On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Eagles legend Brian Westbrook joins Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper for a powerful conversation about his rise from overlooked recruit to All‑Pro, the magic and chaos of the 2004 Eagles, and the purpose driving his second act.

Brian opens up about his Villanova days where he proved doubters wrong and became an NCAA record breaker.  He shares stories from his early NFL years — getting blindsided by Brian Dawkins, Andy Reid’s famously tough practices, and how Terrell Owens’ arrival helped unlock his confidence as a first‑time starter.

Brian also breaks down his business ventures, the Westbrook Empowerment Center, his children’s book, and the legacy he’s building for his family. He reflects on losing his mother, Andy Reid’s impact on his life, and a powerful moment at the funeral of Reid’s son that changed their relationship forever.

A thoughtful, emotional, and inspiring episode with one of Philly’s most beloved stars — and a man committed to lifting the next generation.

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

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On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts, Peanut and Roman sit down with Manti Te’o for a raw, reflective, and fun conversation about football, faith, redemption, and the second act he’s building with purpose. Manti shares his unlikely story of how a kid from Hawaii — a lifelong USC fan — ended up choosing Notre Dame at the last possible moment, and how his Polynesian roots and faith shaped the man he’s become. He takes us through his NFL “welcome to the league” moment, the vets who taught him the cerebral side of the game, and why he calls his time with the New Orleans Saints “JAY‑Z years. Manti then dives into his second act: broadcasting. He credits Kyle Brandt for sharpening his voice, recalls his “welcome to broadcasting” moment covering an Eagles game, and breaks down how he learned to tell stories instead of stats. The conversation closes with Manti’s reflections on retirement, smart investments, the documentary that reshaped public perception, the Polynesian Hall of Fame, and his personal Mount Rushmore. A thoughtful, honest, and uplifting episode — exactly what Second Acts is all about.

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

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On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Peanut and Roman sit down with former Steeler Rashard Mendenhall to find out how he went from a Super Bowl-winning running back to writing and producing HBO’s Ballers. Rashard explains why he started speed training at six years old and how he knew he could make it to the NFL. He also shares his favorite NFL memories, including going up against Ray Lewis and winning a Super Bowl as a rookie.

Then, Rashard reveals how an essay he wrote about retiring led to a deal with HBO to write and produce Ballers. Rashard gives a behind the scenes look at the writing process for a major TV show and explains how his life inspired the show.

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

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On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Peanut and Roman are joined by former All-Pro Maurice Jones‑Drew for a fast, funny, and insightful conversation about the journey that shaped one of the NFL’s most unique running backs. Maurice talks about how taking ballet classes as a kid paid off for his NFL career, being part of the De La Salle High School dynasty, and the wild recruiting stories that led him to UCLA. He shares memories of Eric Bieniemy, his connection to Jackie Robinson, and how Kyle Shanahan taught him the West Coast offense through Madden.

The guys revisit MJD’s “welcome to the NFL” moment, his bruising running style, and the time MJD got the “Peanut Punch” treatment. MJD breaks down the backs who inspired him, how he’s coaching his son today, and how broadcasting helped him transition into life after football.

A sharp, energetic look at the mindset behind a true NFL original.

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

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On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Peanut and Roman are joined by Super Bowl champion Mike Logan for a deep conversation about learning to open up and asking for help. Mike talks being a knucklehead in college and how his coach Garrett Ford Sr. helped him develop the discipline to make it to the NFL.  Then he discusses returning home to Pittsburgh to play for the Steelers and what it was like to win a Super Bowl with the team.

But the high of the Super Bowl win was clouded by Mike’s personal turmoil. Mike opens up about why he decided to seek therapy and how he learned to handle anxiety and depression. He also speaks on the close relationship he developed for teammate Troy Polamalu, who he credits with “saving his life.” Tune in for an emotional conversation about managing loss and learning to ask for help.

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

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On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, former kicker and two-time Super Bowl winner Matt Bahr joins Charles Tillman and Roman Harper on the latest episode NFL Players: Second Acts podcast. Matt explains what it was like growing up with an elite soccer player for a dad and how his dad made World Cup history. He shares stories from playing under Hall of Fame head coaches Joe Paterno (Penn St.) and Chuck Noll (Pittsburgh Steelers). Matt explains how kicking has improved in the modern game, why he thinks kickers get too much credit, and discusses his work with an ongoing Harvard health study of football players.

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

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Description: Former tight end Christian Fauria joins Charles Tillman and Roman Harper on the latest episode NFL Players: Second Acts podcast. Christian shares his journey from Southern California to the University of Colorado and recounts his experience of Kordell Stewart’s game-winning Hail Mary against the University of Michigan. Then Christian reflects on learning “the Patriots Way” while playing with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady in New England and explains why he decided to move into broadcasting after his NFL career. He discusses joining Bryant University as a communications professor and reveals his favorite parts of teaching.

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

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Michael Turner on how being an underdog fueled his fire, the time he busted Peanut’s lip, taking the NFL by story with the Falcons

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Peanut and Roman are joined by former Pro Bowl running back Michael “The Burner” Turner for a conversation that’s equal parts hilarious, raw, and unexpectedly emotional. Turner opens up about his Chicago roots, the NIU days that put him on the map, and the famous moment he busted Peanut’s lip — a hit so real it became Peanut’s personal “Welcome to the NFL” moment. Roman jumps in with his own memories, including getting run over by Turner in college and the struggle of trying to tackle a back who was both big AND fast at every level. Turner reflects on feeling overlooked, being pissed on draft day, and spending years behind LaDainian Tomlinson while quietly building a chip on his shoulder the size of Soldier Field. He breaks down how he finally got his shot in Atlanta, replacing Warrick Dunn, validating himself in Week 1, and becoming one of the league’s most feared workhorse backs. The “what if” thoughts that still linger about his career Plus: Peanut and Roman relive the Saints–Falcons rivalry, the Pro Bowl “bigger pants” story, and the legendary Peanut Punch that happened right in front of Turner’s family. By the end, Turner shares why he walked away on his own terms, why he never wanted to wear another jersey, and why — despite every slight, setback, and overlooked moment — his journey was absolutely worth it.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Peanut and Roman are joined by Super Bowl champion and international NFL ambassador Osi Umenyiora Harper for a powerful, wide‑ranging conversation about survival, gratitude, and the global rise of the NFL. Osi opens up about the medical emergency that put him in a coma for five days, and the clarity he gained on the other side. The guys dive into Osi’s groundbreaking work with the NFL International Player Pathway (IPP) program, his mission to expand the game across Africa and Europe, and the ripple effect of the NFL’s international games. It’s a vulnerable, inspiring, and global‑minded episode with one of the most influential voices in football today.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.