Beyond the Redzone

BJ Daniels is a former professional football player and passionate mental health advocate. His career began at the University of South Florida, where he started as quarterback all four years, before he was selected in the seventh round of the NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. Shortly thereafter, he was picked up by the Seattle Seahawks, with whom he won Super Bowl XLVIII. He also played for the Houston Texans, New York Giants, Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons before retiring from football in 2020.Now, BJ has returned to his roots, working at USF and residing in Tampa, Florida. He has also made it his mission to use his lived experience in football – both the positive lessons and difficult realities of life on the gridiron – to inspire international change in the way we talk about and deal with mental health.

• IntroductionChapter 1 – Introducing Super Bowl Champion, BJ Daniels: The truth behind the ringEverything that being an NFL player means is what I wanted. The fame and notoriety, the exclusive parties and first-class treatment. I did go to Super Bowl 48 in New York, and that is how the conversation always starts. But soon people realize there is so much more to me and my story, and there was a price to pay for my years in the league.Chapter 2 – My Fire Truck: A determined mind will always figure it outA chapter on my formative years, and how, from such a young age, I was determined to make things work. Tell me “NO”, I will show you a “”YES”. This chapter is about strength in resilience, going through the hard and never avoiding problems. In fact, I always think back on this one story when I deal with mental trials in my life.Chapter 3 – I’m Short, I’m Black, I’m a Quarterback: Rejecting stereotypes and finding my placeIn this chapter we explore the love I have for sports, and the passion I wanted to emulate – a romantic fantasy with sports. However, I started dealing with my first obstacles on the field. A stereotypical quarterback? That wasn’t me. I had to face mental, physical and social challenges when it came to playing football.Chapter 4 – The Other Side of the Tracks: Growing through sports and becoming my own manDespite those early obstacles, I remained resilient and stuck with sports – at this time, football and basketball. I started playing with kids who looked like me, but were older and bigger, and tested my social and economic position. This chapter covers all that those experiences taught me about my strengths, weaknesses and ambitions.Chapter 5 – Seventh Round: The pressure, expectations and reality of the NFL DraftFairy tale? Not even close! You may have seen the NFL Draft on TV before, but I lived it. This chapter is a detailed retelling of draft day and all the pressure I felt sitting with my family and loved ones, waiting for the call. I coped with all the fears that came with my lofty dream of playing in the NFL.Chapter 6 – A Dream Come True… Kind of: The struggle to stay on topI’m an NFL player. This chapter will examine the few months I had at the 49ers, and the hard lessons those weeks taught me about the reality of where I had always wanted to be. Making it is one thing, but staying there, that was going to be harder on me mentally than anything I had ever done. I had to learn how to cope healthily – and do so quickly.>Chapter 7 – Keeping Up with the Joneses: Adapting to challenges – and succeedingCut from the 49ers, this chapter examines the end of my rookie season with Seattle, and how I found a home amongst others who were told “no” by other organizations across the country. We were all wanting to prove something, and we had the adaptability and resilience to do so. Chapter 8 – “You Played Well Today, Son”: How pressure and validation affect mental healthThis chapter looks closely at the pressures of football, the validation we all want from life, and the mental health issues that so many people don’t see when it comes to professional athletes. Chapter 9 – Sleepless in Seattle: Dealing with frustration and uncertaintyHere, I will look at my second season with Seattle and the frustrations, being cut and trying again, this time in Texas. Here we see just how those pressures, the uncertainty and the seemingly nonstop changes can affect the man under the helmet, who in my case felt lonely, frustrated and unsupported. Chapter 10 – The Struggle to Survive: Fighting self-doubt to stay in the gameThe endless hotels, airports and try-outs, this chapter will look at the year I went from Houston to New York to Chicago and on to Atlanta for one last shot at my NFL dream. We will examine the loneliness and self-doubt that came with this turbulent time, and see how ultimately that dream shattered, changing me as a person forever. Chapter 11 – A Dream Realized: This is not the endHere, I discuss my final months trying to make a living in the game – playing in Canada and the XFL – driven by the issues that life throws at us all. But it also shows how what seems like the end can simply be a new beginning, and there’s always light at the end of what feels like a dark tunnel. Chapter 12 – My Faith: Where I find support and comfortThroughout the ups and downs of my NFL journey, I always had an anchor in my faith and church. This chapter covers how they helped me through the most difficult mental struggles of my career. Chapter 13 – Leave No One Behind: From athletic dreams to a life purposeA final chapter on where I am today, looking at my time teaching and coaching, and what my experience in football has taught me about myself, and how I survived and made it through mentally. From a young man dreaming of glory to someone wanting to help the world, this final chapter examines what comes next – and how I aim to leave no one behind when it comes to mental health.

“A story that is so much bigger than football. Mental health is valuable for the next generation.” Jon Gruden, former NFL head coach “I’ve always said how important it is to protect your mentals.” Marshawn Lynch, former NFL running back and Super Bowl XLVIII champion“BJ’s lived experience is a shining example to society and the next generation to never give up on your dreams. BJ shows us all that by ‘Leaving No One Behind’, there is always hope and light despite the times of darkness. BJ’s story unlocks a treasure trove of wisdom from those who've walked the same path. Brace yourself for a confidence-boosting, hope-infused journey that inspires and showcases the importance of mental health wellbeing and prosperity.” Kyle Walker, captain of Manchester City Football Club and member of the England national football team“An inspiring story about resilience and courage that will leave you in awe. This is going to change everything.” Jim Leavitt, former head coach at the University of South Florida “BJ proves that stepping up, opening up and leading by example can change and create a world that Leaves No One Behind.” Marquel Blackwell, running backs coach at Texas A&M“A game-changer for mental health, BJ goes far beyond advocacy. A leading voice and icon for the next generation.” Yusuf Shakir, Football Operations Assistant at the University of Florida and former head football coach at Lincoln High School