What It's Like To Walk Away From Being an NFL Quarterback

What It's Like To...

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Jake Locker was a 3-sport star athlete in high school (he was drafted to play Major League Baseball, but turned down the offer because he preferred playing football). He was hailed as a hero when he played quarterback for the University of Washington. He was picked by the Tennessee Titans in the first round of the NFL draft. Four years later, he chose to leave the league... and lots of people had questions.
In this episode of "What It's Like To..." we get the full story of what shaped Jake as a boy and as a young man, and what ultimately led him to make big decisions with certainty. It's a story of football, fame, family and faith, and how one man found the right balance for his life.
In this episode:

• Jake's early influences and childhood (01:55)
• Why he made the decision to not sign the MLB contract (08:45)
• Playing football at the University of Washington, and why he didn't enter the NFL draft after his junior year (11:26)
• Healthy and unhealthy ways of dealing with pressure, stress, and expectations (17:28)
• What it felt like to get drafted into the NFL (21:00)
• Playing in college vs. playing in the NFL (23:56)
• How Jake began to see his identity shift (29:37)
• Thoughts on how the media portrayed him (34:04)
• Does he still like football? (38:51)
• How those closest to Jake responded to his decision to leave the NFL (42:03)

Want to know more about Jake?

• check out his gym, Locker Room Fitness: lockerroomfitness.com

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