Lifestyle

Fueled By ‘Mental Toughness, Former NFL Player Roy Hall Jr.Turns to Motivational Speaking

Published

5 years ago

June 4, 2021

Roy Hall, Jr., a former NFL player with the Lions, Saints, and Colts painfully accepted that after four years in the NFL, he had to move on. In 2007, Hall’s rookie season came to a rough ending after a violent head-to-head collision during a routine kickoff, with Cedric Killings of the Houston Texans. “I ended up with a third-degree shoulder separation, and Cedric unfortunately suffered a fractured vertebra in his neck,” Hall shared in a previous interview with Disrupt Magazine.

While Killings went on to retire, Hall had a different, challenging pathway ahead of him on his journey towards recovery, which began in 2008. “I had a knee scope and had complications that kept me out for 12 games, followed by a microfracture surgery the following year, which forced me to miss the entire season,” he told Big Time Daily.

In 2010, Hall was released by the Saints after tearing muscles in his hip, ultimately ending his professional career in the NFL. “For three seasons, I watched how people reacted when I told them I was hurt, or exposed teams to my injury history. I watched how players reacted to their own rehab,” noticing how some worked extremely hard, while others were trapped in depression.

“Life is 10-percent what happens to you, and 90-percent of how you respond to it,” Hall told Big Time Daily. “There are things in life that happen in which you have no control over, but what you can control is your response when things don’t go your way. When adversity strikes, if you respond the right way, adversity can give you an advantage. Some people call it a chip on your shoulder. I just think it gives you stronger shoulders to hold up more weight that’s trying to push you down.”

Hall, an Ohio-native and the co-founder and Executive Director of the Driven Foundation, now spends his time taking those tough lessons and translating them for a corporate audience to help companies of all sizes across the country motivate and train their people.

“Today’s climate has really inspired me to do my best to be a light,” he emphasized. “Tough conversations have to be had. Tough meetings need to be had. Companies across the country bring me in to speak to their employees and executive teams about diversity and inclusion, and provide perspective. They hire me to motivate and inspire – translating the toughest lessons from my football career to drive employees in a corporate environment. I’m more inspired than ever to speak and train professionals to just be better people.”

Hall revealed that during his time in the NFL, the organization taught him “how to leverage [his] platform for something greater than [himself],” turning to motivational speaking and community empowerment. The former NFL player regularly speaks in cities like Las Vegas with a room full of professionals.

“I’m the middle man. I’m the connector. I introduce privilege to poverty. I get people to serve that have more to give than most. What you have can either be taken away, or given away. It’s much better to give than to have something taken from you. Purpose is service.”

And that service continues to flow into his community. Hall started the Driven Foundation back in 2008 with his former Ohio State teammate, Antonio Smith, to provide families with basic needs to combat poverty and promote independence.

Over the last 12 years, Hall and Smith have distributed over 1.25 million pounds of free food to over 9,000 Ohio families. They have also created their own leadership and character building curriculum, called Youth Leadership, which is another component to the Driven Foundation. The curriculum is tailored to students in 5th-12th grade, where both Hall and Smith work with over 30 middle-schools and high-schools throughout Ohio.

“Each year we also distribute over 500 backpacks filled with school supplies, while donating 100 winter coats to students in need. Whatever we didn’t have as kids, we do our best to lighten that load for families in Ohio.”

Hall’s favorite topics as part of the Youth Leadership curriculum are those that involve “improving your attitude so that you feel like a winner every day” and “how to respond maturely when things don’t go your way.”

“…these are lessons that they can not only use to help them academically but will help them for the rest of their lives. Having former NFL players and local executives take on the roles as ‘coaches’ for these students is huge. Not only are they getting the information, but they are hearing from people that have done or are doing what their dreams are.”

To Hall’s point, individuals must be trained on how to respond to different situations, specifically when it comes to responding to challenges that aren’t always expected.

“For perspective there are 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the United States and 40,521 nonprofits in just Ohio! The organizations doing the good in communities and for humanity are all competing against one another. However, Hall’s belief is that “…giving to others is how you get ahead. It’s also how you give people opportunities for them to get back on their feet.”

Lifestyle

Alabama Car Accident Lawyer: Protecting Your Rights After a Crash

Published

2 days ago

January 13, 2026

Michelle Langton

Car accidents can cause serious injuries, extensive property damage, and long-term financial strain. In the aftermath of a collision, victims often face mounting medical bills, missed time from work, and ongoing physical pain. Navigating insurance claims and legal processes on your own can be overwhelming, especially while trying to recover. Hiring an Alabama car accident lawyer ensures that your rights are protected and that you have the best chance of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

An experienced Alabama car accident lawyer acts as your advocate, handling complex legal matters while you focus on healing and rebuilding your life after a crash.

Why You Need an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer

Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts, even when the accident was clearly not your fault. Adjusters may pressure victims into giving recorded statements, accepting quick settlements, or downplaying injuries. An experienced Alabama car accident lawyer understands the tactics insurers use and can negotiate aggressively on your behalf.

With in-depth knowledge of Alabama traffic laws, liability rules, and personal injury regulations, your lawyer can manage the legal complexities of your case. This includes identifying responsible parties, calculating damages accurately, and ensuring all paperwork is filed correctly and on time. Having an Alabama car accident lawyer on your side helps level the playing field and prevents costly mistakes.

Understanding Alabama’s Fault and Negligence Laws

Alabama follows a strict contributory negligence rule, which can have a major impact on car accident claims. Under this law, if an injured person is found to be even 1% at fault for an accident, they may be barred from recovering compensation entirely. Insurance companies frequently use this rule to deny or dispute claims.

An experienced Alabama car accident lawyer knows how to counter these arguments by gathering strong evidence, challenging unfair fault determinations, and presenting a clear narrative of liability. Understanding how Alabama courts interpret contributory negligence is essential, and your lawyer will build a strategy designed to protect your right to compensation.

Common Injuries in Car Accidents

Car accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, some of which may not be immediately apparent. Common injuries include:

Whiplash and neck injuries
Back and spinal injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Broken bones and fractures
Soft tissue injuries

An Alabama car accident lawyer ensures that all injuries are properly documented, including emergency treatment, follow-up care, rehabilitation, and long-term medical needs. Accurate documentation is crucial for demonstrating the true impact of the accident and pursuing maximum compensation.

How an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Hiring a skilled Alabama car accident lawyer provides support at every stage of the legal process:

Case Evaluation – Reviewing police reports, witness statements, medical records, and vehicle damage to assess the strength and value of your case.

Evidence Collection – Gathering photographs, accident scene documentation, surveillance footage, and repair estimates to build a compelling claim.

Negotiation With Insurance Companies – Advocating for fair compensation and preventing insurers from undervaluing, delaying, or denying your claim.

Litigation – Representing you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached, ensuring that your case is presented effectively before a judge or jury.

Having an Alabama car accident lawyer manage these steps allows you to focus on recovery while your attorney handles the legal and procedural challenges.

What Compensation May Be Available After a Car Accident

An Alabama car accident lawyer will evaluate all damages related to your crash to ensure nothing is overlooked. Compensation may include:

Medical expenses, both current and future
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress and mental anguish
Costs of ongoing treatment or rehabilitation

In more serious cases, compensation may also address permanent disability or diminished quality of life. By working with an Alabama car accident lawyer, you gain an advocate who understands how to calculate both economic and non-economic damages accurately, ensuring any settlement or verdict reflects the full impact of the accident.

Benefits of Hiring an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer

Working with an Alabama car accident lawyer provides several key benefits:

Maximized Compensation – Ensuring all damages are properly calculated and pursued
Expert Legal Guidance – Navigating Alabama laws, statutes of limitations, and insurance requirements
Peace of Mind – Reducing stress by allowing your lawyer to handle communications and negotiations
Stronger Case – Strategic legal representation and thorough evidence collection improve outcomes

Many Alabama car accident lawyers also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay legal fees unless compensation is recovered.

When to Contact an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer

It’s important to contact an Alabama car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a crash. Early legal consultation helps preserve critical evidence, accurately document injuries, and ensure compliance with filing deadlines. Prompt action can significantly impact the success of your case and the amount of compensation you receive.

Tips for Working With Your Lawyer

To make the most of your relationship with an Alabama car accident lawyer, consider these tips:

Keep detailed records of medical treatments, bills, and insurance communications
Take photographs of injuries, vehicle damage, and the accident scene
Be honest and thorough when describing how the accident occurred
Follow medical advice and maintain documentation of your recovery

These steps allow your Alabama car accident lawyer to build a strong, well-supported case on your behalf.

Final Thoughts

Car accidents can have serious and lasting consequences, both physically and financially. Consulting an Alabama car accident lawyer is essential to protect your rights, navigate the legal system, and pursue the compensation you deserve. From investigating the crash and negotiating with insurance companies to representing you in court if necessary, an Alabama car accident lawyer provides the experience, advocacy, and support needed to move forward after a serious accident.