By Mark Eckel | Engagement Insider
Brandon Frye’s agent, Deryk Gilmore, helped him get started in his post-football career as a mortgage banker. His girlfriend, now fiancée Melissa Favorito, got him involved with fundraising for Alzheimer’s Disease.
Now Frye, a former NFL tackle out of Virginia Tech, is doing well with both ventures.
A fifth-round draft pick out of Virginia Tech by the Houston Texans in 2007, Frye played for the Miami Dolphins and Seattle Seahawks before his NFL career ended in 2010.
“While I was playing I didn’t really think about what I would be doing when I was finished,” Frye said. “Deryk, my agent, had a plan for all of his clients about getting ready for your post-football life. He introduced us to Corporate America.
“That’s what first got me thinking about what I might do. I had a finance degree from Virginia Tech, so I thought I should put it to use.”
When his playing career ended, Frye first returned to his home in Myrtle Beach.
“I missed playing at first,” he said. “I missed the competition. I missed the games. It took a little bit of time, but I decided I should give the finance degree a chance.”
A long-time friend mentioned a job at Wells Fargo, Frye gave it a shot and it’s worked out pretty well.
Frye is currently a Home Mortgage Consultant, working out of the Wells Fargo Washington D.C. office.
“I’m liking it,” he said. “It’s not playing football, which of course, was something special. I miss the game, but I don’t miss the schedule and all that went with it. I like what I do, now. I enjoy my job. I like the freedom of having a job like this.”
His passion, which helped him become a NFL player, has turned to helping those suffering with Alzheimer’s Disease. Frye, along with his fiancée are very involved in the “Blondes vs. Brunettes” Flag Football Game that takes place all across the country and raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for the cause.
On his personal website, Frye explains what he’s doing and why he’s doing it.
“Most people who know me know that I have a passion for football. I played this game for 20 years through high school, college, and the NFL. I also helped coach my high school team to win the South Carolina state championship, so I can't help but to have a passion for the game.
“I also have a passion for volunteering and fundraising for charities. I have been blessed with the opportunity to combine those 2 passions by coaching in this year's Blonde vs. Brunettes flag football game to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association. This will be my second year coaching and being involved with this event and I am more excited than ever to be a part of this great cause.
“Alzheimer’s disease is the nation’s sixth leading cause of death. An estimated 5.4 million Americans are living with the disease and nearly 15 million are acting as caregivers. It’s time to take action and change the course of this epidemic.
“That’s why I’m coaching with the Association Blondes vs. Brunettes®, a nationwide women’s flag-football league created to advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association. My teammates and I are training and preparing for game day, but win or lose, our true goal is a world without Alzheimer’s.”
Frye got involved through Favorito, whose grandparents suffered with the terrible disease, and who became the captain of the Blonde team.
Through their efforts, the “Game” has taken place in 35 different cities, raising money to fight Alzheimer’s along the way.
“It started out, as something I could do just to help,” Frye said. “I just wanted to help out the fundraiser. Then I asked if I could coach.”
Frye took over the Blonde team and more importantly has helped raised more money each year. This year’s latest game held in November raised a new high total of $166,000.
“I’ve always volunteered my time, even in college, I was looking to help out with good causes, mentoring young kids,” Frye said. “This has become something special to me. And it’s growing every year.”