By John Ingoldsby, Player Engagement Insider
Every NFL Club has a Director of Player Engagement (DPE) whose calling card is their expertise in transition, but no DPE is facing a transition like La’Roi Glover. His Rams are moving lock, stock and barrel back into their former market of Los Angeles after decades in St. Louis, but Southern California is familiar turf for the 13-year NFL veteran defensive tackle, who has served as the team’s DPE for the past six seasons.
“I grew up in San Diego, so I know SoCal well and look forward to the challenges of integrating our team into this market,” the San Diego State University graduate said. “I am especially excited to reconnect our players with the Rams history and alumni here in Los Angeles as we make our mark in this market.”
A market whose familiarity for Glover makes him the perfect person to help spearhead this transcendent transition to ensure all current and former Rams feel right at home.
“We have many well-established resources and programs that have been successful and we look forward to implementing them here as we settle in,” Glover said.
One of those offerings is RamCore, perhaps the signature series in their PE playbook.
“Our RamCore program that includes both rookies and some veterans focuses on character development, leadership, trust and being accountable,” Glover explained. “It includes a half-dozen or so sessions, highlighted by ‘Captain on a Boat’ scenario where we work with players to hand-select five or so individuals to be with them on that boat based on the type of qualities they would want, and conversely what type of people they would not want on that boat with them.”
Glover believes that this unique approach and others in the program have helped promote a positive style and impact on teammates in helping the team identify leadership traits.But that’s not the only unique and popular method employed by Glover and the Rams.
“We also host a Parents Weekend soon after the NFL Draft where we invite them in for the first time their sons are in a Rams uniform at their initial official practices, where the parents become like players to see what a day in the life will be like for a typical workday in the NFL,” Glover said, adding that this program has been hugely successful.
And those are just two of the many resources current and former players can access.
“We also offer our Rookie Success Program where we begin to build trust with the new teammates, which we know takes time,” Glover said.
He also recognizes that some players coming from college may not yet have their degrees.
“We support players wanting to obtain their degree while playing in the NFL by having an online platform which can make it smoother for them to fit their studies into their busy schedule from remote locations,” stated the SDSU double-major in public administration and sociology who also has an MBA. “We find the right fit for guys at any stage of their NFL career who want to get their degree, and reintroduce them to the consistent and repetitive process they are undertaking.”
Additionally, the PE program offers platforms like career development and job shadowing.
“We provide programs addressing specific needs that a particular player may have, and, for example have had players with interests as diverse as engineering and finance do job shadowing at firms in those industries,” Glover said.
Yet these benefits are but a sampling, and there are other available that are tailored to former players.
“Each year, we work in conjunction with our alumni group to handpick a Rams game for former players to attend and reconnect with each other,” noted Glover, who finished his career with the Rams in 2008 after also playing for the Oakland Raiders, New Orleans Saints, and Dallas Cowboys.
“We also have relationships with our former players after they leave the game that typically starts with establishing trust through sharing personal information, which enables us to provide resources in finding good matches for them in their next careers.
“This starts with the recognition that 100 percent of all NFL players will someday exit the game, and we work with them on their wellness both mentally and physically, as well as their strengths and weaknesses, to give them a clean view of their new life and its impact on their family members.”
Additionally, Glover said the team uses former players as mentors to current players, and that he also coordinates with Kyle Eversgerd, the Rams Director of External Football Affairs, in keeping former players connected.”
“It’s a team effort and one where the whole organization works together,” Glover summarized.