By: Engagement Insider
NEW YORK, NY October 21, 2013 – Former All-Pro Patrick Kerney walked the walk for 11 years as All-Pro NFL defensive end.
Now, he will talk the talk with his peers as Player Engagement’s new Vice President of Player Benefits and NFL Legends Operations.
A legend himself during his playing days with the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks, Kerney will capitalize on his credibility to serve as a resource for current and former players, particularly in the all-important area of finance.
“In 10 years when the media wants to film ‘Broke 2’ as the sequel to former NFL players being bankrupt, we don’t want there to be anyone who qualifies,” said the charismatic Kerney, who holds his MBA in Finance from the ColumbiaBusinessSchool.
Indeed, the former team captain of both his NFL teams is a man on a mission, who in his newly-created position intends to “help aspiring current and former players leverage their NFL careers into a long-term positive experience.”
Not many have done this better than Kerney, who can clearly be an inspiration to transitioning players by simply standing on his very own story.
Originally enrolled at the University of Virginia on a lacrosse scholarship, he walked onto the football team and soon became an All-American defensive end, Academic All-Atlantic Coast Conference, and of course, team captain.
Then it was onto the Falcons as a first-round pick in 1999, where he was became both the Most Inspirational Player and Most Valuable Defensive Player.
Later he signed with the Seahawks and achieved even greater honors, being named the team’s Man of the Year and the 2007 NFC Defensive Player of the Year.
But when injuries forced his retirement in 2010, Kerney was ready from having attended many Player Engagement programs while playing, and quickly enrolled in Columbia and just two years later earned his MBA.
He then founded his own consulting firm focused on preventing players from ending up in financial straits after frequently making millions in the NFL.
Which brings him to today and his new NFLPE job, where the father of two daughters has a unique understanding of exactly how the players feel.
“The very nature of transitioning out of pro sports is difficult, and the longer you play, the greater the sense of resentment when it doesn’t end on your terms, and most of them don’t,” he opined, adding, “so most of them feel spit out by the machine, but in actuality they are still part of that machine, which is actually a family that can still do them a lot of good.”
The type of good that can keep the great life going for those leaving the NFL, like Kerney not too long ago.
“I was amazed when I really dug into these NFL benefits,” observed the Connecticut resident. “From physical needs to education reimbursement, the returns really help make life after football easier.”
Which is Priority One for Kerney going forward in his new position.
“I will bring guys back into the fold if any ill will exists, find out what if anything is missing to prevent players from taking our priceless Player Engagement courses, and generally corral our alumni efforts into one brand and one office where they can turn.”