The 2008 NFL Combine ends today and most of the athletes now look ahead to the draft and their futures; except one, Florida State Wideout De’Cody Fagg, whose future in professional football is now in doubt.

Imagine you receive a much coveted invitation to the combine, but when you get there suddenly things change, and not for the better….a hamstring tear in the 40 yard dash, a knee or ankle issue, or even the dreaded ACL injury; Fagg is no longer imagining these scenarios as he is now living one. During a simple pass-catching drill, Fagg fell to the turf grabbing his left knee. He was led off the field on a stretcher with what appeared to be every athletes worst nightmare, a torn ACL.

Now what? It is too early to tell the extent of his injuries or if Fagg will be able to fully recover and play at the level he has spent his entire life striving for. In an instant, his life has become a big question mark.

As unfortunate as injuries at the Combine are, they are still a main concern for players, agents, and families. Ryan Clady, a left tackle from Boise State suffered a pectoral injury during the bench press exercise this year that ended his Combine early, but is expected to recover in time for Boise State’s Pro-Day workout. In 2005, Nebraska offensive lineman Richie Incognito suffered a knee injury but recovered to become the Ram’s third round draft choice that same year. Fagg might not be so fortunate.

What can be done to alleviate these concerns? Career ending injuries are rare, but not out of the question. How do you protect yourself against them? How do you cover yourself from these “what if” scenarios that could take place? When your career, means of life, and income can all disappear in flash, what can be done to ensure a successful and comfortable life after football? More specifically, what does this mean for Fagg?

Players invited to the Combine are covered by a primary health insurance policy, which will pay for his medical expenses. But there’s no NFL-provided insurance for lost playing wages; it’s the responsibility of the player to buy his own policy. Did Fagg have one of these policies? Can he sue? If so, who? The league? The drill instructor? Does he get workers’ compensation? What measures could he have had in place, or put in place to protect his future?

Rich “Big Daddy” Salgado, a former player himself and current Entertainment and Sports Insurance Agent, knows the answers to those questions and more.
Salgado, President and CEO of Coastal Advisors, LLC makes sure all his clients are protected and are not taken advantage of. His insurance consulting firm specializes in disability insurance for professional athletes and entertainers. He also handles life insurance and estate planning needs. Salgado is more than just a trusted advisor; he is a friend, a mentor, and lifestyle coach ensuring that his clients have stable, protected, and bright futures ahead of them. Salgado was just profiled by Newsday, in a full page profile in Sunday’s paper.

Coastal currently has over 200 professional athletes as clients, including Michael Strahan and Jeremy Shockey of the NFC Champion New York Giants, Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints, Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals and Randy Moss of the AFC Champion New England Patriots along with numerous clients in the entertainment industry, whose names cannot be disclosed at this time due to confidentiality agreements.

Salgado spent the last few days in Indianapolis at the Combine, where he was the lone insurance agent talking to players about the importance of insurance and disability coverage. As a former player, Salgado knows the demands and inherent risks of the job, but also the importance of this business decision and it’s impact on the player’s long term future.

Salgado has seen it all and can offer insight into these life-altering experiences. It is his job to protect these players from the worst. Although he can’t stop the worst from happening, he does everything he can to protect his clients from it.

For this year’s draft Salgado is working with Chris Long (Virginia), Chevis Jackson and Ali Highsmith (LSU) as well as Simeon Castille (Alabama). They were covered had something happened to them.

Salgado has also signed on to represent the brand new United Football League and co-hosted a Fox Business Channel Special from the Super Bowl on February 3rd.