Merril Hoge

Retired NFL Running Back, Former ESPN Analyst, Empowering Audiences to Find A Way Every Day, Leadership Expert, Head Trauma and Mental Health Advocate

Topics: Inspirational & Motivational, Mindfulness, Leadership, Attitude, Best Selling Author, Elite Performance, Empowerment, Health & Well-Being, Mental Health, Personal Development, Philanthropy, Professional Development, Resilience, Sports, Storytelling

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Biography

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 fees and availability

Videos

Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

Find a Way

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

Very few speakers can both captivate and relate to business audiences like merril does with his story of inspiration and courage.

– Transformation Marketing

He was extremely engaging with the audience. He delivered a message that was directly related to the theme of the meeting and was extremely professional, positive, and an excellent presenter. Overall, I would definitely recommend him to my peers in other areas of the business.

– Verizon Wireless

He was awesome. Genuine nice guy, and everyone loved his message. I got tremendous feedback on him, with many saying he was one of our best speakers ever. I would recommend him to any and everyone.

– Crawford and Company

I wanted to say thank you for today I have had so many colleagues text or e-mail saying thank you and how much they needed that whether personal or professional battles! I know Tami speaking to you at the end with her battle will be a memory she will never forget! Really Awesome and Thanks again!

– PayPal

Merril delivered as expected. His talk was a highlight of the event and made our event memorable.

– Jim, Equifax

It was fantastic! Merril’s message was incredible and many guests told me it was the best message they’ve heard from attending many of our Annual Meetings. He was personable with our guests and took time to engage in conversation with anyone interested in talking with him. Thank you so much!

– Yvette Lynch, YMCA Harrisburg

Booksby Merril Hoge

Find a Way: Three Words that Changed My Life

Brainwashed: The Bad Science Behind CTE and the Plot to Destroy Football

Insights from Merril Hoge

Watch our full conversation here: Powerful Ways to Overcome Life's Toughest Challenges

"You have a responsibility to do something about your circumstances. (...) If you’re not getting everything out of your God-given ability, go get it."

- Merril Hoge

"We are what we repeatedly do. Then excellence is not an act, but a habit."

- Merril Hoge

"Individually, we’re strong, but collectively, we are powerful."

- Merril Hoge

"We are what we repeatedly do. Then excellence is not an act, but a habit. (...) Taking ownership of your life is hard—but running from it is harder."

- Merril Hoge

"Life is the greatest team game you’ll ever play. (...) Life is hard, but life is good."

- Merril Hoge

"It’s better to be rewarded in life with peace and joy than to chase an award."

- Merril Hoge