Dr. George Koonce, a former player for the Packers, discovers fulfillment in guiding the upcoming generation of intellectuals.

From his childhood in North Carolina, Dr. George Koonce’s life revolved around football. He reminisced about spending hours in his bedroom, dreaming of gracing the grandest stages of the sport. Despite going undrafted after a brief stint at East Carolina University in 1991, Koonce’s fortunes changed when he joined the Green Bay Packers in 1992, marking a pivotal moment in his career. Over eight seasons with the Packers, from 1992 to 1999, Koonce played a significant role in 102 out of 112 games and clinched victory in Super Bowl XXXI.

After a decade in the NFL, Koonce transitioned to the Seattle Seahawks as an unrestricted free agent in 2000, marking the end of his professional football career. Yet, his greatest challenge awaited him off the field. Despite believing he was ready for life beyond football, Koonce found himself unprepared. Depression took hold, leading him to self-medicate as he grappled with the transition.

The former linebacker signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an unrestricted free agent in 2000 before retiring after ten seasons in the NFL.

However, his toughest opponent was just on the horizon.

“I thought I was prepared for life after football, but I wasn’t at all,” he shared. “Depression set in. I started self-medicating when it came to

Koonce grappled with alcohol addiction for years, facing significant struggles until a pivotal moment arrived in the form of a single-car crash, serving as a wake-up call. Despite feeling like a failure for not being in the NFL anymore, he realized this perception was far from reality. This realization prompted him to formulate a new strategy for his life.

Influenced by his mother’s emphasis on education, Koonce decided to further his studies. He pursued a Master’s in Sports Management from East Carolina University and later returned to Wisconsin to pursue a Ph.D. at Marquette University, marking a significant shift in his focus and priorities.