Pardon My Take Episode Summary: CFB With Kirk Herbstreit, Actor Paul Walter Hauser, The Bears Are A Dumpster Fire, Hot Seat/Cool Throne And Listener FAQ’s

Release Date: December 18, 2024

"Pardon My Take" continues its tradition of delivering bold and insightful sports commentary with hosts Big Cat and PFT Commenter. In this episode, released on December 18, 2024, the duo delves deep into college football, critiques the Chicago Bears' ongoing struggles, explores the dynamics of sports management, and engages with special guests Kirk Herbstreit and actor Paul Walter Hauser.

1. Episode Overview

Big Cat kicks off the episode by introducing a two-part segment featuring Kirk Herbstreit discussing the College Football Playoffs and actor Paul Walter Hauser sharing his experiences in acting and wrestling. The hosts also tackle the persistent issues plaguing the Chicago Bears, engage in their signature "Hot Seat/Cool Throne" banter, and answer listener FAQs related to Max's injury and other topics.

2. The Chicago Bears: An Ongoing Struggle

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the Chicago Bears' underperformance. Big Cat expresses his deep frustration with the team's lack of progress and questionable management decisions.

• Big Cat's Frustration:
  "I could not have been more wrong with everything I said this summer... Nothing is going to change with this organization." ([04:32])

• Ownership Critique:
  "They will always be based on bad fundamentals and hoping they get lucky from time to time." ([04:36])

Big Cat discusses the impact of ownership, particularly criticizing George McCaskey's leadership and the lack of effective rebuilding efforts under GM Ryan Poles. The hosts lament the team's defensive weaknesses, offensive line issues, and quarterback performance, notably Caleb Williams' struggles.

• Call for Change:
  "They should fire Ryan Poles and Kevin Warren and start completely fresh. They won’t do that." ([08:08])

The conversation extends to potential future coaching hires, with humorous suggestions like hiring Ben Johnson and Mike Vrabel to revitalize the team's fortunes.

3. Hot Seat/Cool Throne: Management and Ownership in Sports

In their "Hot Seat/Cool Throne" segment, Big Cat and PFT Commenter dive into the broader issues of sports team management, focusing on the Chicago Bears as a case study.

• Ownership Indifference:
  "These owners do not care about winning football games. They do not care about running an organization the correct way. They are a joke." ([05:51])

• GM and Coaching Concerns:
  "Ryan Polles should go. And then with Ryan Poles gone, Kevin Warren is now in charge and he's a doofus." ([08:08])

The hosts argue that without significant changes at the ownership and management levels, the Bears' performance will continue to decline, leaving fans disillusioned and hopeful for no tangible improvements.

4. Listener FAQs: Addressing Max's Injury and Health Concerns

Max shares an update on his foot injury, revealing he's in a walking boot and anticipating recovery without the need for surgery.

• Max's Update:
  "I still can't walk without crutches, but my doctor said eventually, within the next couple weeks, I will be able to just use the walking boot." ([28:53])

The listeners also inquire about Pug's handling of health-related matters, with suggestions for more transparent injury reports and regular updates to keep fans informed.

• Listener Suggestion:
  "You need to give, like, an update of, like, how everyone's feeling just so we can set the stage." ([171:27])

5. College Football Playoffs with Kirk Herbstreit

Special guest Kirk Herbstreit discusses the complexities of the College Football Playoffs, focusing on the transfer portal's impact on team dynamics. He highlights the challenges faced by Penn State after Bo Prabula entered the transfer portal, emphasizing the need for systemic changes in college football governance.

• Transfer Portal Issues:
  "Players just kind of coming and going and zero accountability to their team... the system just is screwed up." ([71:02])

Herbstreit suggests the implementation of contracts and cooperative agreements to stabilize team rosters and ensure players remain committed throughout the season.

• Proposed Solutions:
  "Players just kind of coming and going and zero accountability to their team... we need a CBA." ([76:23])

He also touches on Ohio State's mental resilience heading into playoff games, debating the potential home-field advantage and its actual impact under playoff conditions.

• Mental Resilience of Teams:
  "Their focus is on trying to beat Tennessee and go to the Rose Bowl and take on Oregon." ([83:49])

6. Interview with Paul Walter Hauser: Acting and Wrestling

Actor Paul Walter Hauser joins the show to discuss his multifaceted career, intertwining acting with his newfound passion for wrestling in Major League Wrestling (MLW). Hauser reflects on his diverse roles, the challenges of embodying complex characters, and his dedication to continuous personal growth.

• Diving into Wrestling:
  "Trying to partake in those worlds whenever it makes sense or whenever I think I can do at night... I'm doing this wrestling thing out." ([116:44])

Hauser shares his experiences playing different characters, emphasizing the emotional toll and the importance of balancing intense roles with personal well-being.

• Balancing Act:
  "I had a disgusting moment where I felt so bad... but it was about honoring the character." ([150:28])

He also contemplates his career trajectory, expressing aspirations to take on iconic roles and his commitment to acting while maintaining his wrestling endeavors.

• Career Aspirations:
  "I wanna play Teddy Roosevelt and a father who knows how to be present... I want to kick somebody's ass in MLW." ([164:34])

7. Ad Segments

Throughout the episode, the hosts incorporate advertisements seamlessly into their discussions, promoting brands like DraftKings, Peloton, Coors Light, Chevy, Tommy John, and Shake Shack. These segments are interspersed between content discussions and interviews.

8. Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Big Cat and PFT Commenter reflect on the day's discussions, reiterate their support for the Bears despite ongoing frustrations, and look forward to upcoming playoff games and future episodes featuring special guests.

• Closing Remarks:
  "We're big fans of yours and keep crushing it." ([165:33])

The hosts maintain their engaging and humorous tone, ensuring listeners are entertained while staying informed about the latest sports happenings.

Notable Quotes:

• Big Cat on Ownership Issues:
  "They should fire Ryan Polles and Kevin Warren and start completely fresh." ([08:08])

• Kirk Herbstreit on Transfer Portal:
  "Players just kind of coming and going and zero accountability to their team... we need a CBA." ([76:23])

• Paul Walter Hauser on Balancing Acting and Wrestling:
  "I wanna kick somebody's ass in MLW. And I'm going to be doing that Thursday night." ([164:34])

Final Thoughts

This episode of "Pardon My Take" offers a comprehensive look into the current state of college football, the persistent woes of the Chicago Bears, and an intriguing conversation with a rising star in both acting and wrestling. The combination of expert insights, candid critiques, and engaging interviews make this episode a must-listen for sports enthusiasts and fans of the show alike.