The Smallest Player in the NFL: How JJ Birden Defied the Odds for 9 Years

In this incredible episode of the Lyons Share Podcast, former Atlanta Falcons teammate JJ Birden shares his remarkable journey from a 5'9", 133-pound high school player who received ZERO D1 football offers to playing 9 seasons in the NFL.

JJ's story is the ultimate underdog tale—doubted by coaches, cut multiple times, failed NFL physicals, and told he was too small to play professional football. Yet he persevered to become the longest-tenured NFL player under 160 pounds in the last 35+ years.

Hear about his time playing with legends like Joe Montana and Marcus Allen, his devastating ACL injury as a rookie, and the mental toughness required to compete at the highest level against players who outweighed him by 100+ pounds.

Now a professional speaker and founder of "Beat the Coverage," JJ teaches business professionals and teams how to overcome doubt, adversity, and negative thinking using principles learned at the NFL's highest level.

🔗 Connect with JJ Birden:
Website: JJBirden.com
Social Media: @JJBirden (all platforms)

0:00 - Introduction & Reconnecting After 30 Years
2:30 - Growing Up in Portland: Track Star to Undersized Football Player
6:45 - Walking On at Oregon & Proving the Doubters Wrong
10:15 - NFL Combine Surprise & 8th Round Draft Pick
13:20 - Devastating Rookie ACL Injury & Failed Physicals
17:00 - Playing with Joe Montana & Marcus Allen in Kansas City
20:30 - Life After Football: Becoming a Professional Speaker
23:45 - Final Thoughts & Where to Find JJ

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