Lousaka Polite

At the age of nine, Polite fondly remembers expressing his aspiration to play football on Sundays while watching a Steelers game with his father. Initially perplexed, his father, thinking of Pee Wee football, pointed out that he already played on Sundays. Polite clarified that he meant playing professionally, like the football players on television. It was this moment that sparked his father's unwavering encouragement, urging him to strive for excellence on the field.

Polite has been playing the fullback position since the age of nine; his tenacity and ability to power through defenders not only secured Polite’s place as a fullback but it ultimately propelled him into the NFL.

“My motto is with the fullback mentality just be humble, grind, take life as it comes,” Polite said. “That has just been my nature.”

Polite played an outstanding nine years in the league, playing for the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and the Atlanta Falcons.

“I was a journey man. I was willing to fight and claw for a job at all times. It was never a moment where I could rest and relax and say I made it. I was always looking over my shoulder to keep a job," Polite said. "I think it helped mold me into the person I am. It’s really something I would never change; I wouldn’t change that path.”

Polite had a goal of playing 10 plus seasons, but due to injury he felt that his body had enough. As a result, like many other Former Players, Polite did not end his NFL career on his terms. However, with a child, Polite realized it was time to start making decisions about what was next.

In 2014, a year after its establishment, Polite enrolled with The Trust. Twelve years after graduating from college, he was able to utilize The Trust scholarship to attain his MBA from the University of Miami. Unbeknownst to him, Polite was able to utilize the vast network he had attained after playing for five different NFL teams in nine years to secure a job post-MBA; Polite ended up working for the Miami Dolphins as an Operations Coordinator for two years. Then he was the Assistant Athletic Director for the University of Pittsburgh’s Varsity Letter Club and Mentorship for a little over three years.

Now, for the last three years, Polite has served as the Director of Outreach and Engagement for The Trust. “It was a full circle moment,” Polite said. “I love what I do. I love connecting and engaging with the guys and helping our population live their purpose beyond the NFL.”

As the Director of Outreach, Polite oversees The Trust Captains, a group of Former Players who serve to be good teammates to the Former Player population, and create a sense of community and connection, creating a “retired version of the locker room”. In addition to working with The Trust Captains, Polite encourages Former Players to utilize Trust benefits such as the Breakfast Clubs.

“I think the Breakfast Clubs are a great opportunity to recreate the locker room. That’s a space that belongs to us,” Polite said. “For many reasons, we have to keep our body going and this is a good way to do it.”

As a member and part of The Trust team, Polite pitches to Former Players to join The Trust. “It’s your benefit. It’s an earned benefit that belongs to you. You paid for it through your blood, sweat, and tears. No matter where you are in your journey, there’s something for you.”