Beyond the Playing Field
Roman Oben, MPA’01 (Flor)
By Sara Campione
(Photo: Karsten Moran)
Dedication. Endurance. Strategic thinking — all significant assets for playing professional football and for earning a master’s degree. Roman Oben, MPA’01 (Flor), still uses all three today.
The former New York Giants offensive tackle — now VP of football development for the National Football League (NFL) — believes in hard work and building character on and off the field.
It’s served him well both professionally and academically.
He studied economics at the University of Louisville, before using the off-season as a pro to get his master’s degree at FDU. He stayed in New Jersey during the off-season, to attend classes. But in the spring of 2000 — during free agency, he signed with the Cleveland Browns. Oben then commuted from Ohio to make sure he didn’t miss any classroom time.
After retiring as an active player, Oben worked in advertising sales, as an FDU adjunct faculty member, with startups and even as on-air talent for the Giants before landing back at the NFL.
“With real-world experience, and a master’s degree, I am able to work with different kinds of people — to listen and pay attention to what the issues are so we can solve problems,” says Oben.
He joined the administrative side of the NFL in 2015 as director of player health and safety.
His role now is a more strategic one, as Oben works directly in collegiate programming for college players as they transition to playing professionally. He’s also been very involved in increasing youth participation in the sport — especially the increase of flag football for girls. He also helps drive the NFL Scouting Combine and educates draft prospects.
“We’ve got to make sure that we’re always evolving based on the current landscape, which has changed significantly over the last few years,” says Oben. “I’m tasked with making sure that we’re preparing the teams, the general managers, the coaches, for all the changes in the college landscape, so that they can do a better job of getting the right people in their buildings.”
SPORTS SUPERNOVA
Oben was a star track and field athlete during his high school and collegiate careers, throwing shot put. He also played football at the University of Louisville.
PRO FOOTBALL HISTORY
He is the first Cameroonian-born player selected in the modern NFL Draft.
SUPER BOWL CHAMP!
Oben played for four teams during his NFL career including the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — winning Super Bowl XXXVII with Tampa Bay in 2003.