Kim Mulford

@CP_KimMulford

DEPTFORD - When the Atlanta Falcons invited Jason Avant to training camp last fall, the 33-year-old free agent looked at his wife and thought about the fledgling franchise he was incubating in South Jersey.

He had already spent 10 seasons in the NFL. How much more time did he want to invest on the field?

"That's when I knew this was done for me," he said during a recent phone interview.

After months of preparation, the former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver will soon open Launch, an indoor trampoline park and family entertainment center near the Deptford Mall. The site is set to open in mid-March at 1500 Almonesson Road, behind the Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants.

Leadership, intangibles go with Avant

It's not far from where Avant has settled to raise his young family. A father of three kids — ages 6, 4, and 1 — Avant has tested the market with his own crew. Concerned about kids lolling in front of screens, he wanted to invest in something to get them moving.

"I saw a need in this area for kids to do something active, and have a place to go at nighttime," he noted.

The business suits his people-loving personality, Avant said. And he's quickly developed a passion for the project.

"There are times when we are not as healthy as we should be," Avant said. "I didn't want just a family entertainment center ... we wanted something that's active and fun."

The center will also feature a parkour-style course, rock wall, multi-level playground, a theater, cafe, party rooms and a separate play area for small children. The theater will immerse viewers in a full-body experience, with extras like water sprays and wind. As a player, he said, he gave everything he had. He wants to do the same now.

"I really wanted to up the customer experience, so people don't feel like they're going to the gym," Avant said. "I want them to feel comfortable like they're in their own home."

That vision requires much preparation and time, Avant acknowledged, so he's poured himself into the project. He's also got some heavy backup.

The parent company was started by 43-year-old Ty Law, a former cornerback for the New England Patriots. (Both men are University of Michigan alumni.) With 15 locations along the East Coast, Law expects a few more retired NFL players will open franchises in cities elsewhere in the country. Transitioning from a professional sports career to something else isn't easy, he acknowledged.

"Everything outside of football is somewhat a shot in the dark, because we've been putting so much time and effort into playing the game," said Law, who left the NFL four years ago after winning three Super Bowls. "We're all rookies now when it comes to business — especially Jason."

But the idea of investing in a business designed to get kids moving is appealing to athletes. Jumping on a trampoline is "not as taxing as football," Law said, but it's a workout.

"You don't even realize you're working out when you're out there having fun," Law said. "That's the beauty of it. ... When you get your kids out there, after sending them to Launch for a couple hours, they're ready to go to sleep. That's always a plus."

Avant expects to hire between 60 and 65 people — applications are available online at launchdeptford.com.

By the way, Avant will also take time to jump on the trampolines and interact with customers curious about his NFL experience.

When the Eagles released Avant in 2014, owner Jeffrey Lurie praised his leadership and professionalism on and off the field. No one had represented the team with "more class and dignity" than Avant, Lurie said at the time.

"People love the game of football, and they love it more when a player is willing to give of their time to field a few questions," Avant said. "I'll be there to field those questions as well."

Kim Mulford: (856) 486-2448; kmulford@gannettnj.com