Gaining Greatness: Why Ekeler is 'pound-for-pound' the strongest NFL player

"Pound for Pound": that's the nickname Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler has earned among his teammates. At just 5'8 and 195 lbs, Ekeler is pushing weight you would only expect to see from a lineman. In this installment of Gaining Greatness presented by Sleep Number, we take you behind the scenes for an exclusive look at Ekeler's mind-blowing workouts to see what the NFL's strongest pound-for-pound player is capable of.

Quarterback prospect J.J. McCarthy recounts his journey to the 2024 NFL Draft and highlights the dedication to mindfulness and overall health that has given him a competitive edge.

Go behind the scenes with Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson for a look at the impressive weekly routine of one of the NFL's most elite offensive tackles in this installment of Gaining Greatness presented by Sleep Number.

In this installment of Gaining Greatness presented by Sleep Number, Christian Gonzalez shares the story behind his journey to the pros, the pride he takes in his Colombian heritage, and his family's legacy of greatness in sports.

In this installment of Gaining Greatness presented by Sleep Number, we take a behind-the-scenes look at the team of personal health and performance specialists behind Myles Garrett's one-of-a-kind offseason training regimen.

Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson reacts to his most epic plays from the 2022 NFL Season.

Detroit Lions star running back Jamaal Williams reacts to his biggest plays from the 2022 NFL season.

In this episode of Gaining Greatness presented by Sleep Number, we go behind the scenes with the Seattle Seahawks to learn what it took to plan, prepare for, and execute a 5,000-mile journey to Munich to play in the first-ever regular-season NFL game in Germany.

Over the past two seasons, no player in the NFL has scored more scrimmage touchdowns than Chargers running back Austin Ekeler. He attributes his success to his routine and dedication to total body health. In this episode of Gaining Greatness presented by Sleep Number, we take a look at how sleep and wellness have helped fuel Ekeler's ascent to greatness.

In collaboration with Sleep Number, the NFL's Sleep and Wellness Partner, clubs like the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, and Kansas City Chiefs organized events to support those affected by cancer all over the country.

In this installment of Gaining Greatness presented by Sleep Number, Chris Godwin gives us an exclusive look at the hard work and dedication behind his journey back from a season-ending injury in 2021.

In this episode of Gaining Greatness presented by Sleep Number, we follow wide receiver prospect Chris Olave as he puts the finishing touches on his pre-draft training alongside some of the NFL's top stars.

For many years, training and nutrition have been seen as the two pillars of elite athleticism. But a new science is emerging that is changing the way we think about sports performance: the science of sleep. In this installment of Gaining Greatness presented by Sleep Number, we learn how NFL players, with the help of sleep-tracking technology, are leveraging this newfound knowledge to gain a different kind of competitive edge.

What do NFL athletic trainers do? You see them run onto the field when a player gets injured, but most of their work happens behind the scenes. In this episode of Gaining Greatness presented by Sleep Number, we pull back the curtain on the hard work and dedication it takes to keep NFL athletes healthy and performing at their best.

For many NFL players and fans alike, the offseason is a time to relax, reflect, and recover. But for athletes looking to gain a competitive edge, it's when the real work begins. Enter Jamal Liggin, a performance coach who specializes in getting NFL players in tip-top shape for training camp. Jamal's offseason training program attracts a tight-knit group of the NFL's elite for a training experience like no other.

Go behind the scenes with Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert as he relives his record-breaking rookie campaign and prepares for his sophomore season under a new coaching staff in this installment of Gaining Greatness presented by Sleep Number.

Fresh off a National Championship run with the University of Alabama, NFL quarterback prospect and Heisman finalist Mac Jones is wasting no time in pursuing his next big opportunity: the NFL Draft. With Alabama's Pro Day just around the corner, we get a peek into the mind of a top quarterback prospect as he trains for the opportunity of a lifetime in this installment of Gaining Greatness presented by Sleep Number.

When it comes to size, speed, and athleticism, there isn't much that separates most NFL players at each position. Often it's the details that make a difference, and perhaps no detail is more crucial to success on the field than footwork. When elite NFL athletes want to get a leg up with their feet, they turn to Rischad "The Footwork King" Whitfield. Whitfield is a movement specialist that trains some of the NFL's biggest stars to move more quickly, accurately, and efficiently on their feet, giving them an edge by helping them stay one step ahead of their opponents.

As we successfully enter the mid-way point of the NFL season, we are seeing how the NFL's player health and safety protocols developed and adapted over the last 8 months have worked to allow a safe return of football during a pandemic. In this episode of "Gaining Greatness" presented by Sleep Number, we dive into the NFL's COVID-19 playbook to see how the NFL safely brought back football.

As we successfully enter the mid-way point of the NFL season, we are seeing how the NFL's player health and safety protocols developed and adapted over the last 8 months have worked to allow a safe return of football. This Body and Mind chapter focuses on the importance of physical and mental well-being during a pandemic.

Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison and Seattle Seahawks tight end Will Dissly give you a behind the scenes look of the new normal of training camp in a pandemic.

Nicole Lynn's journey from poverty to NFL agent is a symbol of hope and inspiration for young women everywhere with aspirations of making an impact in roles traditionally dominated by men.

As a strength and conditioning coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - the first NFL team ever to hire two female full-time coaches - Maral Javadifar is a symbol of hope and a source of motivation for young women everywhere with dreams and aspirations of making an impact in a role, a league, and an industry historically dominated by men.

With the 2019 Draft approaching quickly, we join Alabama running back Josh Jacobs for an inside look at how this NFL prospect has evolved his approach to training and recovery to make the leap to the pros.

Take an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at how top-tier NFL prospects are training to gain an edge for the most important job interview of their lives: The NFL Scouting Combine.