Jason Cabinda

A former Penn State standout, Cabinda played during the turbulent years after Joe Paterno's departure – a period he believes has never been fully captured. That conviction fuels his work today, from working on a documentary on the program's rebirth to an undrafted-player mindset that powers his relentless work ethic, intentional content creation, and committed storytelling.

"Everybody knows what happened in 2012," Cabinda said. "I'm making a documentary, not necessarily on the scandal, but the aftermath of the scandal from 2012 leading up to our time when we came in 2014 and ultimately us winning the Big 10 championship my junior year in 2016. It's about the evolution of Penn State football, the adversity we faced and went through, and really just the narrative from the players' perspective. Everybody knew the media narrative … I felt like us as players, that our story got left out."

Cabinda's bottom-of-the-roster grind built resilience and humility, fueling a six-year career with the Raiders and Lions. That same determination shaped his approach off the field. While still playing, he treated broadcasting like a blueprint by attending boot camps, utilizing NFLPA resources, and honing his craft whenever possible. The relationships he built during those years opened doors that would ease his transition into media.

Cabinda shared that being undrafted was one of the "biggest blessings" of his life. Having to earn everything has helped him apply this mindset to learning the broadcasting business, drawing on his football ethos of outworking everyone, staying persistent, and avoiding complacency.

As a former player, Cabinda is diligent in his preparation because he knows the right questions, can bring empathy, context, and allyship to the storytelling process, which many believe is missing in today's saturated media landscape. His goal has always been to educate the public, humanize players, avoid "gotcha" moments, and build respect.

"One of my big motivations is to do this media thing right," Cabinda said. "I think a lot of the reason why the media gets such a bad rap is because a lot of people who are in the media and who ask the questions are people who have never done it. So, I think sometimes it comes from a perspective that seems insensitive. It comes from a perspective or lens that, as players, can feel provocative, like you're trying to start something, like you're trying to be assertive in a negative way to get some type of moment."

That philosophy guides everything he does. Today, Cabinda does pre- and post-game work for Penn State, co-hosts a podcast with former Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg, and hosts a YouTube golf show, The Fairway Huddle, where he interviews NFL players. His story is ultimately about preparation, resilience, leveraging experiences gained as a member of the NFLPA to reinvent himself beyond football, and utilizing opportunities provided by The Trust (Powered by the NFLPA).

Cabinda calls his mother, Natalie, who is from Cameroon, his rock. She worked two jobs. She never missed a game, always making sure her son felt supported.

"My mom has always been a big motivator for me," Cabinda said. "I wouldn't be here without her sacrifices. She always grounds me and keeps me humble, knowing what my life is, but also knowing what my life could have been if not for my parents' sacrifices and coming here to this country, where we have the opportunity to make something of ourselves. If we had stayed back home, that may not have been the case. I hold very dear and true to my heart and to who I am. I take great pride in that no matter what."

Just as his mother's sacrifices keep him grounded, golf has become a way to stay balanced. When he's not broadcasting, Cabinda can be found on the course, a place that has unexpectedly opened new doors.

"I've met a billionaire off the strength of just booking a tee time, and I just so happen to get paired with a billionaire," Cabinda said. "There aren't many times you're going to get three or four hours to have the ear of a billionaire and to pick their brain. That is a sport I would recommend to all players. It's very addictive as well."

Whether in a broadcast studio or on the golf course, Cabinda is still driven by the same purpose: to tell authentic stories, lift others, and honor the game. His journey from undrafted player to trusted media voice proves that preparation and humility aren't just keys to opportunity. They're the foundation of lasting success.

This article was written by Rob Knox for The Trust. Knox is an award-winning professional, a member of the Lincoln (Pa.) Athletics Hall of Fame, and adjunct instructor at Temple University. In addition to having work published in SLAM magazine, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Washington Post, and Diverse Issues In Higher Education, Knox enjoyed a distinguished career as an athletics communicator for Lincoln, Kutztown, Coppin State, Towson, and UNC Greensboro. He also worked at ESPN and for the Delaware County Daily Times. Recently, Knox was honored by CSC with the Mary Jo Haverbeck Trailblazer Award and the NCAA with its Champion of Diversity award. Named an HBCU Legend by SI.com, Knox is a graduate of Lincoln University and a past president of the College Sports Communicators, formerly CoSIDA.