Most NFL players workout and take vacations during the offseason, but Miami Dolphins safety Michael Thomas is doing something more with his time away from the team. He’s heading to Capitol Hill to work for Sheila Jackson Lee, a member of the House of Representatives from Texas.

Thomas isn’t going to be only current NFL player in Washington this summer. Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle will be working for Indiana Senator Todd Young. Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Bryan Witzmann will be working for Illinois Representative Robin Kelly.

Thomas’ involvement in the social justice movement prompted him to take the externship with Representative Jackson. But he got it for a different reason.

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The Stanford grad is trying to look ahead and prepare for life after football. He has an interest in pursuing a career in law or politics. He decided not to wait until after his playing days to see what it would be like. Instead, he decided to get a taste now.

“I’m excited for this externship because it gives me the opportunity to connect with Congress to further engage our efforts to create real change in our communities,” Thomas said, via Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel.

“It’s not every day you get to learn from hands-on experience at this level of politics. I am afforded this opportunity, and I am here to learn as much as I can while representing those who may feel voiceless in our communities.”

The opportunity became available to him through a program the NFL Players Association has. The idea is to help prepare guys for life outside of the game by presenting them with opportunities to explore career paths of interest to them.