Vernon Davis Got Called Out, Then Turned His Career Around
Vernon Davis Got Called Out, Then Turned His Career Around  
Podcast: Sports In America with David Greene
Published On: Thu Oct 01 2026
Description: We're in Week Four of the college football season, so we’re sitting down tailgate-style with Jessica Smetana and Lucy Rohden, hosts of the College Football Happy Hour podcast. They’re filling us in on all the Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss drama, recapping that vicious hit in the USC-Oregon game, and breaking down what it means when we crave violence in a football game.And then we’ll hear from former NFL tight end Vernon Davis to learn how a moment of tough love became the catalyst that changed his career. You might recall when 49ers coach Mike Singletary publicly called him out in an infamous post-game speech, but you might not realize just how much being taken to task changed Davis’ trajectory in the league and beyond. He’d go on to be a two-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl champion, and Hollywood actor. We’ll gain insight into his childhood, learn how his passion for the arts off the field fueled the creation of his foundation, and understand how some of his success can be traced back to that one moment of clarity.Show Notes A look back at his epic postgame 49ers rant | SF Niners Alex Smith To Vernon Davis Game Winning Touchdown | 49erFaithfulDotNet Support the Vontae Davis Foundation Playing Ball | Vernon Davis Hear More from Jessica and Lucy on the College Football Happy Hour Podcast Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineers: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingTheme Song: Emma MungerSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.