By Mark Eckel, Player Engagement Insider
When he was a bruising fullback for the New York Giants the media gave him the monicker Charles “Get out of my’’ Way.
Now, in his role as vice president of NFL Player Engagement, that could be changed to Charles “Show me the’’ Way.
Way was selected by the Giants in the sixth round of the 1995 draft out of the University of Virginia. He played five years for the team before a career-ending knee injury in 1999.
“I knew that some point after football, I wanted to stay around football,’’ Way said. “I didn’t know it would be in the role that I’m currently in, but I knew I wanted to be in the game.’’
After his retirement, Way remained with the Giants in their front office. His role and title changed over the years, but the intent was always the same, helping players.
“It started off as player programs, then player development, now it’s player engagement,’’ Way said. “I’ve seen the evolution of the role change, and really change for the better. Now, we’re in a great position to help our players off the field.
“Over the years I became very appreciative of what the Giants gave me. In the 15 years I was there it gave me a sense of fulfillment that I could have an impact on a lot of men and their families.’’
When Troy Vincent, who launched NFL Player Engagement, joined the league’s Football Operations department in 2014, (he currently serves as its executive vice president) Way left the Giants and crossed the river to New York and the league offices.
“I knew the position was open and it was opportunity for me to continue to grow,’’ Way said. “I always told the players to continue learning and to continue growing. So I took my own advice. It was a chance for me to get out of my comfort zone. Now, I was able to not just impact 53 guys, but the entire league.’’
Still that decision wasn’t an easy one. He was a Giant from the time he was a rookie fullback through his role in the front office.
“It was a very tough decision,’’ he said. “I literally spent half of my life (with the Giants). And it was a great place, a great organization to play for, a great organization to work for. It was tough. It really came down to me wanting to have a greater impact on the game and really give the players what I wanted when I played.’’
And what was that?
“Somebody to guide me in the right direction,’’ Way said. “Someone to have an impact on my value system. Someone to help me navigate those early years of my football career.’’
There wasn’t one particular person who helped Way when he played. But he watched, listened and learned from numerous people. And then he got the chance to work for some coaches who made that initial impact.
“I took advice,’’ he said. “I learned from those around me. I took a lot from Coach (Jim) Fassel and Dan Reeves, two coaches I played for and I worked for Coach Fassel as well. And I can attribute a lot of the success I’ve had to coach (Tom) Coughlin. He helped me in my growing process professionally.’’
One year on the job with the NFL and Way has his goals in order.
“Whenever you take a new position the goal is to leave the position in a better place,’’ he said. “I want to build on what Troy accomplished and take Player Engagement to the next level.’’