Wendy's Drive-Thru to Super Bowl Champ

Welcome back to the newsletter that loves underdog stories more than Mel Kiper loves pumpkin pie.

By the way, this is the first time I’ve ever sent this newsletter on a Sunday. Love it, hate it? Just hit reply & let me know.

Today’s edition includes the story of a guy who went from slingin’ burgers in the Wendy’s drive-thru to hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

Here's what's coming today:

• An under-the-radar NFL comeback story

• Why a 32-year-old math tutor captured the hearts of NBA fans

• The other ex-NFL player who built an impressive college roster (not Deion)

Let’s dive in.

The fastest ballcarrier of the 2022 NFL regular season reached a top speed of 22.11 MPH. Who was that player?

• A) Parris Campbell

• B) Tyreek Hill

• C) Breece Hall

• D) Raheem Mostert

The answer is at the end of this email! Look for the ⭐ emoji.

The Most Overlooked Comeback Story in the NFL Right Now

Tarik Cohen fought an uphill battle his whole career.

He played high school football in a rural North Carolina town of 344 people.

The 5'6" running back emailed hundreds of college coaches, but most ignored him.

"Too small," they said.

But he knew that all he needed was a single yes.

Just one.

And it came from an assistant coach at North Carolina A&T – the only Division I program to offer him a scholarship.

Fast forward 4 years:

Cohen broke the MEAC’s all-time rushing record & set a new school record for total TDs.

After the Bears took him in the 4th round in 2017, his ascension continued.

Fans called him "The Human Joystick", as he shook off opposing defenders on his way to piling up 2,676 yards from scrimmage in his first 4 NFL seasons.

But it all came crashing down in 2020.

In a game against the Falcons, Cohen tore his ACL, MCL, and fractured his tibial plateau.

Then, after a nearly 2-year rehab process, he tore his Achilles.

It's been more than 1,000 days since he last played in an NFL game.

But Tarik Cohen doesn't quit.

And now, he's worked his way back to return to the field AGAIN.

According to reports, Cohen has officially joined the Carolina Panthers' practice squad. A huge step in an incredible comeback story.

I wrote more about the amazing stories behind some of the shortest players in the NFL – now & throughout league history – in a recent article on Joker Mag.

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Imagine being the guy who told a future Hall of Famer that he’d never play in the big leagues.

🏈 He went from slingin’ burgers in the Wendy’s drive-thru to winning the Super Bowl as a 7th-round rookie. Here’s how Jaylen Watson made it happen. [Joker Mag]

⛳️ “He never used to even talk to anyone.” This amazing 12-year-old autistic boy won a national title despite only playing three rounds of golf in his life. [Newstalk ZB]

🏀 Why a 32-year-old math tutor captured the hearts of fans and more stories behind the oldest NBA rookies of all time. [Joker Mag]

⭐ Trivia Answer:

A) Parris Campbell – his 26-yard rush in Week 18 topped the charts in 2022. Who will be the fastest this year? I have some ideas.

Thanks for reading! 🤝 

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Have a great Sunday & enjoy the football games!

Til next time,
Tyler

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Extra Innings…

• I love seeing you guys represent our message in the real world. Here’s a photo from another long-time subscriber who knows how to kick off a Sunday morning the right way! Thank you for repping the Underdog Mentality 💪

• Everyone is talking about Deion Sanders. But not enough people are talking about the other ex-NFL player assembling an impressive roster of newcomers.

• “So it’s hella milk in them cows, then.” Marshawn Lynch took a trip to Amish country, and it went exactly how you’d expect.

• If you’ve made it this far: thank you. I appreciate you reading, and I’m so glad you’re enjoying this newsletter. Reply to this email with your preferred social media handle (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) & I’ll give you a shoutout!