Podcast Summary: We're Out of Time Episode: From Record-Breaking Running Back to Rock Bottom — Montee Ball’s Comeback
Date: December 9, 2025
Host: Richard Taite
Guest: Montee Ball

Overview

In this powerful and candid episode, host Richard Taite sits down with Montee Ball, once one of college football’s greatest running backs, to trace his meteoric rise, devastating fall, and inspirational recovery. The conversation pulls no punches—covering addiction, the loss of a dream career, a painful public mistake, and the decades-long journey toward redemption and service. Throughout, both men share hard-won wisdom, humor, and hope about resilience, accountability, parenting, and the ongoing battle against America's addiction epidemic.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Montee’s Football Journey: From High School Phenom to NFL Draft

• Rapid Rise in High School & College:
  • Montee recalls his rise at Timberland High School in Wentzville, Missouri ([01:17]).
  • Attracted major D1 offers, choosing Wisconsin over Stanford for proximity to home and the Midwest ([01:57]).
  • “It happened so quickly. Those four years in high school are a blur.” – Montee ([01:31]).
• College Success:
  • Chose Wisconsin to follow Ron Dayne’s footsteps; embraced the campus, football program, and fans ([03:31]).
  • Played with legends like Russell Wilson, J.J. Watt, part of a rock-star Badgers team ([04:04], [04:08]).
  • Tied Barry Sanders’ single-season touchdown record; finalist for Heisman Trophy ([15:07]).
• Draft to NFL:
  • Honest about the anxiety and anticipation of the NFL Draft—waiting as other running backs were chosen, until Denver Broncos called ([05:48]-[06:26]).
  • “My phone falls because it started to vibrate...it says Denver, Colorado. And I jumped up... John Elway asking me if I want to be a Bronco.” ([06:19]).
  • Grew up a Broncos fan, room painted blue and orange, Terrell Davis memorabilia ([06:35]).

Life with the Pros: Glory and Intimidation

• Joining the Denver Broncos:
  • The surreal moment of receiving a congratulatory text from Peyton Manning his rookie night ([07:41]).
  • “His forehead came around the corner first.” – Montee, on meeting Manning ([08:52]).
  • Starstruck in a locker room full of legends; Montee expresses awe and gratitude ([08:37]).
• Playing with Superstars:
  • Lined up in Peyton Manning’s record-shattering MVP year, with Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, Julius Thomas ([10:23]-[10:57]).
• Patriots’ Stint & Quarterback Debate:
  • Briefly played with Tom Brady at the Patriots, college roommate James White ([11:17]).
  • “If I had to build my team, I am so grateful to have played with Peyton Manning… I’m going Tom Brady.” – Montee ([11:41])
  • “Peyton Manning, pre-snap—there’s no one like him. Genius. Absolute genius. That was the most stressful part about playing with him, is trying to keep up with his mind.” ([12:00]): Respect for both QBs’ unique leadership.

The Downfall: The Depths of Addiction

• The Hidden Battle—Alcoholism’s Early Grip:
  • Drinking started as coping for “crushing” performance anxiety in college ([15:07]).
  • “My outlet was the bottle… I really started to develop that relationship then.” ([15:49])
  • Familial pressure after parents moved cities to support him, fueling the feeling: “I have no choice. I have to succeed.” ([16:07])
• NFL: Wealth, Ego & Escapism:
  • “You hand a 21-year-old, 22-year-old some money, you know… Of course I spent that on the bottle.” ([17:05])
  • Ignoring health, drinking intensified after injury and loss of place on the team.
• Career-ending Injuries & Release:
  • Details groin injuries and desperate but unsuccessful rehab attempts ([17:26]).
  • Cut from Broncos, followed by a spiral of drinking, anger, isolation, declining NFL offers, squandering money ([18:36]-[19:13]).
  • “Developed some unhealthy relationships as well. I wasn’t taking care of my body. I didn’t like myself.” ([19:13])
• “Losing it all” —Montee’s Turning Point:
  • “When we talk about losing it all… there is zero ambiguity… That is exactly what happened.” ([17:26])
  • Details a late-night drunken altercation and subsequent arrest for shoving his partner ([21:01]).

Redemption: Amends, Healing, and New Purpose

• Aftermath, Accountability & Amends:
  • Montee does not shy from detailing his mistakes. “At every moment in my life, I’m in control of my actions, how I respond to stimuli.” ([22:40])
  • His ex-partner later initiates contact and forgives him; Montee refuses to allow himself to shift blame ([21:39]-[21:59]).
• Therapy, Recovery & Transcendence:
  • Found a therapist who understood “lights, cameras, action, women, alcohol” and built a long-term alliance ([30:02]-[30:33]).
  • Honest about the ongoing struggle, self-forgiveness, and gradual emotional turnaround over years, not months ([34:15]-[34:54]).
  • “This year, these nine years of recovery have been better than any touchdown I’ve ever scored.” ([35:04])

Service and the Power of Giving Back

• A New Mission:
  • Montee now works in intervention and recovery, helping others find the right fit for treatment ([27:09], [28:02]).
  • “You have given mothers back their boys and fathers back their daughters. Is there anything better than that?” – Richard ([27:49])
  • Montee describes texting with people he’s helped, celebrating their sobriety anniversaries ([28:44]).
• Perspective on Legacy and Lessons:
  • Accepts Hall of Fame induction not as proof the football wasn’t wasted, but as a point of closure and a new focus ([35:25]-[36:10]).
  • “Everything happens for a reason. I thought that I was gonna ride off into the sunset with a gold jacket… But my higher power was like, no, no, no, we gotta fix this. And you’re going to be there for other people.” ([29:01])

Wisdom, Parenting, and Full Circle

• Parenting as a Catalyst for Change:
  • Montee became a father right after he hit bottom ([71:32]-[72:06]).
  • “When he was born, I held him and I said, I’m never going to touch the bottle again, ever. And I haven’t, and I don’t plan to.” ([75:02])
  • Learning to co-parent amicably—putting son Maverick first and focusing on stability ([74:03]-[74:39]).
• New Identity, New Team:
  • Now working with One Method, under CEO Candy Henderson, and inspired by the recovery environment ([41:13]-[41:42]).
  • “This is a rocket ship… I’m grateful for the opportunity. I know where Method is going, and I’m blessed to be part of the team.” ([42:42])
  • Embraces football analogies and the value of team, leadership, and accountability in recovery ([64:42]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Facing Regret and Recovery:
  • “People in AA… talk about losing it all. Not really. You lost it all. All of it.” – Richard ([09:55])
  • “At every moment in my life, I’m in control of my actions… it cost me everything.” – Montee ([22:40])
• On Coming Full Circle:
  • “This, these nine years of recovery have been better than any touchdown I’ve ever scored.” – Montee ([35:04])
  • “You thought you were behind, you’re ahead. You just didn’t know it.” – Richard ([32:55])
• Service as Transformation:
  • “You give people back their families. You’re a good father. You’re a good co parent…You’re a good man. And everything in your life from this moment forward is going to be a blessing.” – Richard ([81:13])
• On Resilience and Teamwork:
  • “Everything I ever needed to learn in life, I learned through team sports. Leadership qualities. Resilience.” – Richard ([46:08])
• Sobriety and Life Beyond Football:
  • “If you don’t find a life that is more valuable than the one where you are using and drinking, you can’t stay sober. I don’t care what anybody says.” – Richard ([36:54])
• Humility and Moving Forward:
  • “Football was just a piece of your puzzle. Not the whole puzzle.” – Montee ([43:09])
• Hope for the Future:
  • “Now I know. That’s it. That is it… I lead with that, of the foundation being love, when I chat with families…” – Montee ([61:24])

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Choosing Wisconsin Over Stanford: [01:57]–[02:08]
• College highlights, Heisman trip, playing with Russell Wilson: [03:31]–[04:13]
• Draft night anxiety & John Elway’s call: [05:44]–[06:26]
• Meeting Peyton Manning: [07:41]–[08:52]
• Debate: Manning vs. Brady: [11:41]–[12:00]
• Performance anxiety, beginnings of alcohol dependence: [15:07]
• Injury, career collapse, and spiraling into addiction: [17:26]–[19:13]
• Arrest and description of the ‘lowest’ moment: [21:01]–[21:26]
• Reconnects with ex, amends, and therapy: [21:39]–[22:40]
• Service in recovery, helping others find sobriety: [27:09]–[29:01]
• Perspective on giving back; parents’ pride: [34:57]–[35:02]
• Hall of Fame inductions and full disclosure: [35:25]–[43:52]
• Work with One Method and outlook on recovery: [41:13]–[42:42]
• Coping with regret and resilience: [64:42]–[67:10]
• Parenting, son Maverick’s birth as a turning point: [71:32]–[75:16]
• On losing family to fentanyl and addiction’s collateral damage: [79:13]–[80:49]
• Final affirmation, Richard’s blessing: [81:05]–[81:38]

Tone and Style

The episode is open, raw, and deeply human—equal parts inspiration and warning. Both Taite and Ball speak conversationally, with authenticity, occasional gallows humor, and mutual respect. They emphasize accountability, redemption, and compassion for both self and others. The dialogue is unpolished but profoundly insightful, offering not just a celebrity’s “comeback” but a real, hard-earned journey from athlete to advocate.

For listeners: Whether you’re a football fan, in recovery, or supporting a loved one, Montee Ball’s story—and Richard Taite’s probing questions—will leave you with new perspective on resilience, humility, and the hope of new beginnings.