Launching post-NFL careers

(Above: A view of the Foshay Tower from the 39th floor of the Capella Tower, where "Pitch Day" was held)

The typical NFL player isn't in the league for long. The average NFL career lasts about three years, according to the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), and about six years, according to the league itself. The different numbers have to do with different ways of defining what a "career" is.

Either way, it's clear that many NFL players aren't in the league for a long time. They're done with football when they're still young men. To help players make their post-football transition, the NFLPA launched an initiative called "One Team Collective" at last year's Super Bowl in Houston. The idea was to give players a chance to network with businesspeople and get advice on their careers and any entrepreneurial ideas they might have.

The event was a success, and this year's edition in Minneapolis was even bigger. On Wednesday, the Collective held "Pitch Day," giving 10 startup companies a chance to make their case for why the NFLPA should do business with them. It was kind of a sports-themed version of "Shark Tank."

The group also is hosting networking tours of several major Twin Cities companies this week, including Target Corp., the Mayo Clinic and Paisley Park Studios.