During the three-day NFL draft held April 26-28, Carrigan Bain ’19 served as an intern for the Washington Redskins, working with the franchise’s communications department to promote the team’s recently acquired players.
Moments after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced their names at last week’s NFL draft, newly selected members of the Washington Redskins already had media obligations to meet. Within minutes, they were tasked with calling communications staff to conduct interviews with media members based at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Virginia.
During three hectic days last week, Bain, a sport management major, contributed to an eight-person intern team, assisting the NFL franchise’s communications department staff.
As the Redskins prepared to make their draft selections, Bain and her fellow interns – most of them students at either George Mason University or the University of Maryland – anxiously awaited phone calls in the team’s media room alongside a dozen or so reporters.
Typically, the interns had two or three players in mind – thanks to a tip from their supervisors – and did some quick research on the potential rookies who might call.
Bain and the other interns handled the subsequent phone calls and welcomes, then recorded the interviews, which they transcribed immediately.
“It was definitely fast-paced,” Bain said. “I would take their interviews and transcribe it right away for the coaches and other members of the organization, as well as other media outlets.”
The interns were also responsible for transcribing notes from head coach Jay Gruden’s interviews as well.
Coincidentally, one of the most provocative draft storylines involved Washington’s second-round pick, Derrius Guice.
During the draft process, a few news outlets reported that some NFL clubs had character concerns regarding the record-breaking running back from Louisiana State University. The rumors even included an alleged argument with members of the Philadelphia Eagles coaching staff during a pre-draft visit – a report Guice vehemently denied. Ultimately, these questions may have contributed to the first-round talent slipping into the second round.
But from Bain’s perspective, Guice shined during his post-draft interviews.
“I will say (Guice’s) phone call was the most impressive phone call I was on,” she said. “He spoke very eloquently, and he was very genuine during the interviews. He was getting some very tough questions.”
Despite three taxing days at Redskins Park, Bain looks forward to returning this summer to Washington’s communications department for an extensive internship. She will arrive in Ashburn soon after the Fourth of July holiday, then accompany the organization and staff to their training camp location in Richmond.
As an intern, she’ll get an insider’s view of the communications department and assist with media relations and public relations tasks once the players report for camp.
“The NFL has always been my dream,” the Charlotte native said. “That is where I want to be.”
To make her aspirations a reality, Bain said she networked as best she could, using two contacts with the Redskins organization to land the draft and training camp positions. She admitted that networking wasn’t always a strength of hers, but that she’s grown more comfortable building relationships and connections.
What insight does she have to share? Ask for professional advice when you’re not looking for something in return, Bain said. Just start a conversation and it might lead to an opportunity down the road.