Leland Melvin
Astronaut and Former NFL Player
- Leland Melvin is a space thought leader, astronaut, engineer, educator, and former NFL wide receiver for the Detroit Lions. He is the first person drafted into the NFL to also fly in space.
- Even after being medically disqualified to fly in space by NASA flight surgeons, Leland completed two Space Shuttle missions to help build the International Space Station.
- He was featured on National Geographic’s One Strange Rock, where he explained how his brain repaired itself after an injury that left him deaf and almost stopped him from ever going to space.
Full Profile
About Leland Melvin
Leland Melvin stands alone as the only person drafted into the National Football League to have also flown in space, earning accolades from both the NFL and NASA for his extraordinary accomplishments in sport, science, and leadership. Drawing from his journey through elite athletics, engineering breakthroughs, and impactful educational leadership, Leland delivers keynotes that empower organizations to meet today’s toughest challenges in team performance, innovation, and resilience.
Leland’s professional narrative reads as a case study in perseverance and adaptability. After being drafted by the Detroit Lions, a career-ending injury led him to dedicate his life to science and exploration, culminating in nearly 600 hours spent in orbit as a NASA astronaut on missions STS-122 and STS-129. As an engineer at NASA, he pioneered the use of optical fiber sensors for aerospace safety, and later spearheaded national STEM strategies as Associate Administrator for NASA Education and co-chair of the White House’s STEM Task Force.
These high-stakes roles taught Leland first-hand how diverse teams overcome adversity, insights he brings to boardrooms and leadership events worldwide. His presentations equip business audiences with actionable strategies for:
- Building and leading resilient, high-performing teams in dynamic environments
- Fostering innovation and adaptability in the face of change and disruption
- Enhancing leadership communication and trust under pressure
- Leveraging diversity and shared vision for organizational success
Leland’s core belief: sustainable business results start with inclusive cultures and a willingness to embrace both grit and grace.
Notable Roles & Impact
- Former NASA Astronaut, flying two Space Shuttle Atlantis missions, helping construct the International Space Station
- Senior Executive at NASA, architecting the US’s 5-year STEM Education Plan and guiding international STEM initiatives
- Board Director and advisor to technology and innovation companies, championing creativity, empathy, and collaboration
- Author of “Chasing Space: An Astronaut’s Story of Grit, Grace, and Second Chances,” expanding personal insights into universal lessons for success
Talks
Leland examines the intersecting role of community, determination, and grace that align to shape our opportunities and outcomes. It’s not just the story of one man, but the story of many men, women, scientists, and mentors who helped him defy the odds and live out an uncommon destiny.
As a chemist, athlete, engineer and space traveler, Leland’s life story is a study in the science of achievement. His personal insights illuminate how grit and grace, are the keys to overcoming adversity and rising to success.