—By Sarah Bathke, BA ’25 (journalism), UO Alumni Association communications generalist
From 1894 to today in 2026, hundreds of Ducks have taken the field as players for the University of Oregon football team. In 1984, JJ Birden, BS ’89 (leisure studies & services), walked on as one of those men. But before he ever stepped on the field at Autzen Stadium, he was proving himself as a long jumper at Hayward Field.
Birden grew up in the Portland area, raised by a single mother. He attended Lakeridge High School in Lake Oswego, where he became the number one high school wide receiver in the state of Oregon, earning the title of All-State Wide Receiver in 1982. But at 5’9” and 133 pounds, no Division I schools wanted to recruit him.
JJ Birden came to the University of Oregon on a track and field scholarship in 1982, and was inducted into the University of Oregon Hall of Fame in 2010 with the Men's Track & Field Team of 1984.
Track and field recruiters, however, were scouting him left and right. When he asked about becoming a dual-sport athlete, most schools shut him down, except for Oregon.
“Coach Bill Dellinger, BS ’56 (physical education), MEd ’62 (education), and John Gillespie said, ‘If you come run for us the first year, [for] the second year, if you can convince head football coach Rich Brooks [to let you walk on the team], you have our blessing,’” Birden recounted.
Following two years on the track and field team, Coach Brooks gave Birden the opportunity to try out for the football team in the fall of 1984. He made the team, and his scholarship was even switched from track to football. The opportunity to compete on both teams is something Birden is forever grateful for, especially being from Oregon.
“In my heart, I always wanted to stay in state because I saw a lot of our top athletes in high school in Oregon leaving. But when I saw Chris Miller, class of 1987, who went to Sheldon [High School] and he went to Oregon, and then Anthony Newman, class of 1988, who was a star at Beaverton [High School], I wanted to be part of that legacy,” he said.
Not only did Birden pour himself into his athletic life, but he committed himself to his academic work.
“One of my main goals when I got the [athletic] scholarship was I wanted to graduate. No one in my family at the time had gone to college, but I also never liked the stigma that some athletes have that they're just there for athletics and they don't graduate. I didn't want to be that,” he said.
In order to graduate though, he had to complete an internship at the end of his senior year, after he’d already been drafted by the Cleveland Browns. With the assistance of his future team, he interned for the Browns in their marketing, sales, and PR departments, which allowed him to finish his degree.
“It is probably one of the proudest achievements I have that I graduated,” he said.
He then spent the nine years playing for several NFL teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs as their starting wide receiver, before retiring with the Atlanta Falcons.
JJ Birden played in the NFL for nine years before retiring and pursuing a decade-long career in medical sales before becoming a motivational speaker.
JJ Birden played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1990 through 1994, and was their starting wide receiver for three seasons, before finishing his career with the Atlanta Falcons.
“I remember when I finished [my last] season and I thought, ‘Man, you weren't even supposed to be in the NFL and you played nine years. I'm done. No more. I don't need to play anymore,’” he said.
He’d spent his time off the field preparing for life after it. He coached track in the off-seasons at a local high school in Kansas City, became a substitute physical education teacher in Missouri, and spoke at events, making appearances at benefits. After a decade in medical equipment sales and building experience as an entrepreneur, Birden decided to share some of the lessons he’d learned with the world to help others learn.
In 2015, he wrote his first book, When Opportunity Knocks, 8 Surefire Ways to Take Advantage! and started speaking publicly. Today, he’s given over 180 keynotes across the United States. In July 2026, he released his second book, Beat the Coverage.
Birden has given keynote speeches across the Unites States, guiding businesses and corporate leaders from Aflac to Orangetheory Fitness.
"I started thinking about all the other people who went through challenges, who went through difficulties, or someone didn't believe in them or the odds were against them. This has been my journey,” he said. “I did something that's pretty remarkable, [and] you learn so much . . . That experience gives me the opportunity to serve others [and] to help others.”
When he and his wife Raina Birden, BA ’90 (history), had the chance to adopt five of their nieces and nephews, she asked him if he could sleep at night knowing they could make a difference. That sticks with him, he explained, and he takes that imperative seriously.
“So many people helped me along my journey, and if I can inspire others to do that, I think it makes the world a better place,” Birden said.