bill Ackman’s Pro Tennis Gambit

“This was the biggest joke I’ve ever watched in professional tennis.”