For Atlanta Quarterback Redman, Football’s More Fun Than Insurance
Think playing quarterback is tough?
Try selling insurance.
“I thought the NFL was a cutthroat business,” Chris Redman joked coming off the field after practice with the Atlanta Falcons. “Let me tell you, the insurance business is just as cutthroat.”
Redman should know. He was out of the NFL for three long years, time spent getting an idea of life in the real world. He found it was a lot more fun playing football than trying to sell property and casualty insurance to corporations.
“Cold calls, they’re known as. You’re walking up, you don’t even know who you’re going to be talking to and you’re trying to get their business,” Redman said. “I could tell them I used to be an NFL player, but you’ve got to work, too. I wasn’t the best at it. I had been playing football my whole life. Football is what I’m best at. It was definitely an eye opener.”
Redman worked as an insurance agent at Garrett Stotz Co., of Louisville, Ky., for several months, according to Don Mucci, one of five agency principals. Mucci said given more time, Stotz could have been a successful agent and if he circles back again after football, the agency would be glad to have him.
“Chris is the nicest guy in the world,” Mucci said. “He just wasn’t in it long enough. I think he could have done very well.”
Redman’s ticket back into the NFL came when the Falcons hired Bobby Petrino as coach before last season.
“It’s a totally different mind-set for me this year,” Redman said. “Last year, I was just worried about making the team and trying to contribute wherever I could. This year, I’ve kind of got a different role. I’ve got to step up my play. I’m putting more pressure on myself. I want this team to win.”
Redman started his career with the Baltimore Ravens. He played 10 games in four years, including six starts, but his career was sidetracked by shoulder and back problems. From 2004-06, he was cut by New England, Tennessee and Cincinnati.
“He’s not flashy. He’s not egotistical. He’s not cocky,” said fullback Ovie Mughelli, who played with Redman at Baltimore and is now lining up with him again. “What he has is a quiet confidence that’s necessary to lead a team.”
It remains to be seen how he’ll do in a system other than Petrino’s.
“We’re going to be able to get some guys wide open because (defenses) will have to put extra guys in the box,” Redman said. “I think it’s a great offense. I’m really excited about it.”