There are more than 8 million former college athletes in the United States. Most of us don't know each other. We've been in different locker rooms, different cities, and different programs. Yet, we all learned the same things. How to compete. How to lead and follow. How to keep going when nobody is watching. Former college athletes, check in below. Drop your school, position, and one lesson the game taught you that you still live by today. I'll start. University of Georgia. Linebacker. Winning comes down to the things you can't always measure, like heart, faith, and mindset. Tag a former teammate or someone you competed against! Asher Allen Fernando Velasco Mohamed “Mo” Massaquoi Brandon Spikes Tim Tebow Brandon Boykin knowshon moreno Aaron Murray Christopher Burnette Shaun Chapas Logan Gray Drew Butler Blair Walsh Brandon Wheeling Brandon Bogotay Kelin Johnson AJ McDonald Alonzo "AJ" Bryant, R/W-AC Dez Bryant Julio Jones
Michigan State University. Half Back. I have two. Feedback is a gift and never, ever, ever give up! 💪
Do coaches count too? lol
Liberty University, RB and Liberty Baseball, 2nd baseman, Love this, Rennie. It was an absolute privilege to be part of your journey through high school, college, and the NFL. Watching you compete was always about more than your physical gifts, it was your faith, character, discipline, and servant’s heart that separated you. To all my former athletes and teammates: I’d love to hear from you too. Share where you played and the greatest lesson the game taught you. Mine is this: Your greatest opponent will always be the person you see in the mirror. Win that battle every day. Talent may open doors, but character, consistency, and faith determine how far you’ll go. As athletes, we’re called to pursue excellence, not just in competition, but in how we love, lead, and serve others. That’s the kind of legacy that lasts long after the final whistle. Proud of you, Rennie. Keep making an impact.
University of Colorado. Fullback and Captain. Strong teams are built on purpose. Good leaders set a clear vision, identify clear goals, and communicate clear expectations. Great teams work hard, hold each other accountable, and develop meaningful relationships. As a result, winning (or achieving goals) is only a matter of time.
HBCU Elizabeth City State University | WR, KR, PR One lesson football taught me: Perseverance. When adversity hits, you don't quit, you execute the next play, stay disciplined, and finish strong. That mindset has carried me through business, government contracting, and life. Tough times are temporary, but the people who keep showing up and executing are the ones who eventually win.
Tim Farrell, fullback 🏈, Rutgers University. I’m also a retired United States Air Force senior officer, and (with no slight to the training and professional learning in Air Force ROTC), I learned more about being an officer from my coaches, my teammates, the weight room, the locker room, and eating with teammates than I ever did from ROTC — I believe in my soul I would not have led as well at home and in combat zones had I not experienced college football.
Rutgers University. Offensive Line. Nobody remembers the excuses—they remember the work. That mindset carried me to the NFL, and it's the same standard I expect from every young man I have the privilege to coach. The work starts in the trenches.
The real ROI of college sports isn't the trophies or the box scores; it’s the unbending resilience, the high-velocity teamwork, and the ability to execute when you are completely running on empty and nobody is watching. You leave the game with a permanent framework for leadership.
I didn't play in college Rennie. Didn't go to college. :) I came up coaching and building teams. But the lesson you led with is exactly what I spent years looking for in people, the stuff you can't measure, heart, mindset, how someone works when nobody's watching. It shows up long after the last game, in who you become at work. The game just teaches it first. Hope to catch up soon my friend.