(WSAW) – Vince Biegel knows what the whirlwind week of the NFL Draft is like. He lived it in 2017.
“My draft experience was unique,” said Biegel.
The Wisconsin Rapids native and Wisconsin Badger was projected to go in the second or third round of that year’s draft. Biegel remembers having a big party on night two of the draft at his family’s home in Wisconsin Rapids for the big night. However, after the end of three rounds, his name had yet to be called.
“I went home and I remember crying in the shower that night, waking up and not knowing when my name would get called,” said Biegel.
The next day, Biegel’s watch party had a smaller number, but in a way, there was beauty in that.
“The next day it was just my wife, then my fiance, my mom and dad, my brother and my sister,” said Biegel. “Looking back, that was all the people I needed there. “It was just a really special day.”
Not only was Biegel the very first pick of the day, the first pick of the fourth round, but he also went to his childhood favorite team, the Green Bay Packers. The kid who was named after Vince Lombardi would get a chance to play at Lambeau as a member of the Packers.
“I am extremely thankful that Green Bay believed in me and called my name,” said Biegel. “I also carry it with a great deal of pride because every kid growing up in Wisconsin dreams of playing high school football. They dream of playing for the Wisconsin Badgers, and they dream of playing for the Packers. At least I did. I just am thankful for that journey and the man upstairs to be able to bless me enough.”
Biegel also said playing for the Packers was a special thing for his family, too, knowing how big a football family they are in Wisconsin Rapids.
However, Biegel’s journey with the Packers wouldn’t last. He played there one season before being cut by the team in 2018. Even if that decision stings, he still harbors no ill will.
“I could’ve been feeling sorry for myself,” said Biegel, “but those are the things you do, man. You pick yourself and you keep fighting. I’m thankful for all of it. I’m thankful for the suck. It’s given me resiliency. I like to say football is a great teacher of life.”
Biegel went on to play for the Saints, Dolphins and Ravens. Injuries hindered the end of Biegel’s career, ultimately decided to retire in 2024. Now, Biegel works in Nashville in real estate development and helping other NFL players find their next phase of life at the end of their careers.
“I’m part of a start-up company called Pro Athlete Community (PAC),” said Biegel. “We host business combines for current or former NFL guys and we help guys transition away from the NFL and also helping guys take whatever they’re doing off the field to the next level.”
PAC will help those former and current NFL players with life coaches and business coaches for their start-ups and ventures. Biegel says it’s something he loves to do.
“When I was going through my transition after football and not knowing if I was going to play again, it was uncomfortable. “It’s hard because you’re rediscovering who you are, not just Vince Biegel the football player, but Vince Biegel the man. A lot of former players struggle during that transition and it’s finding out who are you outside the game of football.”
A homegrown Wisconsin product that was a Red Raider, then a Badger, then a Packer, Biegel is excited to see his home state in the spotlight this week for the NFL Draft.
“I’m super excited to see the Draft in Green Bay and what an opportunity that is for the state of Wisconsin,” said Biegel. “One thing I love about the state of Wisconsin, whether playing in high school, college or the NFL, is in Wisconsin, it’s our passion as sports fans. I’m excited to see it. I know Wisconsin is going to come out in good numbers.”
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