Transcript

A (0:00)

Brooks running reminds us that we're all powered by something. Whether it's the me time energy of a run after a day at the office, the electrifying energy of your first marathon, or the infectious energy of a group run with your friends. No matter what energy powers you, Brooks has gear specifically designed to unleash it. So lace up and let it out. Let's run there. Visit BrooksRunning.com today to learn more.

B (0:28)

This is Matt and Myron, the podcast. You've given Chubawamba a lot of press on this show, much more so than they've ever had in a long time. It's Matt Byron on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance 888. Say ESPN is a Dr. Pepper call in. It's the same song we've been playing all year. Tyler Childers, White House Road this has been the intro since September. Never see you pay attention to the show.

C (0:54)

It's been Wu Tang Clan every single time.

B (0:57)

No, no. They play one country song occasionally for me, that's that one. And then they play Wu Tang for you. Because whatever reason you want to think, that's why they do that, but they usually start with Wu Tang and ease in the country.

C (1:13)

Today they just said let's just start country.

B (1:15)

Well, they're welcoming back. I'm in Middlesborough, Kentucky, where it is snowy and a little and cold. You're in Minneapolis where it is freezing and you are wearing a beanie like you're a skateboarder listening to some 41 this morning. How are you doing, Myron?

C (1:31)

I'm good, man. Some 41, that's an old school group. It's just, it's like 35 below, man.

B (1:37)

But you're in your house. Why are you wearing a beanie in your house?

C (1:42)

No, I like wearing hats. I just, you know, I understand, but.

B (1:45)

I always wear a hat. But I've never seen Myron in a beanie. Like I feel like a beanie is what you wear when you go outside.

C (1:53)

Well, you just got to be prepared here because you never know. Like it's once, it's 35 below. Like I keep my jacket closed. I keep a hat on just because it's that extreme.

B (2:02)

All right, I'm gonna whisper this folks, because my, my parents are in the other room. I'm at my parents house and I don't know if y' all are like this when you go to your parents house. It is 800 degrees in this house.

Summary

Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron

Episode: "Hour 1: It's OK to Cry"
Date: December 14, 2025
Hosts: Matt Jones & Myron Medcalf (with guest Herm Edwards)

Overview

In this first hour of their Sunday morning show, Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf bring humor, analysis, and candid emotion to an episode themed around transitions, endings, and the emotions that go with saying goodbye in sports. From the improbable Heisman Trophy outcome to John Cena’s tearful WWE sendoff, and the return of 44-year-old Philip Rivers to the NFL, they explore fan sentiment, changing landscapes in college football, and what it means to go out with dignity (or not) in sports.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Heisman Trophy Upset & the NIL Revolution ([02:57-08:20])

Fernando Mendoza of Indiana shocks the college football world by winning the Heisman Trophy, beating out a Vanderbilt player and Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Love.
Matt and Myron discuss how two historic “doormat” programs produced the top two Heisman finalists, signaling the sport's transformation in the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) era.
- Matt: "Those are the two worst programs of the last 50 years … they end up 1-2 in the Heisman race. It's one of the more astounding things that's ever happened in the sport." (05:44)
The NIL effect: It’s now possible for overlooked or traditionally weak programs to attract top talent and reach national prominence.
Sentimental moment: Mendoza’s emotional tribute to his mom in his acceptance speech stands out for Myron.
- Myron: “His part where he talked about his mom … that’s all really heartwarming stuff.” (05:29)
They joke about Diego Pavia’s over-the-top presence at the ceremony, likening the familial entourage to a boxing match walkout, and noting some “Diego Pavia saturation” in the media. (06:55)
Amusement over the Heisman presenter sounding uncannily like Donald Trump—which confused at least one listener. (02:59, 03:36, 23:53)

2. NBA Cup: Does Anyone Care? ([08:20-10:30])

Matt quizzes Myron on recent NBA Cup winners (a new mid-season tournament with limited fan engagement). Myron—whose own Bucks won it last year—can't remember.
- Matt [teasingly]: “This is Myron’s NBA cup knowledge. He doesn't remember the inaugural one or the one... that his own team won last year.” (10:20)
They debate whether the NBA Cup actually matters.
Lighthearted ribbing when Myron's friends text to mock his forgetfulness.

3. Crying in Sports: John Cena's WWE Farewell ([13:23-21:21])

Focus on emotions and expectations during wrestler John Cena’s tearful retirement match, which ended as per tradition, with Cena "going out on his back" (i.e., retiring with a loss to boost the next generation).
- Matt: “Virtually every major wrestler has lost his final match. It's notorious that the ones that don't are considered selfish.” (15:48)
- Memorable phrase/mythology: The wrestling tradition of “going out on your back” and “giving the rub” sparks playful, awkward banter about outdated lingo.
- Myron: “Y’all need to go into 2026 with some new phrases. Going out on your back and giving somebody a rub is not exactly what you want to take into the next 100 years.” (20:34)
Why fans cry: Discussion about whether it’s weird for grown-ups to shed tears for wrestling, with Matt equating it to crying at movies.
- Matt: “Why, have you ever cried at a movie? … You knew it was fake then.” (18:22)
Michael Cole’s take (quoted):
- “There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as John Cena wrapped up his career here tonight.” (19:23)
They debate whether Cena’s loss provided enough “blaze of glory” or felt anti-climactic—consensus: fans wanted a different finish.

4. NFL: The Return of Grandpa (Philip Rivers) ([24:35-32:20])

Jokingly dubbed the "oldest player to return to the NFL," 44-year-old Philip Rivers will start for the Colts after a five-year absence.
- Matt: “He is 84 and will be playing in his first game in five years.” (24:40)
- Myron notes that, for middle-aged men, all it takes is a call to jump at a new adventure, joking Rivers probably accepted before knowing the full deal.
They discuss his huge family—double-digit children, possibly a grandchild (“maybe one of the first grandfathers to ever play in NFL history”)—and speculate on his readiness.
High stakes: Either he’ll succeed, prompting a wave of old-timers to attempt comebacks, or fail and silence armchair QB delusions.
- “This will be feast or famine, in my view.” (25:53 - Matt)
Myron doubts that even in his prime, Rivers was elusive, and dismisses any hope that he’ll be better after five years away.
- Myron: “There's no sport where you don't play it for five years, come back at 44 and somehow you're better. And football will be at the top of my list.” (29:43)

5. Herm Edwards Joins: Football in the Cold & the Realities of Comebacks ([33:36-41:38])

Herm Edwards brings historic perspective, having coached and played in the NFL.
He doubts Rivers can play well after such a layoff:
- Herm: “He can play, but you didn’t say can he play good?” (34:41)
Shares tales of bringing Vinny Testaverde back midseason as Jets coach; the main issue is how much it physically hurts to get hit after years away.
- “When he gets hit and he goes on the ground, it’s going to be like, ooh, this really hurts. Yeah, it hurts a lot.” (35:10)
- If Rivers wins: “They need to stop the game at the end. Put him in the Hall of Fame. Just put him in right now.” (35:54)
Strategy if facing Rivers: Herm: “I'm sending six, seven right now … you want him to feel the ground.” (36:41-37:07)
Comeback Player odds: Rivers already has the third-shortest odds after just suiting up.
Light ribbing about Matt’s resemblance to Philip Rivers (and Riley Leonard).

6. Playing in Extreme Cold: Who Has the Advantage? ([41:38-43:50])

Herm shares what it’s like to play/coach in subzero football games.
- Defense has the edge since they don’t have to handle (“feel”) the football as often.
- Offense struggles with cold fingers and toes, fumbles more likely. "Punt returns are critical. Oh, man. Lot of drop punts when it’s cold." (40:49)
- Myron jokes about the “toughness” of playing without heated benches, Herm admits to those “luxuries” and the odd sensation from the benches' chemicals.
- Herm: "I just played that way. I’m West Coast guy … all I wore was a long white shirt and a helmet. Shoulder pads. I didn’t wear no thigh pads.” (41:33)
- Cowboys as the perennial “soft” opponent in northern cold: “They had no shot. The game was done at the pregame warm up.” (42:21)

7. NFL Parity & The End of the Chiefs Dynasty? ([43:50-45:04])

With 21 teams holding six or more wins, there’s more parity in the league than ever.
- Herm: "It’s a four-game season for all these teams that have six or more wins and they know it." (44:05)
Chiefs' dynasty: Is it over? Herm thinks the “run of it has probably run its course,” but as long as Mahomes and Reid are there, they’ll reload.
- Concerns over Andy Reid’s age: “He wants to get Shula … as long as he enjoys it.” (44:46)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

On wrestling lingo:
- “Y’all need a new slogan meeting … going out on your back and giving someone a rub is not exactly what you want to take into the next 100 years.” – Myron (20:34)
On college football parity:
- “I think it’s one of the more astounding things that’s ever happened in the sport, actually.” – Matt, on Indiana and Vanderbilt making the Heisman podium (05:44)
Herm on Rivers:
- “He can play, but you didn’t say can he play good?” (34:41)
- “They need to stop the game at the end. Put him in the Hall of Fame … if he wins this game.” (35:54)
On playing in the cold:
- “Once you start playing, you don’t really realize it … The key is when you leave the field, get back on the bench … your toes and your fingers, those are the first that go.” – Herm (40:07)
On the anti-climax of Cena’s retirement:
- “Can you think of a word like where the moment was there to go out in a blaze of glory and then it fizzled at the last second?” – Matt (21:21)

Segment Timestamps

Heisman Trophy discussion & NIL Era: 02:57 – 08:20
NBA Cup quiz & jokes: 08:20 – 10:30
John Cena’s WWE Goodbye/Crying in Sports: 13:23 – 21:21
Philip Rivers return & Old Man Comebacks: 24:35 – 32:20
Herm Edwards, NFL in the cold, Rivers analysis: 33:36 – 41:38
Parity in the NFL / Chiefs dynasty: 43:50 – 45:04

Tone & Style

True to their signature style, Matt and Myron bounce between quick wit, genuine emotional insight, light roasting, and relatable cultural references (from Some 41 and Wu-Tang, to wrestling, to NFL nostalgia). Herm Edwards’ guest appearance adds coaching wisdom and colorful stories, making for an episode that’s as much about the heart of sport as the scores.