About
NFLPA PAF
Who We Are
The NFLPA Professional Athletes Foundation (PAF) supports NFL players and their families with personalized tools and resources to meet any opportunity or challenge. In partnership with athletes and former players, we focus on mental, physical, and financial wellbeing in everyday life off the field.
We represent the rich heritage and legacy of the NFL player community. We’ve lived it.
The PAF was founded in 1990 by NFLPA Executive Director and legendary guard Gene Upshaw, who recognized the unique challenges to former players in their journey off the field. Still today, we work to support, strengthen and inspire players as they navigate life’s many challenges and moments to celebrate.
PAF is the leading foundation assisting former NFL athletes and players. We’ve supported more than 3,600 players through the Gene Upshaw Players Assistance Trust Fund (GU PAT), with over $21 million in financial, medical, and educational assistance granted to our community.
We’re here to support, and ready when you need us — to partner, connect, and inspire what’s next.
Services We Offer
- Financial Assistance
- Education Assistance
- Health Care Resourcing
- Mental Health Support
- Addiction Counseling
- Partner, Spouse & Family Counseling
- Informational Symposiums
- Budget Building Assistance
PAF In Action
Our Team
ANDRE COLLINS
Executive Director
A former NFL player himself, Andre’s first job off the field was door-to-door window sales. Shortly after learning that was not his calling, he fell back on his Penn State Health Policy & Administration education and began working midnight shifts in a local Northern Virginia hospital emergency department. With 19 seasons on staff at the NFLPA, Andre currently serves as the Executive Director of the Professional Athletes Foundation helping players find purpose after the game. He strives to create a sense of community and opportunity for his fellow former players and uses his firsthand experience as the driving force to make the transformation smoother for players. His wife Ericka and children Lola, Karis and Chet provide a balance that allows Andre to be creative and focused on former player concerns.
- CALL | TEXT: (202) 255-8417
CARYL BANKS
Senior Manager, LICSW
Caryl serves as the Senior Manager of the PAF helping those players and families that come through our Gene Upshaw Player Assistance Trust Fund (GUPAT) process to navigate complex situations and systems and plans for stability while also providing resources beyond the PAF. Originally from West Virginia, Caryl is a clinically licensed social worker with over 20 years of experience in the field. She currently resides in Bowie, MD and has one son, Dominick, who is a U.S. Marine.
- CALL | TEXT: (202) 756-9161
- Caryl.Banks@nflpa.com
LAURA STEFANOW
Program Associate
(SHE/HER) A large part of Laura’s childhood was spent on long car rides traveling the east coast throughout her older brother’s high school and collegiate football career. This built a natural bridge for her to study and seek experience anywhere she could in the sport and recreation industry during her undergraduate and Master’s level years at West Virginia University. Over time she found a passion for service, community, and well-being. As the PAF’s Program Associate, she helps players through the GUPAT process while connecting them with the appropriate resources throughout the NFLPA & NFL.
- CALL | TEXT: (202) 756-9168
- Laura.Stefanow@nflpa.com
LESLIE ISLER
Engagement Manager
(SHE/HER) Leslie Isler serves as Engagement Manager curating unique experiences rooted in wellbeing for former NFL players and their families. A Prince George’s County, MD native, Leslie is a social impact enthusiast and a certified cause consultant who spearheads all internal NFLPA wellness initiatives and presides over the NFLPA youth charitable partnership. She holds a MPS in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University to accompany her BS in Marketing from Towson University and a Sports Philanthropy graduate certificate from George Washington University. Most recently, Leslie was a finalist for the 2023 NFLPA membership service award.
- CALL | TEXT: (202) 756-9140
- Leslie.Isler@nflpa.com
TYRONE ALLEN
Director
Tyrone serves as the Director of the Professional Athletes Foundation where he oversees the operations of the GU PAT fund, valued partner relationships, former player safety, and all emerging opportunities for the foundation. Originally from Philadelphia, Tyrone has extensive social-work experience, including over 14 years working with former players.
- CALL | TEXT: (202) 756-9166
- Tyrone.Allen@nflpa.com
MORIAH TERRY
Coordinator
Moriah began her athletic pursuits as a collegiate softball player at North Carolina A&T State University, where she honed her skills and embraced the values of teamwork and perseverance. She firmly believes in the importance of providing athletes appreciable support systems, enabling them to access the necessary resources for their post-athletic journey. In this position, she works diligently to facilitate the distribution of financial assistance to deserving former players, aiming to alleviate potential financial burdens and provide a solid foundation for their future endeavors. Through her work as the PAF coordinator, Moriah Terry exemplifies her dedication to creating a supportive environment for athletes, ensuring that they can confidently pursue their aspirations beyond the realm of sports.
- CALL | TEXT: (202) 756-9329
- Moriah.Terry@nflpa.com
Board of Directors
Former Player
Public Director
-
Lloyd Howell
Chairman -
Nolan Harrison
Acting Chairman -
Maxine Baker
Director -
ANDRE COLLINS
Executive Director -
Ned Ehrlich
Director -
Ken Jolly
Director -
David Joyner
Director -
Pete Kendall
Director -
Dewey McClain
Director -
Emery Moorehead
Director -
Charles Swisher
Director -
Yvette Stewart
Director