Two former Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers, Arthur Moats and Terence Garvin, recently got together on Moats' podcast to talk about an often undiscussed subject - what it is like to leave the NFL.
The Arthur Moats Experience
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense - including Arthur Moats, Ryan Shazier, and Terence Garvin.
Both men played for the Steelers in the 2010s. They were locker mates in Pittsburgh and became close friends. Now Moats hosts a podcast called The Arthur Moats Experience and Garvin is a frequent guest on the show.
Most people see the fame and fortune that comes with playing in the NFL and don't consider the human aspect of it. Psychologists frequently note that some of the most stressful life experiences revolve around your career. When you play in the NFL your job is always in danger. On top of that, it might require you to move to a new city, another massively stressful life experience. While there are people in the league to help young players acclimate to fame, there are few people to help ex-players adjust to life on the outside.
Pittsburgh Steelers LB Arthur Moats And Terence Garvin On Life After The NFL
Garvin had a different exit than Moats, who retired. He went to the XFL prior to leaving altogether. Then COVID-19 hit and that ended his journey. He felt that the time in the XFL acted as a buffer, but ultimately only delayed the inevitable feelings he would have to deal with.
"Trying to figure out what's the next move, it's a grind, it's hard, people don't know. I tell people it's like coming back from war, it's obviously not war, but you've seen people's dreams die before you, you've seen people's bodies tear apart all to move up 10 yards."
They agree that players almost have to learn to re-acclimate back into society and it's not easy. It is something that is not talked about nearly enough. Garvin says when he talks to young players now, he tells them to chase their dreams, work as hard as they can, and get paid, but to set themselves up from the start for life after. Moats said that he wished someone had told him that during his first year in the NFL.
Gene J. Puskar | Credit: AP
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Terence Garvin
There is rarely anything glamorous about leaving the NFL. While a few players go to coach or become commentators, the majority are left trying to figure out what to do with the rest of their lives. Moats said this is something that people who don't play rarely grasp.
"It's a life's work to get to the NFL because you start so young and everything from middle school, high school, college is solely focused on this," says Moats. "Your degree, what you do as a job, what you find as a passion, those are all secondary things. But for the longest time, the first 18-20 years of your life is getting you to this."
He goes on to say that the single-minded focus on making it to the NFL made it even harder for him when it was time to adjust back to a "normal" life. Moats says in football, there is no time to worry about extra stuff, and that everything is very regimented.
"One of the things I've struggled with so hard is that in football, we don't sugarcoat. If you're with me you're with me, if not, you get left behind. We don't care about the feelings part. We got a common goal. If your tummy hurt, complain on your own time."
Steelers.com
Pittsburgh Steelers former linebacker Arthur Moats
Then he says football ended and everyone expected him to shift directions and change his way of thinking. Moats says it caused friction in his family - with his wife and kids - who expected him to have better soft skills once he left the game. He says that it might have even been worse for players like himself and Garvin. Neither one was a first-round pick. Moats went in the sixth round and Garvin was undrafted. All they had ever focused on was getting to play professional football. Moats said they had to work harder than some other guys and dedicate more of their time to the pursuit.
"So now in my mind, I'm like, am I slacking as a husband, do I put my foot down? I remember really struggling with that early on. Just in terms of understanding the seriousness of football as a profession, how competitive, and how cutthroat it was. We're competing, but we're brothers. You're here with me today and then you're cut, and I might not see you again, ever. You just got to go on about your business. You got to learn how to turn that cutthroat, cool calculated off and get back to I have feelings, it's ok to communicate, I actually am sad, I might be a little tired today."
Garvin and Moats said that they had these conversations with former teammate Alejandro Villanueva about the similarities between military life and professional football. Villanueva was a captain in the US Army, even serving as an Army Ranger and completing multiple tours of duty in Afghanistan. Upon returning from his service duties, he played for the Steelers as an offensive tackle.
Michael Hickey / Getty Images
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva was an Army Ranger prior to the NFL.
"You were spot on when you talked about the parallels with soldiers and athletes," said Moats. "We don't take it there because we understand they're actually life and death and we are not. But when we talk to soldiers, just the mental similarities of the camaraderie, the way all have to work together, and precision. But at the same time, you have to be able to compartmentalize - bad day? Bad play? Injury? Wifey tripping? You ain't got time for that, you just got tp go."
As an example, Moats was playing in the game when fellow teammate Ryan Shazier was injured. He said that they couldn't focus on that, as much as you're worried about your brother, you have to compartmentalize and keep on playing.
What do you think about their comments on life after football? How difficult do you think it is to balance the business aspect with the passion part of it? Click to comment below.
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