NFL Players Suit Up for Sports Journalism Boot Camp
Happening this weekend at Bowling Green State University.
There are more than two dozen current and former NFL players taking part in this weekend’s fourth annual NFL Sports Journalism & Radio Boot Camp, running April 14-17 at Ohio’s Bowling Green State University. Participants include recent New York Jets offensive lineman Willie Colon, currently a free agent, and linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, who just signed with the Buffalo Bills.
The event is coordinated by Bowling Green alum Richard A. Maxwell, who played for the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before working as senior director of broadcasting in the NFL Commissioner’s Office. From a report by NFL Player Engagement insider Lisa Zimmerman about yesterday’s Boot Camp kick off:
[Former ESPN talent executive] Gerry Matalon emphasized the importance of being able to be proficient at more than one skill in the new world of online and mobility.
“Journalism has changed dramatically,” he said. “You’ve got to do a little of everything. It’s near impossible to be great at all of it, but you’ve got to be good at it.” And he added the most important thing of all to achieve success: “Preparation never goes out of style.”
Other panelists and facilitators include NFL player-turned-journalist Brian Baldinger (NFL Network), NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino, CBS anchor James Brown, Westwood One executive vice president and producer Howard Deneroff and former New York Times writer Malcolm Moran.
On the school side, the faculties involved in the Boot Camp are the BSGU Schools of Media and Communications and Human Movement, Sport. Last month, Matalon joined talent agency Playbook Inc. as executive vice president of player development.
Images via: nflplayerengagement.com
