The end of a football career is simply the beginning of the rest of a player’s life. Here are some who are making the most of their time after the NFL.
Brendon Ayanbadejo
Brendon Ayanbadejo made the Pro Bowl and was a Super Bowl champion with the Baltimore Ravens. He is a major advocate for the LGBTQ community and its rights. Additionally, Ayanbadejo is an executive with Orangetheory Fitness.
Roger Staubach
Roger Staubach was an All-American in every way. He won the Heisman Trophy at Navy in 1963, served his country after graduating and then played for America’s Team as its star quarterback. After retirement, he went into real estate and headed up a massive firm.
Terry Crews
Terry Crews bounced around the NFL and NFL Europe from 1991-96. He has gone on to far greater success as an actor and also co-founded a design company.
Eddie George
Eddie George had a great career at Ohio State. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1995. George was the 14th overall pick by the then-Houston Oilers in 1996. He rushed for more than 10,000 career yards. George has been bitten by the acting bug, post-football, starring in a number of plays.
Carl Weathers
Carl Weathers had a short career with the Oakand Raiders, playing in eight games from 1970-71. He has become a prominent actor since leaving the gridiron. Weathers majored in theatre at San Diego State. He was Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” movies. He has been in a number of films, done commercials and appeared on TV shows.
Brian Orakpo and Michael Griffin
Brian Orakpo and Michael Griffin have traded gridiron dust for the dust created by flour while baking cupcakes. The pair are in a wonderful commercial currently promoting the Surface Pro and their cupcake shop near Austin, Texas. Sweet way to follow a football career.
Carl Banks
Carl Banks was a great linebacker for the New York Giants out of Michigan State. In addition to being an NFL analyst, he also heads up G-III Sports Apparel.
Eugene Profit
Eugene Profit went to Yale and played in the NFL from 1986-89. He was a cornerback for the Redskins. Profit went into investment management after his NFL career. He eventually started and heads up Profit Investment Management. The company manages multi-billions in assets, which means he had the perfect last name for the right industry.
Rick Mirer
Former Notre Dame quarterback Rick Mirer is in the winemaking business. His company is Mirror Wines. Mirer played for the Seahawks after being selected second overall in 1993. One stop in his career was with the Oakland Raiders. At that time he became interested in wine and the Napa Valley. He now is part of a team that runs a successful winery.
Bill Goldberg
Bill Goldberg was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams out of Georgia. He found most of his NFL success with the Atlanta Falcons. Goldberg has gone on to be a successful actor and, most notably, one of the biggest wrestling stars of past generations.
