Jazz plays in the background of his southern soul food restaurant, Georgia Reese’s, as I share alligator bites and talk about life off the field with former NFL Colts player Gary Brackett.

Brackett is no stranger to success having accomplished much during his nine season career with the Indianapolis Colts. Defensive captain, a Super Bowl win over the Chicago Bears in 2006, and the Arthur S. Kush Humanitarian Award for his work within the local community all line his impressive resume.

Now retired, he is adding restauranteur to the lineup. Brackett is part-owner of the Stacked Pickle eateries with multiple locations throughout Indianapolis. His latest venture, Georgia Reese’s, is opening a second location this summer and looks to be another win for the savvy businessman. Georgia Reese’s is a family affair. Brackett named the restaurant after his youngest daughter and developed much of the menu from favorite recipes he enjoyed as a child.

Though Brackett takes pride in his endeavors since leaving football, his greatest happiness is championing terminally ill children through his IMPACT Foundation, the foundation for which he won the Arthur S. Kush Humanitarian Award. Brackett not only wants to make a difference for these Indianapolis children, but also aims to inspire teenagers and adults to set high goals and work hard. He is motivating and kind, the type of heart one may not expect from a tough football player who made a living knocking others down. Now, the only direction Brackett intends to go is up.