My love affair with the NFL began when I was just a kid. I can still remember how excited I was when my dad took me to my first game when I was nine. It was a chance to escape to a world of excitement and lively fun, and I had no idea of the incredible array of jobs that went hand-in-hand with the NFL experience.
Growing up, I dreamt of one day having an NFL job. I held onto that dream faithfully, never letting go; it was the one thing that got me through some tough times. I studied how every inch of the game was run, from the individual players to the coaches, the team doctors, the cheerleaders, the announcers, and even the mascots. Nothing seemed to go unnoticed by me.
The more I saw, the more amazed I was at the sheer number of people working behind the scenes that kept the NFL moving. The level of expertise necessary in all of these different jobs was impressive, and it was easy to realize that everyone had something invaluable to add to the success of the league.
Nearing the end of my high school years, I began to look into how I could actually make my dream job come true; I wanted to get my foot into the door of the NFL. Like everyone else, I started at the bottom, interning regularly and trying to build up a good portfolio. I soon realized that having a degree in sports management was a huge advantage too, as I could start being interviewed for the jobs that I wanted.
Fortunately, I was able to secure a job with the NFL, and have been working for the past five years. It has been an incredible journey, as each day allows me to learn something new. The different facets of the job fascinate me, ranging from the tactics of the game to the business aspects.
My role also allows me to travel extensively, which is one of my all-time favorite activities. I get to represent the league, to meet the different sets of people, create partnerships and new initiatives, and discover more aspects of the game. I wouldn’t change the experience for the world.
I started my own project which is positioned as an exclusive NFL recruitment agency. This means that I work for companies and teams looking to hire the right kind of talent to further their objectives. I use my knowledge of the sport to match the right people with the teams based on their skills, talent and passion. This is one of the most privileged roles of all because it allows me to be a matchmaker between teams and potential new staff members.
I can understand why someone would be hesitant about jumping into a football career with no prior experience. Yet, I highly recommend it for anyone who loves the sport and is passionate about a successful career in the same. It’s given me a lot of job satisfaction, and by exploring the job opportunities available, you could make your dreams come true too!
The opportunities available in the NFL don’t stop at coaching or managing teams. There are a host of other career paths for those wishing to pursue an NFL career, such as being a team doctor, nutritionist, psychotherapist, mechanic, or marketing and public relations executive. I’ve been lucky enough to experience all these roles first hand and I’ve learnt so much in the process.
There are a few pointers that I’d like to share with those interested in pursuing an NFL job. Firstly, you need to have a specialized education and accreditation that certifies you for the job. Secondly, experience in any related fields like sports management or journalism can also be an advantage. Most importantly, I feel that potential employers want to see someone who is passionate, highly motivated and disciplined about their target job.
Likewise, I feel that even if one doesn’t get hired straight away, there are so many ways to get involved in the world of the NFL. Volunteering with various leagues, taking part-time jobs assisting coaches and health therapists, and even helping out with teams have all been useful strategies that I’ve used. Who knows, they could also be your ticket to success in this industry!