For a remarkable 17 seasons – almost unheard of in today’s NFL – Ricky Proehl was one of the most sure-handed and clutch wide receivers in the game of football. His dedication, once reserved for the gridiron, is now seen in his work with kids.

Proehl is the owner of Proehlific Park, a spacious and indoor and outdoor facility in Greensboro, where kids from all over the region flock to develop their abilities in a long list of sports.

Proehl, whose ties to the region began as an all-star and record-breaking receiver at Wake Forest University, is not just the owner of the facility. He is involved in every facet of the business and is very much hands-on when it comes to helping kids develop and learn fundamentals.
 
“I had several opportunities to continue playing football,” said Proehl, who played for six NFL teams including the Carolina Panthers and most recently, the world champion Indianapolis Colts. “However, developing a facility in the Triad that would provide boys and girls of all ages a chance to learn from top-notch instructors and play on and in top-notch facilities is now my passion."

“In a way, it’s an opportunity for me to help out a community that I fell in love with 20 years ago.”

Proehl played on four Super Bowl teams, including the world champion St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV and the world champion Colts in Super Bowl XLI. Proehl was instrumental in helping all four teams get to the ultimate game.

Playing for the St. Louis Rams in the 1999 NFC Championship Game, Proehl caught six passes for 100 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including the game-winning touchdown pass with 4:44 remaining. The Rams won, 11-6, to advance to the Super Bowl.

In the 2001 Super Bowl (XXXVI) against the New England Patriots, Proehl caught a touchdown pass with 1:30 left to tie the game, 17-17.  Proehl’s heroics were dampened when New England’s Adam Vinatieri kicked a last-second field goal to give the Pats a 20-17 victory.

Vinatieri proved to be a thorn in Proehl’s side again two years later. With 1:08 remaining in Super Bowl XXXVIII against New England, Proehl hauled in a touchdown pass to knot the score, 29-29. Vinatieri again kicked a last-second field goal to give New England a 32-29 win.

Proehl and Vinatieri were united in 2006 when they both joined the Indianapolis Colts, who captured Super Bowl XLI with a win over the Chicago Bears.

Proehl’s NFL career began in 1990 when he was taken in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. He became the first rookie in 40 years to lead the Cardinals in receiving. Proehl went on to play four seasons with Arizona before being traded to Seattle, where he played two years.

 After playing one season with Chicago, Proehl moved to St. Louis to join the Rams in 1998. He spent four seasons with the Rams and was a key cog in the St. Louis offense, which was billed “The Greatest Show On Turf”.

 Proehl returned to North Carolina in 2003, joining the Carolina Panthers as a veteran receiver under coach John Fox. After working as a color analyst with the Rams’ preseason television games and the Rams radio network, Proehl came out of retirement late in the 2006 season to join the Colts and quarterback Peyton Manning.

Proehl emerged as an NFL prospect during an illustrious four-year career at Wake Forest from 1986 to 1989. Considered one of the best to ever wear the Old Gold and Black, Proehl left Wake Forest as the holder of almost every major receiving record in the Demon Deacon record book.

Prior to coming to Wake Forest and the state of North Carolina, Proehl was a standout athlete in New Jersey at Hillsborough High School. A star in both football and baseball, Proehl caught 42 passes as a senior for 900 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was named New York All-Metro, all-state and county player of the year and gained attention from several major college football programs.

Proehl and his wife, Kelly, live in Greensboro. The couple have three children – daughter Alex and sons Austin and Blake.