From NFL to SAP
How the NFL became the unlikely training ground for an HR Business Partner at SAP.
The roar of 60,000 fans in a stadium, millions more watching on TV, and privately chartered 747s — this was normal for Sam Gutekunst eight years ago when he was playing in the National Football League (NFL). Now Sam, an HR business partner at SAP in Walldorf Germany, works in a much different arena: he coaches Global Controlling.
Against All Odds
In his German high school, Sam was more of a musician than an athlete. At 6'6" and 225 pounds, he was simply too big to play the national sport: soccer. However, when he was 18 years old, Sam saw an iconic poster of Uncle Sam stating: I want you. While typically used to recruit for the army, this time Uncle Sam was recruiting for a local American-football team.
In preparation, Sam learned the rules and became the team expert. His coach, Sven Gloss, saw a lot of promise in Sam but didn’t dream he would put on another 100 pounds and be playing in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens within two years.
On the Big Stage
Only 20 years of age and lacking the football experience from high school and college of his American teammates, Sam faced a steep learning curve. Competition to remain on the Ravens was so stiff that players were told not to worry about names of teammates, but to just remember the numbers on their jerseys since the person might not be there the next day.
Nonetheless, Sam thrived for five years in a world comprised of tackles and touchdowns. At one point, he even came within a few games of competing in the Super Bowl. He was poised to be a champion until a back injury suddenly ended his career.
Life After Football
Following his injury, Sam returned to Germany and began coaching local teams. After spending time on the sidelines instead of on the field, he soon realized that he was more interested in team building than the mechanics of the game. Taking this revelation into account, Sam decided to go back to school and study business with majors in sports and human resource management.
Suzanne Pfleger, the SAP executive responsible for Early Talent recruitment at the time, knew as soon as she saw Sam’s resume that this was the type of individual she was looking for. She explained that his history as a former NFL player was intriguing and wanted to see if Sam could bring the energy, leadership, and sportsmanship he practiced on the field to the workplace — and that if he could, he would be an extremely valuable member of the SAP team.
Turns out, she was right.
Suzanne wasn’t the only person to see that SAP and Sam made a great match. Angela Todisco, his current manager, agrees that Sam embodies the values SAP strives to uphold.
“He is someone who doesn’t build silos but tries to integrate others,” Angela said. “He keeps the promise and is loyal.”
But for Sam, these elements have always been a part of his life philosophy — on and off the field.
“Work hard and good things will happen,” he said.
