Marco Coleman: Catching Up with Former Player Reps
Marco Coleman played 14 seasons in the league, as well as serving three years as a player rep. The defensive end was selected to the 2000 Pro Bowl while with the Redskins before he retired in 2005. We caught up with Coleman about his experiences while in the league, after retirement, and his family life.
Q: What is your current career?
A: Currently I work in the financial services industry. I am a partner and financial investment advisor with the firm Matador Financial LLC in Florida. The company is three years old, but I’ve been working in the financial services industry for six years.
Q: How would you describe your experience leaving the game?
A: I was fortunate, I played long enough that it was a decision I was able to make and I wasn’t forced or cut. I felt as through with same work I could have potentially played another year or two, but I didn’t pursue it.
Q: What do you believe the impact of the player reps during your era was?
A: Significant, I think. For instance, I’m working in the financial services industry and one of the things that I took part of is one of the current [programs] in place that vets the financial advisors that guys get involved with. It’s tough to eliminate all malpractice, but I think the passion of that program has been a benefit to many players. I’ve also benefited, and it has taken me into this specific industry.
Q: Leading to the next question, how has being a player rep benefited you today?
A: It was definitely an honor because you were voted by your teammates to represent your team so that in itself is humbling – that my teammates thought enough of me to send me out to speak on their behalf for things that were pretty significant off the field and on it. Then the actual experience, being able to have your voice heard and speaking for other players was, again, pretty impactful. I hadn’t been in that situation before or had that type of position, so I learned how to take information from a group of people and get their consensus and demand that some different things are heard on their behalf. It was a really good experience.
Q: What was your favorite meeting sight?
A: Hawaii was wonderful. It was the only sight I’ve been to as a rep
Q: Can you share a funny story of your time as a player rep?
A: [This story] doesn’t involve any of the reps, but my family who came with me on one of those meetings. There were stairs that had the long hand rails that went from the floor all the way up with bars in between. So my daughter decided to stick her head in between those rails. That was funny, trying to get her head out of the rails because it didn’t come out as easily as she put her head in. This was during the rep meetings in Hawaii.
Q: You mentioned you have children – what are their names and are they interested in sports?
A: I have three – Kabrione, Kenneth, and a younger daughter Kennedy. My oldest daughter is at Ohio University getting her masters in Sports Administration. My son plays football at Presbyterian College, and my youngest daughter is a volleyball and basketball player, and is going to try lacrosse.
Q: How has the leadership position of being a player rep helped you be a father?
A: All of life’s experiences help you prepare to be a father. All my children are three different types of things going on with each one. I would say the experience and communication, it was something I hadn’t done before – being in a position like that. I didn’t intentionally carry myself [in a way that] I would be a person that I would think my teammates would want to represent them, but they thought enough of me to vote me in, so how to handle that type of situation and take on responsibility. So yes, it has helped me, along with other things.
Q: What advice would you give to current players?
A: Enjoy their time and recognize that it was definitely earned, but it’s also a privilege. Recognize those that had to sacrifice a heck of a lot more than what their sacrificing in order for them to have the opportunities that they have right now. As they go through and those that are reps, recognize that they’ll be setting a legacy not necessarily for themselves but for players that come after them, and there’s a sacrifice and a duty that comes along with that like those that have done it before them.
Q: Have you taken advantage of any of the NFLPA transition services?
A: Yes, my last season was 2005, and in either 2006 or 2007 I participated in the NFLPA transition program at Georgia Tech. Also [through the Trust] where they reimburse because I’m studying for the Charter Financial Analyst designation so it’s an expensive deal to take the exam.