NFL Players: Second Acts

Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson joins Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper to talk football, family, and second acts. LT reflects on his journey from idolizing Walter Payton and learning moves from Barry Sanders, to becoming an NFL MVP and a Hall of Famer. He shares what it’s like coaching high school football in Texas, the lessons he learned from teammates like Junior Seau, and the impact of Marty Schottenheimer on...

Hall of Famer Barry Sanders joins Roman Harper and Peanut Tillman on the NFL Players: Second Acts Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation. Barry explains why winning the Heisman Trophy remains the most meaningful accolade of his career and talks about how his legacy has continued to grow in retirement, with many young fans discovering him through Madden and social media, and how he’s become more open to sharing his story over...

In this inspiring episode of NFL Players: Second Acts, Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly sits down with hosts Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper and shares how enduring four straight Super Bowl losses shaped his perspective on the game and on life. Jim reflects on the leadership lessons from the Bills’ golden era, the bond with teammates that still runs deep decades later, and how his faith and family guided him through th...

In this powerful episode of NFL Players: Second Acts, Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith sits down with hosts Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper and shares why after his legendary shoulder separation game he said, “If I’m gonna die, let me die in Dallas.”

Emmitt opens up about what it meant to be named to the NFL’s All-Time 100 Team—an honor he says holds even more weight than making the Hall of Fame....

In this inspiring episode of NFL Players: Second Acts, hosts Roman Harper and Peanut Tillman sit down with Hall of Fame Chicago Bears linebacker Mike Singletary. Known for his intense presence on the field and relentless leadership, Mike opens up about the journey that shaped him—from growing up as the youngest of 10 children, to becoming the heart and soul of the 1985 Super Bowl–winning Bears defense. But this conversa...

On this episode of NFL Players: Second Acts, hosts Roman Harper and Peanut Tillman sit down with former receiver turned headphones entrepreneur Mark Clayton. Mark reflects on his journey from not taking football seriously, to becoming a first-round pick out of Oklahoma. He also shares the football and life lessons he got as an NFL rookie from Ravens legends Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. Mark’s biggest move may have come after footba...

Former NFL cornerback turned NFL official Nate Jones joins Peanut and Roman for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at life on both sides of the whistle. He dives into the mental and physical demands of officiating, the reality of “makeup calls,” and what it’s like dealing with overzealous parents at youth games. Nate reflects on what it was like being coached by both Bill Belichick and Bill Parcells, and the sting o...

Former NFL linebacker Colin Allred joins Peanut and Roman for a powerful, wide-ranging conversation that’s equal parts inspiring and eye-opening. Colin reflects on his unlikely path from the NFL to being a civil rights attorney to Congress - and the lessons he’s taken from each chapter. Colin shares how an unlikely phone call led to him putting off law school for a chance to play in the NFL. Colin also opens up about th...

In this episode of NFL Players: Second Acts, Peanut and Roman sit down with former offensive lineman Cory Procter, who shares the unexpected turns his life has taken since leaving the field. Cory dives into his “Welcome to the NFL” moment and recalls battling Peanut in what would be his final NFL game. Cory also shares stories of playing for the legendary head coach Bill Parcells. He then opens up about the knee injury ...

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, former Super Bowl champion and versatile NFL athlete Isaiah Stanback joins Peanut and Roman to share his remarkable journey from the NFL to WWE to GMFB. He opens up about the challenges and mindset required to constantly switch positions during his NFL career. Isaiah also takes us inside his surprising pivot to attending WWE’s training camp and channeling his inner DMX to create...

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Peanut and Roman are joined by former running back Chris Gronkowski. Chris discusses what it was like growing up with five brothers, four of which played in the NFL. He also explains How he defied the odds to make it to the NFL. Later, he explains what it was like playing with Tony Romo, and the demanding style of Peyton Manning. Chris then shares his journey to creating his Ice Shake...

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, former Super Bowl champion and offensive lineman Jeff Allen joins Peanut and Roman.

Jeff takes it back to his roots in Chicago, where he began his football journey at King College Prep. He reflects on what it was like growing up in the city and the stark contrast between Chicago’s football culture and the football-obsessed environment of Texas. Jeff also shares his improbable ri...

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, former Colts running back Vick Ballard joins Peanut and Roman to share his remarkable journey. Vick opens up about starting his football career at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College before making it to Mississippi State and eventually being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. He reflects on his breakout rookie season and the devastating injuries that derailed his promisin...

NFL Players: Second Acts hosts Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper sit down with legendary Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown for a candid reflection of his Hall of Fame career. Starting with his iconic NFL debut kick return touchdown in 1988, Brown recounts the highs and lows of his 17-year professional campaign -- all but one of which being in silver and black. From vouching to have the team part ways with former coach Bill Callahan to ...

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Super Bowl champion Ben Utecht joins Peanut and Roman. Ben reflects on the moments that led to his NFL career and credits Tony Dungy for giving him his shot in the league. He shares what it was like competing with Peyton Manning and tells a story that sums up what it was like playing with him.

Ben opens up about the concussion he sustained during practice that aired on Hard Knocks and...

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, three-time Super Bowl champion Ed McCaffrey joins Peanut and Roman. Ed looks back at Super Bowl 50, where he served as a color commentator for the radio broadcast, and explains how he earned a fourth Super Bowl ring despite only playing in three.

Ed shares what it was like getting cut by the Giants and how that moment pushed him to shed equipment weight in order to get faster and prov...

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Peanut and Roman welcome former defensive back turned flag football pioneer Izell Reese to the show. Izell shares his journey from undrafted free agent out of University of Alabama-Birmingham to playing with guys like Deion Sanders, Darren Woodson, and Super Bowl MVP Larry Brown on the Dallas Cowboys. Izell later shares details of the brawl versus the San Francisco 49ers sparked by Te...

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, former Pro Bowl running back Warrick Dunn joins Peanut and Roman. Warrick describes the meetings he had with Falcons owner Arthur Blank that led to Warrick joining the team’s ownership group. He also discusses his work to eradicate generational poverty by building homes for families in need through his Warrick Dunn Charities. Warrick describes dealing with the tragic death of hi...

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, former Jets defensive tackle Marty Lyons joins Peanut and Roman. Marty discusses what it was like to play for legendary Alabama coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, and he takes inside the famous goal line stand against Penn St. in the 1979 Sugar Bowl to win the National Championship. Marty then tells stories of playing his entire career with the Jets, being part of the New York Sack Exchange, a...