Recognizing National Mentoring Month and Leaders Beyond the Game

Behind every successful football career is a mentor who offered guidance, support and direction in that player’s life. Recognized each January, National Mentoring Month honors those individuals and the countless others who help create opportunities for young people.

MENTOR and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health launched the nationwide campaign in 2002 to amplify, encourage and strengthen mentorship in our communities. Through PFRPA’s partnership with MENTOR, we celebrate National Mentoring Month and highlight just some of the many retired NFL players who have served as mentors, coaches, nonprofit leaders and community advocates to guide the next generation of leaders and athletes.

National Mentoring Month is dedicated to celebrating and highlighting the value of mentorship in all of its forms. The goal is to raise awareness about the impact that mentors can have on our communities. Additionally, many programs have long lists of young people waiting for a mentor, so this month encourages individuals to step forward and become a mentor for organizations that inspire them.

Through MENTOR, PFRPA supports members who want to give back by becoming mentors in their local communities or nationwide.

For many retired NFL players, leadership does not end when their playing career concludes. Instead, this often evolves into mentorship; whether through community engagement, coaching or other forms of support and guidance. 

This commitment to mentorship can be seen in the nonprofit organizations founded by many retired players, including those below:

Derrick Brooks, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, founded Derrick Brooks Charities to inspire young people from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds to become the best leaders that they can be. 

Greg Camarillo, a former wide receiver who played 8 years in the NFL, founded The Athlete Academy to educate and empower high school student-athletes to prepare for college and post-athletic, post-graduate success. 

Warrick Dunn, a retired 12-year NFL running back, is one of the most respected philanthropists in the retired NFL player community. He founded Warrick Dunn Charities, which focuses on ending generational poverty through financial literacy, homeownership assistance and nutrition and wellness courses, among other programs. 

Wade Smith, a 2025 PFRPA Champions Award recipient, is the founder of the Wade Smith Foundation which supports youth programs in the Greater Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth Areas. Through programs that focus on literacy and education like “Reading with the Pros” (RWTP) and “Smitty’s Scholars,” Wade’s Foundation provides young people with guidance, encouragement and opportunities to grow.

Steve Young, a legendary Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback, founded The Forever Young Foundation to serve children in North America and Africa. These children often face serious illness, trauma or limited access to resources. The Foundation provides guidance through initiatives that support emotional wellness, education, technology access and creative expression.

These retired players are only a sample of those who have become mentors or support mentorship through nonprofits. For other retired players, they guide the next generation of football players by becoming coaches, such as current NFL head coaches and PFRPA Members Dan Campbell and DeMeco Ryans, or former retired player-turned-coach and PFRPA Board Member Mike Singletary. Collectively, these retired players exemplify how mentorship can extend their impact beyond the game.

As we observe National Mentoring Month, we acknowledge MENTOR, retired NFL players and all mentors who strive to help others reach their potential. Through the continued efforts of these leaders, we are reminded of the profound impact mentorship has on helping others, including young people, reach their full potential.