Michael Turner on how being an underdog fueled his fire, the time he busted Peanut’s lip, taking the NFL by story with the Falcons

On the latest NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, Peanut and Roman are joined by former Pro Bowl running back Michael “The Burner” Turner for a conversation that’s equal parts hilarious, raw, and unexpectedly emotional. Turner opens up about his Chicago roots, the NIU days that put him on the map, and the famous moment he busted Peanut’s lip — a hit so real it became Peanut’s personal “Welcome to the NFL” moment. Roman jumps in with his own memories, including getting run over by Turner in college and the struggle of trying to tackle a back who was both big AND fast at every level. Turner reflects on feeling overlooked, being pissed on draft day, and spending years behind LaDainian Tomlinson while quietly building a chip on his shoulder the size of Soldier Field. He breaks down how he finally got his shot in Atlanta, replacing Warrick Dunn, validating himself in Week 1, and becoming one of the league’s most feared workhorse backs. The “what if” thoughts that still linger about his career Plus: Peanut and Roman relive the Saints–Falcons rivalry, the Pro Bowl “bigger pants” story, and the legendary Peanut Punch that happened right in front of Turner’s family. By the end, Turner shares why he walked away on his own terms, why he never wanted to wear another jersey, and why — despite every slight, setback, and overlooked moment — his journey was absolutely worth it.

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