Rashad will bring a diverse background and a unique perspective on the shifting landscape of college athletics
MINNEAPOLIS – (Aug. 19, 2025) - Players Health, a leading provider of athlete safety and insurance solutions, has announced the hiring of Shakeel Rashad, former football linebacker of the Houston Texans and captain at the University of North Carolina (UNC), as Senior Advisor & Business Development of Football (NIL). Rashad will leverage his relationships with departments, coaches, collectives, and athletes to help Players Health navigate the risks and opportunities of this new era in college sports.
Rashad was a captain on the Tar Heels’ 11-win team in 2015 before signing with the Houston Texans in 2016. After his playing career, he returned to UNC as a defensive analyst in 2018, later contributing to Pro Football Focus as a data analyst. In 2021, he served as executive director of an NIL collective, helping athletes navigate the earliest stages of the NIL era. Rashad also authored “Trends in Defensive Football,” a book that explores modern defensive strategy. In his most recent role as Director of Growth at Athletes.org, Rashad worked with athletes, agents, university staff, and other stakeholders to understand the current state of the college athletics industry and align on what a sustainable future could look like.
“Football has given me everything from relationships to passion to purpose,” said Rashad. “I’m excited to use what I’ve learned to help protect the next generation of athletes. I’ve played, coached, and studied the game itself as well as the current collegiate landscape from just about every angle; I know how much is at stake as college football evolves. Players Health is uniquely positioned to help programs manage the risks of this new era while staying true to who they are. I’m honored to be part of a team that’s leading that charge.”
Following the approval of the House settlement in June, this strategic hire keeps Players Health well-positioned for the start of the college football season.
“Shakeel brings incredibly valuable experience to our team at Players Health,” said Tate Gillespie, VP, collegiate & NIL strategy at Players Health. “As a former player, coach, author, and collective director, Shakeel knows and understands the unique challenges facing collegiate football coaching staffs in the midst of the evolving NIL landscape and will enable Players Health to best serve their needs in the risk management space.”
Rashad joins Players Health’s growing roster of prominent figures in the sports industry, including Adrian Wojnarowski and Jake Lindsey, highlighting the company’s commitment to supporting stakeholders through the ongoing transformation facing college sports.
To learn more, visit: https://www.playershealth.com/
ABOUT PLAYERS HEALTH
Players Health is a sports technology company providing digital risk management services, reporting tools and insurance products to sports organizations to empower them to stay ahead of their ever-changing safety and compliance responsibilities. Working towards establishing the safest environment for athletes, Players Health views the health and safety of athletes as a priority in today's sports landscape. For more information, visit www.playershealth.com.
+++
Media Contact:
