The Football Girl Podcast

Happy Super Bowl Week! Melissa is thrilled to preview Bengals-Rams with the career leader in passing yards for the Rams, Jim Everett. Everett delves into what makes Matthew Stafford so special. Plus, the difficulty of building a fanbase in LA, what scares him about the Bengals, and yes, we chat about the famous Jim Rome incident. Also, Melissa makes her official Super Bowl pick. Jim makes one as well but ... spoiler alert, he's taking the Rams.

Melissa is joined this week by Bengals reporter Lindsay Patterson to preview the AFC Championship! Are Joe Burrow and co. ready for the biggest Bengals moment in 33 years? How will Burrow be protected? And can Tre Flowers shut down Travis Kelce as he did in Week 17? Welcome to the Bengals Bandwagon!

Melissa is joined by Yahoo! Sports columnist Shalise Manza Young to take a deep dive into the NFL's horrible track record hiring and retaining Black head coaches. (13:45). - Has the Rooney Rule been a failure? - Does Shalise see any hope for this coaching cycle? - What does real progress look like? Plus, why How Burrow is so beloved, Divisional round picks and more. Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a great rating and review. Thank you!! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

The 49ers are in the playoffs! The 49ers are in the playoffs! Melissa Jacobs is joined by fellow 49ers fan Stephania Bell of ESPN to soak in the glory of San Francisco's dramatic 27-24 OT win over Los Angeles. Melissa and Stephania hand out a million game balls, dissect Kyle Shanahan's coaching performance, gush over Jauan Jennings performance in particular, and look ahead to next week's wildcard match against the Cowboys.

Week 18. Chargers at Raiders. Winner goes to the postseason, loser heads home. NO PRESSURE. On this episode, Melissa is joined by Los Angeles Chargers Team Reporter Hayley Elwood to look ahead to this pivotal matchup. Hayley also breaks down Justin Herbert's incredible year, explains how Brandon Staley has changed the culture, and walks us through the the team's recent COVID-19 outbreak. Melissa and Hayley also chat about the Hayley's evolving role as a team reporter and the power of mentorship. Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a great rating and review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241 Good luck to all your teams in the playoffs (or in their new head coach search)!

For over 30 years, Laura Okmin of FOX, Westwood One and GALvanize has carved an incredible career as an elite NFL storyteller. This week Okmin joins host Melissa Jacobs for an honest conversation about finding herself at age 40 and the deeper personal connections she has developed in NFL circles during COVID. She also talks about growing GALvanize, her company that mentors and connects young women breaking into sports broadcasting. Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a great rating and review on iTunes! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

Melissa is thrilled to be joined by former Chiefs GM and Falcons asst GM Scott Pioli who has been a champion of women in football long before it was in style. Scott talks about why he is so passionate about helping minorities carve a path in football, provides an update on Katie Sowers, explains what normalization looks like & much more. Also, Melissa tries to make sense of the NFL playoff picture, acknowledging that all roads lead to a Pats-Bucs Super Bowl. (Which she is putting in writing so as to look like a genius in mid-February!) Episode Rundown 5:35: Melissa begs all players to stop mocking the Aaron Rodgers' belt move. 13:35: SCOTT PIOLI JOINS 14:55: Scott on what inspired him to be an ally to women (and other marginalized groups) in football 19:41: Scott talks about giving NFL coach Katie Sowers an opportunity and the difficulty of rising from entry level positions 29:27: Scott on why he started the Pioli Family Fund in conjunction with the Women's Sports Foundation 38:09: Scott on why he believes the NFL is investing in a pipeline to football operations jobs for women 44:50: Scott on whether he expects the upcoming coaching cycle to be more inclusive than in recent years Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a great rating and review! Thank you! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

Melissa rates a Week 14 slate of NFL matchups that includes everything from the Falcons-Panthers to the Ram-Cardinals. She also makes a pick in each with much confidence. Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a great rating and review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

Melissa is joined this week by ESPN Injury Analyst and co-host of the Fantasy Focus Podcast, Stephania Bell to gloat all about San Francisco's three-game winning streak! (7:50). Among the many golden nuggets in this episode: - Stephania on the best version of Jimmy Garoppolo (21:55) - Melissa recaps George Kittle's amazing post-game presser after beating the Vikings. (28:25) - Stephania on visiting with Brandon Aiyuk during training camp and what might be behind his early season lack of usage. (30:25) - Stephania offers a tutorial on hamstring injuries (36:00) - Melissa and Stephania start game-planning for the 49ers-Patriots Super Bowl (47:40) Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a good rating and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241 Thanks for listening!

On a TFG Podcast special, Melissa is joined by her husband, Dave the Bears fan for a Football Date Night Reunion. Melissa lets Dave rejoin over the Bears win over the mighty Lions. He also contemplates the future of Matt Nagy. Plus should Detroit be allowed to continue to play on a national holiday? Melissa and Dave also ponder the various things they learned from the Thanksgiving slate including that the Bills' offense is kinda sorta maybe back. And crazy but maybe not Super Bowl picks! Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a great rating and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

Melissa is joined by ESPN's Courtney Cronin to examine the 4-5 Vikings who are coming off a massive win over the Chargers but face a tall task against Aaron Rodgers and the Pack. Among the topics discussed: - How hard the Vikes have been hit by COVID - Aaron Rodgers' historic dominance over Minnesota - The underrated Vikes-Pack rivalry - The current state of the Zimmer-Cousins relationship - The evolution of Justin Jefferson's Griddy dance - Inside Courtney's Women in the NFL Combine event and where we are in terms of normalization Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a great rating and review. Thank you!! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

This week Melissa is joined by rising media stars Maggie Loney and Perri Goldstein of the Pack's What She Said podcast on Cheesehead TV to talk all things Aaron Rodgers in the wake of his unvaccinated saga becoming public. How tarnished is his legacy in Green Bay and beyond? Did they NFL drop a minor fine in hopes of making this story disappear? How should we react to Jordan Love's first start? Does Rodgers have any future in Green Bay? Much more!

Did you know there was a professional women's football league in the 1970's that sparked so much of the progress for women in football we see today? (12:02) This week Melissa welcomes Britni de la Cretaz and Lyndsey D'Arcangelo, co-authors of the new book Hail Mary which dives into the little known yet incredibly fascinating world of the National Women's Football League. The conversation weaves through the makeup of these trailblazers, why they wanted to play football, their often jaw-dropping success on the field. the men who supported them and those who treated them like a gimmick, plus the stream of misogyny these women faced. No, male reporter of the 70's, getting hit in the boob with a football doesn't cause breast cancer! Hail Mary is available online and in bookstores: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781645036623

Melissa opens the show by explaining why she's throwing this 49ers season in the dumpster. She also runs through the other currently miserable fanbases like the Bears and Chiefs before collectively inviting everyone to join her on....the Bengals Bandwagon! (13:56) Melissa then welcomes Kelsey Conway, Bengals beat writer for the Cincinnati Enquirer for a deep dive into the shocking team that has taken the league by storm. Kelsey shares her insights on: - Joe Burrow's maturation - His special connection with Ja'Marr Chase - The free agent steal that is DE Trey Hendrickson - How the Bengals are well equipped for a multiyear run - Much more! Follow Kelsey Conway on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KelseyLConway Follow Melissa Jacobs on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefootballgirl

Melissa is joined this week by The Athletic's Lindsay Jones, fresh off covering Raiders-Broncos, to discuss lingering questions about Gruden's resignation, the 650,000 emails, and the WFT workplace investigation. Lindsay also tries to make sense of the top half of the AFC, and talks about the path for the undefeated Arizona Cardinals. Follow Lindsay on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bylindsayhjones Follow Melissa on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefootballgirl Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a great rating and review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

Melissa is joined by the NFL's first-ever female scout, Connie Carberg, who was hired by the Jets in 1976 (yes, 1976!) Connie reflects on her career, shares her thoughts on the NFL's current culture, and gives Jets fan a needed pep talk. Melissa opens the show with a lot to say on the Jon Gruden resignation and the culture of toxic masculinity that sadly still lurks in the NFL.

This week Melissa dotes on the 4-0 Arizona Cardinals, shares her lingering thoughts from last Sunday's "Return to New England," and tries to unpack Urban Meyer's disastrous early tenure. Then Melissa welcomes Denver Broncos player performance coach Emily Zaler to discuss her journey from soccer star to the first female full-time coach in Broncos history.(12:24) Zaler reflects on the persistence that landed her in the NFL, plus where the league is headed in terms of diversity. Be sure to leave The Football Girl Podcast a great ratings and review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241 Thanks for listening and see you next week!

Tommy Brady is returning to New England and Melissa is joined by Nicole Yang of The Boston Globe to break it all out. Is this a "revenge" game? Do pieces of Brady's aura remain at Gillette Stadium? Will there be boos? Plus, Nicole takes us inside the state of the 1-2 Patriots, which, well, isn't that great at the moment. Melissa opens with her thoughts on another 1-2 team that is far more surprising, the Kansas City Chiefs. Plus, the evolution of Brady's likability. Please support The Football Girl Podcast with a great rating and review on iTunes: https://apple.co/31hLzNe

Melissa is joined by TFG Pod fave, Liz Loza of Yahoo Sports to discuss many of the NFL's hottest topics, both fantasy and reality: - Early contender for MVP? - Kliff Kingsbury's powerful offense (hello, Rondale Moore!) - Surprise fantasy players including Brandin Cooks - The beginning of the Justin Fields era!! Plus, Liz talks about her new fantasy show with Austin Ekeler and the evolution of actual NFL players dabbling in fantasy. And a check in on the growth on women in the fantasy industry that is still rife with societal barriers. Please support The Football Girl Podcast by leaving us a great rating and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241 -

This week Melissa is thrilled to be joined by The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue (12:24) to dive into her deeply layered and reported feature on Sean McVay's decision last season to sleep with the enemy and bring in defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, a product of the Vic Fangio defensive tree that had figured out the Rams offense. Was it a catalyst for exposing offensive weaknesses and leading McVay to Matthew Stafford? Jourdan also talks about the 8-month process of writing the feature, which included over 200 emails sent to herself int the middle of the night. She also shares her impressions of the Rams' Week 1 victory over the Bears and the debut of fans at SoFi Stadium. Melissa also opens the show with thoughts on Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers defense and why a QB switch is far more urgent in Chicago than San Francisco. Jourdan's McVay/Staley feature: https://theathletic.com/2767658/2021/09/09/sean-mcvay-brandon-staley-and-their-clashing-football-evolutions-that-could-shape-the-direction-of-the-nfl/?source=emp_shared_article Please leave the TFG Podcast a great rating and review! Thank you! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

Happy New NFL Season!!!! Host Melissa Jacobs previews the 2021 season by running through a number of storylines that may have a big impact, including the new 17th game. Then she runs through every division and picks a winner, even after losing hours of sleep contemplating the NFC West and AFC West. Share your predictions with Melissa on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefootballgirl And please leave The Football Girl Podcast a great rating and review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

WE ARE BACK!!! Melissa kicks off the new season with TFG Pod fave Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network and CBS Sports fame. Aditi and Melissa discuss the fierce AFC North and deeply examine the Steelers' chances with its offensive line issues and Big Ben in his golden years. Plus, an update of TJ Watt's pending mega-contract, Lamar Jackson's idiotic vaccine refusal, and Mac Jones reaction. Follow Aditi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AKinkhabwala Follow Melissa on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefootballgirl Please support The Football Girl Podcast by subscribing and leaving a good review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

It's NFL Draft Eve and Melissa is unveiling the top 10 picks early, just for you! Plus the NFL's Director of Community Relations Melissa Schiller joins to talk about the Draftathon and the power of athletes helping their communities. Please leave us a great rating and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

Melissa is joined by ESPN's Laura Rutledge...and breaking news....Laura LOVES Mac Jones and thinks he will quiet any doubters. Also in this episode, Laura talks about her early days as a ballerina in China, how she accidentally got into sports broadcasting, and the struggle of juggling motherhood with hosting NFL Live and SEC Nation. Follow Laura on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraRutledge Follow Melissa on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefootballgirl If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a great rating and review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

EMERGENCY POD!!! Melissa is joined by ESPN's Stephania Bell to reminiscent about Alex Smith's unimaginable career. Stephania also goes deep into her time with Alex and his wife Elizabeth as they documented his rehab and recovery in Project 11.

Melissa is joined by Julie DiCaro to discuss her new book, 'Sidelined: Sports Culture, and Bring a Woman in America.' Julie talks about her experiences being deeply harassed on social media, why women don't get believed in sexual assault cases against athletes, how men can be better allies and much more. Melissa opens the show by imagining a utopian near future where fully vaccinated people get preferential treatment at sports stadiums and beyond. Buy Julie's book: https://bookshop.org/books/sidelined-sports-culture-and-being-a-woman-in-america/9781524746100 And please leave The Football Girl Podcast a great rating and review. Thank you! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

Melissa is thrilled to be joined this week by Maia Chaka, who was just named the NFL's first Black female official. Maia opens with her quite enthusiastic reaction to getting the news of her promotion. Then she shares the perseverance and grind it took to achieve her officiating dreams and offers advice for those who want to following her footsteps. She also explains how the pipeline of female officials is only getting more robust each year! Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a great rating and review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

Melissa opens up by talking about this week's important virtual events, an inspiring Women in the NFL happy hour and the 5th Annual Women's Careers in Football forum which has sparked a litany of NFL careers. Then Melissa is joined by one of the women who benefited from the forum, Bucs assistant defensive line coach Lo Locust. (13:10 mark) Lo relives Super Bowl week, including the game experience and the aftermath. She also talks about her unique journey to the NFL, the origins of which didn't begin until she was 40! Follow Coach Locust on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoachLoLoc Follow Melissa Jacobs on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefootballgirl Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a great rating and review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

Melissa is joined by Dr. Louis Moore, a sports and race history professor at Grand Valley State University for a powerful lesson on the NFL's history of integration, segregation, and reintegration. Dr. Moore explains how the NFL we see today was built on Black activism from players and journalists, how Black athletes were horribly impacted by Jim Crow after they integrated in 1946, and how rising salaries and endorsements deals played a role in the lack of player activism from the 1970's to the 2000's. Plus a look at what, if anything, can be done to remedy today's lack of diversity in the NFL's head coaching ranks. Follow Dr. Moore on Twitter: https://twitter.com/loumoore12 Follow Melissa Jacobs on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefootballgirl Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a great rating and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

Melissa is joined by The Athletic's Senior NFL Writer Lindsay Jones (from Tampa!!) to discuss all aspects of Super Bowl. Lindsay explains why she's picking the Chiefs while noting the Bucs' best chance to victory. Also discussed: - The Chiefs' near-COVID scare - Antonio Brown icky redemption tour - The female coaches and official that are partaking in this Super Bowl - Tom Brady's inability to age Melissa kicks off the show with a not-so-confident Super Bowl pick of her own! Please leave The Football Girl Pod a great rating and review. Thank you! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

Melissa is joined by The Athletic's Lyndsey D'Arcangelo, a lifelong Bills fan, to the discuss the Bills' rise, what's like to be part of Bills Mafia, and Buffalo's chances in the AFC Championship. Plus, Melissa shares her AFC and NFC Championship picks and shares her elation about the Inauguration. Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a great rating and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

This week Melissa is thrilled to be joined by a legend! CBS's Suzanne Smith reflects on an inspiring career in which she is the only woman directing NFL broadcasts. Suzanne talks about how the landscape has changed for women since she started in 1983, the importance of launching We Need To Talk, and why we don't have a permanent female voice in a TV booth. She also delves into her "drop the mic" moment, directing Nickelodeon's well-received Wild Card game. Plus Melissa gives Divisional Round picks(Sorry Browns!) and more! Please leave The Football Girl Pod a great rating and review. Thank you! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

Melissa is joined by Rhiannon Walker of The Athletic to talk about Washington's chances against Tampa Bay, plus all the adversity they've faced this season. Plus, Melissa's sure-to-be accurate wild card weekend predictions!

Melissa is again joined by her husband Dave who is less than ecstatic over the Bears' very lucky path to the playoffs. The two talk about the many ways the Bears will likely lose to the Saints, plus take a quick peak at all the other matchups. But first they try and make sense of Doug Pederson and one of the most blatant tank jobs in recent years. Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a great rating and review on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

Melissa is joined by her husband Dave, a Bears fan, who has come out of hibernation to help recap all the Week 16. As is Football Date Night tradition, Melissa and Dave focus on the Bears and their tradition of being tormented by the Packers in big games. They also try and make sense of the playoff picture and which of the 10-5 AFC teams could make waves. Melissa also shares her frustration over Jared Goff's lack of evolution (and his weak Goff Course), and the two discuss the weirdness of the NFL's lack of equalizing fan attendance. Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a great rating and review (especially if you want Dave to return!): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

Melissa is joined this week by UK-based Phoebe Schecter, former Buffalo Bills coach, to chat about her rapid rise in football. In this episode, Phoebe discusses: - Her entryway into football through a Facebook ad - How she became a linebacker! - Why she was such a natural as a coach - How sharing her dream to coach in the NFL out loud sparked her Bills opportunity - How a fellow coach ensured the Bills players would accept her - Crafting her next NFL opportunity - How sky's the limit for women in football - Promoting American football to an international audience and much more! Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a great rating and review! Thank you! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

Melissa is joined by NFLN's Aditi Kinkhabwala to chat about the compelling AFC North. - Will the Steelers rebound from their first loss? - How far can Baker Mayfield take the Browns? Aditi also poignantly discusses the hollowness of this NFL, plus her experiences trying to work while parenting two young kids during the pandemic. Please subscribe to The Football Girl Podcast and leave us a good rating/review! : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

Happy Thanksgiving Week! Melissa Jacobs is thrilled to welcome in Kate and Michelle Magdziuk of BallBlast Football to dissect the rest of the fantasy football season and discuss the BallBlast rise. The conversation starts with the origins of BallBlast, how the couple (yes couple, not sisters) grew their brand - with plenty of advice for those who want to follow suit, including how they continue to make their written and podcast content unique in a crowded fantasy field. They also discuss why the percentage of women playing fantasy is far less than the percentage of women who watch football and how to correct the disparity. Then the discussion shifts to fantasy advice with a bent toward the rest of the season. Was Jonathan Taylor's "hot hand" usage just a mirage? Which tempting players are set up to disappoint during the fantasy playoffs and which player are worth stashing now. Plus why James Robinson and not Dalvin Cook is this season's fantasy MVP. Finally Michelle makes a strong case for a keeping a TE spot on fantasy rosters in the future despite the massive drop-off after Travis Kelce (and George Kittle when healthy). Follow BallBlast: https://ballblastfootball.com Follow Michelle on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ballblastem Follow Kate on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FFballblast Follow Melissa on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefootballgirl And please leave us a good rating/review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

This week Melissa welcomes in The Ringer's Claire McNear, author of the new book, Answers In The Form of Questions: A Definitive History and Insider's Guide to Jeopardy! Claire explains all the training and intricacies that truly make Jeopardy! the sportiest of sports. Plus, what Alex Trebek was really like, how the show might replace him, Claire's impromptu Jeopardy! tryout, and that infamous Talkin' Football category from 2018. Order Answers In The Form of Questions: https://bookshop.org/books/answers-in-the-form-of-questions-a-definitive-history-and-insider-s-guide-to-jeopardy/9781538702321 Please help The Football Girl Podcast continue to grow by leaving a great rating and review on iTunes. Thank you! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

Melissa gushes about the NFL young quarterbacks, then welcomes Brooke Pryor of ESPN to dissect the 8-0 Steelers. Among the many topics: How much of 8-0 is a credit to Mike Tomlin? Will the Steelers ever have a respectable running game? The emergence of Stephon Tuitt Is 16-0 a possibility? Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a good rating and review! Thank you! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

Melissa opens by discussing the sad case of Jags RB Ryquell Armstead who has suffered complications from COVID-19 and will miss the season. He's just 23. Then Melissa welcomes her pal Tracy Sandler, CEO of Fangirl Sports Network to discuss a 49ers squad on the rise and how the defense stacks up against Russell Wilson. Plus a deep look at Fangirl Sports and how she built a successful independent media company. Finally, Tracy shares the incredible story of her previous stint as the voice of Barbie (!!)

Melissa is joined by ESPN's Kimberley Martin to shine on a light on the NFL's continue refusal to diversify at the top. Kim explains the double-standards and shorter leashes Black candidates have to endure. How much implicit bias is really at play here? Kim, who used to cover the New York Jets, also shares her sympathies with that sullen fanbase and details a plan to go 0-16. It starts with keeping Adam Gase around! Before Kim joins, Melissa spends a few minutes doting on the NFL's most joyful player, Ryan Fitzpatrick. Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a good rating and review: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-…st/id1319547241

In this special episode, Melissa is joined by her husband Dave on their actual anniversary. Now that Chicago is 4-1, Bears fan Dave is out of football hibernation but he's not exactly feeling like a Super Bowl is within reach. Melissa and Dave also discuss the season premiere of The Bachelorette, the disastrous 49ers, the greatness of Russell Wilson, what happened to Josh Allen and the NFL's takeaway of the week, courtesy of Tennessee ... practice is overrated. Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a good rating and review: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-…st/id1319547241

Melissa is joined by The Athletic's Lindsay Jones to examine the Titans' COVID-19 outbreak, plus the Pats' situation. Is it time for the NFL to hit the pause button on the season? Plus Lindsay shares her reactions to Bill O'Brien's firing and the benching of Dwayne Haskins. Follow Lindsay Jones on Twitter: twitter.com/bylindsayhjones Follow Melissa Jacobs on Twitter: twitter.com/thefootballgirl Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a good rating and review: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-…st/id1319547241

Melissa opens with football thoughts including Russell Wilson's deep throws, why disillusioned fans should adopt the Bills & the NFL's first COVID-19 outbreak. Then Melissa welcomes Jocelyn Benson, Michigan's Secretary of State for a wide-ranging convo (12:05) that includes: - The powerful role of the Lions in voter education - How Ford Field will be used on Election Day - Her task force to promote equality for women and girls in sports - Dodging Trump's Twitter insults - Running the Boston Marathon at EIGHT months pregnant!!! Follow Secretary Benson on Twitter: twitter.com/JocelynBenson Follow Melissa Jacobs on Twitter: twitter.com/thefootballgirl Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a good rating and review: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-…st/id1319547241

Melissa opens this episode by mourning Nick Bosa and the countless number of 49ers players who are now injured. Then to celebrate the other end of the NFC West spectrum, Katherine Fitzgerald of the Arizona Republic joins to delve into the 2-0 Cardinals (10:45). Among Cardinals topics that were discussed: - The gelling of Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury - The ridiculously lopsided DeAndre Hopkins trade - The turnaround of the Cards' defense - Expectations for rookie Isaiah Simmons - How Kingsbury's high end furnishings helps him watch film and maintain good posture Follow Katherine Fitzgerald on Twitter: twitter.com/kfitz134 Follow Melissa Jacobs on Twitter: twitter.com/thefootballgirl Please leave The Football Girl Podcast a good rating and review: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-…st/id1319547241

Melissa shares her thoughts on the surprises of the new season (Gardner Minshew??!!)and diagnoses the 49ers' myriad issues (5:04). Then Melissa is joined by DAVE ZIRIN of The Nation for a robust convo on all the NFL player displays of activism and call for change in Week 1 and what to expect moving forward. (11:10) Follow Dave Zirin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdgeofSports Follow Melissa Jacobs on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefootballgirl Please leave The Football Girl Podcast good rating and review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

This week Melissa opens the show with the five NFL storylines she finds most intriguing headed into the 2020 season. Then Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic joins (12:33) to break down the Los Angeles Rams' chances in a stacked division and also details what it's like covering an NFL team during Covid-19. Jourdan explains: How the Rams' RBBC is beneficial (to the team, not fantasy owners) Why Jared Goff can take the next step forward How new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley is making an impact Why Sean McVay waking up at 4:58 AM is super late for him Please leave us a good rating and review

WE ARE BACK! After a summer hiatus, Melissa returns with TFG Pod favorite Stephania Bell of ESPN. Stephania takes us inside the return of Alex Smith from a life-threatening injury she has closely documented over the past year. She also discusses the NFL's Covid protocols and whether there should be a season. Please subscribe to The Football Girl Podcast and leave us a good rating! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

Melissa opens the show with some trepidation about the NFL season starting on time and the weirdness of on field NFL news these days. But she is fascinated by Cam Newton's landing spot and offers a couple of guesses. Then Melissa is joined by NFL executive Alexia Gallagher who runs the NFL's philanthropic arm as VP of Philanthropy and Executive Director of the NFL Foundation. (Starts at 12:01) Alexia breaks down the league's recent Draft-a-Thon, including whether it will become a permanent fixture in non-virtual drafts. She also discusses the potential perils of players starting a foundation out of the gate and how the league has evolved its philanthropic efforts. Alexia also details her rise up the NFL's ladder and offers poignant management advice as she reflects on the traits that have catapulted her to success. Please support The Football Girl Podcast by leaving a rating and/or review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241

This week Melissa is joined by Stacey Dales of NFL Network to wrap up the NFL Draft and discuss her fascinating career arc. Among topics discussed: - Will the NFL regular season start on time? - A defense of Green Bay's Jordan Love pick - Stacey's rise as a basketball star - Playing in the WNBA and how respect for the league has grown - What goes into being a good reporter? Keep the convo going on Twitter! Stacey Dales - https://twitter.com/StaceyDales Melissa Jacobs - https://twitter.com/thefootballgirl Please leave a good rating and review for The Football Girl Podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-girl-podcast/id1319547241