Overview of 4th and South — Raheem Mostert interview
This episode of 4th and South (iHeartPodcasts / The Volume) features RB Raheem Mostert discussing his NFL journey, family and faith, standout playoff performance, relationships with coaches (including Mike McDaniel), mental-health perspectives, and practical advice for younger players. The conversation mixes career anecdotes (being cut multiple times, special-teams grind, a 220-yard NFC Championship game) with personal stories about upbringing, fatherhood, surfing/fishing hobbies, and coping strategies.
Guest background & accomplishments
- Raheem Mostert — NFL running back, 2019 Pro Bowl selection.
- Holds NFC championship single-game rushing record (220 yards in the 2019 NFC Championship vs. Packers).
- Known for special-teams experience, durability, and late-career production after being low on depth charts earlier.
- Personal: father of four (expecting a fifth), Purdue graduate (business management), surfer/skateboarder/fisherman, longtime Miami resident and fan of Florida Panthers hockey.
Key topics discussed
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Early life and influences
- Grew up without stable parental guidance; influential Pop Warner coach "Coach Porkchop" and a college track coach who kept him focused.
- Traumatic family event: his younger brother was shot by his father; coach prevented him from leaving school, which Mostert credits with keeping him on track.
- Education choice: chose Purdue to get away and graduate; values degree as a life foundation.
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NFL path & mindset
- Cut by multiple teams early in career — “seven teams” in two years — and the revolving-door reality of the league.
- Importance of playing special teams to make a roster and stay ready until your offensive/positional opportunity arrives.
- “Next man up” mentality: always prepare like you’ll be called; he was fourth on the depth chart in San Francisco the year he exploded in the playoffs.
- On being a backup: stay humble, keep working, don’t let role define your preparation.
- Advice: introduce yourself to front office/staff, don’t burn bridges, build relationships at every level.
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Standout game & playoff performance
- Recounted 2019 NFC Championship game: unexpected starter after Tevin Coleman’s injury, scored early and “blacked out” into a dominant performance that set records.
- Relationship with Aaron Rodgers: friendly banter; Rodgers still teases him about taking a Super Bowl opportunity away.
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Coaching, culture & NFL politics
- Compared Mike McDaniel’s Miami persona to his San Francisco role: different levels of authority and aggressiveness when McDaniel had play-calling control in Miami.
- Emphasized that culture, leadership, and respect matter as much as Xs & Os; complacency and mixed signals from coaches/organization can derail teams.
- Discussed the “game within the game”: politics, roster decisions, GM/head-coach dynamics, and how they affect player roles.
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Mental health, faith & coping
- Open about mental-health pressures in the league; reaching out to pastors, teammates, former players — sometimes promises to check in go unfulfilled.
- Strong faith: prays, reads scripture, credits God and spiritual surrender for stability.
- Personal coping mechanisms: ocean/surfing, fishing, golf, quiet time, spending time with family.
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Lifestyle & hobbies
- Surfing, skateboarding (used to do tricks), fishing (competes in tournaments), hockey fan, golf.
- Anecdotes: was once offered by Billabong at age 14; loves Florida lifestyle and proximity to Bahamas.
Notable quotes & insights
- On staying ready: “When your number calls — when they say number 31 is your time — it's my time. I'm not looking back.”
- On early career instability: “The NFL is a revolving door… You get a new teammate every week.”
- On humility and relationships: “You should never burn a bridge… everybody is intertwined somehow, some way.”
- On coping: “Sometimes you gotta get on your knees and pray… I surrendered all my problems and that’s when I could breathe.”
Concrete takeaways / advice for younger players
- Play special teams — it’s often the quickest path to making and staying on a roster.
- Always be ready: learn playbooks, practice hard, keep the same work ethic regardless of depth-chart status.
- Build relationships with everyone in the organization (including lower-level staff and front office).
- Don’t burn bridges; reputation travels fast across the league.
- Stay humble, prioritize family, and invest in education as a long-term foundation.
- Mental health: reach out, don’t be ashamed to ask for help, use faith or reliable outlets (nature, hobbies, mentors) to reset.
Memorable anecdotes
- Mostert was the fourth RB on SF’s depth chart the season he rushed for 220 yards in the NFC Championship.
- He was cut by multiple teams early in his career and even got released the day before his then-fiancée’s bridal shower.
- Family moment: his son Gunner took first steps during the NFC Championship run — a key personal motivator.
- Fishing controversy story: group discussed a Cleveland angler jailed for stuffing weights in fish at tournaments (illustrative side story).
Recommended actions for listeners (summary)
- Young players: prioritize special teams and relationship-building; treat every role as an opportunity.
- Anyone struggling: consider practical coping methods (quiet time, nature, prayer/faith, reaching out to trusted people) and don’t hesitate to ask for help.
- Coaches/teams: foster clear culture and boundaries; respect and leadership matter for team cohesion.
This episode blends career lessons, tough personal stories, and practical, grounded advice from a player who climbed from repeated cuts to playoff stardom — useful both for athletes and listeners interested in resilience, leadership, and mental well-being.