From NFL Trenches to the League Office

Oben appealed that fine and ultimately got it waived. And his relationship with the league office has only blossomed since then. After starting at the NFL in the youth football department, Oben has climbed the ranks to VP, Player Development.

Oben is one of six former players currently working at the league office, joining Troy Vincent (Executive VP, Football Operations), Jon Runyan (VP, Policy and Rules Administration), Kevin Boothe (Senior Director, Management Council), Phil Bogle (Director, Compliance and Administration) and Stephen Bowen (Director, Game Initiatives).

Oben, 52, began planning for a post-playing career not long after being drafted by the Giants in 1996.

“I went to grad school every offseason my first four years,” said Oben, who earned a master's degree in public administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Sports administration was just becoming more of a recognized focus at that time, and FDU eventually invited Oben to be an adjunct professor, teaching the business of sport.

“When I was a player, I had coaches tell me, ‘Hey, you're probably going to work for the PA or the league office or become a college AD when you're done, just because of your demeanor and how you carry yourself,’” Oben said. “And I literally had no idea what that meant ... I was like, is that a bad thing or is that a good thing?”

Several years into his new career, it’s definitely been a good thing. Oben’s responsibilities run the gamut from NFL Combine planning, choosing the coaches for the Senior Bowl, leading developmental initiatives at both the high school and college levels, and managing relationships with organizations like the NCAA, National Football Foundation and American Football Coaches Association.

Part of the job Oben is most passionate about is the college outreach program, in which he and a host of former players visit campuses around the country and speak to college football teams.

“We educate players about the NFL process, about life after football, and about just maximizing yourself on off the field whether you play in the NFL or not,” he said.

“The good news is today's college player has a better understanding of his brand as it relates to his brand identity, but also has a better understanding of the business and the rules. That's something I didn't learn until I was almost 30, my sixth, seventh, eighth year in the league. You're educating today's player a little bit earlier about some of the things so that he's a better NFL player or he can use resources and go on and be successful whether or not he plays in the NFL. I think that's what is important that I want to impart on them.”

Whether it’s college athletes or veterans already in the league, the NFL in recent years has clearly raised the bar in its efforts to help players prepare for and navigate their post-playing days.

Oben credits Troy Vincent as the driving force behind the idea that former players can be great assets for the league office.

“I think the goal was always to get guys that played the game, with an understanding of the game, to have a different perspective at the league office,” Oben said.

Tracy Perlman, the NFL’s Senior VP, Player Operations, works closely with Vincent on this mission. She helped found the NFL Legends Community, a program that facilitates more communication and educates former players about opportunities and benefits that are available to them. Perlman explained how former Jets quarterback Chad Pennington helped the Legends Community create a “playbook” for retired players.

“It came from Chad Pennington always saying to me, ‘I always needed a playbook. Like my entire football life was about the playbook put in front of me.’ So we actually created a transition playbook for guys that they get when they announce their retirement.”

It’s not just the league executives telling players what kind of resources they have. Perlman has a group of 23 former players acting as something of peer-to-peer counselors — a group that includes Hall of Famers Will Shields, Orlando Pace and John Randle. Pennington and Leanard Wheeler are the group’s executive directors.

As much communication and outreach that those former players do, Perlman said the presence of guys like Oben at the league office makes a difference as well. It creates a more welcoming environment for retired players.

“We've completely changed that perspective,” Perlman said. “Having guys in the building, when you come in here and I say, Do you want to meet with Troy Vincent? ‘Troy Vincent who played for the Eagles?’ Yes, that Troy Vincent.

“Do you want to meet with Jon Runyan? ‘Jon Runyon works here?’ So I think that's the other thing that all of a sudden this is a little bit more welcoming because you see yourself on this side.”

Oben is proud of the fact that this fraternity of former players in the league office brings more to the table than just knowing what it’s like to block and tackle.

“We're in the building solving problems shoulder to shoulder with everyone and I think that's one piece of it that I have appreciated,” Oben said. “People respect your football credibility (when you) walk in the door, but then they learn to respect your credibility in serving the league. That's a different level credibility.”

As for blocking versus tackling, Oben is quick to focus on the former — noting that four of the six former players at the league were offensive linemen (Runyan, Boothe, Bogle and himself). “We always joke that offensive linemen are the smartest guys,” Oben said with a laugh.

Oben, always good for a fun quote during his playing days, said he doesn’t take himself too seriously. “But I definitely take the work seriously, the things I've been able to have a chance to work on.”

As Oben continues to build on his legacy as a league executive, he is just as passionate — if not more so — about helping recently retired players get a start on their next chapters.

“Anybody that’s reading this article that knows a former college athlete, a pro athlete that wants to get into their business, if you could create a home for them, just a cup of coffee, share what you do for a living, I would welcome anyone to do that,” he said. “Because I still believe a former athlete is in many cases harder working, more resilient, can deal with adversity a lot better. You just need to learn a different skill when football is over.

“A 20-year-old college player, a 25-year-old NFL player needs to see a former player at the league office, working for the PA, being a college AD, starting an insurance company. They need to see all of it. They need to see the full gamut of what guys can do when you take the helmet off. And I really believe in that.”