Earning the starting job and leadership

Today, my good friend Colt McCoy joins me for a deep and personal discussion about his path from small-town Texas to 14 seasons in the NFL, the mentors and moments that shaped him, and the intentional process of stepping away from the game. We talk through his early years growing up on the sidelines, the day he went from being a complete unknown to over 100 Division 1 offers, and the mindset he built while earning the starting job and leading Texas to the National Championship.  

Colt reflects on the physical and emotional toll of the 2009 title-game injury, the realities of NFL life, and the teammates, coaches, and owners who influenced him most. He also opens up about the year-long discernment process that led him to retire, move his family to Fort Worth, and build a new career in real estate.

We discuss:

• Colt’s early upbringing around football and how it shaped his identity

• Winning the starting job, leading Texas for four seasons, and the highs and lows along the way

• The 2009 national championship injury and its lasting impact

• Lessons from 14 years in the NFL, including leadership, longevity, and adapting his game

• His decision to retire, prioritize family, and pursue a new path in Fort Worth real estate

• The role of faith, patience, and discernment in navigating major life transitions

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Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:51) - The realities of working for ESPN and calling games

(00:11:15) - Colt’s earliest memories of football

(00:18:31) - The impact of Colt’s dad

(00:22:45) - Earning a scholarship to The University of Texas

(00:34:34) - Colt’s career at UT

(00:47:32) - Colt’s greatest memory at UT

(00:57:43) - The state of College football

(00:58:40) - The Michael Crabtree story

(01:04:27) - The toughest environments to play in

(01:06:24) - Colt’s NFL career

(01:08:58) - The biggest learning curve going from the NCAA to the NFL

(01:17:35) - Who’s the best athlete you’ve ever seen?

(01:19:04) - What Colt misses the most about being in the NFL

(01:20:59) - Who’s the scariest player you’ve gone up against?

(01:23:27) - What was the hardest hit you’ve ever taken?

(01:26:11) - The decision to leave the NFL and life after football

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