Sharee Graham works for the National Football League (NFL) league office, doing compliance and football strategy in football operations. It’s clear she’s passionate about her job and passionate about American football. In her role she helps manage uniform inspectors for all 32 teams, as well as on-field discipline for rules administration.

But in order for Sharee to do the job she does, in a sport she’s passionate about, she has to be spiritually grounded. It’s her Christian faith that guides her and gets her through life.

Sharee opens up about her job, her love of football, her faith, and shares why football brings people together…

SM: You’re a month into the new football season, what are your hopes and predictions for the new season?

My hopes for this season are that it is a memorable 100th NFL season that is filled with memories being made and a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiation is reached between the NFL players and owners. I also want to help drive creativity, diversity and inclusion within the game vertical for compliance by continuing to display a strong work ethic to meet our goals and mission a league. 

SM: Growing up, did you desire to work for the NFL?

I did want to work in sports when I was growing up but wanted to be a sports attorney.

SM: Why do you think American football brings people together?

Our core mission at the NFL is creating an environment with the greatest competitive sport in the world, while staying focused on our family, football, and fans. I think that American football brings people together no matter what the color of the skin, because we include all fans of race, nationality, religion, or social economic backgrounds.

SM: American football hasn’t always gotten the best reputation as being a safe sport. How has the NFL over the years made sure its players are safe?

More updated research and technology has created avenues for us to examine better and safer ways to help those playing the sport of football. It is a contact sport that will always have questions about the severity of how safe it is. However, we are doing a better job with educating parents and their children about the advantages and risks of the sport.

SM: In your opinion, who is the best NFL player of all time?

The best player of all-time in my opinion is Lawrence Taylor who played for the NY Giants his entire 12-year career.

SM: When I lived in London, the NFL had just started going there to play a game between two teams, to get the Brits excited about American football. The MLB is doing this too. This year, the NFL will have 4 mashups in 2 stadiums in London.  What do you think about this?

I think that being able to expand our fan base and allow games to be played in London is great. It helps to monopolize on the business model that the NFL has created in reaching others outside of the US and Canada in other areas, as well as growth for job opportunities for players and others.

SM: You speak about your faith often, what does faith mean to you? And how does living out your faith, taking Jesus into your workplace look for you?

I am strong and stand courageous in my Faith walk with God as I try to align my values and His will for my life daily. I understand that religion does not make you a good person, but your behavior does. I earn the respect that I am given and know that confidence is a prerequisite for success. I think carefully about what conversations I must be a part of and those that I would rather not be, but sometimes should. I look to rise above the negativity and look at the positives in a situation despite how things look. 

Being able to carry this in my workplace is easy for me. I allow God to guide me and help me choose the right people to place in my life, who will know the path ahead that I am to ensure that I have the wisdom that I need in my life. I am obedient to His word as he teaches me how to walk with Him and reminds me to do it daily. If you're wise and serious about your walk, you'll start each day by praying.

As a believer, I know that the Holy Spirit supplies me with two things that I cannot live without, which are the ability to know what God is saying to me, and how to have a relationship with him.