The glamour and glitz of the NFL represents a small slice of the league. The million dollar contracts and endorsement deals aren't awaiting most of the players that enter the NFL. There is no draft party or red carpet for late round picks. There is only a job to do.
"If you're a first or second round pick, you're pretty much being drafted to play immediately," former NFL safety Erik Coleman told HNGN. "If you're a later round pick, you're just fighting to make the team."
Coleman was a fifth round pick out of Washington State for the New York Jets in 2004. Before Coleman had even strapped on an NFL helmet for the first time, the odds were already stacked against his success.
Only 6.4 percent of fifth round draft selections made at least one start for the team that drafted them in the 2012 season, according to Tony Villiotti of National Football Post. Aaron Wolf of Data Scope Analytics projects that fifth round picks have between a 55 percent and 70 percent chance of becoming draft busts, or "a marginal role player that has limited game experience and contributes little to no value to an NFL franchise."
Bottom line: It's not exactly a straight shot to national football fame and fortune for late-round picks.
But Coleman enjoyed a nine-year career, including starting 45 of a possible 48 regular season games for the Jets. So how did he defy the odds? What was the secret to his staying power?
"You have to approach every day like you could get released at any moment," Coleman said. "I was always a hard worker."
A strong work ethic is important, but the NFL unemployment line is filled with athletes who were hard workers. It takes more than determination to make an impact in the NFL. To improve his chances of sticking around, Coleman knew he had to learn from those who had already done it.
"I surrounded myself with veterans. Guys like Curtis Martin and Eric Barton," Coleman said. "I tried to follow the guys that set really good examples. I wasn't drawn to the cool guys who were buying a bunch of cars and everything."
Coleman's refusal to become just another draft bust paid off immediately. The 143rd overall pick finished his rookie season as the top earner in the NFL's performance-pay program that rewards low-salary players who outperform their contracts. Beginning your career with two interceptions in your first two starts and finishing your rookie year with 100 tackles, two sacks and four interceptions will earn you that extra money.
"I didn't know about the program, so it was money I wasn't counting on," Coleman said. "I was in a school's gym when I found out about it and it basically doubled my salary. I screamed at the top of my lungs I was so happy. I think everyone in that gym was wondering what was wrong with me," Coleman said between chuckles.
Coleman's happiness didn't just stem from financial gain. This bonus was a vindication of all of the hard work that he had put in just to make an NFL roster. Sure, the money was nice. But what the money represented was even better.
"It was a great feeling to make such a difference. It showed that I was durable and accountable. It was big for my career," Coleman said of the achievement. "It felt great to be rewarded for what I did on the field."
Coleman ended up playing for the Jets, Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions in his nine-year career. He finished his playing days with 653 tackles, four forced fumbles and 11 interceptions. There may not have been any Pro Bowls or Lombardi Trophies, but Coleman's career was a rarity. He succeeded when all of the information at hand suggested he wouldn't.
"When I look back on my career I am very proud and thankful," Coleman said. "I was very blessed to be able to play the game that I love at a high level for such a long time. I truly enjoyed every part of playing in the NFL. I learned a lot of lessons, a lot of them the hard way, but it helped mold the man I am today. I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to play in the NFL. Now it's on to the next chapter in life."
These days, Coleman has his sights set on a new career: broadcasting. If he attacks the media world with the fervor he did his NFL career, then he's going to be just fine.
