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Titans Lineman Works for Clarke

Part of NFLPA's externship program

Karim Barton is shown during his time with the Cleveland Browns in 2014. (NFLPA.com)
Karim Barton is shown during his time with the Cleveland Browns in 2014. (NFLPA.com)

Tennessee Titans’s Karim Barton is planning for life after football by spending the past few weeks working in the office of Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y.

Barton took part in the NFL Players Association’s externship program and was one of three to spend time on Capitol Hill, The Associated Press reported.

During his time in Clarke’s office, he attended a town hall in Clarke’s district, researched issues like immigration, and helped to draft legislation.

“He’s gotten a really good lens into what it is to one, be a legislator, but beyond that be the staff person for a legislator,” Clarke told the AP. 

Barton holds a “broad” business administration degree from Morgan State University. He said he isn’t sure if he wants to get into politics or law, but knows football isn’t forever.

“I do these internships because I want to find that one passion that’s going to get me out of bed like what’s getting me out of bed for football,” Barton said.

Barton and Clarke share a mutual Jamaican heritage. The congresswoman said Barton’s work on the response to President Donald Trump’s travel ban for Muslim-majority countries will help him be a better citizen.

Barton was originally signed by the Philadelphia Eagles an an undrafted free agent in 2014. He has later signed and waived by the Cleveland Browns and the Houston Texans.

He signed with the Titans in September and played on their practice squad last season. In January, he signed a futures contract with the Titans.

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