The Players Tribune

Football

ALL STORIES

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

Malcolm Butler describes life in the spotlight after making the game-winning interception at Super Bowl XLIX.

Malcolm Butler

If I can help save one life by sharing Brandon’s story, then I guess I will have proven that Brandon was wrong. His life did have meaning. It still does, even i

Ben Heeney

Today, I have a treat for you. My friend, my teammate, Leonard Johnson will be whippin' up a dish.

Cam Newton

I'm never going to forget where I lost my voice. And also found it.

Calais Campbell

The truth is, every NFL player is gambling with his future, betting that the return on his investment will far surpass the risks and sacrifices to his body and

Emmanuel Acho

How do I tell the city of Chicago and the Bears organization how much I love and appreciate them?

Alshon Jeffery

Everyone thinks they know Alabama. It’s like I don’t even have to ask people. I can already tell what they're thinking.

Jonathan Allen

I’m not the man Ashley married. I’m a much better version of that man. One I wish she was here to see.

Tommie Harris

You play it out in your backyard or on Madden. But those are just dreams and video games. This was real.

Josh Dobbs

What I did in the last game doesn’t matter. Because this is New England. That game is in the past. And we still have one more.

Chris Hogan

It seems like Atlanta — as a team, as a city, as a culture — is finally coming full circle. And in my own small way, I hope I am too.

Michael Vick

Our reality became clear at a very young age: If we wanted to make it in District Heights, the options were to either join a gang or play sports.

NaVorro Bowman

I’ve been looking forward to getting to a college campus for a looooong time — probably since I got that scholarship offer way back in eighth grade.

Dylan Moses

Now at the ripe old age of 33 and in my 12th year in the NFL, I’ve just wrapped up the best season of my career.

Lorenzo Alexander