They put it all on the line every Sunday. You may see them as Pro Bowlers, former first-rounders, or million-dollar men. But for elite NFL athletes, there’s more to life than just the game.  Nike Sportswear is sharing some of their individual stories as part of its Fall Maverick campaign.

His eyes are closed when he catches the football, but Larry Fitzgerald has his sights set on greatness. And he will do whatever it takes to achieve it.
Maverick Attitude: Even as a youngster, Fitzgerald understood what he needed to do to reach the summit. “I put a goal to myself: if I want to be successful, then I need to do whatever it takes to get there.”
Defining Moment: “I [had] a lot stress with my mom dealing with chemotherapy and suffering at home. I lost focus academically, and I didn’t go to school like I should have. That’s what made me have to go to a military academy. I didn’t want to do it, but I knew there were no other options. For the first time, I had to really focus and get myself prepared—by myself.”
Statement of Purpose: “There’s so much that goes into being an elite athlete, and I saw what it took at a young age. I think that’s what separates the great players from the good ones.”
Read more about Fitzgerald’s maverick style in “How Larry Fitzgerald and DeSean Jackson Blazed Paths to Greatness” in the Fall 2010 issue of STACK Magazine.