College Football Hall of Famer, Author, Activist & Educator Advancing Gender Violence Prevention

New York, NY, USA
Live Event: $5,000 - $10,000 Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000 More Fee Info

Don McPherson Biography

Do McPherson is a feminist and activist who authored "You Throw Like a Girl: The Blind Spot of Masculinity," which chronicles 36 years of harnessing the power and appeal of sport to address complex social issues and focuses on a quarter century of work on gender-based violence prevention.

Prior to publishing "You Throw Like a Girl," McPherson was an All-America quarterback at Syracuse University and is a veteran of the NFL and Canadian Football League. As captain of the undefeated 1987 Syracuse football team, McPherson set 22 school records, led the nation in passing, and won more than 18 national “Player of the Year” awards, including the Maxwell Award as the nation’s best player, the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award and the inaugural Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He was second in the Heisman Trophy voting. In 2008, McPherson was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. In 2013, Syracuse University retired his #9 jersey.

Since 1984, McPherson has delivered school and community-based programs addressing issues such as drunk driving, alcohol and substance abuse, bullying, youth leadership, and mentoring. Upon retiring from pro football in 1994, he joined Northeastern University’s Center for the Study of Sport in Society as national director of Athletes in Service to America. In 2002, he founded the Sports Leadership Institute at Adelphi University, for which he served as executive director until 2007.

In 1995, McPherson turned his focus to the issue of “men’s violence against women” as director of Sport in Society’s Mentors in Violence Prevention Program, taking over for the program’s founder, Jackson Katz. McPherson emerged as a national leader and advocate for the prevention of sexual and domestic violence. He has conducted workshops and lectures for more than 375 college campuses, community organizations, and national sports and violence prevention organizations. His programs and lectures have reached millions.

McPherson has served as a board member, consultant, and advisor for several national organizations, including the MS Foundation for Women, the US National Committee for UN Women, and the National Football Foundation. McPherson was a member of the NCAA Task Force on Sexual Violence and the NCAA Board of Governors Commission to Combat Sexual Violence. Currently, he serves on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, NYC Chapter of the National Football Foundation, and is a member of the advisory board of the Center for Ethical Leadership in Media and the Solidarity Council of Vital Voices.

McPherson has twice testified before the United States Congress and has worked closely with the U.S. Departments of Education and Defense on issues of sexual violence in education and the military, respectively. He has provided commentary on numerous national news programs, was featured in O Magazine, and appeared on the "Oprah Winfrey Show." McPherson also created and hosted “Training for Life” on MSG Varsity, a life-skills TV show that examined a myriad of social issues and sports. In 2012, "Training for Life"'s episode on "Sports Parenting" was nominated for an Emmy Award. He has also worked as a college football analyst for ESPN, BET, and NBC and spent six seasons as the lead studio analyst for Sportsnet New York’s coverage of Big East and American Athletic Conference football. In 2000, while a board member of the Nassau County Sports Commission, McPherson created the John Mackey Award, which recognizes college football’s outstanding tight end.

McPherson has received several honors in recognition of his service, including the Frederick Douglas Men of Strength Award, given by Men Can Stop Rape, Champions for Change, presented by Lifetime Television, The Creative Vision for Women’s Justice, presented by the Pace University Women’s Justice Center, and a Leadership Award from the National Center for Victims of Crime. McPherson is the 2021 recipient of the William Pearson Tolley Medal for Distinguished Leadership in Lifelong Learning, presented by Syracuse University’s School of Education and the 2020 National Football Foundation’s Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football. Most recently, McPherson received the George Arents Award, Syracuse University's highest alumni honor, and “Letter Winner of Distinction,” the highest honor bestowed on a former student-athlete. These honors signify a lifelong mission to use a unique social position to serve the greater good.

BOOK Don McPherson

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 12/30/2025.

Don McPherson Speaking Topics

  • You Throw Like a Girl

    Campus Presentation

    Delivered on more than 350 college campuses and adapted to the needs of each campus population, from fraternities to football to campus-wide audiences. This presentation evolves each year, covering contemporary issue of sexual and relationship violence, men’s violence against women, and masculinity.

    Book Review and Discussion

    Book Club discussion and educational series discussing the book’s critical issues by chapter; addressing issues of:

    • The Myth of Masculinity (mandate, performance, promise and lie)
    • Men’s violence against women
    • Media (social, pop-culture and porn)
    • Advancing aspirational masculinity

    Video Discussion and Train the Trainer

    Film screening and Q & A

    Train-the-trainer programs offered for schools and organizations using the film for educational purposes.

  • Engaging Men

    Engaging Men

    In recent years, the need to engage men has been rooted in the need to address male behavior and its impact (primarily) on women. However, to truly engage men in a most effective and sustainable way to that end, the approach must examine why men’s engagement is in the best interest of MEN!

    Men as Bystanders

    The “bystander approach was established in the early 1990’s by Jackson Katz and the Mentors in Violence Prevention Project. The goal was to empower men within their peer and affinity groups; not to police behavior but to examine and challenge the ways in which we impact each others attitudes, decisions and behaviors. Men as Bystanders is an affirming approach; seeking to encourage the best of men

    • not police the worst.

    Men and Allyship

    Simply put, Donald McPherson believes men’s allyship with women must extend far beyond supporting women. Men must engage each other and hold each other accountable, challenging sexism, misogyny, patriarchy and the resulting extenuating social environment that male silence perpetuates.

Read More +

Don McPherson Videos

Don McPherson '87, A Legacy of Impact | Syracuse University ...

Don McPherson '87, A Legacy of Impact | Syracuse University ...

Former Syracuse University Quarterback Don McPherson proudly utilizes lessons learned at Syracuse to help make meaningful impact on the world around...

Don McPherson - "Elvis Duran Show"

Don McPherson - "Elvis Duran Show"

Former NFL quarterback Don McPherson discusses his book, "You Throw Like a Girl: The Blind Spot of Masculinity."

Don McPherson – The Blind Spot of Masculinity

Don McPherson – The Blind Spot of Masculinity

http://www.stvincent.edu | Former All-America and NFL quarterback Don McPherson spoke to the Saint Vincent College community on Oct. 29, 2018, on...

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  • What are the speaker fees for Don McPherson

    Speaking fees for Don McPherson, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Don McPherson are under $10,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Don McPherson, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Don McPherson speak about?

  • Where does Don McPherson travel from?

    Don McPherson generally travels from New York, NY, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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Don McPherson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as You Throw Like a Girl, Engaging Men and Leadership. The estimated speaking fee range to book Don McPherson for your event is available upon request. Don McPherson generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Tony Porter, Silvia Vasquez-Lavado, dream hampton, Mónica Ramírez and Chris Herren. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Don McPherson for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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