The San Francisco 49ers have announced the hiring of former team linebacker Parys Haralson as director of player engagement.
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee states that the position is designed to help players transition in and out of the NFL. He also noted that Haralson was on hand for the team's rookie minicamp, which concluded over this past weekend. The position will assist players with life skills development, financial education, post career and occupational development, continued education, and degree completion, per 49ers.com.
"Parys is a young man who represented himself and our organization very well, both on and off the field," said 49ers general manager Trent Baalke. "Less than two years removed from the game, Parys has great knowledge of what players experience in today's NFL and what is needed for them to be successful in their professional and personal lives. We look forward to our team benefitting from his insight and support."
Haralson was drafted out of Tennessee by the 49ers in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played with the team through the 2012 season before being traded to the New Orleans Saints, where he would finish his career. He had 267 tackles, 28 sacks, and three forced fumbles during that career.
Following his two seasons with the Saints, the 49ers brought Haralson in for a workout in 2015, but nothing came of it.