Welcome to The Grit Code Podcast, where former NFL All-Pro Donte Whitner and Hall of Famer Patrick Willis break down what it truly takes to overcome setbacks, stay disciplined, and build greatness on and off the field. Every week, we dive into raw conversations with athletes, entertainers, entrepreneurs, and culture shifters who share their scars, lessons, and triumphs. From locker room stories and behind-the-scenes NFL moments, to financial literacy, personal growth, and cultural commentary — this is where grit gets decoded. 💡 Segments you’ll hear: Free Game – hard lessons turned into tools for success Quote/Lyric Breakdowns – wisdom from icons like Jay-Z, Nips...
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Sep 29, 2026 · 1:12:15
Rod and Donte break down a wild win that saw Brock Purdy deliver 4 touchdowns and continue to make his case as one of the best quarterbacks in football right now. But the win…
Sep 22, 2026 · 1:19:38
Rod and Donte dive deep into the shellacing that the 49ers gave the young Miami Dolphins. Purdy completed 18 straight passes! Unheard of. Dude is on another level. What happens…
Sep 18, 2026 · 1:04:36
Rod and Donta break down the upcoming matchup between the hapless Miami Dolphins and the already surging 49ers. This should be an absolute blood bath...or should it!!?? Full…
Sep 11, 2026 · 1:06:13
Rod and Donte break down the beat down and dominating performance that the 49ers had on the league favorites, Rams yesterday in Australia. Is this truly Brock's Team? This…
Sep 1, 2026 · 1:03:20
Rod and Donte break it all down this episode as we are just ONE WEEK AWAY FROM THE NFL SEASON! Topics include: 49ers Final 53-Man Roster Major Concern at Safety Offensive Line /…
Aug 21, 2026 · 1:04:31
After the 49ers preseason game and joint practice against the Chargers, Rod and Donte have A LOT of thoughts and questions. Herbert shredded this 49ers secondary, are they in…
Aug 14, 2026 · 54:06
Rod And Donte dive into the headlines of the week. Nick Bosa's knee, problem or precaution? Mike Evans' quad? What do these injuries actually mean? Stribling is balling out at…
Aug 7, 2026 · 1:02:34
Rod and Donte get into 10 hot topics for the 49ers today. INJURIES, INJURIES AND MORE INJURIES! Pearsall out for the season. Kittle still recovering.Evans, Black, Stribling, and…
Jul 24, 2026 · 1:01:35
Donte and Rod get it goin with discussion of current 49ers topics. Deebo - Should the 9ers bring him back? Can he be effective? Is he washed? Stribling -Is he ready? Should he be…
Jul 17, 2026 · 57:40
Rod and Donte take a deep dive into the mess that is NIL and the transfer portal. They dive into how it does not set up players for success in the real world. They also get into…
Jul 10, 2026 · 58:44
Rod and Donte dive into the nitty gritty of how women, friends, advisors attack the low level millionaire - aka the African American Football Player. Women sliding into dms.…
Jul 3, 2026 · 51:16
Rod and Donte are back at it and guess what? So is Brandon Aiyuk. He might owe the 49ers anywhere from 13-18 mill and the fellas have a lot to say about it. Then the meat and…
Jun 26, 2026 · 41:40
A packed episode of zingers and advice. First off, Rod and Donte dive into the Kittle running routes and doing drills at his Tight End University - IS THIS A GOOD IDEA? What…
Jun 19, 2026 · 55:55
Rod and Donte speak on the tragedy of Aldon Smith's passing. Donte spoke to some former teammates and has some words to share on that subject and what Aldon's legacy should be as…
Jun 12, 2026 · 1:01:01
Rod and Donte are at it again, breaking down the latest Brandon Aiyuk drama and the fatigue we all feel. What's next in this saga/ the rest of his career? They also dive into the…
Jun 5, 2026 · 37:26
All Hell has broken loose. The Rams have traded for the best defensive player in the league, Myles Garrett! With the Seahawks already ahead of the 49ers after last years showing…
May 29, 2026 · 48:04
Donte and Rod discuss the truth of the 49ers offense. Are they still a dominant offense. Brock Purdy coming off of his contract year, will he still have a chip on his shoulder?…
May 22, 2026 · 47:42
Hitner is in Fiji and he's got the same ole hot takes. He and Rod break down the 49ers 2026-2027 schedule. Highlighting specific games including a Jauan Jennings revenge game,…
May 15, 2026 · 53:10
If you don't know, now you know. Donte had a call with Ji'Ayir Brown trying to get Donte to stop talking about his play. Well, Ji"Ayir, we recommend you watch the episode. It's…
May 13, 2026 · 1:09:09
Donte and Rod dive deep into what most fans call the boring part of the calendar, but inside the building THIS IS EVERYTHING. Where the foundation is built. The guys discuss the…
Apr 29, 2026 · 47:04
Donte and Rod are joined by the one and only Justin "Cowboy" Smith to break down the very polarizing 49ers 2026 NFL Draft. Whether it was taking Stribling in the 2nd or running…
Apr 22, 2026 · 1:04:41
The draft is TOMORROW and Donte, Pat and Rod go through the first 4 rounds of potential picks for the 49ers. They also address the glaring needs on defense that John Lynch says…
Apr 17, 2026 · 37:07
Donte, Rod and Pat dive into all things offensive draft. What is the glaring need on offense for them? In a word - SPEED! They talk wide receiver, running back, line and more.…
Apr 10, 2026 · 57:21
There are a lot of pieces on the defensive side of the ball for the 49ers that need attention. Where should they look for that first round draft pick? Safety? Defensive Line?…
Apr 5, 2026 · 1:32:44
Rod and Pat lead the charge on interviewing the singular Donte Whitner. He shares his story and it is truly the stuff of legends. From an injury at an incredibly young age and…
Mar 27, 2026 · 1:42:41
Rod and Donte dive into the mind and heart of co-host Patrick Willis as he walks us through his life leading through the NFL to the Hall Of Fame. What he overcame as a child…
Mar 20, 2026 · 1:11:17
When you think "linebacker" you think NaVorro Bowman. Donte, Pat and Silverback dive into his childhood, college days, and those incredible years with the 49ers. They talk the…
Mar 13, 2026 · 38:49
It's that time of year when everything is on the table. Donte, Pat and Rod talk all things Mike Evans, Trent Williams, Dre Greenlaw, Raiders, Titans, Pittsburgh, and so much…
Mar 4, 2026 · 1:02:35
The fellas are joined by the one and only Justin "Cowboy Smith as they continue to check in with their teammates from that world beating defense. Cowboy grew up on a farm and…
Feb 25, 2026 · 1:25:04
Donte, Pat and Rod dive into addressing some needs through Free Agency this off season. Should they go after an uber talented vet like Mike Evans or Tyreek Hill coming off of a…
Feb 18, 2026 · 1:32:31
Pat, Donte & Rod are joined by the uniquely original, former Cornerback for the 49ers, Tarell Brown. They dive deep into his childhood, high school, college and NFL careers and…
Feb 11, 2026 · 1:07:12
Jam Packed edition of The Grit Code Podcast. Donte, Pat and Rod breakdown the boring or exciting (depends how you look at it) Super Bowl victory of the Seattle Seahawks on the…
Feb 4, 2026 · 1:13:21
Donte and Rod break down the latest in 49ers land. Raheem Morris is the new DC. Who likes it? Who might not? There has been a plethora of coaching hires. The fellas play a game…
Jan 28, 2026 · 1:07:26
Donte and Rod are joined by one of the best safeties in 49ers history, Dashon Goldson. They dive into his origin story first, specifically his mindset and when he realized he was…
Jan 21, 2026 · 1:16:16
The 49ers season has come to a brutal end. Donte, Rod and Pat dive deep into what both sides of the ball failed to execute in that game and who holds responsibility? Specifically…
Jan 14, 2026 · 1:13:14
The Grit Code Podcast recaps the 49ers’ playoff win over the Eagles, breaking down how the Niners executed under pressure and closed the game in enemy territory. We preview the…
Jan 8, 2026 · 1:00:50
We dive into the film to break down what went wrong on both sides of the ball, from missed opportunities and communication breakdowns to questionable schematic decisions. The…
Dec 31, 2025 · 47:09
On this episode of The Grit Code Podcast , Donte Whitner, Patrick Willis, and Rod Brooks break down the 49ers’ huge win over the Bears, led by Brock Purdy and Christian…
Dec 25, 2025 · 1:10:35
Brock Purdy’s rising trajectory and best game as a pro, the 49ers’ big-picture performance and standout plays, Kyle Shanahan’s coaching and team strengths/concerns, defense…
Dec 10, 2025 · 46:55
In this episode, Donte Whitner, Patrick Willis, and Rod Brooks break down the latest NFL and college football headlines. They discuss the 49ers’ biggest questions, including Fred…
Dec 4, 2025 · 49:01
The 49ers are heating up at the perfect time. Health is returning, turnovers are finally landing, and Kyle Shanahan’s creativity is back. We break down the defensive surge, CMC’s…
Nov 27, 2025 · 53:18
This week on The Grit Code Podcast , Donte Whitner, Patrick Willis, and Rod Brooks break down a chaotic NFL week. The 49ers earn a tough win over the Panthers, even with Brock…
Nov 20, 2025 · 54:08
This week on The Grit Code Podcast, Donte Whitner, Patrick Willis, and Rod Brooks break down a wild week in the NFL. Brock Purdy makes a triumphant return, restoring rhythm and…
Nov 14, 2025 · 58:54
On this episode, we talk financial reality for athletes and Sebastian Telfair’s story, the 49ers’ meltdown including QB controversy and defensive breakdowns, and NFL hot topics…
Nov 6, 2025 · 48:04
Donte Whitner, Patrick Willis, and Rod Brooks break down the 49ers dealing with key injuries, Christian McCaffrey’s dominance, midseason MVP talk, and Jayden Daniels’ injury,…
Oct 30, 2025 · 49:31
Donte Whitner, Patrick Willis, and Rod Brooks dive deep into the 49ers’ defensive struggles and what accountability really looks like inside an NFL locker room. The crew also…
Oct 25, 2025 · 59:03
The crew kicks off with the USA Today article and what it means for player empowerment and life after football. From there, they break down how the 49ers rediscovered their…
Oct 16, 2025 · 48:02
Donte Whitner, Patrick Willis, and Rod Brooks break down a wild week across the NFL, from post-game fights to locker room tension. The crew reacts to Brian Branch vs. JuJu…
Oct 9, 2025 · 46:05
The 49ers grind out another gritty win while Dak Prescott’s MVP case keeps heating up. The Jaguars make a real AFC statement, and the Browns’ defense falls apart in London.…
Oct 3, 2025 · 50:34
This week on The Grit Code Podcast, we break down AJ Brown’s cryptic tweet that’s stirring drama off the field, Fred Warner’s record-breaking forced fumble mastery, and Deebo…
Sep 25, 2025 · 49:25
Cowboys spiral with Trevon Diggs’ costly mistakes, 49ers fight on without Nick Bosa, and Ravens wrestle with Derrick Henry fumbling issues. Fred Warner & Dee Winters dominate,…
Sep 22, 2025 · 51:10
We also dive into: • Why the Miami Dolphins are struggling to win under head coach Mike McDaniel • Fred Warner looking like the best linebacker in the NFL right now • What it…
Sep 11, 2025 · 1:08:50
Welcome to the first episode of The Grit Code—where the stories get real and the lessons get practical. Donte Whitner, Patrick Willis, and Rod Brooks crack open the truth about…
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