Each summer for the last 4 years, the NFL has held a broadcasting "Boot Camp" for players interested in the field. In 2 weeks, the NFL will hold it's 5th annual BBC and former Bronco Safety Nick Ferguson will be one of the sixteen participants. This 4-day crash-course is for former NFL players who want to trade in their helmets and shoulder pads for a career in the booth. It will take the them through a range of seminars to prepare them for a career after football. These seminars range from "studio analysis to field reporting to radio hosting, sideline reporting, film editing, green room prep and wardrobe setup. The event will take place at NFL Films in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey from June 20-23.
This year's Camp will be filled with ex-players only. The past 4 Boot Camps have featured current players as well as retirees. The other enrollees in this years program are Tony Banks, Dustin Fox, Anthony Becht, Antonio Freeman, LeCharles Bentley, Drew Henson, Rocky Boiman, Dan Klecko, Barrett Brooks, Caleb Miller, Rob Davis, Tony Stewart, Amani Toomer, John Fina and Maurice Williams.
The group will get hands-on instruction from representatives of the television Networks affiliated with the NFL, such as CBS, FOX and ESPN, as well as local radio. Each player will tape segments as a studio and game analyst and take part in a networking session with television executives.
NFL Vice President of Player Engagement Troy Vincent commented:
"Broadcast Boot Camp is an excellent opportunity for former NFL players who are ready to take an important step towards the next chapter of their lives and prepare for a successful career off the field. The program provides participants with a comprehensive look at all aspects of the sports broadcasting industry and allows them to develop invaluable professional skills and relationships that can carry them through their post-NFL experience."
According to the link above, each player will get to host a broadcast on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
Of the 90 players who took part in the Broadcast Boot Camp from 2007-2010, 36 have already earned broadcasting jobs as a result of their participation in the program.
Other former Broncos who have made it through Boot Camp are Reggie Hayward, Micheal Young, Mitch Berger and Bertrand Berry.
I couldn't find any signs of former Broncos Tom Jackson, Shannon Sharpe, Mark Schlereth or John Lynch graduating from the NFL Broadcast Boot Camp and of course Dave Logan, David Diaz-Infante and Brian Griese broadcast the Bronco Games on Radio. No doubt at least a few of them have though.
Anyhow, it's great to see former Bronco players taking the initiative to remain involved in the game they love. Way to represent Bronco Country Nick.
Go Broncos!