Jeff Kopp | From the NFL to the Front Lines

Jeff Kopp thought he had it all mapped out. Play in the NFL, retire, and move on. But God had a different plan.

Jeff sits down with Denny Thompson and Pastor Joby Martin to walk through his story: from linebacker in the NFL to leading a prison ministry, becoming a pastor, and now serving as a detective in the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office gang unit.

He opens up about getting cut from the league, wrestling with identity, and learning how to trust God’s direction even when the next step didn’t make sense. What started as disappointment became calling. What looked like failure became faith in action. Jeff’s story is raw, real, and full of reminders that God’s plan often takes us where we never expected.

If you’ve ever faced a season of transition, or wondered if God could still use your story, this episode will challenge and encourage you. This is a conversation about leadership, service, and faith when the road ahead is unclear.