Total Pro Sports
Some of the top NFL players of the 2000s and 2010s, such as Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook and Justin Tuck, have kept a low profile since retiring from football.
25-something years ago, it would not have been easy to know what your favorite retired players were up to post-football. But social media platforms like LinkedIn allow you to get caught up with one quick Google search.
NFL players who played at least three seasons in the league are eligible for lifetime pensions beginning at the age of 55. But by the time many of these guys retire, they still have plenty of time remaining on their hands. Thus, former NFL stars like Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook decide to stay busy and pursue other careers.
ESPN’s Instagram account recently shared updates on former NFL players who started new careers after football. So,
Donovan McNabb is the CEO at 5sportsperformance. His longtime teammate, Brian Westbrook, is the founder and CEO of Westbrook Project Solutions. The company builds “workforce solutions that power real business outcomes. Specializing in Construction Management, Engineering, and IT/Technology.”
Elsewhere, 2018 first-round pick Josh Rosen is an MBA candidate at The Wharton School. Former Denver Broncos standout tight end Julius Thomas? He’s working on his phD in psychology.
This is one of the coolest things I’ve learned today! Julius Thomas building a career as a clinical health psychologist is one of the stories I love to hear pic.twitter.com/SWI0HYFGZj
— Bootleg Liquor on a Sunday Night 🥃 (@MikeTroy81) December 11, 2025
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears quarterback Mike Glennon is a commercial real estate broker in Raleigh, North Carolina. Ex-Minnesota Vikings running back Toby Gerhart is now the Sr. Director of Sales Enablement at Asurion, a major insurance company.
Just because some of these former players made millions, it doesn’t mean they wanted to retire and live a lavish lifestyle. It’s never too late to start a new career, regardless of your age and situation.
