In this episode of 3rd and Longhorn, we sit down with former Texas Longhorn QB/WR John Chiles to talk about his journey from top recruit to life after football.

0:00 – Intro & Welcome
0:38 – Journey to Dallas & Episode Prep
1:29 – Recruiting Beginnings & Early Offers
2:04 – Commitment to Texas: Family & Favorites
2:49 – Decision-Making: Stanford, Notre Dame & Texas
3:51 – Top-10 Recruitment Status & Athlete Ranking
4:33 – Filtering Schools: “Cut List” System
5:31 – Narrowing Down Top Schools
6:27 – Why Choose Texas Over Others
7:38 – Family Support & Proximity Factors
8:41 – Positional Transition: QB to Receiver
9:04 – Challenges of Learning a New Position
10:46 – One Practice at Running Back
12:16 – Reaction to First Contact Drill
12:48 – Final Decision: Receiver or Transfer
14:00 – Conversation with Mike Tomlin & Role Shift
14:48 – Standing Out Among Elite Athletes
16:11 – Sideline Moment: Fan Shouting “Put the brother in”
17:41 – Backup QB Perspective & Leadership Transition
19:02 – Playing QB as a True Freshman
19:47 – Pressure & Mindset Entering the Field
20:01 – Carrying the Hype & Expectations
20:47 – Pressure Cooker: Playing Under Media & Personal Stress
21:17 – Mental Health Struggles & Performance Anxiety
22:04 – Relief vs. Celebration: Scoring Without Joy
22:39 – Quarterback Culture & Community Expectations
23:08 – Most Joyous Moment: National Championship Energy
24:17 – Life After Texas: Transitioning to Canada Football
25:26 – Going Undrafted & Keeping the Dream Alive
26:02 – NFL Practice Squad Survival: $150 Reality
27:06 – Taking NFL Chance despite Financial Hardship
27:56 – Canadian League Tryout: Sacrifice & Ambition
29:11 – Running a 4.2s and Earning Mini Camp Spot
30:17 – Choosing Canada for Security & Opportunity
31:32 – Playing in Toronto: Fresh Start in Canada
32:10 – NFL Comeback: Injury & Final CFL Return
33:02 – Weighing Health vs. Football: Decision to Retire
34:16 – Reinvention: Transition to Film & Storytelling
35:16 – Discovery: Nike Project & Creative Passion Ignition
36:09 – From Nike to Nike Agency to Chicago Hustle
37:04 – Breaking into Film: Bleacher Report & Bleacher Beat
38:17 – Move to LA & Joining LeBron’s Uninterrupted
39:17 – Producing “Top Class” with Bronny & Momentum
40:01 - First Big Break with Meta
40:32 - Athletes Start Reaching Out
41:00 - Lessons from Bleacher Report, Nike, SpringHill
41:19 - Taking the Leap to Go All In
42:07 - The Power of Reinvention After Sports
42:50 - Going Through the Healing Process
43:57 - Dorm Room Days & Early Memories
45:11 - The John Chiles Effect
46:50 - A Unique Ability to Navigate Life
48:00 - Mentorship and Helping the Next Generation
49:44 - NIL, Identity, and Transition
50:26 - Choosing Football Over Basketball
51:57 - Almost Quitting Football
53:01 - The Coolest City He’s Lived In
54:00 - Returning to a Changed Austin
55:11 - Biggest Celebrity Encounters
56:50 - Legendary Mack Brown Meeting Story
59:04 - Jeremy’s Month-Long Silent Treatment
1:00:46 - Wrapping It Up

Derrick Johnson: https://www.instagram.com/superdj56
Alex Okafor: https://www.instagram.com/alexokafor
Jeremy Hills: https://www.instagram.com/jhills5
Fozzy Whittaker: https://www.instagram.com/fozzywhitt
Rod Babers: https://www.instagram.com/rodbabers
Nick Shuley: https://www.instagram.com/nickshuley