🏆 From the NFL Replay Booth to Player Programming: How Greg Nelson Found His Calling in Football Ops

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Greg Nelson is the Director of Player Operations at the National Football League (NFL), where he leads initiatives focused on player engagement, communication, and information. Since joining the league in 2012, he’s worked in both officiating and player operations, bringing a unique blend of on-field insight and strategic programming to the league office. A Cleveland native, Greg began his journey in high school as a multi-sport athlete and has built a career centered on humility, communication, and servant leadership.

From Parking Spaces to Super Bowls

Greg didn’t set out to be in football operations. In fact, he thought he might work in finance. But early experiences shaped his future. A high school internship with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission gave him his first exposure to sport. “I started to see how powerful sports could be as a connector.” That early curiosity never left.

He attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where he majored in finance and minored in economics. But his free time told a different story. He was leading campus chapters of Habitat for Humanity, working with the SMU athletic department, and jumping into the Texas Legends’ front office. “One of the first things they asked me to do was count parking spaces,” he laughed. “But I learned quickly. If it matters to the fan experience, it matters.” It’s a lesson he never forgot.

A Leap of Faith and a Rulebook

When Greg was offered a six-month internship with the NFL officiating department, he gave up a full-time offer in Dallas and moved to New York with no guarantees. “I didn’t even know the officiating department existed,” he said. “But I took a chance on myself.” During game nights, he sat with the rulebook open, watching and learning from the league’s best minds. Over eight years, he helped run the NFL’s officiating pipeline, worked with the competition committee on rule changes, and staffed replay operations on Sundays, including Super Bowls.

He even suited up once for an officiating clinic, thinking his years of video study would prepare him. “I got on the field and had no idea what I was doing,” he laughed. “It gave me so much respect for how fast and demanding this game really is, and how good the officials really are.”

Serving the Person Behind the Player

In 2020, Greg made the shift to the NFL’s Player Operations group. It was a major change from the public-facing, high-pressure world of officiating to behind-the-scenes work supporting current and former players in life and career. “It’s not just about gameday any more. It’s about relationships,” he said. “Listening to their stories. Supporting them beyond the field.”

His work now centers on player communications and information, and strategic ways to engage players on and off the field. “You realize they’re just like us. Exceptionally talented, but facing the same questions about what’s next.”

Lessons from the Sidelines

The leaders and people who shaped Greg had one thing in common: they did the small things well. “Whether it was printing labels or packing boxes, leaders who roll up their sleeves build real trust,” he said. Over time, Greg learned to shift from tactical to strategic thinking, asking not just what needs to be done, but why it matters. “Connecting the dots is where growth happens.”

He also credits strong communication as the most undervalued skill in sports. “It’s not just what you say. It’s how you listen, your tone, even your formatting. If we’re not aligned, we’re not performing at our best.”

Fueling the Journey

Greg’s “why” is rooted in servant leadership and family. “I believe the Lord placed me here for a reason,” he shared. “It’s about connecting people, doing what I’m called to do, and providing for my family. That’s what gets me up every day.”

If he could tell his younger self one thing? Be curious. Ask the extra question. “It shows you care. And it helps you understand the why behind the work.”

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