Biography
Book Merril Hoge through The Keynote Curators.
Merril Hoge played in the NFL for eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears, and he was also a football analyst for ESPN for 21 years.
Merril Hoge is an inspirational speaker who speaks nationwide, impacting people and companies to grow through self-reflection and taking action to Find Their Way.
He is also on the board of the Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research and a member of the NFL Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee.
In 2018, Hoge helped launch Your Call Football and is the author of Find a Way: Three Words that Changed My Life and Brainwashed: The Bad Science Behind CTE and the Plot to Destroy Football.
Merril Hoge continues to find new ways to make a positive impact with his mind, heart, and energy. Whether that be through his educational work, advocacy, or motivational engagements, he is a force for positive change and inspiration.
He lives in Fort Thomas, Kentucky.
Contact us for Merril Hoge’s fees and availability.
Videos
Powerful Ways to Overcome Life's Toughest Challenges with Merril Hoge
Merril Hoge - Find A Way Speaking
We are what we repeatedly do.
Leadership
Merril Hoge on being rewarded by growth
Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more
A man who has spent a lifetime taking on and overcoming challenges on and off the football field, Merril Hoge helps and shows audiences how to ‘Find A Way” as he did, to achieve any goal in life or business. Using examples from his own experiences, Hoge inspires teams to continue moving the line forward in pursuit of their goals and dreams. Despite dealing with improper care of head trauma that ended his NFL career prematurely, fighting cancer (Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) and overcoming open heart surgery, Merril has found a way through these adversities in his life. He shares with audiences how to achieve success with a relentless everyday mindset that helps you plow through the tough days and overcome challenges. He also emphasizes the importance of building and surrounding yourself with a great team in the huddle to help widen your focus to be uncommon! He challenges leaders to coach and teach in the yardsticks of their years and not yours. It will give the leader patience, a new sense of perception and help build a bridge of success with every individual!
Testimonials
Blog Posts
How Boundaries Drive Creativity with Sheri Jacobs
Creativity thrives inside smart boundaries. Learn how constraints drive innovation, better decisions, and bolder ideas from keynote speaker Sheri Jacobs.
Read More
These Keynote Speakers Prove Innovation is a Habit, Not a Big Idea [2026 Guide]
Our 2026 list of innovation keynote speakers that reveal why real innovation is a repeatable habit, not a big idea, and why marketing is the proof.
Read More
Fear vs. Intuition: How Michelle Poler Can Help You Finally Tell Them Apart
Learn how to tell fear apart from intuition using a simple decision-making exercise from Hello Fears founder Michelle Poler.
Read More
Happiness at Work Starts with Progress, Not Perks
Happiness at work goes beyond perks. Discover the research-backed factor that drives real engagement and fulfillment.
Read More
Resilience Lessons to Rebuild Your Life, with Military Veteran Travis Mills
Resilience keynote speaker Travis Mills shares how he rebuilt his life after losing all four limbs, with lessons on mindset, purpose, and never quitting.
Read More
AI Impact in the Workforce Demands These Keynote Speakers
Discover how AI is reshaping work in 2026 and which keynote speakers can guide your team through the shift.
Read MoreRelated Inspirational & Motivational Speakers
Get in TouchContact US
Fill out the form so we can best understand your needs.
A representative from The Keynote Curators will reach out to you.