The NFL Players Podcast

On this episode of NFL Players: Second Acts, hosts Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper sit down with former Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett for a wide-ranging conversation about going undrafted to becoming one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in the NFL. Bennett built a reputation as one of the most versatile and relentless players of his era but when it was time to step away from the g...

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper are joined by their former head coach Ron Rivera. Ron was a Super Bowl winning linebacker, defensive coordinator, and head coach who took the Carolina Panthers to Super Bowl 50. Ron explains what he does in his current role as the first general manager of the California football program and shares his vision for the fu...

On this episode of NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, hosts Charles Tillman and Roman Harper sit down with former teammate Lou Young to unpack his wild NFL journey from going undrafted and getting cut four times to finding viral fame and success beyond football as a social media influencer. He shares stories from the Panthers’ 2014 season, clashing with Shannon Sharpe, and how the setbacks ul...

In this episode of the NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, former Pro Bowl QB Robert Griffin III - a.k.a. “RG3” - joins Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper. Robert explains how he got his nickname, what it was like setting records his rookie year, and how he fits into the era of Black quarterbacks who continued to evolve the position in the NFL. RG3 also talks about why he decided to retire...

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper sit down with former Pro Bowl receiver DeSean Jackson to talk about life after football and his transition from elite playmaker to head coach at Delaware St. University. DeSean opens up about his unorthodox coaching style, the moment he realized coaching was his next calling, and the challenges of building confidence i...

Hall of Famer John Lynch sits down for an incredible conversation about the hits, the legends, and the moments that defined his iconic football career. Lynch shares what it meant to be a hard-hitting safety in the NFL, the influence Bill Walsh had on his career at Stanford, and what he learned from Ronnie Lott about how to hit hard. He explains how he got back into the game as an executive, why he...

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Pro Bowl edge rusher DeMarcus Ware sits down with Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper. The guys reminisce about playing each other in Super Bowl L and DeMarcus breaks down the game plan that allowed the Broncos to beat the Panthers. Then DeMarcus explains why he chose number 94, how he lived up to Charles Haley legacy with the Cowboys, and the quarterbac...

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, former NFL MVP and Seahawks legend Shaun Alexander joins Roman Harper and Peanut Tillman for a fun, honest, and wide‑ranging conversation. Shaun explains why his MVP season may be the greatest of all time for a running back. He also talks about the Seahawks Super Bowl XL run and why leaving a football legacy matters. He also opens up about expecting...

On the latest episode of the NFL Players: Second Acts Podcast, former NFL MVP Matt Ryan sits down with hosts Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper to talk football, legacy, and life after the game. Matt dives into the Saints vs. Falcons rivalry, his deep pride in Atlanta, and what it means to embrace a second act beyond the field. He also shares insight on leadership, including his thoughts on Bill Cowh...

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts Podcast, Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith sits down with Peanut and Roman at Super Bowl Media Row. Emmitt talks about the battles he faced to become a Super Bowl champion and addresses a rumor that he squatted over 800 pounds in college. Then, former New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz joins the podcast. Victor shares his opinion on the Giants’ h...

It's Super Bowl Week! Roman Harper and Peanut Tillman talk to Ryan Nece and Vince Wilfork for wide-ranging conversations on football, business, and life after the game. Ryan Nece talks about what Super Bowl Week is really like, being part of a rare father-son duo, his time with the Buccs, and his transition into entrepreneurship with Next Legacy, including how technology plays a role in his busine...

From Barbados to the NFL, former DB Robert Bailey shares the story of his football journey. He talks about growing up in Miami, earning playing time as a freshman at the University of Miami, and being part of championship teams during the school’s most legendary eras. Robert breaks down unforgettable NFL moments including a pick-six against Jerry Rice, facing Randy Moss and Michael Irvin, an...

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, former Miami Dolphins receiver OJ McDuffie joins Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper for a wide-ranging conversation about football, baseball, legendary coaches, and life after the game. OJ shares being named after OJ Simpson, those they don’t have the same exact names, his original passion for baseball at Penn State, and how Joe Paterno’s un...

In the latest  NFL Players: Second Acts  podcast, Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper are joined by former Pro Bowl defensive end Adewale Ogunleye. Adewale and Peanut discuss playing together on the Chicago Bears and reminisce on playing in Super Bowl XLI against the Indianapolis Colts. Adewale also explains how he learned to manage his money after getting a big contract and why he moved int...

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Super Bowl champion Kayvon Webster joins Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper to share his journey from chasing an NFL dream to building a life of purpose beyond football. Kayvon reflects on growing up with a clear goal of playing in the NFL, his path to South Florida, and his “welcome to the league” moments — including getting drafted b...

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Super Bowl champion Bryant McKinnie joins Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper. McKinnie shares how he didn’t even start playing football until high school, his unlikely journey through junior college to the University of Miami, and why he believes the 2001 Hurricanes are the greatest college team of all time. He reflects on being a top 10 Heisman f...

In the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper are joined by former linebacker D.J. Williams. First, D.J. explains what it was like playing at De La Salle High School, which famously went undefeated for 151 consecutive games, and how that experience prepared him for college and the pros. Then D.J. shares what it was like to play football at the University of Miami...

Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper are joined by Super Bowl winning offensive tackle Russell Okung. Russell gets candid about what still bothers him about his Seahawks loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX, betting on himself in NFL Free Agency, and his steadfast belief that Bitcoin is the key to a brighter future for all. Plus, he explains the inspiration and aftereffects of his stunning post care...

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Super Bowl champion Jonathan Vilma joins Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper for an honest, insightful, and wide-ranging conversation about leadership, controversy, redemption, and what comes after an NFL career. Vilma opens the episode reacting to a special surprise — hearing Jimmy Graham and D.J. Williams place him on their personal Mount Rushmor...

On the latest NFL Players podcast, former Miami Dolphins linebacker and media star Channing Crowder joins Peanut and Roman. In this raw and hilarious conversation, Channing opens up about his “Welcome to the NFL” moment, the lessons he learned from Hall of Famers Zach Thomas and Junior Seau, and how Nick Saban’s intense coaching style shaped — and tested — him. He als...

On this episode of NFL Players: Second Acts , Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper are joined by former Bengals running back Giovani Bernard to find out what he’s been up to since he retired three years ago. Giovani opens up about the loss of his newborn son and the joy he’s found in becoming a parent of twin girls. He also explains how he dealt with the Bengals’ lack of playoff succe...

In this episode of NFL Second Acts, hosts Charles “Peanut” Tillman and Roman Harper welcome former Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham for a conversation that’s equal parts inspiring and entertaining. Jimmy talks about his decision to retire from football and reflects on the moments that defined his career, including his “welcome to the NFL” moment and the time he famousl...

Alejandro Villanueva sits down Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper to share his unique journey: growing up as an army brat moving around the U.S. and Europe; to an Army Ranger deployed in Afghanistan; then becoming a Pro Bowl offensive lineman with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Alejandro explains why he decided to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, why he decided to retire as an Army Ranger, a...

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Hall of Famer Jim Covert joins Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper to reflect on his incredible journey from anchoring the ’85 Chicago Bears offensive line to leading in the healthcare industry after football. Jim shares untold stories from his playing days — including his famous fight with Steve McMichael, blocking for Walter Payton, and wha...

On this episode of NFL Players: Second Acts , Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper sit down with Zamir Cobb — former NFL wide receiver turned President of The Trust (powered by the NFLPA) — to talk about his powerful journey from the gridiron to guiding players through life beyond the game. Zamir shares stories from his time with the Steelers, including training alongside a young Ben Roethl...