“Flash.” “The Experiment.” “The Joker.” These are some of the nicknames used to describe Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson over the years. And if you look at his stats, you’ll see why.

A four-time NFL Pro Bowler, Cordarrelle holds league records for kickoff return touchdowns (nine of them) and the longest kick return in NFL history (109 yards, the longest possible). He also tied the NFL record for the longest play ever and led the league in kickoff return yards in 2019 and 2020.

Now age 32, Cordarrelle says nutritional supplementation is essential for his game. He first started using Thorne supplements several years ago and doing so has made all the difference, he says, allowing him to give everything he can to his craft.

“Ever since I’ve started using Thorne, day in and day out, my body feels a lot better,” he says. “I wish I had been using Thorne supplements since the start of my career.”

Some of his favorite supplements are Thorne’s Berberine, for supporting a healthy metabolism,* Curcumin Phytosome, for providing relief for overused muscles,* and his favorite, Multi-Vitamin Elite A.M. and P.M, two complementary formulas for supporting athletic performance.*

Nutritional supplements can support any athlete, but it’s even more essential for Cordarrelle, who is regarded as one of the most versatile players in a very specialized league. Over the course of his career, he has played wide receiver, return specialist, running back, and on occasion, defense, making him a “jack of all trades.”

Bottom line – Cordarrelle has to be ready for anything.

The Atlanta Falcons acknowledged Cordarrelle’s versatility at the start of the season, listing him as the “Joker” on the depth chart. His coach created it specifically for Cordarrelle, saying the veteran is too talented to be a second-stringer anywhere on offense.

"I have always had the mindset that I can play most positions on the football field and welcome the opportunity to play anywhere," says Cordarrelle. “I am the type of guy who will accept any challenge thrown my way.”

So, what’s the secret to playing this many years in the NFL and changing positions at the highest level? Dedication, major discipline, eating right, and having the mindset to give everything to the game, he says. And it all starts with good preparation off the field.

During the preseason, Cordarrelle sticks to a healthy diet, consuming lots of protein and vegetables throughout training camp. When the regular season kicks off, he lifts twice a week to maintain his offseason gains and focuses on recovery between games.

For Cordarrelle, recovery can mean spending time in a cold/hot tub or a sauna, getting massages, and undergoing IV therapy (to rehydrate and replenish) or dry needling (a muscle-recovery technique).

But it’s a different story in the offseason. Although he is able to indulge more, he stays conscientious about what he puts into his body. And he trains harder – lifting five days a week and running three or four times a week.

So, while he plays 17 games in the regular season, Cordarrelle still puts in the work all year long.

“Longevity is tough in this league,” Cordarrelle says. “Putting the right supplements in your body and taking care of all aspects of your health, from recovery to sleep, is beyond important for being successful.”