NFL Players: Second Acts

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On the NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, former All-Pro Charles “Peanut” Tillman and former Pro Bowler Roman Harper break bread with NFL legends about how they’ve taken the passion, drive and dedication that made them stars on the gridiron…and use it to achieve success in their post-playing careers. But it’s not just about the destination! Roman and “Peanut” aim to engage in some real talk with legends about their transitions from the game to finding their passion pursuits in other areas of life. And they manage to have some fun along the way.

  1. Bryant McKinnie’s Unlikely Journey From Heisman Finalist and Superbowl Champion to Grammy Nominee

    4 DAYS AGO

    Bryant McKinnie’s Unlikely Journey From Heisman Finalist and Superbowl Champion to Grammy Nominee

    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 finalist, battling elite pass rushers like Dwight Freeney, and the elation of winning Super Bowl XLVII with the Ravens. Beyond football, Bryant opens up about his thriving second act — from serving as COO of a language translation company, to his three Grammy nominations, producing, and performing on America’s Got Talent. He also discusses his work in mental health advocacy, helping former players transition, and creating spaces for honest conversations through his Cocktails & Conversations events. From tennis lessons with Venus Williams to bringing the “B-Mac experience” wherever he goes, this episode is full of laughs, insight, and inspiration from one of the NFL’s most unique personalities. The NFL Players: Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Media.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    53 min
  2. D.J. Williams talks playing at “The U,” living the "Dyme Lyfe," podcasting with Maurice Clarett

    24/12/2025

    D.J. Williams talks playing at “The U,” living the "Dyme Lyfe," podcasting with Maurice Clarett

    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. reveals his second act—founding an apparel company called Dyme Lyfe that partners with universities and athletes. He also discusses his podcast venture with Maurice Clarett. The NFL Players: Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Media. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 16m
  3. Russell Okung talks “Betrayal” in Seahawks Super Bowl XLIX loss to Patriots, His Physical Transformation, Bitcoin Success

    17/12/2025

    Russell Okung talks “Betrayal” in Seahawks Super Bowl XLIX loss to Patriots, His Physical Transformation, Bitcoin Success

    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 Players: Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Media. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1 hr
  4. Jonathan Vilma finds redemption in his NFL second act, relives his role in the famous "Beastquake" run, talks the almost Saints dynasty

    10/12/2025

    Jonathan Vilma finds redemption in his NFL second act, relives his role in the famous "Beastquake" run, talks the almost Saints dynasty

    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 captain meant everything to him, and Roman recalls the famous 2009 defensive meeting where Vilma called out the entire unit and set the standard for a championship run. Vilma also dives deep into Bountygate, discussing how he handled being the public face of the scandal, why he never felt pressured to defend himself publicly, and how the ordeal unexpectedly opened doors for him in broadcasting with ESPN and FOX. He also shares stories from the 2009 Super Bowl season, the heartbreaking 2011 playoff loss, and his final attempts to return to the NFL before realizing his playing days were over—while watching training camp on TV at a Dave & Buster’s. From his leadership style, to playing at Miami, to his ventures in finance, real estate, and the restaurant world, Vilma breaks down the full arc of his second act. The guys close out with Vilma’s personal Mount Rushmore and a few hilarious stories from his playing days, including Roman’s memory of getting run over and discovering Vilma speaks German. The NFL Players: Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Media. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 12m
  5. Channing Crowder talks overcoming 3 ACL tears to play in the NFL, the power of consistency, blowing $750K before the draft, The Pivot podcast

    03/12/2025

    Channing Crowder talks overcoming 3 ACL tears to play in the NFL, the power of consistency, blowing $750K before the draft, The Pivot podcast

    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 before he was drafted. From overcoming three ACL tears, to navigating retirement, to building a media empire, Channing keeps it real about the grind it takes to succeed after football. The NFL Players: Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Media.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 24m
  6. Giovani Bernard: Overcoming the Loss of His Son, Training for an Ironman, Investing in Real Estate

    26/11/2025

    Giovani Bernard: Overcoming the Loss of His Son, Training for an Ironman, Investing in Real Estate

    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 to retire after ten years. Then Giovani shares the multiple passions he’s found in second act, including photography, endurance sports, and investing in real estate.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    36 min
  7. Jimmy Graham: Defying Death in the Arctic Ocean, The Joy in Punking Defenders, Making Amends with the Saints

    19/11/2025

    Jimmy Graham: Defying Death in the Arctic Ocean, The Joy in Punking Defenders, Making Amends with the Saints

    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. Jimmy also shares his death defying journey rowing across the Arctic Ocean and why he did it to support children in need. The guys also explore what life has looked like since Jimmy stepped away from the game. He’s now a licensed helicopter pilot, a bank entrepreneur and he’s entered the world of venture capitalism. The discussion dives into his growing passion for aviation, his personal Mount Rushmore, and the story behind his old nickname, “Big Red.” It’s a revealing look at how Jimmy has carried his drive and curiosity beyond football, turning every challenge into a new adventure. The NFL Players: Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Media. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    59 min
  8. Alejandro Villanueva: Growing up in Europe, Joining the Army Rangers, and Becoming a Farmer

    12/11/2025

    Alejandro Villanueva: Growing up in Europe, Joining the Army Rangers, and Becoming a Farmer

    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 make it to an NFL roster. He also discusses his third act as a farmer growing fruit and how that connects to his Spanish roots. The NFL Players: Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Media. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 15m
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On the NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, former All-Pro Charles “Peanut” Tillman and former Pro Bowler Roman Harper break bread with NFL legends about how they’ve taken the passion, drive and dedication that made them stars on the gridiron…and use it to achieve success in their post-playing careers. But it’s not just about the destination! Roman and “Peanut” aim to engage in some real talk with legends about their transitions from the game to finding their passion pursuits in other areas of life. And they manage to have some fun along the way.

Information

  • Channel
    The NFL Podcast Network
  • Creator
    iHeartPodcasts and NFL
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    159
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    NFL Players: Second Acts
  • Provider

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