Podcast Summary: Holmberg's Morning Sickness – 11/26/25
Episode Theme:
A lively, unruly pre-Thanksgiving episode featuring former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Dale Hellestrae. The show is centered around:
- Dale’s reactions to Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill leaving a game early
- Critiques of the Cardinals organization and Phoenix sports culture
- Thanksgiving stories and NFL Week 13 picks
- Searing takes and plenty of playful banter
Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Brett Vesely, Dick Toledo. Guest: Dale Hellestrae.
1. Phoenix Sports and the “Soft Town” Critique
Main Discussion:
- The crew discusses Phoenix’s reputation for being a “soft” sports town, especially when compared to sports markets like Dallas and Philadelphia.
- The Phoenix Suns’ newfound toughness is highlighted, contrasting with a historical softness attributed to the city's teams and fans.
Notable Moments & Quotes:
- John (08:44): “This is proof that it’s... Arizona is a soft town.”
- Dale (08:43): “Very.”
- John (09:45): “That was also in a time when the Suns were still the softest team and they had bangers because the rest of the league was allowed to punch you.”
- John (09:56): “But it’s a soft, soft town. The media plays a massive part of that.”
Soft Media Culture
- Discussion of how local media, particularly TV and sports radio, avoid pressing the Cardinals or embarrassing the ownership.
- John (10:39): “The media... are not tough on the Cardinals. They think they are by saying they stink, but they're not tough on them by doing what they should.”
2. Michael Bidwill Leaves Cardinals Game Early
Main Discussion:
- Key segment where John reveals seeing Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill at the Phoenix Suns' arena soon after a Cardinals’ game ended in overtime. This sparks outrage at Bidwill’s apparent lack of commitment and presence.
Key Segment:
- [10:12–13:16]
- John (10:12): “[Michael Bidwill is] just Bill [Bidwill]... at the Rah Rah Room, hanging out there at 5:40 something...”
- Dale (11:03): “Not a good look, John.”
- John (11:05): “Bad look.”
- Comparison to other owners: If Jerry Jones wasn’t on the sideline in Dallas, local press and fans would explode. Dale (11:14): “Are you kidding me? He would be vilified.”
Theory: Bidwill Might Be Prepping to Sell the Team
- John posits Bidwill’s behavior could indicate a disengagement or even prep to sell.
- John (17:32): “I have the theory that he’s selling the team...”
- Dale (18:23): “It speaks to the woe, be gone status of this franchise...”
3. Cardinals Season Ticket Price Hikes
Main Discussion:
- Dale shares that his brother (a season ticket holder since 1988) received notice of a 45% ticket price increase, due in full by December 15.
- The group is incredulous, considering the team’s lackluster performance.
Key Details:
- Dale (13:48): “He gets a season ticket renewal... 45% increase in ticket prices... And they want the money by December 15th.”
- Gifts and incentives for fans have all but disappeared; Dale’s brother got “a towel in two years.”
- Dale (15:33): “Back in the day, they used to give him gifts... They’ve gotten one towel in two years...”
Notable Quotes:
- John (18:37): “Oh, by the way, let's... raise ticket prices 50%.”
- Dale (21:06): “Guess what? The Cardinals don’t care.”
Fan Frustration and Ownership Accountability
- The hosts compare the Cardinals’ approach unfavorably to teams whose fans and media hold ownership’s feet to the fire (ex: Philadelphia, Chicago, Pittsburgh).
- John (19:11): “The owner has to be snuck in because the fans scream at him to sell the team...”
- John (21:17): “Taylor Swift is more involved in the football team she’s with than Bill Bidwell. At least she stays to the end.”
4. Memorable Childhood and NFL Stories
Dale’s “Long Life” Inventions:
- Discussions on parental tricks before car TV/iPads, including drugging kids with Benadryl and improvised entertainment on road trips.
- Dale (04:49): “But probably the TVs in the back... when you travel with the kids.”
- Hellestrae recounts 16-hour car trips and road survival tactics.
Childhood Travel Anecdotes:
- John (06:53): “Family of four in an El Camino... feet to feet to shoulder for about 10 hours.”
- Dale (07:17): “My parents used to just throw me in the backseat with a coffee can because we weren’t stopping to pee.”
5. Inside TV & Radio, Cardinals’ Media Pressure
Suppression of Negative Coverage:
- Dale recounts being blackballed by Mark Dalton, Cardinals’ PR, for being critical on air.
- Dale (11:40): “Anything negative about the Cardinals, he's... He 86'd me out of channel 12 years ago.”
John’s Pay Debacle:
- John relates how the Cardinals once sent him a pay-stub with a faked signature, years ago after he hosted their pregame.
- John (16:27): “They sent a check that had a fraudulent signature on the back. My signature...”
Frustration with Local Media:
- John (21:40): “Grow some balls and be a media in a town that actually holds this team accountable.”
6. NFL Picks for Week 13 & Thanksgiving Memories
NFL Picks [from 30:32]
- Brett: Bears +7 vs. the Eagles (31:01)
- Dale: Cowboys to win outright vs. Chiefs (31:36)
- John: Steelers +3.5 vs. Bills
- Brady: Bengals vs Ravens; pivots to pick Ravens when key injuries are mentioned (34:14)
- Bonus: Add Ohio State to beat Michigan straight up (34:39)
Thanksgiving as a Cowboy [32:10]
- Dale (32:10): “Never did we have a home game on Sunday... Thanksgiving's gonna be home every year... We're always on the road.”
- Dallas' huge home-field advantage discussed—85% of Thursday travelers don't cover the spread.
- Tradition: Dale’s family would do Thanksgiving after Friday post-game, “...ended up being probably the most enjoyable part of it” (36:01).
7. College Football & Bowl Game Gripes
- ASU vs U of A: Briefly discussed; neither host nor guest seems energized by Sun Bowl or smaller bowls.
- Dale’s 1980s Sun Bowl Story:
- SMU snubbed by big bowls, ends up at Sun Bowl vs. Alabama, freezing cold.
- Dale (38:39): “We didn’t bring winter gear... I end up getting pneumonia that freaking Christmas, that was my junior year.”
Bowl Game Criticism:
- John (40:31): “Bowl games. Dumb. All of them, except for two.”
- Dale (41:02): “But what about the kids? They get to go see a different part of the country...”
- John (41:05): “I’m not gonna [watch them]... They send them to El Paso and they're ungrateful pricks.”
Selected Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- “The media... are not tough on the Cardinals... but they're not tough on them by doing what they should.” — John, 09:56
- “Not a good look, John.” — Dale, 11:03
- “They want the money by December 15th. Now if you’re sitting here and you’re going, hey, we’re... 7 and 3, we’re making a push...” — Dale, 13:55
- “Taylor Swift is more involved in the football team she’s with than Bill Bidwell. At least she stays to the end.” — John, 21:17
- “Grow some balls and be a media in a town that actually holds this team accountable.” — John, 21:40
- “[Thanksgiving games]… everything depended if you lost. It's like, I don't care what the hell you did.” — Dale, 35:58
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Phoenix Sports “Soft Town”: 08:40 – 10:16
- Michael Bidwill Leaves Early: 10:12 – 12:41
- Season Ticket Price Increase: 13:48 – 16:09
- Media Suppression/Blackballing: 11:40, 23:39 – 24:29
- NFL Picks and Thanksgiving Discussion: 30:32 – 37:22
- Sun Bowl/College Football Stories: 37:26 – 41:15
Summary Highlights
- The episode is a playful yet relentless roast of the Cardinals’ ownership, local sports media, and the challenges of being a Phoenix fan.
- Dale Hellestrae brings NFL locker room and Cowboys nostalgia (including Thanksgiving anecdotes).
- Candid criticism of the local sports ecosystem—a must-listen for frustrated Arizona/Dallas fans, or anyone who likes spicy sports radio.
Tone:
Sarcastic, irreverent, insider-y, but full of genuine exasperation and affection for sports.
Skip: Ads and in-show sponsor plugs—none of the above content is about them.
For NFL picks and hot takes with both Arizona sports realism and Dallas-sized attitude, this episode is essential listening!