NORMAL, Ala. (WHNT) — Sam Shade had just finished his eight-year NFL playing career and returned home to put his finance degree from the University of Alabama to use.

Although several of his professional coaches had prodded him to consider coaching, he didn't have any interest. Shade always thought coaches worked too much, and he had no interest in that. The Birmingham native moved home and was ready to start life after football, not knowing his second football life was about to begin.

"I got my insurance license and was trying to dibble and dabble in that and financial services," Shade said. "A good friend of mine that I actually played with at Alabama actually got me to volunteer to coach on the middle school level."

Shade volunteered his time to coach the young athletes, but quickly

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