NFL Players: Second Acts

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, former receiver Matthew Hatchette joins Peanut and Roman for a lively, honest conversation about his unlikely football journey, his time with the Vikings’ legendary receiver room, and the second act he’s built through coaching, acting, and podcasting. Matthew reflects on being a late‑bloomer who went from Catholic school to an HBCU, and doubling down on his NFL dream after a classmate laughed at him for saying he’d make it.

Matthew shares what it was like playing alongside Randy Moss, Cris Carter, and Randall Cunningham, dealing with the 1998 NFC title game heartbreak with the Vikings, and the leadership gaps that kept that team from finishing the job.

Hatchette opens up about the abrupt end of his career in Jacksonville, how he found his way into acting and spent a decade in classes, and why he and T.O. were early pioneers in the football podcast space.

The NFL Players: Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Hall of Famer Morten Andersen joins Peanut and Roman for an incredible conversation spanning three decades of NFL history, his journey from Denmark to Canton, and the second act that helped him transition after football. Andersen reflects on starting his career alongside players who weren’t even born when he entered the league, kicking through two strikes and three commissioners, and the wild early‑NFL days — including teammates smoking at halftime.

He shares his “welcome to America” moment, how a botched center‑QB exchange made him want to become a kicker, and how he taught himself the craft by studying Jan Stenerud. Andersen breaks down the evolution of kicking, ball prep, narrow goalposts, his four levels of learning, and the student exchange program that brought him to the U.S. He also opens up about choosing Michigan State over returning to Denmark, getting hurt on the opening kickoff of his NFL career, living through the 1982 strike, and the birth of free agency.

The guys dig into his meticulous practice habits, his years in New Orleans, the infamous beefcake poster, and the “pink slip” he sent the Saints after they released him. Anderson reflects on the mental side of kicking, the emotional Katrina game, returning to the NFL after a year away, and the difficulty of retiring before breaking George Blanda’s record — including how therapy helped him through that transition.

The episode closes with his personal Mount Rushmore and his thoughts on Adam Vinatieri’s Hall of Fame future. A global, thoughtful look at one of the most iconic specialists in NFL history — and the second act of a man who kicked his way into immortality.

The NFL Players: Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, hall of famer Andre Johnson joins Peanut and Roman for a powerful conversation about his Miami roots, his rise to become the face of the Texans franchise, and the second act he’s building today. Andre reflects on starting football at age six, choosing the Miami Hurricanes over USC, and the coaches and teammates who shaped his mindset. The guys revisit joint practices, Andre’s 273‑yard game, his favorite DB matchups, and what it meant to become the first Texans hall of famer. Johnson opens up about his continued work with the organization, his aspirations to be a GM, and the pride he feels in the Houston community. A grounded, thoughtful look at a quiet superstar whose second act is still rising.

The NFL Players: Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Media. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Pittsburgh legend Charlie Batch joins Peanut and Roman for a heartfelt, hometown‑rooted conversation about his NFL journey, his role as the gold standard for backup quarterbacks, and the second act that’s made him one of the city’s most impactful leaders. Charlie reflects on growing up in Pittsburgh, playing at Eastern Michigan, and being part of the draft class with Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf. He shares stories from Detroit and Pittsburgh: handing off to Barry Sanders, beating the Steelers on Thanksgiving, the infamous OT coin flip, winning a Super Bowl with his hometown team, and the sideline chaos during Jerome Bettis’ near‑disastrous fumble. The guys dig into the emotional moment Charlie heard he was on Robert Golden’s personal Mount Rushmore, the origins of his foundation after his sister’s death, and the thousands of kids it has served across Pittsburgh. Batch talks about his wife being his superpower, his legacy as a community leader, "Yinzer" culture, and the pride he takes in being known more for what he’s doing now than what he did in the NFL. A grounded, inspiring look at a hometown hero whose second act has become his true life’s work.

The NFL Players: Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Jared Allen brings pure comedy in this conversation with hosts Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper. He rolls through his Hall of Fame journey, the mullet on his bust, the Black Santa story, and why life went right back to normal after Canton. He breaks down his wild path to Idaho State, the yearbook scandal, playing with a chip on his shoulder, and his welcome‑to‑the‑NFL moments in Kansas City.

Jared also dives into his second acts — chasing Olympic dreams in curling, and building his Full Ryde bourbon brand — all before revealing his personal Mount Rushmore. It’s vintage Jared Allen: loud, honest, hilarious, and impossible not to enjoy.

The NFL Players: Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper sit down with Hall of Famer Harold Carmichael for a conversation full of history, personality, and stories from one of the NFL’s most unique careers. Carmichael reflects on his journey from an HBCU to the NFL, how he helped revolutionize the screen pass as a 6'8" receiver, and why it took so long to make the Hall.

There are laughs, nicknames, and even a hands comparison between Peanut and Harold as they revisit the legacy of a receiver who defined consistency and longevity. A warm, insightful look at an NFL icon whose second act has been just as meaningful as his playing days.

The NFL Players: Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Hall of Famer Rod Woodson joins Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper for a conversation packed with football history, personal evolution, and the mindset that made him one of the greatest defensive backs ever. Woodson reflects on his journey from safety to corner, the coaches who shaped him, and the humility he carries even as a member of the NFL’s All‑Time 100 team and 75th Anniversary team.

He shares stories from Pittsburgh and Baltimore — playing for Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher, learning to think about life after football, and joining the legendary Ravens defense. Woodson also opens up about his track career, his regret about not running in the Olympic trials, and how broadcasting lets him give fans a true backend perspective.

The guys revisit memorable moments, including Woodson’s first game in Baltimore, Roman’s memory of Rod giving him his flowers, and Rod’s breakdown of the Peanut Punch. It’s a sharp, reflective look at longevity, versatility, and the second acts that follow a Hall of Fame career.

The NFL Players: Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper sit down with JC Tretter for a wide‑ranging conversation about football, leadership, and the second act that led him to become Executive Director of the NFLPA. Tretter reflects on his unlikely path — getting recruited to Cornell off basketball tape, breaking his rookie year, earning his welcome‑to‑the‑league moments blocking Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews, and finding his footing in Green Bay before experiencing the extremes of going from Packers playoff runs to Cleveland’s 0–16 season.

He shares stories from his time in both cities, and retiring on his own terms after becoming NFLPA president in his seventh season. Tretter breaks down why players need to think about life after football early, how he found his passion for labor relations in college, and how he approaches leading the union today — from player trust to mental health, grass vs. turf, team report cards, and the conversations around a 17th game.

A smart, grounded look at leadership, advocacy, and life 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.

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, former Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch joins Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper to discuss what it was like to catch passes from Tom Brady and how he became one of only eight wide receivers to win the Super Bowl MVP.

Deion breaks down why he was so successful in big games and shares his tips for staying focused when you’re underperforming. Then he explains why he decided to pursue coaching after football and how he ended up as the wide receivers coach at the University of Louisville.

Deion discusses the impact of NIL and the transfer portal on the college game and explains how developing a personal relationship with his players helps them on the field and keeps them committed to Louisville. He closes the interview with a deeply personal Mount Rushmore. In this episode, Deion takes you behind the scenes into the logistics of winning Super Bowl MVP and coaching a NCAA football team.

The NFL Players: Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper sit down with Efe Obada for an honest, powerful conversation about one of the NFL’s most unlikely journeys. Efe shares how he went from working in a London warehouse to the Cowboys, the International Player Pathway program, and ultimately a 10‑year NFL career. Obada talks about discovering his self‑worth, falling in love with the physicality and brotherhood of the game, and how football saved his life. The conversation closes with Obada asking Peanut and Roman for advice on identity, relationships, trust, and money — a thoughtful look at life during and after football from a player who built his path the hard way.

The NFL Players: Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.