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What's next after the NFL? From rancher to TV show host, pro athletes are planning for their post-football life with interesting off-field jobs. Here are five stories: BY T.J. WALTER AND HANNAH CHARRY UGary Brackett TEAM/POSITION: Indianapolis Colts/ linebacker HISUTHER'JOB: Branch manager of Mid Atlantic Capital, a mortgage brokerage firm After several questionable mort gage deals, Brackett took mat ters into his own hands and learned how to handle loans him self. “My dad always told me, ‘lf you w r ant something done right, then you need to do it yourself’ ” he says. Following that advice, Brackett attended classes at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School through an NFL business program and re ceived his ceitification as a loan consultant last year. In today’s dicey world of 1 collapsing subprime loans, people turn to Brackett for answers. Today, he with more than 20 clients on their molt gage loans, including about 10 of his fellow’ NFL players. “I, unfortu- nately, learned about mortgages and loans A through plenty of trial and error,” he ■ says. “I want peo- ■ pie to avoid those same pitfalls.” 14 USA WEEKEND • Oct 26-28.2007 © Charlie Batch TEAM/POSITION: Pittsburgh Steelers/ quarterback HIS "OTHER" JOBS: Franchise owner of two UPS stores; president/CEO of Batch Development Company, a real-estate development company; and owner of a barbershop/salon and a restaurant Batch has three of his four busi nesses based in Homestead, Pa., a suburb of Pittsburgh, and he’s considered somewhat of a jack of-all-trades while running them. “I have even been known to tape and carry boxes at the UPS store,” Batch says. There’s one exception: You won’t find him cutting hail- at the barbershop. Batch is a jack-of all-trades at his many businesses. A 0 JfiLAkjh » '? -J Bk » , Jgwt "' 4r’ - -■ w - , Viv "V \ —■**,. p* Mike Rosenthal TEAM/POSITION: Miami Dolphins/ offensive guard HIS'OTHER" JOB: Owns and operates 1379, a children's sportswear store in Austin At 6 feet, 7 inches, it’s hard for Mike Rosenthal to find clothes that fit. Then, he couldn’t find proper sportswear for his three kids. That’s why he opened 1379, a children’s store, with wife Lindsay in Austin. The store incorporates Legos, basket s' ball hoops and other toys A to make it fun for children. ■ “We wanted kids to be kids while their parents shopped,” he says. “As a kid, I was al ways hiding under the racks.” The store also encourages fam ily fitness by organizing Satur day morning walking groups. Michael Strahan TEAM/POSITION: New York Giants/ defensive end ny HIS "OTHER" JOB: Host of DIY Network's Backyard Stadiums, a renovation show Growing up in Germany, Mi chael Strahan developed an eye for quality construction. “It’s diffi cult to find good craftsmanship today,” he says. “Buildings are made with cheap materials.” He took these ideals to heart as he renovated his century-old resi dence in New Jersey. As host of Backyard Stadiums, Stra han still is involved with design ing, but now he does it with an athletic theme. He teaches fami lies how to build sports facilities, such as a mini-golf course, soc cer field or skateboard half-pipe, for their homes. I f\o'.< -iith.tl ,t! hf. g clot liini j ■.ll nr ■!< m t hiltlrimi with Ivi;. iiwii kid,. Imm h-tt. I.ini >n Tread and Ka.fi \ Kerry Collins TEAM/POSmON: Tennessee Titans/ quarterback HIS "OTHER" JOB: Cattle rancher Come the off-season, this NFL veteran dons a cowboy hat and heads out to the Blue Q Ranch, his 1,600-acre spread situated south of Greensboro, N.C. Col lins caught the bug from his father-in-law, a cattle rancher. From the early morning wake up calls to the daily upkeep of 400 cows, Collins now embraces the cowboy life, and the work has become a much-needed re treat for him. “For me, ranch ing creates the perfect balance in my life,” Collins says. “The NFL is 100 mph all the time. But on the farm, life slows down a little, and it gives me a chance to focus.” ca ROSENTHALS DARREN CARROII FOR USA MEM NO. BATCH MICHAEL FABUS. PITTSBURGH STEELERS