NFL Players survive 'Broadcast Bootcamp'
Part of the NFL's program to prepare players for life after football.
Last week, 33 current players and NFL Legends took part in this year’s NFL Player Engagement Broadcast Boot Camp April 1-4 at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH. Washington Redskins TE VERNON DAVIS, NFL Free Agent MARK SANCHEZ and NFL Legend BRANDON FLOWERS were among this year’s participants. In addition, six Broadcast Boot Camp graduates participated in the Advanced Broadcast Boot Camp.
“We were thrilled to host a record number of participants this year in the longest running NFL Boot Camp to date, which speaks to the popularity of broadcasting careers among players, said NFL Senior Vice President of Player Engagement ARTHUR MCAFEE. “The high-quality training from the participating media faculty and feedback the participants receive is an integral part of the players’ unique transition into the evolving field of broadcasting. Player Engagement is honored to be part of that process.”
Each day of the program had a specific focus, including opportunities in sports radio and podcasts, studio show preparation and game analysis. The boot camp included the following sessions: “Sports Media Coverage of Social Issues,” “Modern Day Interview Techniques,” “The Making of a Video Feature” and “Call-a-Game”. Players received hands-on guidance and participated in mock press conferences, radio podcasts and production meetings.
The Advanced Broadcasting Boot Camp curriculum was designed for players who have previously completed Broadcast Boot Camp and want to enhance their training, particularly in “Tape Study” and “Set Taping”. Under the direction of James Brown, “J.B.,” a sports broadcaster for more than 30 years, the participants receive one-on-one coaching and feedback on their techniques as they further develop their skills in all areas of sports broadcasting.
“I chose to come back and attend the Advance Broadcast Bootcamp because just like in football, you have to constantly practice and perfect your craft to become better at it,” said Dallas Cowboys safety GEORGE ILOKA. “This bootcamp allowed me to practice under the supervision and coaching of some of the best sports broadcasters/analysts in the business.”
The networks participating included CBS, ESPN, FOX, NFL Network, BIG10 Network, Sirius XM and Westwood One Radio. Guest speakers included NFL Legend and ESPN analyst BOOGER MCFARLAND, CBS anchor JAMES BROWN, current NFL player and Broadcast Bowl attendee WESLEY WOODYARD and senior NFL writer for Yahoo! Sports KIMBERLEY MARTIN.
More than 300 players have taken part in the NFL Broadcast Boot Camp and more than 35 percent have earned broadcasting jobs as a result of their participation in the program. The Broadcast Boot Camp is one of several career and professional development programs NFL Player Engagement offers to current and former players and their families.
The full list of this year’s attendees can be found below:
Anthony Armstrong, WR, NFL Legend - Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys
Joique Bell, RB, NFL Free Agent - Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears
Arrelious Benn, WR, NFL Free Agent - Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars
Earl Bennett, WR, NFL Legend - Chicago Bears
Darius Butler, S, NFL Free Agent - New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts
Jason Cabinda, LB, - Oakland Raiders
Nolan Carroll, CB, NFL Free Agent - Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys
Matt Cassel, QB, NFL Free Agent - New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, Detroit Lions
Michael Coe, DB, NFL Legend - Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins
Vernon Davis, TE - Washington Redskins
Marlon Favorite, DT, NFL Legend - Spent time with various NFL practice squads
Brandon Flowers, CB, NFL Legend - Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
Andre Fluellen, DT, NFL Legend - Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins
Orlando Franklin, T, NFL Legend - Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins
Malik Golden, S, NFL Free Agent - Pittsburgh Steelers
Tori Gurley, WR, NFL Free Agent - Cleveland Browns
Nate Hughes, WR, NFL Legend - Jacksonville Jaguars
George Iloka, S, Dallas Cowboys
Corey Ivy, DB, NFL Legend - Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers
George Johnson, DE, NFL Free Agent - Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints
Michael Mauti, LB, NFL Free Agent - Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints
Matt McGloin, QB, NFL Free Agent - Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans
Michael McMahon, QB, NFL Legend - Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles
Mike Mitchell, S, NFL Free Agent - Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts
Ryan Mundy, S, NFL Legend - Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, Chicago Bears
Louis Murphy, WR, NFL Free Agent - Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers
Jerraud Powers, DB, NFL Legend - Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens
Carlos Rosado, WR, NFL Legend - NFL Europe, New York Jets
Mark Sanchez, QB, NFL Free Agent - New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins
Alton “Keith” Smith, LB/FB - Oakland Raiders
Clifton Smith, LB, NFL Legend - Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns
Torrey Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers - Seattle Seahawks
Kristjan Sokoli, DT, NFL Free Agent - Seattle Seahawks
Adam Terry, T, NFL Legend - Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers
Scott Tolzien, QB, NFL Legend - San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts
Shane Vereen, RB, NFL Free Agent - New England Patriots, New York Giants
Sean Weatherspoon, LB, NFL Free Agent - Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals
George Wrighster, TE, NFL Legend - Jacksonville Jaguars