Matt Willig: His Almost Super Bowl-winning block, Playing Andre the Giant, Getting Advice from “The Rock”

The NFL Players Podcast

Peanut and Roman are back with a new episode of the NFL Players: Second Acts podcast with Super Bowl champion turned actor Matt Willig. Coming into the NFL as an undrafted free agent, Matt talks about how he willed himself to a 14-year NFL career. He’s also been on both sides of Super Bowl finishes, including almost blocking the game-winning kick in Super Bowl XXXVI. Matt shares how he caught the acting but doing a Campbell’s soup commercial, and the life-changing advice he got from Dewayne “The Rock” Johnson. A large man in his own right, Matt discusses how he had to transform his body to play wrestling legend Andre the Giant for the show “Young Rock.” And he talks about what it was like to work with Bruce Willis and Jennifer Aniston. Matt also shares who is on his personal Mount Rushmore.

0:00 – start of episode

0:54 - Matt Willig is introduced
2:52 - Matt talks about the challenge of switching from defensive to offensive line
3:28 - Matt discusses playing for multiple NFL teams and in multiple Super Bowls
9:20 - Matt talks about playing against Tom Brady in Super Bowl 38
12:36 - Matt explains how he started acting
17:39 - Matt shares what he learned from his acting coach
20:29 - Matt talks about the difference between high budget and low budget sets
22:24 - Matt talks about meeting the Rock and playing Andre the Giant on the Young Rock
35:46 - Matt talks about his role in the movie “Concussion”
41:44 - Matt discusses his role in “We’re the Millers”
44:12 - Matt shares his favorite role
45:13 - Matt talks about meeting Bruce Willis
45:59 - Matt shares the coolest place he’s ever filmed
47:29 - Matt reveals his personal Mount Rushmore

*NOTE: Time codes are approximate

The NFL Players: Second Acts podcast is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Radio.

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