The White Unicorn: Chris Conte on the NFL, Family, and Finding Purpose After Football

What happens when a Hollywood kid grows up to play in the NFL—then trades stadium lights for youth sports fields? In this episode of Shady Characters, hosts Evan Burgher and Tim DeBrincat sit down with former Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Chris Conte for a candid conversation that spans childhood dreams, the business of football, and building a life after the game.

Chris shares stories from his upbringing in the Palisades, where his father’s career as a feature film editor exposed him to movie sets, actors, and the creative energy of Los Angeles. But while the family’s roots were in Hollywood, Chris’s obsession was always sports. He recalls endless days playing soccer, basketball, and flag football—eventually walking the path from Loyola High School to Cal, and finally to the NFL.

From being drafted by the Bears to battling concussions and criticism in Chicago, Chris reflects on how perspective changes with time—and why resilience, humor, and humility matter more than stats. He opens up about life in Tampa, the meaning behind his infamous nickname “The White Unicorn,” and meeting his wife Steph, a former Buccaneers cheerleader, whose family’s story adds an even deeper layer to his journey.

Now a father of three, Chris talks about raising competitive kids, the lessons he hopes to pass down, and the importance of keeping sports fun. He dives into his work with Sports Movements, a youth training program that teaches speed, strength, and agility, and his growing involvement with Next Gen Flag Football—a community-driven league helping both boys and girls fall in love with the game.

It’s an unfiltered, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt conversation about identity, transition, and what it means to find new purpose once the pads come off. From Soldier Field to San Juan Capistrano, Chris Conte proves that the same mindset that drives greatness on the field can build something even more meaningful off of it.