4 August 2026

From the field to the OR: three former NFL players on building careers at Smith+Nephew

In professional sport, you learn to prepare, perform under pressure and rely on your team. At Smith+Nephew, those strengths translate into supporting surgeons, solving problems in real time and helping deliver better outcomes for patients.

Here, Lawrence Marshall (Sports Medicine Territory Manager), Alex Balducci (Sales Manager) and Ted Bolser (Biologics Account Manager) share what the transition has taught them - and what keeps them motivated.

Lawrence Marshall: Finding purpose beyond the playbook

After a season with the Chicago Bears, Lawrence had a front-row seat to how quickly an injury can change everything. Spending so much time around injury and recovery, first as a player and then as a coach, made the move into MedTech feel personal. He joined Smith+Nephew after spotting the opportunity on LinkedIn and meeting a team who felt approachable and supportive.

Today, as a Sports Medicine Territory Manager, he channels the same mindset he had as an athlete: put in the work, stay resilient through the long days, learn fast, and keep showing up until you earn the "yes".

Every day brings new experiences and new learning. The constant growth is part of what he values most.

His advice to anyone joining? "Be curious. Ask questions. And don’t fear the word "no" Learn from it, then come back better prepared", says Lawrence.

Alex Balducci: A steep learning curve in a job that matters

Alex achieved a childhood dream playing in the NFL with the 49ers, Jets and Washington Commanders. When it came to moving on, he wanted a career with the same pace and pressure, as well as real purpose. The operating room drew him in: complex, technical, and built around patient outcomes.

Joining Smith+Nephew, Alex found a culture that expects people to work hard, stay curious and care deeply about supporting surgeons and patients.

“Starting without a clinical background was daunting”, he says. But the resilience and growth mindset he developed during his years of athletic training have stood him in good stead to learn, adapt and overcome challenges.

For those moving into medical device sales for the first time: “Understand that you can learn everything, but not all at once. Give yourself a bit of grace. Get more proficient and look to be better” advises Alex.

Ted Bolser: From locker-room leadership to life-changing outcomes

Drafted in 2014, Ted built his playing career with the Redskins, Tampa Bay and Cardinals, on discipline, accountability and being a great teammate - skills he now uses every day as a Biologics Account Manager.

He joined Smith+Nephew through an acquisition in 2018, drawn to a role that lets him compete, keep learning and help others.

Ted points to an array of skills honed during his football career that have helped him to succeed in medical device sales. From accountability and work ethic, to being a good teammate and receptive to feedback.

He also credits standout leadership early on with shaping how he shows up professionally, proving that coaching matters just as much in business as it does in sport.

Considering a move into sales? "Take it and run", says Ted. "It’s one of the best jobs in sports medicine."

Thinking about your next chapter? Whether your background is in sport, sales, healthcare or somewhere completely different, there’s a place at Smith+Nephew for people who bring energy, curiosity and care.

Explore opportunities and see how you could help take the limits off living.

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