By JOHN INGOLDSBY
Engagement Insider
JACKSONVILLE, FL June 12, 2014 – Throughout his life, Kyle Brady has had a penchant for planning, so it was only a matter of time before he turned this talent into a successful career as a Certified Financial Planner.
For the former tight end, being a man with a plan has meant exploring many areas of interest, including being a broadcaster and a pilot, but plotting the financial future of others has become his true calling.
“From day one, I have always had a plan, and would often write down my five-year goals, both short-term and long-term,” said the Penn State product. “Once I got to the NFL, I was always mindful of what I heard early on that the NFL was potentially ‘the best temporary job you will ever have.’”
But he was hardly a temp in the NFL, lasting 13 years as a former first-round pick of the New York Jets, who went on to star for the Jacksonville Jaguars before wrapping up his career with the New England Patriots.
Even then, the Jags’ 2003 Man of the Year was planning ahead as he took advantage of NFL Player Engagement courses, attending the Business Management & Entrepreneurial Program at the Wharton School of Business and the Broadcast Boot Camp, which led directly to his working as an analyst on the Big Ten Network as well as doing media work for NFL Europe.
“I was the Jaguars’ Player Representative for seven years, where I kept abreast of all opportunities so I could inform my teammates of what was available to them, from Player Engagement programs to pension programs, all of which I participated in as well,” he recalled.
However, that was not all he did while during his stellar career as both a blocker and receiver.
“I also liked to do self-improvement each offseason, which included visiting Europe and being so amazed at their multiple language aptitude that I came back and took a Spanish course, and then another year I earned my pilot’s license and considered that a career option, and lastly taking my law school admission test while still playing. I always liked to keep the mentality while playing of preparing for what’s next.”
Yet even those diverse interests were just scratching the surface for Brady, who also undertook even more professional pursuits once he transitioned from football following the 2007 Patriots season that ended with a Super Bowl loss after a 16-0 regular season.
“In 2009, I took all my financial certification courses, and then thought I would give law school a try thinking it would help with financial planning since as an attorney, I could better understand exposure to liabilities,”
Not surprisingly, he got his law degree at Florida Coastal School of Law, but not before some soul searching.
“When I first started law school, I was sitting in the library wondering what I was doing taking on this four-year commitment at age 37. But then I thought about all I put into preparing and playing for 13 years in the NFL, and knew I could use my mental toughness getting through that to power through this.”
This watershed moment stuck with him, and is applicable not just to him, but to the majority of former NFL players.
“I realized I was not unique in having this attitude, since everyone who makes it to the NFL has mental toughness and is also smart, but the trick is transferring these special qualities to their next endeavor.”
This revelation proved right on when he began having breakfast with Don Davey, also a former Jags player and the founder of Disciplined Equity Management financial firm near Jacksonville.
“We had known each other through the years, and are now neighbors, and when we met for breakfasts, we realized we were cut from the same cloth, so we discussed working together and given our common interests, I knew it was the best place for me.” Together, they have worked with clients in all walks of life, including NFL players, to whom they preach that making a few correct critical financial decisions can help them live the life they want after their gridiron career ends.
But for all his clients, Brady goes back to his basic belief by asking, “What’s your plan?”
“Once they tell me that, then I help them create an individualized well-crafted plan outlining short-term and long-term goals that will give them the greatest likelihood of financial success and peace of mind.”
But for fellow NFLers faced with nonstop financial pitches, he adds, “If you are investing in something new, make sure you are comfortable with an expert you completely trust.”