NFL preps its players for life after football as broadcasters

June 30, 1:09 PMSports ExaminerPaula Duffy

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Have you noticed a greater number of current football players on the sports TV scene this off-season? If so, then credit a venture conducted by the NFL and NFL Films. Rather than push them into insurance, real estate or corporate life, the league has established a crash course in sportscasting.

Last week, 24 current or recently retired players attended an intensive four day program in suburban New Jersey. This is the third year the league has offered this opportunity to players. (Check out non-participant Emmitt Smith's video below).  Course subjects included sideline reporting and items as seemingly mundane as wardrobe set-up and how to prep in the green room. What's that consist of, how not to spill on your suit?

According to the New York Daily News, NFL Manager of Player Development, Vaughn Bryant called the course, "part of the effort to help players adapt to life after football." It seems to be a success because the Daily News reports that 21 players who went through earlier versions of the training program have hooked on with TV or radio networks.

Joe Jurevicius, recently cut by the Cleveland Browns was one of last week's attendees and was quoted as saying: "I was lambasted pretty good. There was kind of an 'American Idol' feel to it. " Of course when the players are being taught and judged by the likes of CBS' James Brown and ESPN's Ron Jaworski, you'd have to figure some straight talk is being dished out.

Here's one thing that you wouldn't expect however, players being shy about using examples from their own careers. But SportsBusiness Daily reports, that is precisely what ESPN producer, Bud Morgan said most players had to be overcome when they weren't merely the subject of an interview.

And then there is the sad tale of a man who could have used this program: Emmitt Smith. He was eliminated from ESPN's football coverage after he went from an in-studio analyst, sitting along side Chris Berman to an on-location talking head where Steve Young had to learn to ignore the blather. He just couldn't make the grade. The compiled video below tells the story.

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