The opportunity to play in the NFL is rare. Not everyone makes the cut. Far too often the dream of playing in the league is cut short. Football is not a forgiving game, and success requires a combination of dedication and sacrifice. Phillip Lindsay played in the NFL for his hometown team, the Denver Broncos. Three seasons at Mile High Stadium represented the dream of a lifetime. Unfortunately, time eventually ran out on his NFL career.
“You’re competing with other players around the league that want to take your spot,” said Lindsay. “It’s very cut-throat, but it’s rewarding… Just like anything else you have to devote your life to it.”
The Denver native lived the ultimate NFL dream. Growing up a Broncos fan, he chose to stay close to home and played four seasons for the Colorado Buffaloes. He then signed as an undrafted free agent with the Broncos in 2018 and was living that dream. Several years later, however, Lindsay found himself at a crossroads. Following several stops in the NFL and XFL, he decided it was time to walk away from playing and pursue a future in sports radio.
“It [radio] was a way for me to cope with getting away from football, and being able to talk about the game,” explained Lindsay, who co-hosts The Drive alongside Zach Bye on 104.3 The Fan in Denver. “You’re on the ‘dark side’ now, so it was different for me.”
Finding New Purpose
Lindsay’s decision to leave the NFL did not come easily. He had worked his entire life to reach a dream that remains unattainable for many. After his final season with the XFL’s Seattle Dragons, Lindsay said he was uncertain whether to continue playing anywhere that would have him or finally move on.
“I have my wife and kids. Plus, we were moving back and forth, and my son is getting older. At some point, you have to have stability,” noted Lindsay. “I’m talking to God one night and I gave myself a date. If somebody doesn’t come calling me by this date, then it’s a sign that I need to move on.”
Three days later, Lindsay received his answer. The call came from management at 104.3 The Fan in his hometown of Denver. While he was familiar with the station, he did not know much about its operation. After a few fill-in roles, Lindsay discovered that hosting a radio program was demanding. However, his passion for discussing football resonated on the air and caught the attention of station management.
In September 2023, Lindsay was announced as the new afternoon drive co-host on 104.3 The Fan alongside Bye, who had been elevated from middays with former Denver Bronco Brandon Stokley.
“Once football is done or it’s taken from you, it’s hard to transition and find something that you love to do,” says Lindsay. “In my head, I approached it as this may be my opportunity to shake off my identity as just a football player and see what else I could do in my life. That’s why I decided to take that leap and try radio.”
It Takes A Village
Lindsay’s move from the field to traditional sports radio feels less common today than in previous eras. Increasingly, former athletes gravitate toward podcasts, where they can leverage their playing resumes to generate attention and revenue while controlling their schedules.
For Lindsay, however, the appeal came from learning a craft he grew up listening to, even though he believed the podcast route could have been just as successful.
“I didn’t know how to do this. I grew up listening to radio, but I grew up listening to guys on the radio who have never been in the shoes of an athlete,” explains Lindsay. “Radio is a unique entity that you can only get by just listening. Podcasts are new and flashy, but radio you still have to work at it and abide by the rules of it.”
Following the announcement of his arrival at The Fan, Lindsay hit the ground running. After some early speed bumps during his debut, he credited program director Amanda Brown for helping him improve. Just as players need great coaches, Lindsay found the guidance he needed from Brown after her hire in November 2023.
Brown leaned on her experience guiding high-profile talent at ESPN Los Angeles. Lindsay said Brown connected him with talent coach Gerry Matalon, who spent 27 years at ESPN as a producer. With time, patience, and numerous airchecks, Lindsay began to see and hear the results of his work.
“I started to get confident in understanding what it takes to do radio. You have to have the reps. What can I do to be a better version of myself for my partner,” says Lindsay, comparing aircheck meetings to watching film with coaches. “I’m proud of myself. Definitely not a finished product. There is still work to be done.”
Navigating Criticism
One of Lindsay’s biggest challenges has been learning how to be critical when necessary. His guiding principle focuses on performance rather than the performer. Often, former athletes in sports media are viewed as protectors of the shield, avoiding criticism of former teammates and players.
Lindsay jokes about joining “the dark side” when discussing the balance he continues to navigate.
“When I first started, Jerry Jeudy [former Broncos wide receiver] saw I said something which seemed more like an attack. It caught a bunch of my former teammates off guard, because I’m supposed to be telling their story as well. I could have gotten my point across without feeling I had to belittle somebody,” explained Lindsay. “The players know they aren’t doing their thing… You do it with respect. You don’t just say whatever you want and go from there. To me, that’s not good radio.”
With nearly three years of experience in sports media, Lindsay’s perspective has evolved. While it is no longer simply “the dark side,” he understands the importance of professionalism and approach. Focusing on performance rather than the individual has served him well.
At 31, Lindsay continues adapting to an industry he never expected to enter. Sports radio came calling without warning, but he embraces the opportunity. He values being a guiding voice in the city where he grew up, covering teams he once played for. His roots, family, career, and life remain centered a mile high, with each day focused on preparing for the next.
“I would love to be here and do it as long as I can. I never look at what’s next for me. I’m always in the moment. Be where my feet are,” said Lindsay. “I’m not doing this just for money. That can come and go. Leaving a legacy for my kids is what it’s all about. I want to be one of the best to do it here in Colorado and go from there.”
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
