NFL Hosting Broadcast Boot Camp for Former Players

The NFL is hosting a broadcast boot camp for former players to train them for post career broadcasting gigs. Some formal training sounds like a good idea considering some of the less than stellar analysis we hear on the air breaking down the game. I also think it is good that the league is doing something to get guys thinking about what they will do once their career is done.

The NFL needs to do much more, though. Their current programs are inadequate. Some studies show that over three quarters of players face severe financial hardship two years after retirement. When you are making $5 million a year like some of these guys and spending it all on a $5 million a year lifestyle, you will run into problems when your income dries up. Most of these guys will never see higher paying jobs. This is nice, but the players should really push for more expansive training in how to handle money during one's career as well as preparing for post career activities.

The league's press release on the camp is under the jump.

Top NFL Producers & Talent to Instruct Players

CBS’ James Brown to Serve as Host Joined By

Ron Jaworski, Mike Mayock, Curt Menefee & Solomon Wilcots

Sixteen former NFL players, including ANTONIO FREEMAN, DREW HENSON and AMANI TOOMER, will take part in the fifth annual NFL Broadcast Boot Camp at NFL Films in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, it was announced today.

The program, which runs from June 20-23, is directed by the NFL Player Engagement and NFL Broadcasting departments and covers a wide range of topics with instructors from each of the NFL’s broadcast partners – CBS, ESPN, FOX, NBC, NFL Network, SiriusXM Radio, Westwood One Radio, plus local radio and TV.  It will include hands-on work in areas such as tape study, editing, show preparation, radio production, control room operation, studio preparation, production meetings, field reporting and game preparation.  Each player will tape segments as a studio and game analyst and take part in a networking session with television executives.  Each player also will serve as a live radio host on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

Of the 90 players who took part in the Broadcast Boot Camp from 2007-2010, 36 have already earned broadcasting jobs as a result of their participation in the program.

"We continue to look for ways to help players develop skills to enhance their post-NFL careers.  Many of last year’s participants used this program as a career springboard, with some participants returning as instructors in subsequent years," said NFL Senior Vice President of Labor Policy and Player Engagement ADOLPHO BIRCH. 

"Broadcast Boot Camp is an excellent opportunity for former NFL players who are ready to take an important step towards the next chapter of their lives and prepare for a successful career off the field," said TROY VINCENT, NFL Vice President of Player Engagement. "The program provides participants with a comprehensive look at all aspects of the sports broadcasting industry and allows them to develop invaluable professional skills and relationships that can carry them through their post-NFL experience."

The NFL Broadcast Boot Camp is one of several NFL Player Engagement programs to assist players in preparing for their post-playing careers.  NFL Player Engagement prepares and supports players for life on the field and during their transition to post-football careers. Through NFL Prep, NFL Life, and NFL Next programming, the NFL Player Engagement department assists players in adjusting to life within the NFL, while challenging them to prepare for their next careers after their football-playing days.

Enrollment criteria for the Broadcast Boot Camp include NFL playing experience, essays, and demonstrated interest in media.

Following are the former NFL players enrolled in the NFL Broadcast Boot Camp:

With more than 400 years of broadcasting experience, following are the NFL broadcasting talent and production staff who will lend their expertise to the program: