Profile: Shannon Furman

Alumna travels to Africa with NFL players

By Jennifer Palmer ('09)

Many people judge NFL players by their physical ability, dedication and success in the game of football, but Shannon Furman (’03 Journ.) has a different criteria.

Shannon Furman interviews Amobi Okoye of the Houston Texans during a trip to Nigeria.

Furman, a producer for NFL Films, is currently working on a documentary about her recent trip to Nigeria—a 10-day visit that started in late March as Furman followed four NFL players who visited the African nation.

“The best thing I like about my job is I get to meet many people, including the players, and see a side of them that no one else gets to see,” Furman said. Furman worked closely with all four NFL players who made the trip possible, including Amobi Okoye of the Houston Texans who lived in Nigeria until he was 12 years old.

“Amobi helped fund our trip to Africa,” said Furman. “It’s amazing to see the youngest NFL player ever drafted trying to save the lives of other people across the world.”

Furman previously worked with Okoye during his rookie season filming the program “Hey Rookie.”  “Amobi isn’t just another football player I’ve worked with, he’s also good friend,” Furman said.

The first four and a half days of the trip were spent in Abuja, Nigeria, followed by four and a half days in Lagos, Nigeria. The main activities included four medical clinics and two physical activity camps. In addition, 20 scholarships were given away for students to attend African universities. “Last year, the players handed out scholarships and built wells in villages for proper drinking water,” Furman said. “Each year, the players hope to contribute more to help as much as possible.” 

Adewale Ogunleye, Tommie Harris and Isreal Idonije from the Chicago Bears also made the trip to help educate, medicate and, of course, play football with the children of Nigeria. Idonije lived in Nigeria till he was 4 years old, so the trip was personal for him as well.

In fact, Idonije funded the presence of a dozen doctors and nurses from Integris Health in Oklahoma on the trip. They distributed AIDS kits and taught community members how to test themselves for HIV. “It’s amazing to see how just one simple IV can save a person’s life," Furman said.

“Education is the most important factor,” Furman said. Another primary objective of the trip was building a new school for the growing community. The players talked with many government officials about the project, which they hope to get under way in the near future.

The players also hope to get more NFL players to participate in the visit each year.

“It’s crazy to see how happy these people are with nothing,” said Furman. “But it’s priceless to see their faces when they learn how to throw a football or get something so simple like Neosporin for their infected cuts. Its things like this that we take for granted.”

Furman earned an opportunity at NFL Films based in part on a clip tape she made while filming action of high school sports near her New Jersey home.

Furman never thought she would be traveling with professional football players, albeit only occasionally, or working with the NFL on a daily basis. As a high school senior, she applied to three colleges—Penn State, Syracuse and Elon. 

“I would’ve played softball at Elon but I decided playing softball wasn’t more important than the quality of the education I would get,” Furman said. “I choose PSU over Syracuse mainly because that’s what my family wanted  and I had some family members that had gone to PSU.”

Furman graduated with a major in broadcast journalism with a double minor in English and kinesiology.

“Working in sports journalism was always something I wanted to do,” Furman said. “Plus oddly enough once I took a look at Beaver Stadium I knew I had to be a part of that. The first time I saw Beaver Stadium I was in awe.” 

Right after her graduation, Furman worked in the marketing department at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City but knew something was missing.

So, she started filming highlights of high school sports events in her hometown, Washington Twp, N.J., just 25 minutes away from Mt. Laurel, the home to NFL Films. With hard work and effort, her resume tape got into the hands of a senior producer at NFL Films.

Furman just finished cutting the Atlanta Falcons team highlight for the 2008 season and is now moving on to a show called "Full Contact," which will air on TruTV. Furman also worked as a director at the NFL Draft. She directs, edits and writes on a daily basis for several different events.

“I went broke as I first started buying computer software such as Final Cut Pro to get me started,” said Furman. “It was well worth the investment in the end because here I am today, 27 years old and working my dream job!”