← Outta Pocket with RG3
Outta Pocket with RG3
THE REAL REASON SPORTS FANS TAKE LOSSES HARDER THAN PLAYERS with Eric Stonestreet
00:53:47
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- [00:00]
Eric Stonestreet
I don't care where they came from and I don't care where they go after. I'm a fan of theirs. You know, I never looked at it as playing a gay character. All I have to know is that Travis loves Taylor and they're a great couple and I'm it. There's literally a picture hanging in our suite at Arrowhead of me at 19 with my hands up in the stands cheering a Joe Valerio touchdown.
- [00:21]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Yo, yo, yo. Welcome to out of pocket with RG3 hosted by your boy and the lovely, amazing 93 time all American, Greta Griffin. Today we've got a very special show for you. So go ahead and like and subscribe to our YouTube channel and leave us in the comments who you want us to talk to next and what you want us to talk about. But our guest today is the man who made America laugh for over a decade as Cam on Modern Family. But don't get it twisted. He's not just comedy royalty, he's Kansas City through and through. From chief superfan to Emmy winning actor, the man's got jokes, heart and championship rings on standby, baby. Please welcome the hilarious, the passionate, the one and only Eric Stonestream.
- [01:09]
Eric Stonestreet
Wow. Wow. I feel like I'm a professional wrestler. That was amazing.
- [01:15]
Greta Griffin
That is WWE entrance.
- [01:17]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
That is the feeling we are going for, brother. We want to just say thank you for coming on the show. This has been, been a long time coming and thankful to have you, man.
- [01:26]
Eric Stonestreet
Yeah, you got it. You got it. It's a nice Monday morning, nice post victory morning here in Kansas City.
- [01:34]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Yes, sir. So today we really wanted to dive into the, the fandom, right? The fandom of, of American sports. Right. It can be emotional, funny, validating, sometimes brutally honest. But we just want to instantly jump into this with you because of your fandom and what you've, you know, expressed over the years. And why do you think it is that when players lose they say we'll bounce back? Right? But when fans lose a game, they don't talk for like, you know, three to four business days. So why do you think fans take it more personally, like an attack on their soul when their teams lose?
- [02:12]
Eric Stonestreet
I used to sort of be in that world, but I'm, I'm for the most part always on the player side there. I think it has to do with control. You know, there's zero I can do about the outcome of a game so it somehow hurts worse because there's nothing I can do about it. Patrick Mahomes can do something about it. So of course that's what he's going to say is we're going to bounce back. I mean, imagine the, the opposite of that. If he just said, well, we're just going to keep losing as best we can. I mean there's, there's not much else he, he can say. And I think that's the only answer.
- [02:50]
Greta Griffin
Does the Chiefs losing like affect your Sunday at the house? Like, is it like a really quiet dinner that you guys are having or like how does it, how's the mood in the house when the Chiefs lose?
- [03:01]
Eric Stonestreet
Well, a home game, it sucks. You know, I don't travel to away games for that exact reason is I hate walking to my car and leaving the stadium when I'm at Arrowhead having lost. I can't imagine leaving the stadium and going to the hotel and sleeping the night and getting on the plane after a loss. It does bother me, but I try to, you know, take the Andy Reid mentality, which is I celebrate the wins for the exact same time. I hate the losses. I move on and get going to, to next week as quick as I can.
- [03:42]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
So, you know, we, we've seen, you know, celebrities like yourself, others, you know, Drake, when the, when the Raptors lose and they got eliminated from the playoffs, looks like he's going to need therapy. You know, Kevin Hart, when the Eagles lost the super bowl, look like somebody ran over his dog. And it's like for you, if you were explaining to a player like how it a loss or a win could ruin or make a fans weak, how would you explain that to them?
- [04:08]
Eric Stonestreet
Well, I think you all players know because you start off for the most part as fans again, I think it just comes back to this idea of being someone you're not. It works in the same way as TV. I mean, the reason we watch TV shows, you know, procedural dramas and things like 24 or those action type shows is because we're getting to live through something sensational, right? It's the same as a fan. I mean, I get to, I get to live through the eyes of, of the left tackle, of Patrick Mahomes. And I think players understand that fans, knowledgeable fans take it very serious and there, there is an investment, an emotional investment and it's a we weird thing because, you know, you were never a Kansas City chief. Any guy, any person that comes to Kansas City and puts on that uniform, I don't care where they came from and I don't care where they go after. I'm a fan of theirs and I don't know what that means. It's it's about that uniform, and it's about the pride of being a chief. I root for every chief that leaves Kansas City, except on the day they're playing us. I follow their career. I'm invested in them. So it's just. You're. You're either a fan or you're not. And there are. I think there are a lot of pretend fans, and I think the ones that do protest too much are maybe not as knowledgeable of fans as others.
- [05:38]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
How can you tell if a fan is fake if they're, like, they're a bandwagon fan? How do you identify the bandwagoners?
- [05:45]
Eric Stonestreet
Well, there's levels of bandwagon. There's nothing more I love than being called a Chiefs bandwagon fan when this whole thing started. Meanwhile, you can. You can go back in my history. There's literally a picture hanging in our suite at Arrowhead of me at 19 with my hands up in the stands cheering a Joe Valerio touchdown from Joe Montana. So I just wait and say, okay, yeah, bandwagon here. Bandwagon. You know, there's. There's degrees of bandwagon. There are the people that know nothing about the sport, but they're from Kansas City or they're from Washington or they're from wherever, and it's like civic pride. I'm going to jump on and support my team, and I. I kind of don't really have a problem with that. I mean, you want to support your. You want to support your team. You're new to it. Okay, go forth, my friend. It's the fans that jump on. That then, are also what you're describing, which is, oh, man, can you believe we lost? Oh, I'm so angry. I'm so cheesed off right now. It's like, take it easy, pal. Like, take it easy. You're new here. You know nothing about the sport, you know nothing about the players, and you're mad. It's like when you go play golf with someone, right? If you go play golf with someone and they make a bad shot and they throw their clubs, you're like, oh, I'm sorry. Are you. Are you a former professional golfer?
- [07:07]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
No.
- [07:07]
Eric Stonestreet
Why? Well, do you. Do you practice every day, your swing? No. Then why do you have any business throwing your clubs? You shouldn't be good at golf. So why are you angry that you're not good at golf? It's the same with fandom. If you're not invested in the sport, in the team, in the players, then chill your motors there. You have no reason to be upset with the players or with the outcome of the game.
- [07:33]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
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- [08:53]
Greta Griffin
All right, moving on to viral spiral. It's our segment here, and you said something. You said we, we lost the game. Right? How the fans speak. So why do you think the fans always speak like they're on the team or like, oh, we blew it. We need to fix the defense we lost.
- [09:16]
Eric Stonestreet
Well, that, that's, that's great. I mean, I, I don't know the answer to that other than kind of what I just hinted at is like I haven't, you know, invested a lot of emotional energy, support, fine. Financial investment into the team. I mean, we. We're sweet owners. I've had season tickets for a long time, so I certainly don't say we as though I have anything to do with it. But it is. We are. And Clark Hunt's very clear about this. And I think most owners are the Kansas City Chiefs, our, Our. Ours, our football team. The Royals are our team. So I think the we is. Is okay in that. In that case, because it is our team.
- [09:55]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Yeah.
- [09:56]
Greta Griffin
Pride.
- [09:56]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
It is a sense of pride. I was going to say it almost. Some, like the bandwagon fans are the ones that say we Won. And then. Yeah, and then when they lose, they say, you lost.
- [10:07]
Eric Stonestreet
Oh, yeah.
- [10:09]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
But the real fans, it's we, we, we all the time.
- [10:11]
Eric Stonestreet
Yeah, yeah, it's we.
- [10:13]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
And I think sometimes as players that we forget that because you sit there and like this goes to a conversation about like positive loyalty versus negative loyalty, right? There's, there's fan bases out there who go 20, 30 years without having any sense of success. And it's like, but you show up and you support. But then there's also the fans that haven't had, you know, have 20, 30 years of no success and they show up just to be negative. Do you think as a fan, speaking to all fans, there is a. Some sense of responsibility to. If you're gonna show up, you might as well show up and, and be positive and support the players as opposed to cutting them down?
- [10:57]
Eric Stonestreet
Well, I'm not a fan of cutting anybody down. I mean, my favorite thing is when play, when fans are upset and my response is always like, do you even know how to tie your shoes? Like, let alone go out there and do what they do? I doubt it. Like, and you know, when I'll leave a game? And it's like, oh, you know, and opposing fan is like, haha, we got you. I'm like, oh, wait, hold on. What position were you out there today? I did. What number are you again? Like, it drives me crazy that, that, that possession, that possessiveness happens in a, in a win. No humility. And what's, what's funny is, you know, Robert, we know that football is life. Football represents life as good as any sport can. And it's interesting that that type of personality, that, that negative energy wouldn't last as a professional athlete. You wouldn't get to the top of the mountain if that's what you brought to practice every day, if that's what you brought to the weight room every day. So it's pretty funny that those fans think they're the greatest fans yet. That energy wouldn't last one second under Andy Reid.
- [12:03]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Yeah, and that's the. I think that's the. You're. You're hitting that. Are you a player? Like, come on, man. Like, you're, you have a player's perspective.
- [12:10]
Eric Stonestreet
There's a player in here, there's just not a player out here.
- [12:15]
Greta Griffin
There's.
- [12:15]
Eric Stonestreet
There's ability in my heart, there's no ability in my feet.
- [12:20]
Greta Griffin
Everything he just said reminds me of your season 2016 with the Cleveland Browns.
- [12:26]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Yep.
- [12:26]
Greta Griffin
Like, that was toxic loyalty because you guys went 1 and 15.
- [12:31]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Yeah. 115, 115.
- [12:33]
Greta Griffin
And the fans literally showed up just to talk shit. Like, nobody showed up to actually support the team. Like, I, I, I myself had to throw a bucket of popcorn on one of the other fans head at that game because they were talking just bad about the team. And I'm like, you're wearing a Browns jersey.
- [12:50]
Eric Stonestreet
Then why are you here? And isn't it funny that that energy brought the worst out in you? Right? You're not that person yet. That energy brought that out in you. And, you know, that's what can happen in a locker room. When you, when a player brings that energy into a locker room, the locker room's gone. It's history. If that person's a leader, for sure, you can just ruin the whole temperament of the place. So it's funny that, yeah, you threw a bucket of popcorn and you match, you match that energy, and that got no one anywhere.
- [13:22]
Greta Griffin
Yep.
- [13:22]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Yeah, it's like a copacetic relationship. I don't even know if that's the right word, but it sounded right.
- [13:26]
Eric Stonestreet
So, like, symbiote. Symbiotic.
- [13:29]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
There you go.
- [13:29]
Eric Stonestreet
Thank you.
- [13:30]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Appreciate you, Stone. It's like when, if the fans, I don't think they realize this. It's all about emotions. And we're going to have a conversation at some point here in the future about, like, players in podcasts, like active players in podcasts, like, fans attack them. It makes, it makes the environment, like, really bad inside the building. You saw it with Micah Parsons and the Cowboys and all of that. But then on the other side of it, you know, you're talking about just the, the essence of the fans. Like, I, I personally feel like Kansas City Chiefs fans have been extremely positive for a long time, despite having the success, and now you guys are having the success, and, and it's like, oh, my God, this is what we did it for. Well, you also have guys like Spike Lee, who's a fan of the Knicks, you got Ben Affleck with the Red Sox, and they kind of like, stew on losses for, like, what feels like decades. Right. I think Spike Lee is still thinking about Reggie Miller, you know.
- [14:27]
Eric Stonestreet
Yeah, that might be, though. That might be, Robert, A regional thing. I think east coast fans and west coast fans are different breeds of people than Midwest fans, and I could be wrong about that. But I do think it has something to do with how you're raised, how you're brought up, what kind of life you come from. Is. Is sort of how you look at your team and how you look at losses, you know, I. We hated the Patriots, right? I mean, I was so jealous of Patriot fans. I was so jealous of the team. Tom Brady. There's no. No one I love to hate and hated to love more than Tom Brady. John Elway back when I was a kid, Peyton Manning for a while, but Tom Brady, you know, it sucked. So I always hope that Kansas City Chiefs fans take this moment of winning, not going to last forever, with humility, and know that we have. We were a suffering, almost organization. We almost went to the Super Bowl. We almost went to the AFC Championship. We loved Marty Schottenheimer. We loved those years, but they never. We never got over the hump, and now we're over the hump. And I hope. You know how they say, act like you've been there before? Well, I hope we're acting like we've been there before because so many teams don't. Fans don't do that.
- [15:50]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Yeah, that is true.
- [15:51]
Greta Griffin
Also, you feel like that for the celebrities, the loss of a team almost hurts them more than a breakup. Like, you take Ben Affleck. Like, I feel like the Red Sox hurt him way worse than JLo did.
- [16:05]
Eric Stonestreet
Well, I. I look at. I know Ben's a fan. I mean, and I look at anyone that is, you know, a serious fan, and I have nothing but respect for the emotion that they feel. It's. It's not the same emotion that a player has afterwards. I always just go at some point in a game, and I would do this when I would play golf. I would do this when I would do anything that I'm not a professional at. At some point, I click in my brain. Well, it's sure a good thing I'm not relying on feeding my family by playing football. Well, it's sure good thing I'm. I'm not a professional golfer, and I need to win this game to feed my family. It's like you have to remind yourself that you're not the one out there. You're invested and it makes sense. But you can't be more upset than the person who bleeds and sweats and cries for their whole life to get to this place.
- [17:01]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
No, that. That makes sense.
- [17:02]
Greta Griffin
And it almost. It's like fans heal with their own time. Like when LeBron and them, like, they lose a game, right? And LeBron posts a selfie the next morning in the gym. Like, the fans are not ready for that yet. That positive selfie, like, here, I'm here, working. But when they see Tom Brady smashing a tablet, they're like, hell, yeah, he feels what we feel like, I feel like well healed at their own time.
- [17:25]
Eric Stonestreet
Yes, I, I see that, but I just go, I go back to that. LeBron would not be LeBron if LeBron stalked and kept his head down all the time and was upset. And it's like you just rely on what got you there, dance with who brung you Will. Positivity and belief in yourself is what got you there. So let's get back to that.
- [17:47]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Yeah, no, I totally understand that. And you brought up something also in one of your answers about like just the financial of it all. Like fans, I've always, I don't think a lot of players really take the time to understand that yes, you're talented man, but guess what? There's also talented teachers out there, there's talented plumbers out there and they're not getting paid millions of dollars to do what they do in front of millions of people. So the fans are financially backing these leagues and financially backing the players. Do you think that maybe players underestimate that side of it to know that they, they don't have a lot of money and they're spending their hard earned money to go buy that jersey and that ticket to show up for you?
- [18:27]
Eric Stonestreet
I sure couldn't say as a, as a whole and a, and a, and a generality that players don't get that. I think players completely understand that. Especially when we talk about where a lot of players come from. There's, there's not a lot of blue blooded aristocrats that end up, you know, playing offensive guard in the NFL. Maybe a couple, but usually it's a farm kid, it's a city kid, it's somebody that worked, had to work to get there, their parents had to work to take them to practice. So that, that work ethic just is in the blood of a football player. Somehow every once in a while you meet a football player and I know you had them in your locker room that didn't really like football, but were just real good it. And they're like, well, I guess I'm just going to do this then because it's comes really easy. Maybe in those cases they may not think of that, but you know, I think first and foremost they're beholden to their owner. I mean like the owner of the team is writing the checks and I don't, I don't even care if the player realizes that the, the, the check comes from the fans. I just want him, them to be accountable to someone and their position coach, their head coach, their owner, their gm, whatever. And so I think it just trickles up that way.
- [19:44]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
No, respect that.
- [19:45]
Greta Griffin
Do you have a story of a craziest thing you have ever seen a fan do after a loss?
- [19:52]
Eric Stonestreet
Well, fight people. I mean, I mean, yeah, I mean, as a Dodgers fan, I unfortunately have seen terrible people fight the Giants and stuff like that. As a Chiefs fan, I hear about fights all the time that happen. See them on the news. And that, that, that, that bums me out so much. Nothing is worth someone getting hurt and hospitalized and going to jail. But, you know, there's a jail at most stadiums, and I get to hear stories of. Of fans that just get ripped drunk and make a fool of themselves and end up in the pokey at the stadium.
- [20:26]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Whoa. What's the craziest story you've heard?
- [20:30]
Eric Stonestreet
Well, well, let me think here. Well, I mean, look at the. Look at the. Look at the fan that robbed all the banks. I mean, that didn't really have anything to do with, like, being a fan of the Chiefs, but like, he. That he let the intoxication of being that fan. Look, I seen. I've seen that guy at Arrowhead, the guy that works for us here in Kansas City. He has pictures with that guy. So he allowed that to fill him, and then he had to fuel that somehow. That's the craziest example of what you'll do to be a fan. I mean, he was feeding his fandom by robbing banks.
- [21:06]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Chiefs, all the. Was going wild.
- [21:08]
Eric Stonestreet
Yeah.
- [21:09]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
And, you know, it kind of takes me to this other point. I personally, Eric, have had a. I've had an issue being a fan because I've always been the man in the arena. Right. My wife, record holder at Florida State in the heptathlon, she's always been the woman in the arena, so.
- [21:26]
Greta Griffin
But I've also been a fan because I've been a fan of you. You know what I mean? Okay. I've never been a fan of a team quite. Maybe not so. But I've always, you know, been a fan of whatever team you were on.
- [21:38]
Eric Stonestreet
Yeah.
- [21:39]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
I'm a fan of Eric Stone street, don't get me wrong.
- [21:41]
Greta Griffin
Yeah.
- [21:41]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
I'm saying more so like. And then like a team setting, being a fan, it's. It's tough to remove yourself from that. But as the years have gone by and I've been out of the league for a couple seasons now, you start to realize that, like, it feels like fandom is just a socially acceptable way for adults to. To feel like they have belonging and purpose. Like how.
- [21:59]
Eric Stonestreet
Yeah.
- [21:59]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
How would you explain that? From a fan's perspective of like it, this is almost their identity. Being a fan of this team, I.
- [22:09]
Eric Stonestreet
I love it and I love talking to fans of other teams and it, you're right. And it also goes back to the previous one of the previous answers I said which I enjoy talking to fellow fans and I can pretty much get the vibe of what kind of fan they are within the first few seconds of conversation. I don't need every person I talk to to be able to spout off the 95 roster and who was our offensive line in that year? Like, that's not what I'm saying. But like just an understanding of the game is I respect so much more because then I understand that they do get that. This starts when Robert Griffin was in fifth grade. It didn't start like in college and it doesn't start in September. The season doesn't start in September. It's year round. So knowledge is important to me because that's going to tell me that they, they get it. You know, I can see why it would be hard for you and other former players to, to just be fans because you are there. Like I become, I've become friends with offensive linemen. You know, I, that's what I would be. If I could snap my fingers right now, I'd be a left tackle in the NFL. It'd be incredible.
- [23:18]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
But.
- [23:21]
Eric Stonestreet
I got invested in these guys, like making the squad because never on Modern family in the 11 seasons we were on did they bring in some other actors to see if anyone could do it better than me. Right. So at no time was I great at my job, but yet they were like, let's see if he's still great at his job. Let's bring in that 19 year old draft pick. That's a stud. Like, that's constant. Unless you're a first ballot hall of Famer, you, Joe Thomas, you're constantly worried about the guy coming to take your role and to take your spot. I've never felt that in my life. Life.
- [24:01]
Greta Griffin
Wow.
- [24:02]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
That, that is, I mean it's a great example you're preaching right now, Eric. Because that's what. Even if you are a first ballot hall of Famer like Joe Thomas, at one point I was teammates with Joe in Cleveland. He, they were still trying to bring in guys to replace him. They were still drafting first round picks and second round picks and third round picks to replace him every single year. Why? He gets more expensive. Oh, as he ages, maybe his ligaments aren't going to hold up. They're. They're preparing for every In. In every inevitability. And it's up to you every single year to prove to them, like, hey, you know, you don't think Brady in year 15, people were like, I don't know. Who is it Max Kerlaman who came out and said, yeah, it's over. Give me Iguodala. Right. Like, they're always looking for an angle to say that this person can or can't do it anymore. So that's a great point. Yeah.
- [24:50]
Eric Stonestreet
Players are commodities. I mean, before I, you know, found my success in Modern Family, I mean, that's what's happening for me, too. You have an agent, and they're brokering your skin, right? They're literally saying, we're. We're willing to sell this actor for whatever reason, and it's up to you to feel your limitations. And it's like, so there you go. Joe Thomas, the arguably the greatest left tackle in NFL history, he is himself dealing with as he ages, being replaced by a younger guy. So let's go back to that whole thing about fans getting upset and mad and not being able to talk to their wife for three days. If Joe Thomas had any of that in his body at all for the years he played, he would. How would he get through those last three seasons on the Cleveland Browns never having a. A. A playoff season? I mean, did Joe Thomas ever go to the playoffs? I don't.
- [25:43]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
I don't even know Joe ever went to the playoffs. I think he was done by the time Baker got there and took him to the playoffs.
- [25:48]
Greta Griffin
Dang.
- [25:48]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
So, yeah, yeah.
- [25:50]
Eric Stonestreet
So h. How could he function with the. With the mentality that you're describing that some fans have of not speaking to anyone for four days after this loss? It's like, shut up, dude.
- [26:04]
Greta Griffin
I want to bring in some, I guess, maybe probably Kansas City's biggest celebrity right now. Taylor Swift. How or if has the vibe of Kansas City elevated. Changed since she kind of became or joined the congregation? Should I say the congregation?
- [26:21]
Eric Stonestreet
Well, yeah, the congregation. The kingdom. She's the queen of our kingdom. We love. We love having her. Let me. Let me tell you something sweet. I met Taylor years ago and, you know, handed her an award on a show and, you know, we've. We've run into each other, right? No, by no means are we. We close friends, but the first time I saw her in dealing with Kansas City stuff was at the super bowl when we won. And she's on the field, and I'm down on the field, and we make eye Contact there with Travis and, and this is what she said to me. Oh, the real fan. That tells you everything you need to know about Taylor Swift right there. A, she knows I'm a Chiefs fan and B, she's not coming in there trying to say now she's the queen fan. She just in that moment gave it up to me because she knows I've been a fan of this team forever and ever and ever. So we, we. We love her first. We love Travis. And then, you know, as it goes, if you, if my friend loves their wife, then I love their wife too. And I, all I have to know is that Travis loves Taylor and they're a great couple. And I'm in. I'm invested.
- [27:33]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Yeah, we're, we're happy for him. Like at the end of the day, like, love knows no bounds and I think it's just a crescendo of everything. Bringing more fans to the sport and ultimately their happiness is all that matters.
- [27:44]
Eric Stonestreet
So my position just told me the other day, he took his 8 year old daughter to a Chiefs game last year and she never took her eyes off the field. Like she is an 8 year old little girl who is now a football fan. Why? Because Taylor Swift is also a football fan. How can anyone think that's bad in any way, shape or form?
- [28:05]
Greta Griffin
I wanted to. Talking about love, I wanted to throw out that Eric is also a newlywed.
- [28:08]
Eric Stonestreet
Yay.
- [28:10]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Congratulations, brother.
- [28:11]
Eric Stonestreet
She put a ring on it. She put a ring on it.
- [28:16]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
That is incredible. Let's dive into it. How is it going? How's marriage going, man?
- [28:23]
Eric Stonestreet
Well, we. We've been together for nine years, so we got engaged four years ago. And right when we got engaged, we had the opportunity to great buy this great piece of property in Kansas City. So we basically pivoted from building a house or from getting married to building a house. And so that once the house was done, we knew we wanted to get married on September 8th because my birthday is the 9th and hers is the 7th. So we always wanted to have 7, 8, and 9 as our celebratory window in September. We didn't want to wait another year. So we, we just told our family we're gonna have a dinner. And then when they got here, we said, oh, and also a wedding.
- [28:59]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Oh my God, that's awesome. Cheese fan.
- [29:05]
Eric Stonestreet
Oh, yeah. She's from Kansas City. She grew up here in Kansas City. We have that in common. Not only a Chiefs fan, but her dad and family all went to Kansas State, which I know you have some history with Kansas State. That's where I went, dude. So, yeah, she's we're right lock, stock and barrel. She's she. And what I love is she is a fan, but also asks questions. I love it. Like, it's melts my heart when she asks, oh, what was the one she asked the other day? Lindsay, do you remember? She asked me a question. I was so happy to tell her what the answer was. What was it? Now, hold on. I'll think about it before the interview's over.
- [29:40]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
No, that. That. That's. That's all we want, right? As. As. As men watching the game that we love. All we want is you ask questions that we can educate you on this beautiful game. So now.
- [29:51]
Eric Stonestreet
Oh, she asked me. She asked me why punts aren't a penalty when they go out of bounds, but kickoffs are.
- [29:57]
Greta Griffin
Oh, that's actually a really good question.
- [29:59]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
That is a great question.
- [30:00]
Eric Stonestreet
Yeah. I mean, yeah. She's like, well, why is he penalized? The punt went out of bounds. I'm like, oh, no, that was a really good point. So then I made it. There's a difference. So love that.
- [30:08]
Greta Griffin
I've never thought of that. But do you and wifey before game day or do you have any rituals or superstitions or, you know, outfits that are tied to winning?
- [30:18]
Eric Stonestreet
No, but she always surprises me with new hats. I love hats. And she always is looking for hats for me to. To have. And she'll surprise me with, like, this week is the support the military week. So she always gets me that sweatshirt, so things like that. I just bought her a red sweatshirt off Tick Tock the other day because it's the Tick Tock trend. If you don't know the sweatshirt, apparently everyone, every girl needs the sweatshirt. She proclaimed last night softest sweatshirt she's ever owned in her life. I'm like, you're welcome.
- [30:45]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Okay, okay.
- [30:46]
Greta Griffin
It's the little things that matter.
- [30:47]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
It's a little things that's the big payoff as well. So as we close up this fan question series here, you know, you look at yourself being a Chiefs fan, Matthew McConaughey being a massive fan of the Texas Longhorns or Bill Murray and the Cubs for you, why? What is it that keeps you coming back every year? Especially the years when the Chiefs were going through the. The drought. What kept you coming back despite that heartbreak?
- [31:15]
Eric Stonestreet
Hey, the love of the sport. You know, I be. Once I understood football, I became a fan of every level of football there was. You know, college football, professional football. I love watching the game of football. I live in Kansas City now, but I'm from Kansas City. So I became a Kansas City Chiefs fan because Joe Delaney, the late, great Joe Delaney, signed a card for me when I was a young boy and, and then forever, that solidified me. That's my team. Just like when I was in LA. I lived in LA for 20, whatever years. I'm 12 minutes from Dodger Stadium. Of course I'm a Royals fan. I'm from Kansas City. But if I want to watch baseball and enjoy the pageantry of the sport and have a hot dog, I have to go 12 miles away to the Dodgers. And people just couldn't wrap their head around that. It's like, oh, oh, some Royals fan going to Dodgers games is like, I'm sorry. Do you understand that American League and National League and I only have to worry about that if we are ever in the World Series. And of course I'm going to root for my hometown team. So, like, love of sport is what keeps you coming back first. That's, to me the, the definition of a true fan is that you love watching what you can't do and you love watching people do it at this height, heightened level. And then it's what I said, you strap on a Kansas City Chiefs uniform, bro, I'm, I'm there for you. I'm, I am your fan. I'm invest in you. I want you to be great in life. I want you to be great on the field. I want you to be charitable. I want you to do good for our city. Taryn Matthews, the one of the greatest examples. Nobody has come into Kansas City and become a leader and become more of an institution and fixture in Kansas City than Taron Matthew was. He came in, started a charity raising money for kids and just beloved immediately. So those things, I mean, I just, I just love it. I just, I just love going to the game. There's no better place to be than Arrowhead Stadium. I don't know, I just love it.
- [33:11]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
No, it comes out, it's genuine. Every time I've had a chance to talk to you, whether it be on tv, in private or whatever, that there's genuine fandom there. And you said something there that, that makes me want to ask you a question about what you are the expert at and what you're doing in your profession is you like to cheer on people that can do something that you're not great at. That right? So how do you, as a comedian, as an actor, when you see people criticizing players when they're, they're not great at, they Couldn't do it. Or criticizing comedians or actors or actresses about what they're doing or what they're not doing, but they couldn't do it. How do you kind of compartmentalize that or what lens do you look at that through?
- [33:57]
Eric Stonestreet
Well, completely different ones. Ones. Because art is different than sport. There's not an opinion that you were, you're great. Right. There's not an, you can't, it's, it's no one's opinion that Patrick Mahomes is a great quarterback. His numbers prove it. So if somebody wants to criticize me and not being a good actor. Okay, well, to each their own. Like, yeah, I, I, I don't think you're right. I think you're wrong. But it's your opinion. To not think I'm good, it's undeniable. You have to go out every Sunday and prove that you're good. And when you're not, guess what happens? You get marched out of the NFL. Right? That's, that's how that goes. So two different lenses, but criticism is great. I just, you know, I love, I love cheering people on. I love cheering. I love other people's success. I'm a celebrator of humans. I love watching all those competition shows because anyone that's willing to walk into an arena, walk onto a stage and say, this is my moment, I'm going to give it my shot, has my respect immediately. That's incredible.
- [35:08]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Nah, it's, we appreciate you, you know, talking through this portion of. We got one more segment. But at the end of the day, when it comes to the disconnect or why fans take losses harder than players, it's because we believe players play for purpose and some for a paycheck. But fans pay for purpose and an identity, and that's why they take it harder. Because for them, it's never just a game. So what's our next segment, baby?
- [35:34]
Greta Griffin
It's called rapid fire. So easy, quick hitting questions, however long.
- [35:39]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
You want to answer them, and then sometimes I will interrupt and ask follow ups. So not quite the fire, but sometimes I'll be fine.
- [35:45]
Greta Griffin
All right. What is your go to Arrowhead tailgate food?
- [35:50]
Eric Stonestreet
Oh, I'm a, I'm a, I'm a sport food guy. I don't want, you know, short ribs at Arrowhead. I want hot dogs, nachos, chicken fingers, quesadillas. I don't, I don't need pumpkin soup at, at a football game.
- [36:04]
Greta Griffin
What's, that's great. What's the best feeling you've ever had as a Chiefs fan, AFC winning the.
- [36:10]
Eric Stonestreet
AFC west, going to the. Or I mean, winning the AFC championship, going to that first super bowl in Miami, being down on the field watching Norma Hunt accept the Lamar Hunt trophy.
- [36:20]
Greta Griffin
Oh, very specific. All right.
- [36:23]
Eric Stonestreet
Followed followed up by that super bowl win. But you gotta have one or the other.
- [36:28]
Greta Griffin
I love it. Go to the game or host the watch party at the house.
- [36:36]
Eric Stonestreet
Sometimes neither. I don't watch football with other people. Like in our suite. Like, I would be happy if you came in town to the commanders game next week. Week, Robert. And you're more. You guys are more than welcome to stop by the suite. We're not gonna chat at halftime. We might chat or maybe you'd sit next to me and, and break some plays down, but it wouldn't be like, what have you been up to? Like, I hate going to suites at other football games and then rubbing elbows with people. It's like, I want to watch the game. So Lindsay's amazing at that when we invite people in. She's very nice about it, but it's like, Eric's not here to host anyone. He's here to watch the game. So don't take it personal that he doesn't speak to you the entire game.
- [37:24]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Now that, that Eric Stone street is a real fan. Answer. Locked into the game, we got. What are we doing on third and two? Okay.
- [37:33]
Eric Stonestreet
Hey. I get there two hours before the game. Like, I get there before players get to. They have a two hour time. You know, they have to be there two hours before the game. When we pull into the stadium, we're paralleling players coming in. We know what players drive based on. We're coming in at the same time they are. One year we came in and Lindsey was like, oh, there's Travis. I'm like, that's not Travis. He'd already be here. And I'm like, holy. Oh, that is Travis. It's like we're, we're getting there before him. I, I get, I get locked in. I watch the offensive line lineup warm up. I watch Patrick's warm up in the, in the, in the, in the, in the corner of the end zone. I get my mind right and no know that I can contribute. We did contribute last week when we beat the, the Lions. Like that whole series. Like, I was pointing at everyone around me. I'm like, that's you. That's you. You did that. We caused that penalty. That's great. I love that.
- [38:25]
Greta Griffin
I love the passion. All right. If you could bring back one Chiefs player in their prime, who would you bring back?
- [38:33]
Eric Stonestreet
Well, this season, Derek Thomas, we needed, we need, we need defensive line help. And then we may have lost at one of our defensive tackles yesterday. Omar Norman Lott from Tennessee. I don't know what his injury status is yet, but we need some defensive line help. Derek Thomas would be incredible to have at this moment.
- [38:51]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
I got one off of that. If you could bring back Tyreek Hill or Priest Holmes, who would you bring back?
- [39:04]
Eric Stonestreet
Well, with yesterday's game and seeing Taekwond and Rashi and Hollywood and Xavier all out there together, I would bring back Priest Homes because I think we're, I think we're pretty locked in with at wide receiver right now. That wouldn't have been the answer a little while ago, but I feel pretty good at wide receiver right now.
- [39:24]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
My guy from Baylor, Tyquan Thornton, you know, he's making plays.
- [39:27]
Eric Stonestreet
He's, he's awesome and I love that. There you go. Back to that whole giving up and whole defeated mentality. Could have, could have walked away, taken his lunch and gone somewhere else. Patriots gave up on him. Whatever happened there, happened. Comes to Kansas City. There's a reason he's in the league, baby. There's a reason he got drafted where he got drafted because he's got skills and Andy and everybody. Patrick, we're going to, we're going to showcase him for you, give you the opportunity for success.
- [39:57]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Yeah.
- [39:58]
Greta Griffin
What's more nerve wracking live TV or achieves playoff game?
- [40:03]
Eric Stonestreet
Oh, doing live tv.
- [40:04]
Greta Griffin
Yeah.
- [40:08]
Eric Stonestreet
Well, a Chiefs playoff game because I can control how good I am in live TV again. It's like, it's like not being the pilot on an airplane. Right. The nerves come from. I have, I can't do anything here. I'm relying on someone else and so I can control something about my profession and my craft. I can't control anything that's out on the field. So I get more nervous for people than myself.
- [40:31]
Greta Griffin
Did you, did you guys do something. You guys did something together, right? Netflix game?
- [40:35]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Yeah, we did the, it was either the Christmas Day Netflix game or it was game Sunday game day on NFL Network.
- [40:41]
Greta Griffin
Okay.
- [40:42]
Eric Stonestreet
Me, him, and probably, probably game day. But, you know, do you, I don't know if I've told you this. Do you know that I met you for the first time? Do you know when I met you for the first time?
- [40:50]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Yes, I do. It was at the White House correspondence dinner afterparty. Yes.
- [40:54]
Eric Stonestreet
Yes, it was. It was two times that night. So you walked into, you just got drafted and we're at an Italian restaurant in Georgetown. The V place. I forget what it's called. You walk in, you see me, I see you. And I always loved it when I would like, put my face in front of people and then they would recognize me. I'm like, yes, I get to talk to RG3. So. Because you. You like, lit up a little bit. You knew who I was. And then I, you know, we. I introduced my. Myself to you, and we were having this really great conversation and I. I've never forgotten this. We're having this really great conversation, and all of a sudden your previous owner comes over, puts his hand on your shoulder, and basically takes you away from me. And I remember looking at you saying, he doesn't own you, Robert. Remember that? You are your own person now. I had no idea what kind of guy that was at the time, but boy, that of pissed me off the way he just removed you from our conversation.
- [41:51]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Well, well, now we're having it now and. And he is not the owner. He's removed himself.
- [41:57]
Eric Stonestreet
And, oh, it made me so mad. Here you are, the highlight of your life. You just got drafted and sure, you're the talk of the town, but like, you're your own person. And in that moment, we were having a conversation. I think about Bill Snyder and your success or lack of success.
- [42:12]
Greta Griffin
Success.
- [42:12]
Eric Stonestreet
I can't remember. At Kansas playing Kansas State and then just taken away from me. That's one of my biggest pet peeves. And I know you'll know this if you're at a party with people and there's like a celebrated group of people around. You look around and you say, oh, I'm at a pretty cool party. I'm like, with really cool, like influential or meaningful or talented or athletic people. This is awesome. And I'm in this room and then somebody else comes into the room and completely dismisses you because they don't know you. That is a major pet peeve of mine. Because what I would say, and it's happened to me by a very famous sports commentator who just completely dismissed me right as I'm talking to Matt Castle, the then quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs. And I just wanted to say to him, bro, we're in the same room. There might be a reason you're here and it might be the same reason I'm here. So don't. Don't dismiss me. We're all talking to Matt Castle at this moment.
- [43:11]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Moment.
- [43:11]
Eric Stonestreet
Anyway, that rub me the wrong way for you, Robert, I'll never. I always remember that moment and, and.
- [43:16]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
I appreciate you telling that story, because I think a lot of people out there don't understand those dynamics. Like, me and you were talking about the K State game, and, like, I'm. I'm never afraid to. Like, I love all football teams. I'm not a guy that, like, holds grudges. K State beat us the year we won the Heisman. You guys won, and it was a great. It was a great game. The competitor in me was upset that. But the. You know, at that point in 2012, I've now moved past that. So, like, we're just having. We're just having a great conversation. I was extremely excited to meet you. There were a lot of people in that room, like you said, and it was a great environment, but I don't think people quite understand the power dynamics that go into that. Like, I didn't have a chance.
- [43:58]
Eric Stonestreet
Yeah, it was very much, you know, it was very much demonstrated to me in that moment. And. And what it made me feel for you. I wish every fan could feel in that moment. It's like, no, don't. Don't touch me. First of all. Don't grab me and pull me anywhere. No, not happening.
- [44:18]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Correct. So I always wanted to tell you. I mean, you could probably see it on my face in that moment. I definitely didn't want to leave that conversation.
- [44:25]
Eric Stonestreet
And no. And you're, like, looking back at me, it felt like we were breaking up. Like, no, Robert, we just met.
- [44:34]
Greta Griffin
That's hilarious. All right, two more questions. Who was your favorite player growing up?
- [44:41]
Eric Stonestreet
Joe Alt, left left tackle, or John Alt. Sorry. His son's Joe Alt. John Alt, number 76, left tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs. Again, I always wanted to be a tackle. And he was 6, 8, 315 pounds. And I just, as a kid, just imagined, like, how great life would be walking around at 6, 8, 315 pounds, just owning the world.
- [45:01]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Owning the world.
- [45:03]
Greta Griffin
And who is your favorite Chiefs player that you have ever met?
- [45:08]
Eric Stonestreet
Well, I mean, this group has given me, as a fan, the greatest moment in my fandom. So it's hard for me not to say Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelsey and the crew that we have here right now. Patrick's a great person. I. I'm always blown away by what we just talked about, the pull that you all have in that moment, and Patrick's ability to make everyone feel seen and make everyone feel notice. It's truly a gift. I always tell people when they ask me, what, like, what's Patrick like? And I'm like, patrick's this guy that you'll be in a room and you'll be like, oh, there's Patrick. I want to say hi to him, but I don't want to be that guy to go up and say hi to him. Everybody else is going up and say hi to him. And then before you can say hi to him, he's like, hey, what's up, man? How are you? He comes over and breaks that ice. I've seen him do it many times. He's done it for, with me, and I've seen him do it for other people. And it's an impressive skill.
- [45:59]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Nah, it's 100% feel the same way about Patrick. And, you know, it goes to show you also from a player's perspective, it doesn't matter where you get drafted, where you go to college. You know, Patrick, right, Texas Tech and Travis goes to Cincinnati and, and they found a way to be in the right place at the right time with the right coach in the right city. I don't think there was a more perfect marriage than what you guys have there as Chiefs fans. And for me, there's only two more questions before we wrap this thing up. Eric. And. And one of them is just what do you have going on right now that you want to talk to the people about to let them know what's going on? Because we're big fans of you and, and where can the people find you?
- [46:37]
Eric Stonestreet
Well, you're going to be able to find me because I'm going to get your address and send you a Mitch and Cam Funko Pop to put behind you there. I got, there's, there's Mitch Funko Pops. Cam Funko Pops. But then there's the coveted Mitch and Cam Funko Pop. So, yeah, you'll have a Mitch and Cam coming your way. You know, I just was on Dexter last season. That was a real thrill for me to get to be on Dexter Resurrection. And I believe I'll be going back when that comes back for some participation because I, I did get away from Michael C. Hall, and that doesn't happen on that show. So I, I have a reckoning there. That's exciting. But, you know, just a few irons in the fire of trying to develop things and get things on TV and, and make meaningful TV again. But mostly I've been building a house for two and a half years and enjoying being, you know, re tethered to Kansas City. I got two years with my dad before he died that I never thought in a million years I would get it. I never thought I'd be coming back Home. And that's because Lindsay. I met Lindsay, and she's from here. I get to have lunch with my mom. My mom came to the Chiefs game yesterday, so I'm really enjoying that and letting people kind of find me and ask me to do things and saying yes or saying no.
- [47:49]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
We're big fans. You're doing a great job. I know you had one question about Modern Family. I told her not.
- [47:54]
Greta Griffin
I could do an entire other episode on Modern Family. Okay. I really could.
- [47:59]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
But go ahead and ask the question.
- [48:00]
Greta Griffin
Modern Family is my. Like, a comfort show.
- [48:03]
Eric Stonestreet
Like, that's nice. Thank you.
- [48:04]
Greta Griffin
I put that on right now just like, you know, I do the dishes or I do the laundry. I just. I. It gives me something to just throw it on in the background. You know what I mean? Like, even though I've seen every episode 7 million times, still throw it on. Like, I don't know the reason for it, but it's such a good show. Okay, so you played a gay man in Modern Family. How did you prepare for this role as a straight man? Like, what was their priorities? Or. Like, I was. I'm trying to think of it. I'm like, I gotta ask him, because I don't know.
- [48:34]
Eric Stonestreet
Yeah, well, I. There's varying degree of answers, and I just edited, like, one answer that I give people, which is not appropriate for this podcast. So I edited that answer. So I'm going to give you the other answer, which is whatever answer you want. Yeah, yeah, we would. I would get canceled if I gave you the answer that I give in private. So. Yeah. So, you know, I never looked at it as playing a gay character. I. I always looked at it as playing a character, a person, a man who was a parent, a partner. And then, you know, it's. It's. I always say what's written on the page is the given. Right. I don't have to put any more mustard on the hot dog of being gay. The mustard is already there. I mean, I'm. It says I'm gay. So I just have to then create a character that you love, that you like, that you see yourself in. And my goal always was for every person, sexual sexuality wise, gender wise, ethnicity wise, whatever, to see something in themselves, in that character.
- [49:42]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
I love that. And that's.
- [49:44]
Greta Griffin
Right.
- [49:44]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
That takes me to the last question. You know, on this show, we. We like to motivate. We love to educate. And I think what you just said is. Is so spot on. So if you wouldn't mind giving us your. Your best. It could be 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 10 minutes, whatever you want. Your best motivational speech that you would give to somebody that maybe is struggling with, like, their own identity and that doesn't have to be with their sexuality. It's just in today's world, there's so much criticism and there's such a, you know, magnifying glass on what every single person is doing, and everybody's got an op. People are afraid to be themselves. We want people to be themselves. So what would your motivational speech be to that person who is struggling with just, you know, waking up every day and being them?
- [50:32]
Eric Stonestreet
Well, however you believe that you got here, right, Whatever your belief system is of how you got planted on this earth after you were created, the mold was broken. There's no other you. There's no one else out there that can be you, that can do what you do. You. And you are around a group of people that I undoubtedly know love you, want you, care about you, respect you. So never forget that you're seen by varying degree of people first and foremost, and then wake up every day and know that you have the chance to. To improve someone else's life. Happiness in my mind comes a lot from what can I do for someone else? And you could say, oh, selfishness in that, because you know how good it makes you feel to make an impact in someone's life. But let me tell you, if making an impact in someone's life makes you feel good, then keep feeling good and keep doing that, and that will no doubt raise you up and make you feel better about yourself. Know that, like, you can do it. I. I promise you, you can do it. There's so many good examples of people that just get it done by doing what, showing up. It's first and foremost, you got to be there. And look at all the players in the NFL. Look at all the players in mlb. Look at all the actors. Look at anyone successful that's made it in any genre, any vocation that you dream of. The first thing they had to do was show up. Whether it's by mom dropping them off, by taking the bus, by riding the bike, they went. So I would say start right there is gonna find. Find what makes you happy, find what you think you want to do, and then just start doing it.
- [52:23]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Man, that was beautiful. Eric Stone street, ladies and gentlemen, we appreciate you for coming on the show. Make sure you guys go and like and subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Spotify and Apple podcasts. We love having these types of conversations. And, brother, we thank you for blessing us with your appearance on our show, and we look forward to having you back. Back on multiple times. And we might have to take you up on that on that game on Sunday, because I know that was going to be a banger. Yeah.
- [52:51]
Eric Stonestreet
Yeah, it's going to be good. I. I hope Jaylen's okay.
- [52:53]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
I didn't.
- [52:53]
Eric Stonestreet
I didn't see how that ended last night, but I saw your tweet. I was like.
- [53:00]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Yes. You know, at the end of the day, I just want. I want Jaden to be healthy, I think. Yeah, we all want healthy.
- [53:08]
Eric Stonestreet
No. No investment in the commanders. But other than Nick Allegretti and Andrew Wiley and Ben Sennett, Kansas State player. Andrew. Andrew Wiley, former chief. Nick Allegretti, former chief. So I'm interested in those dudes. No. No investment. But, like, we're. We're not talking apples and napples. When that tweet that you responded to was. Was made the two completely different scenarios and situations.
- [53:32]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Oh, yeah. Much better organizational decision. You know, situation going on there. Trust me. Trust me.
- [53:37]
Eric Stonestreet
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
- [53:39]
Robert Griffin III (RG3)
You stay classy, and that's why we're happy to have you on the show, because you are 100 class, my brother.
- [53:45]
Greta Griffin
Thank you.
- [53:46]
Eric Stonestreet
Thank you very much. See you guys.