The Washington Redskins seem as though they got themselves a steal in the fourth-round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Diminutive, but versatile wide receiver Jamison Crowder was an extremely positive force for a Redskins team that made a surprising run to the NFC East crown last season, with Crowder finishing the year with 59 receptions, 604 yards and 2 touchdowns.
And while the soon-to-be second-year Redskins receiver is likely looking forward to the 2016 NFL season and an increased role in the Redskins offense alongside quarterback Kirk Cousins, Crowder's also planning for a future that someday won't involve the NFL.
Crowder, 22, has spent the past three weeks working out of a cubicle at Marriott International's headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland. He's one of 26 players utilizing their offseason to take part in the NFL Players Association's externship program. It's the third year of the program, which is intended to give players a taste of the working world.
"I thought it would be something that's helpful and something that can help me get some experience and see if this is something that I would enjoy doing," Crowder said.
Crowder played collegiately at Duke, where he earned an undergraduate degree in sociology. He's spent the last few weeks working in and observing a variety of areas of Marriott's day-to-day functions, including reviewing image submissions and serving as a website administrator.
Crowder was joined in the program, which he first discovered at an NFLPA event in February, by Redskins teammates like Silas Redd and Darrel Young. Washington practice squadder Ray Hamilton has been chronicling his experiences at Panini America via a blog.
Crowder said that he simply hoped to gain a better understanding of where is own post-playing interest lay, adding that he could still see himself winding up a coach or a counselor for his old high school.
But for Redskins fans concerned over how Crowder's time away from the practice field this offseason will impact his performance, Crowder says there's little over which to worry. His plan when the externship ends this Friday is to return home to North Carolina to get back in shape before heading off to D.C. for OTAs.
