Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron - Hour 1: Dog Race
Date: February 4, 2026
Hosts: Matt Jones & Myron Medcalf (ESPN Radio)
Episode Overview
In this lively and wide-ranging episode, Matt and Myron banter their way through the week’s major sports stories with trademark wit and observation. The lead-up to the Super Bowl receives top billing, with Matt prepping for his first-ever trip to Radio Row. The guys also riff on the cultural significance of Black History Month, reminisce about comic strips from their youth, deep-dive into college basketball’s standout season, and offer a hilarious, side-eyed look at the elitism of the Westminster Dog Show. Notable listener calls and a spirited debate about what makes a “real dog” cap off the hour.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
1. Super Bowl Week Anticipation
(01:24 - 09:33)
- Matt's First Radio Row: Matt is going to the Super Bowl for the first time with his NFL Cover Zero podcast, set right between The Pat McAfee Show and NFL Network at Radio Row. He’s excited—and a little nervous—about interviewing big names like Terrell Davis and Christian McCaffrey.
- “We are set up...right between the Pat McAfee show set and the NFL Network set.” (03:29 – Matt)
- Radio Row Vibes: Myron describes the awkward mingling and palpable energy, comparing it to a “middle school dance” where legends and celebrities mingle, not just “A-list” names but TV personalities and former reality stars.
- Matt's Super Bowl Disinterest: Laments the matchup—Seahawks vs. Patriots—finding it uninspiring and admitting open rooting against New England:
- “I want them to lose, and I want their fans to be sad. I’d actually like for some of them to shed tears.” (09:21 – Matt)
- Sam Darnold as Underdog Story:
- Myron builds up Darnold’s redemption arc:
- "Sam Darnold might be the greatest story in the NFL over the last decade...He's the Fernando Mendoza of the NFL. I don't know anyone can not celebrate Sam Darnold." (10:06 – Myron)
Notable Quote
- “It’s like a middle school dance. But you’re like, ‘Hey, would you like to talk to Lawrence Taylor?’” (04:30 – Matt)
2. Super Bowl Parties & Shaq’s EDM Event
(05:48 - 11:13)
- Social Scene: Matt is anxious about upscaling his wardrobe for high-profile parties like the Sports Illustrated bash and is particularly intrigued (“my kind of scene”) by being invited VIP to the Shaq Diesel Electronic Music Festival—Shaquille O’Neal’s EDM alter ego.
- EDM Fish Out of Water: Both hosts joke about how out-of-place Matt will feel at an EDM festival and riff on Shaq’s knack for slipping into any scene, regardless of age.
- T-Pain, Ludacris, and Chainsmokers: Matt is hyped for the musical lineup, and Myron shares an appreciation for T-Pain’s artistry and compelling comeback story.
Memorable Exchange
- “You will be like, that’s it. But Shaq’s older than I am, so doesn’t that count?” (13:13 – Matt)
- “Nah, he’s Shaq, so I don’t think it matters. Like he’s…” (13:22 – Myron)
3. Vikings Fire GM – Optics vs. Performance
(14:53 - 19:32)
- GM Firing: The Vikings fired GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after a Super Bowl missed opportunity with Sam Darnold, who Minnesota let go prior to his resurgent run with Seattle.
- Is This About Embarrassment? Myron argues that “owners can handle losing, but they don’t do well with embarrassment” when their personnel decisions turn out to be public blunders.
- Matt’s Skepticism: Matt suggests the timing—waiting until after the Super Bowl is set—feels more about public optics than football sense.
- Decision-Making Lessons: They debate how franchises let media/PR pressure dictate direction, and whether the Super Bowl run by Darnold unfairly sealed the GM’s fate.
Notable Quote
- “If you’re waiting until after this championship game, you’re basically saying factors that have nothing to do with his control...should that be how they end up making their decision?” (16:26 – Matt)
- “I think optics matter. You know, I think the optics change when Sam Darnold...played the game of his life against the Rams. Owners are people, too.” (17:08 – Myron)
4. Comic Strips & Funny Pages Nostalgia
(19:41 - 21:36)
- Tangent into childhood newspaper comics: Matt quizzes Myron on “Curtis,” “Ziggy,” “Family Circus,” and “Beetle Bailey.” Myron is partial to “Curtis,” Matt to “Hagar the Horrible.”
- The discussion is an affectionate, self-aware nod to aging and generational humor.
5. College Basketball: Freshman Class & Ref Moment
(24:02 - 35:15)
- Kentucky vs. Arkansas: Matt relishes Kentucky’s win at Arkansas over Calipari and the chaos of three techs in 38 seconds—scoffing that college basketball refs are the most “theatrical.”
- Referee Personalities: The hosts agree no other sport’s refs are as famous or character-driven as NCAA basketball. Names like TV Teddy and Ed Hochuli come up.
- Elite Freshman Class & Draft Prospects: They spotlight the strength of the 2026 freshman class, quoting Jamal Mashburn ranking Cooper Flagg only sixth among the elite, which both hosts challenge.
- Peterson vs. DeBonsa Debate: Breaking down whether BYU’s AJ DeBonsa or Kansas’ Darren Peterson is the top pick. They cite stats, highlight games, and joke about not catching BYU due to late tip times.
- Tournament Outlook: The parity and talent of this season’s NCAA tournament is hyped as the best in years, with a quick shout to Miami (OH)’s undefeated story.
Highlighted Exchange
- “Of all the sports, do you think the sport where the referees try to be part of the action the most is college basketball?” (26:09 – Matt)
- “No one’s close to college basketball referees.” (26:43 – Myron)
- “[Jamal Mashburn says] Cooper Flagg...would be sixth.” (29:29 – Matt)
- “Any GM who would say what Mashburn just said would get fired.” (30:28 – Myron)
6. Westminster Dog Show & Listener Calls
(37:53 - 45:15)
- Remembering Catherine O’Hara: Matt notes her role in “Best in Show”—declared a top five comedy of all time—and segues into the Westminster Dog Show.
- Dog Show Confusion: Both hosts feign ignorance/humor about what actually distinguishes the show dogs:
- “What is it that they do that’s so impressive?” (39:00 – Matt)
- Myron argues it’s about “confidence...the look...just one of those things, you just know.” (40:23)
- Class Divide Among Dogs: They theorize there’s “no Cinderella stories,” only pampered, mansion-living canines—not blue-collar mutts.
- Listeners Chime In:
- Fran in Massapequa rails against the elitism: “They're spoiled. I shouldn't even call them dogs because a real dog was out in the backyard, takes a dump, rolls in the mud...” (43:10)
- Bob in North Carolina bemoans show-breeding’s homogenizing effect, blaming kennel clubs.
- Matt's Team Real Dog: Matt and most callers agree real dogs are “of the people,” finding the show off-puttingly exclusive.
Memorable Moment
- “There’s no Cinderella story...Curtis's pit bull ain’t getting in the Westminster dog—you know what I mean? That’s not happening.” (42:47 – Myron)
Key Timestamps for Major Segments
- 00:19 – February begins & Black History Month (“My month to shine…”)
- 03:23 – Matt heading to Super Bowl for the first time, Radio Row ironies
- 05:48 – Super Bowl parties, Shaq’s EDM festival, and musical acts
- 09:33 – Super Bowl matchup (Seahawks–Patriots), Matt’s rooting bias
- 10:06 – Myron on Sam Darnold’s underdog narrative
- 14:53 – Vikings fire Kwesi Adofo-Mensah; optics vs. decision-making
- 19:41 – Comic strips tangent (Ziggy, Curtis, Beetle Bailey)
- 24:02 – Kentucky vs. Arkansas and college basketball officiating
- 26:43 – Most famous referees, sport by sport
- 29:29 – NBA great Jamal Mashburn ranks current freshmen above Cooper Flagg
- 32:52 – Peterson vs. DeBonsa debate, draft stock
- 35:55 – Miami (OH) Redhawks’ undefeated run
- 37:53 – Westminster Dog Show, “Best in Show,” elitist dogs, listener calls
Tone & Style
- Warm, fast-moving, humorous, occasionally irreverent.
- Candid, self-deprecating, conversational—often inviting listeners and each other to poke fun and push back.
- Regional flavor and “fan’s perspective” remain front and center.
Notable Quotes
- “You get all of it, really. We just gotta make a best supporting actor appearance in February.” (02:53 – Myron)
- “Radio Row...it’s like you’re at a middle school dance, but you’re trying to get an interview.” (04:30 – Matt)
- “Sam Darnold might be the greatest story in the NFL over the last decade...He was left for dead.” (10:06 – Myron)
- “If you’re waiting until after this championship game, you’re basically saying factors that have nothing to do with his control...should that be how they end up making their decision?” (16:26 – Matt)
- “College basketball refs, no one’s close.” (26:43 – Myron)
- “They’re not even real dogs. They sleep on pillows.” (44:01 – Fran, caller)
Concluding Segment
The hour wraps up with Matt inviting even more calls about the dog show, suggesting that “the dog world is toupee” and teeing up upcoming conversation about the NBA’s Paul George suspension and more dog drama for the next hour.
Summary prepared for those who want the best of the banter, sports talk, and cultural riffs without missing a beat.