Michel Martin is taking the studio to the story and, now, tackling the ethics of football – on and off the field.

Hands down, football is the most watched sport in America—and, increasingly, one of the most controversial. Conversations about football have become about much more than what happens ON the field. From concern over the long term health effects of the sport, to worries that its culture encourages violence off the field, who speaks for football?

In Dallas, Michel Martin brings together voices that don’t often have a chance to be heard - former players, spouses and others who have thought deeply about the sport that millions love and others have come to hate. Joining Martin will be Nate Jackson, former Denver Bronco and author of ‘Slow Getting Up: A Story of NFL Survival From the Bottom of the Pile’; Melani Ismail, who was featured on VH1’s Football Wives and is married to Rocket Ismail, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys and Notre Dame; along with high school senior and star running back Nahshon Ellerbe, who plans to play for Rice University next fall.

This event will also feature a theatrical performance excerpt from Colossal by Andrew Hinderaker, on football, beauty and brutality.

Watch Michel Martin: Going There

Join the conversation at @NPRMichel and #NPRpresents