Spotlight

Chris Mohr

Trust Spotlights

Chris Mohr

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Chris Mohr is an NFL veteran punter who spent fifteen years in the league. A family man on and off the field, Mohr shared his football experience to highlight the value of a support system. 

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Chris Mohr started playing football at the age of seven. Growing up, he played quarterback and defensive back while punting on the side. Mohr enjoyed being a quarterback but didn’t think he would have had the longevity in the NFL playing any other position besides punter.

Following a great college career as a punter at Alabama, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Mohr in the 1989 NFL Draft. Mohr spent his rookie season with the Bucs before suiting up for the Montreal Machine during the inaugural 1990 World League of American Football season, leading the league in punting. He then spent the next ten seasons with the Buffalo Bills, a franchise where he enjoyed some of his most memorable moments in the league.

I signed with Buffalo that June of 1991 and was blessed to play for some great teams there for ten years. I went to three Super Bowls, and I wouldn't trade any of the friendships and the time I had in Buffalo for anything in the world.

Mohr was also grateful to spend four years of his NFL career in his hometown of Atlanta. Playing with the Falcons was a fun experience, as his home was only two hours away and that allowed him to be closer to his family. Mohr played pro football until the age of 40, describing the 15-year experience as "incredible".

Mohr credited his family as his biggest support system when he transitioned to life outside of football. Being home in Atlanta during the latter stages of his playing career worked out great because his children were at the age where they needed to be in the same school system year-round. All four of his boys played high school football, and his second-oldest played college golf. His oldest son punted for Erie Community College across the street from the Bills’ Stadium, keeping Mohr connected with football after retiring.

The money is good, but friendships last more than the money does. You make a lot of friends after playing for fifteen years, so I was blessed to be able to play a game that I grew up in.

Mohr encourages former players to build a good foundation during their playing days to ease the transition to life after football. Since athletes live a structured lifestyle in their playing careers, he acknowledged that not having the structure can cause problems for some athletes post-retirement.

Recently, Mohr visited Tulane Medical Center for a total body scan with former teammate Curt Jarvis and their partners. Mohr recalled his back starting to hurt towards the end of his career, but he found the visit to Tulane impressive and professionally done. He recommends former players take advantage of this benefit as it surpassed his expectations.

I was very impressed… it was a great experience, nothing like we expected as far as the way you're treated at the hospital; you have your own waiting room, and they bring the food to you and the doctors come to you… This was a great surprise because I was very impressed with the way they handle it… [and] I've been trying to recommend it to everybody that I talked to if they haven’t done it yet.

The benefits and services offered to former players brought Mohr to The Trust. He remembered going to meetings as a player and seeing all that could be done to support players. He described the experience as, “very informative” and it gave him a base on what he needs to work on moving forward with his personal health goals.

Finding a place where you can click on something and go to get the help you need is pretty amazing, and it's a great tool for us [former players].

Today, Mohr is working on a couple of idea inventions. One is a walking cane currently in the works, while the other is a back jack chair that connects to a car’s headrest and comes with elastic foam to help take pressure off your lower back and maintain good posture while driving.

Mohr described his life journey in one word; “blessed”. He has four healthy boys, Garrett, Harrison, Quinn and Chapman, fiancée Cindi and two granddaughters, Millie and Blaze, that bring him gratitude. He highly recommends former players take advantage of their earned benefits.

There's more than you think you know. I mean, there are a lot of opportunities and services that you just have to reach out and contact [The Trust] to find out what you’re looking for and what you need.

The Trust is here to support you.
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