The NFL Players Podcast

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Super Bowl champion Jonathan Vilma joins Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper for an honest, insightful, and wide-ranging conversation about leadership, controversy, redemption, and what comes after an NFL career.

Vilma opens the episode reacting to a special surprise — hearing Jimmy Graham and D.J. Williams place him on their personal Mount Rushmore. He shares why being a team captain meant everything to him, and Roman recalls the famous 2009 defensive meeting where Vilma called out the entire unit and set the standard for a championship run.

Vilma also dives deep into Bountygate, discussing how he handled being the public face of the scandal, why he never felt pressured to defend himself publicly, and how the ordeal unexpectedly opened doors for him in broadcasting with ESPN and FOX. He also shares stories from the 2009 Super Bowl season, the heartbreaking 2011 playoff loss, and his final attempts to return to the NFL before realizing his playing days were over—while watching training camp on TV at a Dave & Buster’s.

From his leadership style, to playing at Miami, to his ventures in finance, real estate, and the restaurant world, Vilma breaks down the full arc of his second act. The guys close out with Vilma’s personal Mount Rushmore and a few hilarious stories from his playing days, including Roman’s memory of getting run over and discovering Vilma speaks German.

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

On the latest NFL Players podcast, former Miami Dolphins linebacker and media star Channing Crowder joins Peanut and Roman. In this raw and hilarious conversation, Channing opens up about his “Welcome to the NFL” moment, the lessons he learned from Hall of Famers Zach Thomas and Junior Seau, and how Nick Saban’s intense coaching style shaped — and tested — him. He also reveals how he blew $750,000 before he was drafted. From overcoming three ACL tears, to navigating retirement, to building a media empire, Channing keeps it real about the grind it takes to succeed after football.

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

On this episode of NFL Players: Second Acts, Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper are joined by former Bengals running back Giovani Bernard to find out what he’s been up to since he retired three years ago.

Giovani opens up about the loss of his newborn son and the joy he’s found in becoming a parent of twin girls. He also explains how he dealt with the Bengals’ lack of playoff success during career and why he decided to retire after ten years.

Then Giovani shares the multiple passions he’s found in second act, including photography, endurance sports, and investing in real estate. 

In this episode of NFL Second Acts, hosts Charles “Peanut” Tillman and Roman Harper welcome former Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham for a conversation that’s equal parts inspiring and entertaining. Jimmy talks about his decision to retire from football and reflects on the moments that defined his career, including his “welcome to the NFL” moment and the time he famously jumped over Roman on the field. Jimmy also shares his death defying journey rowing across the Arctic Ocean and why he did it to support children in need. The guys also explore what life has looked like since Jimmy stepped away from the game. He’s now a licensed helicopter pilot, a bank entrepreneur and he’s entered the world of venture capitalism. The discussion dives into his growing passion for aviation, his personal Mount Rushmore, and the story behind his old nickname, “Big Red.” It’s a revealing look at how Jimmy has carried his drive and curiosity beyond football, turning every challenge into a new adventure.

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

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.