Inside the most inspirational group text in the NFL and how it got started

In February and March, 29 NFL players took part in the ATU business combine, a week-long event designed to help them find post-playing careers.
In the midst of attending panels, conferences, and networking events with CEOs and business leaders, the players formed a bond through a group text.
Weeks later, the group text is still going strong, with players sharing business ideas, deals, and contacts, as well the occasional jokes and GIFs.

The group text and friendships blossom.

Chicago Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara first heard of the combine from former Dolphins linebacker Spencer Paysinger, who raved about the experience.

"I really brushed it off like, 'Yeah, yeah, okay, cool,'" Amukamara said. But when former Dolphins defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh similarly glowed about it, Amukamara took note and wanted to participate in this year's combine.

The 29-man roster included players like Tennessee Titans linebacker Derrick Morgan, Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril, Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry, New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan, Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham, Oakland Raiders quarterback E.J. Manuel, Forsett, Amukamara, Suh, Paysinger, and many others.

Because of the program's infancy, players had to pay a $5,000 fee. Thornhill hopes that one day it'll be fully funded.

As the itinerary unfolded, the group text sprouted legs. Players shared photos and videos from events that they liked, such as a session on athletes' branding, with speakers like Uninterrupted CEO Maverick Carter. There were also panels about venture capital and investments, real estate events with companies like Compass Real Estate, and "deep dives" in which the players job-shadowed different companies and took part in one-day internships.

"I would say Wednesday, Thursday is when we broke loose and were going back and forth, chatting about jokes or contacts or 'What's next?' or 'Man, I'm really interested in this,'" Thornhill said. "That's really what we wanted to create is its own ecosystem that lives and breathes and has its life of its own."

After events, players would share the contacts they made, aiding participants who might have failed to secure a number or business card of someone they wanted to talk to.

Thornhill said it was fun for him to see players break off into different sub-groups with their group chats. The players who took part in the "deep dives" together formed groups, sometimes relaying pictures and videos from their experiences back into the main group text.

Morgan said having 29 business-centric athletes in the same group had its benefits. They share ideas and "deals" with each other, with different players weighing in and lending their expertise.

"If somebody's presented with a deal," Morgan said, "just shoot it in there. 'Hey I got this real estate deal, are you interested in that?' Boom, open it up, whatever it is. I think that's the purpose of it moving forward."

Of course, the group also strayed from strictly business as they it closer. Forsett drew laughs when he sent a picture in the group chat mocking Avril for wearing Louis Vuitton slippers with his suit.

Amukamara gained a reputation as one of the most vocal and funny members of the group, known for cracking wise and sending timely GIFs.

The group text didn't stop at the end of the combine. Two weeks later, players say it's still going strong.

"It's just nonstop blowing up each other with ideas and talking," said Suh. "It's super cool, and I never thought I'd have the opportunity to really see some of the other guys that are interested [in business]."

This past week all of the members of the group spoke up to wish Houston Texans linebacker Jelani Jenkins a happy birthday, sending more GIFs, photos, videos, and well-wishes.

"I've been in a whole bunch of group texts, and it dies down for a little bit," Amukamara said. "But this one is like fully alive."

More than just a group chat.

While players enjoyed socializing with one another, the combine was much more than a group text.

Amukamara said early in his career when he played with the Giants, that veteran players encouraged him to network with local business and community leaders at team events. He followed their instructions but was never quite sure where to go from there.

He added: "

Forsett said he focused on what would come after football throughout his career, motivated, in part, by being cut six times during his playing days. The end of football was never far away.

Had a chance to spend the w... @ dmorg91

"We can really create something with purpose."

The ATU business combine is a passion project for Thornhill with real stakes. He believes the program, which he hopes to expand to all 32 NFL owners and their teams, and possibly to universities, can be life-changing.

Inside the most inspirational group text in the NFL and how it got started

The group text and friendships blossom.

More than just a group chat.

"We can really create something with purpose."

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