The NFL Players Podcast

The NFL Players Podcast

The NFL Players Podcast is a candid, unscripted series sharing the stories and personal journeys of NFL players– as told by the players. Hosted by captain of the New York Giants, Logan Ryan, Legend and Walter Payton Man of the Year recipient Charles "Peanut" Tillman, and Hall of Famer Aeneas Williams, new episodes are released on Wednesdays. Follow @nflplayerspodcast for updates and new episodes.

Episodes

December 31, 2025 52 mins

On the lates 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 finalist, battling elite pass rushers...

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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 in the early 2000s. Later, D.J. rev...

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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 career physical transformation.

The NFL...

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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 Rushmore. He shares why being a team capta...

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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 also reveals how he blew $750,000 befo...

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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 success during career and why he decided ...

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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 famously jumped over Roman on the field. J...

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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, and how he was able to tryout and ma...

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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 what it was like facing that dominant ...

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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 ...

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Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper sit down with Hall of Fame offensive tackle Anthony Muñoz to learn how he overcame three major college injuries to become one of the NFL’s all-time 100 Greatest Players. Anthony explains how he set the NFL touchdown record for an offensive lineman and what was unique about his training protocol. He also discusses his charity work and what he’s doing to support Cincinnati’s yo...

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In this new NFL Players: Second Acts pod episode, Browns Hall of Famer Joe Thomas joins Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper for a conversation packed with grit, humor, and insight from one of the most durable players in NFL history. Thomas breaks down what it was like to block for 23 different quarterbacks, play 10,000+ consecutive snaps, and allow only 30 sacks across his legendary career.

He reflects on his joy for playing in Clevela...

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In this episode of NFL Players: Second Acts, Peanut and Roman sit down with Hall of Famer Andre Reed, one of the most reliable receivers of the Buffalo Bills’ Super Bowl era. Reed opens up about his path from Division II prospect to becoming one of the greatest wideouts in NFL history. He reflects on the emotional highs and lows of four straight Super Bowl losses, and his zone game in the epic 32-point comeback against the Ho...

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On this episode of the NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper sit down with Hall of Fame center Kevin Mawae for a conversation packed with stories from the trenches and lessons from a career defined by toughness and leadership. Kevin shares his “welcome to the NFL” moments, from getting blasted as a rookie long snapper to battling Hall of Famer Cortez Kennedy...

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Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper sit down with Hall of Fame defensive tackle John Randle to find out what made him the king of talking trash, what inspired him to paint his face for games, and the weirdest pre-game ritual that he and his teammates tried. John also discusses his work with the NFL Legends community and why it’s important to reach out to people when you’re having a hard time.

The NFL Players: Second Acts po...

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Dallas Cowboys legend Darren Woodson joins Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper on the latest NFL Players: Second Acts episode for a candid conversation about his life on and off the field. Woodson shares his “welcome to the NFL” moment, what it was like covering Michael Irvin in practice, and why he never left Dallas during his entire career. He opens up about Jimmy Johnson’s shocking exit, the transition to Barr...

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Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper sit down with Hall of Famer Steve Largent for a wide-ranging conversation that spans his legendary NFL career, his second act in Congress, and the values that have guided him through it all. Largent reflects on his journey from getting cut by the Oilers to becoming the face of the Seattle Seahawks, sharing stories of his most satisfying season, his 100th touchdown, and even his payback hit on Mike Ha...

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In this revealing episode of NFL Players: Second Acts, Hall of Fame coach Bill Cowher joins Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper to reflect on his remarkable football journey. From his early years as a special teams linebacker to becoming the youngest head coach in Steelers history, Cowher shares how he earned the trust of his players, managed generational talents like Troy Polamalu and Rod Woodson and built a blue-collar identity ...

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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...

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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...

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