Mario Urrutia is a Louisville native and former football wide receiver for the University of Louisville Cardinals. After a standout college career, he was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals following his junior season and went on to play for both the Bengals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL. Mario continued his professional football career in the Arena Football League and the Canadian Football League before deciding, after seven years on the field, that it was time to begin a new chapter.
Driving home to Louisville after his final game, Mario reflected on how he could help other athletes prepare for life beyond the game. His lifelong dream was to help young people set and reach their goals — a calling that began when he volunteered as a youth mentor in high school. In 2011, he turned that passion into purpose by founding a nonprofit organization focused on Physical Education, Nutrition, Leadership Development, and Economic Empowerment for children ages 8 to 14.
Mario also made the commitment to finish his college education, believing that he could not encourage young people to value education without completing his own. In May 2016, he proudly earned his degree in Communication with a minor in Business Marketing from the University of Louisville.
Today, Mario serves as the Founder and President of Super Student Athletes, helping the next generation of student-athletes build leadership skills, financial literacy, mental wellness, and personal brand awareness. He is also guiding the development of myNIL Playbook, a digital education platform designed to empower student-athletes in the evolving Name, Image, and Likeness landscape.
As the leader of a family enterprise that includes Urrutia Enterprises, MBE Contracting & Supply, and the Super Student Athletes nonprofit, Mario oversees integrated initiatives focused on housing, workforce, and youth development. Through his affordable housing ventures, he’s helping families gain access to quality, attainable homes while investing in sustainable neighborhood growth across Louisville.
As a board member of the Unbridled Charitable Foundation, Mario brings his spirit of mentorship, perseverance, and service to the mission of helping others live unbridled. His journey from professional athlete to community builder demonstrates that true success is measured not by accolades, but by the lives you lift up.