Reflecting On My Time in the NFL

My time in and around the NFL taught me some of the biggest lessons of my life.

When folks hear that I spent five seasons as an NFL linebacker, they often picture bright lights, roaring crowds, celebrity status, and the glamour of high-stakes Sunday football. But the reality of my journey in pro sports was a lot more grounded – and it taught me values that I carry with me every single day.

Humility

One thing that my time as a professional football player taught me that you might not expect is humility.

The fame and millions of fans cheering in packed stadiums doesn’t automatically lend themselves to staying humble. But for me, nothing about making it in the league was guaranteed.

Going undrafted out of college, it was a struggle just to earn a spot on the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad. During that time, I could barely afford my apartment and was definitely not living the high-life most people imagine when they think of professional athletes.

That humility also came from realizing that, despite all the endless hours of sweat, film study, and hard work I poured in, there was always an element of luck involved. There happened to be an open spot on the practice squad for me to fill, and my very first real playing time on the field was only because a teammate got injured and I had to step up. Then, after my first full season, I got cut and had to fight my way back onto the roster all over again.

It’s hard to get a big head when you know just how quickly your spot can vanish.

Leadership

Before my days in the NFL, I had the privilege of serving as a captain for the Baylor University football team.

As a kid in college, stepping into a leadership role meant learning how to guide a group of fellow student-athletes – some older than me, some younger, and all coming from completely different backgrounds and walks of life.

My job was to bring everyone together so we could trust each other and execute as a unified team under high-pressure environments on the field.

Real leadership isn’t about giving orders; it’s about building bridges, listening, and finding common ground to reach a shared goal.

Teamwork and Camaraderie

Whether on the college field or in the pros, effective communication and teamwork were essential. In football, if you don’t work as a unit, you lose games – plain and simple.

That sense of camaraderie was everywhere: in the harmless pranks we pulled on the rookies, the jokes and storytelling in the locker room after a hard win, and the way we supported each other through grueling double-session practices.

And when I eventually suffered a career-ending injury and had to retire from the sport, that solidarity remained. Our union, the NFL Players Association, had my back during one of the toughest transitions of my life, reminding me how vital it is to look out for one another when times get tough.

These are the lessons my playing time in the NFL taught me, and they are the core values I’m bringing with me in my fight for Congress.

• Knowing when to stay humble, despite the influence that comes with public office.

• Understanding that true leadership comes from bringing people together despite our differences.

• And building the strong relationships, trust, and teamwork needed to win real results for families back home in Texas and across the nation.

Thanks for taking the time to read a bit about my time in the NFL.

I’d love to hear from you in the comments: What are some of the experiences or lessons from your own life that shaped how you lead and work with others?

—Colin

Colin Allred is a fourth-generation Texan who’s running to represent Texas‘ 33rd District in Congress. He’s a former NFL player, voting rights lawyer, and public servant who’s in this to fight for the community that raised him and serve as a critical check on Trump’s harmful agenda. Colin doesn’t take a dime from corporate PACs, so he’s relying on grassroots support from folks like you to win. If you can, please chip in a donation to help Colin win in the general election and help Democrats reclaim their majority in the House come Election Day.

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