25 Big-Name Athletes Who Are Now Working 9-to-5 Jobs

Tommy Vardell

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“Touchdown Tommy” was a scoring machine for the Stanford Cardinal from 1988 through 1991. After his run as a Cardinal, Bill Belichick and the Cleveland Browns drafted the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Vardell with the ninth pick in April 1992. Vardell, who constantly fought an array of injuries, rushed for 1,427 yards and 18 scores in 87 contests with the Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions before retiring in 1999. “Touchdown Tommy” subsequently used his Stanford degree and established a financial firm called Northgate Capital Group, L.L.C.

As detailed by Bloomberg.com, “(Vardell) served as a Co-Founder and Managing Director at Northgate Capital Group, L.L.C. since its inception. At Northgate, he is involved in the management of all aspects of the firm, including investment identification and selection, portfolio management, reporting and compliance, and client relations. He focuses on venture capital and oversees a series of Northgate’s direct investments.”

The 49-year-old Vardell spends the bulk of his time at Northgate’s offices in London and Danville, California.