Nolan Harrison III transitioned from a ten-year NFL career to a dedicated advocate for player rights and well-being, now serving as the Senior Director for NFLPA Former Player Services.
Nolan Harrison III is the Senior Director of NFLPA Former Player Services, managing and developing the department and its chapter program, providing resources, benefits, and opportunities for former players.
Nolan Harrison III expressed excitement about the NFLPA's partnership with Nexxt to support members in finding next career opportunities. This collaboration helps players transition out of professional football into new careers.
Nolan Harrison III, as Senior Director of Former Player Services at the NFL Players Association, was involved in the NFLPA recommending GoHealth to retired members for health insurance options and advice.
Nolan Harrison III blogs for AARP on the topic of volunteerism, aligning with his commitment to community engagement and service.
Nolan Harrison III blogs for Pro Player Insiders, sharing insights and commentary related to professional sports.
Nolan Harrison III, born on January 25, 1969, in Chicago, Illinois, attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School where he was a multi-sport athlete in wrestling, track, and football. His collegiate career at Indiana University culminated in him being named team captain and an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. Harrison was drafted by the Los Angeles Raiders in the sixth round of the 1991 NFL Draft, marking the beginning of a decade-long professional career. He played as a defensive end and defensive tackle for the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders from 1991 to 1996, the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1997 to 1999, and the Washington Redskins in 2000. Throughout his NFL tenure, Harrison recorded 241 tackles, 22 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles.
During his time in the NFL, Harrison became actively involved with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), serving as a Player Representative and later as an Executive Committee member. He played a pivotal role in advocating for player safety and financial protection. Notably, he spearheaded the successful effort to ban ‘chop-blocking,’ a practice that caused career-threatening injuries. He gathered extensive testimony, film evidence, and signatures from defensive front sevens across the NFL, presenting this information to the competition committee. Additionally, he, along with Player Rep John Fina, proposed the regulation of financial advisors to protect players from financial exploitation, a resolution that later became a significant part of NFLPA policy.
Following his retirement from professional football, Harrison dedicated himself to advocacy and support for current and former players. He spent ten years as an executive in the financial services industry, earning an accelerated financial planning certificate from Arizona State University in 2009 and an MBA with an emphasis in global management from the University of Phoenix in 2012. In 2010, he was appointed as the Senior Director of the NFLPA Former Player Services Department. In this role, he oversees department operations and a national chapter program, developing resources, benefits, and opportunities for the former player community. He also focuses on educating players about their earned benefits, advocating for their rights within the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and preserving workers’ compensation entitlements. Harrison’s career trajectory demonstrates a continuous commitment to the welfare of athletes, moving from on-field performance to off-field leadership and humanitarian work.
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