NFL's Troy Vincent shares tips from life on the road
— -- Troy Vincent wears many hats.
The five-time Pro Bowl cornerback played in the NFL for 15 years and now is helping shepherd budding, current and former players as the league's vice president of player engagement.
He's a husband and father of five. And his weekly business trips have earned him one more title — professional traveler.
"I'm in places they don't have rental cars," says Vincent, 41.
Traveling at least two days a week — he's on pace to log more than 160 days this year — Vincent has become a master of the road. He keeps himself healthy and energized with the Zipfizz energy drink mix he always packs and drinks twice a day. And he carries two boarding passes — one that's printed and another on his mobile device so he isn't delayed by a faulty computer or scanner.
"It cuts down on your experience of waiting at a kiosk at certain times or waiting in long lines just to check in," he says, noting those precious minutes can mean the difference between making or missing a flight.
A career playing for the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins meant that much of Vincent's early travel centered around flying to and from games with his teammates. But in February 2010, Vincent moved into the NFL's executive suite and began reshaping the league's player initiatives. Now, he crisscrosses the country, overseeing leadership training and meeting with students, politicians and sports officials.
Through initiatives dubbed NFL Prep, NFL Life and NFL Next, Vincent stresses preparation for life beyond football. Student-athletes, for instance, are reminded in presentations that they need to safeguard the image they cultivate through social media and to be productive with their free time once football season is over. Current players are able to receive financial education and participate in programs that teach them about careers ranging from broadcasting to entrepreneurship.
"We're really hammering home, 'Men, one day you'll be fathers, you'll be husbands, you'll be in the workforce of America,' " he says. "Outside of professional football, you can't tackle, catch, run and throw for a living. So that's the message. It's the academic success, the character piece. It's about being socially responsible."
Vincent has practiced what he preaches. When he graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1992, "My mother said you have to take advantage of everything your employer offers you." So when there was a workshop on how to write a résumé, "I was one of three people sitting in an empty classroom after practice."
His message to up-and-coming players is: "When you see me, I at least want you to get a glimpse of what you can be. Feel comfortable in a suit and a tie. Feel comfortable going to shake a hand. … If you choose to be a professional, you can do that."
The discipline that brought him success on the field comes in handy on his business trips.
Vincent sometimes will fly from New York to Los Angeles and back in the same day.
"I need to get back," he says. "Lost time is never found."
He also doesn't waste time during the flight. He hasn't slept on a plane in two years.
