By Karina Knighten
NFL Player Engagement
What is the Rookie Symposium all about? In previous years, roughly 300 drafted rookies sat in a ballroom to learn about various topics over the course of four days. The rookies were provided with copious amounts of information that inevitably left them with no room to retain most of the information to prep them for life in the National Football League. This year, the NFL designed the Rookie Symposium to maximize the learning experience for the rookies by not only creating two separate sessions by NFC and AFC conferences, but by also removing topics from the agenda. This allowed rookies to not only learn in a smaller setting, but also be able to have more intimate discussions in their “breakout” sessions. Another significant change was the location of the Symposium. By hosting the Symposium in Aurora, Ohio, the NFL was able to create a private learning environment with no distractions from outsiders, and was also able to incorporate visits to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. These visits allowed the Pro Football Hall of Fame staff to educate rookies on the history of the game and those who came before them.
The four basic teaching principles of the 2012 NFL Rookie Symposium were History, Experience, NFL Player Expectations, and Professional and Social Responsibility. TROY VINCENT, the NFL’s Vice President of Player Engagement, spearheaded the Symposium and decided the league needed a new format to educate rookies. Various panelists and speakers were invited to talk to the rookies about topics related to these principles. Cincinnati Bengals cornerback ADAM JONES and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback MICHAEL VICK talked to the rookies about the life-changing decisions they made in their own lives that jeopardized their football experience and hoped their stories would make a positive impact on the young men to make better decisions off-the-field. Both are examples of what the Symposium tries to prevent. They both were able to save their career, but not every NFL player is so lucky. Vick said, “Be accountable for everything you do. You can’t blame anybody else for your actions. The choices that you make each and every day are what shape your life.”
The Symposium included the following panels: Transitioning Into the NFL, Self-Regulation, Expectations of an NFL Player, and What Defines Success. The rookies heard from TERRELL OWENS, LAVAR ARRINGTON, HARDY NICKERSON, MATT STOVER, LECHARLES BENTLEY, ROSS TUCKER, and others who want to give back to the next generation of NFL players by sharing their stories. The NFC rookies also had a chance to hear from former NBA player CHRIS HERREN, who’s raw and emotional account of his 14-year struggle with substance abuse left the rookies speechless and provoked a standing ovation in the closed session.
At the conclusion of the program, the rookies had a chance to hear from Hall of Famer MICHAEL IRVIN and JAIME DUKES' strong testimony. The final day was the rookie visit to the Pro Football Hall of Fame where rookies had an opportunity to learn the history of the game and hear Hall of Famer CARL ELLER share his experience and wisdom.
The Symposium covers the whole 360-degree environment of the National Football League. Rookies come in with preconceived notions of what the Symposium is all about, but when you have guys sharing that the Symposium “saved my life,” you realize that the League is making a positive impact in these young men’s lives.
The history of the NFL is valuable for players to understand what it means to be an NFL player and to respect the men who have paved the way for the future generations. If rookies use the tools that they are given and adhere to the advice of veterans and former players who have sat in those same seats at past Rookie Symposiums, they will make a successful transition into the NFL. The NFL experience is only a fraction of a life time, so it is critical for players to take advantage of the resources available to assist them in winning both on and off-the-field.
Read about Colts rookie Coby Fleener’s experience at the Rookie Symposium here.
Check out exclusive video interviews with Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck and more.