By Brenden Lee, NFL Communications & Public Affairs
Linebacker David Vobora was the final pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and earned the annual distinction of being celebrated as ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ in Newport Beach that summer.
He overcame the odds and played three seasons with the Rams and one with the Seahawks before injuries forced him to retire.
His story doesn’t end there… it just begins.
After a year trying to find himself, the Oregon native and his family moved to Dallas and helped open the Performance Vault gym that focuses on athletes who are bound for the NFL or hoping for that second chance to get back into the league. The gym also caters to wounded military veterans back from deployment overseas.
“I had this vision,” Vobora recalls. “Vets and transitioning athletes helping each other under one roof. It’s a phase of life where we deal with the same kind of problems. We as athletes are used to playing in front of thousands and vets are used to running into battle. Suddenly, when we both are ‘discharged,’ life looks different when you’re struggling to find a job or watching football from the couch. It’s not easy either way.”
Vobora also has founded the Adaptive Training Foundation, a non-profit that offers free personal training to individuals recovering from traumatic injuries, either in military or civilian life. He is developing a certification program to prepare others to do similar work. During this holiday season, the 29-year old Vobora and other Legends who give so much to help others deserve not only our year-round support, but the appreciation of Americans across the land. We salute you!