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Home / Newsroom / Chargers GM and alumnus Tom Telesco '95 shares stories about life in the NFL
Tom Telesco stands at a podium and gestures during his lecture.

After his Los Angeles Chargers took on the Cleveland Browns this weekend, general manager Tom Telesco ’95 visited John Carroll University on Tuesday evening, sharing stories and advice from his life and career in football.

Telesco then attended football practice at Don Shula Stadium, spoke with the team, and even received his favorite local pizza as a gift from the Blue Streaks’ offensive linemen.

The event, hosted by the Mike Cleary Program in Sports Leadership, was attended by a capacity crowd of students in Donahue Auditorium.

Telesco credits John Carroll with preparing him for a life in the NFL.

John Carroll always stressed a well-rounded education, and I was a beneficiary of that. I was challenged in the classroom, on the field, and also learned plenty of life skills that have aided me as I have grown personally and professionally.

Telesco’s career in the NFL spans more than 20 years. He became the youngest general manager in the history of the Chargers in 2013, capping off a two-decade rise through the NFL ranks.

His NFL journey began with an internship with the Buffalo Bills, followed by scouting positions with the Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts.

Over 15 seasons, he would climb up the ladder of the Colts organization, eventually becoming vice president of football operations. His tenure was marked by two Super Bowl appearances including a victory in Super Bowl 41 over the Chicago Bears.

Telesco recommends that students in the Mike Cleary program and other disciplines who are looking for a career in professional football put in extra work.

Be willing to work from the bottom up and realize that progress is not always measured in quick promotions. The sports industry is very competitive, but work ethic, determination, and an attitude to do more than your job description states will pay dividends in the future. Work ethic and attitude rarely goes unnoticed, especially in the world of athletics.

The Mike Cleary Program in Sports Leadership was established in 2014, through the generosity of Mike Cleary ’56 and his family. Cleary was the executive director of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) for more than four decades.

The Mike Cleary Program offers courses in athletics administration, business, communications, ethics in sports, exercise science, and sports psychology, as well as multiple tracks of specialization. To learn more about the opportunities offered in the Cleary Program, visit jcu.edu/sportsstudies.

Tom Telesco stands on Wasmer Field and addresses the football team.

Tom Telesco '95 addresses the Blue Streaks football team.