Will Blackmon, 35

Personal Wine Concierge, The Wine MVP, Orange County, CA

From touchdowns to tastings

While some NFL players pursue opportunities in TV commentary or coaching upon retirement, Blackmon had something else in mind when he ended his 12-year career. Having developed a love of wine, the former defensive back and special teams standout, and Super Bowl champ, decided to make it the focus of his next chapter. He took classes with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and reached out to the owners of prominent retailer Wine Exchange to learn about the retail business. It was with them that he started The Wine MVP concierge service, a business geared toward professional athletes and sports fans looking for help in curating their cellars.

Instagram: @willblackmon; @thewinemvp