NFL Players To Participate In Sports Journalism & Radio Boot Camp This Weekend

Westwood One's Howard Deneroff

Thirteen current and former NFL players will take part in the fourth annual NFL SPORTS JOURNALISM AND RADIO BOOT CAMP, this weekend, APRIL 14th through 17th at BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY in OHIO. This is one of several programs developed by NFL PLAYER ENGAGEMENT to prepare current and former players for post-NFL careers.

The four-day boot camp will focus on improving players’ written and oral commentary skills for print, radio and the expanding digital media industry. Players will receive training and tips in a variety of panel discussions and interactive workshops led by top sports journalists and radio hosts, talent development experts and BGSU faculty. Industry experts will also provide players with one-on-one career mentoring and assistance.

NFL VP Player Engagement CHARLES WAY: “Sports journalism offers an excellent career opportunity for players to stay connected with the sport they love after their NFL experiences. This boot camp provides players with skill development and networking opportunities to succeed in the media industry.”

Throughout the week, participants will put their skills to work in interactive breakout sessions and writing labs, including mock press conferences with veteran NFL Game Official BOB WAGGONER and BGSU Head Football Coach MIKE JINKS. Players will write daily individual features and op-ed columns on topics addressed, ranging from NFL officiating to social issues.

Panelists and facilitators include former NFL player-turned-journalist BRIAN BALDINGER of NFL NETWORK, NFL VP Officiating DEAN BLANDINO, CBS anchor JAMES BROWN, WESTWOOD ONE EVP and Executive Producer HOWARD DENEROFF, former ESPN talent executive GERRY MATALON, Director of National Sports Journalism Center and former NEW YORK TIMES writer MALCOM MORAN, and ESPN Digital Media Producer JASON ROMANO.

BUFFALO BILLS' LORENZO ALEXANDER, OAKLAND RAIDERS' T.J. CARRIE, NEW YORK JETS' WILLIE COLON and free agents WILL MONTGOMERY and RICH OHMBERGER will be joined by former players VINCE AGNEW, JE'ROD CHERRY, PERCELL GASKINS, GREG JONES, JOHN MICHELS, BRANDON NOBLE, MIKE PRITCHARD and MICHAEL TURNER will participate in the BOOT CAMP.

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