From being drafted 137th overall in the 2012 NFL Draft to winning Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos, Malik Jackson takes us through the highs, pressure, sacrifices and realities of life in the NFL.

Malik opens up about waiting through the draft, choosing #97, transferring from USC to Tennessee, the risk of changing schools, playing defensive line, chasing quarterbacks, the evolution of roughing-the-passer calls and what it’s really like competing at the highest level.

We also get into his Super Bowl 50 experience, his Pro Bowl season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, massive contracts, moving from team to team, and the moment he knew it was time to walk away from football.

But Malik’s story doesn’t end when his playing career does.

We talk about the transition from having everything provided by an NFL organization to suddenly having to navigate life after football, including health, finances, identity and purpose.

Malik also tells us about The Care League and The League Effect, and we get into his work giving back—including helping dogs find forever homes.

A wide-ranging conversation about football, success, retirement, giving back and what comes next.

Welcome to Say More! 🎙️

Malik Jackson Socials
https://www.thecareleague.com
Instagram: themalikjackson



0:00 Draft Day
3:35 Why #97? The Story Behind the Number
5:53 Denver Drafts you… Where Did Malik Want to Go?!
7:53 John Elway Said No to Baltimore Colts
8:56 Bo Jackson Said No to Tampa Bay
12:28 What Does a Defensive Lineman Actually Do?
13:27 Has Roughing the Passer Gone Too Far?
15:10 Hunting Down the Ball Carrier
18:40 Why Are We Seeing More Tipped Passes?
20:47 USC to Tennessee: Why Make the Move?
28:23 NIL & Sponsorships
30:01 Going to Jacksonville & The $90 Million Dollar Deal!
33:55 Getting Drafted vs. Winning the Super Bowl
35:52 Back to Denver & Super Bowl 50
37:00 The Pro Bowl Season in Jacksonville
39:01 The BIG 6-YEAR $90,000,000 Deal!!
43:43 Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns
44:58 Cleveland Browns Last Year
47:46 When the NFL Stops Providing Everything
51:42 Malik’s Passion: The Care League
53:43 Retired Athletes Need The Care League
58:33 Malik’s Gifts & Giving Back
59:38 SUPPORT THE MISSION WITH “Wear the Paw— SAVE A DOG T-Shirt 🐕
1:01:37 Final Thoughts