Filling the Void: What Former NFL Stars Do to Keep the Adrenaline Pumping Post-Career

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The Tough Transition from the NFL to Life After Football

For NFL players, the roar of the crowd, the high-octane plays, and the weekly battle on the gridiron form the heartbeat of their lives. But when the final whistle of their career blows, the shift to retirement can feel jarring. The NFL is more than just a job—it’s a lifestyle built on routine, competition, and adrenaline. When that’s suddenly gone, it can leave a vacuum that’s as much psychological as it is physical.

Many former NFL stars find themselves searching for new ways to channel the energy that fueled them for years. While some step into coaching or broadcasting, others chase an entirely different rush. Whether it’s the calculated risks of high-stakes poker, the raw thrill of extreme sports, or the precision of competitive racing, these athletes often seek arenas that let them flex their competitive instincts.

For these four former players, post-NFL life didn’t mean slowing down—it meant finding fresh challenges that could match, or even rival, the electric moments they once had under stadium lights.

Richard Seymour – From Super Bowls to the World Series of Poker

Richard Seymour made his name as a dominant defensive lineman for the New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders, winning three Super Bowls and earning seven Pro Bowl nods. Known for his calculated approach on the field, Seymour carried that same mental sharpness into an entirely different competitive world—professional poker.

After retiring in 2012, Seymour began testing the waters in live poker tournaments. His strategic mindset and patience paid off quickly, with impressive finishes at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). In 2019, he famously cashed in the WSOP Main Event, placing 131st out of over 8,500 players and taking home $59,295. He’s also competed on the pro poker circuit, going toe-to-toe with some of the world’s best.

For Seymour, poker offers a familiar blend of mental warfare and pressure-filled decision-making. While the environment is quieter than the gridiron, the stakes—and the adrenaline—are still high. It’s a new field of competition where every hand can feel like fourth-and-goal and he proves—in a similar vein to the iconic Chris Moneymaker—that you don’t have to be a 20-year pro to compete at the WSOP. Moneymaker—a current pro with Americas Cardroom—won the 2003 WSOP after winning a satellite tournament. He went on to inspire the “everyman” poker player like no other before him. Moneymaker also inspired a generation of former athletes such as Seymour to get into the game. And well, the rest in history as they say.

Herschel Walker – Trading the Gridiron for the MMA Cage

Few athletes in history can match Herschel Walker’s versatility. After a legendary football career that spanned the USFL, NFL, and a Heisman Trophy-winning college run, Walker could have comfortably stayed in the spotlight through endorsements and media appearances. Instead, he shocked fans by stepping into a completely different combat sport—mixed martial arts.

In his late 40s, Walker signed with Strikeforce, a major MMA promotion at the time. He trained intensely, focusing on striking, grappling, and conditioning. Despite being decades older than many of his opponents, Walker proved his athleticism was still elite, winning both of his professional MMA fights by TKO.

Walker’s MMA stint wasn’t about proving he could fight—it was about proving he could still push his limits. The discipline, mental focus, and physical preparation mirrored the demands of football, but with an added edge: in the cage, it’s just you, your opponent, and the clock.

Randy Moss – Reigniting Competition on the NASCAR Circuit

Randy Moss will forever be remembered as one of the most electrifying wide receivers in NFL history. After retiring from football, the Hall of Famer turned his attention to another passion—motorsports. In 2008, Moss became co-owner of a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team, Randy Moss Motorsports.

While Moss wasn’t behind the wheel himself, his involvement in the team reignited his competitive spirit. NASCAR offered a different kind of rush, where speed, strategy, and split-second decisions define success. Moss became a hands-on figure in the organization, lending his leadership skills and sports background to a high-performance racing environment.

For Moss, it wasn’t just about sponsorships or appearances—it was about staying connected to an arena where winning depends on teamwork, precision, and a relentless drive to improve. Whether it’s running routes or running laps, Moss thrives on competition.

Jared Allen – Riding Into the Rodeo Arena

Known for his sack dances and relentless pursuit of quarterbacks, Jared Allen brought an infectious energy to his NFL career. After retiring in 2016, Allen swapped shoulder pads for cowboy boots, diving into the world of professional rodeo.

Allen took up team roping, a rodeo event where two riders work together to rope a steer in the fastest time possible. The sport requires a mix of horsemanship, coordination, and timing—skills Allen embraced with the same dedication he brought to football. He even competed in the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) circuit, going head-to-head with seasoned rodeo athletes.

For Allen, the rodeo offered more than just a new sport—it was a community and lifestyle that kept him physically active, mentally engaged, and constantly striving to perfect his craft.

A New Arena, Same Drive

Retirement doesn’t have to mean the end of competition. For former NFL stars like Richard Seymour, Herschel Walker, Randy Moss, and Jared Allen, leaving the game simply meant finding a new arena to test themselves. Whether it’s the cerebral battle of poker, the physical challenge of MMA, the high-speed strategy of NASCAR, or the raw grit of rodeo, these athletes prove that the competitive fire doesn’t fade—it just finds a new outlet.

For fans, watching these post-career pursuits offers a different kind of entertainment. It’s a reminder that the traits that made these players great on the field—discipline, resilience, and the hunger to win—can translate to almost any challenge.

In the end, the game might change, but the drive to compete is forever.

If you liked this article, why not head over to our Health and Injury Prevention section to understand how modern pros aim to keep fit and healthy to prolong their careers.