The Ultimate Assist
John Stockton and Dr. Ken Ruettgers host The Ultimate Assist Podcast along with special guests that have frontline experience and knowledgable expertise in the medical freedom space. As technology advances and social institutions grow more powerful, we hope you will inform your voice and use it to restore and maintain our medical freedoms now and into the future.
The Ultimate Assist
#83: Did the NFL Force Players to Take the COVID Shot? – with Breiden Fehoko
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On this week’s episode of The Ultimate Assist, John Stockton and Ken Ruettgers sit down with former NFL defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko for one of the most personal conversations yet about professional sports, COVID-era policies, medical freedom, and life after football.
Breiden shares his firsthand experience entering the NFL as a young player during the height of the pandemic, describing the pressure he felt as teams, agents, and league policies increasingly centered around COVID vaccination status. He reflects on the difficult position many young athletes faced: chase the dream they’d worked their entire lives for—or risk losing it by standing on principle.
As the conversation unfolds, Breiden discusses health concerns he says developed after receiving the COVID shot, why he sought independent medical opinions, and why he ultimately decided to speak publicly about his experience despite knowing the criticism it could bring.
John, Ken, and Breiden explore:
- What life inside NFL locker rooms was really like during COVID
- The pressure young players felt regarding vaccination
- Why some veteran players could speak freely while younger players could not
- Medical freedom, informed consent, and player representation
- Life after the NFL and discovering purpose beyond football
- Helping troubled youth and creating second chances through workforce development
- Why legacy matters more than fame or money
- What Breiden hopes the next generation of athletes learns from his experience
The episode closes on a hopeful note as Breiden explains why his greatest passion today isn’t football—it’s helping young people realize they have choices, opportunities, and a purpose far beyond sports. His message is simple: success isn’t defined by one career, but by the lives you impact along the way.
Whether you’re a sports fan, parent, athlete, or someone interested in leadership, resilience, and personal conviction, this episode offers an honest conversation about standing firm when the stakes couldn’t be higher.
🎙️ Episode #83: Did the NFL Force Players to Take the COVID Shot? – with Breiden Fehoko
Available on Rumble, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.