Hayes Pullard knows what it takes to compete at the highest level. A standout linebacker at USC who went on to play in the NFL, he has since channeled that same competitive drive into a new arena: the poker table. When Hayes Pullard joined Sean Kelly on the Digital Social Hour, the conversation explored how the discipline of pro sports translates into the strategy of the game.
The episode blends poker tips with stories from the world of athletics, moving from mindset and consistency to the relationships that make the game more than just cards. It is a relaxed, insightful look at an athlete finding a second competitive home.
About Hayes Pullard
Hayes Pullard is a former professional football player who built his name as a linebacker at the University of Southern California before reaching the NFL, where he spent time with several teams. His football career was defined by a reputation as a tackling leader and a relentless competitor.
Today, Pullard is a co-founder of the Celebrity Poker Tour, a venture that brings together athletes, entertainers, and other personalities around the game of poker. That move from the gridiron to the felt reflects a competitive instinct that carries from one arena to the next, and it anchors his conversation on the show.
What Hayes Pullard and Sean Kelly Talked About
- How Hayes Pullard applies an athlete's mindset to poker strategy
- Why he sees mental toughness and consistency as central to the game
- How relationships at the table can matter as much as the cards
- Stories from his football career and the transition into poker
- His perspective on the Celebrity Poker Tour and its growing community
- Why ego can work against players in both sports and poker
- How competition and passion drive his approach to the game
Why This Conversation Matters
The Digital Social Hour gives guests space to show how the lessons of one career carry into the next, and this episode captures that crossover from pro football to poker. For sports fans and poker players alike, Hayes Pullard offers a genuine look at competition, mindset, and finding a new game to master.
▶ Watch the full episode on YouTube
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About Sean Kelly & the Digital Social Hour
Sean Kelly is an entrepreneur and the host of the Digital Social Hour, one of the fastest-growing interview podcasts in the world, where he sits down with entrepreneurs, athletes, creators, and cultural voices for candid, long-form conversations. The show draws over 100 million views a month across platforms. Explore more guest features on SeanKelly.io.
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