The University of Akron Athletics
Troy Vincent Visits with Zips Football
June 22 | Football
AKRON, Ohio – NFL Vice President for Player Engagement Troy Vincent visited with The University of Akron football team on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the importance of earning a degree and maintaining proper conduct off the field.
"Your financial freedom is in your education, not in the NFL," Vincent said.
During the 45-minute presentation he sharing statistics about how few collegiate players have a chance to compete in the NFL and then how few of those players are on a league roster for less than three years.
"Do not leave this University without getting your degree," he said.
He also discussed being responsible when using social media web sites like Facebook and Twitter, explaining that the NFL researches the online actions of potential players the same as a human resources representative would a prospective employee.
Vincent was a first-round draft pick by the Dolphins in 1992 and spent 15 years in the league, playing for the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins. In addition to being selected to five Pro Bowls, he was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2002. He also received the NFL Players Association Byron "Whizzer" White Award in 2003 and topped the list of The Sporting News' "100 Good Guys in Sports" the same year.
In 2005, Vincent received the Athletes in Action Bart Starr Award for his outstanding character and leadership on the field and in the community, making him the only NFL player to have won all four of these awards. He also served four years as president of the NFL Players Association from 2004 to 2008.
