Rod Mack: Community Leader, and Football Coach, On Building A Healthy Mindset In the Next Generation

On this episode of Bailey and Buck Unplugged: Rob and Misty speak with community leader, and U football linebacker legend Rod Mack! In today's conversation Rod details his experiences managing his own mental health throughout his journey from being a high performance athlete to coaching the next generation of football players. A standout scholar-athlete, Rod began his football journey with the North Dade Bulldogs before excelling at Monsignor Edward Pace High School. Ranked among Florida’s top 50 players, he earned All-Dade and All-State honors, served as team captain and Most Valuable Defensive Player, and was recognized as a National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete in 1995. He was later inducted into his high school Hall of Fame in 2016. Rod continued his success at the University of Miami as a starting linebacker and four-year letterman, graduating with dual degrees in Business Management and Finance. In 2010, Rod co-founded the Miami Gardens Ravens Youth Football Academy, now the city’s largest and most successful volunteer youth program. As President, he has led the Ravens to 16 National Championships, helped develop 150+ collegiate athletes, and mentored thousands of young boys and girls. The program’s national impact led to an international invitation to Brazil in 2025 to help launch a youth football initiative modeled after the Ravens.

Bailey & Buck Unplugged is a program of the Kennedy Kids Foundation. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). If you are in immediate danger, dial 911.

More mental health resources: Kennedy Kids Foundation Resources