3 minute read
Garrick Jones
Q. Thanks for interviewing with us can you tell everyone who you are and what you do?
A. I am currently President of the Huddle Up Foundation of Houston, which is a nonprofit organization created by former NFL athletes working in around the communities we live and serve. I am responsible for developing and the implementation of HUFOH athlete initiatives across the country as well as overseeing the education and exposure of criminal/social justice reform along with community/ economic development in Houston and surrounding areas!
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I have more than 20 years of experience in managing businesses, delivering real-time solutions, and groundbreaking expertise in the developmental sports space, including financial literacy, entrepreneurship with an emphasis on organic branding. Before my elected position with HUFOH, I CoFounded the States Developmental Football League in which I serve as commissioner. My journey in business and sports is featured in several magazines and journals throughout the years. The most notable is my then and now feature in Kiplinger regarding the impact on my professional football career on the athletes I have exposed to financial literacy, business, athlete branding and finally leveraging their followings while cultivating an entrepreneurship mindset.
I’ve played five seasons in the National Football League, as well as five seasons in the Canadian Football League before I assumed the role of President. The highlight of my playing career would have to be signing my first NFL contract after forgoing my senior season at Arkansas State University due to personal issues. I currently sit on the Board of Directors for the NFLPA Houston Chapter and the Advisory Board for IMPACT Sports LLC, a company focused on the development of concussion reducing helmets for all athletes. I also facilitate Diversity and Inclusion webinar workshops on a monthly basis within the Equilibria in Sports platform.
Q. Tell us about your experience with the Houston Texans?
A. My experiences were great while with the Texans. The city embraced my family and I as their own which helped make the decision to stay here permanently a no brainer.
Q. Who is your favorite sports hero?
A. My brothers Damion and Kevin. I wanted to be like them because they were my older brothers and were the most amazing athletes I had ever seen.
Q. I also see that you’re the president of “The Huddle Up Foundation of Houston” can you tell us more about the foundation?
A. The foundation is made up of former NFL players that serve various communities with their own impactful Initiatives. We are trying to bridge the gap between the players and the friends, family, and fans within the communities in order to make a stronger social impact on society.
Q. What has been your biggest accomplishment you have had in life?
A. Making it to the NFL as an undrafted free agent. https://www.espn.com/nfl/ story?id=1846461&src=desktop
Q. Can you tell us your biggest challenges you have had?
A. Learning how to truly navigate life after professional sports.
Q. Tell us about your States Developmental Football league you have?
A. It’s primarily a league that deals with more of the facets regarding life skills and true off the field development. I speak on it indepth in the interview above.
Q. Are you working on any new projects or events for 2021?
A. My main focus for 2021 is to become a general manager in the NFL preferably the Houston Texans but will entertain the options of working with other teams. https://www.change.org/p/ houston-texans-a-change-isneeded
Q. Can you give any tips for others that wants to be an athlete?
A. You have to work at your craft. You need to become a student of the game and position you are playing. It has to be part of your life like sleeping and eating. It has to be second nature!
Q. Where can the readers follow you?
A. IG: officiallygarrickjones LinkedIn & Twitter: commissionergj
