Dan Pompei
@danpompei.bsky.social
Teller of stories. https://t.co/H8VeMWw5OV
Board Member, Les Turner ALS Foundation. Instagram dan.pompei
Board Member, Les Turner ALS Foundation. Instagram dan.pompei
You could call Case Keenum the Bears’ No. 3 quarterback. But he’s really more of a fun uncle to Caleb Williams and others. I wrote about his one of kind football career for @theathletic. www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
Journeyman QB Case Keenum is giving the Bears exactly what they needed
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:45 PM
You could call Case Keenum the Bears’ No. 3 quarterback. But he’s really more of a fun uncle to Caleb Williams and others. I wrote about his one of kind football career for @theathletic. www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
Reposted by Dan Pompei
More from @danpompei.bsky.social on Gallery's perseverance and journey after retirement:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
How former can’t-miss NFL prospect Robert Gallery survived a descent into darkness
After 10 surgeries and eight NFL seasons came brain fog, ringing in his ears, memory voids, tequila, rage and thoughts of taking his life.
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:11 PM
More from @danpompei.bsky.social on Gallery's perseverance and journey after retirement:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
Reposted by Dan Pompei
Robert Gallery went from wanting to obliterate defenders to wanting to kill himself. Now he's trying to save people like him. My story on an incredible journey. www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
How former can’t-miss NFL prospect Robert Gallery survived a descent into darkness
After 10 surgeries and eight NFL seasons came brain fog, ringing in his ears, memory voids, tequila, rage and thoughts of taking his life.
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Robert Gallery went from wanting to obliterate defenders to wanting to kill himself. Now he's trying to save people like him. My story on an incredible journey. www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
Robert Gallery went from wanting to obliterate defenders to wanting to kill himself. Now he's trying to save people like him. My story on an incredible journey. www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
How former can’t-miss NFL prospect Robert Gallery survived a descent into darkness
After 10 surgeries and eight NFL seasons came brain fog, ringing in his ears, memory voids, tequila, rage and thoughts of taking his life.
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Robert Gallery went from wanting to obliterate defenders to wanting to kill himself. Now he's trying to save people like him. My story on an incredible journey. www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
👊
Amazing piece, Dan. So glad he's doing better.
September 27, 2025 at 4:06 PM
👊
Thank you Allen
Tremendous storytelling here. It’s remarkable how he played at an elite level for years despite all his struggles. Grateful he found the help he needed after suffering from the concussions and battles with addiction. Hope he stays on the right path and gets into the HOF.
John Abraham has lofty desires — he wants to be in the HOF. And he has humble aspirations — he hopes his daughters are not embarrassed by him. And if by some grace they could be proud of him, his suffering would have been worth it. I wrote about an incredible journey. www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
September 27, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Thank you Allen
Thank you Richard. 🙏
This is unquestionably one of the best profiles
published by @theathletic.com this year.
By @danpompei.bsky.social on former NFL-er John Abraham.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
published by @theathletic.com this year.
By @danpompei.bsky.social on former NFL-er John Abraham.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
Ex-NFL sack master John Abraham paid a steep price for success. He’s still recovering
After a 15-year career that included five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams, Abraham squandered millions and went into a nine-year fog.
www.nytimes.com
September 25, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Thank you Richard. 🙏
John Abraham has lofty desires — he wants to be in the HOF. And he has humble aspirations — he hopes his daughters are not embarrassed by him. And if by some grace they could be proud of him, his suffering would have been worth it. I wrote about an incredible journey. www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
Ex-NFL sack master John Abraham paid a steep price for success. He’s still recovering
After a 15-year career that included five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams, Abraham squandered millions and went into a nine-year fog.
www.nytimes.com
September 25, 2025 at 12:39 PM
John Abraham has lofty desires — he wants to be in the HOF. And he has humble aspirations — he hopes his daughters are not embarrassed by him. And if by some grace they could be proud of him, his suffering would have been worth it. I wrote about an incredible journey. www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
Reposted by Dan Pompei
Jerry Jones does things his way — for better or worse.
But he's not the only owner to take this tactic. George Halas and Al Davis can relate.
http://dlvr.it/TMndF2
But he's not the only owner to take this tactic. George Halas and Al Davis can relate.
http://dlvr.it/TMndF2
August 31, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Jerry Jones does things his way — for better or worse.
But he's not the only owner to take this tactic. George Halas and Al Davis can relate.
http://dlvr.it/TMndF2
But he's not the only owner to take this tactic. George Halas and Al Davis can relate.
http://dlvr.it/TMndF2
Jerry Jones is transparent. He’ll answer all questions and is more available than any owner of anything in the history of everything. That makes him different from most. My story. www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
Jerry Jones makes moves we love to question. He’s not the first NFL owner to go his own way
Like Jones, George Halas and Al Davis let some major figures walk away from their teams, whether they were players or coaches.
www.nytimes.com
August 31, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Jerry Jones is transparent. He’ll answer all questions and is more available than any owner of anything in the history of everything. That makes him different from most. My story. www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
Bobby Wagner, 35, and Jayden Daniels, 24, don’t seem to go together any more than yesterday goes with tomorrow. But like yesterday and tomorrow, one lays the foundation for the other. My story. www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...
'Big brother' Bobby Wagner brings out the best in Commanders 'little brother' Jayden Daniels
www.nytimes.com
August 25, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Bobby Wagner, 35, and Jayden Daniels, 24, don’t seem to go together any more than yesterday goes with tomorrow. But like yesterday and tomorrow, one lays the foundation for the other. My story. www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...
To understand why Bucs GM Jason Licht doesn't draft "a-holes and douchebags," we have to know who he is. My story. www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...
Why character is key for Bucs GM Jason Licht in roster building and in life
www.nytimes.com
August 12, 2025 at 11:59 AM
To understand why Bucs GM Jason Licht doesn't draft "a-holes and douchebags," we have to know who he is. My story. www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...
The reality is, in the history of football heroes, there might not be a more unlikely one than Jake Bates. My story on the nearly unbelievable journey of the Lions kicker. www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...
How Jake Bates went from soccer prodigy to brick salesman to rising star with the Lions
Bates made no field goals in high school or college, but an impressive season in the UFL earned him a shot in the NFL, and he nailed it.
www.nytimes.com
July 17, 2025 at 11:45 AM
The reality is, in the history of football heroes, there might not be a more unlikely one than Jake Bates. My story on the nearly unbelievable journey of the Lions kicker. www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...
Reposted by Dan Pompei
When Les Snead drafted Jared Verse
and Braden Fiske in the 2024 draft, he was trying to win football games, not produce a Disney movie. He might have done both. My story on a unique alliance.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...
and Braden Fiske in the 2024 draft, he was trying to win football games, not produce a Disney movie. He might have done both. My story on a unique alliance.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...
How Jared Verse and Braden Fiske became the Rams’ Fearsome Twosome
Everything in Tallahassee and Los Angeles has been a competition between Verse and Fiske, who have built a brotherly bond along the way.
www.nytimes.com
July 10, 2025 at 11:33 AM
When Les Snead drafted Jared Verse
and Braden Fiske in the 2024 draft, he was trying to win football games, not produce a Disney movie. He might have done both. My story on a unique alliance.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...
and Braden Fiske in the 2024 draft, he was trying to win football games, not produce a Disney movie. He might have done both. My story on a unique alliance.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...
When Les Snead drafted Jared Verse
and Braden Fiske in the 2024 draft, he was trying to win football games, not produce a Disney movie. He might have done both. My story on a unique alliance.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...
and Braden Fiske in the 2024 draft, he was trying to win football games, not produce a Disney movie. He might have done both. My story on a unique alliance.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...
How Jared Verse and Braden Fiske became the Rams’ Fearsome Twosome
Everything in Tallahassee and Los Angeles has been a competition between Verse and Fiske, who have built a brotherly bond along the way.
www.nytimes.com
July 10, 2025 at 11:33 AM
When Les Snead drafted Jared Verse
and Braden Fiske in the 2024 draft, he was trying to win football games, not produce a Disney movie. He might have done both. My story on a unique alliance.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...
and Braden Fiske in the 2024 draft, he was trying to win football games, not produce a Disney movie. He might have done both. My story on a unique alliance.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...
In a league often devoid of sentimentality, one player-coach bond is unlike any other. I wrote about a rising star running back and an 86 year old legend. www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
Bucky Irving, Tom Moore and a unique NFL player-coach relationship
www.nytimes.com
June 26, 2025 at 11:19 AM
In a league often devoid of sentimentality, one player-coach bond is unlike any other. I wrote about a rising star running back and an 86 year old legend. www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
James Harrison once lived like he played -- without brakes.
Then he became a father.
Then he started wondering what his purpose was.
My story on what time has done to the man they called "Deebo."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/634...
Then he became a father.
Then he started wondering what his purpose was.
My story on what time has done to the man they called "Deebo."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/634...
This isn't the James Harrison you remember
www.nytimes.com
June 12, 2025 at 12:08 PM
James Harrison once lived like he played -- without brakes.
Then he became a father.
Then he started wondering what his purpose was.
My story on what time has done to the man they called "Deebo."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/634...
Then he became a father.
Then he started wondering what his purpose was.
My story on what time has done to the man they called "Deebo."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/634...
Some play for money. Some play for glory. Some play for ego. Chris Godwin plays for others. I wrote about why the wide receiver took less -- much less to stay in Tampa. www.nytimes.com/athletic/640...
A trying year helped Chris Godwin realize he has everything he needs in Tampa Bay
www.nytimes.com
June 9, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Some play for money. Some play for glory. Some play for ego. Chris Godwin plays for others. I wrote about why the wide receiver took less -- much less to stay in Tampa. www.nytimes.com/athletic/640...
Their bond as Michigan Wolverines began to form 25 years ago. It grew while winning a Super Bowl in Tampa. And now
TomBrady is one of the main reasons John Spytek is GM of the Raiders. My story on a relationship that helped make NFL history. www.nytimes.com/athletic/630...
TomBrady is one of the main reasons John Spytek is GM of the Raiders. My story on a relationship that helped make NFL history. www.nytimes.com/athletic/630...
How John Spytek earned Tom Brady’s trust: From Michigan to Tampa Bay to Las Vegas
Teammates at Michigan, Spytek helped bring Brady to Tampa Bay, then Brady was instrumental in hiring Spytek as Raiders GM.
www.nytimes.com
May 6, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Their bond as Michigan Wolverines began to form 25 years ago. It grew while winning a Super Bowl in Tampa. And now
TomBrady is one of the main reasons John Spytek is GM of the Raiders. My story on a relationship that helped make NFL history. www.nytimes.com/athletic/630...
TomBrady is one of the main reasons John Spytek is GM of the Raiders. My story on a relationship that helped make NFL history. www.nytimes.com/athletic/630...
The world said goodbye to Virginia Halas McCaskey this week. I tried to explain what she meant to it. www.nytimes.com/athletic/613...
Outpouring of respect for Chicago’s Virginia McCaskey shows how many lives she touched
McCaskey's mourners ranged from Bears legends to working people, billionaires to fans in Bears jerseys and Starter jackets.
www.nytimes.com
February 14, 2025 at 2:25 PM
The world said goodbye to Virginia Halas McCaskey this week. I tried to explain what she meant to it. www.nytimes.com/athletic/613...
She grew up waiting for Don Hutson to retire. She died waiting for Aaron Rodgers to retire. My story on a life like no other, a wonderful life. www.nytimes.com/athletic/324...
Chicago Bears matriarch Virginia McCaskey dies at 102
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2025 at 6:55 PM
She grew up waiting for Don Hutson to retire. She died waiting for Aaron Rodgers to retire. My story on a life like no other, a wonderful life. www.nytimes.com/athletic/324...
How should we measure the greatness of Andy Reid? By comparing him to coaches like Bill Belichick, Don Shula, Bill Walsh, Mike Holmgren and John Madden. My story. www.nytimes.com/athletic/610...
What makes Andy Reid one of the all-time great coaches? Not just rings and records
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2025 at 12:29 PM
How should we measure the greatness of Andy Reid? By comparing him to coaches like Bill Belichick, Don Shula, Bill Walsh, Mike Holmgren and John Madden. My story. www.nytimes.com/athletic/610...
The college all-star game played Saturday in Mobile, Ala., is called the Senior Bowl, but the game between the Chiefs and Eagles a week from Sunday in New Orleans could be called the Senior Citizen Bowl. My story on older coaches having a moment. www.nytimes.com/athletic/609...
Super Bowl or Senior Citizen Bowl? Older coaches are having a moment in the NFL
The Super Bowl coaching staffs feature five coaches in their 60s, including Andy Reid, the oldest head coach in the NFL in 2024.
www.nytimes.com
January 31, 2025 at 12:37 PM
The college all-star game played Saturday in Mobile, Ala., is called the Senior Bowl, but the game between the Chiefs and Eagles a week from Sunday in New Orleans could be called the Senior Citizen Bowl. My story on older coaches having a moment. www.nytimes.com/athletic/609...
This football season Teddy Bridgewater made his debut as a high school coach, won a state championship and then tried to win a Super Bowl as the Lions' backup quarterback. What he really did was give hope to all he touched. My story. www.nytimes.com/athletic/607...
Backup QB, high school coach, neighborhood hero: Teddy Bridgewater embraces all of his roles
At 23 his NFL career was derailed by a catastrophic knee injury, but it never kept Bridgewater from making an impact.
www.nytimes.com
January 29, 2025 at 2:09 PM
This football season Teddy Bridgewater made his debut as a high school coach, won a state championship and then tried to win a Super Bowl as the Lions' backup quarterback. What he really did was give hope to all he touched. My story. www.nytimes.com/athletic/607...
Why is a tear trickling down Trey Smith's cheek as the national anthem plays? If you knew how he got here, you'd understand. My story on the player who might soon become the highest paid guard in history. www.nytimes.com/athletic/604...
Chiefs guard Trey Smith is living his NFL dream. But it almost never happened
Blood clots almost derailed Smith's football career. Now he's on the verge of another Super Bowl and becoming the NFL's highest-paid guard.
www.nytimes.com
January 22, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Why is a tear trickling down Trey Smith's cheek as the national anthem plays? If you knew how he got here, you'd understand. My story on the player who might soon become the highest paid guard in history. www.nytimes.com/athletic/604...