What Winners Won't Tell You: Lessons from a Legendary Defender

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars | 68 ratings

Price: 17.05

Last update: 01-09-2025


About this item

As a two-time Super Bowl champion, three-time Pro-Bowler, first-round draft pick, and former Jim Thorpe Award recipient, Malcolm Jenkins knows a thing or two about winning.

Over the course of his thirteen-year NFL career, the now retired defensive back’s triumphs extend beyond that on the football field. As a successful entrepreneur, he has seen the blossoming of his business ventures with an eponymous company, Malcolm Inc., and a media conglomerate called Listen Up Media. As a philanthropist, he strives to make a positive difference in the lives of young people in underserved communities through The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation. And as the father of two daughters, he understands the challenges of loving his children, and preparing them for an often unkind and hostile world. But for every triumph, there is a tragedy, for every loss, a lesson.

In What Winners Won’t Tell You, Jenkins shares the insight he’s gained from winning and losing alike. One moment, Jenkins is riding high from being the only NFL player to have Super Bowl victories against Hall of Fame quarterbacks, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady and then he’s navigating the harrowing low of a divorce from the mother of his children. In another moment he’s advocating for the advances of Black people in America, and then feuding publicly about the direction of this advocacy.

Providing fans and listeners alike with an intimate portrayal of life on and off the field, detailed breakdowns of his great moments against the games premiere players, and poignant reflections about what it means to straddle the narrow line between victory and defeat, this “thoughtful memoir” (Kirkus Reviews) is the best kept secret for those who want to know what it takes to be a champion.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Inas
    5.0 out of 5 stars "Malcolm Jenkins' Memoir: A Powerful Journey of Inspiration and Transformation"
    Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2023
    I finished listening to Malcolm Jenkins' memoir, "What Winners Won't Tell You," and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The book is written in a unique format, similar to the TV show "This Is Us," which I've always admired. It takes you through various moments in Malcolm's life, each with specific lessons, presented in a non-linear fashion. These short stories are shared in a way that allowed me to create vivid mental scenes, even for characters I'm not familiar with, mixed with those I've had the chance to meet.

    Audiobooks are perfect for this, as they let me embark on an internal journey, visualizing the scenes described by Malcolm while I imagine in my mind what it looks like its like my internal MInD Journey ????. Despite not being a hardcore football fan, I do have a soft spot for the Eagles and now the Saints. I know some players and have my favorite numbers, but I'm not well-versed in the technicalities of the game, like plays, positions, coaches, or owners I just know of Malcolm, @j.evans_73 and now @jalenhurts ????????. So, when Malcolm spoke about different plays, my mental visuals might have been a bit off, but that didn't detract from my mind's journey through his football career.

    I met Malcolm when I was actually boycotting football ???? so I had to ask, "Who is Malcolm Jenkins?" Well I soon found out who he was and in this book you’ll get to see a little about who he is as well. I love how he incorporated pieces of poems that many D9 (Divine Nine) members can relate to; it's like codes within the code, and if you know. . . you know. I won't give away any details to avoid spoilers, but I can tell you that the book is inspirational. It has inspired me to confront the fears I've been avoiding‼️ I'm actually going to write them down as they surface and tackle them one by one.

    The book challenged me to embrace the pain of discipline, something that, for me, has been hitting the gym consistently (a real struggle for me!). I've also committed to avoiding the pain of regret. I mean when you look at life that way why would you want the pain of regret? It reminded me that I am the author of my own story, and at any moment, I can choose what direction I want to take.

    @malcolmjenkins. Malcolm's vulnerability in sharing experiences that many of us go through but rarely talk about due to fear of judgment is commendable. I believe many have had these thoughts but dare not speak of them because of fear, I appreciated his honesty. I'm also grateful for the highlights of his children in the book, they played an instrumental role in him being here to write this book.

    As an empath, I often feel the emotional vibrations of those around me. It's both a gift and, at times, a heavy burden to carry. The book reminded me to check on my strong friends, the ones who seem to have it all together and whom I admire. It also reinforced the idea that it's okay not to be okay and that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength.

    For those in the NFL or football in general, I hope you've already picked up your copy. Malcolm shares many gems that can elevate your game. I was amazed by the secrets he revealed, but it's not surprising, as Malcolm has always been one to lend a helping hand when he can. So, get your copy ASAP, implement those strategies, and let's see some more fantastic football on the field. @malcolmjenkins, thank you for sharing your story. I hope that anyone going through similar experiences or anyone who knows someone going through them reads this book and gains a new perspective. Thank You Malcolm for all that you have done for me, my family, my students, & my community we are forever
    THANKFUL! GRATEFUL! & APPRECIATIVE ❤️????????????
    Customer image
    Inas
    5.0 out of 5 stars "Malcolm Jenkins' Memoir: A Powerful Journey of Inspiration and Transformation"
    Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2023
    I finished listening to Malcolm Jenkins' memoir, "What Winners Won't Tell You," and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The book is written in a unique format, similar to the TV show "This Is Us," which I've always admired. It takes you through various moments in Malcolm's life, each with specific lessons, presented in a non-linear fashion. These short stories are shared in a way that allowed me to create vivid mental scenes, even for characters I'm not familiar with, mixed with those I've had the chance to meet.

    Audiobooks are perfect for this, as they let me embark on an internal journey, visualizing the scenes described by Malcolm while I imagine in my mind what it looks like its like my internal MInD Journey ????. Despite not being a hardcore football fan, I do have a soft spot for the Eagles and now the Saints. I know some players and have my favorite numbers, but I'm not well-versed in the technicalities of the game, like plays, positions, coaches, or owners I just know of Malcolm, @j.evans_73 and now @jalenhurts ????????. So, when Malcolm spoke about different plays, my mental visuals might have been a bit off, but that didn't detract from my mind's journey through his football career.

    I met Malcolm when I was actually boycotting football ???? so I had to ask, "Who is Malcolm Jenkins?" Well I soon found out who he was and in this book you’ll get to see a little about who he is as well. I love how he incorporated pieces of poems that many D9 (Divine Nine) members can relate to; it's like codes within the code, and if you know. . . you know. I won't give away any details to avoid spoilers, but I can tell you that the book is inspirational. It has inspired me to confront the fears I've been avoiding‼️ I'm actually going to write them down as they surface and tackle them one by one.

    The book challenged me to embrace the pain of discipline, something that, for me, has been hitting the gym consistently (a real struggle for me!). I've also committed to avoiding the pain of regret. I mean when you look at life that way why would you want the pain of regret? It reminded me that I am the author of my own story, and at any moment, I can choose what direction I want to take.

    @malcolmjenkins. Malcolm's vulnerability in sharing experiences that many of us go through but rarely talk about due to fear of judgment is commendable. I believe many have had these thoughts but dare not speak of them because of fear, I appreciated his honesty. I'm also grateful for the highlights of his children in the book, they played an instrumental role in him being here to write this book.

    As an empath, I often feel the emotional vibrations of those around me. It's both a gift and, at times, a heavy burden to carry. The book reminded me to check on my strong friends, the ones who seem to have it all together and whom I admire. It also reinforced the idea that it's okay not to be okay and that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength.

    For those in the NFL or football in general, I hope you've already picked up your copy. Malcolm shares many gems that can elevate your game. I was amazed by the secrets he revealed, but it's not surprising, as Malcolm has always been one to lend a helping hand when he can. So, get your copy ASAP, implement those strategies, and let's see some more fantastic football on the field. @malcolmjenkins, thank you for sharing your story. I hope that anyone going through similar experiences or anyone who knows someone going through them reads this book and gains a new perspective. Thank You Malcolm for all that you have done for me, my family, my students, & my community we are forever
    THANKFUL! GRATEFUL! & APPRECIATIVE ❤️????????????
    Images in this review
    Customer image
  • jhade barnes
    5.0 out of 5 stars A real story about winning and perseverance
    Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2023
    Whew! Finally finished. 1st I'm proud of Malcolm, the vulnerability, the authenticity and the love you put into this book. It was deliberate and not just let me say something!

    I laughed, I got mad, I got excited, I got sad and I got inspired.

    It is the first book in years I've actually turned the pages from cover to cover, I definitely prefer Audio books but I couldn't wait for that.

    Life is hard, you showed what relentlessness looks like, what principles mean and how you navigate staying true to that even when the shit is hitting the fan and when life is wonderfully amazing. And, allowed yourself to lash out, rebel and recenter with grace. Very cool to experience, I've known Malcolm, hell, for 16 years and felt like this was me really getting to know him, at a more cerebral level.

    With love.
    JB
    Customer image
    jhade barnes
    5.0 out of 5 stars A real story about winning and perseverance
    Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2023
    Whew! Finally finished. 1st I'm proud of Malcolm, the vulnerability, the authenticity and the love you put into this book. It was deliberate and not just let me say something!

    I laughed, I got mad, I got excited, I got sad and I got inspired.

    It is the first book in years I've actually turned the pages from cover to cover, I definitely prefer Audio books but I couldn't wait for that.

    Life is hard, you showed what relentlessness looks like, what principles mean and how you navigate staying true to that even when the shit is hitting the fan and when life is wonderfully amazing. And, allowed yourself to lash out, rebel and recenter with grace. Very cool to experience, I've known Malcolm, hell, for 16 years and felt like this was me really getting to know him, at a more cerebral level.

    With love.
    JB
    Images in this review
    Customer image
  • Fsr Crasher
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great
    Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2024
    Great book Great player. Story was very good and makes you think about soke topics.
  • Foday Kenneh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic and entertaining read.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2023
    This book gives you a lot of insight into insecurities, self-doubt, anxiety and familial pressures that even professional athletes deal with. You experience the highs and lows of his career. Because there were so many highs as a fan we often forget the lows. Malcolm does a great job being vulnerable, sharing those lows and how he overcame them. It’s hard to believe that at one point he was rated the worst starting safety in the NFL. Malcolm’s dedication to competition and drive to gain the respect of his opponents is inspiring. The NFL legend gives a lot of insight into his personal and professional life on and off the field which is filled with life lessons, the fight for social justice and the importance of making the right decisions along the way. 2 of my favorite quotes from the book “If you want to lead the orchestra, you must turn your back to the crowd” and “What about Dallas? Absolutely not! I will retire before I play for Jerry Jones”. Authentic and entertaining listen. Highly recommend it.
    Customer image
    Foday Kenneh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic and entertaining read.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2023
    This book gives you a lot of insight into insecurities, self-doubt, anxiety and familial pressures that even professional athletes deal with. You experience the highs and lows of his career. Because there were so many highs as a fan we often forget the lows. Malcolm does a great job being vulnerable, sharing those lows and how he overcame them. It’s hard to believe that at one point he was rated the worst starting safety in the NFL. Malcolm’s dedication to competition and drive to gain the respect of his opponents is inspiring. The NFL legend gives a lot of insight into his personal and professional life on and off the field which is filled with life lessons, the fight for social justice and the importance of making the right decisions along the way. 2 of my favorite quotes from the book “If you want to lead the orchestra, you must turn your back to the crowd” and “What about Dallas? Absolutely not! I will retire before I play for Jerry Jones”. Authentic and entertaining listen. Highly recommend it.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
  • Blue Triumph
    5.0 out of 5 stars The best sports book I’ve ever read
    Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2023
    This is the real deal book about football and life. The good, bad and ugly. He tells his story and pulls no punches. Once I started reading I could not put it down. As an older white man, I also learned a lot about the African American experience and for that I’m grateful.
  • Steven R Weinstein
    2.0 out of 5 stars He didn’t tell you anything
    Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2023
    I wanted this book to be more - something akin to the title - but really it was just a recount of his games and plays he made.. heck even the hard knocks series offers more insight into a winning mindset and the skills needed to excel at an elite level - this book frankly has none of that… it’s a meandering recount of his key games in the NFL which become very redundant and boring very quickly - Any fan buying the book saw the game and all this offers was a highlight reel of some of those games - no insights into what winners won’t tell you.. there is zero in this book that is insightful or helpful to the reader and Malcolm does not even open up about anything that I have not heard on his TV interviews
    Malcom has a storied history of using his mouth in his career - unfortunately he stayed silent in this book
    Pass on this and read Trevor Moawad getting to Neutral instead -that is the real what winners won’t tell you sports book
  • C. Wallace
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good Testimony
    Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2023
    Being an Ohio State fan, it was hard not to give this read a higher rating. There are some great pearls of wisdom in this book. Not a fan of how he treated Drew Brees and not doing the full due diligence on his activism.
  • They are very nice cost more to ship then the hats but they are all if not more worth it.
    5.0 out of 5 stars It is alsome
    Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2023
    The book is everything and more for a young man trying to reach his gold in life I bought two more books for my grandsons

    • Best Sellers in

     
     

    Why We Swim

    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,448
    23.88
     
     

    The Mountain: My Time on Everest

    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 562
    18.37
     
     

    Born to Run 2: The Ultimate Training Guide

    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 526
    15.75
     
     

    Madhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica's Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night

    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 3,914
    20.25
     
     

    QB: My Life Behind the Spiral

    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,213
    21.88
     
     

    The Curse of Oak Island: The Story of the World's Longest Treasure Hunt

    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 3,043
    21.88
     
     

    Breathing for Warriors: Learn the Secrets of Pro Athletes, First Responders, and Coaches to Unlock the Path to Endurance, Str

    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 691
    13.12
     
     

    No Way Down: Life and Death on K2

    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 1,786
    15.3