Pass It Down

The end of Pass It Down's unannounced hiatus starts off with a bang, as Natalie details Mike's untimely head-bang and its chilling effect on his co-host. After commemorating this year's relatively tame Blocktober, Mike talks about his eight-year NFL Network journey and why that unlikely partnership ended last summer. We discuss his first story for Bally Sports, which broke the news of Houston Texans chair Cal McNair's racially insensitive comments at a charity golf tournament, and some of the other toxic forces at the highest levels of a league striving to drape itself in anti-racist symbolism. From the Dan Snyder investigation to the Jon Gruden emails to the Woody Johnson allegations, we get into all of it. Mike also talks about the importance of being part of a team and gets nostalgic about some of his sweeter moments at NFL Network and Yahoo! Sports. And for you Ted Lasso fans, Mike and Natalie have a few things to say about Trent Crimm of The Independent and why he is a blight on humanity.

Kettman retraces the emotional whirlwind that began in February, when he learned of his close friend's sudden passing, and continued as he spearheaded and edited the book that would hit the shelves in July. We hear about Pedro's cynical conscription of the “Berkeley Guy” into the baseball beat writers' fraternity, their perspective-altering trip to Cuba that compelled Gomez to pen an open letter to President Clinton and the bold story he wrote about Curt Schilling that rocked the baseball world on the morning of Game 7 of the 2001 World Series. We also hear hilarious and touching stories about Gomez as a sports dad and an infamous college tale involving Steve and fellow Daily Cal alum Mike Fleiss.

After explaining his motivation for bringing Mike on as a Washington Football Team content contributor, Ron heartily endorses the ‘Clean Slate' plan that will unblock fans of the team on Twitter (at least for now). That leads to a healthy discussion about Ted Lasso, binge-watching and which WFT player has Jamie Tartt tendencies. We learn about the role frozen yogurt played in Ron and Stephanie's courtship during their UC Berkeley days and how ‘The Play' wasn't the only amazing ending Ron experienced as a Golden Bear great. Ron and Steph share the details of their secret trip to the Bahamas that jump-started his move to Washington, and he tells us why he signed Ryan Fitzpatrick to be his quarterback in 2021. Finally, we learn about the importance of family and friends as Ron battled cancer during his first season with the team, and why one ‘leak' in the organization turned out to be a good one.

We pick up with Dr. Edwards' recounting of the long history of athlete activism in the U.S., from baseball-playing Civil War soldiers to Colin Kaepernick's kneeling during the anthem and beyond. He expounds upon the power--and inherent danger--of social media, and why it is an important protest tool. Dr. Edwards recalls his reaction to witnessing the black-glove salute at the 1968 Olympics that he inspired, and why he worried for the future of Australian sprinter Peter Norman. He weighs in on the recent Supreme Court decision striking down the NCAA's ability to prevent athletes from cashing in on their name, image and likeness and on Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib coming out as the NFL's first openly gay active player. Finally, Dr. Edwards tells Natalie why he's optimistic about her generation's ability to effect meaningful change during a tumultuous time.

After years of concealing evidence about the dangers of head trauma, the NFL settled a class-action lawsuit with former players… and employed “race norming” as a criteria, a practice racist in both its premise and systemic impact. Dr. Edwards, who regards race norming as part of the “medical apartheid” with which Black Americans have long been confronted, explains why its revelation could spark locker-room revolts and why the devil is not in the details, but in the delivery, as the league attempts to rectify it. In tracing his own journey, from an impoverished upbringing in East St. Louis to pronounced academic achievement and high-profile Civil Rights activism, the esteemed sociologist addresses the personal danger he has faced as a high-profile target--and a recent brush with a would-be assassin's spray of bullets. Edwards also tells us why Donald Trump was a symptom, rather than a root cause, of the racism that fueled his presidency, and how women are imperative in the fight to conquer climate change, gun violence and other societal ills.

The San Francisco 49ers' star tight end weighs in on his team's wild offseason, which he likens to “a tornado after a hurricane after a thunderstorm,” explaining which teammate “sweats olive oil” and assessing the pre-draft trade that landed quarterback Trey Lance. After addressing his Panda Express obsession in very specific fashion, Kittle talks about his prodigious partying days at the University of Iowa and the dramatic behavioral change that saved his football career and catapulted him to the NFL. From that point on the episode turns fast and furious, with topics such as Kittle's physical dominance of opponents, his love for tight ends (including new Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell), why he can't wait for fans to flip him off in 2021 and his kinship with Kyle Shanahan's dog among the auditory offerings.

While discussing disgruntled Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a recent appearance on ESPN’s morning show, Russini managed to cast her husband in a glaringly mediocre light, leading his friends to tell him, “Yo--your wife just trucked you on TV.” After amusingly recounting that episode, Russini tells us about her childhood, from her early journalistic aspirations (and her father’s fatefully situated job as a plumber) to her prolific and ultra-aggressive feats on the athletic field. As she and Natalie swap stories of on-the-field transgressions, Dianna relates her journey from overmatched Division 1 soccer player to starter and co-captain--including the red card she received on Parents’ Day--and tells why she preferred the throat to the crotch when it came to handing out punishment. We also learn about her father’s harrowing escape from the World Trade Center during 9/11, what provoked her tirade on the Jets’ practice field and why she questioned an NFL head coach who told her not to stay out late at the Combine.

Kid talks about growing up in The Bronx and Queens worshipping seminal rappers like Melle Mel--and later getting to hang with his idols. After landing the lead role in House Party originally intended for Will Smith (who, thanks to Kid’s regrettable business decision, ended up with a hit sitcom on NBC that vaulted him to superstardom), Kid tormented Martin Lawrence on set and put his writing touches on the 1990 film that became a surprise sensation. We hear about Kid’s friendship with Bill Maher, who he defended (and privately chastized) after the comedian dropped an N-bomb on “Real Time,” and his latest musical effort, a pandemic-inspired collaboration with rapper Bizkit called “Horizon.” Kid also shares his thoughts on the chasm between Aaron Rodgers and the Packers and tells Mike and Natalie about his epic feud with their friend (and Pass It Down intro impresario) Luke Campbell of 2 Live Crew in ‘90s.

Kid describes his early experiences as a celebrity, including the time he was asked to autograph an item that offended him on a deep level. He recalls touring with Digital Underground and then-roadie/all-purpose regulator Tupac Shakur, a future superstar who was shot on the night Kid and Mike met at Derrick Thomas’ house (and died six days later). And there’s a whole lot of reminiscing about what made Thomas special, from the Hall of Fame pass rusher’s legendary social stamina, to his impactful foundation, to his championing of a JFK conspiracy theory that traced back to his boss’s family.

Why did Natalie get cut out of the family group chat on draft night? Did Kyle Shanahan do Matt LaFleur dirty? Can the disconnect between Aaron Rodgers and the Packers be bridged? What did Mike and John Elway do on a hotel balcony a few hours after the legendary quarterback’s last NFL game? Did Kyle change his mind about drafting Matt Jones because he caved to public perception? Will Jeff Darlington’s dad kick Mike’s ass? What small request do your humble podcast hosts have for their listeners? You have questions. We have answers.

Fresh off a recent run to the Australian Open quarterfinals, Jessie Pegula details her unlikely rise to the upper echelon of the WTA Tour… and, equally impressive, her history of unwavering support for Bills quarterback Josh Allen, even as her mother grew skeptical during his first two seasons. Jessie also outs Kim as the most competitive person in the family and as a grunter on the hardcourt before getting into meatier matters, such as facing the great Serena Williams in a tournament final… and whether she and her competitors should stage WWE-like feuds to increase interest. Kim, meanwhile, explains why her quarterback will soon receive a lucrative contract extension and lays out her plan to help improve the NFL hiring cycle. Oh, and we hear about the time Kim bravely brought Mike to a meeting with the family members of a Trump Cabinet official.

A few nights before Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, Dimitroff hosted Silver and some of his NFL Network colleagues at his Buckhead home, treated them to some exquisitely selected bottles of expensive red wine and took them outside to try out the zip line he installed in his backyard. Drama ensued, all of which is recounted here. Dimitroff then welcomes a special guest who livened up a previous Pass It Down episode (with Packers coach Matt LaFleur) and solitics her thoughts on zip-line safety that trace back to a high-altitude adventure in a Costa Rican rainforest. Dimitroff ponders which quarterback his former offensive coordinator, current 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, will select with the third overall pick and weighs in on what the Falcons should do with the fourth overall selection. He leaves us with two stories about employees who smashed their cars into brick structures on his property--one of whom put the incident in his rear-view mirror and became the Jacksonville Jaguars’ general manager.

Dimitroff shares vagabond stories from his scouting days, recalling how his VW van came in handy in the wake of 9/11--and how his dying father’s advice convinced him not to get caught up in being overly conventional. He explains the aggressive mindset that fueled his 2011 draft-night trade for wide receiver Julio Jones, and he revisits quarterback Matt Ryan’s choppy first year with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and the relationship-repair efforts that fueled the Falcons’ Super Bowl LI run. Dimitroff then relives the horror of that evening in Houston during which his team blew a 28-3 lead, botched a chance to kick a game-securing field goal and watched Tom Brady lead the New England Patriots to an incredible comeback that still haunts the franchise.

After explaining why he was drawn to Michigan defensive end Kwity Paye as the subject of a pre-draft profile, Tafur breaks down the logic (or lack thereof) behind the Raiders’ offseason moves and assesses the state of the relationship between head coach Jon Gruden and quarterback Derek Carr. Vic then recalls the fateful Daily Cal sports recruitment meeting where he got his first journalism assignment--and the first of many acerbic comments from his exceptionally loud sports editor. We learn about Mike’s introduction to rap music (and the over-the-top article it provoked), how neither he nor Vic have it in them to enjoy the Pac-12’s recent run of hoops success and why Natalie’s youth soccer experiences make her a kindred spirit. Vic shares the backstory behind his exclusive story on then-Raiders receiver Nelson Agholor’s “You suck” speech to his teammates last December, and the charged phone conversation with Agholor that followed. And if you’re still with us toward the end of the episode, you’ll be treated to Vic’s recounting of his infamous Twitter feud with a veteran NFL writer, complete with the obligatory reference to a popular adult-video internet site.

Beginning with the backstory behind the infamous sangria photo--in the immediate aftermath of his firing by the Browns--Jackson shares a barrage of previously unreported details about his ill-fated stint with the franchise. Following a one-and-done, 8-8 season as the Oakland Raiders’ head coach in 2011, Jackson had worked his way back to prominence as a highly regarded offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, only to accept the Browns’ job under false pretenses. He explains how he tried to fight back against management’s aggressive-tanking plan, took extreme measures to ensure the franchise selected Myles Garrett with the first overall pick of the 2017 draft and received a secret contract extension as an acknowledgment of his raw deal. We also talk agave rashes, Andy Dalton in Chicago, how he almost got the Cal job in 2012 and why he suspects that Baker Mayfield hates him, among other scintillating subjects.

Eager to photograph the Rolling Stones in the early ‘70s, Zagaris talks his way onto a tour by impersonating an editor of English Vogue and never looks back. He also recalls getting caught in the crossfire of a violent clash between Led Zeppelin and iconic rock impresario Bill Graham and tells the story of a wild acid trip on San Francisco’s Ocean Beach with T-Rex frontman Marc Bolan, during which they “hear the universe” but tragically miss the band’s scheduled gig. Zagaris also talks about how San Francisco has gotten less weird and the toxicity of the Trump presidency and the extremism it fostered. He closes with a classic story about the origin of “The Object” on the cover of Zeppelin’s album Presence.

Featured guest Josh Elliott tells Mike, Natalie and her younger brothers--UCSB students Greg and Robbie--how he ended up playing water polo at the school in the ‘90s and why the former Good Morning America personality still feels so connected to his alma mater. With the Gauchos set to take on Creighton in a first-round game on Saturday, Josh recalls the talented UCSB team from his freshman year that defeated future national champion UNLV in the regular season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Greg describes calling the JaQuori McLaughlin buzzer beater in a packed Thunderdome in March of 2020 just before the shelter-in-place order was instituted, and how the pandemic has impacted college life in the year that followed. Josh weighs in on Creighton head coach Doug McDermott’s “plantation speech” and paints a hopeful picture of the Gauchos’ prospects for the first round and beyond. Eyebrow-raising stories featuring UCSB alums and accomplished actors Michael Douglas and Gwyneth Paltrow, and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, should have Isla Vista popping before tipoff.

For a few blissful moments shortly after midnight on June 5, 1968, young campaign staffer Michael Zagaris believed Bobby Kennedy would become President. The Senator had just won the California primary, but moments after his victory speech at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, he was assassinated--as Zagaris and others looked on in horror. In Part 1 of our wide-ranging look at his legendary career, Zagaris recounts RFK’s shooting and the impact it had on his psyche and aspirations. Ultimately, advice from guitar god Eric Clapton--after the two had shared several bowls of hashish in a Sausalito hotel room--would compel Zagaris to become a photographer, one who would make a massive impact in the rock n’ roll and sports worlds. We learn about his Baptism By Vomit (courtesy of drunken Doors frontman Jim Morrison) and much, much more.

Beginning with his hilarious recap of the notorious “Rosencopter” defeat to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, and continuing with his evocative portrayal of the tension between future Hall of Famer Brett Favre and head coach Brad Childress during the Minnesota Vikings’ 2009 season, Sage entertains us with behind-the-scenes anecdotes and insights, at one point describing “the best throw I’ve ever seen in the sport of football.” He then pivots into a political discussion that excoriates Ted Cruz, Donald Trump and other right-wing zealots--likening the ex-President’s role in the Jan. 6 insurrection to that of a coach giving a fiery pregame speech--and explores the possibility of him holding higher office. We also hear the story of Natalie’s arresting question to her father while she was in the middle of a charged protest on UC Berkeley’s Sproul Plaza and he was charging toward the Super Bowl party he was co-hosting in Houston.

Following a brief comparison of Mike’s and Sage’s inductions into respective Jewish Sports Hall of Fames, the longtime NFL quarterback talks about his unconventional upbringing in rural Iowa, his emergence as an NFL prospect and the PhD course in offense he received from future 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan that changed the course of his career. We also hear about Texans owner Cal McNair’s unlikely hobby, the organization’s current train-wreck status and why Sage believes star quarterback Deshaun Watson has every right to try to bolt. We also hear about the shrewd career advice Sage got from future Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett and the meathead culture that still permeates NFL coaching circles.

Mike and Amy have had their battles, one of which occurred in the aftermath of a surreal press conference that featured one of her Raiders employees railing at another sports journalist and his “smoke pot smokin’ buddy Mike Silver” (who at the time was not present and was not, in fact, his buddy). We segue from that story to another Marijuana Moment--this time, in the form of a question that Natalie, then a Cal student, posed to Amy, a panelist at a packed party hosted by Mike before Super Bowl 50. We hear about Amy’s friendship with Ice Cube, her partner in ‘The Big3’ (a basketball league featuring retired stars), and her affinity for ice cream, emailing instead of texting and being disturbingly polite and civil on Twitter. (Don’t worry--she still goes ham in real life.) We also get Amy’s side of her infamous press-box shushing of sports columnist Ann Killion during the national anthem, as detailed in Ep. 28.

Beginning with Mike and Charissa’s origin story (featuring mimosas and a double entendre-drenched show pitch), and ending with Mike and Jeff’s (featuring the Crown Jewels and a saucy Soho club), Natalie is bombarded with a fast and furious barrage of true confessions. We learn about Jeff’s ill-fated fraternity Hall of Fame acceptance speech, the woman who wanted to throw down with Charissa in a Miami Beach bar, the actress who scolded her during a red-carpet interview for Extra… actually, this whole episode is extra. You heard me.

In the same manner in which they offended guests at the Indianapolis J.W. Marriott nine Super Bowl Saturdays ago (as detailed in the story that kicks off this episode), FOX’s Charissa, ESPN’s Jeff and NFL Network’s Mike air some of their dirty laundry--quite literally, in one of their cases. With Natalie sucked into the jetstream (not literally), they detail their various feuds, explain how much ended up in the concussion protocol before Super Bowl XLV and talk about the origin of the iconic Super Bowl party they co-host annually, pandemic-impacted-years excepted. They also speak of pink pussy hats and bone-colored pants. You heard me.

McNabb explains why the winning quarterback from Sunday’s NFC championship game, Tom Brady, can be considered the greatest of alltime--and why he believes the losing QB, Aaron Rodgers, has not earned that same consideration. In previewing Super Bowl LV, McNabb highlights a pair of former players and accomplished offensive coordinators, Eric Bieniemy and Byron Leftwich, that he thinks are being overlooked for head-coaching opportunities. We hear about the playoff game Mike spent in the McNabb Family luxury suite--which featured Donovan’s miraculous fourth-and-26 completion to Freddie Mitchell--and why he received a better greeting from Mr. McNabb than Jay-Z did. We also hear about Donovan’s tense interactions with future 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan on the practice field and why he felt fellow Washington assistants (and future head coaches) Matt LaFleur and Sean McVay needed to break away from Shanahan to realize their potential.

After Mike recounts some of his previous inauguration-viewing experiences, including the cataclysmic coalescence of his sporting and electoral nightmares, he and Natalie welcome a special guest who claims to know a great deal about swearing-in ceremonies, peaceful transitions of power and a whole lot of other subjects. We cover charged topics ranging from the crowd size at the 2017 inauguration to President Trump’s refusal to attend this year’s event to the challenges facing President-Elect Biden to the Chicago Bears’ quarterback situation… and finish off with some hope and change.

Why did Mike get banned (repeatedly) by the Raiders--and why does Amy view it as a sign of Al’s respect? What did Amy scream at the NFL’s supervisor of officials during the infamous “Tuck Rule” replay review in the 2001 playoffs? What did Amy’s sixth grade teacher tell her mother about her intellect, or lack thereof? Did Mike or Amy terrorize Paul Revere Jr. High teachers more? Will any of these three Cal alums live long enough to see the Golden Bears play in the Rose Bowl? Why did the Raiders perpetually “abstain” in league votes, and how did Amy get Al to change the policy? Which Raiders victory brought Amy AND Mike to tears? We have answers. You won’t be disappointed.

 In the process of becoming high-profile NFL Network personalities, Cynthia Frelund and Taylor Bisciotti have been objectified and stigmatized--and offered money for photos of their feet. Yet the close friends and accomplished journalists are football nerds at heart, and in this spirited and expansive conversation, they break down some of the NFL’s most compelling topics. From Lamar Jackson’s breakthrough to Sam Darnold’s future to their picks for Super Bowl LV, Frelund and Bisciotti talk ball and showcase their collectively prodigious brainpower.

Lindsay explains to a pair of Cal alums (who wanted her to stay in Berkeley forever) why she became the first head coach of a Power Five women’s program to bolt for the NBA, pinpointing the moment she first viewed such a move as more than a pipe dream and its potential impact on future generations. She looks back on Cal’s breathtaking run to the 2013 Final Four (and the emotional assists the Golden Bears got from Kobe Bryant and President Obama), her tumultuous but fulfilling first year with the Cleveland Cavaliers and why a photo of Rockets star James Harden holding her young son left her feeling less than celebratory. We also learn what it’s like to be Mike Silver’s friend in a city that hates him, how Mike blew his chance to attend the same Ivy League school as Lindsay, and why Natalie got red-carded during a soccer tournament championship game on Mike’s birthday.

From their days as college journalists who spent much of their time at Grateful Dead concerts to their shared social media battles against MAGA nation, the two Mikes have had each other’s backs… while busting each other’s balls. Now Natalie joins the fray, immediately provoking a story about the letter Karen Pence sent to Fleiss’ office… and the dream Bachelorette Fleiss is targeting for 2023. We hear about a Bachelorette Season 1 taping at a Chargers game that provoked a hilarious reaction from Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson--and a salty one from star quarterback Drew Brees. There are tales of Fleiss’ tawdry leather jacket, the time he and Silver consumed undercooked chicken, a hives outbreak, a real-life Owen Wilson wedding crash and how Fleiss’ college band ended up playing at a porno premiere. Fleiss also discusses the Bachelor’s inception, the “miracle” of the franchise’s enduring popularity, why he was misunderstood by former cast member Kaitlyn Bristowe and host Chris Harrison’s future.

Mike and Natalie talk about why they chose the fantastic guests they did and highlight some of their favorite moments of the past seven months’ worth of episodes. We revisit Steve Kerr’s savage sigh at his daughter’s college volleyball game and the absurd chant Mike led at Dodger Stadium during the 1982 L.A. City baseball championship. We hear New Orleans Saints star Cam Jordan talk about why raising a black child is America carries daunting overtones and get some insight from rap legend Luther Campbell (aka Uncle Luke) into his late friend Tupac Shakur’s psyche as it pertained to social activism. Two doctors at the forefront of the COVID-19 fight, Greg Huhn and Ajay Nirula, tell us why Dr. Fauci is a legend, and Brandi Chastain takes some current women’s soccer stars to task. Former NFL receiver turned political commentator Donté Stallworth tells a Bill Belichick story with an unexpected twist. Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur gets grilled by an unlikely interviewer, former Oklahoma and Dallas Cowboys coach Barry Switzer looks back on a drunken argument with Jerry Jones, and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay tells Mike why he shouldn’t worry that rock icon Stephen Stills hates him.

 Irsay recalls the moment he learned, via Howard Cosell on Monday Night Football, of Lennon’s murder--”a steel sword through the heart”--and puts the event into historical context. The Colts’ owner and music-memorabilia collector settles the debate as to who is the best songwriter of all-time and recalls his indelible 1989 meeting with Paul and Linda McCartney. Meanwhile, Natalie tries to discern which legendary rock star (Pete Townshend or Stephen Stills) her father pissed off more.

 Three decades ago, Mike and Ann were young beat writers covering the star-studded San Francisco 49ers--and Natalie wants to know where all the bodies (and bottles) are buried. Now an award-winning columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, Ann spills a lot of intel, relating the challenges of working in a male-dominated industry--including one especially daunting incident in the 49ers’ locker room--and looking back at some of the luminaries (Al Davis, Amy Trask, Eddie DeBartolo) whose feathers she ruffled along the way. We also explore the impact of the 1999 and 2019 Women’s World Cups, hear about some awkward conversations that Mike and Ann had with Steve Young back in the day and rail against the loose ends remaining after the finale of The Undoing.

As the trombonist who got run over by Cal’s Kevin Moen at the end of The Play--the epic, five-lateral kickoff return that decided the 1982 Big Game--Gary Tyrrell has spent decades recalling his place in football history. He does that here, expansively and hilariously, and so much more. From Stanford band transgressions to over-the-top pranks to killer Grateful Dead shows to an unmatched case of the Sunday Scaries, Gary hits all the right notes.

Back in June, Dr. Gregory Huhn and Dr. Ajay Nirula--two highly accomplished medical experts on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19--joined us to discuss all things pandemic. They return with the latest on the worsening conditions throughout the country and the highly promising news on the vaccine and treatment fronts, providing answers to our questions about a potential ramp-up of testing and tracing, science skeptics, President-Elect Biden’s likely approach, President Trump’s post-treatment steroid high (and Dr. Huhn’s creative diagnosis) and how and when we can get back to normal. We also make Dr. Nirula pronounce the name of the antibody-therapy drug he and Dr. Huhn helped develop--as published in the New England Journal of Medicine--and suggest a few alternative monikers.

During his 15-year career as an NFL quarterback, Gus Frerotte loved to let it fly--especially in the presence of a certain sports journalist who shared his left-wing political sensibilities and disdain for self-important coaches and players. In a celebratory conversation taped on the morning after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 Presidential Election, Gus, his wife Annie and their son Gunnar join Mike and Natalie in recalling some of the most farcical moments of Donald Trump’s reign of error--and a whole lot of laugh-provoking moments that went down in one another’s presence. From the infamous Amaretto Incident that called Gus’s manhood into question, to the starvation diet he and Annie imposed on Gunnar’s younger brother before the Pop Warner season, to Natalie’s assault on a rival field hockey goalie’s heavily padded private parts, this joyride down memory lane is sweeter than almond-flavored liqueur.

As America confronts a crisis in democracy he likens to a “five-alarm fire,” Smith--an Emmy-winning producer (The Rachel Maddow Show, NFL Films) who now specializes in national affairs and culture for Rolling Stone--tells us what’s on the line in this election, and why it’s only the beginning of the healing process. From profiling Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris to grilling Ice Cube about sitting down with the Trump campaign to craft the “Platinum Plan,” Smith has been at the forefront of the current election cycle and covers a lot of ground. He weighs in Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court confirmation, Jared Kushner’s absurd denigration of Black Americans and Baker Mayfield’s breakout performance for his beloved Cleveland Browns.

After declaring that “our democracy is on life support,” former NFL standout and prolific podcaster Chris Long issues an urgent call to action as election day approaches--and explains why he’s hopeful that the overt racism and toxic leadership of the last four years can lead to seismic and lasting change. The Charlottesville native discusses the impact of the infamous white-supremacist-fueled violence that went down in his city during a 2017 protest and declares that “if you don’t vote this fall, I’m judging you.” There are also plenty of less intense moments, from Chris’ tales of audio atrocities on his Green Light Podcast (to which Mike and Natalie can surely relate) to his reaction when his son mistook him for a heavily tattooed NBA big man. And after cracking up when Natalie throws Mike under the bus while asking a “famous father” question, Chris gives a poignant and revelatory response.

Matt LaFleur coaches the league’s highest-scoring team, and a future first-ballot Hall of Famer in Aaron Rodgers… but even in a surreal season taking place in empty stadiums, he can’t escape the noise. As an inexplicable clicking sound rages in the background, LaFleur calmly answers tough questions from various Silvers about the drafting of quarterback Jordan Love in the first round and the Pack’s perceived lack of offensive weapons, how he and Rodgers resolved the ‘Audible Thing’ and the hurtful prank he endured at the hands of former Pro Bowl tight end Chris Cooley. We also hear about LaFleur’s lakeside wrestling match with his younger brother and coaching rival and the time Mike celebrated a dramatic Warriors NBA Finals win by guzzling Spotted Cow Ales at his Titletown residence.

Many of Mike’s Twitter followers regard Blocktober as the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Sadly, as we saw in Part 1 of our Blocktober Special (Ep. 20), there will be a tragic trail of former followers by month’s end--as a steady procession of racists, bigots, blatantly disrespectful Twitta Gangstas and journalistic-integrity doubters get dispossessed of their posting privileges. With help from Natalie, Mike makes some of those tough (OK, not so tough) calls while giving listeners a window into his social media sensibilities.

Many of Mike’s Twitter followers regard Blocktober as the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Sadly, there will be a tragic trail of former followers by month’s end, as a procession of racists, bigots, blatantly disrespectful Twitta Gangstas and journalistic-integrity doubters get dispossessed of their posting privileges. With help from Natalie, Mike makes some of those tough (OK, not so tough) calls while giving listeners a window into his social media sensibilities.

 In the wake of the Pac-12’s announcement that it will play football in 2020 after all, Cal director of football administration Andrew McGraw walks us through a wild seven months that included a campus shutdown and a conference-wide player revolt that began in Berkeley. He also shares his own experience as a COVID-19 survivor and addresses the challenges of trying to maintain the safety of student athletes while staging games amid a global pandemic. Oh, and we swap stories involving former Cal greats (Aaron Rodgers, Jared Goff, Evan Weaver, Ashtyn Davis), Mike’s infamous speech to the team and Natalie’s illustrious stint as a recruiting assistant.

In 2013, Donté Stallworth was preparing for his 11th NFL season when he took his then-girlfriend on a hot air balloon ride. When it hit a power line, they were electrocuted, engulfed in flames and told to brace for a crash landing. Then things got even crazier. For the first time, Stallworth shares the whole horrifying story. We also learn about Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s unexpected act of kindness and the clutch intervention of current Houston Texans VP of Communication Amy Palcic.

Jade Bugsch provides a first-hand account of her experiences on the front lines of some of California’s raging wildfires--and provides an excuse for Natalie and Mike to swap stories (scatalogical or otherwise) from the girls’ shared soccer and field hockey conquests. Excessive meat consumption, postgame tantrums toward grandparents and falling oak trees are among the topics addressed.

The dissection of the greatest show on sports television begins with a history lesson showcasing former cast member Nate Burleson and the ‘Toe Drag Swag’ that launched him to stardom and degenerates into a debate over whether Steve Wyche, Rhett Lewis or Daniel Jeremiah had the more distinguished college football career. We learn why Wyche CAN (and will) drive 55 in Fargo--and discover what he and former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar have in common. Other highlights include a ranking of the Aftermath cast members’ looks, Natalie’s recollection of staging the infamous Hue Jackson sangria photo and a breakdown of the glorious Al Michaels/Aftermath love affair.

Beginning with a story about an ill-timed bathroom visit before running the 40-yard-dash for NFL scouts, and concluding with a 40th birthday fantasy that includes serenading his White House neighbors with a bullhorn, Stallworth entertains and enlightens while digging into the most significant issues of our time. Well versed in the history of protests for racial justice, within the sports world and beyond, Stallworth talks about being tear-gassed outside the White House, the parallels between 1960s activism and the current movement and the reason so many Americans have reached a boiling point. He also discusses the dismay he felt toward former teammates Tom Brady and Drew Brees--and Patriots coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Krafts--after they endorsed some political stances he finds offensive.

After agreeing on a name for one of the family group texts, Mike, Natalie and her younger brothers Greg and Robbie begin uncovering hard truths about one another, including Mike’s reason for joining Houseparty, the draft-night outrage in the household after the Packers traded up to select Aaron Rodgers’ successor and why most people who Google Mike believe he was born three years after World War II ended. Later, Robbie attempts to fire Greg’s “Poddy Train Me” podcast co-host, the boys detail their dad’s sordid history of fantasy football advice (while calling out one of his NFL Network colleagues who takes their league a bit too seriously) and Greg shares his indelible Robert Kraft story from the 2019 NFL annual meeting. Oh, and they finally get around to some predictions, including Robbie’s shocking MVP pick. Pro tip: If you love the Uncle Luke intro, do NOT miss Greg’s outro.

After harkening back to Mike and Jack’s Delirious Adventure at the Indianapolis Airport--and revealing that Natalie’s favorite football player as a kid was former Eagles and Packers cornerback Al (31 The Dirty One) Harris, Bechta’s client--we lock in on the long process that led to Kittle’s record-setting deal. There were plenty of perilous moments, from an early setback Bechta dubs ‘The Valentine’s Day Massacre’ to his testy text exchange with 49ers general manager and legendary hitter John Lynch. Kittle nearly boiled over in late July, prompting the agent to call a “timeout.” By episode’s end, it’s clear why Kittle eventually got what was most important to him--but Natalie is mystified by the tight end’s choice of celebratory cuisine.

Barry, Mike and surprise guest Steve Silver take turns recounting an emotionally charged, wine-fueled dinner at a San Antonio steakhouse with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and his son, Stephen--and the gang is off and running once more. From the Tupac Shakur pregame speech that might have been, to the progressive Halloween party featuring future Super Bowl-winning coaches dressed in drag, to the time Barry sent a drug dealer to hook up one of his iconic coaching counterparts, this fast-moving trip down memory lane does not disappoint.

When Jerry Jones fired Jimmy Johnson following consecutive Super Bowl victories in 1994--and brought Barry Switzer out of exile to coach the Dallas Cowboys--it rocked the football world. Switzer fills in some vivid details from that indelible chapter of NFL history and talks about the great times he had along the way, including an epic Super Bowl XXX week in Arizona with Mike at his side. Switzer also recalls an ill-fated trip in a twin-engine aircraft while on the Oklahoma recruiting trail and the controversial call he made late in the 1995 NFL season that compelled some fans to call him “Bozo the Clown.”

Two people who revere Chris Cornell (both with the last name Silver) pick the brain of the man who authored the late Soundgarden and Audioslave singer’s hot-off-the-presses biography, exploring stories and backstory and everything in between. In fulfilling the promise he made to himself as a teenager to rock to the bitter end, Cornell endured turmoil and tragedy--and left behind an incredible legacy. Reiff, a former Army Sgt. who served in Iraq, fills us in on some of the juiciest details while putting up with interludes about Mike’s travails as Dennis Rodman’s co-author and Natalie’s pregame hype music as a youth soccer standout.Powered by Gameplan 

Kyle talks about the impending start of training camp and the issues posed by the pandemic, acknowledging that if a player were to behave recklessly and spread the virus among teammates, it would cause a major problem in the locker room. He breaks down the financial staredown he had with the Vikings before the 2019 season and the accompanying trade rumors--leading to an amusing assessment of teammate Adam Thielen’s sideline confrontation with Bill Belichick. After Natalie’s R-rated story about her brusque introduction to former Washington tight end Chris Cooley, Kyle breaks down his favorite players at the position, many of whom seem to have a screw loose. He then revisits his epic catch against the Saints last January and the fear that it would be overturned via replay review--and the ensuing imbroglio over the gloves he wore in that playoff victory, and how they ended up on eBay. After a very serious discussion about George Floyd’s death and how it galvanized his community and team, Kyle addresses his lack of productivity in 2019 and talks about how he channeled his frustration into something positive. Finally, after a conversational detour that pinpoints the NFL’s doppelganger for beloved ‘Bad Santa’ character Thurman Merman, Kyle spends several minutes attempting to answer the most important question of all: Which of his current or former teammates was Lizzo singing about? Powered by Gameplan