House Rhules — Ep. 7: Jordan and Devon Travis on FSU vs Miami, Emotional Fan Story & MLB Success ft. Cam Smith

Release Date: October 9, 2025
Hosts: Jordan Travis (A), Devon Travis (B)
Guest: Cam Smith (C)

Overview

This episode brings together former FSU quarterback Jordan Travis and ex-MLB player/FSU alum Devon Travis to reflect on Florida State’s tough loss to Miami, the emotional realities of being an athlete, and lessons in leadership on and off the field. They welcome MLB rookie (and fellow FSU/Palm Beach alum) Cam Smith for an open conversation about perseverance, faith, and the transition from college to the big leagues. The hosts candidly address the pressure of fan expectations, the business side of college football, and the experiences that shaped their careers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Emotional Fan Story and Purpose of the Podcast

• Jordan shares a deeply emotional encounter with a fan at a recent Tallahassee signing, recalling a young girl whose brother passed away soon after buying Jordan’s jersey.
  • “She puts her two little pins on the table…starts crying…she looks at me and said, ‘My brother passed away two weeks ago. He bought your jersey three days before he passed away.’ I started bawling crying, bro.” (01:15)
  • The story led Jordan to reflect on the real impact athletes have: “I kind of forget how much of an impact I have…I forgot what my why behind the podcast was.” (02:30)
  • The generosity of other fans present—like a high schooler giving up his ticket so the grieving fan could meet Jordan—reinforced the community’s goodness and the value of sharing stories beyond wins and losses.
  • Devon: “It’s powerful, right?…Reality check, homie…is that really what I’m going to allow to ruin my week? Like no. Kylie lost a brother…we’re going to complain about a Florida State loss?” (05:02)

FSU vs. Miami Game Analysis

• Honest breakdown of Florida State’s loss, with candid acknowledgment of Miami’s strength and coaching.
  • Jordan on Miami: “I think Crystal Ball is a good coach, no matter how hard it is for me to say that…That’s a damn good football team. Carson Beck’s a damn good quarterback.” (07:11)
  • Key point: FSU must play a full four quarters: “My piece of advice…is act like it’s your last play. Because shoot, bro, it could be.” (08:55)
  • Praises individual FSU efforts (Daryl Jackson, Daniel Lyons, Blake Nicholson) and stresses player accountability: “Coach can’t put the damn pads on. He gives you the inspirational talks…What else do you want the guy to do?” (10:59)
  • On NIL and Recruiting Reality: Jordan addresses challenges in recruiting due to financial inequities: “Recruiting is about buying players these days, just like the NFL…Football is not the same as it was before. The rivalry is not the same.” (12:57)
  • Fans are urged to keep perspective; calls for patience with coaches.

Navigating Criticism & Mental Health in the Social Media Era

• Advice for athletes, especially FSU QB Tommy Castellanos, on mental resilience:
  • “Screw Twitter, screw Instagram…What they have to say about you don’t matter, bro…These fans made you feel like you were good, and then they can also make you feel like you should just be gone.” (21:43)
  • Jordan recounts struggling with negativity and doubting his place at FSU, emphasizing the need for strong support systems and blocking out toxic feedback.
• Devon adds: “Just worry about your family, your team, your faith…because at the end of the day, nobody feels sorry for you.”

Lessons on Leadership, Mindset, and Belief

• The importance of belief and hating to lose: “Believing that you can win is the most important thing, and believing that you won’t lose anymore is the most important thing…as long as you believe you can do anything.” (28:28)
• Why hating to lose trumps loving to win: “Liking winning sounds like you also like complacency…and I hate losing sounds like I’m backed into a corner and there’s only one choice.” (32:20)

MLB Success and Transition: Conversation with Cam Smith

Cam Smith’s Rookie Year Reflections

• On fulfilling a dream: “First year in the big leagues…it’s something I’ve always wanted…No matter how good or bad I did, this is what I wanted.” (39:37)
• Biggest lesson: “Just trying my best to stay even keeled…At this level, failure feels personal.” (40:09)
  • Strategies include meditating during games, finding grounding in his faith, and connecting with teammates.

The Role of Faith and Mental Strength

• Faith as a foundation: “It’s everything and it should be everything…playing this game, you need a strong foundation.” (40:53)
• Regular involvement in Bible study and team chapel helps manage the grind of 162 games.
  • Cam: “Without our Lord and Savior, none of this is possible…in Christ it keeps us at bay through the tough times.” (42:29)

Growth from High School to MLB

• Remarkable progression: As a high school sophomore, Cam wasn’t even a starter: “Because I didn’t work for it…I was strictly relying on my athletic ability, not practicing on my own ever. But when that season was over, I got to work—and I always earned it from that point forward.” (56:10)
  • Devon: “Everybody thinks these guys were always the best…shit’s hard. Like, baseball’s hard…for some, it comes easy, but for most, you have to work at it.” (56:46)

Managing the Marathon of MLB

• Cam on 162-game season: “The most challenging part…was finding ways to show up every day…Everybody in the world expects you to show up. Nobody’s going to feel sorry for you.” (50:39)
  • Emphasizes the importance of consistency, routine, and sometimes “faking bravery” to get through the grind: “Fake bravery is bravery.” (51:36)

Milestone Moments & Family Support

• Most emotional moment: Making the Astros’ major league roster and sharing the news with his mom and girlfriend.
  • Cam (tearful): “Everything works out. Everything happens for a reason. No matter how good or bad you have it, if you can always see it through, you’ll find a way.” (59:58)
• The guys stress the importance of stopping to be proud of yourself amidst the pressure to constantly move forward.
  • Devon: “I challenge you…every now and then…look in the mirror and be like—hey man, you already made it, Cam…what you do from here, I know you’ve got big plans, but be proud of yourself.” (61:07)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jordan Travis on his impact:

  • “I forgot what my why behind the podcast was. I’m impacting people across the world…but just the autograph or words of advice, it’s so cool that I have the platform to help people.” (03:38)

• Devon Travis on perspective:

  • “To something like that happens, and it’s like—Is that really what I’m going to allow to ruin my week? Like, no.” (05:02)

• Cam Smith on staying present:

  • “Fake bravery is bravery…that’s courage itself. If you can have enough courage to fake it, there’s your bravery right there.” (51:36)

• Jordan Travis on fan criticism:

  • “I remember what you put me through. I remember what you put my family through…You’re 45, 50 years old. Don’t come to me with that shit. I was 19, 20, having to walk to class the next day, making $0…” (22:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Emotional fan encounter and impact — 01:00–04:57
• Perspective after FSU loss, athlete impact — 04:57–07:11
• FSU–Miami detailed game breakdown — 07:11–12:40
• Recruiting, NIL, changing college football — 12:40–18:36
• Advice on social media, mental health — 21:43–24:29
• Leadership & believing in the face of losses — 28:13–32:28
• Cam Smith joins — year one in MLB, faith — 39:37–43:00
• Managing the grind, emotional debut moment — 50:39–61:07
• Audience Q&A (stadiums, teammates, routines) — 66:10–72:21

Q&A and Lighthearted Close

• Worst stadium to play in: FSU/Pitt universally panned for weird vibes and bad grass (66:40)
• Best player faced: Multiple names, but focus on how matchups influenced their play (68:07)
• Funniest on-field stories: Admit to ‘blacking out’ during most games; little memory for mishaps (70:07)
• Favorite FSU uniform combo: Split between Sunday golds (baseball) and white-on-white-on-white (football) (70:58)
• Waffle House order debates & college ‘Publix’ stories as an upbeat sendoff (71:16–72:21)

Closing Thoughts

The episode closes with warmth, camaraderie, and an open celebration of resilience and brotherhood. The conversation not only unpacks wins and losses but explores the emotional journey of athletes, the shifting terrain of modern college sports, and the unshakeable support found in faith and family.

Memorable ending: Devon sings “Happy Birthday” to his wife—capturing the family theme and vulnerability that ran throughout the episode. (72:34)

For Listeners

This is an episode for anyone who loves FSU, sports, or wants to hear authentic stories about growth and belief beyond the scoreboard. It’s a mix of behind-the-scenes insight, candid wisdom, and genuine affection among friends, delivered with heartfelt honesty and humor.

Go Noles!