Joe Theismann: Winning with Gratitude

On this episode of Learning to Fly, host Bruce Mittman sits down with one of the biggest names in sports history, Joe Theismann. They discuss Joe’s small-town upbringing and how it paved the way for his football career. Theismann shares the story behind the marketing campaign at Notre Dame that led to a pronunciation change of his surname to rhyme with ‘Heisman’, college football’s most coveted trophy. He reflects on his post-college career and how he seized opportunities, and negotiated his own contracts. After leading Washington to a Super Bowl win in 1982, Joe recounts the good, the bad and the ugly during his playing days, including the challenges of strike seasons and his infamous career-ending injury in 1985. They explore his perseverance and the transition of his career from active player to successful broadcaster, where he launched a second act lasting over 20 years. The episode wraps with Joe reinforcing the importance of resilience and gratitude on the road to success.