Raising A Pro with Annie Apple

Latest Episodes:

15: The journey of Jerome Bettis Feb 19, 2021

Show notes

“So I told him, Jerome, you're not going to speak out. You're not going to say anything. You're going to let them do this to you”
Jerome “The Bus” Bettis was drafted 10th overall in the 1993 NFL draft. His career saw him play through 13 football seasons, his final 10 played out with the Pittsburgh Stelers before he retired after the 2005 season. A decade later and he found himself on the receiving end of the ultimate nod from the league as he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
His mother Gladys “Mamma” Bettis takes us back to the beginning of Jeromes journey, growing up in Detroit. From his first years playing football, through college, draft days, the Super Bowl, right up to watching him give his emotional Hall of Fame speech. Mamma Bettis has supported her son through thick and thin, even when that meant parking up field side to watch his High School games with an inhaler at the ready.

14: In Conversation with Jemele Hill Feb 12, 2021

Show notes

Kicking off our series of interviews in celebration of Black History Month, Annie sits down for a deep and honest chat with Jemele Hill.
The host of the wildly popular Jemele Hill Is Unbothered podcast, writer for the Atlantic and co host of Vice TV’s Won’t Stick To Sports, opens up about her journey from a little kid growing up in Detroit sneaking a peak at the sports papers to becoming the NABJ Journalist of the Year in 2018 and beyond..
Jemele is a truth sayer, she doesn’t sugarcoat reality or shy away from difficult subjects and that is why it is a pleasure to hear from her on topics such as racism in football, that Trump tweet, her heroines and influences and the five main behaviours that for many black people, are drilled into us largely through a combination of historical prejudices and our parenting.

13: The story of Sterling Shepard Jan 29, 2021

Show notes

“I didn’t see those injuries on the field. But i’ve seen him be hurt and it’s like your heart stops”
You know Sterling Shepard as the dynamic wide receiver for the New York Giants. He played college football at Oklahoma and was drafted by the Giants in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. But there is so much more to this young man’s story than you might expect.
In this episode his mom, Cheri, joins us to discuss the journey of her son and watching in awe as his childhood dreams come true. His journey and their journey as a family is one that is tinged with tragedy. Cheri was widowed at the young age of 32 with three children to raise when her husband - former Redskins wide receiver Derrick Shepard - tragically and suddenly passed away. But the Shepard family stayed strong and pulled together. We hear how Sterling’s father’s legacy lives on stronger than ever through his wife and his children, and how Cheri and the family deal with setbacks, concussions and whatever life throws at them, with dignity.
Sponsors: Get 20% off your first order of Sakara’s Prenatal at sakara.com/RAP or enter code RAP at checkout
Keep your mind sharp and have fun with Word Forest. Download from the Apple or Google stores for free today, and get ready to flex your brain muscles!

12: The Gronkowski Legacy Jan 22, 2021

Show notes

“It was crazy, but I just did it. I didn't drink, I didn't take drugs. I didn't smoke. I just got up every day. I look back now and I go, Oh my gosh.. but at the time, you just do it”
The name Gronkowski is no stranger to professional sports. All five of the Gronkowski brothers have made it to pro level with four playing in the NFL; including Tampa Bay tight end Rob Gronkowski.
In this episode we hear from Gordie Jr, Chris, Dan, Rob and Glenn Gronkowski’s mother, Diane.
Diane ran a tight ship when her boys were growing up, dividing her time between all of their sport commitments and ensuring they had everything they needed outside of sport too. She’s the fuel that kept the machine turning as each child pursued their passion whether that was hockey, football or baseball.
Diane takes us back to give us a glimpse of life behind the scenes in the Gronkowski household as she supported her children through their early days of practices, training, draft days, injuries, Super Bowl rings right through to life after sport.
Keep your mind sharp and have fun with Word Forest. Download from the Apple or Google stores for free today, and get ready to flex your brain muscles!

11: The journey of Malcolm Jenkins Jan 15, 2021

Show notes

“We couldn't plan this journey for Malcolm. It's not ours. It wasn't ours. It wasn't scripted by us”
Malcolm Jenkins was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2009 and has had an incredible career ever since. Over a decade later and he’s got two super bowl rings to play with after winning Super Bowl XLIV with the New Orleans Saints and Super Bowl LII with the Philadelphia Eagles. He is now back with the Saints where he continues to be one of the best lines of defense they have.
Aside from football, Malcolm is a humanitarian, philanthropist and tireless campaigner for social change. He is outspoken on topics of racial and social injustice and his integrity shines through in all that he does.
In this episode his mother - and president of the Pro Football Players Mothers Association - Gwen takes us back to Malcolm’s early days of football. She reveals just how Malcolm got his big break on the field, what really went down when he left the Saints for the Eagles and so much more about the man that she knows best.

10: The story of Ndamukong Suh Jan 08, 2021

Show notes

Ndamukong Suh was drafted second overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2010 NFL draft after playing college football at Nebraska.That same year he was named Defensive Rookie of the Year and 10 seasons later he’s currently holding things down as Defensive End for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The time in between saw him play his first Super Bowl in 2018 during a short stint with the LA Rams.
He is known for his size and fierce playing style on the field, but that couldn’t be further from the truth of his true nature off the field. In this episode, his mother Bernadette gives us an insight into the tight family bond of Team Suh and Ndamukong’s lifelong passion for football.
As you’ll find out, Bernadette wasn’t exactly thrilled with his choice of sports..
Thanks to Sakara for supporting this episode. For 20% off your first order of their Prenatal go to Sakara.com/RAP or enter code RAPat checkout.

9: The rise of the first female CEO in NFL History: Amy Trask Jan 01, 2021

Show notes

“My number one piece of advice is to do everything in a manner that is true to yourself”
Amy Trask is a sports Analyst for CBS, a lawyer and author of the outstanding book ‘You Negotiate Like A Girl: Reflections On A Career In The National Football League’. She’s also the current chair of the board of Big3, a 3-on-3 professional basketball league.
But the achievements don’t stop there.. in 1997, Amy became the first female CEO in NFL with the Oakland Raiders, working with the team for almost 30 years after she cold called them for an internship while studying at Cal-Berkeley in the 80s. When she picked up that phone that day, Amy could never have dreamt where it might lead..
In this special New Year episode we hear all about the challenges Amy faced in the role, the hilarious mishaps, her long lasting relationship and respect for Al Davis and how sheer determination, motivation, adaptability and fair leadership skills have served her throughout her life and career.
If anyone can prove you don’t always need a five year plan, it’s Amy.
With thanks to Hello Fresh for sponsoring this episode. Go to HelloFresh.com/10rap and use code 10rap for 10 free meals including free shipping

8: The journey of Ezekiel Elliott Dec 18, 2020

Show notes

“It bothers me when someone says one of these players is trash.. because none of these guys are trash”
Ezekiel Elliott is a star running back for the Dallas Cowboys after being drafted 4th overall in 2016. He played college football at Ohio State where he earned second team All America Honours in 2015.
In this episode his mother, Dawn Elliott, takes us through Ezekiel’s journey to the top, tracing the athletic gene through their family. Dawn opens up about Ezekiel’s heartbreak over the death of his friend Kosta Karageorge in 2014, broken ribs, draft days, media backlash and the aftermath of Dak Prescott’s devastating ankle injury.
With thanks to Betterhelp for sponsoring this episode. If you are struggling with your mental health or need some support this holiday season visit betterhelp.com/RAP for 10% off your first month.

7: The journey of Saquon Barkley Dec 11, 2020

Show notes

“Everything in life has a setback..but sometimes you get setback for a greater journey”
Saquon Barkley started playing football at just five years old and after an incredible showcase throughout high school and college, the running back was drafted by the New York Giants in 2018. His star has been growing ever since.
2020 has been a rough season for injuries across the NFL, and Saquon is no exception. A knee injury cut short his 2020 season so for now he is focusing on healing so he can come back stronger than ever.
And no one is more sure of that than his mom, Tonya Johnson. In this episode Tonya, talks about Saquon’s journey throughout his career at the NFL, family life, draft days and how to cope with injury when you feel as though your dreams might be snatched away.

6: The Zach Ertz story Dec 04, 2020

Show notes

“It’ll never be easy to not see Zachary in an Eagles jersey...”
Zach Ertz is the Philadelphia Eagles’ tight end whose incredible game winning touchdown catch sealed the long overdue Superbowl win for the Eagles in 2018. Philadelphia is a city that had been crying out for that big win and Zach is very much a part of that success story.
In this episode we speak to his mom, Lisa Ertz, as she shares the story of Zach from his Pop Warner days, how his drive and determination to achieve and be ready for the next opportunity has always served him, right up to what his future holds with the Eagles.
When Zach was just a kid, Lisa was a single mom of four boys, and she has worked hard to support, nourish and be an anchor for her children even when the odds seemed stacked against them and speaks candidly about how they’ve handled the highs and lows together.
Our thanks to Sakara and Betterhelp for supporting this episode.
Go to betterhelp.com/Rap for more details and visit sakara.com/RAP to get 20% off your first order.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Raising A Pro with Annie Apple

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected