There are more than 6.8 million high school football players registered with the National Federation of State High School Association, more than 58,000 NCAA college football players, around 1,700 NFL players, and only about 260 new draftees every year. In other words, most people who start down the road to the pros eventually get side-lined. It takes a remarkable athlete to go all the way.

We had a chance to talk to some of these exceptional players and get their perspective on what life in the NFL -- and life in football in general -- is really like.

Meet the Players



Courtesy Cincinnati Bengals
 Willie Anderson (#71)
Anderson is a 28-year-old offensive tackle with the Cincinnati Bengals, in his eighth season. At 340 pounds (154 kg) and 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm), Anderson is a formidable presence on the field. Coming out of Auburn in 1996, Anderson was Cincinnati's 10th pick in the first round of the draft.

Courtesy San Francisco 49ers
 Fred Beasley (#40)
Beasley is a fullback for the San Francisco 49ers. The 6-foot (72-inch), 246-pound (112) 29-year-old grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, and attended Auburn University, where he split his time playing fullback and tailback. The 49ers drafted him in 1998.

Courtesy Philadelphia Eagles
 Carlos Emmons (#51)
Emmons is a 250-pound (113-kg), 6-foot-5-inch (196-cm) linebacker with the Philadelphia Eagles. The 30-year-old grew up in Greenwood, Mississippi, but now lives in Atlanta (during the off-season). He attended Arkansas State, and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1996.

Courtesy Buffalo Bills
 Jonas Jennings (#75)
Jennings is a 6-foot-3-inch (191-cm), 325-pound (147-kg) offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills. The 26-year-old grew up in Atlanta, and attended the University of Georgia. He was drafted by the Bills in 2001.

Courtesy Buffalo Bills
 Takeo Spikes (#51)
Spikes is a 26-year-old linebacker for the Buffalo Bills, with six years of NFL experience. He started his pro career with the Cincinnati Bengals, but moved on to the Bills (as a free agent) in March of 2003. The 6-foot-2-inch (188-cm), 242-pound (110-kg) linebacker is originally from Sandersville, Georgia, and attended Auburn University.