We’ve all heard about the struggles of former NFL players to keep their money once their playing careers are over. Playing days don’t last very long, and quite often former players found themselves in dire financial straits rather quickly. Former Notre Dame star, Cleveland Browns bust and current Denver Broncos third-stringer Brady Quinn leads a group of proactive players who are doing something to stop this trend.
Quinn, along with Byron Leftwich, John Beck, Charlie Batch, and Bruce Gradkowski are among the 66 players who have enrolled in the NFL Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program at Harvard Business School and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Since the program’s inception in 2005, more than 700 players have participated.
“We are excited to continue this program which has been beneficial to so many of our players,” said NFL Vice President of Player Engagement Troy Vincent, who has attended each of the business management programs.
“Over the years, the Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program has assisted players — myself included — and their families in making smarter business decisions while inspiring others to go back to school for an MBA.”
Taught by full-time Harvard Business School faculty members, the customized five-day program at HBS aims to help participants learn to develop a business idea or plan in such areas as investments, real estate, and retailing.
Players complete an application process in order to attend the NFL Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program. Enrollment criteria includes level of education; professional business experience; interest in starting, owning, or managing a business; and leadership and community involvement.
Following are the NFL players enrolled in the workshop at the Harvard Business School (most recent team listed in parentheses if player is a free agent):
Player | Team | Player | Team | |
Billy Bajema | STL | Byron Leftwich | PIT | |
Ryan Baker | MIA | Ryan Lilja | KC | |
Josh Barrett | NE | Ruvell Martin | BUF | |
Ronald Bartell | STL | Chris Massey | CHI | |
John Beck | WAS | Richmond McGee | CLE | |
Kevin Bentley | IND | William Montgomery | WAS | |
Tom Brandstater | STL | Kirk Morrison | BUF | |
James Butler | STL | Jesse Nading | HOU | |
Luis Castillo | Free Agent (SD) | David Nixon | STL | |
Jed Collins | NO | Nick Novak | SD | |
Craig Dahl | STL | Ogemdi Nwagbuo | CAR | |
Moise Fokou | PHI | J.T. O’Sullivan | Free Agent (OAK) | |
J.P. Foschi | Former (OAK, KC, CIN) | Brady Quinn | DEN | |
George Foster | Former (DEN, DET) | Robert Reynolds | Former (TEN) | |
Chris Gronkowski | IND | Blair White | IND | |
Bruce Gradkowski | CIN | Gerris Wilkinson | Former (NYG) | |
Russ Hochstein | DEN | Sam Young | BUF | |
Richie Incognito | MIA | Michael Young | Former (ARZ) | |
Brandon Johnson | CIN |
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Following are the NFL players enrolled in the workshop at the Kellogg School of Management of Northwestern University (most recent team listed in parentheses if player is a free agent):
Player | Team | Player | Team | |
Lorenzo Alexander | WAS | Corey Mays | Free Agent (KC) | |
Charlie Batch | PIT | Mike McKenzie | Former (NO) | |
Justin Blalock | ATL | Mike Montgomery | Former (GB) | |
Tim Bulman | HOU | Craig Nall | Former (GB) | |
Thomas Clayton | CLE | Tony Pashos | CLE | |
Ryan Cook | MIA | Garrett Reynolds | ATL | |
Billy Cundiff | BAL | Lawrence Sidbury Jr. | ATL | |
Lee Evans | Free Agent (BAL) | Will Svitek | ATL | |
Jeff Faine | TB | Leigh Torrence | NO | |
Anthony Fasano | MIA | Steve Vallos | CLE | |
Melvin Fowler | Former (CLE, MIN, BUF, DET) | James Williams | IND | |
Omar Gaither | CAR | Josh Wilson | WAS | |
Thomas Howard | CIN | Tony Wragge | STL | |
Winston Justice | PHI | Jeremy Zuttah | TB | |
Erik Lorig | TB |
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
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