Nightcap - Hour 2: Shannon Sharpe, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, and former NFL All-Pro Terron Armstead react to Ocho being named one of the Top 10 wide receivers of the 2000s.

Summary

Club Shay Shay: Shannon Sharpe, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, and Terron Armstead React to Ocho's Top 10 Ranking

Release Date: June 7, 2025

In this electrifying episode of Club Shay Shay, hosted by NFL legend Shannon Sharpe, Shannon sits down with former NFL star Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson and former All-Pro Terron Armstead. The trio delves deep into Chad Ochocinco being named one of the Top 10 wide receivers of the 2000s, sparking a spirited and engaging conversation filled with anecdotes, debates, and reflections on their careers.

---

1. Introduction to the Top 10 Receivers List (02:17 - 02:44)

Shannon Sharpe kicks off the discussion by revealing The Volume Foreign's list ranking Chad Ochocinco among the Top 10 wide receivers of the 2000s. The ranking places Chad at number five, igniting immediate reactions from the guests.

Shannon Sharpe [02:17]: "The Volume Foreign released their top 10 receivers in the 2000s. Number one, Randy Moss. Number two to number three, Marvin Harrison. Number four, big game T.Y. Hilton."

2. Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson's Reaction (02:41 - 05:37)

Chad Ochocinco doesn't hold back his opinion on the ranking, expressing both pride and contention regarding his placement. He challenges the list's accuracy and defends his legacy in the NFL.

Chad Ochocinco [03:14]: "There's a reason it's the number one men's antiperspirant."

Note: The timestamp here seems to be an advertisement snippet; however, assuming continuity, adjust accordingly.

As the conversation progresses, Chad argues for higher placement, emphasizing his entertainment value and on-field performances. Shannon and Colin Cowherd engage in a dynamic exchange, questioning Chad's statistics and contributions during his rookie year.

Chad Ochocinco [04:18]: "Man. What? That man, Julio Jones."

Shannon Sharpe [05:02]: "Like, just off entertainment alone. I'm number one."

3. Debating Career Highlights and Statistics (05:37 - 16:43)

The trio delves into specific game performances, particularly focusing on Chad's rookie year against the Baltimore Ravens. Shannon Sharpe recounts the game's outcome, leading to a lighthearted yet competitive banter about who truly had standout performances.

Shannon Sharpe [07:05]: "They were still throwing."

Chad Ochocinco [07:44]: "Hey, pull them numbers up, Ash."

Discussions also touch upon name changes and branding, with Chad explaining the rationale behind adopting "Ocho" for marketing purposes.

Chad Ochocinco [11:25]: "I changed my name simply for marketing and branding purposes only. That's all."

4. The Madden Curse and Player Health (20:35 - 26:41)

The conversation shifts to the infamous Madden Curse, particularly focusing on Saquon Barkley's inclusion as the "COVID athlete" and the associated pressures. They analyze past instances where Madden cover athletes experienced downturns in performance or injuries, debating whether Saquon is susceptible to the same fate.

Chad Ochocinco [21:24]: "He got to be upset about that boy."

Shannon Sharpe [26:09]: "And Patrick Mahone was on the COVID previously. He didn't get hurt."

Chad expresses optimism about Saquon's resilience, citing his dedication to maintaining peak physical condition.

Chad Ochocinco [26:18]: "I think he's going to be all right."

5. Personal Anecdotes and Career Reflections (26:41 - 34:50)

Shannon shares personal stories from his playing days, highlighting the camaraderie and competitive spirit among teammates. Chad responds by reflecting on his own experiences, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and individual effort in achieving success.

Shannon Sharpe [34:23]: "You and I both said it ain't. It ain't. It ain't how high you go. It's working."

The discussion underscores the challenges athletes face, both on and off the field, and the significance of perseverance and professionalism.

6. Final Thoughts and Moving Forward (34:50 - 35:53)

As the episode nears its conclusion, Shannon and Chad offer words of encouragement, focusing on resilience in the face of criticism and adversity. Shannon emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and continuing to strive for excellence.

Shannon Sharpe [35:02]: "So whoever said that and. And the Browns, y' all ain't did much better. Let's be real."

Chad echoes this sentiment, highlighting the value of hard work and maintaining focus despite external pressures.

Chad Ochocinco [35:49]: "But look, he got. Look, his dad is preparing him for this. He. Guess what. He's been Deion Sanders son. As long as he hadn't been."

7. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Shannon Sharpe reflecting on the lively debate, acknowledging the passion and competitive nature that Chad Ochocinco brings to the conversation. The trio leaves listeners with a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect, despite differing viewpoints on player rankings and career achievements.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Chad Ochocinco [05:11]: "You know, when we talk about numerical order, right? Doesn't everything start with zero?"

• Shannon Sharpe [07:05]: "There was no Hyundai. That's for sure."

• Chad Ochocinco [11:25]: "I changed my name simply for marketing and branding purposes only. That's all."

• Chad Ochocinco [21:24]: "He got to be upset about that boy."

• Shannon Sharpe [35:02]: "So whoever said that and. And the Browns, y' all ain't did much better. Let's be real."

This episode of Club Shay Shay offers a candid look into the minds of former NFL players as they navigate legacy, rankings, and the ever-evolving landscape of professional football. Through spirited debate and personal anecdotes, Shannon Sharpe, Chad Ochocinco Johnson, and Terron Armstead provide listeners with an engaging and insightful exploration of what it truly means to be one of the top wide receivers of the 2000s.

Transcript

[iHeart Podcast]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Lester Holt]

NBC Nightly News legacy isn't handed down or NBC News.

[Tom Brokaw]

I'm Tom Brokaw. We hope to see you back here.

[Lester Holt]

I'm Lester Holt. It's carried forward. Tom Yamas is there for us. Firefighters are still working around the clock. As the world changes, we look for what endures. We are coming on the air with breaking news right now. We look for a constant and from one era to the next. Trust is the anchor for NBC Nightly News. I'm Tom Yamas. A new chapter begins NBC Nightly News.

[Chad Ochocinco]

With Tom Yamas evenings on NBC.

[Tom Brokaw]

Are you still quoting 30 year old movies? Have you said cool beans in the past 90 days? Do you think Discover isn't widely accepted? If this sounds like you, you're stuck in the past. Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide. And every time you make a purchase with your card, you automatically earn cash back. Welcome to the now it pays to Discover. Learn [e-mail] credit card based on the February 2024 Nilsson report.

[Lester Holt]

Okay, have you heard about this? Last year, Degree changed the formula for their Cool Rush deodorant. Their fans rebelled and wanted the old scent back. And Degree listened. That doesn't happen often. They admitted that they effed up and are bringing the original Cool Rush scent back. And it's exactly how you remember it. Cool, crisp and fresh.

[Colin Cowherd]

There's a reason it's the number one men's antiperspirant.

[Lester Holt]

And it's back in Walmart, Target at.

[Colin Cowherd]

And other stores for under $4.

[Lester Holt]

So try it and see what the fuss is about. Head to your local stores to try the OG Cool Rush for yourself.

[Tom Brokaw]

Hi, it's Colin from the Colin Coward podcast. I've been around long enough to know quality when I see it. Or in this case, when I taste it. Tito's Handmade Vodka. Good stuff. No flash, no gimmicks. Smooth, clean tasting, made the right way. Tito's Made in Austin, Texas. Real attention to detail. I like to keep it simple. Tito's Soda, one lime, lot of ice. Refreshing, easy. Summer, winter, spring. Totally versatile. Always works. Listen, baseball season's here. The perfect time to kick back with some Tito's. It's what I pour. You should too. Distilled and bottled by 5th Generation Inc. Austin, Texas. 40% alcohol by volume. Savor responsibly.

[Lester Holt]

The Volume Foreign released their top 10 receivers in the 2000s. Number one, Randy Moss. Number two to number three, Marvin Harrison. Number four, big game Tory Holt.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Number five, the greatest entertainer of all.

[Lester Holt]

Time, Chad Ochoci Johnson. Number six, Hines Ward. Number seven, Steve Smith. Senior. Number eight, Reggae Wayne. Number nine, Reverend Ike Isaac Bruce. Number ten, Anquan. Boulder. God. Hold on. One year.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Hold on.

[Lester Holt]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. We're live.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Fitzgerald. Yep. Listen. Announce that Calvin Johnson. Hold on.

[Lester Holt]

They.

[Chad Ochocinco]

And there was an argument about this earlier. Earlier all day on Twitter, obviously on my timeline, because I said, hell, f that, Take me out and put Andre Johnson Now. I think also I love Anquan and what he did for the game, but at some point, Johnson has to be on there somewhere as well.

[Lester Holt]

What about Lad Fitzgerald? He just got the third most catches in.

[Chad Ochocinco]

I said, Larry Fitzgerald has to be there as well. But then people said it's the 2000s, so. The 2000s. I think Megatron only got maybe three years because I think he. He came in and I forgot what year he got drafted. I think he came in. He only had three years. Of how many years.

[Lester Holt]

How many years was a lar. Fitzgerald behind Anquan? Because I think. I think. I think Fitz was like one year behind Anqu.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Hell, it's. It's. It's. It's some other. Derek Mason. Derek. Derek Mason should be on there, too, now. I don't think people understand. D. Mace Put in some work.

[Colin Cowherd]

Man. What? That man, Julio Jones.

[Chad Ochocinco]

You talk about 2000s, though.

[Lester Holt]

Julio Anquan was 2003 then.

[Colin Cowherd]

What you saying Julio won in 2000?

[Lester Holt]

No, Julio came in 2011.

[Chad Ochocinco]

2011.

[Lester Holt]

Him and AJ Green. Yeah.

[Chad Ochocinco]

I like it. I like it. I should have been higher, though.

[Lester Holt]

Okay, who you. Who you. Who are you replacing? You replacing Malls Tio Marvin or Tory Holt?

[Chad Ochocinco]

Like, just off entertainment alone. I'm number one.

[Lester Holt]

Who you were taking out?

[Chad Ochocinco]

I'm gonna put. I just told you.

[Colin Cowherd]

So you're gonna put you in between.

[Chad Ochocinco]

You know, when we talk about numerical order, right? Doesn't everything start with zero?

[Lester Holt]

No, it starts with one.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Okay, but before one is zero, who.

[Lester Holt]

Zero is at the bottom? Zero. You ain't zero. You don't want to be zero.

[Chad Ochocinco]

So it's me then, then to. Then Moss, then whatever order you want to do.

[Lester Holt]

You know, zero is a negative number, right?

[Chad Ochocinco]

Listen, I. I was. Okay. I was gonna have a quick comeback, but I missed it.

[Lester Holt]

Oh, yeah. I think you. I think you want to be. So if we. Hey, so we got to take. We go take out.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Hell no. Hell, why we ain't taking off your blood. That's why. That's right. Hey, listen, that's why I specifically said entertainment and fun value only. I'm I'm. I'm at the top. That's it.

[Lester Holt]

But after. Hey, that was a good list. I'm very fortunate enough that I. I was. I saw all these guys. That's all these guys. Randy, Tio, Marvin, played against Randy. I never played against Tio. Played against Marvin, played against Holt, played against Ocho.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Hey, hey, hey.

[Lester Holt]

Was Hines on it? Was Hines. When did Hines get Hines? Was on that team in 98.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Hey, hey.

[Lester Holt]

I know he's on that team in 2012.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Tell Joe what I did to y' all when we played y' all. Huh?

[Colin Cowherd]

That's what I was gonna ask.

[Lester Holt]

Nothing.

[Colin Cowherd]

Loss.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Hold on.

[Colin Cowherd]

I'm 50. Who had a big game.

[Chad Ochocinco]

What I did. What I did to y' all when we played y' all? Huh?

[Lester Holt]

I don't. I wasn't there. You talk about in Baltimore?

[Chad Ochocinco]

Yeah. What I did to you?

[Lester Holt]

I think. I think you might have had like.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Three, four catches, but. And how many TDs?

[Lester Holt]

How many catches did Ocho have in 2001? Cause we beat the hell.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Lester Holt]

Get.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Hey, pull them numbers up, Ash.

[Lester Holt]

There was no Hyundai. That's for sure.

[Chad Ochocinco]

2001. That was my rookie year.

[Lester Holt]

That's okay. You was up there talking like you had two. Yeah, I mean.

[Chad Ochocinco]

I bet. How much I had. Ash, Ash, Ash. How much I had?

[Lester Holt]

What do you have, Ash? 55, 60 yards.

[Chad Ochocinco]

I had about. About 230.

[Lester Holt]

No, he didn't play the Baltimore game.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Yes.

[Lester Holt]

Did you? Yeah. I think you might have caught a touchdown against us in 2000.

[Chad Ochocinco]

I sure did. That's what I was doing. I catch it.

[Lester Holt]

That was at Denver then. But we beat hell out y' all.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Oh, you were gone.

[Lester Holt]

Oh. You had seven targets, three catching for 28 yards against us. It was bonus what I have. What I have, Ash.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Hey, that boy was skating out there, huh?

[Lester Holt]

What? Against Baltimore? You do realize you didn't you. Y' all didn't even score.

[Chad Ochocinco]

You did.

[Lester Holt]

Hold on.

[Chad Ochocinco]

I ain't score.

[Lester Holt]

It was zero. Y' all had zero again. Since you like zeros. Y' all had that. Hold on, what year this was 2001. Yep. Seven targets, three catches, 28 yards. What I have. I know. I had me a tub. A sweet tub.

[Chad Ochocinco]

To the other five catches. I ain't catch them.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, hey. Something wrong with you?

[Lester Holt]

Well, first of all, you had. That was four targets. I mean. Cuz, I said you had seven targets. You had three catches, so it wasn't five. You and math didn't do too good. That was four. You didn't catch No, I.

[Chad Ochocinco]

No, I ain't dropped no balls. Now, that's one thing I ain't do. I ain't dropped the money. I a. I ain't dropped the money. My hand ate on my hands was like glue. You hear me?

[Lester Holt]

In a tub. Oh, I scold in 2001. Oh, that was 2000. Oh, I had three targets, three catches, 32 yards. You see the difference? Three targets, three catches.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Well, you play? Yeah. Hold on, hold on. You gotta understand what defense I was going against. This was the Baltimore Ravens, man. Like, I ain't really. I ain't really get y' all scared.

[Lester Holt]

No, no, you didn't. You didn't. You didn't get the 2000. Basic Ravens defense. You got the 01 defense.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Same thing. Y' all wasn't missing too many pieces now. Y' all wasn't missing too many.

[Lester Holt]

Oh, what'd he do? What'd he do the second time? Because that was the home game, I think there. What'd he do? Because I think he had a touchdown. He might have had a touchdown. The. The. The second time we played.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Every time I play, all I'm gonna score now. That's what I'm gonna do.

[Lester Holt]

No, you didn't. You had little.28 measly yards. You ain't even average the first down.

[Chad Ochocinco]

That's my rookie year. They were just introducing me to y' all. You know, when you first meet somebody, Joe.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, I know what you mean.

[Chad Ochocinco]

They. They want to get. They want to put me out.

[Lester Holt]

Oh, Joe, the first time y' all played, you had one target, no catches.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Yeah, that's it. Oh, you know what? Because, see, that's my rookie year, so they ain't really introduced me to y' all.

[Lester Holt]

Oh, that was the second time. That was in Cincinnati.

[Chad Ochocinco]

What happened that game? What happened? What I did? What I did?

[Lester Holt]

Yeah, yeah. Eight. I had 12 targets, eight catches. You had one target, no catches. You out there, bull driving.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Hey, what year. What year was that?

[Lester Holt]

2001. The year you asked my rookie year. What I got.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Okay. What I did after that, though. What I did after.

[Lester Holt]

I don't know. I wasn't there. I was in Denver. Now, you want to see what we did in Denver? We played out in 2002.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Whatever. Yeah, I know, I know.

[Lester Holt]

I know. You lost. I didn't know. I knew that. I don't know what the numbers.

[Chad Ochocinco]

But you lost women. Numbers look like ass. What I did in the demo.

[Lester Holt]

Yeah, I think you caught a touchdown, right?

[Chad Ochocinco]

I do.

[Lester Holt]

I catch touchdowns, but we beat y' all.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Okay? We talk about from an individual standpoint, I can't control. I can't control the team.

[Lester Holt]

No regular season. We played in 2003.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Yeah, yeah. What I did then. What I did then. Cause, hey, by the time 2003 came, Joe, like, I had fully arrived. Like, I. I'm. Like. I knocked, though.

[Lester Holt]

Okay, what was it? What'd he do? Because that was car. I think if that was Carson, the year Carson was traveling.

[Colin Cowherd]

Hey, hey, what year did you change your name, though, to Ocho?

[Chad Ochocinco]

I think maybe 2007. I. I just wonder if he'd have.

[Lester Holt]

Played the Baltimore Ravens in 2000. We made him change it back.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Hey, hey, Joe, listen. I changed my name simply for marketing and branding purposes only. That's all.

[Lester Holt]

Ocho, you had 10 targets, six catches, 95 yards, and a touchdown.

[Chad Ochocinco]

That was me.

[Lester Holt]

That was me.

[Chad Ochocinco]

All right.

[Lester Holt]

What. What was. What was this? What happened? What was the score, Ash? 30 to 10 was the score. Boy, stop.

[Chad Ochocinco]

I was the only one that scored.

[Lester Holt]

Yes, and it was late in the game when you scored.

[Chad Ochocinco]

It don't matter as long as I got in there. Sometimes. Sometimes. Sometimes you gotta. When you go on a date, sometimes you don't. You know, you get the first base, sometimes you get the second. That's all right.

[Lester Holt]

Hey, Joe, I don't want to tell nobody, but we had to call the dogs off. He scored with a minute left in the ball game. They were still throwing.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Yeah, he had no choice but it throw.

[Lester Holt]

I don't know what you had. You had a choice. You had four quarters and you had time to do something before then we beat the break. Something.

[Colin Cowherd]

Oh, Joe, you still. Are you still celebrating on that?

[Chad Ochocinco]

Oh, yeah. No, no, no, no.

[Lester Holt]

I.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Listen, one thing I always did, Joe, is I never celebrated, never did a celebration if we were losing, only if we were to tie the game or we scored first or was it a go up. Yeah, yeah. I ain't play like that.

[Lester Holt]

Well, you ain't do no celebrating against. On the teams I was on that.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Ocho, man, you lucky. Listen, you lucky we didn't cross path, like, at the same time. Like, you. You was on the back end and I was coming in. If I played during your era, like, during, man, I would have sauced y' all ass up. What?

[Lester Holt]

Boy, Ocho, I was like, oh, I'm good for having tubs against Cincinnati.

[Chad Ochocinco]

You have to understand. You have to understand. They was. Sweetheart.

[Lester Holt]

We played, what, 2000? Drop two. What we do in 2000? This before you got there, Ocho. This before you got there. We beat the Break.

[Chad Ochocinco]

You have to understand how bad Cincinnati was back then. You gotta understand that, Joe, that. That's not fair.

[Lester Holt]

So y' all defense still suspect. I mean, y' all got some great offensive players with. With Joe and Chase and Higgins, but that defense, damn.

[Chad Ochocinco]

They only had one cast, though. Damn.

[Lester Holt]

Oh, my bad, Ocho. We beat y' all 37. Zero in 2000. I'm scored twice.

[Colin Cowherd]

I scored twice.

[Lester Holt]

I already know that.

[Chad Ochocinco]

I don't like that.

[Lester Holt]

As a matter of fact, I lost Daryl Williams.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Hey, D. Will. Hey, Will get hit, boy.

[Lester Holt]

Not me. He talking to me in the end zone. He had to smell the deodorant, though. I'll make a smell deodorant joke. They gonna smell the deodorant. Cause the referee gonna do that. I had about four catch. I had about four catches, about 50 yards. Two tubs, man, not in Cincinnati in 2000. No, you took me. That's the first game. I got a touchdown the first game. Hit him with like a two yarder. Yeah, I was bad at the game in Cincinnati.

[Chad Ochocinco]

We were bad.

[Lester Holt]

The 37 nothing. That's when they knocked Akili Smith. That's when Rob Burnett hit a Keeley Smith and knocked him out of the game. Y' all might have had like 40 yards that game. The hell you say? I caught two touchdowns that game. In 2000. I did play. Yeah, it is. It is in 2000. Yeah. Let me. Let me. Lord have mercy. See, I'm saying ass try to shortchange me. My numbers, Joe. I ain't play. That's one thing I'm gonna know. Raven. Okay.

[Colin Cowherd]

Get them right, man. Let them know, huh?

[Lester Holt]

Yeah. Ass trying to shortchange me. We beat him 27. Seven. Shannon Sharp, seven for 6666 and two touchdowns.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Against who?

[Lester Holt]

The Ravens? I ain't play y' all in 2000. That was. That's when. As a matter of fact, that's when Corey Dillon ran. It's broke the record against the Broncos. He ran for 275, cuz. The 276 because the record was Walter Payton. 275, who broke OJ's record like 273. But don't worry about it, Ocho.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Hey.

[Lester Holt]

What?

[Chad Ochocinco]

Hey, I was that boy. Hey, Joe. You missed it. Hi, Zoe Saldana.

[Lester Holt]

Welcome to T Mobile. Here's your new iPhone 16 Pro on us. Thanks. And here's my old phone to trade in. You don't need a trade in when you switch to T Mobile. We'll give you a new iPhone 16 Pro. Plus we'll help you pay off your old Phone up to 800 bucks and you still get to keep it. There's always a trade in. Not right now. At T Mobile.

[Chad Ochocinco]

I feel like I have to give.

[Lester Holt]

You something in return for karma.

[Chad Ochocinco]

That's okay.

[Lester Holt]

I don't really have much in my purse. Oh, let's see.

[iHeart Podcast]

Hand sanitizer.

[Lester Holt]

It's lavender.

[Chad Ochocinco]

I'm good.

[iHeart Podcast]

Seriously, Let me check this pocket.

[Lester Holt]

Oh, mints. Really, I'm fine. Oh, I have raisins. I'm a mom. Wait, wait one sec. I've got cupcakes in the car.

[Tom Brokaw]

It's our best iPhone offer ever.

[Lester Holt]

Switch to to T Mobile get a new iPhone 16 Pro with Apple Intelligence on us. No trade in needed.

[Tom Brokaw]

We'll even pay off your phone up.

[Lester Holt]

To 800 bucks with 24 monthly bill credits. New line 100 plus a month on experience beyond Finance Agreement 999.99 and qualifying forwarded for well qualified plus tax and $10 connection charge. Payout via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days credits and balance due if you pay off earlier.

[iHeart Podcast]

Cancel CT com hey, this is Jenny Garth from I Do Part two. Want to try Ozempic but can't stand needles? You need to try Oral Semaglutide. It has the same active ingredient as Ozempic but without the painful injections. Get access to Oral Semaglutide right [e-mail] join those losing 10 pounds in the first month. Future Health makes it easy and affordable to gain access to weight loss meds like Oral Semaglutide, Ozempic and Zepp. Bound for only $3 a day, you don't need insurance or have to go to a doctor's office. Just a quick, easy process. All online. Get the best results at the best price with Future health. Take the three minute quiz at futurehealth.com get approved and start losing weight this week. Visit futurehealth.com that's futurehealth without the e.com future health weight loss Data Based on independent study sponsored by Future Health Future Health is not a health care services provider. Meds are prescribed at providers discretionary.

[Tom Brokaw]

Did you know your credit card points and miles lose value while they collect dust? Imagine a credit card with rewards that can grow in value. Introducing the Gemini Credit Card With a Gemini credit card, you can Earn Bitcoin or one of over 50 other cryptos instantly with no annual fee. Every swipe at the store gas pump earns you instant rewards deposited straight into your account. Plus sign up now for a $200 bitcoin bonus to kickstart your rewards, go to gemini.comcard that's gemini.com card to learn more and start earning today. Terms apply again visit gemini.com card now. Terms apply the Gemini Credit Card issued by Web bank in order to qualify for the intro $200 crypto bonus, your application must be approved by June 30, 2025 and spend 3,000 in your first 90 days. Terms apply. Some exclusions apply to instant Rewards, in which rewards are deposited when the transaction posts. This content is not investment advice and trading. Crypto involves risk. For more details on the rates, fees and other Gemini credit card terms, see Rates and Fees.

[Lester Holt]

Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile. I don't know if you knew this, but anyone can get the same Premium Wireless for $15 a month plan that I've been enjoying. It's not just for celebrities. So do like I did and have one of your assistant's assistants switch you to Mint Mobile today. I'm told it's super easy to [e-mail] Switch upfront payment of $45 for 3 month plan equivalent to $15 per month.

[iHeart Podcast]

Required intro rate first 3 months only.

[Lester Holt]

Then full price plan opt available taxes and fees, extra fee full [e-mail] Saquon Barclays Iconic reverse hurdle is the COVID of the Madden NFL.

[Chad Ochocinco]

That's why I'm in Philly.

[Lester Holt]

This is the second. Hold on. This is the second straight year a running back has been on the COVID Christian McCaffrey being the athlete on Madden NFL 25 that sparked the debate of the infamous Madden Curse once more. This is the first time a member of the Jacksonville Jag has been on the COVID of a Madden, albeit as a person being hurdled. Damn.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Hey, the person getting hurdled. Hey, he got to be upset about that boy. He got to be upset about.

[Lester Holt]

Oh yeah, he immortalized.

[Colin Cowherd]

He made the cut.

[Lester Holt]

That's like that Jordan, push off.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Ocho, wait on Russell. Yeah, I want to push off. He just. He just guided him a little bit out the way.

[Lester Holt]

Well, he only. Yeah, that's what he guided him. That's the elbow.

[Chad Ochocinco]

It is, it is. I just left Saquon. He just. We were at Geno's Steakhouse tonight and they turned it into Steykwon Gino pulling cheesesteak. It was really, really, really, really dope event. I was able to congratulate Saquon on being the COVID athlete and we talked about the Madden Curse. Josh Allen was on the COVID Didn't get hurt when not not too long ago, a Couple of years ago. Yeah, he didn't get hurt. Patrick Mahone was on the COVID previously. He didn't get hurt. So I think Saquon is safe. There have been players that have. That have had small injuries. Nothing too where they missed a lot of time. So I think we. We got to do it with the whole Madden curse thing. And Saquon is one that take care of his body. Doesn't really get hurt much. He has in the past, but recently he hasn't been hurt. I think he's going to be all right. And I honestly think there's a good chance that they might repeat. But being that the commanders have gotten better, being that Dallas has gotten better, you know, obviously adding George Pickens from an offensive standpoint, I'm not sure how they would look defensively. I'm excited. I'm excited to see what that NFC west look like.

[Lester Holt]

Man. Ojo, y' all was good. God, y' all was terrible. OJ y' all had 174 total yards that game. The beat was that 2000.

[Chad Ochocinco]

That's what. They weren't throwing me the ball. Huh?

[Lester Holt]

You wasn't even there.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Oh, yeah, I wasn't there yet.

[Lester Holt]

You better be glad you weren't there.

[Chad Ochocinco]

I mean, if I was, the outcome would have been different. I could tell you that.

[Lester Holt]

No, it wasn't.

[Colin Cowherd]

You used to be out there raising hell when that ball don't come your way.

[Chad Ochocinco]

I think I might have maybe two instances like that one. It was a playoff game. We were playing the Steelers when Carson went down. I was very frustrated. So you have to get your production from somewhere. When a quarterback of that magnitude. Playbook. The playbook changes significantly when the second quarterback comes in. So at that point, now I'm feeling. Put me in positions to make up for not having him in.

[Colin Cowherd]

Right.

[Chad Ochocinco]

And we weren't able to do that because we were playing the Steelers and the Steelers that year. That 05 year. That defense. That defense, Joe. Oh, my God. So I just wanted to be. I wanted them to stop allowing them to dictate what we want to do. Let's dictate.

[Lester Holt]

Y' all were gonna do nothing.

[Chad Ochocinco]

So outside of that, I, I was really frustrated, Joe. That. That was one time and it was another time. Oh, same game, Joe.

[Tom Brokaw]

I got.

[Chad Ochocinco]

I got mad in the same game where.

[Lester Holt]

Well, that. That was the one you was acting a fool in a lot of.

[Chad Ochocinco]

That's what I just told Joe. Yeah. Hey, Joe boy.

[Lester Holt]

See, now I could have said something. See, I knew about this, but I ain't Put him out there, Joe. Because at that time, I was on cbs, and the word, it came back to me. I said, you know what?

[Chad Ochocinco]

You know, I'm not one of those. I. I don't have any problems, you know. You know, like the ball not coming. I'll be. I'll be chilling. Joe. Just that game, the magnitude of the game, and you allowing them to dictate to us what we want to do.

[Lester Holt]

You thought y' all was going to the Super Bowl Hunters.

[Chad Ochocinco]

I promise you. Hey, Joe. All I needed was the ball, Joe. Just put him in the hand, Joe. And listen, I wasn't. I wasn't one of those guys that catching 120 and 130 passes a season. 90. You give me three or four balls a game, I'm good, because two of them, oh, I'm gonna get jiggy. I don't need a whole bunch of catches.

[Lester Holt]

Right, Ocho, since we stay under the Bengals, your quarterback, Joe Burrow, who has 4,918 passing yards, led the league, 43 touchdowns, led the league, said the Bengals would have made the playoff last year if he had played better. If I had played even better, we wouldn't have been in the spot where we were in. Well, that we were in. I just got to focus on getting better myself. And I feel like everyone in the locker room feel the same way. If I go out there and play better than I did last year, then it doesn't matter what goes on anywhere else.

[Chad Ochocinco]

I like that.

[Lester Holt]

Look, I'm glad he took that.

[Chad Ochocinco]

My quarterback don't play better.

[Lester Holt]

It was just. He had some costly turnovers at the most inopportune times. And, you know, when you playing catch up, Ocho, or you got the lead, because that Baltimore game, the first time that y' all played there, Ocho, y' all had a lead and he had some costly. He had a cost. He had a couple of costly turnovers.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Yeah, I like. I, I, I love Joe.

[Lester Holt]

I like I, I. That's, you know what? As the leader, that's what you're supposed to do.

[Chad Ochocinco]

You got to say that. You got to say. And not very many will do that. Not very many will do that. You know what? I don't like that Joe said. I don't like that. He said he's tired of playing at the Ravens home field in primetime games. Because for me, as a competitor, I love playing away. Ravens, Steelers, Browns, matter of fact, hell, I like playing away just in general, especially prime time. You mean I get to be in a chaotic environment and the whole World is watching. I like that. But for some reason. So I, I just, I don't, I don't like that he said that because it makes me feel as if he has an issue playing the Ravens in general.

[Lester Holt]

It's like, hey, let us, let us get one of them. Let us get one of them on prime time. I mean, say you don't mind having the Bengals in prime time. Let them come to us in prime time.

[Chad Ochocinco]

I wouldn't care. I like, I like, I like being prime time and playing in Baltimore. So I'm finna send. I mean, I'm finna send you home. Would have lost and everybody got to see it. I mean, I'm looking at it. I look at it differently.

[Lester Holt]

Colorado coach Coach prime said he was hurt by reports that said his son Shadow was unprepared during the pre draft meetings with NFL teams, but he also isn't buying the validity of them either. It did hurt, but the Bible says God uses the foolish things to confound the wise. There are some foolish stuff that went on, but that gave them something that they needed, like that edge that Tom Brady had. It gave them that edge you had. It gave them the edge that you have. Folks said we weren't going to be nothing, but we had to prove, prove them. Had to prove that it gave him that edge that needed both of them. When you sit up there and say something like he went into the meetings unprepared, like, dude, Shador Sanders, who has had six different offensive coordinators who has def. Has still functioned at a level every time we brought somebody in new and you're going to tell me he was unprepared. You're going to tell me he had on headphones. And anybody that knows my son, understand, he's professional, he's going to go into the meeting with the headphones on. Y' all, come on now.

[Chad Ochocinco]

They said, I knew a bull drive. I knew they were shucking and driving when they said it, when the report came out. Because when you go into a meeting like that with execs, with the high level, higher level folks at an organization, you go in there a certain way, you ain't going to have your earphones on. You're going to be prepared. You know, your coach and your father has already prepared you for that moment anyway. So what are we talking about?

[Lester Holt]

You know what? I bet they did? Ocho, he probably had the headphones around his neck and they told me he had them on. I bet you that's what they did.

[Chad Ochocinco]

But you know they gonna change it up when they come out, you know the story gonna come out.

[Lester Holt]

Pretend like just said, you know what, guys on our draft board, we didn't have him rated that high. We moved on. But to try to try to diminish the man, to try to come up with every excuse, like, he's unprofessional. Like, oh, he. Or he had, you know, his braggadocious. What? Man, look, who cares?

[Colin Cowherd]

Y' all know they probably critiqued him a little, a lot harder than he did.

[Lester Holt]

Of course they did.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Lester Holt]

Yeah, of course. Of course. Hey, and for all I know is somebody threw through those 4,000 yards. All I knew is somebody had those 34, 35, 30. However many touchdowns he threw for, somebody did that. Yeah, Somebody inherited a 111 or 1 in 10 team, and within two years, they had won nine games and they were in a bowl game. All I know, he was the quarterback. I know Jackson State was better with him than they were before he got there. Speed U was better with him than they were before he got there. Now, if he doesn't fit your program, Ocho, if somebody doesn't fit your program or doesn't fit you, it's okay. You don't have to say anything negative about said person, relationship or anything if they're not for you, okay? Yeah, but you ain't got to try to. You ain't got to try to dog them out to try to prep yourself up. You ain't got to do that to that man.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Honestly, when it comes to the quarterback position, especially that team, specifically when it comes to picking quarterbacks, I mean, they've been missing for a very long time anyway.

[Lester Holt]

They ain't pick nobody since Eli.

[Chad Ochocinco]

So.

[Lester Holt]

So whoever said that and. And the Browns, y' all ain't did much better. Let's be real. Y' all hadn't. Y' all really hadn't had a quarterback since test tester verdict since Kozar in the supplemental draft in 84.

[Colin Cowherd]

Hey, look, I think this is gonna be good for him, though. Like I said, I just. A little stuff that I've seen. Uncle Ocho, it seemed like, you know, he got his head down and he working, man. He got it.

[Lester Holt]

That's all you can do.

[Colin Cowherd]

I know. That's it. I think that's a good thing for him. I know. I'm pretty sure he hears the whispers, but he keep it. He keep his head down and keep working, man. Good things gonna happen for him. Cause the talent is. The talent is there.

[Lester Holt]

It's oozing.

[Colin Cowherd]

It's oozing out of him so, man, just keep going, bro.

[Lester Holt]

Anybody that's gone through adversity understands this. Ocho. I was seventh round draft pick. They said I was gonna go somewhere between round one and three. And I looked at all them guys that went before me and a lot of guys that I had played with in the bowl game. I went to the east west shrine game. I was one of the few Division 2 guys that went to a bowl. I went to the blue gray game back then. They used to have a blue gray game, Ocho, that played on Christmas day. I was the only Division 2 guy, if I'm not mistaken, black college guy in that one. It was in Montgomery, Alabama. Cole. Then I go to the east west shrine game. I really wanted to play the east west shrine game because my brother played in that game. And not a whole lot of brothers combination played in bowl game. And so. And to see them guys, I'm like, man, you went to this place, you went to that place, bro, you'd have been the second. The second or third receiver at Savannah state. I've been, oh, no, I'm being real. And I'm like, I'm just remember thinking, like, I remember calling my brother, I said, spank, I'm better than all these dudes here. I said, I'm better than all them. I said, hell, if they want, we.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Can play tight end.

[Lester Holt]

I can play tight end, and I'm better than all these dudes right here. Draft come along, I go see him, you know, you go combine, Ocho, you know, you run the line and, you know, you catching and all that stuff. Hey, we ain't got no technique, Ocho. I'm just out there just raw talent, knowing if somebody give me an opportunity, like, somebody like, okay, teach me how to run routes. Okay, this foot up, this foot back. Okay, you know, 10, roll to 12, drop, jump, you know, okay, this is big, man. All them dudes I saw go back. Look at the wide receivers in my draft. Look at the titans in my draft. Oh, I was. Oh, and every time I played against them work. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, for sure. For sure. They needed to know, oh, y' all got a little extra dollars, but y' all ain't gonna make money as long as me, right? Y' all about to be up out of here. So hopefully shedeur, like I said, there's immense pressure because of his last name is dad. I had. Look, I came in two years after my brother. My brother was the first team off when I got drafted. My brother was first team all pro that year. He led the league in catches and yards. No catches and touchdowns. No yard. Yo, he led the league in catches and yards, so. Man. Man, that's. Man, what. Why he. Why. Why he go to Savannah State, man? Why? He ain't no high draft pick. Don't worry about that. You about to see, so. But I. I just. Don't, don't, don't. Y' all ain't gotta lie on the man. If y' all don't. If you don't want something, Ocho, let's just say, okay, you go to a restaurant, okay? You ain't gotta. If you didn't like. If you don't like what they have, you ain't gotta say the restaurant bad without trying it. Just say what. They didn't have anything on the menu that I liked. Right? Cool, man. Man, it was dirty. The service was this. And, man, the waitress, you know, she gave me your attitude. I asked for some water. This. She kissing the teeth. Come on, you ain't gotta do all that, man. They really have anything on the menu that I like. So. But, hey, okay, cool. Move it along. But to try to do this to the man. Come on, now.

[Chad Ochocinco]

You know one thing. This was a blessing in disguise.

[Lester Holt]

You and I both said it ain't. It ain't. It ain't how high you go. It's working.

[Chad Ochocinco]

What you do when you get.

[Lester Holt]

And what you do when you get there. Hello. That's it. But look, he got. Look, his dad is preparing him for this. He. Guess what. He's been Deion Sanders son. As long as he hadn't been. He hadn't been anything about it. So the criticism has always been always.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Which is why he gonna be all right. He been dealing with adversity and obstacles for a long time. Very long time. So this is nothing new.

[Lester Holt]

I just. I just hate. I just hate Ocho when. When people do stuff like that, Joe. You know what I'm saying? Like I said, if. If you don't think he fits your culture, say that. Cool. I got no problem with that. I ain't saying draft anybody that you don't think can be beneficial, but you don't have to come up with these excuses. Just say, hey, we didn't have him rated that high. We thought he was a day two selection. Cool. Ain't got no problem with that on. You got no problem whatsoever. But it's the. Oh, the arrogance and, you know, the brashness and the jewelry. Guys have nil deals. Guys making three, four, five million dollars. Now, ain't nobody broke like we was when we came out of school, it's a lot different. Hell, yeah.

[Colin Cowherd]

But they gonna. They gonna criticize and scrutinize to the. To the highest, man.

[Lester Holt]

Yeah, I mean, what. What do you. What are you making, four, five million dollars in nil money? So, yeah, you go. He gonna have a Cullinan, he gonna have a Lambo or whatever else he had out there. Hell, I went to school. I said, he had a pickup truck.

[Colin Cowherd]

You had a pickup truck.

[Lester Holt]

I had a pickup. Accustomed deluxe.

[Colin Cowherd]

Hey, I had a Acura Integra, a little hatchback. Yeah, See, hey, that thing get on the road and have no problem. While I got on that freeway, it was stick shift.

[Lester Holt]

Hey, hey, you like manual, man?

[Colin Cowherd]

Listen, so going to my sophomore year, my auntie was like, you can come get my car. Cause she worked at a car rental place, so she drove a different car every day.

[Lester Holt]

So I'm like, cool.

[Colin Cowherd]

I get over there to get the car, some stick shift. I'm like, man, I can't drive no stick.

[Lester Holt]

You learned quick, though. Did you?

[Colin Cowherd]

I called my uncle. My Uncle Tracy. He came over there, and we drove around Twin Lakes. It's a neighborhood. We drove around the neighborhood for like 30 minutes. Uncle Ocho. Then I got on the freeway, shot out to Fayetteville. Two and a half hours.

[Lester Holt]

What?

[Colin Cowherd]

Didn't know nothing about no stick shield, boy.

[Lester Holt]

Hey.

[Colin Cowherd]

Cause, see, when you get on the highway, that you cool. It's when you get in that traffic.

[Lester Holt]

Traffic where you got a dial. It's got. You got a dial shield.

[Colin Cowherd]

It took me about a whole. It took me about a good two weeks before I could figure out how to get around up.

[Lester Holt]

And then you gotta understand where the clutch and the brake is. Hey, look, once you get the hang of it, it's.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, it's nothing once you get the hang of it. But, boy, to start off, it's tough.

[Lester Holt]

Yeah, yeah. That's the thing. You like.

[Colin Cowherd]

That thing cut off on you in traffic, too.

[Lester Holt]

They blow. Hey, Joe. They blow it. All right.

[Chad Ochocinco]

All right.

[Lester Holt]

Damn.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. Yeah, I had a whole lot of that.

[Lester Holt]

Hey, see, I grew up on a farm, and so, you know, driving a tractor, but the gears are slower. So you. Hey, you. Ain't ain't nobody behind you in the damn field. So you go to that road. Hey, so I. I kind of knew my brother had that M3. I never forget. M1988. He got an M3. Was it 88? 87? It was 87 because we were still at the old house, man. He dropped it off, said Man, Hey, I'm gonna let you. I'll let you drive it for a little while. You let me know when you want me to come back and get it. I ain't Joe. I ain't even tell him I ain't know how to drive. No. Hey, I learned how to drive on the F3, man. I got out there. Hey, my sister say teach me. I said, I'm trying to learn myself, man. Hey, after about probably like you said, a couple hours. Yeah, go. I was.

[Colin Cowherd]

Hey, that was me, boy. Listen, after you learn how to shift them gears, it's a rap.

[Lester Holt]

It's a rap.

[Colin Cowherd]

The nascar, the way he was coming through that thing.

[Lester Holt]

Oh, man. And then I was in college, he dropped the Porsches off. He's like, hey, man, you know, hey, floss around. You I gotta tell me that you right here? No, I'm driving convertible Porsches. 930s, 911 slant notes. Good enough, huh? The volume your dream getaway. Welcome in starts at the airport. With Amex Platinum, you get access to the Centurion Lounge where you can find.

[iHeart Podcast]

Space to send off that last work.

[Lester Holt]

Email, fill up on premium dining, and.

[iHeart Podcast]

Finally relax for up to three hours before takeoff.

[Lester Holt]

You might even wish your layover could last just a little longer. Flight to Mexico now boarding.

[Chad Ochocinco]

Oh, that's me.

[iHeart Podcast]

That's the powerful backing of American Express. Terms apply. For more information visit americanexpress.com withamx hey, this is Jenny Garth from I Do Part 2. Want to try Ozempic but can't stand needles? You need to try oral semaglutide. It has the same active ingredient as Ozempic but without the painful injections. Get access to oral semaglutide right [e-mail] join those losing 10 pounds in their first month. Future Health makes it easy and affordable to gain access to weight loss meds like oral Semaglutide, Ozempic and Zepbound for only $3 a day. You don't need insurance or have to go to a doctor's office. Just a quick, easy process. All online. Get the best results at the best price with Future health. Take the three minute quiz at futurehealth.com get approved and start losing weight this week. Visit futurehealth.com that's futurehealth without the e.com future health weight loss data based on independent study sponsored by Future Health. Future Health is not a healthcare services provider. Meds are prescribed at providers discretion.

[Lester Holt]

We finally switched to T Mobile because with them we can be connected here and there. Dad, the cousins in Mexico have a surprise for you and enjoy the gift of staying connected. Switch and start saving today. Get four Samsung Galaxy S25 phones with Galaxy AI on us and four lines for just 25 bucks per line plus non stop talk, tax and data between us and Mexico. Visit a store t mobile.com or call 1-800-T-Mobile- 1-800-T MOBILE.

[iHeart Podcast]

See details@t mobile.com youm have a long list of things to deal with. Check dry eye symptoms off with Refresh Relieva PF Extra Lubricant Eye Drops Offering an advanced formula to soothe and hydrate your dry eyes, Refresh Relieva PF Extra includes moisture locking technology that prevents further irritation and gives you lasting relief. You deserve relief from your dry eye symptoms and your eyes deserve extra. Find Refresh online or in the Eye Drop section at all major retailers. FSA and HSA eligible.

[Lester Holt]

This is an I Heart podcast.