Pardon My Take – Episode Summary

Podcast: Pardon My Take
Hosts: Big Cat & PFT Commenter (Barstool Sports)
Episode: Mike Florio, Browns Find A Coach, LeBron May Have Played His Last Game In Cleveland, Zac Uses Anonymous Tips To Get To The Bottom Of Belichick + Fyre Fest Of The Week
Date: January 30, 2026

Overview

This episode delivers classic PMT energy, jumping between massive NFL coaching news, Hall of Fame controversies, and NBA storylines—with a heavy dose of laughs, nonsense, and self-aware sports banter. Special guest Mike Florio (Pro Football Talk) joins the show to break down the Hall of Fame voting mess, the Browns' latest head coach decision, and why some people are seriously floating neutral-site conference championships. Zac debuts a new "journalistic" segment, wading through a slew of (often ridiculous) anonymous emails to get “the truth” about Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub. The crew also hits LeBron’s emotional return to Cleveland, reviews recent NFL coaching hires, and closes with the beloved “Fyre Fest of the Week”.

[00:00–06:00] — Birthday Roasts, Getting Older, and Patriots Bets

• Big Cat and PFT celebrate their birthdays (“41 really doesn't mean shit... I finally accept I might be done growing”—Big Cat, 02:58).
• Lighthearted riffing on motivational “life lessons” tweet threads—lampooning social media wisdom clichés.
• The group jokes about aging, not caring about public perception, and being “in the most hardcore I don't care phase” (Big Cat, 04:07).
• Hank confirms Big Cat’s massive bet: “I did submit the $40,000 bet on the Patriots money line. It's in the DraftKings sports book…” (05:46).

[06:00–17:30] — Patriots Optimism, Drake May Injury, and The Hater Hall of Fame

• Patriots update: Hank is more optimistic than ever, buoyed by coaching decisions and rookie QB Drake May’s leadership—even amid shoulder injury worries.
• PFT expresses concern about Drake May’s health: “Especially taking shots on your right shoulder... that’s the only position that a guy can't play if he’s got a sore right shoulder.” (06:51)
• The crew lampoons “fake doctors on Twitter” for speculating injuries.
• Spirals into a discussion of historical “all time haters”—from Edgar Allan Poe’s critics to Ty Cobb’s portrayal and modern sports figures.
• Notable quote: “Bill Polian like…you just basically had the whole world…Whatever legacy you had is gone.” —Big Cat on Bill Polian’s anti-Belichick stance (09:08)

[17:30–23:00] — Browns Hire Todd Monken, NFL Coaching Carousel, and Owner Blunders

• Browns’ coaching search called “the most Browns coaching search possible”—they hire Todd Monken after alienating OC candidates by forcing them to keep Jim Schwartz, who then promptly leaves.
• PFT and Big Cat see the move as pre-botched: “It feels maybe pre-botched. If you ask Ravens fans, they think it’s an absolute home run—as a Ravens fan!” —PFT (13:42)
• Emmanuel Acho’s viral take on Shedor Sanders ignoring Todd Monken is mocked as “satire” (“He’s a character, right?” —Big Cat, 15:48).
• Ownership is blamed for consistent dysfunction, with Jimmy Haslam topping their "dumbass owners" list.
• ESPN’s coaching hires rankings are dissected—Dan Campbell tops the list, Urban Meyer dead last.
• Moment of PMT meta-humor: “If we do anything on this podcast, we respect ESPN.” —Big Cat (18:18)

[23:00–29:45] — NFL Tidbits and LeBron in Cleveland

• Mike McCarthy’s emotional (and “red-faced”) press conference for the Steelers is lampooned—his native Pittsburgh accent gets the city on board instantly.
• Notable quote: “He’s got a big fart just waiting to come out, you know.” —Big Cat on McCarthy’s demeanor (22:29)
• LeBron James’ “maybe final” game in Cleveland:
  • PMT mocks the ridiculous narratives (“LeBron had nothing to do with the Lakers drafting Bronnie”; “quit alcohol while rehabbing”).
  • PFT: “We’ll believe a lot out of our superstars, but the fact that he had nothing to do with his son getting drafted…” (25:14)
• LeBron tribute highlight: Cleveland has done eight (!) tribute videos as he’s come back repeatedly, which the guys celebrate as a feat of longevity.
• Magic Johnson’s reaction tweets and speculation on LeBron’s future: “I think he should go back to Cleveland. He should finish it there.” – Big Cat (30:43)

[31:56–46:00] — Zac’s Anonymous Sourcing: The Tits & Tips Investigation into Belichick’s Hall Snub

• Zac reports on the deluge of emails, trying to get to the bottom of Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub.
• The segment instantly derails into a running bit: “Tits and Tips”—a mix of spurious rumors and actual fan-submitted porn images (“29% of the emails were breasts.” —Zac, 32:47).
• Examples of “sources”:
  • “Carlos Mencia: Belichick can’t get in if he coaches again.”
  • “Glenn Mandel: Belichick blackballed due to jealousy—guys upset Belichick gets 20-something women, they go home to haggard wives.”
  • Spygate/Deflategate as possible factors, Russia conspiracy, and even the claim “Goodell is a lizard person.”
• Remarkable PMT quote: “Send us tips when in reality, read the Internet for us.” —Big Cat (41:08)
• Hank jokes about a possible “Florida strip club Hall of Fame” in response to protests against Belichick's exclusion (45:29).

[49:55–74:00] — Interview: Mike Florio

Hall of Fame Voting Controversy

• Florio explains Hall of Fame selection overhaul: new system pits non-modern-era nominees against each other, voters pick 3 of 5—often resulting in big names like Belichick losing out to “older guys.”
• Florio (53:49): “Here’s the problem: They used to have a process... one person, does this person belong in the Hall of Fame? ... Now they’ve changed that... Each voter picks three of the five.”
• The group questions if some voters voted against Belichick out of bias, or simply to “save” aging nominees. Florio lays out possible motives: system design, hater conspiracies, and Bill Polian’s shifting explanations.
• Transparency demanded: The crew and Florio argue for public Hall of Fame voting, TV coverage, and exposing “cabal” politics ("Why are we treating this like the Papal Conclave?” —Florio, 65:19).

Neutral Site Conference Title Games?

• Florio describes league office interest in making conference championships neutral site, dome events.
• Big Cat/PFT are vehemently opposed: "Football is an outdoor sport. ...Chaos is good.” —PFT (70:31)
• Florio notes the trend toward more NFL teams building domes, whether fans like it or not.

Browns, Bills, Giants, Eagles Coach Hiring

• Browns “most Browns” coaching search, with insider dysfunction dissected.
  • “Only a dysfunctional organization would say, ‘don’t call us dysfunctional.’” —Florio (77:14)
• Bills’ OC Joe Brady’s promotion despite “playoff wall.” Possible reason: tension between McDermott and GM, not just lack of “talent” (80:15).
• Giants’ new management structure gives John Harbaugh authority basically parallel to the GM—potential for drama if playoff success lags.
• Eagles struggle with coordinator search. Florio, referencing local reports, suggests growing power of Jalen Hurts may be a deterrent.

Super Bowl Early Lean / Mike Vrabel Praise

• Florio declines to make a pick ("I haven't even thought about who I think is going to win the Super Bowl." 88:39), but heaps praise on Patriots’ Mike Vrabel as “able to outsmart arguably any coach in the league right now” (92:54).
• Notable quote: “He looks like a guy supervising the crew of a moving van. …It’s the perfect blend of guy who has been in the middle of it and now he’s on the periphery.” —Florio (91:58)

[95:47–101:58] — Fyre Fest of the Week

• Each host shares a personal “Fyre Fest,” channeling their regular frustrations, injuries, or self-awareness into comedy.
  • Hank: “We're a week away from the Super Bowl…potentially gonna win $80,000. Life is good. No firefest.”
  • PFT: Tweaked his calf during a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, is resigned to no longer dunking at age 41: “I think I’m gonna have to learn how to play below the rim…”
  • Big Cat: Emotional farewell to their original van “Vanny Woodhead” as it goes to the Chicago Auto Show ("All carbon monoxide... We just sucked fumes for an entire 20 minute drive.").
  • Special guest Oldie: Near-disaster at the border, almost left behind snacks and candies for the PMT crew.
  • Zac: Apparent computer theft, which turned out to be a delivery miscommunication; also reflects on his tsunami of “breast” emails and orders two gaming mice out of caution.

[Final Segment] — Lottery Ball

• Usual PMT lottery ball antics—no one wins.
• Closing birthday celebrations for Big Cat, PFT, and other PMT/Barstool friends.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On turning 41: “You do start to care less about stuff. I’m in the most hardcore I don’t care phase of my life, and it’s awesome.” —Big Cat (04:07)
• On Hall of Fame shenanigans: "Someone in the room should have said, hey, if we don't vote them in, pardon my take, they're going to have a email where it's tits and tips to Zach." —Big Cat (35:30)
• On LeBron tributes: “LeBron's been playing so long... the Cavaliers wore throwback jerseys last night that LeBron James debuted.” —Big Cat (28:18)
• On Browns coach search: “Only a dysfunctional organization would actually say out loud, don't call us dysfunctional.” —Mike Florio (77:14)
• On domes in football: “Football is an outdoor sport. Fundamentally. It should be played in the wintertime. It should be played in the elements.” —PFT (70:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–06:00: Birthday banter, aging, Patriots bet
• 06:00–17:30: Patriots optimism, Drake May, Hater Hall of Fame
• 17:30–23:00: Browns coaching search, NFL coaching hires, owner critiques
• 23:00–29:45: LeBron’s Cleveland farewell, McCarthy’s Pittsburgh presser
• 31:56–46:00: Zac’s “Tits and Tips” investigation into Belichick’s Hall snub
• 49:55–74:00: Mike Florio Interview: Hall of Fame, neutral site debate, coaching carousel
• 95:47–101:58: Fyre Fest of the Week (life's mishaps, van sendoff)
• Final Segment: Lottery Ball, birthdays

Tone and Style:
Classic PMT—irreverent, fast-paced, blending in-depth sports knowledge with self-skewering humor, tangents, and running inside jokes. Playful but occasionally sincere, especially when talking sports history, nostalgia, and their love/hate relationships with guests and fans.

Summary prepared for listeners who want a comprehensive, detailed understanding—without having to catch every minute.