For many elite athletes, the transition out of professional sports is daunting. The cheers fade, the routine shifts, and the question looms: What’s next? Former NFL player Kyle Prater is answering that question not just for himself but for a generation of athletes who face the same uncertainty. Through his nonprofit, the Act II Foundation, Prater is reshaping the post-sports narrative with a bold mission to prepare athletes for life after the game. In this exclusive interview with The Source, Prater shares the inspiration behind Act II, the unique challenges athletes face off the field, and his vision for a future where athletes thrive long after the final whistle.
What inspired you to create the Act II Foundation, and how does it reflect your own journey transitioning from an elite athlete to a career beyond sports?
Act II was born out of my personal struggles transitioning from the NFL into the real world. For so long, my identity was tied to being an athlete—everything I did was about performing at the highest level. Once that was gone, I had to figure out who I was outside of the game. That transition was tough, both mentally and emotionally. There weren’t many resources or conversations around what happens after sports, and I saw a real need for a structured system to help athletes navigate that shift.
Act II is my way of giving back—creating a space where athletes can get the tools, mentorship, and real-life strategies to build a fulfilling career beyond their playing days. I’ve been through the highs and lows—the pressure, the expectations, the loss of structure once the game stops—and I want to make sure the next generation is better prepared for what’s next. This foundation is about rewriting the narrative for athletes, showing them that their talents, discipline, and work ethic can translate into success in any industry.
The Pathways to Success program is designed to help athletes with mental health, career exploration, and life transitions. What specific resources and mentorship opportunities does it offer to support these areas?
Pathways to Success is all about equipping athletes with tangible resources and a roadmap for life beyond sports. We break it down into three core areas: mental health, career development, and personal branding.
When it comes to mental health, we provide access to licensed professionals, group discussions, and workshops that address stress, anxiety, and identity loss. Athletes are conditioned to suppress emotions and keep pushing forward, but we want to change that culture and create a space for healing and self-discovery.
For career exploration, we connect athletes with professionals across industries like business, media, entrepreneurship, and tech. Whether it’s through internships, job shadowing, or direct mentorship, we give them the exposure they need to see what’s possible beyond their sport.
And with life transitions, we focus on practical skills—financial literacy, networking, storytelling, and brand development. A lot of athletes don’t realize the power of their personal brand, and we show them how to leverage that for long-term success. We also bring in former athletes who’ve made the transition successfully, so participants can see real-life examples of what it looks like to take control of their next chapter.
You emphasize the importance of preparing athletes for life beyond the game. What are some of the biggest challenges they face, and how does Act II equip them to navigate those hurdles?
The biggest challenge is identity loss. For most of us, we’ve been “the athlete” our whole lives. When that’s stripped away, it’s like—who am I now? There’s also the lack of structure. In sports, everything is scheduled—training, meetings, film sessions—but once that’s gone, you have to create your own discipline and purpose.
Financial literacy is another major hurdle. A lot of athletes, especially those coming out of college or the pros, haven’t been properly educated on managing money. Whether it’s budgeting, investing, or understanding taxes, we offer workshops to teach financial independence.
Mental health is huge, too. The pressure to succeed, the fear of failure, and the isolation that comes after leaving the game can take a real toll. We tackle this with wellness programming, mentorship, and access to professional guidance.
At Act II, we provide structure, mentorship, and a blueprint for what’s next. We help athletes take the same mindset they had in sports—discipline, resilience, adaptability—and apply it to their next pursuit. Whether they want to start a business, get into media, or thrive in the corporate world, we make sure they have the confidence and tools to succeed.
Your foundation focuses on three key pillars—Gentle Mental, The Shift, and The Transition. Can you break down what each of these means and why they are essential for an athlete’s long-term success?
Absolutely. These three pillars are the backbone of Act II because they address the most critical aspects of an athlete’s post-sports journey.
Gentle Mental focuses on mental and emotional well-being. It’s about breaking the stigma around mental health in sports and encouraging athletes to prioritize their mental fitness just as much as their physical fitness. We provide counseling, mindfulness practices, and peer support to help athletes process emotions and develop healthy coping strategies.
The Shift represents the mindset transformation athletes need when leaving the game. It’s about understanding that the same skills that made them successful in sports—discipline, leadership, work ethic—are just as valuable in any other career. We help them embrace new challenges and build confidence in their next chapter.
The Transition is where we turn strategy into action. We help athletes with job placement, networking, financial literacy, and personal branding. It’s not just about having a plan—it’s about knowing how to execute it effectively.
Together, these pillars ensure every athlete leaving the game feels supported, clear-headed, and fully prepared for what comes next.
Looking ahead, what’s your vision for Act II Foundation, and how do you hope to expand its impact on young athletes in the coming years?
My vision for Act II is to scale it into a nationwide movement. I want us partnering with schools, professional teams, and brands to make sure that every athlete—whether they go pro or not—has a real plan for their future.
I envision dedicated Act II hubs in major cities where athletes can attend workshops, connect with mentors, and develop career paths. I also want to work with universities and major brands to bring mental health and career readiness programs directly into athletic departments.
Long-term, I see Act II as a leader in the athlete transition space. I want to expand into media and storytelling—sharing athlete journeys through documentaries, podcasts, and other platforms so we can reach more people and create a broader cultural shift.
At the end of the day, it’s about legacy. I want every athlete who comes through Act II to leave feeling empowered, knowing they have the tools, knowledge, and community to build a successful life beyond the game. This is bigger than me—it’s about changing the game for every athlete who comes after me.