The Future of TABC Athletics: Chris Brantley

A professional. That’s what TABC received when they brought in Chris Brantley to be the athletic director at the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year. This ‘free agent signing’ may bring more improvement to TABC sports than we’ve ever seen before.

Chris brings a lot with him to the TABC athletic department, but most intriguing is his experience as a former NFL football player. After growing up right here in Teaneck, where he is featured in it’s Hall of Fame, he took his talents to Rutgers University, where he played four years for the Scarlet Knights.

Brantley was very successful as a wide receiver at Rutgers, setting school records including all-time leader in touchdown receptions, with 17, and second all-time in receptions, with 144. He graduated Rutgers with a B.A. in Communications, and was later inducted into the Rutger’s Football Hall of Fame.

With his college career over, Chris declared for the 1994 NFL draft, where he was selected in the fourth round by the Los Angeles Rams. He later signed with the Buffalo Bills as a free agent.

Along with his job at TABC, Chris currently serves as Vice President of Marketing at ASM Sports, where he generates alternative revenue streams for clients, develops clients' personal brands and business relationships, negotiates endorsement deals, and works with national media outlets to promote campaigns.

I had the chance to ask Chris some questions about his athletic career, and how he planned to use what he learned on the job to strengthen the TABC athletic department:

Sammy: What is your favorite moment from playing football?

Chris: My favorite moment would have to be when I was at Rutgers. We were losing our homecoming game vs Virginia Tech 24-3 in the 1st quarter. We came back to win 50-49 on a last second touchdown - my record setting 4th of the day.

S: What did you learn as a way to prepare yourself for games?

C: Discipline. Training is all about being committed to getting better and doing all the right things to prepare. You have to be ready when your number is called, and if you aren’t disciplined enough to work on your craft, you won't be ready to take advantage of opportunities when they arise.

S: What was your favorite team growing up, and did that influence you in any way deciding which team to sign with as a free agent?

C: My favorite team was the Pittsburgh Steelers. When I was a free agent, I worked out for the Steelers but ended up signing with Buffalo. When it’s your job, you have to take a lot of other factors into account when making decisions on where to sign and Pittsburgh just wasn’t the best fit.

S: Do you still follow football, and did playing in the league change the way you experience the games (if so, how)?

C: Yes I do, I love watching football. Playing hasn’t changed how I watch the game, but it gives me a better understanding of what the players go through.

S:You played for both the Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills. Which team did you most enjoy your time with and why?

C: Buffalo. I liked the LA weather, but the Bills were a better organization back then. The coaches, the players, and the city always felt more like home, and the fans in Buffalo were the best I’ve ever experienced. Plus with Buffalo I got to experience the playoffs, and playing on Monday night, which also made it even more fun.

S: What do you think is your greatest accomplishment in playing football, at any level?

C: The fact that I was drafted in the 4th round is probably my greatest accomplishment. All the work I had put in growing up, paid off that day.

S: Do you like and or play any other sports besides football, and if so, did you have any success playing those sports?

C: I played a lot of sports growing up. Baseball, basketball, wrestling, soccer and track. I’ve played on championship little league teams, won wrestling medals, and run NY Marathons, but football has brought me the farthest.

S:How does your time playing football help you with your job right now?

C: The fact that I was a professional athlete, helps me relate to the NBA clients I work with. Also, once they know I played professionally, they tend to relax and open up more.

S: What made you come to work at TABC?

C: It was a great opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. The chance to work in the athletic department and help shape the program feels like a natural fit. Plus, with TABC’s history of sports teams and the enthusiasm that surrounds the program, it was an easy decision.

S: What do you plan on doing to enhance the athletic department, and how?

C: More structure during gym class. Develop a curriculum that gives students a real opportunity not just to play different sports, but truly learn the intricate parts of the games that make them special. More opportunities for students to compete against each other in various sports as well.

S: Would you support a football team or internal league here at TABC (what kind)?

C: A football league could be tough, but an internal flag football league might work. There are plenty of students that ask to throw the football around, so I would have to assume they would be interested in a league.

With Chris leading the development, be sure to look out for some great new improvements to athletics here at TABC.