Sam Barrington: From NFL Linebacker to Crane Industry Leader at Sky Limit Crane & Rigging
30 Second Takeaway
Former NFL linebacker Sam Barrington has successfully transitioned from professional football to the crane and rigging industry, where he now serves as President and Owner of Sky Limit Crane & Rigging. Recognised for leadership both on and off the field, Barrington brings a people-first philosophy to crane rental, while continuing his long-standing commitment to community service, education, and philanthropy.
From professional football to industrial leadership
Sam Barrington was drafted into the NFL in 2014 by the Green Bay Packers, where he quickly established himself as a leader on and off the field. Over the course of his professional football career, Barrington also played for the Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, and Buffalo Bills.
During his time in the NFL, Barrington was widely recognised for his commitment to community engagement. He was named NFL Players Association Community MVP and selected as the Green Bay Packers’ nominee for the 2015 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, one of the league’s highest honours for service and leadership.
A career-ending injury ultimately brought his time in professional football to a close, prompting a deliberate pivot toward business and long-term leadership outside of sport.
Building Sky Limit Crane & Rigging
Following his transition from athletics, Barrington entered the industrial sector and became President of Sky Limit Crane & Rigging, a company specialising in mobile crane rental and rigging services.
Under Barrington’s leadership, Sky Limit Crane & Rigging has developed a reputation for combining technical capability with a strong internal culture. In interviews, Barrington has emphasised his focus on building an organisation where people are empowered, accountability is shared, and long-term opportunity is created a leadership philosophy shaped by his experiences in elite team environments.
The company’s growth has drawn attention beyond the crane industry, including coverage in Forbes, highlighting Barrington’s post-NFL transition into heavy equipment and industrial services.
Commitment to education and community
Barrington’s leadership extends beyond business. He is a Board Member of the University of South Florida Foundation, his alma mater, where he brings the perspective of a former student-athlete turned business owner.
In addition to board service, Barrington remains connected to collegiate athletics as an analyst with Vinik Sports Group, providing color commentary and analysis for USF football.
His community and philanthropic contributions have been recognised through multiple
Honours, including:
President’s Volunteer Service Award
Pop Warner Humanitarian Award
USF Alumni Association Outstanding Young Alumni Award (2021)
Onyx Magazine Man of the Year (2022)
Leadership philosophy rooted in service
Across business, education, and community involvement, Barrington’s leadership approach is grounded in service, resilience, and growth. He frequently speaks about creating environments where individuals can develop professionally, take ownership of their work, and build sustainable careers.
That philosophy now shapes his work in the crane and rigging sector, where workforce development, safety culture, and operational discipline are critical to long-term success.
About Sam Barrington
President & Owner: Sky Limit Crane & Rigging
Former NFL Linebacker: Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills
Board Member: University of South Florida Foundation
Honours:
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award Nominee (2015)
NFLPA Community MVP
President’s Volunteer Service Award
USF Outstanding Young Alumni Award (2021)
Why he matters to the crane industry
Sam Barrington represents a new generation of crane industry leadership bringing experience from elite team environments, a strong service ethic, and a focus on culture-driven growth into heavy lifting and rigging operations.
About Sky Limit Crane & Rigging
Sky Limit Crane & Rigging is a US-based provider of mobile crane rental and rigging services, supporting construction, industrial, and infrastructure projects. The company specialises in heavy machinery solutions with an emphasis on safe execution, operational discipline, and workforce development.
Led by President and Owner Sam Barrington, Sky Limit Crane & Rigging has established a leadership-driven approach rooted in accountability, teamwork, and opportunity. Drawing on experience from high-performance environments, the company focuses on creating a workplace where employees can grow professionally while delivering reliable lifting solutions for customers.
Sky Limit Crane & Rigging continues to expand its presence in the crane rental market by investing in people, equipment, and long-term relationships across the industries it serves.
Website: https://www.skylimitcrane.com
