Internships | NFLPA

NFL Players Association

Communications

The Communications Department serves the members of the NFLPA by working to protect players’ integrity and image through fair and accurate coverage in the media. In addition, they educate the player membership on programs and initiatives available through their union while ensuring that internal and external messages are clear and consistent.

Intern responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting the digital communications team with social media posts, graphics and content creation
• Helping with the collection of photos and graphics for different NFLPA events
• Performing general office duties and media research

Intern candidates should have:

• Strong communication, writing and copywriting skills
• Basic knowledge of Canva, Photoshop and/or other Adobe Creative Suite applications
• Understanding of social media landscape and industry trends
• A detail-oriented, resourceful and problem-solving mentality

Former Player Services

The Former Players Services Department is a fraternity of former NFL players and facilitates personal growth beyond football while providing an active voice for former players of all ages. In addition, providing tools, resources, and opportunities to support a successful transition from the game, the department focuses on cultivating compassion, respect and dignity within its membership. The Former Players Department seeks to inspire players to feel connected to one another, their community and to the NFLPA when their football careers end and their life after football begins.

Intern responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting Former Players Department staff across all projects within the department
• Performing research and data analytics to support former player programs
• Providing integrity checks/updates to our database of more than 20,000 former players
• Creating content and social media design for former player channels
• Ensuring deadlines are met within a fast-paced environment
• Intern must possess exceptional computer and project-oriented skills.

Player Affairs

The Player Affairs Department ensures players are aware, educated and informed, to actively guard their collectively bargained rights and benefit from union programs, resources and services. In addition to empowering players to focus on matters that will enhance their transitions through the NFLPA pipeline, the Player Affairs Department works with Player Representatives, as liaisons, to provide off-the-field direction through mentorship programs, comprehensive financial services and other membership assistance. The Player Affairs Department also works with the NFL Management Council to jointly administer the Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse and Policy on Performance-Enhancing Substances.

Intern responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting team members with logistics as it pertains to programs and resources available for active players.
• Helping to maintain an accurate database for tracking engagement with active players.
• Handles introductory calls with active players looking for professional development or continuing education assistance.
• Reviewing and processing applications for the Registered Financial Advisor program, as needed.
• Stays abreast of all matters concerning union business as it relates to issues including but not limited to workers’ rights, benefits, support programs, etc.
• Support inter-scholastic and inter-collegiate affairs with scheduling and program implementation, as needed.

 Player Wellness

The Player Wellness team is a subset of the Player Affairs Department. This department serves all active players by equipping them with resources to help them succeed on and off the field. This position works with a small team to provide world-class service through strategic outreach to active players regarding their overall wellbeing. The Wellness department facilitates referrals to mental health providers. The intern’s responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Assisting the Department with wellness resource generation, including mental health, nutrition, and injury/healthy recovery resources.
• Assisting the Department with the Clinician Directory management, including database maintenance, recruitment process, and effectiveness/utilization research.
• Participating in the planning of the annual Player Associations Injured Reserve (PAIR) program.
• Administrative duties including:
  • Creating presentation decks and organizing the PAD wellness OneDrive and SharePoint.
  • Maintaining the departments key contact list on AirTable.
  • Maintaining the internal inventory system
  • Ordering merchandise for future wellness programming.
  • Contributing player wellness content to the monthly newsletter.
  • Monitoring social media outlets for player-related mental health and wellness content.
  • Collaborating with the Player Affairs intern on department wide initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned

Intern candidates should possess:

• Completed degree (or pursuing) in Mental Health, Health Promotions, or related field.
• Demonstrated ability to plan/organize work effectively.
• Self-starter and demonstrated ability to be professional and flexible.
• Exceptional Microsoft Suite skills; Airtable experience is a plus
• Understanding of mental health laws related to confidentiality and privacy.

Professional Athletes Foundation

The Professional Athletes Foundation was founded to support, strengthen, and inspire players as they transitioned from their active NFL careers. Established in 1990 as the charitable arm of the NFL Players Association, the PAF offers a range of wellness resources as well as financial assistance through the Gene Upshaw PAT Grant. With more than $10 million in financial, medical and educational assistance granted, the PAF is the leading foundation in assisting former NFL players. Learn more at www.yourpaf.com

Intern responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Assists in maintaining accurate electronic files for the PAF
• Corresponds accordingly with GU PAT Applicants, Charitable Grant Organizations
• Assists with PAF Chapter and Family Scholarship Program, communicating info to Former Player chapter, scholarship recipients, and academic institutions
• Performs data entry related to Gene Upshaw PAT Grant Assistance Program
• Assist with preparation related to PAF engagements and Former Player Convention
• Respects the sensitivity and maintains confidentiality of PAF records, player records and other information
• Assists with PAF event/engagement prep and department mailing: packing, shipping, gifting inventory, etc.