2025: A Year in Review

As 2025 comes to a close, we look back on a year filled with positive impact, new partnerships and exciting events. Building on our mid-year update, PFRPA has had many successes to celebrate. From Super Bowl Week in New Orleans to the PFRPA Champions Banquet in Houston, the past year has been productive and rewarding as we continue to advance our mission to advocate for and support the retired NFL player community.

Additionally, PFRPA has taken important steps in fundraising efforts and benefits expansion. We also took advantage of valuable opportunities to connect with more former players across the country and deepen our relationships with organizations committed to retired players.

Below, we reflect on some of the highlights from the year.

In February, PFRPA returned to Super Bowl Week in New Orleans, hosting the PFRPA Member Engagement Suite. Retired NFL players and their families were welcomed into a social space where they could relax; speak with staff about their benefits; and enjoy products from PFRPA’s sponsors.

Super Bowl Week also offered an exciting, interactive experience, as our partners at NILTV transformed the PFRPA Member Engagement Suite into a gaming lounge and podcast studio. The energy and engagement from PFRPA members were a highlight. 

PFRPA also attended several partner events throughout the week. Planning is now underway for Super Bowl LX Week in San Francisco, being held in February 2026!

On September 25, PFRPA hosted the 2nd Annual PFRPA Champions Banquet at the Directors Club at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Views of the Houston skyline and the Texans’ home field lined each side of the venue, providing a memorable setting for a heartfelt celebration.

The Banquet honored retired NFL players who are making a positive impact in their communities, as well as individuals who support the former player community. The evening featured a three-course meal, silent auction and an awards ceremony recognizing this year’s honorees:

The event was emceed by Fox 26 Houston’s Nate Griffin, whose enthusiasm and appreciation for retired NFL players elevated the program. All proceeds from the event went to the Greater Good Fund, PFRPA’s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation.

PFRPA is grateful for the generous support of the event’s sponsors: Hall of Fame Health, Medtronic, H-E-B, Delta Dental, The Pathways Foundation and VSP Vision Care. 

NFL Team Alumni Events 

Throughout 2025, PFRPA attended and participated in alumni events hosted by NFL teams for retired players. These events included:

Each of these events provided valuable opportunities to meet with prospective and current PFRPA members in person; strengthen relationships; and share information directly about PFRPA’s benefits and resources.

PFRPA participated in a number of events with its partners throughout the second half of the year, including a Lunch & Learn hosted by Off the Field NFL Wives Association, Hall of Fame Health and Medtronic in Houston, as well as MENTOR’s 35 Years of Relationships Powering Opportunities Gala in New York. 

At the Lunch & Learn, PFRPA presented updates on the PFRPA Dental and Vision Plan benefits, along with other offerings available to retired NFL players and their spouses. Both events brought together a diverse group of attendees and featured impactful conversations, insightful information and meaningful engagement. 

A significant milestone was achieved in May, with the announcement of the PFRPA Operational Legacy Fund. The board-designated endowment supports PFRPA’s long-term operations and furthers the organization’s commitment to preserving the legacy of retired NFL players.

The Fund reflects PFRPA’s belief that every retired NFL player, regardless of their position or how long they played, deserves some level of support. This initiative builds on past efforts and ensures that PFRPA’s impact will continue for years to come.

In August, PFRPA announced a new partnership with Delta Dental, the nation’s leading provider of dental insurance. This partnership marked a major expansion of one of PFRPA’s flagship offerings, the PFRPA Dental Plan, available to NFL players who retired by July 2013, as well as their spouses.

Delta Dental has the largest dental network in the nation and offers comprehensive coverage, with a strong focus on preventive care. Through this partnership, PFRPA members and their spouses have access to informational resources detailing their coverage; an online portal to help them manage their benefits; a dedicated mobile app; and telehealth dentistry services, among other benefits.

This year, PFRPA formed new partnerships with BreastCancer.org, Endeavor Health and The Leigh Steinberg Foundation. These strategic alliances expand PFRPA’s ability to connect members with resources for their health and overall well-being.

BreastCancer.org provides trusted educational resources and support for breast health. Endeavor Health presented a series of webinars for PFRPA members, covering topics such as brain health, arthritis pain and sleep. The Leigh Steinberg Foundation partnership advances initiatives in brain health and concussion awareness. 

PFRPA is set for another big year in 2026, kicking off with Super Bowl LX Week as the first major event in February.

PFRPA Executive Director Joe Agbasi highlights the organization’s achievements this year, while emphasizing a continued commitment for the year ahead.

“This year, we achieved significant milestones that both strengthened our mission and reflected the dedication of our team,” said Mr. Agbasi. “Building on this momentum, we’re looking forward to an even more impactful year in 2026.”

The PFRPA team wishes everyone a joyful, safe and Happy Holidays!