When FBI Agent Greg Shaffer looked out over the 2011 Super Bowl in Dallas, it was the culmination of years of training and more than a year of planning.

“Security planning for the Super Bowl starts the Monday after the previous Super Bowl,” he recalled. “There were 73 different agencies and 5,400 security personnel involved—it’s not just about securing a stadium, it’s about securing an entire city.”

That scale of coordination might seem overwhelming. For Shaffer, however, it was the natural progression of a career that had taken him from the U.S. Coast Guard to the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team (HRT), and eventually to leading security for some of the world’s largest events.

Starting on the Path Toward Service

Shaffer’s path toward law enforcement began early.

“At 11 years old, I saw West Point cadets in the airport,” he said. “They were in their gray uniforms, and to me they looked like men. That’s what got me interested in the military academies.”

That spark led him to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1980. Drawn to its mission of maritime law enforcement Shaffer spent seven years on active duty, often in the Caribbean conducting drug seizures with the DEA.

“I chose the Coast Guard Academy in 1980 because it wasn’t ‘cool’ to be in the military then,” Shaffer said. “I spent seven years active duty, mostly on ships in the Caribbean doing drug interdiction with the DEA. Every drug seizure we made was based on DEA intelligence.”

By 1995, his drive pushed him to the FBI. It wasn’t long before he discovered what would become the defining chapter of his career.

Inside the Hostage Rescue Team

While training at the FBI headquarters in Quantico, Shaffer encountered what would become the next step of his journey: the Hostage Rescue Team—the FBI’s Tier 1 tactical unit. Their selection process is notoriously brutal.

“HRT’s hell week is the first two weeks of selection. If you make it through, you still have eight more months of training where you can fail at any time,” Shaffer said. “I tried out once and made it through selection but didn’t get picked up.”

Two years later, he tried again and made the team.

Shaffer would go on to serve in high-risk operations both domestic and abroad. “Most people don’t realize HRT operates overseas,” he said. “I worked in Iraq, Afghanistan, East Africa, and Southeast Asia. Our role was unique—if there was a chance of capturing an indicted terrorist, HRT was there to ensure the evidence chain of custody held up in U.S. courts.”

Securing the Super Bowl

After his time with HRT, Shaffer became the supervisor of the Joint Terrorism Task Force in Dallas—a city that hosts everything from professional sports to PGA tournaments and NASCAR races.

For the 2011 Super Bowl, Shaffer was the FBI’s lead security planner. The challenge extended far beyond the stadium.

“The Super Bowl isn’t just a game, it’s a global target,” he said. “You’ve got 85,000 fans inside and millions watching worldwide. To a terrorist, that’s the ultimate stage.”

The measures were extensive: counter-snipers on rooftops, chemical and radiological sensors, undercover agents in crowds, and thousands of officers deployed across the city.

And not every threat was man-made. A freak ice storm nearly shut down the event the week of the game. “Security has to account for both acts of man and acts of God,” Shaffer explained.

The game went off without incident—thanks to years of planning and adaptability.

Launching Shaffer Security Group

When Shaffer retired from the FBI in 2015, he launched Shaffer Security Group, a consulting firm that now serves corporate clients, high-profile individuals, and major events worldwide.

One notable client is Echelon Front, the leadership group founded by Navy SEAL Jocko Willink. “Even SEALs hire us,” Shaffer said with a smile. “Because everybody needs someone to watch their back.”

Today, his firm provides security assessments, event planning, and training programs—translating elite-level security principles into practical protection for clients across industries.

Practical Advice for Everyone

While most people won’t be responsible for securing a Super Bowl, Shaffer insists the same principles apply in daily life. His book Stay Safe breaks down those lessons into simple habits.

“The first step is mindset: think it can happen to you,” he said. “Most people think, ‘It won’t happen here.’ That’s the worst mistake you can make.”

Situational awareness is key. He warns against common habits like running with headphones, which can cut off your awareness of your surroundings. “You’ll never hear someone coming,” he cautioned.

When traveling internationally, Shaffer recommends having a check-in time with a spouse or family member. “When I travel, my wife knows I’m going to call her every day at the same time,” he said. “If she does not receive a call at the designated time, then she knows to call the local authorities because something is wrong.”

A Clear Message in a Dangerous World

From small-town gatherings to the world’s largest sporting events, Shaffer’s message remains consistent: danger can strike anywhere, but preparation makes the difference.

“Security is not an expense—it’s an investment in your people’s safety and your organization’s survival,” he said. “Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.”