From Quarterback to Comeback: The Sterling Henton Story

Maxxed Out with Todd Pultz

What happens when your NFL dreams stall and your name is tied to a crime you didn’t commit? Sterling Henton, former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback, turned DJ and motivational powerhouse, opens up about football, failure, fame, and the comeback that changed everything. Now co-authoring a book with Shark Tank’s Kevin Harrington, this is one episode you don’t want to miss.
Episode Summary:
In this power-packed episode of the Maxxed Out Podcast, host Todd Pultz sits down with Sterling Henton—aka “Sterl the Pearl”—to talk about his rise as a Tennessee Volunteers quarterback, the unexpected turns his life took after college, and how he fought through adversity to build a second act more powerful than the first. From being falsely accused and cleared of passing a bad check to co-writing “The Comeback Code” with Shark Tank’s Kevin Harrington, Sterling shares what it takes to bounce back—and win.
This episode is a must-listen for fans of football, entrepreneurship, real estate investing, personal development, and those hungry for real comeback stories.
Timestamps & Topics Covered:
00:00 – 02:15 – Intro to Sterling Henton
• From Passaic, NJ to SEC football
• Why his story still resonates decades later
02:16 – 10:45 – College Glory & Life After the Game
• QB days at the University of Tennessee
• When the NFL didn’t call—finding a new identity
10:46 – 18:30 – From Gridiron to Entertainment
• Becoming “Sterl the Pearl”
• Transitioning into music, TV, and motivational speaking
18:31 – 26:00 – Falsely Accused: The Turning Point
• His legal challenge and public perception
• How he was cleared and how he mentally bounced back
26:01 – 34:15 – The Comeback Code with Kevin Harrington
• What the book means to him
• Lessons on business, entrepreneurship, and building your personal brand
• How to create a comeback in real life
34:16 – 40:00 – Mindset & Motivation
• What keeps Sterling going
• Advice for athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone facing tough odds
40:01 – 42:00 – Todd’s Takeaways + Final Words
• Recapping the comeback formula
• What listeners can apply immediately
Featured Book: The Comeback Code
Co-authored by Sterling Henton and Kevin Harrington (original Shark on Shark Tank)
• Available now on Amazon
• A blueprint for turning breakdowns into breakthroughs
Follow Sterling Henton (“Sterl the Pearl”)
• Website: sterlthepearl.com
• https://www.instagram.com/sterl_thepearl/
• https://www.facebook.com/Sterling L Henton/
• https://www.youtube.com/Voices of the Valley Interview/
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Website: MaxxedOutPodcast.com (Coming Soon)
Keywords:
Sterling Henton, Sterl the Pearl, Tennessee Volunteers QB, college football comeback, Kevin Harrington book, Shark Tank entrepreneur, real estate podcast, business podcast, motivational podcast, comeback stories, Todd Pultz podcast, Maxxed Out Podcast, athlete to entrepreneur, overcoming legal challenges, football mindset, sports leadership, real estate