Former NFL offensive lineman D’Brickashaw Ferguson is going to nursing school to help others.
Ferguson announced his new career goal in a recent episode of the “NFL Players: Second Acts” podcast.
“I just needed that sense of, ‘I think I can do this,'” the 39-year-old retired athlete said.
Ferguson was just nine years old when he underwent open-heart surgery to save his life, according to CBS Sports.
Ferguson was the fourth overall pick by the NY Jets in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played for the Jets his entire NFL career.
Ferguson retired from the NFL in April 2016. His alma mater Virginia retired his No. 66 jersey.
Ferguson said he attended community college to take his prerequisite classes before applying to nursing school.
He also earned a religious studies degree during his time at UVA.
“I hadn’t done science since, I don’t know, high school,” Ferguson said. “So my confidence in that space was like, ‘I don’t know if I can do this.’ UVA was hard for me.”
D’Brickashaw Ferguson played 10 years in the @nfl for the @nyjets Now he’s going to nursing school. This man is the true essence of the phrase “More then an athlete.” Congrats bro ?? ?Check us out? #NFLPlayersSecondActs @Harp41 pic.twitter.com/isu8K1yzXt
— Charles Tillman (@peanuttillman) May 26, 2023
