← Kennedy Saves the World
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- [00:00]
A
Foreign. Hello, and welcome to this episode of Kennedy Saves the World. As you know, the PBR has been airing on Fox Nation, and it's quite wonderful. If you have not been to a PBR event, you have to go. And one of the reasons this year has been so special is a man who spent 13 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He married some couples on Valentine's Day on the dirt till dirt do us part at the pbr. And he has married his love of football with his love of bulls and beef and all things bovine. Brett Kiesel.
- [00:57]
B
Thank you, Kennedy.
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A
He is known as De Beard, and he is here. Welcome to Kennedy Saves the World.
- [01:02]
B
Thank you, Kennedy, and thank you for saving the world.
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A
I'm trying, Brett. I'm trying. It is a battle. It is an up at dawn pride swallowing siege, as Jerry Maguire would say. So you played football for a long time. You were a defensive end. You're a very tall, thick man. How. How did you go from your love of stopping the offense to cows, bulls, and a giant farm?
- [01:40]
B
Well, that's a great question. I was fortunate to be raised in Wyoming. I lived on a cattle ranch in northern Wyoming. We did everything the cowboy way. We pushed our cows on horseback. We moved them from the summer pastures up into the mountains. We branded did everything on horseback from roping. And it was an amazing lifestyle. I thought when I was younger, it was a lot of work, and I felt like I was probably one of the only kids in the world that had to do all these chores growing up. But it really instilled in me a lot of great work ethic. And here I am, you know, all these years later, I was fortunate enough to get drafted to Pittsburgh, spent my entire career here with the Pittsburgh Steelers. And, you know, after I got done, I really wanted to find a farm where I could kind of have that type of lifestyle and have cows and horses. And I found my dream farm out here in Pennsylvania, and I'm loving raising beef and have horses. And that's kind of how this whole PBR thing started. I think they knew that a little bit about me. And last year we had an amazing event, and this year they were like, hey, we're coming on Valentine's Day. Is there anything interesting we can do? And somebody came up with the idea of actually marrying people on the dirt, you know, with. With bulls in the background, snorting and getting ready to go out and buck. It was quite an amazing event. And I told the couples we made history, you know, here in Pittsburgh, which is a pretty neat thing to do.
- [03:15]
A
That's. I mean, you're already beloved in Pittsburgh and you are an ordained minister. So it was a natural marriage for you to blend the super fandom with the people you played in front of for a baker's dozen years with, you know, your. Your knowledge and love of these animals. And by these animals, I mean human beings.
- [03:39]
B
It was very unique. You know, I never thought I would ever marry anybod. I never thought I would be a minister of marriage. But when this opportunity came across, I thought, you know, this is really cool. Some of the couples that won, Anthony and Teresa, they actually met at a Steelers game. And, you know, it's just crazy how it came full circle and I got to actually preside over their wedding in front of a sold out crowd at PPG Paints arena and marry those guys for the rest of their lives in front of a bunch of bulls and people that they don't know.
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A
That's so cool, though. I mean, what an incredible story to tell. That's. That's all the things that you could want. And are they PBR fans?
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B
Very big PBR fans. That's right. Yeah. Devin and Tori were big PBR fans, too. They'd watched the show from afar, but just hadn't had a chance to get married yet. Raising a couple little kids. And when this opportunity arose, they thought, you know, this is perfect to come down and show everyone how much they love each other and get married in front of everybody. And we actually had Dick and Diane Brennan, Too, who celebrated 50 years of marriage together.
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A
That is so sweet. They renewed their vows after half a century. That is so awesome. And what a wonderful thing for these younger couples to aspire to.
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B
Yeah, it was amazing, you know, just. I just didn't want to screw it up for them. I knew how special this day was, you know, getting married and actually agreeing to do this in front of everybody, you know, so I was probably sweating more than they were out there, but just super fun that the PBR came with this amazing thing to, you know, quiet the arena a little bit. That's usually so chaotic and loud and just have a somber moment there to celebrate Valentine's Day with the couples. And actually, you know, everyone got to be a part of an amazing wedding, which I think everyone will remember for a long time.
- [05:43]
A
Was it a combined ceremony? Did you do all the couples at once?
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B
Yeah, we brought everybody out at once. It was right at the start of the show. It was fun for me because I got, you know, love riding horses. I got to ride Percy, who is the pickup man's. Horse that he actually like ropes bulls and pulls them out of the arena when they're chasing everybody around. So just super fun to take him on a quick lap around the arena and give the fans fives and, you know.
- [06:11]
A
Yeah, I saw you on. On Percy. That. That picture is really amazing.
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B
Thank you. He's a beast, you know, I mean,
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A
I don't know which one is bigger, you or Percy.
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B
Yeah, Percy maybe could have given me a lap. You know, I've been like, okay, let's trade. But super fun he was.
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A
He looked like one of those little ponies that kids ride at birthday parties. Because you're 6 5.
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B
I am. I'm a large man, you know, that's why they had to have a large horse for me. But he's used to pulling bulls around, so he had no problem pulling me for a little bit.
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A
Have you ever. Have you ever ridden a bull?
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B
I have. You know, when I was younger, we used to. Not a big bull like these guys ride, but.
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A
Oh, they're massive. Like, those things are wild when you see them in person.
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B
Yeah, they're dang near 200, 2,000 pounds. So this muscle filled, breathing fire trying to get you off as quick as they can. But when we used to brand, we. When we were kids, we jump on them and ride them around the fields a little bit. But nothing, nothing like the extreme PBR guys do. I think that's one of the unique things about the sport is like every time those guys step up on those bulls, you know, they're really risking it all. They could get hung up and drug around and, you know, it's really a risk that they're willing to take for their livelihood, and I respect them a ton for that.
- [07:31]
A
Yeah. And the thing. So I was talking to someone who has worked with a PBR for a long time, and they said one of the coolest things about the sport is it's not like pro wrestling. You know, we're these manufactured grievances among the competitors. Like, these guys really care about each other. They really look out for each other. They truly are a family. And so many of them have this really strong faith, which is a bond they also share. Did you see that?
- [08:02]
B
Absolutely. I think that was something that I respected the most about being kind of backstage is last year I got to be around the ridge riders, you know, and just help because they do this teams event now where they do have an individual event where you're on your own, but they also have a teams event where you're a part of a team. You get drafted into a team, you go through a training camp together, you go kind of through all the things that we did in the NFL and then go out through a season long trying to stack points and be the best at the end and the world champions. So just watching those guys focus when they're about to go out and ride and how you could see it in their eyes right when they're locked in and they're focused and they're ready to go out and perform, I miss that about playing ball, like going out in the tunnel and seeing guys, you know, ready to go to battle. So it was awesome to see and respect those guys so much.
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A
Hey, it's Kennedy. Come celebrate my 1000th episode of Kennedy Saves the World. It's going to happen March 5th. It's going to be live from Langan's right here in midtown Manhattan, across the street from Fox. There will be special guests, there will be special drinks, and hopefully there will be you. See you then. This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of
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B
Jesus A listening experience that will provide
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A
hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told.
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B
Listen and follow now@foxnewsodcasts.com or wherever you listen to podcasts now.
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A
Have you thought about getting back in the game? Because Aaron Rodgers is like 61 years old, I think, and, you know, he just, he gives other people a new hope.
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B
Yeah, when the Philip Rivers came back last year, I was like, wow, maybe I should jump down on the treadmill and get going a little bit. But those days are over. You know, I'm really, I'm really enjoying life after football. I feel like, you know, I hit the lottery coming here to Pittsburgh and, and getting to play with such a great team with great teammates, hall of Fame coaches, hall of Fame players, and, you know, now raising my kids here in Pittsburgh. They're all ice hockey players, ironically.
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A
Oh, that's cool.
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B
And we've become huge hockey family and just, it's just an amazing thing to be a Pittsburgh right now. And I love it.
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A
Do you, do you root for the pens?
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B
100%. You know, we're a little worried watching Crosby kind of get hurt yesterday because the team's really doing well. And, you know, I told Crosby a while ago when we did the Pat McAfee Show, I was like, I had a bone to pick with him because he gives free gear to kids. You know, that's one of his things that he's always done since he came to Pittsburgh. You can get free gear. The skates, the pads, the bag, the stick. Everything comes, and you get like six or seven eye slots. And he kind of suckers us all into the sport.
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A
Yeah, hockey can't be a cheap sport for parents.
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B
Yeah, it's a. It's a grind. But you know what? It's. It's really rewarding in the sense that I get to spend a lot of time on the road, traveling with my kids. I get to watch them compete. I get to watch them when they're, you know, winning. I get to try and help them when they're maybe not winning. And, you know, it's just an awesome time that we can be together, and I'm really grateful for it.
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A
So it's funny because hockey, like football, you know, they're. They're punishing sports. You know, there is a level of danger, certainly discipline. I mean, they're both such physical sports. But do you think your kids play hockey so they don't have to work on the farm so much?
- [11:50]
B
Probably some. Yeah, probably some. They, you know, like my dad told me growing up on the farm, he's like, well, if you don't want to work for the farm, you can better play a sport or something like that. So I literally signed up for every single sport. And I'm sure they're like that, too. But I'm really proud of all my kids. They're disciplined in what they do. They work really hard. They have big dreams and set goals. And I'm just, you know, it's hard to believe our oldest is a senior this year and gonna graduate and, you know, go play hockey somewhere. And it's just.
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A
Where's he thinking about?
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B
I don't know yet. He's kind of looking around the junior circuit, the nahl, probably somewhere. We'll see.
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A
That's so exciting. And there's so many opportunities now. Hockey, especially, is a very unique sport because especially, you know, for guys if they're not ready to go to college. Like, it is a really pretty amazing thing to pour all of your energy and focus into your sport. And then when you're done, if you don't go on to the NHL, then you can go ahead and go back to college if that's what you want to do. So, you know, I'm. I'm happy to see those types of developments for younger people and to have so many choices.
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B
Well, it's one of the great things around here in Pittsburgh, we got rinks everywhere. And, you know, I think it's unique that you can finish and Graduate high school and go play juniors until you're 20 and then go to college as a 20 year old freshman still with all of your eligibility. So it's, it's a different deal. But you know, I'm learning as I go in this hockey landscape. I didn't plan play or skate growing up, nor ride bulls. So it's learn as you go.
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A
But it's not that different when you played ball at BYU because it's, you know, it's like as, as a UCLA fan, I, I watch a lot of basketball and every time, you know, BYU is in the tournament, they're like guys with beards and mortgages, you know, they're like 35, 36 years old. They've gone on their mission, they come back to byu.
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B
Yes. So it's very similar strategically. That's what it is. That's right. You know, getting a little bit more mature, a little bit stronger sometimes goes a long way.
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A
Amen. I mean, I'm always shocked that kids want to go right from high school into any pro league. I think that that in between period is so critical for developing, you know, your social skills, not just, not just your, your physical skill set. So are you going to do this next year? I know Valentine's Day is not going to be on a Saturday next year, but you might be able to rope in some more couples. Are you thinking about it? Well, it's been a little till dirt to us, dirt do us part.
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B
Next year I'm sure we'll do something. It's been so much fun to get to know kind of the PBR family, to have conversations with Sean Gleason and you know, the inside team that makes the show what it is. You know, it's been phenomenal to watch. They're a very organized and very teamwork oriented group. It's just been awesome to be a part of it. I love being around the cowboys again, you know, and the horses and smelling the manure that makes me feel right at home. So I'm sure we'll work together in the future and, you know, have some more fun down the line.
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A
That's awesome. I have one last question about. I really want to get a donkey and I'm being donkey blocked by my sexy teenage fiance. What can I tell him to convince him that donkeys are amazing?
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B
Oh, donkey blocked. That's a great word. I like that. You know, I think it's great having animals. I've always loved being around animals. I'm training a horse right now, a young two year old colt. I Named him James, after James Harrison. He was born on James's birthday. So I love being around the animals and working with them and taking care of them, and I would say it's kind of got to be like that. You got to love it. You got to appreciate, you know, doing the work as much as they like eating and doing all the stuff that donkeys do. So I think if, you know, you're up for it and he is, too, it'll be a great match.
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A
All right, so I'm going to. I'm going to play him this and hope that he sees the beautiful light. The.
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B
The donkeys are very protective. You know, it's like having a protective dog around the house, having a donkey around. They'll. They'll keep coyotes at bay and wolves or whatever else is around where you live, Kennedy, but they'll keep you safe, so make sure you play them that part, too.
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A
You are selling this for me. I don't even have to do any work here. Brett, thank you so much for your time. My Aunt Rosie loves you so much. She is the biggest Steelers fan you could ever meet.
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B
Oh, hi, Rosie. Love you, too.
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A
Oh, she's gonna be so happy. So thank you for all that you do. Hopefully we'll see you again. Marrying more people on the dirt at pbr. Thanks again, Kennedy.
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B
Keep saving the world. You got this.
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A
I'm doing my part one donkey at a time. This has been Kennedy Saves the World along with Brett Kiesel. I'm Kennedy. Listen ad free with a Fox News podcast plus subscription on Apple podcasts and Amazon Prime. Members can listen to this show ad free on the Amazon music app. Oh, go ahead and leave me a review while you're there. I'd love to hear what you have to say. You've been listening to Kennedy Saves the World on the Fox News podcast network.