NFLPA GOES VIRTUAL FOR EIGHTH YEAR OF EXTERNSHIP

WASHINGTON, D.C. – For the first time in its eight-year history, the NFLPA Externship is providing its participants with fully remote professional development experiences. Despite the challenges presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the cornerstone program of the NFLPA’s career service resources pivoted its approach, allowing NFL players to still take advantage of networking and engagement opportunities within various lines of work.

Through the end of March, 52 NFL players will serve positions at 24 top organizations across the country, with some using the unique, virtual opportunity to work with multiple host organizations. In doing so, players will maximize the valuable, practical training provided by this premier annual experience for professional athletes.

“My NFLPA Externship is an invaluable opportunity to learn from leaders at a Fortune 50 company as I continue building my off-the-field ventures,” said Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh, who is working with Target Accelerators. “The experience with Target has been a great way to start the offseason, as I’m challenged daily by ways I can think more creatively about my businesses and am introduced to new avenues to explore.”

The NFLPA fielded 87 applications this past winter from interested players. After applying for their top three experiences, each member of the 2021 NFLPA Externship class was interviewed and selected by at least one host organization committed to offering insight into their line of work, providing feedback on impactful projects and creating networking opportunities.

This year’s class of externs are engaging with a diverse offering of experiences, ranging from start-up businesses to athletic administration to multimedia to established industry-leading companies and more.

“We believe that this year’s virtual Externship experience will provide our player members with a unique opportunity to broaden their knowledge, skillset and network in new, innovative ways that will serve them well during life after football,” NFLPA Player Manager Connor Ford said.

Among the seven new organizations featured in the 2021 program are Apartment List, AthLife, Generous, Old Dominion University Athletics, Rocket Mortgage (powered by Quicken Loans), Target Accelerators and The Draft Network.

The NFLPA is proud to welcome back the following organizations: Adfero, Brandgenuity & Licensing International, Events DC, Everfi, Financial Finesse, Forbes Tate Partners, International Justice Mission, NASA Kennedy Space Center, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Tech Transfer), NFL Players Inc., Nifty Games, Opendorse, The Players’ Tribune, University of Virginia Athletic Department, WHOOP and Zebra Technologies.

Players from 23 different NFL teams are represented in the 2021 NFLPA Externship, with the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars each boasting the most participants at four.

The Externship, run by the NFLPA’s Player Affairs department, is designed to assist players in realizing their potential and value beyond football through gainful, real-world experience. The program serves as one of several post-career opportunities offered by the NFLPA, all of which are built on the theme of helping players -- both active and transitioning -- find their niche and discover more of their gifts.

For more information, please visit nflpa.com/externship and nflpa.com/careerdevpartners, and follow the NFLPA on Twitter and Instagram.

Full list of 2021 NFLPA Externs and Host Organizations:

*Some players are working with multiple host companies

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About the NFL Players Association:

The National Football League Players Association is the union for professional football players in the National Football League. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of assuring proper recognition and representation of players’ interests. The NFLPA has shown that it will do whatever is necessary to assure that the rights of players are protected—including ceasing to be a union, if necessary, as it did in 1989. In 1993, the NFLPA again was officially recognized as the union representing the players, and negotiated a landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL. The current CBA will govern the sport through the 2030 NFL season. Learn more at www.nflpa.com.