NFLPA Externship Kicks Off Third Year With Record Participants

NFLPA EXTERNSHIP KICKS OFF THIRD YEAR WITH RECORD PARTICIPANTS
26 players begin three-week program designed to give them experience for life after football

WASHINGTON – The third annual NFLPA Externship is officially underway, with 26 NFL players starting positions with 10 different outstanding organizations today.

The unique opportunity is the most comprehensive program available specifically to professional athletes, as current and transitioning players seek to gain comprehensive experience in areas they may want to pursue after football. Interested players applied online during the regular season and were matched with companies and industries that best fit their interests.

For three weeks during the offseason, externs will spend time with various organizations that are committed to providing insight on their respective industries, assigning real-world projects, and offering feedback to the externs on what would make them more marketable.

“Many players have been successful in football due to a linear focus on their athletic endeavors,” said Leslie Satchell, NFLPA senior manager of player affairs and development and NFLPA Externship supervisor. “But the NFLPA recognizes the importance of taking time out to build professional relationships and experiences outside of football. We know it can be overwhelming to prepare for life after football, so that’s where we step in. We’ve recruited some of the best organizations to host our player externs, and they are fully committed to immersing participants in the business world.”

The program, run through the NFLPA Player Affairs and Development Department, is designed to assist players in realizing their potential and value beyond football. The group runs several post-career programs centered on this theme of helping players, both active and transitioning, discover what their “More Than” is.

In most cases, player participants commit to three weeks away from their families and hometowns, which is a significant sacrifice during the offseason. However, multiple players are back for their second or third externship experience.

“The NFLPA Externship gives players a great opportunity not only to network but to learn about business and life outside of football,” said Pittsburgh Steelers safety Will Allen. Allen is returning for his second year with the program.

“It exposes us to a new arena that we wouldn’t otherwise have,” Allen continued. “You get to bond with guys from other teams and meet interesting people that are doing wonderful things in business. It makes it worth it missing those three weeks away from your family and friends.”

The 2016 host companies are: Arizona State University Athletic Department, Capitol Hill offices of Congressman Bobby Rush and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Comcast SportsNet, Events DC, Fanatics, Marriott International, Panini, Under Armour and University of Maryland Athletic Department. The NFLPA and The Trust will also welcome one extern each. A full list of player participants can be found below.

The companies’ playbooks for the three-week externship cover topics such as market data analysis, hospitality, communications, health and safety innovation, sales, legislative processes, and networking. The NFLPA will also host local externs for a day of professional development, including an address by Executive Director DeMaurice Smith and advice for successful job interviewing and crafting résumés.

The program runs through March 4. For more information visit nflpa.com and follow #NFLPAExternship and the NFLPA on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+.

Full list of 2016 NFLPA Externs and Host Companies:

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