When you start off in any business you never realize that you might do something for as long as you have. You often believe twists and turns will occur at any point and affect the trajectory of your life, career, and impact.
Those changes, indeed, came. Sometimes like a blessing, sometimes like an anvil!
The person I must thank the most in this journey… none other than the love of my life, Lisa Alberino. She’s my patient, protecting, cheerleading, adventuring, best friend and this milestone is not reached… nay, sniffed… without this woman and her ability to pack - adapt - work - change careers - pack - adapt - raise kids - change careers – and, well, you get it…. She’s the kind of girl you meet and never let go of.
But after 33 years, 3 teams (one twice!), 2 coasts and (as my son Jordan calls it) stops in the “middle coast”, we have reached yet another undeniable accomplishment.
Week 6 in the 2026 season (in this case the home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium) marks my 500th NFL game with a Franchise (subtle note - this number includes regular season and post season games only!)
Starting with the Philadelphia Eagles, where my team-side career was launched thanks to the openness and innovation of David Perry and Len Komoroski. I learned an enormous amount from both of these OGs and carried that wisdom with me as I shared everything I was taught by this brilliant duo to those who joined forces with me along the way.
Their leadership was the defining factor in my life and that is concrete.
If not for their belief in a 26 year old producer, there’s a great chance that in-house production and stadium production would have a very different face as they seeded THE family tree which touches many a club in the NFL and a decent percentage of pro sports in North America and beyond!
From there I was blessed to have been led by Mark Donovan who I have spoke of often, and his imprint on my career is indelible. He allowed me to grow, create, lead, and Mark challenged me to be the best version of myself. When he left for the Kansas City Chiefs, I was certain of his success but wondered where mine would go. Would it stop or slow down? Could I reach the potential I was driving towards? That was answered when I was offered a chance to leap at an opportunity that led me to be connected to some of the best humans I could call colleagues, and more importantly, trusted friends.
My move to Kansas City to join the Chiefs was a gutsy one.
Moving from the 4th market in the US to a sub 30 market and doing so with a team that wasn’t bound for immediate success was difficult. But it wasn’t about wins and losses, and it never has been. I’ll give all the credit for the following line from one of my closest friends in the business and someone that I call a brother. Steve Ryan once told me, “Don’t join a team to win a ring. If you get one it’s because of divine intervention. You join to learn, lead, and make impact.” I also phoned the likes of Steve Spagnuolo and Herm Edwards pining for advice on moving from the Eagles to Chiefs. Spags, the best Defensive Coordinator in NFL history in my opinion said to me, “Rob, you aren’t a rowboat lost at sea. You’re a battleship that knows how to dominate.” Those were the words I needed to make the jump.
Three productive seasons at the Chiefs opened an opportunity to expand my wares and work on a massive stage and learn, yet again. I was contacted by the San Francisco 49ers on behalf of Gideon Yu to join the team as their Vice President and Executive Producer. You simply can’t say “No” to working with the likes of Gideon Yu and only working 1 season with him led me to learning more than I could have ever imagined.
Uninvited, COVID arrived and that anvil hit me and 33 million other Americans. I found myself without a team or job but not without significant options. The truth is that none of those options meant joining the Kansas City Chiefs and that’s all I wanted. Fate, karma, luck, or maybe perseverance? I can’t fully explain it, but that offer soon came and I was “home.”
Home with the Hunts, the best owners in pro sports.
Home with some of the most consistent and mindful people to wear a team logo.
I was home where Lisa, Jordan, Angelina, Stella GiGi and I most certainly belonged.
That journey led me to 2 World Championships, and full circle to the end of this blog where I notch my 500th game in the National Football League. My sister Dr. Cristi Alberino often noted, “You watch TV for a living!” She wasn’t lying, it’s just that it’s usually 36 TVs at a time for home games and that equates to a ton of football after 3 decades and counting!
For those of you who have toiled at their craft and never stopped learning. Congratulations. For those of you who helped lift others while they climbed...Bravo (thanks Matt Yandura for that realization) . And lastly, for those who have been lucky enough to have been a part of something so much greater than themselves and enjoyed the journey - albeit bumpy, unyielding, hungry, and fraught with glorious chaos - take a bow.
Today marks a milestone that I poured everything into, and my family did as well. I don’t often stop and smell the milestone roses, but this one bears pause. Thanks for reading this far and wishing you nothing but success on your journey.
