Issac Gittens ’14: Enduring Love of Football & Evolving Sense of Purpose

In the third episode of Gators on Purpose, host Briana Lewis sits down with Isaac Gittens '14, who translated his passion for football into a career with the National Football League (NFL).

Gittens' journey to Allegheny was sparked by a positive interaction with the football coaching staff. At Allegheny, he pursued an "unusual combination": a major in managerial economics with double minors in communication and Black Studies. He credits his academic background for giving him both the practical business foundation and the interpersonal persuasion skills needed for his current role.

By working in the athletic department and talking to coaches, he realized early on that while he loved the sport, he didn't want to coach. This revelation allowed him to pivot.

After graduation, Gittens pursued a graduate assistantship at Baylor University with the American Football Coaches Association, where he took every opportunity - from managing field goal nets to back-end operations for international bowls.

After seeing a tweet from an NFL executive about a local speaking engagement, Gittens attended the event on a whim. His prior experience with the NFL's partners (like USA Football) prepared him for the role he didn't yet know existed.

Today, Gittens manages pipelines for coaches, officials, and players. He is particularly proud of his work in flag football, as he creates pathways for women in the sport and sees the game reach the 2028 Olympics.

He views football as a metaphor for life, where everyone - regardless of background - has a specific way to contribute.