By Mark Eckel, Player Engagement Insider
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Najee Goode and a couple of his college friends had an idea a few years ago.
That idea, a way to make social media more interactive, has become an app that’s available in the iTunes App Store called VEEPIO.
“It came about from some alumni from West Virginia,’’ Goode said “We were talking about some things and my buddy Jon (Ohliger, a former kicker at WVU) had this idea that there are a lot of things going on with social media. And people trying to reach out to each other on a massive scale, you’re talking Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, all of that. We wanted something more interactive, more personnel, how could we do that?’’
They did it with VEEPIO, an app that allows users to purchase products with a touch, or learn about places and people with that same touch.
“Our goal was, what if we could literally turn the phrase, ‘A picture is worth a thousand words,’ literal? That’s kind of what we did. And now we have VEEPIO.’’
The start-up was founded by the West Virginia friends, headed by Ohliger and includes Goode and another former Mountaineer linebacker, Grant Wiley, in January of 2015.
It took about a year to get it to the App Store and it continues to grow as more and more people hear about it and what it can do.
“You go to our app and when you see something all you have to do is click on it, or tap on it, and you can buy it, or learn more about it,’’ Goode said.
If a person sees a pair of sunglasses, or a coat, or a dresser they want, all they have to do is click on it and they can purchase it right through the app. It’s more than that, however.
“If you’re traveling somewhere, and you want to see where to go or who is there. You can go right to there and click on it, or tap it,’’ Goode said. “If someone comes to Philadelphia, and they have never been, they can take a picture of downtown and if they want to know what that building is, or what center city is all about, it’s all there for them.
“And it’s not just big cities, any city, even an island off somewhere. Wherever you are, to wherever you go, you can find it.’’
Goode smiles when he thinks about how that idea his friend had a few years ago has come to fruition.
“We worked on it for a couple years, sand then just started putting it all together. We’ve gotten a good amount of downloads so far. It’s going slowly, but it’s going well. We wanted to make sure we did it the right way. And it’s pretty good.
“It’s something that can empower people. It’s cool to see it start as something we thought about and now it’s in the App Store.’’
Ideas such as VEEPIO have Goode positioned for his post-NFL career, whenever that might be.
“I think about it,’’ Goode said of life after football. “I try not to think too much about it. In a way I just wanted to get involved in some things, and this was with friends, so it worked out well.
“But I was fortunate to go to school and graduate with a degree in engineering. I’d like to play a few more years, but you never know how things are going to go, or what’s going to happen. I do think about what I want to do (after). I want to make sure I have things in order.’’
He already has VEEPIO.
“With the platform we as NFL players have this can help. We get involved with the community and the media. Our app can help players to further explain themselves. It’s also good for players who are doing things in the community, or have a foundation event. It’s a way to get the word out to more people.’’