Jarrett Payton

Book Jarrett Payton for your event

Jarrett Payton is a motivational speaker, broadcaster, businessman, philanthropist and former professional football player whose career has been shaped by sports, communication, entrepreneurship and community impact.

Today, Jarrett co-hosts The Haugh & Payton Show from 5–10am Monday through Friday on The Score WSCR/104.3 FM. Drawing on his experiences both on and off the field, he brings audiences stories and perspectives on leadership, character, resilience, personal growth and the importance of creating opportunities for others.

Book speaker Jarrett Payton for an event where audiences will hear an engaging story about pursuing ambitious goals, navigating career transitions and using success as a platform for positive impact.

From the field to broadcasting

Athletics became an important part of Jarrett Payton's life at an early age. After a successful high school career in both soccer and football in the Chicago area, he was recruited by major universities, including Penn State and Notre Dame, before choosing the University of Miami.

During his time at Miami, Jarrett appeared in five bowl games and was named Most Valuable Player of the 2004 Orange Bowl. He went on to spend two years in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans before playing for the Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europe, where he won the 2005 World Bowl championship.

From 2007 to 2009, Jarrett continued his professional career in the Canadian Football League with the Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts.

Following professional football, Jarrett successfully transitioned into broadcasting. His work in radio and television has allowed him to build on his natural ability to communicate, tell stories and engage people from different backgrounds.

Entrepreneurship & live experiences

Alongside broadcasting and speaking, Jarrett has built a growing presence in business and live events. He owns JP LIVE, a premium event company creating intimate fireside chats with iconic athletes for sponsors and their guests.

He is also a partner in Flagship on the Fox sports bar and Dukes Northwoods in downtown St. Charles. Through these ventures, Jarrett combines his passion for sports with entrepreneurship, hospitality and creating memorable experiences.

His reach extends to social media, where his posts connect with an audience of more than 300,000 people.

Character & community

Making a difference in the community has remained central to Jarrett's life and career. While honoring his father's legacy of giving back, he has established his own commitment to supporting children and young people through education, sports and character development.

Together with his wife, Trisha, Jarrett co-founded The Jarrett Payton Foundation (JPF), which creates programs and opportunities designed to develop leadership skills and enrich the lives of children and adolescents.

Jarrett also dedicates time to The Walter & Connie Payton Foundation, supporting its work to help people facing difficult circumstances find greater stability and opportunities.

Through his speaking and philanthropic work, Jarrett encourages young people to recognize their potential, make positive choices and understand the importance of character both in achieving success and in supporting others.

Jarrett Payton as a speaker

Jarrett brings audiences a perspective shaped by elite-level competition, major career transitions and years of connecting with people through broadcasting, business and community work.

Rather than focusing solely on achievements, he explores the lessons behind them: how to respond when circumstances change, stay grounded in your values, embrace new opportunities and use your influence to make a meaningful difference.

Key themes connected to Jarrett Payton's speaking include:

• Leadership, character and personal development
• Resilience and navigating change
• Lessons from collegiate and professional sports
• Sports, education and opportunities for young people
• Career transitions and pursuing new opportunities
• Entrepreneurship and communication
• Community involvement and giving back

Whether speaking to businesses, students, sports audiences or community organizations, Jarrett combines personal stories with lessons on character, perseverance and purpose, encouraging audiences to think about not only what they want to achieve, but the impact they can make along the way.