When the National Football League created the Player Development Department in 1991 to address the off-the-field needs of football players and their families, easing the transition to life after football was at the top of the list.
Though many players fail to plan in advance for the inevitable retirement or career-ending injury, here are athletes who have gotten an early start on post-NFL career planning.
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By Andrea Williams, contributing writer - Last updated August 10 2011: 12:48 PM ET