Crunching Tackles

The pope is American, he's a certified baseball fan, and the Catholic Church has a detailed and rich theology of sports that we want to talk about! On today's show, Chad and John discuss:4:00 - NBA Draft Lottery and Playoff check-in.11:15 - Barcelona and Inter Milan played one of the greatest soccer ties of all time.16:05 - Major League Baseball unbanned Pete Rose, Joe Jackson, and others. Why is this happening now? Should Pete Rose be in the Hall of Fame?25:30 - Pope Leo XIV35:00 - The theology of sports. To read the Holy See's bulletin, click here.As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

In one of the most anticipated and widely covered NFL Drafts, Shedeur Sanders slid all the way to the fifth round. This prompted a flurry of broadcast and social media reactions. On today's show, Chad and John discuss:8:15 - Liverpool win the Premier League and is Mohamed Salah the best player in the world right now?24:00 - The NBA Playoffs are underway and the Lakers are in serious trouble. Why does LeBron James seem uninterested in winning in his age-40 season?44:10 - Cam Ward was drafted number one overall; Shedeur Sanders slid all the way to the fifth round; Mel Kiper and Stephen A. Smith had televised meltdowns. We break down all the biggest headlines from the 2025 NFL draft.As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

In the most dramatic Masters in recent memory, Rory McIlroy exorcized his demons, and wrote his name in the history books. On today's show, Chad and John discuss:0:30 - Arsenal's convincing win over Real Madrid in the Champions League Quarterfinals. Where does John's club sit now in the hierarchy of European soccer?14:20 - The NCAA Basketball National Championship. All four 1-seeds advanced to the Final Four, the National Championship ended on a strange sequence, and the overall vibe of the tournament was muted. What did we like? What are we hoping changes?24:20 - We recap the 2025 Masters, focusing on Rory McIlroy and the amazing experience of watching him complete the Grand Slam. This felt like a huge cultural moment in America, so what does it take for golf to break through in the mainstream?As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The first two rounds of the 2025 NCAA tournament featured some amazing basketball, but few upsets and even less drama. What is the state of the tournament given the recent changes to the transfer portal and NIL? On today's show, Chad and John discuss:4:00 - We briefly fill out the list of Stephen A. Smith's potential cabinet secretaries.13:30 - We recap the disastrous weekend for the U.S. Men's National Team, which saw them place fourth in the Nations League. How concerned should soccer fans be just one year before we host the World Cup?25:40 - We recap the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament, focusing on the important games on the court and the important cultural issues from the first weekend.As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Television and sports personality Stephen A. Smith has been venturing into a new media space: politics. Now, he's one of the most talked about potential candidates for the Democratic nominee for president. On today's show, Chad and John discuss:2:30 - We recap the 2025 Oscars, talking about the success of the show, the biggest winners and losers, and the general state of movies in culture right now.18:50 - We transition to a conversation about the first episode of the newest season of Drive to Survive, and particularly how the show covered the scandal involving Christian Horner last year. 30:40 - March Madness is just around the corner, and we discuss the quiet of the college basketball season so far, as well as discuss some of the biggest stories on our minds going into the tournament.52:00 - THE BIG STORY: Stephen A. Smith is now being discussed as a legitimate presidential candidate. How did this happen? What would it mean for politics and sports? Do we think he has a real chance?As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Early into his presidency, Donald Trump signed an executive order preventing transgender women from competing in women's sports in public schools and under the NCAA. Charlie Baker—president of the NCAA—responded with immediate compliance. On today's show, Chad and John discuss:2:50 - The remarkable Four Nations NHL tournament, the USA v. Canada hockey rivalry fueled by politics, and the state of All-Star games across sports.17:50 - Jannik Sinner settles his ongoing charges of PED use, and agrees to serve a 3 month suspension. What does this mean for Sinner and for the future of doping cases?32:40 - THE BIG STORY: The Transgender Sports ban, the national reaction, and what's next in this hugely significant cultural story.54:50 - Some brief final thoughts about the state of the Oscars and our frustrations with the voting Academy. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The big game in New Orleans is in the books, and the Philadelphia Eagles came out on top! On today's podcast, we discuss the game and the broader implications. We also recap Kendrick Lamar's halftime show, Donald Trump's surprise appearance, and the abysmal state of Super Bowl commercials.As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

In a whirlwind podcast, Chad and John discuss the 2025 Australian Open, briefly revisit the Champions League Group Stage, and preview the Super Bowl between the Chiefs and the Eagles. 7:30 - 2025 Australian Open Review 25:20 - Champions League Group Stage Review 30:30 - The Super Bowl talk 56:40 - A brief discussion of The Brutalist and the Oscar nominations. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The NFL and NCAA Football playoffs are in full swing, and we are locked into all the action. Plus, tennis has gotten underway in Australia. Chad and John make sure you are aware of all the exciting action coming in the first month of 2025. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

As 2024 comes to a close, we are recapping and revisiting our top stories in sports, and our favorite movies, for the year! 4:07: We highlight 2 current sports stories from the NFL and College Football 8:00: Sports Stories—Number 5 20:00: Number 4 27:50: Number 3 34:50: Number 2 45:40: Number 1 58:15: Top Movies—Number 5 1:04:30: Number 4 1:09:30: Number 3 1:13:34: Number 2 1:18:00: Number 1 As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

With more than half-a-dozen brawls and flag planting attempts in college football last week, it's fair to say that rivalry week was heated. We discuss all the drama from Saturday on today's podcast. 2:45: What happened to the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving? 5:00: General Motors—aka Cadillac—is joining Formula 1 in 2026. 10:35: Jameis Winston is the viral sensation of 2024. 19:22: Panic time at Manchester City. 33:00: College football rivalry week. 56:20: Our Wicked and Gladiator II experience! As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The 2024 election happened last week, and Donald Trump will return to the White House in 2025. But if you were up at 3 a.m. on election night, you may have seen a familiar face in the sports world addressing Trump's victory party: Dana White. What does White's involvement in politics say about Trump's success? Before that, we briefly touch on three controversies in international soccer, from a refereeing scandal in England to an investigative report in Canada to a shocking display of violence in the Netherlands. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

We got our dream matchup in the World Series: Yankees vs. Dodgers; Ohtani vs. Judge. We take stock of the first 3 games of the series and consider if the games so far have lived up to the hype. We also check in briefly with Formula One, a sad story out of N.C. State football, and the award for best player in world soccer. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Many different sports around the world are expanding their postseason format to maximize the amount of high profile games that top teams play each year. Is this a benefit to fans, or just another desperate money grab? As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Shohei Ohtani has put together one of the most impressive seasons in baseball history. After spending some time discussing the Premier League and the NFL, we turn the focus of this podcast to MLB, and try to put Ohtani's historic season into context. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Tyreek Hill was pulled over and detained by Miami police on his way to Week 1 of the NFL season. The reaction has been understandably and expectedly strong. John and Chad break down every angle of the incident and what we can learn. 10:20 - We look at Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka winning the U.S. Open and where the state of tennis is going into 2025. 27:30 - We recap Week 1 of the NFL season, focusing on the Chiefs, the Bengals, the Jets, and the 49ers. 40:30 - We examine the body cam footage from the Tyreek Hill situation, finding what Hill did wrong, what law enforcement did wrong, and who is responsible for these kinds of confrontational situations. 1:07:20 - We briefly touch on a new civil sexual assault lawsuit against Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson, and why we are so angry and so unsurprised by these new allegations. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

For the first time in over 3 years, Chad and John are in person together for a podcast! They celebrate this occasion by discussing the U.S. Open, Jannik Sinner, and Alien: Romulus. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The 2024 Olympics were incredible, and we convene one more time to go through all the final stories from the games. On today's episode, we discuss: 2:15 - Our general impressions and what we loved about this Olympics 9:30 - The closing ceremony, including Tom Cruise's stunts 214:00 - The final medal count and who won the games 29:00 - We recap the most interesting stories from the final week of events 42:15 - We discuss what will be different for L.A. 2028 and what sports we would like to see added or removed 1:02:00 - We pitch an alternative competition: The Military Olympics 1:07:30 - Lastly, we consider how and why Snoop Dogg made such a big impression on the festivities in Paris As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The Olympics have soared to an incredible level of success, and we are here to recap the most important moments we've seen this week. Simone Biles, Novak Djokovic, Scottie Scheffler, Mondo Duplantis, and Imane Khelif are just a few of the athletes we mention. On today's episode, we discuss: 10:00 - We recap the medal table and see where Team USA is stacking up 13:20 - Pole Vaulter Mondo Duplantis and the moment of the Olympics 20:50 - Simone Biles and Team USA Gymnastics 31:10 - Noah Lyles' dramatic run for the gold and the future of his Olympic campaign 37:20 - More chaos from swimming courtesy of the River Seine 42:00 - Novak Djokovic wins tennis gold 47:00 - Scottie Scheffler's comeback to win golf gold 49:20 - THE BIG STORY: Imane Khelif and the gender controversy surrounding women's boxing As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The medals are flying in Paris as we take stock of an action packed first week of the Olympic Games! From the Opening Ceremony to the tennis to the swimming, we have it all covered for you right here! On today's episode, we discuss: 3:10 - We open with some general thoughts about the games and how we feel about the experience of watching so far. 8:10 - We turn quickly to the medal count, tracking how Team USA is doing compared to our primary rivals, and share how we feel about America's performance so far. 14:10 - Turning our attention to the pool, we discuss the dominant day by France swimmer Leon Marchand and also look at the highlights from Katie Ledecky in her signature event. 24:00 - Going from the pool to the gym, we recap the amazing team gold by USA women's gymnastic and their catalyst, Simone Biles. We also look at the men's gymnastics team, and their newly coronated superstar Stephen Nedoroscik. 34:30 - Up next, we close the final chapter on the saga of the Seine, where athletes actually did swim in the bacteria infested water. Is this a signature Paris failing, or did they finally turn it into a success? 41:30 - In many ways, the career of Rafael Nadal seems to be over. He lost in singles to his fiercest rival, Novak Djokovic, and the fan favorite "Nadalcaraz" doubles team also crashed out. Is this the end? We also briefly discuss Coco Gauff and her dramatic singles loss. 53:30 - Almost before the games got underway, scandal was already present. That's because Team Canada women's soccer were discovered to be using spy drones to surveil their opponent's practices. They faced severe punishment. We also briefly look at the USWNT and how thing are going for the favorites for gold. 59:00 - Finally, we recap the Opening Ceremony, which featured one of the greatest images in Olympics history (hats off to you, LeBron), and also one of the worst and most controversial images we've ever seen. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The COPA America Final was delayed by over an hour because of a brutal crowd crush at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Fans and police officers were injured, and 27 people were arrested as Colombia fans attempted to storm the stadium. On today's episode, we discuss: 4:15 - We open with a conversation about the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, our desire for unity, and we also briefly examine how Trump has used sports to boost his reputation. 19:10 - We recap the final of the EUROs, which saw Spain take down England. John has some strong thoughts about England—both their players and their manager. 33:00 - We talk about the continued rise of Carlos Alcaraz, as he wins Wimbledon for the second year in a row over Novak Djokovic. Is the torch now officially passed? 43:45 - THE BIG STORY: We look at Argentina's win over Colombia in the final of the COPA, and speak frankly about the riot that delayed the game by about 90 minutes. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremonies are less than a month away, and we are here to prime you for the events and athletes that you need to be paying attention to this year. On today's episode, we discuss the international soccer tournaments currently going on, the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, and an extremely controversial decision by NBC for their Olympic coverage. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

As the city of Paris and the nation of France prepares to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, there's one area they need to focus on that previous hosts of the games haven't: cybersecurity. On today's episode, we discuss: 4:15 - We briefly consider how to choose a British soccer team as American fans and who we would support if we were doing it all over again. 13:50 - We recap the first week of the 2024 European Championship and preview who we expect to succeed. 24:00 - We dive deep into Manchester City's lawsuit that is actively ongoing against the Premier League and talk through the ramifications of either outcome of the case. 37:45 - THE BIG STORY: John leads us through a conversation about cybersecurity, how hackers will try to undermine the Olympics, and what fans and players can expect at the games. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Although college sports have been trending toward professionalization in recent years, it's still a historic day when the NCAA finally agreed to pay its athletes. On today's episode, we discuss: 1:20 - We briefly discuss Scottie Scheffler's charges being dropped and what was most strange about his situation. 4:30 - Caitlin Clark has had a very controversial rookie season, not because of her play, but because of the narratives swirling around her. We discuss what these narratives are getting right, and the many things people are getting wrong. 37:45 - Why are French Open matches ending after 3 a.m. and how can the tournament get this under control? 40:30 - The same gambling story that recently hit the NBA has now come for MLB. 44:30 - Manchester City have sued the Premier League. Is there any merit to their case? 45:40 - THE BIG STORY: The NCAA has agreed to a settlement that will involve retroactively paying former college athletes and paves the pathway to future athlete compensation. We discuss the historic nature of this moment, how it changes the landscape of sports, and also highlight the questions we still want to have answered. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The Premier League title came down to the final day, but it never really felt close. Manchester City won their fourth consecutive title, and we are here to figure out what all the other teams need to do to challenge the champs. On today's episode, we discuss: 4:26 - We take a look at the NBA Playoffs, focusing on the Denver Nuggets Game 7 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. 10:20 - We react to the reports that TNT might lose the rights to the NBA, and what that would mean for Inside the NBA, the greatest tv show in sports. 15:00 - Scottie Scheffler was arrested before his second round of the PGA Championship. We react to the arrest, the cultural context behind it, and why Scheffler continues to impress us. 31:30 - THE BIG STORY: We analyze the Premier League, starting with what City did to win, why Arsenal came up short, and why there don't seem to be many top teams ready to challenge for the title. 51:20 - We end by paying tribute to Jurgen Klopp, who has left Liverpool with a historic legacy. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Scottie Scheffler won the 2024 Masters Tournament, but he wanted to talk about something different: his faith in God. So we are going to spend some time discussing the various intersections between religion and sports. On today's episode, we discuss: 2:45 - We take a brief look at the collapse of PSG in France and look ahead to a very tense week for Arsenal fans. 8:20 - We recap The Roast of Tom Brady on Netflix. We examine the cultural significance of roasts, Tom Brady agreeing to be part of it, and go through some of the highlights from the night. 27:00 - THE BIG STORY: We talk about Scottie Scheffler and how he credits his faith in God with his on-course success. We examine the role of religion in sports historically, and the various ways athletes have tried to navigate living their faiths publicly in culture. 1:10:00 - We review Shōgun, the excellent Japanese period show on Hulu. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

As sports gambling continues to dominate our culture, we take a closer look at the issues surrounding sports betting. We react to how the sports leagues and sports media have responded, as well as offer some legislative suggestions on how to fix some of the most problematic issues. On today's episode, we discuss: 1:30 - We start with a really quick look at the NBA Playoffs and the matchups that are sticking out to us in round 1. 7:00 - We dive deep into sports gambling, starting with the lifetime ban issues by the NBA to Jontay Porter. We then look at what leagues, players, and media have done to cause these problems, and what they could do to mitigate the risk. Finally, we offer some suggestions for legislation that could help control gambling. 1:00:17 - We review Alex Garland's CIVIL WAR, and the conversations the film has created in our culture. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

For the first time in television history, the women's NCAA basketball championship had more viewership than the men's. What does this mean for the future of the game? How important is this breakthrough in the present? On today's episode, we discuss: 8:15 - We start with the women's tournament, talking about South Carolina's dominance, Caitlin Clark's unprecedented greatness, and the breakthrough in attention the women's game has received. 29:40 - We turn to the men's tournament, talking about Dan Hurley and UConn, the changing of the guard in the sport, and if the tournament format needs to be changed. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Major League Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani has been implicated in a major sports gambling story concerning his professional interpreter. While it seems like at the moment Ohtani is unscathed, this investigation opens the door into a wider conversation about sports gambling in our culture. On today's episode, we discuss: 3:45 - March Madness Opening Weekend and previewing the Sweet 16! The basketball has been amazing, and we will be recording soon after the national championship game on April 8. 10:00 - THE BIG STORY: Shohei Ohtani's interpreter has confessed to amassing massive gambling debts and stealing from Ohtani to pay off his bookies. MLB is investigating this story, and so are we, as we discuss what we know right now, what we don't know yet, and what this story indicates about the problems when sports and gambling merge. 27:00 - We take the sports gambling story to a wider level, talking about the rise of gambling in our culture, the dangers of sports gambling, and how it makes the roles of athletes, sports leagues, and even politicians trickier to understand. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The world's most controversial sport is enmeshed in one of its biggest controversies to date. Christian Horner—the team principal of Red Bull F1 racing—has held onto his job despite a tremendous amount of scrutiny. On today's episode, we discuss: 3:45 - We briefly recap the Oscars, covering subjects like Oppenheimer, Ryan Gosling, Lily Gladstone, and the controversial acceptance speech by Jonathan Glazer. 15:30 - Sports betting has come to North Carolina, and the online platforms are using some very creative ways to get people hooked. We talk about these marketing strategies, the risk of sports gambling, and Chad wins a bet during recording. 29:00 - We check in with college basketball, starting first with the extraordinary season by Caitlin Clark. She's the biggest star in the sport and has even overshadowed the men's game—which we confess we haven't paid that much attention to this year. 37:00 - Christian Horner survived an in-depth investigation this offseason into alleged controlling behavior and inappropriate text messages on his part. Most shockingly, Red Bull has recently suspended the alleged victim of this behavior, and are at risk of losing their elite driver, Max Verstappen. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Dune 2 is finally here! After a months-long delay, the much anticipated sequel film has arrived and we are here to break it all down in this special bonus edition of Crunching Tackles. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The most recent incident of court-storming by a student section in college basketball has ignited a huge debate about the future of this behavior. So we had to way in. On today's episode, we discuss: 8:30 - Everton have been given a lifeline in their continued attempt to stay in the Premier League while facing point reductions due to financial malpractice. Will getting 4 points back be enough to keep them up? 17:15 - We've talked a lot about Saudi Arabia's investment in sports, but they have their sights set on Hollywood as well. We react to this fascinating article about the relationship between MBS and Johnny Depp: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/johnny-depp-mbs-saudi-arabia 33:30 - We discuss why fan storming happens, what makes it dangerous, and seek to find a compromise that will both keep everyone safe and allow fans to express their joy. 54:15 - Chad reviews the first 3.5 seasons of Formula 1: Drive to Survive that he is now actively binge-watching. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Super Bowl 58 featured the two longest field goals in Super Bowl history, and two historic comebacks from Patrick Mahomes. On today's episode, we discuss: 6:30 - We break down the game, including the key fourth quarter and overtime drives, and why the 49ers will be thinking about their missed opportunities. 40:00 - We reopen the conversation about where Patrick Mahomes ranks in the history of NFL players. 48:30 - The NFL has been at the forefront of American and world culture this year, and it seems more impactful than in previous years. What is causing this, and how much credit does Taylor Swift deserve? 1:00:00 - We rank the best and worst Super Bowl commercials. 1:12:15 - Disney, Warner Bros., and Fox have announced a new streaming service that will merge their live sports programs. How will this change the landscape of streaming, and is this something sports fans should be excited about? As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

In 2022, the Ontario police and NHL opened investigations into sexual assault allegations against several members of Canada's 2018 Junior World Championship team. This week, 5 members of that team were ordered to surrender to the police. On today's episode, we discuss: 2:50 - The Super Bowl matchup is set, with the Kansas City Chiefs returning to face the San Francisco 49ers. We react to how each of these teams earned their spot in the big game and then preview what we expect to happen on February 11. 25:45 - We recap the 2024 Australian Open, with huge wins for Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner. Are these two the bright spots in tennis' future? 37:15 - Staying in the tennis world, we react to the episode of Netflix's Break Point that featured Alexander Zverev, and why we were uncomfortable with its silence on the abuse allegations currently pending against Zverev. Both Netflix and the ATP deserve huge blame for how this situation has been handled. 50:15 - THE BIG STORY: Carter Hart and four other former World Juniors players are surrendering to police this week to be charged with sexual assault. As we anticipate the press conference announcing the charges early next week, we discuss how these players should be dealt with in the meantime, and what the most likely outcomes are. 58:10 - We review The Zone of Interest and explain why this film is essential viewing for our time. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Everton and Nottingham Forest are facing more financial charges from the English Premier League, casting a shadow on the fairness of the finances of elite soccer. On today's episode, we discuss: 3:50 - THE BIG STORY: Everton and Nottingham Forest are facing charges of financial misconduct. They are not sustainably managing their money and have faced significant monetary losses, and now they are at risk of facing a points deduction as well. 19:50 - Rafael Nadal withdrew from the Australian Open with an injury and then became an ambassador for the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We discuss the moral compromise of this latest move. 24:20 - Among the numerous coaching changes in college and professional football, the biggest are the retirement of Nick Saban and the firing of Bill Belichick. We reflect on the legacies of these two icons of the game. 42:10 - We recap an incredible Wild Card Weekend of the NFL playoffs, look ahead to the divisional round, and conclude the podcast with our Super Bowl predictions. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

2023 has been a consequential sports year. We've seen aging superstars cement their legacies, young phenoms announce their presence, and Saudi Arabia stage a takeover of multiple professional sports. We also spent a lot of time this year watching and thinking about film. We've shared a lot of those thoughts on this podcast, but we decided to spend the last half of this podcast talking about the best of what we saw this year. We hope you enjoy this year-end review of the sporting events and films of 2023! As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Shohei Ohtani has signed a historic and unconventional contract to play baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Meanwhile, Jon Rahm announced his departure from the PGA Tour for LIV Golf, despite having previously stated that he isn't motivated by money. On today's episode, we discuss: 1:30 - The final College Football Committee Rankings, and if Florida State University has a case to say they were snubbed. 9:15 - The president of the NCAA has announced a new financial structure to potentially compensate student athletes. Will this proposal make things better or worse? 15:00 - The first ever NBA in-season tournament has concluded, and the guys are skeptical about whether this was a successful endeavor. 21:00 - We look at the most recent slate of NFL games. 30:50 - Buffalo Bill's coach Sean McDermott has come under fire for comments he made in 2019 comparing his team to the 9/11 terrorists. How far out of bounds were these remarks? 36:30 - The Bills have also allowed Von Miller to play football despite being released on bail following a domestic violence arrest. We believe he should not be allowed to play, and finally lay out the policy we would like to see all sports teams implement. 41:40 - Jon Rahm has gone to LIV. How will this change the future of golf? 53:00 - We break down Shohei Ohtani's contract and how it might change the way athletes conduct business in the future. 1:03:00 - We review Godzilla Minus One and recommend two other pieces of content for your holiday viewing. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Everton Football Club have been hit with the largest sanctions ever given by the Premier League after they were found liable for mismanagement of funds and inability to retain a proper revenue margin. Their 10-point sanction is the largest points deduction the league has ever given. On today's episode, we discuss: 1:30 - A very brief run through the recent slate of NFL games. 5:30 - Alejandro Garnacho scored an all-time great goal for Manchester United against Everton, and Chad wants to make sure you see it! 10:00 - Josh Giddey is under investigation by the NBA for a potential relationship with an underage girl. Has the league handled this correctly so far? 15:10 - THE BIG STORY: We look at what the Premier League found Everton guilty of, if the punishment is fair, and why we continue to have the sense that the Premier League is financially unfair and potentially even rigged. 45:00 - We review Ridley Scott's NAPOLEON. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

There is no event more prestigious than the World Cup, and the 2034 edition is going to be gifted to Saudi Arabia, as they continue their expansive sportswashing project. On today's episode, we discuss: 7:00 - Jim Harbaugh has been suspended by the Big Ten following evidence that his program was illegally spying on opponents. But we aren't convinced the NCAA rules on surveillance are fair, or even achieve the objectives they are designed to. 28:30 - THE BIG STORY: FIFA have set the stage for Saudi Arabia to get the World Cup, after declaring that South America can't bid for the tournament. How blatant has the collusion with the middle east become? How can conscientious sports fans respond? As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Our eyes are telling us that athletes look bigger, stronger, and faster than they ever have before, and the empirical data backs that up. On today's podcast, we're looking at the growth of the athletic body and how we can contextualize the modern day elite. We discuss: 1:00 - A few additional thoughts about the conflict between Israel and Hamas and the cultural response. 18:45 - A brief check-in on the NFL season and why all the games seem so unpredictable this year. 25:00 - We've concluded the first season in the MLB with the pitch clock and other rule changes. Did the changes work? 37:15 - THE BIG STORY: Are athletes really more talented than they ever have been, and if so, what's different? How can we compare the current elite to the greats of the past? 1:05:17 - Killers of the Flower Moon review. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

We're doing something a little different on the podcast today. We'll weave a couple sports stories into this discussion, but we are mostly focused on a frank and raw conversation about the state of the war in Israel, our connections to it, and what we can learn from the cultural response to this conflict. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

For the past two weeks, Taylor Swift has been in attendance to see the Kansas City Chiefs, and Travis Kelce, play football. Her presence has in many ways dictated not just sports media, but all of culture. We here at Crunching Tackles have been swept up in Taylor-mania as well. This week, we discuss: 2:20 - What in the world is going on with Jimmy Butler? 4:16 - Video Review in the Premier League has hit a new low. Does the whole system require an overhaul? 22:40 - Chad gives some thoughts on the Ryder Cup and the state of American golf. 27:45 - THE BIG STORY: Taylor Swift! 52:10 - A little bit of pop culture to wind down today's episode. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The 2023 US Open saw one of the youngest female champions in Grand Slam history, and also one of the oldest mens champions. We recap the entire tournament and look at what the future for Coco Gauff and Novak Djokovic might be. This week, we discuss: 1:45 - Our week 1 takeaways from the NFL season so far. 11:15 - The drama in the Spanish Football Federation in the aftermath of the Women's World Cup that resulted in the firing of head coach Jorge Vilda and the resignation of president Luis Rubiales. 24:50 - THE BIG STORY: Coco Gauff became the youngest woman to win the US Open since Serena Williams, and she accomplished the win that will justify all the hype surrounding her young career. And the next day, Novak Djokovic won his 24th Grand Slam title, cementing his case as the greatest athlete of all time. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Michael Oher, the subject of the hit movie The Blind Side, has filed a lawsuit against the Tuohy family who took him in and became the heroes of the film. What is Oher alleging, and how does this taint the beloved film? On this pod, we discuss: 0:45 - John gives a full recollection of seeing Lionel Messi—in person—lift his first trophy on American soil. 6:20 - Novak Djokovic has gotten some revenge on Carlos Alcaraz, beating him on hard court in the Cincinnati Open final. What does this match say about these two and their rivalry headed into the US Open? 9:50 - Wander Franco has been placed on administrative leave by MLB as he is investigated for inappropriate relationships. We look at the bit of information we have so far, and preview what is to come in the coming weeks. 11:30 - Manchester United and Mason Greenwood have announced that Greenwood will not return to the team after the conclusion of an investigation into a domestic abuse allegation in his relationship. While Greenwood has been cleared of all charges, United still made this decision. How is this another example of a public relations nightmare for the club, and is this decision fair to Greenwood? 33:45 - THE BIG STORY: The Blind Side opened 14 years ago to mass acclaim, but new legal filings have thrown a wrench in the story. Is this a feel good story, or an example of white saviorism? We break down the allegations and the legacy of the movie. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

It was a disappointing outing in the Woman's World Cup for the USA, and we are here to react to the worst result the American ladies have ever suffered in the history of the tournament. On this pod, we discuss: 2:30 - Lionel Messi has continued to dominate in MLS in his first four games for Inter Miami. Is this a huge success for everyone all around, or is it highlighting the issues with our domestic league? 10:10 - Kylian Mbappe has reached an impasse with his club—PSG—and is now facing the possibility of missing the entire season. How did they get to this point, and whose fault is it? 13:15 - The Premier League season returns this weekend, and we preview our expectations for our teams, as well as who we expect to finish on top. 44:40 - THE BIG STORY: The USWNT crashed out of the World Cup in the Round of 16, and have faced extensive criticism in the aftermath. How much of the criticism is justified, and what's next for the new generation of the team? As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Full disclosure: there is a lot more talk about movies on this episode than there is about sports. But that doesn't mean we don't have a whole lot of important sports content for you as well. This week we discuss: 2:45 - Carlos Alcaraz is the 2023 Wimbledon champion, and we assess whether he is now the best tennis player in the world. Is it time to reflect on Novak Djokovic in the past tense, or does he still have some fight left? 10:00 - THE BIG STORY: Horrific allegations have emerged about a culture of aggressive hazing and sexual harassment at Northwestern University's football program. What is it going to take for institutions to start taking these issues seriously, and is there anything to learn from these stories? 28:10 - We participated in the cultural event of the summer: the Barbenheimer double feature. We start with Barbie, talking about the successes of the film, why it worked so well; and we also mention a few of the challenges that hold this film back from being an all-time classic. 44:40 - Finally, we make the hard pivot to Oppenheimer, one of the most significant films we've ever seen and also one of the best. What makes the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer so important right now, and how did Christopher Nolan bring his unique abilities to this film? As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Elon Musk has led during a tumultuous time at Twitter HQ, and Meta have capitalized on this perceived weakness with their competitor app: Threads. Given the uncertainty around Twitter, we take this opportunity to reflect on how Twitter specifically has shaped the fan sports experience and the way entertainment comes into our lives. We also wonder if Threads, or any other social media app, can steer clear of some of the worst parts of Twitter. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

It's been the summer of Saudi Arabia, as the Middle Eastern oil giants continue to buy their way deeper and deeper into the worlds of both soccer and golf. With mostly wins, and one significant loss, the Public Investment Fund of the controversy-riddled country is now a major player in the international sports scene. This week we discuss: 1:36 - A brief mention of the French Open, Novak Djokovic making history, and if the "young guys" will ever topple the last standing member of the historic Big Three. 11:54 - Saudi Arabia made an offer to Lionel Messi they thought he couldn't refuse . . . but he did! The GOAT of soccer is headed to the United States! 21:19 - Karim Benzema IS headed to Saudi Arabia, joining his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. How is the country using its leverage in its home league and throughout European competition? 30:30 - THE BIG STORY: The PGA Tour and the PIF have reached an agreement that will essentially end LIV Golf and bring all of international golf under the investment of Saudi Arabia. How did the PGA get to this compromising position, and how do Chad and John feel about this moment? 49:00 - Amidst these bleak headlines, one shining light in the culture has emerged. SPIDER MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE is the movie of the year, and we couldn't possibly love it any more. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant will likely face a hefty suspension from the NBA after appearing in a second social media video with a firearm, not even two months after being suspended for the first one. But is that fair? Social media has been ablaze with controversy, and we try to find some answers. 2:30 - We start things off by looking at the NBA and NHL playoffs (RIP the Hurricanes). 7:23 - Rafael Nadal announced last week that he's withdrawing from the French Open, and 2024 will be his last season. Will he make it through his final tour? 14:07 - Has Manchester City broken the sport of soccer? John definitely thinks so. 27:34 - We take a serious look at the Ja Morant situation. How does the NBA's issue relate to the broader question of gun violence in the U.S.? 44:46 - Did we... both enjoy a Marvel movie? As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms! And if you hated it, it's my (John's) fault.

14 different managers have been fired in during the Premier League season this year—the most in any season ever. Why are owners and management so impatient with the results of their coaches? Does the high turnover lead to improved play on the field? This week, we discuss: 1:00—Personal news for the podcast 3:30—The first round of the NBA Playoffs is absolutely full of drama, and we discuss the highlights and lowlights so far. 25:20—Why are so many coaches being fired in soccer, and how can this problem be solved? As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!

March Madness is over, and the NCAA men's and women's champions have been crowned. Connecticut has cemented their men's program in the top tier of basketball, and LSU women won their first national championship. This week, we discuss: 4:50—UConn defeated San Diego State in the national championship, winning their fifth title in the past 25 years. We look at the strangeness of this year's tournament, the eventual champions, and why the television ratings declined this year in the later rounds. 26:25—LSU won their first national championship, defeating Iowa in the women's game. Caitlin Clark played a tournament for the ages, but caught some heat from several LSU players, as did Jill Biden. We look at the game, and the multitude of off-court controversy that followed it. 47:45—The Masters this year is a rare reunion between PGA and LIV players, and we preview the tournament going on right now. 54:00—Ted Lasso season 3 episodes 1-4 recap. 1:01:10—The Mandalorian season 3 episodes 1-6 recap. 1:05:30—Chad and John highly recommend watching John Wick: Chapter 4. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!