Alejandro Villanueva sits down Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper to share his unique journey: growing up as an army brat moving around the U.S. and Europe; to an Army Ranger deployed in Afghanistan; then becoming a Pro Bowl offensive lineman with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Alejandro explains why he decided to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, why he decided to retire as an Army Ranger, and how he was able to tryout and make it to an NFL roster. He also discusses his third act as a farmer growing fruit and how that connects to his Spanish roots.

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 Jim Covert joins Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper to reflect on his incredible journey from anchoring the ’85 Chicago Bears offensive line to leading in the healthcare industry after football.

Jim shares untold stories from his playing days — including his famous fight with Steve McMichael, blocking for Walter Payton, and what it was like facing that dominant Bears defense every day in practice. He also opens up about the injury that ended his career, his transition from the NFL to the boardroom, and how his daughter’s fight with spina bifida changed his perspective on leadership, resilience, and purpose. It’s an inspiring conversation about toughness, legacy, and the power of reinvention — on and off the field.

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 this episode of NFL Players: Second Acts, Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper sit down with Zamir Cobb — former NFL wide receiver turned President of The Trust (powered by the NFLPA) — to talk about his powerful journey from the gridiron to guiding players through life beyond the game.

Zamir shares stories from his time with the Steelers, including training alongside a young Ben Roethlisberger and learning under Coach Bill Cowher, as well as the mental battles that came with an early injury during his rookie season. He opens up about how those challenges fueled his passion for helping others and ultimately led him to a career of purpose — leading programs that have helped more than a thousand NFL legends improve their overall quality of life.

From his early days in D.C. to testifying in over 150 court cases as a juvenile case worker, Zamir’s story is a masterclass in resilience, service, and redefining success 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.