Georgia Tech Star Balances NFL Dreams and Small Business

Jordan Van Den Berg excels on the field and as a laundromat owner in East Point, Georgia.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:05pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a football player making a tackle, with the player's body and the field of play broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in Georgia Tech's gold and navy blue colors.A Georgia Tech defensive lineman's aggressive play style is deconstructed into a cubist masterpiece, reflecting the duality of Van Den Berg's life as both a standout athlete and small business owner.East Point Today

Jordan Van Den Berg, a standout defensive tackle for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, has been making a name for himself both on the football field and as a small business owner. In addition to preparing for the upcoming NFL draft, Van Den Berg recently purchased a laundromat called Always Fresh in East Point, Georgia, where he has been giving back to the local community.

Why it matters

Van Den Berg's story highlights the unique challenges and opportunities faced by college athletes who are able to capitalize on name, image and likeness (NIL) deals. His decision to invest in a local small business shows his commitment to setting himself up for long-term success beyond football, while also making a positive impact on his community.

The details

Van Den Berg, known for his aggressive play on the defensive line, has a softer side off the field. He recently purchased the Always Fresh Laundromat in East Point, Georgia, with the help of his father. Van Den Berg says he's always wanted to own his own business, and the laundromat opportunity came at the right time thanks to his NIL earnings. Since taking over the business, Van Den Berg has made an effort to give back to the local community, including providing free haircuts to underprivileged children.

  • Van Den Berg became the owner of Always Fresh Laundromat in East Point last fall.
  • He is preparing for the upcoming NFL draft next month.

The players

Jordan Van Den Berg

A standout defensive tackle for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets who recently purchased a laundromat in East Point, Georgia and is preparing for the upcoming NFL draft.

Ilanae Du Plessis

Van Den Berg's fiancée, who was initially surprised by his decision to buy the laundromat but has seen the positive impact it has had on the community.

Salaam Ali

The owner of Getting Ahead Barbershop, which is located next door to Van Den Berg's laundromat, who has mentored Van Den Berg and helped him connect with the East Point community.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of people are surprised, but I'm a really nice guy. I want to go hit someone as hard as I can.”

— Jordan Van Den Berg, Georgia Tech Defensive Tackle

“At first I was thinking, whoa, that's a big step, definitely, but I didn't realize how much of a positive difference that buying this laundromat would make.”

— Ilanae Du Plessis, Van Den Berg's Fiancée

“The day I met him, he asked what can I do to help over here. He said, how about haircuts? I said that sounds good. He said how about if I do 30 haircuts and I pay for them. We chose 30 kids that who couldn't afford haircuts. He paid for 30 hair cuts and the community fell in love with him. This dude has a heart of gold.”

— Salaam Ali, Owner, Getting Ahead Barbershop

What’s next

Van Den Berg is preparing for next month's NFL draft, where he hopes to take the next step in his football career while continuing to run his laundromat business.

The takeaway

Van Den Berg's story shows how college athletes can leverage NIL opportunities to invest in their futures beyond sports, while also making a positive impact on their local communities. His commitment to giving back and staying grounded despite his football success is an inspiring example for other student-athletes.