Thirteen current and former NFL players, including Oakland Raiders defensive back TJ Carrie, will take part in the fourth annual NFL Sports Journalism and Radio Boot Camp April 14-17 at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Ohio. This is one of several programs developed by NFL Player Engagement to prepare current and former players for post-NFL careers.
The four-day boot camp will focus on improving players' written and oral commentary skills for print, radio and the expanding digital media industry. Players will receive training and tips in a variety of panel discussions and interactive workshops led by top sports journalists and radio hosts, talent development experts and BGSU faculty. Industry experts will also provide players with one-on-one career mentoring and assistance.
"Sports journalism offers an excellent career opportunity for players to stay connected with the sport they love after their NFL experiences," said NFL Vice President of Player Engagement CHARLES WAY. "This boot camp provides players with skill development and networking opportunities to succeed in the media industry."
Throughout the week, participants will put their skills to work in interactive breakout sessions and writing labs, including mock press conferences with veteran NFL Game Official BOB WAGGONERand BGSU Head Football CoachMIKE JINKS. Players will write daily individual features and op-ed columns on topics addressed, ranging from NFL officiating to social issues.
Panelists and facilitators include former NFL player-turned-journalist BRIAN BALDINGER of NFL Network, NFL Vice President of Officiating DEAN BLANDINO, CBS anchor JAMES BROWN, Westwood One Executive Vice President and Producer HOWARD DENEROFF, former ESPN talent executive GERRY MATALON, Director of National Sports Journalism Center and former New York Times writerMALCOM MORAN, and ESPN Digital Media Producer Jason Romano.
NFL Player Engagement partnered with the BGSU Schools of Media and Communications and Human Movement, Sport and Leisure Studies, as well as the Richard A. Maxwell Sport Media Project, to develop the program.
