Gary Baxter, former strong safety for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns, has achieved success on the football field and also in the field of business. The seven-year veteran out of Baylor University has taken the skills he acquired in football and has transferred them into an impressive business portfolio. With his football career cut short by injury, Gary took responsibility for creating his own success in business by hitting the books and learning his craft.

A previous attendee of the NFL Business Management and Entrepreneurial program at the Kellogg School of Business, Gary will be sharpening his business skills this year when he attends the Wharton program in Philadelphia. For this addition of the Player Business Spotlight, we interviewed Gary about his post-football career.

You enjoyed an outstanding career in the NFL and have been able to replicate this success in the business world as well. How did your transition from football to business begin?

One thing that I knew coming into the NFL, and that all players need to be aware of, is there comes a day when you can no longer play and you have to plan for life after football. In my case, I experienced some injuries and the rehab process from those injuries created down time where I was able to read up on areas of business that I was interested in, specifically franchising in the food and beverage industry. I made the most of my time and tried to learn as much as I possibly could about various aspects of business in order to build a strong foundation that would breed success.

How do you feel your experience as a professional football player has influenced your second career?

I certainly feel that many of the skills that I learned in football carried over to my career in business. The hard work and preparation that I put into football is equal to, if not greater than, the amount I put into my current career running my food franchises. Football affords many opportunities for personal and professional growth and development, and I was able to use what I learned in football and transfer it to the food and beverage industry. I learned how to be a leader, which is of course huge when you are the boss. I now see myself as the coach, motivating approximately 600 employees and leading them on a path to success. I'm in control and other people are dependent on me and the decisions that I make. It's a tremendous amount of responsibility and I take it very seriously.

This year, you will be attending the BM&E program at the Wharton School of Business. What do you hope to gain from this experience that will be helpful to you as you move forward in your work?

I am really looking forward to learning more about real estate and franchising and mainly sharpening my business skills by increasing my education. If I can pick up even one or two things that will help me out in my business, then the week was a success.

I truly believe that the BM&E programs are the best programs available to players, period. Regardless of what your future career goals are, the best thing you can possibly do to set yourself up for success is to attend one of these programs. You can't put a price on the education you will receive. Plus, you are learning from some of the greatest and most respected business minds in the country.

What advice do you have for other players looking to venture into the business world?

One thing that can be difficult for NFL players to adjust to is the reality that your accomplishments on the football field may get you in the door but they do not mean automatic success in business. Your accomplishments in the world of football may be great but once you get into the business world, they mean nothing if you can't perform and get the job done. You had to prove yourself on the field and you must do the same and prove yourself in the business world.