This month’s podcast features the Executive Director of the NFL Legends Community, and NFL veteran, James Trapp.
James Trapp, originally from Greenville, South Carolina, became a household name when he starred as a Clemson Tiger from 1989 until 1993. Not only known for achievements on the football field, but he was also a two-sport athlete with the Tigers, also participating in track and field. Trapp became a 14-time ACC champion and 10-time All-American on the track team, which eventually led to a trip to the Olympics as an alternate for the United States team in 1992 4x100 meter relay. However, many remember Trapp for his play on the football field. He was a third-round selection in the 1993 NFL Draft, to the Los Angeles Raiders, where he spent six seasons in Los Angeles and Oakland. In his time at Clemson and as a Raider, Trapp was known as one of the meanest players in the league, however, when he signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 1999 the Lord began to transform his life. He was a member of the Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars for his last five seasons in the NFL, which culminated with a Super Bowl XXV championship with Baltimore in 2000. After retiring from the NFL, Trapp has served as the team chaplain for the Atlanta Falcons and Clemson Tigers, and then serving as the assistant director of Player Engagement for the Buffalo Bills in 2015. Today, James Trapp, works for the NFL league office, his role is to “lead the league’s ongoing efforts to assist players in successful transition into their post-playing experience,” according to NFL Operations.
In this episode, Mike Linch talks with James Trapp about his career in athletics and the lessons he learned, as well as the spiritual transformation that took place in his life while playing for the Ravens. James also discusses how his relationship with the Lord influences his leadership in his life away from playing football, things he learned from Coach Dabo Swinney in his time serving at Clemson University, and his battle off the field after being diagnosed with leukemia.