In the event you had been to sit down down for dinner with the retired NFL participant, Floyd Raglin, you’d be drawn to his charisma and tales of a soccer profession that reached the dizzying heights of taking part in for the Miami Dolphins. Nonetheless, to cease there would solely be scratching the floor of the life and occasions of a real entrepreneur. Raglin, or “Rag” as his associates know him, makes use of his ardour for supercars to convey pleasure to each his fellow athletes and the broader neighborhood. Keen to search out out extra, M&F sat down with the person himself to learn how Rag transitioned from the soccer subject to putting offers for family names like Dennis Rodman, and why supercars may be the proper machines for enhancing psychological and bodily well being.
Whereas the truth that Floyd Raglin performed two video games within the NFL strike yr of 1987 as a substitute for the Miami Dolphins would make for an important film, it’s what he did after he wound up that storied professional soccer profession that retains us enthralled. Within the late ‘80s, the star was engaged on the football-themed HBO sitcom, “1st & Ten” whereas negotiating with the Dolphins to remain on, however opted to not pursue a contract when Rag discovered that he might earn good cash in tv, with out placing his physique by the ringer. “At the moment in my profession, that appeared like a greater path,” he says. “1ST & Ten” had skilled soccer gamers on the present truly—Lawrence Taylor, OJ Simpson, Jerry Rice. I imply, quite a lot of guys had been on the present and so forth the lunch breaks they’d trainers come on the market and prepare us, so we’d prepare on the market whereas we had been filming. We at all times saved up with our coaching.”
After calling it a day with the NFL, Rag’s vitality, laborious work, and self-discipline was now not put to make use of on the sphere, however he was quickly thought to be a staff participant on the present, and was entrusted with the casting on “1st & Ten.” Rag’s means to run with any alternative that got here his method didn’t finish there, nonetheless. “I wish to develop, and consider,” says Rag. “And, I’m by no means to good to hearken to anyone.”
Floyd Raglin is ready to construct constructive connections by supercars
Now in his 60s, this man from Alton, IL, continues to be firing on all cylinders each mentally and bodily. “On the weekend, I nonetheless wish to go on the market and put my cleats on and run,” he says, now dwelling within the sunnier climates of Florida. The previous participant works out day-after-day, and likes to get his sweat on my finishing a full physique resistance band exercise whereas taking a sauna on the identical time. His means to transition from skilled athlete to skilled enterprise man, and keep steady nicely into his retirement from soccer is without doubt one of the causes that he was named vice chairman of The Nationwide Soccer League Gamers Affiliation, a union that enables gamers to face collectively to guard their well being, rights, and households. Floyd Raglin has discovered that supercars get the eye of athletes younger and outdated. On one hand, he exhibits the up-and-coming gamers would could possibly be theirs in the event that they preserve working laborious, and however, he is ready to reunite footballing legends who can get collectively, chat, and spend high quality time with some epic engines.
Taking care of the pursuits of these round him has at all times been of mutual profit to Rag. From organising look offers for longtime associates and purchasers like Dennis Rodman, to serving to out fledgling native automobile dealerships, evidently if you want one thing doing nicely; Rag’s your man. After spending a while with the advertising supremo, you get the sensation that he loves the excitement of constructing connections greater than the cash that he generates, and that is illustrated by the relationships that he has cast between man and machine with regards to his love of supercars. The concept to satisfy the wants of automobile lovers and create an area to exhibit and admire particular cars first happened as a strategy to promote the providers of a brand new Lamborghini showroom in Palm Seashore. The idea labored wonders, and has grown to the purpose that Floyd Raglin now hosts month-to-month automobile meets, along with an enormous annual extravaganza. “Supercars Saturdays Florida” revs into gear month-to-month on the Seminole Onerous Rock Lodge and On line casino in Hollywood, FL, whereas the annual “Exotics at Dania Pointe” present (2023) takes place on November 12 at Dania Pointe Procuring Middle in Dania Seashore, Florida.
Positive, these stunning machines are sometimes dismissed as shallow and materialistic, however there’s a facet to our relationship with status vehicles that Rag has proven may be harnessed as a drive for constructive affect. “I’m all about health,” says Rag, who’s at all times in search of new methods to encourage a constructive mindset within the youthful gamers that he meets by his work with the NFLPA. “I attempt to inform my guys you could have good vehicles and large homes, however in the event you don’t have your well being, none of meaning something.” To make his level, Rag got here up with one other winner of an concept as a way to encourage these youthful athletes to remain in form, take care of their diet, and get common blood work completed. “We drove up there with 30 supercars, drove as much as this fitness center, and went by the entire means of explaining what it takes to be an athlete,” defined the inspirational showman. Rag is ready to show by advantage of his personal successes that if athletes preserve their head on straight and don’t succumb to unfavourable influences, then prize vehicles like Bugatti’s, Ferrari’s Lamborghini’s and the like could possibly be theirs for the taking. Thankfully, it’s not simply blinged up athletes that get to benefit from the stunning cars which are on his exhibits. “After I was rising up, my uncle used to work for JMC,” says Rag. “I used to look at him construct vehicles out within the yard and he used to take me to the drag races each week and so from somewhat child, I’ve at all times been infatuated with vehicles.”
Appreciating the healthful enjoyable that may be had at his huge automobile exhibits, Floyd Raglin says that he solely permits exhibitors to come back to his occasions if they’re prepared to let children get the complete expertise and climb contained in the automobile. “Folks at all times say, ‘when are you going to retire,’” says Rag. “Why would I retire once I’m having a lot enjoyable!?”
