Possibly the greatest Super Bowl player of all time, seven time champ Tom Brady has announced his retirement after 22 NFL seasons. But what could his life after football look like?
While you prep your wings, order your pizzas, and dish out the chips, we’ll take you through ten players who found new careers after leaving the NFL. Could the career paths of other NFL greats give some clues as to what Brady could consider next?
Reviewing the career accolades of QB @TomBrady@Patriots | @Buccaneers pic.twitter.com/w6oMHBZ8BU
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) February 1, 2022
Eli Manning
Operations Director
Average salary: $120,474
Eli Manning spent 16 seasons with the New York Giants, twice leading the Giants to victory at Super Bowl XLII and XLVI, beating Brady and the Patriots on both occasions. Hot rivals, if it weren’t for Eli, Tom Brady could have had eight titles with the Patriots rather than six.
As well as joining ESPN as an NFL analyst in the 2021 season, Eli also undertakes a business operations and fan engagement role at the Giants.
Operations roles can be financially rewarding, with Director roles expecting an average salary of just over $120,000.
Does a career in operations take your fancy? Search the latest Operations Director listings.
.@EliManning threw some of the prettiest dimes. ? pic.twitter.com/yWP3qKoBpR
— NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) January 3, 2022
You can’t teach speed!! https://t.co/Ya3cYRjLUx
— Eli Manning (@EliManning) October 30, 2021
Peyton Manning “The Sheriff”
Author
Average salary: $96,000
Peyton Manning enjoyed an even more successful career than his brother Eli, competing in the NFL for 18 seasons and securing two Super Bowl championships as a quarterback.
Despite his estimated net worth being over $150 million, Peyton remains busy, hosting his football travel show, Peyton’s Places, as well as a lot of charity work.
Peyton is also a published author, publishing the children’s book “Family Huddle” alongside his brothers as well as a series of books reflecting on his football career.
Authors are usually paid a book deal by a publisher, which can be more lucrative the bigger the name, but writers and editors can see salaries of up to $96,000 for senior positions. If you’re interested in writing for a career then we’ve got plenty of jobs available.
One year ago today, Peyton Manning announced his retirement from the NFL. pic.twitter.com/7PZPYBFX5K
— NFL (@NFL) March 8, 2017
Find someone who looks at you the way Peyton Manning looks at the Lombardi Trophy pic.twitter.com/DF8WnwWFyo
— Super Bowl LVI on NBC (@SNFonNBC) November 20, 2016
Jerry Rice
Professional Golfer
Average salary: $91,153
Widely recognised as the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, Jerry won three Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers as well as an AFC Championship with the Oakland Raiders. Retiring in 2006, following a ceremonial 1-day contract with his original team the 49ers, Rice is also a keen golfer.
He’s played in tournaments since his retirement and should he decide to go into golf full-time he could expect to earn a little less than $100,000, although we imagine people would pay a lot more to play with a football legend.
Intrigued by a career in golf? Find our latest roles here.
? @JerryRice vs. @DeionSanders ?
?: #ATLvsSF— Sunday 4:05pm ET on CBS
?: NFL app pic.twitter.com/ayxjWnh0PW— NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) December 17, 2021
Thanks for the time and for the great article. Appreciate it… you’re a #GOAT #tradingcards https://t.co/yeQHsrGZCR
— Jerry Rice (@JerryRice) January 21, 2021
Terry Bradshaw
Country & Western Singer
Average salary: $48,646
Terry Bradshaw is widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and was considered to have the most powerful arms in NFL history. Bradshaw’s NFL career lasted 13 years and he saw four Super Bowl victories (IX, X, XIII, and XIV).
Since his retirement in 1983, Terry has had a wide-ranging career including NFL analyst, actor, NASCAR team member, and country and western singer. He even appeared in the first season of The Masked Singer as ‘Deer’.
As a singer, he’s released five studio albums, and his cover of “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” charted in the Country Chart at 17.
If you’d like a career in entertainment it can be pretty lucrative, check out these roles.
Terry Bradshaw made his mark on #TheMaskedSinger stage!
Did you guess it was him? ? #DeerMask pic.twitter.com/VKRFass2My
— The Masked Singer (@MaskedSingerFOX) January 17, 2019
Emmitt Smith
Real Estate
Average salary: $91,070
Emmitt Smith was a running back in the NFL for 15 seasons (1990-2004) who won three Super Bowl championships (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX) and was the Super Bowl MVP at XXVIII.
Since his retirement, he’s worked on a really varied set of projects, from judging Miss Universe to setting up his own charity.
Most notably, Smith has a majority stake in retail development business Smith/Cypress and is CEO and Chairman of the Board for ESmith Legacy, a commercial real estate and investment management business.
We imagine that Smith’s ventures are far more lucrative than the national average of just over $90,000 but it’s certainly a good place to start. Check out the latest real estate roles here.
.@EmmittSmith22 gobbling up touchdowns on Turkey Day ? (via @nflthrowback)
?: #LVvsDAL— Thanksgiving 4:30pm ET on CBS
?: NFL apppic.twitter.com/zx81qli9dH— NFL (@NFL) November 25, 2021
The new 4315 Innovation Center at UNT-Dallas is officially open! So proud to be a part of this project aimed at getting more kids on track for college and providing more job opportunities here in South Dallas. Congrats to all involved! https://t.co/luDgzLcU4u pic.twitter.com/9YRt7CrBW8
— Emmitt Smith (@EmmittSmith22) January 28, 2022
Jerod Mayo
Angel Investor
Average salary: $167,499
Jerod Mayo is a former linebacker for the New England Patriots who won the Super Bowl in 2014. Retiring in 2016, he spent three years as a Vice President of Business Development at Optum, a subsidiary of the United Health Group.
He is now the Patriot’s line back coach and an Angel Investor, recently investing in an EdTech startup.
As an Angel Investor, your wage will depend on the profits and success of the businesses that you invest in, but as an Investment Manager, you can expect to earn an average salary of $167,499 with the potential to earn a lot more. If you’re interested in earning the big bucks in investments we’ve got the latest listings here.
#tbt ✊? https://t.co/TLKx7iZheg
— Jerod_Mayo51 (@jerod_mayo51) September 18, 2015
Ty Law
Franchise Director
Average salary: $103,380
Ty Law was an NFL cornerback for 15 seasons from 1995 to 2009, primarily with the New England patriots where he won the Super Bowl three times.
After retiring from the NFL, Ty founded a chain of trampoline parks, Launch, which is franchised across New England and one location in Delaware. Ty is even known to participate in trampoline dodgeball with his customers.
It’s hard to predict what a franchise like this might be worth, although the industry is worth an estimated $100 million in the USA, or what he might earn. As a Business Development Manager though you could see an average salary of around $103,380 with top earners netting over $200,000 a year.
Interested in setting up a franchise, or managing franchise operations? You can find the latest business development jobs here.
Every QB’s worst nightmare: Ty Law in the secondary ? @OfficialTyLaw #PFHOF19 pic.twitter.com/nOpzTbbpI5
— NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) August 3, 2019
Dan Marino
Pizza Chef
Average salary: $68,652
Dan is considered one of the most successful NFL quarterbacks to never have been on a Super Bowl-winning team, and only played the Super Bowl once in 1985. Away from the stadium, he’s also famed for his role in the comedy blockbuster Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, where he played himself.
We realise that Dan Marino isn’t a chef, but following a successful career as an NFL quarterback, Marino now owns a successful pizza chain, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, which has 62 locations.
Although an owner, rather than a chef, we’re sure Dan must have picked up some tips to make a mean pizza. If you’d like to explore careers as a chef we’ve got a huge range of vacancies.
Released on this day in 1994! #LacesOut pic.twitter.com/RXYp6uJtBg
— Dan Marino (@DanMarino) February 4, 2021
On this day in 1994, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is released.@Ralph_Stringer joined @TheFishTank81 to tell the story of how @JimCarrey got @DanMarino to join the film >> https://t.co/tZYS7Fdr8h pic.twitter.com/k0A9EG4Ugt
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) February 4, 2021
Bo Jackson
Game Design
Average salary: $105,647
Although he never made it to the Super Bowl, Bo Jackson is the only professional athlete in history to be named an All-star in both baseball and football, so he’s worth a mention. He played four seasons with the Los Angeles Raiders before suffering a career-ending hip injury.
As well as guest appearances on television, numerous advertising campaigns, and setting up his own business, Bo has appeared in and created video games including Bo Jackson’s Hit and Run and ESPN NFL Football.
If Jackson decided to take this seriously as a career, he could expect to earn a pretty lucrative salary.
Inspired by Bo? Here are the latest Game Design roles.
July 11, 1989: @BoJackson hit a monstrous lead-off home run in the MLB All-Star Game. #80s The American League won & Bo was named the game’s MVP. pic.twitter.com/yvzXPkWEMh
— Old School 80s (@OldSchool80s) July 11, 2021
Chris Long
Podcast Host
Average salary: $61,000
Chris Long spent much of his career as a defensive end for the St. Louis Rams before winning the Super Bowl with the New England Patriots (LI) and the Philadelphia Eagles (LII).
On retirement in 2019, Long founded the Green Light Podcast where he interviews a range of celebrities, musicians and athletes as well as partaking in football analysis and sports gambling coverage.
It’s difficult to predict what a podcast host would earn, as a lot of hosts make their money from advertising, and salaries range from $40,000 to $145,000. If you fancy looking for a role in broadcast we’ve got various job listings across the US.
?Sam Hubbard & Ryen Russillo?
(2:50) Chris on Brian Flores
(20:53) @ryenarussillo on Brady’s retirement, his Uncut Gems like story and we got #Mailbag
(1:04:36) @Sam_Hubbard_ talks heading to the #SuperBowl , @JoeyB’s best outfits, talks Lax with Reidhttps://t.co/bvgMMgLAZ4 pic.twitter.com/VKKaG0NL6M
— Green Light with Chris Long (@greenlight) February 2, 2022
None of these roles take your fancy? Head to our homepage to check out our latest job listings in your area.
Read more: The hottest jobs for 2022 based on rising salaries