Robert Gallery: The Hidden Cost of the Game - An NFL Players Journey Through Glory, Trauma, and Redemption

Team Never Quit

Marcus Luttrell

Self-improvement, Mental Health, Education, Personal Journals, Health & Fitness, Society & Culture

4.8 • 6K Ratings

🗓️ 20 August 2025

⏱️ 107 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In the Trenches: The Journey of Robert Gallery from College Star to NFL Standout

Join Marcus and Melanie as they welcome Robert Gallery, former NFL offensive lineman, College Football Hall of Famer, and one of the most celebrated athletes to come out of the University of Iowa.
Robert’s football journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Starting as a tight end at Iowa, he transitioned to offensive tackle, paving the way for a stellar collegiate career. A two-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection, Robert was named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2003 and capped off his senior year with unanimous All-American honors and the prestigious Outland Trophy. His excellence extended off the field, earning him three Academic All-Big Ten awards.
In recognition of his remarkable contributions to the sport, Robert has been honored with multiple accolades:

College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2023 at the 65th NFF Annual Awards Dinner.
University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2017.
Kinnick Wall of Honor: Added to Iowa’s America Needs Farmers Wall of Honor in 2015.

Drafted second overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 2004 NFL Draft, Robert embarked on an eight-season career in the NFL, playing for the Raiders and Seattle Seahawks. Over 104 games, he showcased his grit and leadership, earning the Ed Block Courage Award in 2010 and cementing his place as a force on the offensive line.
In this episode, Robert reflects on his incredible football career, the transformation of Iowa’s football program, and his experiences in the NFL. But the conversation goes deeper, exploring his journey after football and the life-changing healing he found through ibogaine.
For both Marcus and Robert, ibogaine offered a second chance—a path to healing they’re now sharing to inspire and support others who may feel lost or stuck. These raw, personal stories are a testament to resilience and the universal power of hope.
Tune in for an inspiring episode filled with life lessons, healing journeys, and a reminder that no matter the challenge, transformation is always possible.

In This Episode You Will Hear:
• My parents were very much like: “You do sports, or you work on the farm.” (9:55)
• Once my siblings started earning scholarships, and I saw what it did for them, I was like “I wanna do that.” (11:17)
• [The coaching staff] were just guys that wanted to get the best out of you. They were there to make you better. (14:25)
• [Melanie] Q: What do you think builds a great team? A: I think it’s the people and the culture. (15:55)
• It’s that Midwest mentality. Work ethic, no show boating. It’s about being the best you can be, doing it the right way, and being good people. (17:02)
• I knew I needed my buddies next to me on the offensive line. For me to be great, I needed them to be great. (17:57)
• I kept working and working. And by the end of my college career, I was the best there was in the country. (25:34)
• Continue to work at wat you do to be a better all-around athlete. (25:39)
• I love how I was raised. My parents still married after 50 years. (26:57)
• I never had a sporting event that I ever remember from as young as I was in grade school, that one of my parents was not there. (36:37)
• I worked so hard and sweated so much that you gotta go to the bathroom. One day I had to go to the bathroom real bad and the game was about to start. The only thing I could do was sit here and go. Go in your pants. I did it every game after that. (47:51)
• I got to where now I’m taking pain killers to get to practice. Now I’m asking my linemen what do we do? I’m dizzy. I’m not myself. (55:08)
• As time went on, things started to spiral: alcohol abuse. (63:00)
• I got a brain scan. That’s when they put up a picture of a healthy brain against a picture of my brain. It was shocking. (65:23)
• I started a journey of doing everything I could in modern medicine. (68:58)
• I took the invitation to take an Ibogaine treatment. (73:15)
• The treatment saved my life. I can out of it a different person. (77:57)

Support Robert:
- Website: athletesforcare.org
- IG: Athletes4care

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Transcript

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0:00.0	It's a new day, but not just any day.
0:03.8	Today is the first day of your apprenticeship, the one you were so nervous about starting.
0:09.3	But you didn't let the fear of the unknown stop you.
0:12.6	No.
0:13.4	When potential came knocking, you not only welcomed it, you ran with it.
0:18.3	Earning while learning on an apprenticeship designed with employers.
0:22.4	All because you chose to make it happen.
0:25.2	It all starts with skills.
0:27.0	See how you can get started.
0:28.7	Search skills for life.
0:30.1	Hi, I'm Joe Wiley.
0:31.4	And I'm Soie Ball.
0:33.2	And we're here to tell you about a brand new podcast, Digit.
0:36.3	Digit is all about the things that Joe and I love. From the kids to the parents and all the stuff in between. There's a lot going on when you get to this age. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. And watch every episode on Spotify. Digit. Every week. Every week. For the rest of time. Yes. Okay, good.
0:59.2	The Team Never Quit podcast is sponsored by Navy Federal Credit Union. Navy Federal has every
1:05.2	single tool that you need to dominate your debt. So if you're a military member, a veteran,
1:10.6	or a family member, go check out navyfederal.org
1:14.3	for more information today.
1:16.9	Don't worry about all this other stuff, all this pressure that comes along now.
1:20.2	All your parents telling you how good you are.
1:22.4	Just continue to work at what you do to be a better all-around athlete and person.
1:27.7	All right, everybody, welcome back to the TNQ
	...

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