NFL to Next: Transitions after cut week
This week—the week when National Football League (NFL) rosters are finalized, or ‘cut week’—is one of the most challenging weeks for members of the NFL community. While football fans look forward to kickoff and the start of a new season, NFL coaches and club executives are forced to make difficult decisions, leaving players to await an uncertain fate. Many of the 90 players who entered Training Camp and began the pre-season will make the final 53-man roster and continue the dream of being at the pinnacle of professional football. However, a very young group of players who achieved the dream of being in the NFL by signing a contract after completing their collegiate career will be released and possibly never play another down in the NFL. Another group of players have experienced multiple years in the NFL and were hopeful to play another year, only to find themselves questioning what’s next.
For players who may find themselves a part of the group wondering about their next steps, based on the research done in this area, there are five steps to consider as you process the pending transition: acknowledge, accept, develop awareness, adjust, and take action.
First, no matter which group you find yourself a part of, as you transition out of the National Football League, you must acknowledge that you have accomplished a goal shared by many but accomplished by very few. To make it into the National Football League takes tremendous talent.
After acknowledging what you have accomplished, the next step is to accept that moving forward, life may not look how you’d planned, hoped, or anticipated. This comes with accepting that although you may have been the exception for much of your life up to this point, on this day, the club chose someone else who was also an exception.
The next step is to enhance your awareness of who you are outside of the game of football. This comes with self-reflection and a reminder that you are more than the sport you play.
Once the awareness takes place, the next challenge is the adjustment to a “new norm.” The adjustment period might consist of exploration, experiencing discomfort, and finding other passions and gifts that may not be based on the physical attributes that have allowed you to excel in football.
After acknowledgment, acceptance, and awareness, the final stage is to take action. Consider the following action steps as you transition to life after football:
1. If you don’t have your bachelor's degree, contact your last university of attendance to clarify the requirements needed for degree completion. In taking the necessary steps to complete your degree, ensure that you utilize your collectively bargained benefits to pay for that degree.
2. Explore your passions. One way to obtain that information is by taking an interest survey. Another is to dedicate time for self-reflection, which can be done by journaling. If you have never participated in this exercise, start with the following questions: What could I do that doesn’t feel burdensome? Or What could I do to get out of bed each morning energized and ready to go?
3. Evaluate and, if necessary, re-establish your network. Life and business are all about relationships. You have heard the saying: Your network is your net worth. Once you’ve identified areas of interest and passion, reach out to anyone you know who might be in a position of influence to make a call on your behalf.
4. Transfer the discipline you’ve utilized during your NFL playing days to your current environment. Make sure to include exercise, diet, nutrition, and opportunities for social interaction and connection.
5. Commit to being a life-long learner. The one constant in life is change. Recognize that life is a series of transitions, and every transition requires adjustment. Remember that while somewhat cliché, life is not about the destination, but rather the journey.’
This week is emotionally challenging for many players and staff in the NFL community. Some dreams are coming to fruition, while others—at least in this space—might be ending. But no matter what the current situation you find yourself in, try to enjoy the process accompanying the journey to the next stage of life.
