Visit to the NFL Offices

By Nathaniel Kelliehan (High School of Sports Management)

My experience at the NFL Offices was amazing. The NFL is my second favorite sport, and I couldn’t wait to learn more on the behind the scenes work they do. When I entered the building, I knew that this would be a perfect place for me to work. Just walking through the halls & up and down the stairs, there was so much going on that made me want to be a part of the NFL. If that wasn’t enough, I got to watch a few pre-season games, as well as win a couple of gifts. Terell Canton and Corey Rush opened the meeting up both sharing their background and what they do in the NFL, while listening to who we are and our goals in life. Mr. Canton then asked us to write down 5 goals that we want to accomplish with this year, also adding that he would check in with us to make sure those goals were attained. That gives me more incentive to work hard this year and achieve my goals.

During the meeting, we met a numerous amount of people who gave a lot of insight on what they do while working in the NFL, and also giving us great advice about school. Erin Walker, who works in the events department, told us things that I never would have of thought of. She stated while working in the events department, she has to plan the following Super Bowl 18 months in advance. She also said that during the Super Bowl weekend she plans a lot of parties in which she has to manage the budget, pay bills, get food, book celebrities and music artists, and etc. Then, we met both Akil and James, who work in the operations department, and they told us about the behind scenes work they do to prepare an NFL game. Akil, who works in the football operations, told us how he as to make sure the cleats, jerseys, and other game equipment is safe for the players. James on the other hand works in the game operations department which handles the frequency with headphones, and managing field turf, which James also pointed out you have to brush or it will feel like concrete. Both men were real inspiring as they made a valid point to ensure that we stay in school and succeed stating, “Brains are always something you can borrow” and “The same aggression you use on the field, use it in the classroom.” Finally, we heard from Tracy Snyder, who works in the sponsorship department. She told us that she just had a launch party in California for EA’s Madden 10 in which former NFL players Jerry Rice and Joe Montana were in attendance. She also stated that professionalism is a big key while working in the sports industry, because it allows you to do your job easier.

Furthermore, the meeting at the NFL Offices was very fun, which I expected. Besides receiving and winning gifts, we toured the building viewing all the great things in it. While walking through the halls, there were pictures of numerous NFL players, past and present. There was also magazine covers of every Super Bowl, which was awesome to see because I never really paid much attention to the NFL before 2000. Also, we went to the video room, in which everything occurs. This is where they watch all the games and grade the referees’ performances throughout the year. The referees who do the best job are picked to call the Super Bowl, a fact which I never knew. I also learned new things about the NFL Rush Zone that had me very interested. I learned that by becoming a member, I could win an opportunity to bring an NFL player to school, which would be awesome. The meeting was great, but it was still fun at the same time.

In conclusion, attending this meeting at the NFL Offices was very beneficial. I met a lot of people who have great jobs, and were very influential. They all told us about their jobs, and how they got there but there main message was to stay in school and strive at it. Everything we did at the meeting I will take with me and apply to all the things I do in this upcoming school year. A lot of people take school for granted, but if you want to achieve your goal or dream of being successful in the sports industry, school is the main thing that will get you there. The NFL is a great organization and I would love to work in it because there are so many things you can do and succeed at.