When 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 enjoying for the Miami Dolphins. Nonetheless, to cease there would solely be scratching the floor of the life and instances of a real entrepreneur. Raglin, or “Rag” as his mates know him, makes use of his ardour for supercars to deliver pleasure to each his fellow athletes and the broader group. Keen to search out out extra, M&F sat down with the person himself to learn how Rag transitioned from the soccer subject to placing offers for family names like Dennis Rodman, and why supercars could be the proper machines for bettering 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 incredible 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 via 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, lots of guys had been on the present and so forth the lunch breaks they’d trainers come on the market and practice us, so we might practice on the market whereas we had been filming. We all the time stored up with our coaching.”
After calling it a day with the NFL, Rag’s vitality, onerous work, and self-discipline was now not put to make use of on the sphere, however he was quickly considered a crew participant on the present, and was entrusted with the casting on “1st & Ten.” Rag’s potential 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 sensible to take heed to any person.”
Floyd Raglin is ready to construct constructive connections via 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 each 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 potential to transition from skilled athlete to skilled enterprise man, and keep secure effectively into his retirement from soccer is among the causes that he was named vp 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 reveals the up-and-coming gamers would could possibly be theirs in the event that they maintain working onerous, 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 all the time been of mutual profit to Rag. From establishing look offers for longtime mates and shoppers like Dennis Rodman, to serving to out fledgling native automotive dealerships, evidently while you want one thing doing effectively; Rag’s your man. After spending a while with the advertising and marketing supremo, you get the sensation that he loves the thrill of creating connections greater than the cash that he generates, and that is illustrated by the relationships that he has cast between man and machine in terms of his love of supercars. The concept to fulfill the wants of automotive lovers and create an area to exhibit and respect particular cars first took place as a approach to promote the companies of a brand new Lamborghini showroom in Palm Seaside. The idea labored wonders, and has grown to the purpose that Floyd Raglin now hosts month-to-month automotive meets, along with an enormous annual extravaganza. “Supercars Saturdays Florida” revs into gear month-to-month on the Seminole Arduous Rock Resort 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 Seaside, 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 could be harnessed as a pressure for optimistic influence. “I’m all about health,” says Rag, who’s all the time on the lookout for new methods to encourage a optimistic mindset within the youthful gamers that he meets via his work with the NFLPA. “I attempt to inform my guys that you could have good vehicles and massive homes, however when 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 thought so as 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 via the entire technique of explaining what it takes to be an athlete,” defined the inspirational showman. Rag is ready to reveal via advantage of his personal successes that if athletes maintain their head on straight and don’t succumb to damaging influences, then prize vehicles like Bugatti’s, Ferrari’s Lamborghini’s and the like could possibly be theirs for the taking. Luckily, it’s not simply blinged up athletes that get to benefit from the stunning cars which might be on his reveals. “Once 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 slightly child, I’ve all the time been infatuated with vehicles.”
Appreciating the healthful enjoyable that may be had at his huge automotive reveals, Floyd Raglin says that he solely permits exhibitors to return to his occasions if they’re prepared to let children get the total expertise and climb contained in the automotive. “Individuals all the time say, ‘when are you going to retire,’” says Rag. “Why would I retire after I’m having a lot enjoyable!?”
