ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT

ROOKIES IN THE NFL: An Overview of NFL Rookie Programs & NFL Player Engagement

JUNE 7, 2017

WE ARE COMMITTED TO OUR PURPOSE

NFL Player Engagement reaches more than 2,000 NFL players and spouses each year through a variety of programs and services focused on career development, financial and continuing education, transition, as well as personal, psychological, and physical wellness.

4 FOCAL POINTS

NEW WEBSITE

6

ROOKIE EXPERIENCE

EVOLUTION

1

44% 46% 45%45%

56% 54% 55% 55%

2012 2013 2014 2015

Drafted Undrafted

Current Reach of Rookie Symposium is Very Limited

Drafted vs Undrafted NFL Players as a % of all Rookies(1)

(1) Defined by all rookies making a roster including practice squads

Opportunity to ensure we are educating the greatest number of players

DECISION MAKING

BENEFITS OF DECENTRALIZED MODEL

100% Participation1 Reach all rookies (drafted and undrafted)

Relationship Management2

Support oriented Enables clubs to utilize their former players Allows club to engage the local community, resources and networks

Standards of Excellence

3 Establish consistent parameters / standards for Clubs Consistent engagement of key club and community personnel

Empower DPE4 Establish loyalty and accountability at club level Engage club personnel across the organization for Rookie

Transition Programming

Value Add5 Additional days of education / training instead of travel

Travel and event production cost savings

EVOLUTION

“The present results mirror the findingsof Amirault and Orlick (1998), who foundthat athletic success was linked withperceptions of balance in other aspectsof life and that lifestyle balance wasrelated to overall athletic success andexcellence” (von Guenthner & Hammermeister, 2007).

RESEARCH

The Rookie Experience…• Begins the first day the Rookie walks through the team

door

• All year long

• Phase I: Finish by the end of OTAs

• Phase II: Rookie Success Education Modules (September –December)

ROOKIE CLASS OF 2017

• Rookie Experience at the Clubs • Uniform League Requirements• Affords clubs the opportunity to customize onboarding to

their culture, values, and history

• Mandatory Topics (22 topics)• Flexible Scheduling – Can be covered by the team

between May and June

• Club and League Recommendations• Optional topics

REQUIREMENTS

0 5 10 15 20 25

Modules

FLEXIBLE IN-SEASON OFF-SEASON TOTAL

ROOKIE MODULES FROM MAY - DECEMBER

THREE MANUALS

OFF-SEASON

I.IN

TRODUC

TION

TO PLA

YEREN

GA

GEM

ENT

“My favorite memory was the first time I walked in the locker room and saw everyone I‘ve watched play the game as an adolescent.”

-Tyjuan Hagler Rookie Class of 2005

II.HISTO

RY

“This is the start of a new chapter in your life. Protect your story. Write your own book.”

-Nate Burleson Rookie Class of 2003

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GOLDEN JACKETS

III.FIN

AN

CIA

LEDUC

ATIO

N

“My best memory from my rookie year was getting the "call up" from the practice squad and being activated to the 53 man roster.”

-Hakeem Valles Rookie Class of 2016

LEAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON THE GENERATIONS TO COME

22

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT FINANCE PARK

“The Rookie wall is a feeling you get when you feel like the season should be over. Collegiate seasons are 12-15 games. In the NFL, it’s a total of 20 games with intense preparation. The practices are harder, in some cases, longer, more impactful on your career in the NFL. It's puts an abundance of mental, emotional, physical stress where they collide with the long season. Creating the rookie wall.”

-Josh BynesRookie Class of 2011

IV.N

FL LEAG

UEPO

LICY

“Rookie Success helped me grow up fast in this NFL world. It was great to learn that getting the man right is most important and football will follow along with everything else.”

-Jakeem Grant Rookie Class of 2016

V.BEN

EFITS

“I think my rookie experience was extremely valuable to my success. I learned a lot of how to be a pro whetherthat be training, practice, or taking care of my body.Also I thought it was very important for me to make an impact in my first year to pave the way for the rest of my career.”

-Joey BosaRookie Class of 2016

VI.SO

CIA

L RESPON

SIBILITY:DUI

VII.SO

CIA

L RESPON

SIBILITY:DV/SA

“Learning to be a star in my role.Coming from college you are the alpha and best of the best, but coming into a club you have to learn to adapt to how your club and veterans go about doing things. So thebiggest change has been learning my new role and how to star in my role here. My advice to incoming rookies is to learn how to do the same, no matter what it is, be a star in your role.”

-Devin FullerRookie Class of 2016

VIII.SO

CIA

L RESPON

SIBILITY:RISE

“My biggest challenge as a rookie was that I’m truly on my own now. When you’re in college your scholarshiptakes care of everything. All you have to do is worry about class and football. Now the real word hits you. I had never paid rent or had any bills in college so this was all very new to me. The hardest thing as a young was really saving my money. Those checks were coming in every week and it’s a lot of money for a guy fresh out of college, but I learned early how to budget my money so that it would last.”

-Stephen Bowen Rookie Class of 2006

Introductory RISE Workshop (Identity & Diversity)

“What do you bring to the huddle?”

The purpose of this workshop is to help NFL rookies explore their identities and biases and reflect on what it means to be a professional athlete. Rookies will be challenged to consider how their opinion of themselves is one perspective informed by and limited by their experiences. Diversity will be discussed as something to be celebrated since it broadens our perspectives and expands our skill base.

Truly successful leaders are those who are able to draw on the strengths of those with whom they engage – on the field, in the office, at home and in the community.

Session Objectives:• Explore the labels that athletes have for themselves

and some of those assigned by others.• Introduce the skill of perspective taking.• Discuss how athletes can be leaders in fostering

inclusivity and diversity.

IX.TO

TAL W

ELLNESS

“Treat everyone the same. Whether it is in the community or in the business world, you should seek to build relationships outside of the locker room and foster those relationships.”

-Scott TurnerRookie Class of 1995

IX.TO

TAL W

ELLNESS

X.N

FL PLAYERS

ASSO

CIA

TION

“I would say to come in with open eyes, ears, & mind, while keeping your mouth shut and doing everything you can to help make the team better in some way. Do things the right way, work hard and don't allow them to find a reason not to keep you on the roster. Show up early and take notes. Everything from meetings, treatment, workouts, practice, rookie experience, etc. isimportant.Work doesn't end when you leave the facility. It extends to film & playbook study at home. But at the end of the day, enjoy yourself and learn as much as you can, on and off the field because it's an amazing experience.”

-Derek WattRookie Class of 2016

XI.M

EDIARESPO

NSIBILITIES

“The biggest advice I'll give to a rookie is take care of your body. Do whatever you got to do tomake sure your body isgood and you are ready to play every week.”

-Jatavis Brown Rookie Class of 2016

XII.SO

CIA

L MEDIA

“Football is now your livelihood. Your focus should be solely on football. Your lifestyle and choices should filter through one question- is this decision going to make me a better or worse football player? Choose the pain of discipline over the pain of regret. Talent is cheap in the NFL. Make them cut you- don't cut yourself. Be on time, behave off the field, know your playbook inside and out.Make sure when your career ends you can look at yourself in the mirror and know you gave it everything you had.”

-Matt BirkRookie Class of 1998

XIII.SEC

URITY

“Keep your head down, never be late and always strive to get better by studying film, studying the playbook, and asking the vets foradvice.”

-Givens PriceRookie Class of 2016

XIV.PLA

YERHEA

LTH AN

DSA

FETY

“The advice I would give an incoming rookie would be to find your place within the team. Don't feel like you are the savior. Find a veteran mentor that you can trust and be open with. Maybe a guy that's been in the league a handful of year or more. Reason being, is he's been around and knows the ropes. By learning from his mistakes, that can only give you a leg up. Last, but not least, the two things that will help you get and stay on the field are....1. Take care of your body, and 2. Know your play book. I truly believe executing these two things will help you have a longer career in this awesome game that we love to play!”

-Mike RuckerRookie Class of 1999

XV.RULE

CHA

NG

ESTO

THEPRO

S

“Your rookie year will mark two straight years of football with technically no offseason. From OTA’s until the end of the season, collect and save your checks, budget your money, and focus solely on football. Once the season is over, take time to rest, evaluate your rookie year, and then begin your planning concerning finances and the offseason.”

-Chad Pennington Rookie Class of 2000

38

IN-SEASON

XVI.SUBSTA

NC

EA

BUSE

“Be prepared! You never know when your opportunity will come as faras when you will actually start playing. I was surprised when I was told I was going to play pretty early in the season, many of my teammates were injured, I was next in line, just always be prepared because you never know when your time will come.”

-Oni OmoileRookie Class of 2016

XVII.HEA

LTHYRELA

TION

SHIPS

“As a Rookie, I wished I’d utilized my DPE more and not treated him like the enemy. Primarily because when I faced real enemies (adversities) it was often my DPE right there helping fight those battles.”

-Terry Johnson Rookie Class of2004

XVIII.UN

HEALTHY RELA

TION

SHIPS“Come in and work. Don't try too hard to fit in with everybody. Let your play on the field do all the talking. Watch the vets. Don't be too cool to ask questions to the coaches or players.”

-Trevor Williams Rookie Class of 2016

XIX.DEC

ISION

MA

KING

“I really had a good time rookie year.Most of the rookie sessions werefull of great information. OurPlayer Engagement guys are easy to talk to and relate very well to the players and it made me feel bonded with my rookie class.”

-Laremy Tunsil Rookie Class of 2016

XX.STRESS

MA

NA

GEM

ENT

“It was powerful, educational, and truthful.”

-Xavien Howard Rookie Class of 2016

XXI.TIM

EM

AN

AG

EMEN

T

“The biggest challenge from one level to the other is playing against men who are bigger and stronger than you because they are older than you. Plus, there is something to be said for the craftiness/savviness of veterans who have played the game for a while; that was rare in college. Plus, the offenses are much more complicated than my college offense.”

-Cole TonerRookie Class of 2016

XXII.EXPEC

TATIO

NS

“Very valuable in a money standpoint. Before I actually began, I was able to see and hear about the mistakes others made. So It allowed me to avoid a lot of learning curves that could have been bad situations.”

-Chris Landrum Rookie Class of 2016

“I believe that my rookie experience was extremely valuable to my success and by being "thrown into the fire" and learning on my feet from real game experience that I have obtained tools that I will carry with me not only the rest of my career, but the rest of my life.”

-Hakeem Valles Rookie Class of 2016

QUESTIONS