In a world where the prowess of professional athletes is often measured by their performance on the field, a new trend is emerging: former sports stars are carving out impressive niches in the oil and gas industry.
As the athletic career span is often short-lived, many athletes seek to diversify their income and secure their financial future.
This transition from sports to business, particularly in the lucrative energy sector, offers a fascinating look into the intersection of sports, entrepreneurship, and industrial prowess.
The Oil and Gas Attraction
The oil and gas industry, known for its high stakes and significant financial returns, might seem worlds apart from the stadiums and arenas where athletes first make their names. However, the skills that propel athletes to success—discipline, strategic thinking, and risk management—are equally valuable in business.
The volatile nature of oil prices and the high capital required for investment create a challenging yet potentially rewarding environment for these high achievers.
Key Players: Athletes Turned Oil Magnates
1. Roger Staubach: The Quarterback and the Wildcatters
NFL Team: Dallas Cowboys (1969–1979)
Roger Staubach, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer, is a legendary figure both on and off the field. After retiring from football, Staubach made a seamless transition into the business world, eventually becoming a key player in the real estate sector.
However, his foray into the energy industry is equally impressive. Staubach co-founded a private investment firm that focuses on oil and gas ventures, particularly in the exploration and production sector. His ability to navigate complex investment landscapes mirrors his strategic prowess on the football field.
2. Bernard Pollard: From Defensive Back to Energy Investor
NFL Teams: Kansas City Chiefs (2006–2008), Houston Texans (2009–2010), Baltimore Ravens (2011–2012), Tennessee Titans (2013–2014)
Bernard Pollard, former NFL safety, known for his hard-hitting play, has taken a different kind of risk in his post-football career. Pollard ventured into the oil and gas industry by investing in a company focused on innovative drilling technologies.
His company, founded on the principles of efficiency and sustainability, aims to revolutionize traditional drilling methods. Pollard’s approach to the energy sector reflects his defensive mindset—anticipating challenges and tackling them head-on.
3. Michael Strahan: Mining New Opportunities
NFL Team: New York Giants (1993–2007)
Michael Strahan, former NFL defensive end and current television personality, has also made significant strides in the business world. Strahan invested in a mining company that focuses on extracting rare earth elements essential for modern technology.
His involvement in this venture goes beyond mere investment; Strahan takes an active role in promoting sustainable mining practices and the technological advancements necessary to reduce environmental impact.
4. Bo Eason: Eason Oil & Gas Company
NFL Team: Houston Oilers (1984-1988)
After a successful career as a safety with the Houston Oilers, Bo Eason transitioned into the oil and gas sector by founding the Eason Oil & Gas Company. Leveraging his knowledge of Texas and its rich oil reserves, Eason’s company focuses on the exploration and production of oil and natural gas in the region.
His experience in football provided him with a strong foundation in teamwork and leadership, which he applied to build his business from the ground up. Eason’s company has been involved in several significant projects, including drilling operations in the Permian Basin.
5. Tommie Harris: Harris Energy Partners and Author Extraordinaire
NFL Team: Chicago Bears (2004-2010), Indianapolis Colts (2011), San Diego Chargers (2011)
A standout defensive tackle during his NFL career, Tommie Harris has made a name for himself in the oil and gas industry as the owner of Harris Energy Partners. The company, based in Texas, specializes in providing oilfield services, including drilling support and logistics.
Harris’s understanding of discipline and hard work, qualities essential on the football field, translated well into the rigorous demands of the oil and gas industry. His company has become known for its reliability and efficiency, securing contracts with major oil producers across the state.
In 2012, Tommie Harris was an eight-year NFL defensive tackle, two-time consensus All American, and three-time Pro Bowler who had just married his wife, Ashley, on New Years Day. Excitement mounted as they began dreaming and building their new life together, but all of that came to a crashing stop when Ashley suffered an unforeseen brain aneurysm just forty-two days after they were married.
As a defensive tackle, Tommie knew how to take a hit better than clamp your jaw shut and walk it off. It’s what the fans wanted and it’s how you kept the opposing line in check. But what Tommie wasn’t prepared for was when life starts throwing its hardest hits. How do you respond not only to pain, but to injuries in your soul that continue to worsen the longer you ignore them? How do you recover when the hit doesn’t come in the form of a 300-lb. lineman’s shoulder on a football field, but in the form of losing your newlywed wife?
In his new book Playing Through Life’s Hardest Hits, Tommie teaches that when someone is bleeding and gasping for air on the ground, they don’t need someone to stand over them and give advice, but instead to match their posture and hold them close. That’s what Tommie’s new book is all about. Tommie uses his own story of loss to get down on his knees with you, share your pain, and to take your hand. He lends his own story through life’s trials and the lessons he’s learned along the way to help you discover hope again in the midst of your darkest moments, whatever they may be.
Click here for Tommie Harris’ website to order a copy of Endure
6. Jason Belser: Belser Energy Services
NFL Team: Indianapolis Colts (1992-2000), Kansas City Chiefs (2001-2002)
Jason Belser, a former safety in the NFL, has successfully transitioned into the oil and gas industry as the CEO of Belser Energy Services. His company focuses on providing environmental and safety consulting services to oil and gas operators.
Belser’s experience in maintaining strict safety protocols on the football field has been instrumental in shaping his company’s ethos, emphasizing the importance of environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance. His firm has worked with several major oil companies, helping them navigate the complex regulatory landscape of the industry.
7. Willie Roaf: Roaf Energy Solutions
NFL Team: New Orleans Saints (1993-2001), Kansas City Chiefs (2002-2005)
Hall of Fame offensive tackle Willie Roaf has channeled his success on the football field into the oil and gas industry through Roaf Energy Solutions.
The company provides engineering and project management services for oil and gas infrastructure projects, including pipeline construction and maintenance. Roaf’s ability to protect quarterbacks during his playing days is mirrored in his company’s approach to safeguarding client investments through meticulous project execution.
Roaf Energy Solutions has been involved in several high-profile projects, including pipeline installations in the Gulf Coast region.
8. Bob Lilly: Lilly Industrial and Energy Services
NFL Team: Dallas Cowboys (1961-1974)
Known as “Mr. Cowboy” during his NFL career, Bob Lilly has made a significant impact in the oil and gas industry with his company, Lilly Industrial and Energy Services.
The firm specializes in providing industrial equipment and services to oil refineries and petrochemical plants. Lilly’s transition from football to business was driven by his desire to continue contributing to the community in a meaningful way.
His company has grown to become a key supplier of critical equipment and maintenance services, playing a vital role in the operational efficiency of several major refineries across the United States.
9. Kevin Gogan: Gogan Energy Ventures
NFL Team: Dallas Cowboys (1987-1993), Oakland Raiders (1994-1998), San Francisco 49ers (1999), Miami Dolphins (2000)
After a successful career as an offensive lineman, Kevin Gogan founded Gogan Energy Ventures, a company focused on oil and gas exploration and production. Gogan’s company operates primarily in the Midwest, where it has developed several oil fields and increased production through innovative drilling techniques.
His transition from football to the oil industry was motivated by his interest in the technical aspects of energy production, and his company’s success is a testament to his strategic vision and commitment to excellence.
The Transition from Teamwork to Entrepreneurship and Strategies for Success
The transition from professional sports to the oil and gas industry is not an easy one. However, the skills developed on the football field—teamwork, strategic thinking, and the ability to perform under pressure—are directly applicable to the business world. Former NFL players often find that their experience in managing high-stakes situations on the field helps them navigate the complexities of the oil and gas industry.
For example, the leadership skills honed by Bo Eason during his time with the Houston Oilers have been crucial in managing his company’s operations, especially in coordinating drilling projects that require the collaboration of geologists, engineers, and field workers. Similarly, Tommy Harris’s ability to analyze and anticipate plays on the field has translated into a knack for strategic decision-making in his oilfield services business.
Despite the transferable skills, former NFL players face unique challenges in the oil and gas industry. The sector is highly competitive, and success often requires a deep understanding of the technical and regulatory aspects of the business. However, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation and growth.
For instance, Jason Belser’s experience in navigating complex defensive schemes in the NFL has given him an edge in understanding the intricate regulatory requirements of the oil and gas industry. His company, Belser Energy Services, has capitalized on this knowledge to offer specialized consulting services that help clients remain compliant while optimizing their operations.
Moreover, the physical and mental toughness developed during a football career can be a significant advantage in the demanding oil and gas industry. Willie Roaf, known for his durability as an offensive lineman, has applied this same resilience to building a successful engineering and project management firm that tackles some of the most challenging infrastructure projects in the industry.
The Future: Continuing the Legacy
As the oil and gas industry evolves, the contributions of former NFL players are likely to grow. Their unique blend of athletic discipline and business acumen positions them to take on leadership roles in an industry that is constantly seeking innovative solutions to meet global energy demands.
Companies like Eason Oil & Gas, Harris Energy Partners, and Roaf Energy Solutions are not just thriving businesses; they are also part of a broader trend of athletes transitioning into industries where they can continue to make a significant impact.
These former NFL players are setting an example for future generations, demonstrating that the skills developed on the football field can lead to success in even the most complex and competitive industries.
Conclusion
The transition from the NFL to the oil and gas industry is a journey that requires determination, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. The former players highlighted in this article have not only made this transition but have also built successful businesses that contribute to the growth and sustainability of the oil and gas sector. Their stories serve as a testament to the versatility of professional athletes and the enduring value of the skills they develop on the field.
As the oil and gas industry continues to face new challenges and opportunities, the involvement of former NFL players will likely become even more significant. Their ability to lead, innovate, and persevere in the face of adversity makes them valuable contributors to an industry that plays a crucial role in powering the world.
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