Today on The Servant Leadership Podcast, we’re joined by Bob Thomas—an NFL record-setting kicker turned Illinois Supreme Court Justice. Bob spent over a decade in the NFL, including 10 seasons with the Chicago Bears, where he became one of the Bear’s all-time leading scorers. After football, Bob’s journey took an unexpected turn. He pursued law, eventually serving as a Justice on the Illinois Supreme Court—and even becoming Chief Justice. In this episode, Bob shares what it was like playing for Mike Ditka and alongside Walter Payton, whose impact went far beyond the game. Bob also shares an extremely personal story about Walter Payton—one that gave him a whole new understanding of what it means to be a servant leader. Bob also opens up about leading under pressure, making tough calls, and how faith shaped his leadership—on the field and in the courtroom. If you’ve ever faced setbacks, tough choices, or moments that tested your character, Bob’s story will challenge you to lead with integrity under pressure.