Doug Plank is a former safety who played for 8 seasons from 1975-1982. Doug is a master of all trades: from Burger King franchisee to broadcaster to football coach, and many other crafts in-between.
"I always tried to prepare for the day football was over. Every offseason when I was with the Chicago Bears, I managed to make more money than I did in the regular season. I knew I could survive and have success after football. I did that by continually pushing myself in the offseason: ‘What could I do? What skill could I acquire? What license could I go out and get?’"
“ I knew I could survive and have success after football. I did that by continually pushing myself in the offseason: ‘What could I do? What skill could I acquire? What license could I go out and get?’ ”
"I had a real estate license, I had a loan origination license, I was a contractor, I could build buildings, I went and took a health license, etc. I wanted to prepare for what could be a quick ending of football, and mine was. I happened to suffer a spinal concussion with the Chicago Bears my eighth year, and it kept me from playing. So, I leaned back on those things I had prepared myself for."
"In 1982, the Chicago Bears set me up to sign autographs for a Burger King restaurant, and I met the franchisee. He gave me instructions on how to become a Burger King franchisee, which I ended up doing for a total of 12 years. Even before my career was over, I was an approved Burger King franchisee. I had a wife and two kids - there had to be something after football. Being an owner-operator of Burger King allowed me to use all of those skills I had developed in the offseasons. I used my real estate license, my contractor license to build the building, the loan origination license to get financing, my insurance license to get liability insurance on my property, etc."
"I feel like when you’re as driven as a professional athlete, you look at every opportunity and want to tackle it. At one point while I was living in Phoenix, Arizona, Buddy Ryan gave me the opportunity of trying out as the broadcaster for the Arizona Cardinals. I did pre-game, post-game and highlight shows. As soon as that football season was over, I had several other stations asking me if I was interested in doing sports broadcasts for them. I went from being a broadcaster for the Arena Football League to being a defensive coordinator. I went on to become part of the coaching staff on several different arena teams and within the NFL."
“ I feel like when you’re as driven as a professional athlete, you look at every opportunity and want to tackle it. ”
"Football taught me hard work and how to get back up when you’re knocked down. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been knocked down. I say this often to friends and other players: ‘Don’t feel sorry for yourself. In football, you’ve gotten knocked down often. You went the wrong direction. You didn’t see the guy coming. You just got destroyed. You lost to a team when you should have won at home. It’s all those things we go through as athletes. But, you don’t stay down. Do the extra work, do whatever it takes to get back up.’"
"I’ve continued to take advantage of The Trust’s health and wellness resources. I’ve had the opportunity to get an eye exam, a physical exam, etc. through the Brain & Body Assessment. I am very thankful for the efforts The Trust has made in terms of helping former players."
"The Trust was something I felt former players needed a long time ago. Having played in the ‘70s and ‘80s, I felt like the termination of the association with the respective team that you were playing for was rather quick and rather cold. The final transaction of someone being let go is devastating to most players. This is something they've tried to achieve their whole life. They are finally at the pinnacle and often once the time comes for it to end, it’s rather abrupt. What The Trust does is be there to help you with what life is like when you’re finished with football."
“ What The Trust does is be there to help you with what life is like when you’re finished with football. ”
"Up until recently, there wasn’t much of anything to give former players direction. After their football career, they may be devastated. I think many have lost a lot of pride and belief in themselves. When I first retired, there was nothing. You would call someone and try to request something but there was no follow-through. The Trust is what I wish I had then. I am very happy for players younger than myself to not have to go through that. I’m in my mid-60s now and not that those opportunities weren’t always out there for each player to go after, but I had to do it completely on my own. The Trust does an unbelievable job of helping former players see and find options and alternatives for their futures, prioritize their health, etc."
The Trust is here to support you.
Ready to learn how?