April 6, 2011
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With the National Football League in a lockout, professional football players are wondering when they might see their next paycheck. Some of them might want to take a lesson from their peer Dhani Jones, a veteran free agent linebacker who was originally drafted out of the University of Michigan in 2000.
After playing in the NFL for 11 seasons, Jones, now 33, might be expected to slow down given all the wear and tear involved with his profession. But unlike many of his peers who spend their offseasons working out exclusively, Jones has long used his time away from the game to tackle new ventures and explore the world; something he calls, “player development.” For Jones, that has meant everything from launching a business that sells bow ties and a philanthropic initiative, to hosting his own show on the Travel Channel called “Dhani Tackles the Globe.”
“In the offseason, I take care of what I need to do to play the game,” says Jones, who splits his time between Los Angeles, New York and Cincinnati, where he played for the hometown Bengals for the past four years. “But I also make time to actively get away from the game and diversify myself. Every player needs to realize that the game doesn’t last long, but it does give you the platform to branch out and create new opportunities for yourself.”
One of those opportunities originated with the dapper bow ties Jones is often seen wearing. Jones says his connection with bow ties has its roots back at the The University of Michigan where, during his senior year, his close friend Kunta Littlejohn was diagnosed with Lymphoma. When the New York Giants drafted Jones later that year, Littlejohn advised his friend to think big now that he was headed to the big city. “If you want to be anybody," Littlejohn told Jones, "you have to rock the bow tie.” So, after some initial hesitation, Jones decided to don a bow tie as a way to support his friend.
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That small gesture has since inspired two businesses: Five Star Ties, which sells ties online, and the Bow Tie Café, a coffee shop and café in Cincinnati. Jones has also created an initiative called Bow Ties For a Cause, which has raised $200,000 since its inception in 2010.
But Jones has other businesses interests as well. A self-described artist, Jones has also founded VMG Creative, a full-service marketing agency, and 67 Orange Street, a speakeasy-style bar and lounge, both located in New York City. He has also collaborated with two friends to start TY KU, which sells a line of high-end sake. “Building businesses involves the same ups and downs that you experience in all aspects of life,” says Jones. "The key is that you need to keep growing and learn that you can’t do it all on your own.”
Which brings us to Jones’ other passion: travel. Having grown up as a Navy brat, Jones, who estimates that he has visited more than 80 different countries—“My favorite is New Zealand,” he says—was no stranger to moving around. Now, fueled by the success of his Travel Channel show, he's written a book called The Sportsman: Unexpected Lessons from an Around-the-World Sports Odyssey, which will be published in June. In it, Jones explores the way that sports connects cultures all over the world. “Writing this book helped change my viewpoint and understanding about how connected the world really is,” he says. “My goal is to inspire people to get out and experience other people and cultures face to face.”
Given the precarious nature of the NFL lockout these days, more players might want to follow Jones’ lead in diversifying their lives. “I would encourage every player out there to concentrate on building a life outside of football,” he says. "Even though the DNA has been woven into them since they started playing the game at the age of 7, you need to weave new strands into your life."
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