Post-retirement tin be a tough transition for many National Football League players afterwards their playing days are over. However, the NFL has made strides in recent years to prepare athletes for success in business once their bodies can no longer sustain hits on the field, with the largest percentage of former players involving themselves in modest business/entrepreneurship opportunities.

Bradie James, who played 9 seasons as a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, is a keen case of a role player who has found success after retirement from the NFL. James currently serves as Director of Make Engagement for MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes and owns several MOOYAH locations. He has also invested in other businesses since leaving the football game field behind.

Key to James' success was starting to plan for his future before retiring from the NFL.

"I started franchising while I was playing," explains James. "From there, what we started doing was purchasing different locations with MOOYAH. It was bonny to me, because it was a startup and in Dallas, which is where I was living and playing."

Only James volition admit that, at first, he didn't take a real appreciation for what he was getting into.

"Afterwards the first 2 weeks I got in, I asked, 'What the hell did I become myself into?' There was a lot to process."

Yet, James still highly encourages current NFL players to do what they tin while they are in the league, and to begin thinking about and executing on what they want to accomplish off the field. James will bring together others in educating younger players and recently retired athletes at the annual NFL Business organization Academy taking place Feb 26 through March 2 at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He has had a part in the program for each of the past three years.

"Nosotros tell guys that everyone tin do information technology," says James. "A lot of the problem is [NFL squad] owners don't want athletes doing more playing ball. That's the ugly truth. They want them to be all-in for football game. My advice to guys looking into franchising is to really practice it yourself. Don't rely on other people, especially at the starting time, because you have to learn every facet nearly the business to be successful. It's no different than playing brawl. You won't be successful in the beginning but you have to work through it."

James realized that he had something valuable in his hands through franchising when he was visiting Denton, Texas and a random man walked upwardly to him indicating an interest in buying his store. The store didn't even exist withal. It changed his whole outlook on franchising.

"What attracted me to franchising is that it'south very similar to athletics," adds James. "You basically have a playbook with people who have worked out the kinks. Simply like when a play is called on the field, you can still make it your own. I didn't have to reinvent the bike or stumble on an opportunity. Plus, I wanted to requite my family an opportunity to work if they wanted to."

James' situation is unique because he got in early. He recognizes that many people harp on the negative aspects of athletes' lives in one case they are done playing professionally. James is trying to change that stigma through his ain accomplishments, while educating electric current athletes who are the future franchise owners in America.