From Walk-On QB to the NFL: Joel Stave on Adversity, Faith, and Finding Purpose After Football

Send us Fan MailFormer Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Joel Stave — the winningest QB in program history — joins the show to talk about his journey from walk-on to NFL quarterback, and how he’s built a fulfilling life after football. We dive into his story of balancing an intense degree in civil engineering while leading the Badgers, overcoming adversity and the yips, and going behind the scenes in his NFL journey from 2016–2018. Joel spent time with the Vikings, Seahawks, Chiefs, Redskins, Jets, and Browns — even sharing QB rooms with Patrick Mahomes and Russell Wilson. He opens up about how faith and music grounded him through challenges, what it’s really like being a backup QB in the NFL, and how his mindset from football prepared him for success in engineering, family, and life beyond the game. Whether you’re a Wisconsin fan, an aspiring athlete, or someone navigating change, this episode is packed with honesty, perspective, and inspiration. #Wisconsin #WisconsinBadgers #Football #NFLTime Stamps:00:00 Introduction00:18 Joel on Life These Days01:00 Joel on Why He Was a Walk-On05:15 Joel Stave was a HOOPER!07:48 Stave Put a D1 Hooper on a POSTER!09:20 How Does Joel Keep Himself in Shape Now? 10:22 Joel on Balancing Engineer Studies and Playing QB 14:38 Did Joel Believe He’d Become a Starter at Wisconsin?17:01 Joel on Playing ONLY 2 Plays in the 2013 Rose Bowl19:00 Stave-Jared Abbrederis Connection21:35 Joel on On Dealing With ADVERSITY His Junior Year26:23 Joel on Leaning on Music27:35 Joel on Humility29:40 Joel on Playing the What-if Game32:00 Joel on His Senior Season 38:00 Joel on Dealing With Fans Negativity 40:44 How Did Adversity in College Translate to Life Now?43:32 Joel on Why He Didn’t Run the Ball More45:29 Joel’s NFL Journey49:11 Joel on Playing Alongside Patrick Mahomes52:49 Joel on Briefly Reuniting with Russell Wilson54:34 When Was Joel Ready to Move on From Football?57:36 How Awesome is Being a Backup QB?59:15 Joel on Playing With Travis Kelce01:02:12 Did Joel Consider Playing in Any Other Leagues?01:04:04 What’s Next for Joel? 01:05:40 Rapid Fire Round