JJ Birden

JJ was born in Portland Oregon and attended the University of Oregon where he was a standout track star. After being told he was too small to play major college football, he pleaded with head football coach for an opportunity to try out. He then became the first prototype track star to successfully “walk on” and excel at football for the Oregon Ducks. In 1988, he qualified for the Olympic Trials in the Long Jump.  That same year, he was drafted as an NFL Wide Receiver for the Cleveland Browns.

He went on to play nine productive seasons in the NFL the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Atlanta Falcons.  This was an amazing feat when you consider JJ was only 5’10 157 pounds.

When asked what one of his fondest memories was during his NFL career JJ responds, “It has to be the 1993 and 1994 season. Not only did we make it all the way to the AFC Championship game, but that was the year I got to play with one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, Joe Montana.  It was a thrill to not only catch touchdown passes from one of the great ones but also to be able to learn from someone who knows what it takes to be successful. It truly was an honor.”

JJ retired from the NFL in 1997.  In 2012, JJ was inducted into the Oregon Athletic Hall of Fame for Track and Field.

Since leaving the NFL, JJ has owned and operated several profitable businesses in the health and wellness industry. He is a qualified coach, entrepreneur, fitness consultant, motivational speaker, and enjoys being married to his college sweetheart Raina and being a father to their eight children (3 biological, 5 nieces and nephews). They currently live in Scottsdale Arizona.

For the last eleven years, JJ has been a professional network marketer. Throughout that time, he’s reached the millionaire club and continues to help build successful teams all over the world. When asked what he likes about network marketing, JJ says, “there are many similarities between being a professional athlete and a professional network marketer. However, at least in network marketing, it’s not your physical attributes that play a role in your success. You decide the odds. Your effort and commitment are key. Everyone has a fair opportunity.”

JJ is now a Best Selling author; he released his first book, “When Opportunity Knocks 8 Surefire Ways to Take Advantage!" to encourage people from all walks of life to seize the opportunities that come their way.