NFL “SIDE JOBS”
Football takes up a lot of their time, but that has not prevented an impressive number of NFL players from starting their own
businesses or trying their hand at different career paths in preparation for their post-football lives.
Buffalo Bills cornerback TROY VINCENT, for example, owns three businesses: Eltekon financial services, Troy Vincent
Development and Construction, and Essence, a spa in Ewing, New Jersey that he started with his wife Tommi in 1999.
Vincent, who has aspirations of one day owning an NFL franchise, calls Essence a “city day spa,” and has among his clients
former Eagles Hugh Douglas and Bobby Taylor.
“We try to run a first-class business,” says Vincent. “No televisions, no cellphones, and the only time money is exchanged is at
the front desk.”
While Vincent has been running a business in which masseuses use their hands to soothe clients’ sore muscles, Green Bay
Packers running back SAMKON GADO has been spending his time off the field using his hands to help save lives.
A graduate of Liberty University where he took classes in pre-med, Gado spent the offseason working at Green Bay’s Bellin
Health Hospital, taking a step toward his goal of becoming a doctor and returning to his homeland in Nigeria to help fight AIDS
and other diseases
“I think when you look at the need in Africa, I feel like it’s too hard to ignore,” said Gado.
Some off-the-field career interests of NFL players:
PLAYER, TEAM SIDE JOB(S)
Willie Anderson, Cincinnati Owns a “Fatburger” franchise.
Tiki Barber, NY Giants Hosts weekly issues-related show on Sirius Radio called “Tiki Barber’s National Sweep.”
Nick Barnett, Green Bay Owns record label Defiant Records as well as FiveSix restaurant/lounge in Green Bay.
Sammy Davis, SF He and a friend invented “The Hydration System,” a 14 oz. water pouch attached to a football
player’s shoulder pads that enables him to drink through a tube.
Warrick Dunn, Atlanta Owns “Sports Fans Attic,” with two stores, one in Tallahassee, FL and one in Atlanta
Donnie Edwards, San Diego Started Jump for Life, after-school program that encourages kids to make healthy choices through
fitness, nutrition and goal setting.
Samkon Gado, Green Bay Practicing to become a doctor; offseason work at Bellin Health Hospital in Green Bay.
Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Budding actor has made movie/TV appearances, including “Celebrity Cooking Showdown.”
Erron Kinney, Tennessee Volunteer firefighter in the offseason, serves as lieutenant in the Williamson County Rescue Squad,
Station 22, in Grassland, Tennessee.
Terrence McGee, Buffalo Owner of “Gameday Collection,” a line of posters and T-shirts featuring his original artwork.
Fred McCrary, Atlanta Runs his own trucking company, Colonel McCrary Trucking LLC.
Stockar McDougle, Jax. Owns real estate and mortgage company in South Florida with wife, Octavia.
Randy Moss, Oakland Opened Inta Juice smoothie and fruit juice franchise in West Virginia.
Jeremy Newberry, SF Owns a tire and detail shop near his hometown of Antioch, California.
Trevor Pryce, Baltimore Owns record label, Outlook Music, Co. and is involved in music production.
Troy Vincent, Buffalo Owner of Eltekon Financial Services., Troy Vincent Development & Construction, and Essence Spa.
Rashaun Woods, San Diego Interested in becoming pro bass fisherman; member of Santa Clara Bass Busters fishing club.
Jeff Zgonina, Miami Owns “Mo-Betta Bull Company,” which raises bulls; helps run family-owned ”Uni-Label” label and
tag company.
NFL SUPERSTITIONS
Miami Dolphins defensive end JASON TAYLOR is not alone when it comes to having game-day superstitions. Taylor does
everything from right to left, putting his cleats and socks on in that order, his wrist bands on that way, and brushing his teeth and
buttoning his shirt.
Tackle DANIEL LOPER of the Tennessee Titans is the complete opposite. He puts his equipment on from left to right in game
order for each practice and game.
Some unique NFL superstitions:
PLAYER, TEAM SUPERSTITION
WR Plaxico Burress, NY Giants Eats grilled salmon and white rice every Saturday night before a game.
S Marcus Coleman, Dallas Eats a chicken caesar sandwich before every game and has to be the last player on the bus.
RB Ahman Green, Green Bay Watches the film “Pure Payton” on the eve of every game.
QB Rex Grossman, Chicago Takes a shower after warming up on the field prior to a game.
DE John Henderson, Jacksonville Gets slapped before each game by assistant trainer Joe Sheehan.
T Daniel Loper, Tennessee Puts his equipment on left to right in game order for every practice and game.
RB Moran Norris, San Francisco Does not walk under the cross bars before games.
FB Mike Sellers, Washington Does not eat before a game, even if it’s a night game.
CB Charles Tillman, Chicago Has the same person stretch him and tape him.
DE Jason Taylor, Miami Does everything from right to left.
K Lawrence Tynes, Kansas City Washes his car before every home game.
Football takes up a lot of their time, but that has not prevented an impressive number of NFL players from starting their own
businesses or trying their hand at different career paths in preparation for their post-football lives.
Buffalo Bills cornerback TROY VINCENT, for example, owns three businesses: Eltekon financial services, Troy Vincent
Development and Construction, and Essence, a spa in Ewing, New Jersey that he started with his wife Tommi in 1999.
Vincent, who has aspirations of one day owning an NFL franchise, calls Essence a “city day spa,” and has among his clients
former Eagles Hugh Douglas and Bobby Taylor.
“We try to run a first-class business,” says Vincent. “No televisions, no cellphones, and the only time money is exchanged is at
the front desk.”
While Vincent has been running a business in which masseuses use their hands to soothe clients’ sore muscles, Green Bay
Packers running back SAMKON GADO has been spending his time off the field using his hands to help save lives.
A graduate of Liberty University where he took classes in pre-med, Gado spent the offseason working at Green Bay’s Bellin
Health Hospital, taking a step toward his goal of becoming a doctor and returning to his homeland in Nigeria to help fight AIDS
and other diseases
“I think when you look at the need in Africa, I feel like it’s too hard to ignore,” said Gado.
Some off-the-field career interests of NFL players:
PLAYER, TEAM SIDE JOB(S)
Willie Anderson, Cincinnati Owns a “Fatburger” franchise.
Tiki Barber, NY Giants Hosts weekly issues-related show on Sirius Radio called “Tiki Barber’s National Sweep.”
Nick Barnett, Green Bay Owns record label Defiant Records as well as FiveSix restaurant/lounge in Green Bay.
Sammy Davis, SF He and a friend invented “The Hydration System,” a 14 oz. water pouch attached to a football
player’s shoulder pads that enables him to drink through a tube.
Warrick Dunn, Atlanta Owns “Sports Fans Attic,” with two stores, one in Tallahassee, FL and one in Atlanta
Donnie Edwards, San Diego Started Jump for Life, after-school program that encourages kids to make healthy choices through
fitness, nutrition and goal setting.
Samkon Gado, Green Bay Practicing to become a doctor; offseason work at Bellin Health Hospital in Green Bay.
Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Budding actor has made movie/TV appearances, including “Celebrity Cooking Showdown.”
Erron Kinney, Tennessee Volunteer firefighter in the offseason, serves as lieutenant in the Williamson County Rescue Squad,
Station 22, in Grassland, Tennessee.
Terrence McGee, Buffalo Owner of “Gameday Collection,” a line of posters and T-shirts featuring his original artwork.
Fred McCrary, Atlanta Runs his own trucking company, Colonel McCrary Trucking LLC.
Stockar McDougle, Jax. Owns real estate and mortgage company in South Florida with wife, Octavia.
Randy Moss, Oakland Opened Inta Juice smoothie and fruit juice franchise in West Virginia.
Jeremy Newberry, SF Owns a tire and detail shop near his hometown of Antioch, California.
Trevor Pryce, Baltimore Owns record label, Outlook Music, Co. and is involved in music production.
Troy Vincent, Buffalo Owner of Eltekon Financial Services., Troy Vincent Development & Construction, and Essence Spa.
Rashaun Woods, San Diego Interested in becoming pro bass fisherman; member of Santa Clara Bass Busters fishing club.
Jeff Zgonina, Miami Owns “Mo-Betta Bull Company,” which raises bulls; helps run family-owned ”Uni-Label” label and
tag company.
NFL SUPERSTITIONS
Miami Dolphins defensive end JASON TAYLOR is not alone when it comes to having game-day superstitions. Taylor does
everything from right to left, putting his cleats and socks on in that order, his wrist bands on that way, and brushing his teeth and
buttoning his shirt.
Tackle DANIEL LOPER of the Tennessee Titans is the complete opposite. He puts his equipment on from left to right in game
order for each practice and game.
Some unique NFL superstitions:
PLAYER, TEAM SUPERSTITION
WR Plaxico Burress, NY Giants Eats grilled salmon and white rice every Saturday night before a game.
S Marcus Coleman, Dallas Eats a chicken caesar sandwich before every game and has to be the last player on the bus.
RB Ahman Green, Green Bay Watches the film “Pure Payton” on the eve of every game.
QB Rex Grossman, Chicago Takes a shower after warming up on the field prior to a game.
DE John Henderson, Jacksonville Gets slapped before each game by assistant trainer Joe Sheehan.
T Daniel Loper, Tennessee Puts his equipment on left to right in game order for every practice and game.
RB Moran Norris, San Francisco Does not walk under the cross bars before games.
FB Mike Sellers, Washington Does not eat before a game, even if it’s a night game.
CB Charles Tillman, Chicago Has the same person stretch him and tape him.
DE Jason Taylor, Miami Does everything from right to left.
K Lawrence Tynes, Kansas City Washes his car before every home game.
