Help with essay, football knowledge

[30gut]

Originally Posted by skinster

I'm writing an essay about seemingly impossible dream jobs and why they are impossible. My dream job is an NFL GM, but despite the fact that there are only 32 of them, another requirement seems to be having actually played football at a reasonably high level. Before I say this, I'd like to know if anyone knows of any GMs/front office guys that didn't play football or grow up in a football family that could disprove what I say?

Nope can't say that I do, but I don't know many NFL execs/scouts.

I know of 1 scout that didn't play any football after highschool but he doesn't fit the bill because he's the son of a former NFL player and former NFL coach and consequently grew up around the league.

But lets take a few baby steps from GM.
It is not impossible to become an NFL scout.
But you must be willing to get paid close to nothing for awhile as your college buddies make good money.

Starting from where you are now.
First study the game.
Read as much as you can.
Coach.
Volunteer with closet football team near you.
Talk to the coaches and ask if you can help them.
Keep studying the game and listen.
Old coaches know a ton of football.
Then volunteer with your college football team in an capacity they let you.
Again, keep studying the game and asking questions.
Network and make as many connections as you can.
Apply to become a grad assistant in any capacity.
But make sure you let people know that your goal is scouting.(you might end up coaching for a little)
After your time as a grad asst/local/regional scout/recruiter and you progress up the ladder.
When you feel you're ready or more aptly the people around think you're ready you should mass mail every indoor league, arena league, CFL, NFL front offices your resume and follow up with a cold calling campaign where you more or less beg to work tirelessly for nothing.
Hopefully you would have made enough connections that you'll have some targeted places where you might have a foot in the door.

Oh, in the above scenario I'm assuming that you work extremely hard, are constantly learning and have a humble but driven mindset.
Once you get your foot in the door as an NFL intern or unpaid quality control person or driver or video coordinator or you make your own way with your productivity and football smarts.