Holmberg’s Morning Sickness: The Sports Thing w/Holmberg, Hellestrae, and Nash – Episode 3 (08-24-25)

Date: August 26, 2025
Location: 98KUPD, Arizona
Guests: John Holmberg (Host), Dale Hellestrae (Three-time Super Bowl champion, former Dallas Cowboys), Dave Nash (Entrepreneur), with supporting banter by show regulars

Episode Overview

This episode blends irreverent sports debate, first-hand NFL nostalgia, and conspiratorial side-roads with the trademark sarcastic tone of Holmberg’s Morning Sickness. Key topics include sports nicknaming culture, athletic greatness versus specialization, insights from the new Cowboys documentary, the realities and reform in college football, and deep dives into NFL culture—including player mentalities, safety, and notorious incidents. The episode ends with Nash’s signature “conspiracy epilogue,” riffing on 9/11 and institutional distrust, keeping the conversation both provocative and entertaining for sports fans and skeptics alike.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Sports Nicknames and Banter (03:00–07:00)

• Holmberg rails on radio and athlete nicknames: “I don't like nicknames in general. For the most part, I'm not a nickname guy.” (04:11 — Holmberg)
• Nash discusses being called “Angry Fan” on-air and shares discomfort with radio schtick.
• Baseball’s tendency for nickname laziness: “It’s either an -er or -y. Baseball guys are so stupid with names.” (04:30 — Holmberg)
• Exploration of the “Baby Bull” moniker and accidental double meanings, leading to jokes about Nash’s physique.

2. Specialization vs. Well-Rounded Players in Sports (07:00–12:00)

• Nash on his minor league career shortfall: “I was always thinking, you know, I had all the skills, except my speed was just average... I should have concentrated on what I do well.” (07:38 — Nash)
• Holmberg and Hellestrae debate what gets you to “the next level”—greatness at one thing versus consistency across the board.
• Discussion of MLB players (e.g., Pete Rose, Greg Maddux): Would they make it in today’s metrics-obsessed era?
  • “If you say Pete Rose doesn't make it in the pros today, you're out of your mind.” (09:30 — Holmberg)

3. The Memory and Preparation of Sports Greats (12:00–16:00)

• Holmberg admires the photographic recall of coaches/broadcasters:
  • “Al Michaels... remembered the score of this preseason game he called.” (13:31)
  • Sean McVay “knows all the plays. And he's not alone.”
• Hellestrae shares anecdotes about MLB pitcher Bob Welch and approaches to elite hitters like Pete Rose.
• Golfers’ photographic memory: “How do you remember every single shot... even shots you've only watched?” (14:13 — Holmberg)
• “There's a different mentality with success—the greats.” (14:46 — Holmberg)

4. Lessons from the Cowboys & NFL Culture (16:00–41:00)

4.1. Leadership and Hard Work

• “Our three best players were our three hardest workers: Aikman, Irvin, Smith.” (18:10 — Hellestrae)
• The ripple effect of top players’ work ethic: “If your top three guys are not... the rest of the team follows.” (18:33 — Hellestrae)

4.2. Fakeness of NFL Narratives

• On “first-in, last-out” culture: “Doesn’t mean he’s doing anything... first thing he did was eat!” (19:19 — Holmberg)
• Hellestrae: “Being there is not always accomplishing work. We were 4–12 in Buffalo, in the building 7:30 to 6—half the time was nonsense.” (20:01)

4.3. Irvin, Deion, and The “Mob-Like” Dallas Team

• Michael Irvin's on/off-field intensity: Charity basketball tales, true competitiveness, and locker room dominance.
• Holmberg: “The documentary—if you haven’t watched, Dale is somewhat of a star on... what will soon be the top-watched show on Netflix. It’s number four.” (23:07)
• Hellestrae on Barry Switzer’s coaching style vs. Jimmy Johnson’s cold professionalism versus personal touch (44:24).
• Michael Irvin’s wild personal life (“stabbed a guy in the neck” jokes), the “White House” scandal, and sense of family: “That’s exactly what the mob says... You were the Sopranos!” (41:48 — Holmberg)

4.4. NFL Player Safety and Concussions

• “I'm convinced the NFL knew by the mid-80s... we were told 'shake it off.'” (34:31 — Hellestrae)
• Discussion about concussions, memory loss, and the changed approach to safety.
• Moving tribute to ailing teammate Bill Bates and the wrenching impact on family: “He can look at you, John... you can see in his eyes he knows who you are. But he can’t speak it.” (39:28 — Hellestrae)

5. College Football: NIL, Transfer Portal, and the Demise of Purity (59:00–67:00)

• “Every quarterback in the SEC is probably making a million a year... They’re still making a boatload.” (59:29 — Dave Nash)
• Pay-to-play is the new norm: “We're doing legally what we used to before. We're better at this than everybody.” (65:00 — Nash)
• “What I believe is the worst thing about college football right now: transfer portal.” (60:50 — Hellestrae)
  • Calls for strict transfer windows and eligibility reform.
• Big-money boosters now key to program survival, especially at non-legacy schools. “You gotta get a billionaire… just like the pros.” (65:10 — Holmberg)
• Lively debate about blips versus dynasties and joking rivalry jabs at U of A and ASU.

6. NFL Draft, Deion Sanders Controversy, and Conspiracies (51:36–58:50)

• Nash and Holmberg riff on NFL collusion rumors on draftees like Shador Sanders.
• “What’s the hatred for Deion? ... He seems OK… made a couple dumbass 21-year-old decisions, and yeah, I did it on my way here.” (56:24 — Holmberg)
• Rapid-fire jokes linking NFL injuries, vaccine skepticism, blood clots, and a mix of sports and world events.

7. Nash’s Conspiracy Deep Dive: 9/11 and Institutional Distrust (68:43–79:00)

• Final “Dave Nash Epilogue”—Conspiracy Deep Dive
  • Ruminates on 9/11, Building 7, government coverups, and the “club” running the world.
  • “The evidence is undeniable. Maybe listeners don’t even realize… on 9/11, three buildings came down that day.” (70:04 — Nash)
  • Building 7 collapse questions: “A 48 floor building came down in its footprint… you explain to me how that happened.” (71:21 — Nash)
  • Holmberg: “I'm fine with them lying to us every once in a while because we’re mob and mob mentality is always wrong.” (74:00)
  • Quote of the segment: “My problem is they're trying to kill me, my family, my friends… Conspiracy theorists are critical thinkers.” (75:45–79:04)
• Panel trades tongue-in-cheek accusations about globalists, Freemasons, and manipulation in both sports and society: “That’s what being a globalist means. Count me in. Is Jerry Jones a globalist?” (77:35 — Holmberg)

Noteworthy Quotes & Moments

• On Michael Irvin’s relentless drive:
  “He just doesn't know how to turn this, this. No, just from 10 down to 5.” (22:34 — Holmberg)
• On work ethic and the Cowboys’ 1990s dynasty:
  “Our three best players were our three hardest workers: Aikman, Irvin, Smith... you just follow their lead.” (18:10)
• On the “Sopranos” style Cowboys:
  “You were the Sopranos. You got away with everything... you were paying off the right people. The city loved you. You could do nothing wrong.” (41:48)
• On being a multi-tool athlete:
  “If you're good at all five things, they're going to keep an eye on you.” (08:43 — Holmberg)
• On the NFL’s approach to concussions in the past:
  “The hits never hurt, it’s just… you walk back thinking, ‘I just killed him.’” (35:03 — Hellestrae)
• On college football’s lost purity:
  “Where’s the purity in college football argument now?” (60:18)
• On Building 7 and 9/11 skepticism:
  “It came down in less than free fall speed, 6 1/2 seconds. A 48-floor building came down in its footprint… you explain to me how that happened.” (71:21 — Nash)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Sports Nicknames Debated: 03:00–07:00
• Specialization vs. Well-Rounded Play: 07:00–12:00
• Memory of Great Athletes/Coaches: 12:00–16:00
• Cowboys, Leadership & NFL Work Ethic: 16:00–25:00
• NFL Safety & Teammate Stories: 34:00–41:00
• Cowboys Documentary Takeaways: 23:07, 41:06, 43:00, 44:24
• College Football/NIL/Transfer Portal: 59:00–67:00
• Smith, Sanders & NFL Collusion Jokes: 51:36–58:50
• Nash’s Conspiracy Epilogue (9/11): 68:43–79:04

Final Thoughts

This episode is a lively mix of genuine sports insight, locker room anecdotes, and the show's signature humor, with side trips into darker conversations on NFL safety and sports corruption. Die-hard fans will appreciate the rich first-person accounts, and even if you're on the fence about Nash's conspiracy rants, you'll be entertained. All in all, if you love unfiltered sports talk with a side of sharp wit (and some wild tangents), this is a must-listen.