Since stepping away from the NFL, former Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown has been navigating life after football with the same drive and focus he brought to the game. Professional athletes often struggle with the transition to normal life after retirement. That was also the case from Brown who took his last snaps back in 2022.
“It’s a weird space,” said Brown. “We spend so much time being good at something, and then when you step away, either there’s nothing to be good at or you’re trying stuff and not immediately good at it.”
Brown had always been good at football. At Byron P. Steele in Cibolo, Texas, he rushed for back-to-back 2,000 yard seasons. His senior year, he rushed for a school-record 2,596 yards and 30 touchdowns, leading Steele to its first ever state championship. Brown earned his spot as a 5-star recruit and was considered a top-three player at his position. Staying in his home state of Texas, Brown spent four years with the Longhorns — three of which came under legendary head coach Mack Brown.
At Texas, Brown started 25 games and ended his career ninth on the Texas all-time rushing yards list. He had 11 career 100-yard games which was tied for the seventh most in school history. This is a program that has produced names like Ricky Williams and Earl Campbell.
While Brown went undrafted in 2015, he signed to join the St. Louis Rams and earned a spot on the 53-man roster late in his rookie season. When Sean McVay took over in 2017, Brown became a staple in the running back room along with Todd Gurley.
“Just the system that he brought, and that’s one thing that I do admire even now,” said Brown. “A lot of things that we’re used to as players, we need systems. Sean had a system for everything. Being able to have that foundational system and work off of that, I think that’s the same thing with life to be honest.”
That foundational system is something that some players struggle to find once they leave the game. It’s exactly what Pro Athlete Community has been building and helping former players find. PAC is a first-of-its-kind network built exclusively for pro athletes to navigate life beyond sports. The organization recently announced that it has opened its membership to all current and former professional athletes from verified leagues.
Created in 2022, PAC has assisted current and former professional athletes with the next steps in their life following the conclusion of their elite competitive careers, whether that be further educational goals, business ventures, or giving back to the community.
“Getting involved with PAC was the spark and honestly gave me the comfort to step away from the game,” Brown said. “Right now, I’m building out a private investment firm, putting together a portfolio of service-based businesses that provide reliable, steady income. That allows me the freedom to invest in more innovative and passion-driven projects down the line.”
Additionally, Brown and one of his good friends will have a drink stand called SipIt at SoFi Stadium this season, featuring an assortment of alcoholic and virgin drinks. The chain with over a dozen locations across Texas and the San Antonio area was in the Alamodome for the Alamo Bowl last December as well as the Final Four. They will now move to the NFL stage at SoFi Stadium. It’s all come full circle for Brown. Back in 2020, he scored the first two touchdowns at SoFi Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys and will now see one of his business endeavors operating in the same building.
Other Rams players involved in PAC include Terrell Burgess, Jake Funk, and Bryce Perkins. The consistent theme among players involved in PAC is the sense of community it provides, bridging the gap between the camaraderie in the lockerroom that players value and professional growth outside the sport.
“I spread the word about PAC to a lot of players because it’s just such an amazing resource and guide,” said Brown. “You’re not going to go to one PAC event and just figure it all out, but you’ll get the spark. You’ll connect with different players. It still has that locker room feel.”
Former professional athletes can often struggle finding purpose after their playing careers. However, as Brown illustrates, embracing the challenge of developing new skills is beneficial. With the support of PAC, the former Rams running back has demonstrated that stepping away from the game can mark the beginning of new, rewarding challenges and the opportunity to build a new community.
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