Catching Up with Former Player Rep: Jordan Senn
We had the opportunity to interview former NFLPA Player Representative, Jordan Senn. Jordan played for the Indianapolis Colts and the Carolina Panthers. We talked about his time as a Player Rep, the skills that he learned along the way and what he is up to now in his career.
What is your current career?
I am an Emergency Medicine Resident at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) where I am training to become an ER doctor. This wasn’t always a goal of mine, but I always enjoyed health and understanding human body. After I was done playing, I went to medical school and now I am currently a D.O. at OHSU.
What was it like being an NFL Player Rep?
I enjoyed it. I liked getting information and transferring that information down to someone else in a more concise fashion. Also learning about the benefits and the tools that we had at our disposal and how I can take them and help other players utilize and get those benefits.
What was it like leaving the game of football?
I would say that was an extremely challenging time in my life. Football is your life and even if you don’t realize how much of your life it is, it’s tough to find something else. Once it is removed from you, you feel a little bit of a loss. Somebody once said to me that “they feel like a ghost of themselves.” That may seem dramatic, but it is pretty accurate. It was definitely a challenging time for me, but I am lucky to have a strong family support system. Everybody believed in me, encouraged me, and I was able to get through it.
What was the most fulfilling moment you had in the NFL?
It’s hard to say any one real moment. When we won the division when I was with the Panthers, that was pretty exciting. What I really think about when I look back on my playing days is the brotherhood aspect that comes with football. Laughing with the team, having fun, and working hard for a common goal. When you’re working hard together, it’s very easy to make friendships. Having the opportunity to meet people from different areas, all walks of life, you make friendships that last a lifetime. That’s what I really remember the most.
Have you taken what you learned as an NFL Player Rep to your career today?
If you’re a leader, you will continue to be a leader wherever you may go. I encourage other people to keep pushing themselves and keep on the path. In terms of skills learned, learning to gather information and break it down for someone else to digest. For medicine, that’s what I am doing. I’m gathering up a lot of information and trying to make it as concise as possible and transferring that to my colleagues and patients that I am helping out.
What else do you have going on?
Right now, it’s pretty much OHSU. I am all in and I don’t try to juggle too many things at once. I have two sons and my wife. We are now living back home so I get to see a lot of family. Overall, just being able to enjoy more time with extended family while learning medicine.
What advice would you give to players who are contemplating retirement?
It doesn’t have to be something that you dream of doing, it’s what you make of it. It’s how you go about it and your attitude towards it, is what makes it fulfilling for you. Before, when you were an athlete, you never had to really make a career altering decision. Knowing that you can always redirect and readjust is something to keep in mind. You can always control your attitude in the present.
Do you have any other hobbies?
I used to live in Hawaii, so I was surfing with my son a lot. My kids go mountain biking and we’ve been going to some skill courses. I also try to go camping with my sons as much as possible.