Former NFL quarterback joins Florida roofing company

After graduating from the turf in 2022, former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles has moved on to the roofing industry. 

What’s happening: Florida-based NEXGEN Roofing last week announced that Bortles has joined the company in an untitled role, where he’ll learn different parts of the business and figure out where he fits next. 

• NEXGEN is launching a six-part video series that will follow Bortles as he meets employees, learns the trade, and gets a closer look at what it takes to serve homeowners and business owners across Florida. 
• The first episode premiered on June 1 and is available on the company’s website and social media channels. 

Catch up quick: Bortles, a former University of Central Florida standout who was picked third overall in the 2014 NFL draft, played for eight seasons in the league, including five for Jacksonville. 

What they’re saying: “Throughout [Bortles’s] football career, he demonstrated leadership, resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure,” NEXGEN co-founder Brandon Cornellier said in a news release. 

• “Those qualities translate well in any industry, and we’re looking forward to seeing how those strengths contribute to our team and our customers,” he added. 

The big picture: For Bortles, the opportunity is a chance to remain connected to the city that embraced him during his NFL career. 

• “Retirement has been great. I’ve been able to spend a lot of time with my family, and that’s been a huge blessing,” said Bortles. “But I’ve realized it’s time to get back out there, and my main priority was finding somewhere I could continue to grow and be part of a great team.”
• “I was looking for a respectable company with strong leadership, and NEXGEN checked those boxes,” he added. “Jacksonville has always felt like home to me, and it’s important that I’m involved in the community where I live.”

Looking ahead: New episodes of the Bortles-focused video series will air every two weeks.