When you think of a professional athlete’s career, it often ends when the cheering stops. For Hayes Pullard, that moment became the start of a new chapter—one built on persistence, faith, and a commitment to turning discipline into opportunity.
Raised in Inglewood and shaped at Crenshaw High School, Pullard earned a scholarship to USC and carved out five seasons in the NFL. His journey was never just about talent; it was about preparation. At Crenshaw, Coach Robert Garrett pushed him to study formations and playbooks like a professional. That habit carried him through USC and into the league, where his ability to read the game became his edge.
But life after the NFL was uncertain.
After being released, Pullard wrestled with what came next. His mother encouraged him to pursue real estate, while his heart still wanted football. He took matters into his own hands, relentlessly reaching out to coaches. That persistence paid off with Clay Helton at USC, then later with Robert Saleh, who pulled him into a coaching role with the New York Jets. Coaching opened his eyes to the grind behind the scenes—long hours, film study, and teaching athletes of all learning styles.
Even with a coaching opportunity, Pullard wasn’t done building. He co-founded Enclave & Key with Blake Wynn and Brock, a marketing agency that quickly scaled to represent over 1,500 creators, athletes, and influencers. What began as small brand deals soon grew into major activations with professional sports teams and global companies
After being released, Pullard wrestled with what came next. His mother encouraged him to pursue real estate, while his heart still wanted football. He took matters into his own hands, relentlessly reaching out to coaches. That persistence paid off with Clay Helton at USC, then later with Robert Saleh, who pulled him into a coaching role with the New York Jets. Coaching opened his eyes to the grind behind the scenes—long hours, film study, and teaching athletes of all learning styles.
Even with a coaching opportunity, Pullard wasn’t done building. He co-founded Enclave & Key with Blake Wynn and Brock, a marketing agency that quickly scaled to represent over 1,500 creators, athletes, and influencers. What began as small brand deals soon grew into major activations with professional sports teams and global companies.
Then came an unexpected pivot: poker.
A casual Airbnb home game with celebrities revealed something special—the banter, the trash talk, the human side of athletes and entertainers. From that night, the Celebrity Poker Tour (CPT) was born. Launched during Super Bowl week in Las Vegas, CPT combined sports stars, entertainers, and creators at the same table. The format wasn’t about perfect poker hands but about storytelling, culture, and access.
What makes CPT unique is the network it creates. NFL veterans sit alongside musicians, golfers, and YouTubers. Guests mingle with athletes they’d never otherwise meet, and partnerships are born in real time. For Pullard, CPT isn’t competing with the World Series of Poker; it’s reinventing poker as entertainment—making it fun again, and making it viral.
Looking ahead, the Celebrity Poker Tour continues to expand with new tournaments and storylines, drawing more big names across sports and entertainment. Hayes Pullard’s story proves that life after the NFL doesn’t have to mean slowing down. With persistence, faith, and vision, it can mean building something even bigger.
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