Chase Minnifield is an athlete who took the time to share his story about his athletic journey as well as his professional sports career journey for the Casey Morris Life After Sports website. When Chase and I spoke he shared with me some of his obstacles that he faced when in sports and his perseverance. Ended his shared story, he shares what he has learned throughout his journey and gives advice for aspiring athletes on how to plan to reach their goals.
Chase is from Kentucky. He has always been in sports for his whole life. Been in sports for about 24 years. Went to the University of Virginia and was on a football scholarship. Chase was a two time All American at theUniversity of Virginia. As a student-athlete, he always thought the NFL would be a long-term thing for him. After his bowl game, he got hurt, which ended his chances at that point to go into the NFL draft. Chase thought he may have had an ACL tear, but he ended up having to get the micro-surgery. He ended up getting undrafted because of that situation. After his recovery, the Washington redskins gave him the opportunity to play. They thought that he would give them 5or 6 seasons, but Chase didn’t listen to them because he wanted the NFL to be along term journey. He knew that he would have a lot of maintenance for his knee but was willing to take any challenges necessary to play the sport he loved. Chase ended up playing for 3 seasons in Washington! He had a couple more injuries while in the NFL. Chase explains, “NFL said that they had put him back together one
After the NFL…
Chase had never focused on outside of NFL, after NFL and next steps. He always thought he would be good and have a long-term career in the league. Leaving the NFL “Wasn’t really his decision to make” He says. When Chase got cut, he thought he would get an opportunity. Chase thought again after about 365 days, he started to move on from football and consider different avenues. After a year of waiting to get picked up by another team, that opportunity just didn’t come, so he began seeking other opportunities. Chase had more opportunities with the CFL (Canadian Football League). He took an offer with the CFL mostly because of the “easy income coming in” and because he thought he would be able to start getting into the business route while competing in sports. Chase ended up going to the University of Louisville and got a masters in Sports Administration. Chase would describe this major as a mix of business and sports.
Chase started his company while he was both competing professionally in the CFL and completing his master’s degree. His first company is called Helping Hands (www.helpinghandsllc.net). This company that Chase started, did just that; “Lend a hand.” Chase shared, “[He] wanted to start by helping with family members who were in and out of the system and giving them opportunities.” He carries that same principle with his second company called “Moving Days.” Chase wanted to provide help to college students move onto college campuses. In the beginning, Chase’s plan wasn’t very effective. Like any other good athlete, Chase readjusted the game plan and he shifted to utilize his services when the students leave and come to college & universities. Chase and his crew cleaned and painted and did some maintenance for those who accepted the contracts his provided. While he was in the CFL he was soliciting his services.
“I questioned if I was an athlete or a business person”
Chase was in the middle of questioning if he was an athlete or a business person. Ultimately, Chase got hurt before the season when he torehis Achilles. He took it a sign from God to go towards the business route. Now Chaseis a successful business man working on increasing performance in his businessesand has grown to serve and outsource to multiple states. Chase would have
Advice to share from Chase:
“I wouldn’t be so focused on one thing. If I wasn’t so focused on one thing, I wouldn’t have made it to the league or the NFL but at the same time, you can put balance in your life as well. I had a one focused mind and thought it would never end and when it did end, I was in a phase of abrupt transition. Next time, I would want to make sure there was a plan from the beginning. In college, dibble and dabble in different networking opportunities outside of sports. Also, make sure you realize what you pick up as a student-athlete and in sports. Be confident in these spaces because you have qualities to share as a former student-athlete that others do not.”