Trading touchdowns for total wellness

Being among the elite corp of college football players drafted into the NFL is often considered a ticket to generational wealth.

But the variables of professional sports—everything from injuries to changes in team directions—can quickly end a career. The average career length for skill players in the NFL varies from three to five years, according to Statista.

After playing at TCU, Vernon Scott was drafted in the seventh round as a safety by the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay let him go after two years. The Carolina Panthers signed him, then let him go within a month.

Scott was used to life’s setbacks and change. He didn’t start playing football seriously until high school as a way to bond with his stepfather. An unexpected death in college left him reeling. Injuries colored his time in the NFL.

Through it all, he didn’t lose focus.

Lindsey Coleman, Scott’s mother, said, “Resilience for Vernon means meeting and embracing the reality rather than being discouraged by it.”

Vernon Scott stands ready in a Green Bay Packers uniform. (Photo courtesy of Vernon Scott).

Vernon Scott (Photo Courtesy of Vernon Scott)

Starting Over

With his mom still in the Metroplex, Scott returned to Fort Worth.

He started working with Steven Sgroi, a career transition specialist, whose business, Franthlete, helps “players transition into life after sports.”

Sgroi said the switch from athletics can be difficult, but Scott was ready to move on. Scott’s motivation was simple, Sgroi said, he saw his mom have to leave work a lot so she could pick up his little sister from school, “but ultimately, he wants his mom home, he wants to create wealth, he wants to set a great example for his sister and for her to see him work hard at something he believes in.”

Family had long been a motivator for Scott, said Kylee Dobbelaere, Scott’s academic advisor at TCU.

“He wanted to set the standard for his siblings, change the trajectory of his family, and make them proud,” Dobbelaere said. She praised him as she said “Despite all he’s accomplished, Vernon remains humble.”

This summer, Scott will open Hydralive, a wellness center, on West 7th Street in Fort Worth.

Sgroi said it’s a good next step. “Health is wealth and this fits right in with that. With ties to athletics and TCU, it felt like a very natural fit. He is very excited to give back to the school that gave him so much and provides a service to this community that will have everyone feeling their best.”

It is “a premium wellness center that delivers rapid hydration, vitamins, nutrients, and recovery treatments straight into your bloodstream,” Catherine Wright, director of franchise operations, said. “We create a comfortable, spa-like experience where busy people can recharge in just 30-45 minutes.”

The Beginning

Scott has always been driven by purpose.

He started playing football seriously, in part because of his stepfather’s belief in Scott’s abilities.

He had made the basketball team at Mansfield Summit, but he wasn’t really playing. His stepdad, Sherman Coleman, “just loved football,” and urged him to give football a chance that spring, Scott said.

He had played football when he was younger, but he had stopped.

“I hated getting tackled bro,” Scott said. “That’s really why I played defense.”

Vernon Scott in his stance in his Mansfield Summit High School Uniform. (Photo Courtesy of Vernon Scott)

Scott’s step-dad encouraged him to go to a football camp held by then-TCU football head coach Gary Patterson. Scott said he went to the camp and ran a 4.4 40 yard dash.

To put this into perspective, top NFL prospects aim to hit around 4.40 or right at it for the 40-yard dash when going to the combine for the NFL draft.

Scott was fast enough to grab Coach Patterson’s attention. He was moved to compete with the players the coaches were really looking at in one-on-one football drills after this.

Patterson invited him to come to his office after the camp was done and Scott remembered how crazy it felt being offered a full-ride scholarship to come play at TCU even though it felt like “he had just started playing football.”

“I can’t even tell you how it happened,” Scott said. “It just was God. Just say, like God’s favor bro. It’s been that way my whole career.”

Vernon Scott lined up at the TCU football camp. (Photo Courtesy of Vernon Scott)

Facing challenges

Scott started a bit slow as he was mainly on special teams for his freshman and sophomore years.

At the end of his sophomore season, his step-dad died.

His step-dad’s death hit him hard, making him consider leaving TCU.

“Vernon’s life was deeply impacted by the passing of his stepfather, Sherman,” said Dobbelaere. “That loss was incredibly difficult for him, and it spoke volumes about how meaningful Sherman’s presence was in his life.”

She said Scott drew on that relationship as he worked through his grief.

His strength came from what was instilled in him. “He became more intentional about his future and focused on becoming the man his family needed him to be and the man he knew Sherman would have wanted him to become.”

Vernon Scott(middle) with his Step-dad(left holding the girl), his mom(right holding the boy), at his high school graduation. (Photo Courtesy of Vernon Scott)

Scott said he ended up talking to the coaches and decided to go all in as he wanted to play more.

“That was a changing moment”

Scott chose to be resilient in the face of heartbreak.

As a senior, Scott put up amazing numbers, including a “98-yard interception return for a touchdown at Oklahoma,” which is “1-yard shy of a school record,” according to TCU Athletics.

Vernon Scott walking on the field in a game against the Texas Longhorns. (Photo Courtesy of Vernon Scott)

Scott covers a wide receiver from Ohio State(player in white and silver). (Photo Courtesy of Vernon Scott).

Hard Transition

His senior year ended abruptly as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. He wasn’t invited to the NFL combine so he didn’t get a chance to show teams what he could do there. TCU’s Pro- day was cancelled.

Draft day he was processing the emotions of whether he would be chosen.

It came down to the last round.

He ended up being the 236th overall pick. He said it reminded him of how it felt when Coach Patterson offered him a full-ride scholarship after the TCU football camp.

Scott(number 26) with football. (Photo courtesy of Vernon Scott)

“He had to prove himself constantly, year after year in roles such as special teams and even earning a spot on the NFL roster,” said Coleman.

With the Green Bay Packers he had a lot of amazing experiences playing with names like Aaron Rodgers, Jaire Alexander and Devante Adams. One of those experiences was a trip to the NFC championship game against notable quarterback, Tom Brady.

Scott said he wants “to show people that believing in yourself” and having someone who invests into you can take you far.

Even when things got tough, Scott never gave up.

Scott(36) stands without a helmet in a Green Bay Packers uniform. (Photo courtesy of Vernon Scott)

Scott(36) runs out in coverage. (Photo Courtesy of Vernon Scott)