May 17, 2016
When Jon Runyan played nine years for the Eagles, he was handing out punishment before and even sometimes after the whistle, once in a while with a club. Now, after a stint in Congress, the 42-year-old will be the one handing out discipline.
Runyan has been named the NFL’s vice president of policy and rules administration, it was announced on Tuesday. He will head the league’s on-field discipline department, a role previously held by Merton Hanks.
“It was my life’s dream to play in the NFL and I am incredibly grateful for the experience those 14 seasons gave me,” Runyan said in a press release. “I am thrilled to once again be a part of the NFL family and give back to the game that gave me so much. I am looking forward to sharing the experiences and lessons I’ve learned on and off the field with fellow NFL personnel, and I am excited for this great opportunity.”
Runyan, whose responsibilities will also include working with equipment managers across the NFL and supervising the league's inspection program (read up on Deflategate, Runyan), will be joining a former Eagles teammate in the league office.
“Jon’s breadth of experience from the gridiron to the halls of Congress to the NFL offices brings a unique perspective shaped by leadership as a player and in public service,” the NFL’s executive VP of football operations Troy Vincent said in the same statement. “He is a welcome addition to our team as we work to advance and grow the game, and develop all football personnel and players.”
Since choosing to not run for re-election and leaving office in 2015, Runyan has has spent some time as an Eagles analyst at 94.1 WIP.
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