Holmberg’s Morning Sickness – 09-18-25

Episode: Calling For The Cards To Take Action On Kyler Murray For Posting Pic In Michael Vick Jersey w/His Dog – Is There A Fake Melania Or Many Fake Ones After Seeing Her In England

Overview

In this engaging episode, the HMS crew tackles two major topics:

1. A contentious social media post by Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, where he appeared in a Michael Vick jersey alongside his pit bull, sparking outrage among fans and animal advocates.
2. The internet-fueled conspiracy theory about “fake Melania” body doubles accompanying Donald Trump during his UK visit.

John Holmberg, along with Brady, Bret, and Toledo, blend sharp humor, strong opinions, and cultural commentary while inviting listeners to reflect on cancel culture, celebrity accountability, and the strange world of online conspiracies.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

[00:08–07:54] – Cancel Culture vs. Government Enforcement

Main Theme:

• The crew debates the concept of cancel culture compared to government or corporate crackdowns, prompted by Jimmy Kimmel allegedly being fired due to outside pressure.

Highlights:

• John references a Dave Portnoy tweet distinguishing real-time accountability from retroactive cancel culture.

• The group discusses how FCC/government intervention is fundamentally different and "totalitarian."

  • “To me, cancel culture is a group of people… digging up your past and saying, we’ve got to get this guy… when the government strong arms your employee to fire you, it’s not cancel culture.” – John Holmberg [00:29]

• Analogy to Joe Rogan and the right-left pendulum:

  • “The pendulum never rests in the middle. It was crazy one way, and now it’s going back the other. I don’t like this at all.” – John Holmberg [04:56]

[07:54–12:13] – Kyler Murray’s “Michael Vick Jersey with Dog” Controversy

Main Theme:

• John Holmberg “calls for action” from the Arizona Cardinals after Kyler Murray’s provocative IG post.

Details:

• Explains Kyler’s history with fans and why, as a still-unestablished QB, this was a particularly “dumb” move.

• Describes Michael Vick's dogfighting past in graphic detail to contextualize why the image is so offensive.

  • “He would make puddles in his backyard and... electrocute them to death... He picked up a dog once and smashed it into the ground until it died. This is what you decide to put a jersey on and stand next to a pit bull?” – John Holmberg [09:32]

• Demands Cardinals seek an explanation, not just an apology:

  • “This isn’t cancel culture. This is a moment where you’re like, what are you? Explain yourself.” – John Holmberg [11:39]

Notable Quote:

• “It’s like holding up a rifle and a picture of John Kennedy. Why? What are you doing? What message are you trying to send?” – John Holmberg [08:45]

[12:13–17:36] – Should There Be Consequences?

Main Theme:

• Should the Cardinals fine or suspend Murray, or is public shaming and apology enough?

Discussion Points:

• The image was clearly antagonistic, not accidental.
• Holmberg calls for the Cardinals, animal advocates, and the public to demand more than a “forced apology.”
  • “I don’t want your apology. I want to know what you were doing. I want to know what you were doing, tough guy.” – John Holmberg [13:42]
• Compares bad taste jersey choices in sports (O.J. Simpson, Ray Rice, etc.) and why some reputations can’t be separated from egregious off-field behavior.

[17:36–23:26] – The Michael Vick Debate & Athlete Accountability

Main Theme:

• Delving into the specifics of Vick’s crimes, NFL double standards, and social perceptions of redemption.

Insights:

• Kyler Murray’s press conference and unconvincing “I love my dogs” defense.
• “If you love dogs, you wouldn’t wear [a] Michael Vick jersey... It’s like, I got Dahmer posters over at the orphanage.” – John Holmberg [19:57]
• Fans and franchises should be more discerning about who they support and why—“cheering for laundry” vs. actual character.

[23:26–29:00] – Sports Heroes: Ring of Honor & Gray Areas

Main Theme:

• Where to draw the line with athlete adulation?

Points Discussed:

• Palmer vs. Edgerrin James in the Cardinals' Ring of Honor, Michael Jackson music still played, but Cosby is “erased.”
• “Ring of honor, to me, means you got us somewhere. Without you, this team doesn’t…” – John Holmberg [26:36]
• Public willingness to forgive or ignore moral failings for talent or nostalgia.

[29:00–37:00] – Fake Melania Conspiracy

Transition to lighter topic.

• The viral theory that Melania Trump was replaced by a body double in the UK.

Comedic Highlights:

• Holmberg and co. dissect (and lampoon) the logistics and feasibility:
  • “If there’s another Melania, she could make so much money being a model... or just going all over the talk show circuit as fake Melania.” – John Holmberg [33:00]
  • Affectionate Melania (“way too happy”) cited as evidence.
  • “There is no way there is a Melania body double. That woman would be… there would be a fight within 10 minutes.” – John Holmberg [36:21]
  • Entertaining riffs on catfights, egos, and why hot women don’t take hard jobs.

[41:34–43:42] – “Big Mike” (Michelle Obama is a Man?) Meme Tangent

Quick Segment:

• Jokes about Internet conspiracy theories that Michelle Obama is really “Big Mike.”
• Bret gets ribbed for enjoying the memes.
  • “I don’t believe it’s necessarily true that Michelle Obama is a man, but I find the Internet winning this battle in a funny way.” – John Holmberg [43:21]

[43:42–50:05] – Listener Feedback & Defending Kyler

Main Theme:

• Reading angry listener emails; debating intent vs. effect.
• Holmberg holds firm that, regardless of intent, context matters—“Explain yourself. That’s all.”
• Touches humorously on accusations of stealing bits from Opie & Anthony (“never listened even once”) and resumes call for accountability over personal attacks.

[50:05–56:22] – Music Industry Flashbacks & “Use Your Illusion”

Lighter Segment:

• Discussion pivots to music nostalgia: midnight releases, buying the wrong album (LA Guns instead of Guns N’ Roses), and the cultural impact of Use Your Illusion.
• “34 years ago yesterday, the Use Your Illusion got released… November Rain was already all over MTV at that point. Such a great song.” – John Holmberg [53:18]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “If Kyler Murray had been outspoken at anything in the past, you’d be like, oh, that’s Kyler. This was clearly just him stepping over the line, going, look at me.” – John Holmberg [08:27]
• “The Cardinals, at the very least, need to have some sort of a come-to-Jesus moment with Kyler. ‘Hey, buddy… Do not bring this to our party. Explain yourself, Kyler Murray, immediately.’” – John Holmberg [11:51]
• “If you love dogs, you wouldn’t wear Michael Vick jersey… It’s just stupid.” – John Holmberg [19:57]
• “You can still think he’s a great athlete, but you don’t support him anymore.” – John Holmberg [19:57]
• "Why wouldn't we have doubles for a president? Of course we do. I don't think you can do it for the women...” – John Holmberg [31:46]
• “There is no way there is a Melania body double. That woman would be... there would be a fight within 10 minutes.” – John Holmberg [36:21]

Episode Tone & Style

The HMS crew maintains their trademark irreverent banter, blending dark humor, pointed social critique, and a readiness to challenge both their audience and public figures. While the main topic is treated seriously, the frequent comedic sidebars (particularly around fake Melania auditions and “Big Mike”) keep things fast-paced and entertaining.

Summary Table of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | Main Points | |------------|--------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:08-07:54| Cancel Culture vs. Govt Crackdowns | Kimmel controversy, Portnoy’s take, real difference if FCC steps in | | 07:54-12:13| Kyler Murray & Michael Vick Jersey Post | Detailed criticism, Holmberg calls for Cardinals to act | | 12:13-17:36| Consequences and Public Response | “Explain yourself” vs. apology; team/fan expectations | | 17:36-23:26| Vick’s Crimes & Athlete Accountability | Vick’s violent past, celebrity redemption double standards | | 23:26-29:00| Sports Heroes, Recognition & Gray Areas | Who gets a pass, who doesn’t; Ring of Honor debate; music/entertainment analogies | | 29:00-37:00| Fake Melania Theory | Raucous analysis of conspiracy logistics and implausibility | | 41:34-43:42| “Big Mike” Meme Tangent | Jokes about Michelle Obama conspiracy | | 43:42-50:05| Listener Feedback & Kyler Defenders | Emails, insults, “explain yourself,” humor about show influences | | 50:05-56:22| Music Nostalgia | “Use Your Illusion” story, LA Guns mix-up, November Rain nostalgia |

For New Listeners

This episode is a whirlwind of hot takes, sharp analogies, Arizona sports frustration, and the sort of locker-room humor that defines HMS. If you missed it:

• The team powerfully argues that Murray’s move isn't just tasteless but professionally irresponsible, demanding transparency from both star and franchise.
• They thread in nuanced takes on cancel culture, calling out both overreach and the necessity for some standards.
• The Melania discussion is bombastic satire, demonstrating the show’s willingness to lampoon viral nonsense while highlighting the absurdity beneath.

Want to listen for yourself?

Key sections are:

• Kyler Murray/Cancel Culture [00:08–29:00]
• Fake Melania Conspiracies [29:00–40:00]
• Listener Emails & Music History [43:42–56:20]

Mature content and explicit takes throughout—HMS pulls no punches, whether discussing quarterbacks, conspiracies, or classic rock.