By Mark Eckel, Player Engagement Insider
Garry Cobb had been helping NFL players to transition into the post-NFL world almost since the time he became a former player himself following the 1989 season.
Cobb was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the ninth round of the 1979 NFL Draft out of the University of Southern California. The linebacker was released in training camp and was then signed by the Detroit Lions. He subsequently played in the league for 11 years, including with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Cowboys whom he rejoined for the final two years of his career. When his football career ended, he became a part of the Philadelphia media, working in both television and radio.
He also dipped his toe into politics, running for the 1st Congressional District of New Jersey Congress in 2014 in which he won the Republican nomination. He was defeated in the general election.
Now, Cobb is doing what he really loves; helping former players as an NFL Legends transition coach for NFL Player Engagement.
“I was always helping the guys,’’ Cobb said. “When I was finished playing, and in the media, I would always be around and see a lot of the former players. I knew them from when I played, so it was easy. Guys like Ike Reese and Brian Westbrook (who are both in the media, now), I would just talk to them, give them advice.’’
Cobb also knew Troy Vincent, who was a star cornerback for the Eagles, when he was doing radio and TV and their relationship grew.
“Troy knew me as a guy in the media, but he knew I was a player. I’m always going to be a player. He saw the way I was always helping the guys, giving them advice. But not just advice in being a player, but in being a person. So when he went up to New York (as the vice president of Player Engagement) he kept me in mind. He asked me if I would be interested in doing this. I definitely wanted to do it.’’
Cobb began training to become a transition coach about three years ago.
“It was tough training,’’ he said. “It was extensive.’’
As a transition coach, Cobb, and the rest of the NFL Legends staff, deals with more than just giving former players advice.
“You’re not just dealing with the player,’’ Cobb said. “You’re dealing with his wife, his family. When a player retires or gets released, his wife and family retire or get released, too. And that’s the difficult part. That’s where problems happen.
“We do whatever we can to help,’’ Cobb said. “We’re not counselors, but if we think a player, or his family, needs counseling we tell them. And for the most part they’ll listen to us, because they know we played. We went through the same things.’’
Cobb said he wishes there were transition coaches around when he retired.
“ “It would have been great,” he said. “I could have used it.’’
Now, he’s just happy to be helping players along the way to their post-NFL careers.
“I tell guys while they’re still playing to start thinking ahead,’’ he said. “You’re not going to play this game forever. So what do you want to do when you’re done playing? And just like you prepare for a game, well you have to prepare for your next career, too.
“Now the NFL has so many things to help guys. If you want to go back to school, they’ll pay for it. That’s big. Some guys want to go get their Master’s degrees. It’s all there for them.’’
And the transition coaches are there to help.
“I love what I’m doing,’’ Cobb said. “I really do. I’m giving advice to guys and helping guys. That’s all I ever wanted to do.’’