Kenny Stills sat down with Nessa at HOT 97 for an emotional and unfiltered conversation about his new book, Still Growing, Still Learning, Still Me, which is out now.
He reflects on what it feels like to finally hold the book in his hands, why he chose to revisit the most intense chapters of his life, and what’s changed in him since writing it. Kenny opens up about joining Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid in protest, the isolation he felt inside the league, the closed-door owners meeting where one blunt question was asked about “getting the kneeling to stop,” and why he believes Colin was never invited.
He also addresses the Players Coalition, the Roc Nation partnership, Coach Brian Flores playing Jay-Z in the locker room after Kenny spoke out, and why accountability remains a central theme in his life. One of the most powerful moments comes when Kenny reveals he was never contacted directly by NFL leadership, and how that shaped his decision to walk away from the game. Beyond football, Kenny speaks candidly about his battle with depression, going to therapy for the first time, learning about neuroplasticity, and how psychedelics played a role in his healing journey. He talks about being arrested while protesting for Breonna Taylor, sitting in a jail cell for 17 hours, and feeling more connected in that moment than he had in years. He also shares how the backlash impacted his family, how he confronted misogyny in his own upbringing, and why speaking out on issues like Palestine brings some of the strongest reactions today. The conversation ends with a powerful message about answering your calling, even when it costs you everything. Stream the full interview now and pick up Still Growing, Still Learning, Still Me today.
