The Players Tribune

Football

ALL STORIES

I think about my father’s courage almost every day, and how he defied the odds.

Russell Wilson

The truth is, I had no idea if I was actually cut out to be a doctor. I don’t think anybody does until they starting practicing. What I did know is that I wante

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif

The Loss is a three-part series that explores how defeat can compel a player to strive for greatness.

Eric Berry

When you're here, it's easy to understand why there has been not just success in Norman, but sustained success.

Lincoln Riley

When you walk onto the pitch at Old Trafford, it is not just a pitch, it is a stage.

Henry Burris

I couldn’t list those players without first talking about Von Miller. Now that I’ve done that, let’s take a look at the rest.

DeMarcus Ware
JAMIE SQUIRE/GETTY IMAGES

When I first heard the term “mental health,” the first thing that came to mind was mental toughness. Masking pain. Hiding it … Now, I realize that it means the

Brandon Marshall

I was the bald kid in high school. Then I was the bald kid at Ohio State. Then I was the bald guy in the NFL.

Ryan Shazier

For the first time, somebody was telling me, This isn’t your fault. Something is doing this to you. And we can fix it.

Jermichael Finley

I am truly in awe of my mom. I don’t know how else to put it, really. And her selflessness has inspired me in more ways than she will ever know.

David Nelson, with annotations from his mom, Kathy Belcoff

I had it all — money, fame, a Super Bowl ring. I was ballin’, on the field and off. I was living the dream. Then, in 2008, I took a gun into a New York City nig

Plaxico Burress

It’s important to me that people know that Myles Garrett is much more than just a football player.

Lawrence Garrett

I don’t want you to think that a big arm is the only thing that got me here. I’m a football player. And I’m ready to do the job as your quarterback.

Patrick Mahomes

Dear 21-year-old Ryan: I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but the truth is… You don’t know shit.

Ryan Leaf

My cousin didn’t believe me when I told him I’d seen a dead body down the road. I was 12 when it happened.

Shane Ray

Earning a football scholarship took a lifetime. But facing the possibility of having it all taken away occurred in the blink of an eye.

Tayvon Bowers

Dear NFL Coaches and General Managers: I know what you’re looking for in a football player.

JuJu Smith-Schuster

I’m writing you today to let you know that I am more than the guy who beat cancer.

James Conner

Since my surgery, I’ve realized something: Nothing’s gonna stop me now. And you know what? I’mma come back as a monster.

Sidney Jones

We all called him Poppa Rooney, because he really was like a father figure to so many of us.

Hines Ward, Jerome Bettis, Cameron Heyward, Ryan Shazier, Ike Taylor, Thomas Tull