Observed each March, Women's History Month celebrates the achievements, leadership and lasting contributions of women throughout history. Women in leadership across the NFL and non-profit sector, among others, play a vital role in strengthening the support network around retired NFL players and their families.
Pro Football Retired Players Association (PFRPA) is proud to highlight just some of the women whose leadership has driven meaningful impact on the retired NFL player community and who continue to advance this mission every day.
Tracy Perlman – Senior Vice President of Player Operations, National Football League
Tracy Perlman joined the National Football League (NFL) her first day after graduating from Hofstra University, rising to her current role as the Senior Vice President of Player Operations. Perlman leads the marketing and communication of all programs, benefits and resources available across the football community, positively impacting relationships and enhancing goodwill for the NFL and its 32 member clubs. She also builds relationships with, and establishes connections between, current and former players (former players are known as NFL Legends).
Perlman serves as the contact for players on league-wide initiatives, including “My Cause, My Cleats”, and she leads off-season player development initiatives to better support athletes on and off the field. These player engagement programs include continuing education, financial literacy and personal development. Additionally, Perlman spearheaded the current mandatory player education programs across the league.
Perlman is a trailblazing leader in the retired player community. In 2013, she established the NFL Legends Community, in partnership with NFL Player Engagement and the Commissioner’s Office.
The NFL Legends Community is the league’s central resource for the more than 12,000 retired players, connecting them with one another in person and through social media year-round. The Legends Community helps former players celebrate their accomplishments, provide opportunities to mentor current players and support their work in the community. Perlman leads several NFL Legends initiatives to support these former players through team events, educational programs, professional development, total wellness initiatives and networking opportunities. In 2020, her team launched the NFL Legends Podcast, offering an unscripted platform for retired players to speak openly about their time in the NFL and life after football.
Before joining football operations, Perlman was NFL Vice President of Entertainment and Marketing. In that role, Perlman organized and promoted the Super Bowl halftime show, one of the most-watched events on television, each year. Over the course of her career, she has earned three Sports Emmy Awards: Outstanding Public Service Content with “NFC Championship: Somebody” (2025), Outstanding Trans‑Media Sports Coverage with “NFL 100 Greatest” (2020) and Outstanding Public Service Content with “Super Bowl LVII: Run With It” (2019). Perlman received the Steve Sabol Award in 2019, and her leadership and impact have also been recognized by Billboard (Power 100, 2014) and Sports Business Journal (Game Changers, 2012).
Karen Wright – Executive Director, Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund
Karen Wright has served as the Executive Director of Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund since 2019. At Gridiron Greats, Wright leads the efforts to support retired NFL players facing serious medical and financial hardship through grants, housing assistance and pro bono medical support. She oversees every aspect of the charity, including fundraising and strategy execution; planning and logistics for events; marketing and player intake; and the development of strategic partnerships in medical and financial fields.
Wright started working at Gridiron Greats in a part-time role managing the office, assisting retired players and supporting the Executive Director at the time. Now, with over 15 years of experience in sports, entertainment, event management and philanthropy, Wright continues advancing Gridiron Greats’ mission to assist retired NFL players in dire need.
Amy Cramer – Director, Hall of Fame Health
Amy Cramer has served as the Director of Hall of Fame Health since 2021. Hall of Fame Health provides a nationwide network of medical care, assisting individuals looking for a doctor; seeking better insurance options; facing challenges such as addiction or substance abuse; or facing mental health concerns. In her role, Cramer leads programs and initiatives focused on advancing healthcare solutions and building strategic partnerships that support retired NFL players, among other athletes, collegiate alumni, veterans and their families.
Cramer has served on multiple boards, offering leadership and insight to support mission-driven organizations and healthcare initiatives. Through her leadership, consistent presence and genuine care for the retired NFL player community, she has become a trusted partner and a respected voice among the individuals she serves.
PFRPA most recently collaborated with Hall of Fame Health for a special Kickoff Event during Super Bowl LX week, which brought retired NFL players together in the same room as many leaders in the player care space.
Lisa Parmeter – Executive Director, Merging Vets & Players
Lisa Parmeter is the Executive Director of Merging Vets & Players (MVP), a peer community that connects military-affiliated individuals and former professional athletes to build belonging, purpose, resilience and stronger communities. Most of the professional athletes involved are retired NFL players.
Parmeter leads the organization’s fitness, health and wellness programs, day-to-day operations, partnerships and the overall strategic initiatives to address the challenges that military veterans and professional athletes face in transition once the uniform comes off. In May, Parmeter will lead the 4th Annual MVP Awards and Benefit Gala, an event that brings together retired NFL players, veterans and other athletes to fundraise and support MVP.
Her passion for supporting the retired player community is rooted in her own lifelong experience in sports. Having been a competitive athlete since the age of five, Parmeter developed a deep understanding of the highs and lows athletes face beyond the uniform, including the personal sacrifices that often come with year-round training and competition.
Additional Acknowledgements
PFRPA acknowledges the many women who work as NFL Team Alumni Relations leaders and other team staff who support retired NFL players every day. PFRPA has previously awarded two of these women with the PFRPA Champions Award: 2024 Honoree Cathy Dworak and 2025 Honoree Kandyace Mayberry.
Recognition is also extended to PFRPA Strategic Alliance partner Off the Field NFL Wives Association (OTF). OTF is a community of wives and significant others of retired NFL players, founded by Ashley Brown, Romanda Jordan and Sherice Brown. Many of OTF’s programs empower women, children and NFL Wives and leave a positive impact on underserved communities. Other philanthropic efforts support the retired NFL player community, such as OTF Cares, which contributes to the holistic health of current and retired NFL player families.
We thank Tracy Perlman, Karen Wright, Amy Cramer, Lisa Parmeter, as well as the countless women who champion for retired NFL players every day. Their work ensures retired players and their families have the support, resources and care that they deserve.
