Hour 1 Welcome to Championship Sunday - Matt & Myron

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[00:00]
Matt Jones
Be honest, when's the last time you had a homemade meal? We get it. Between meetings, workout classes and the kids after school sports, who's got time to cook? That's where HelloFresh comes in. No matter how busy you get, HelloFresh has everything you need to get an easy home cooked meal on the table. With flavor packed recipes like Parmesan Herb Crusted Salmon, you'll be filling your kitchen with the cozy aromas of a homemade.
[00:24]
Myron Metcalf
Meal in no time.
[00:25]
Matt Jones
So go ahead, try HelloFresh. It's homemade made easy. Learn more@hellofresh.com Matt and Myron the Podcast.
[00:35]
Myron Metcalf
It is Championship Sunday here on ESPN Radio Countdown. To kick off, Matt Jones, Myron Metcalf, presented by Progressive Insurance. We are looking out on a some people say the best day of football of the year. Do you agree with that? Myron, do you think this is the best day of NFL of the year or do you like the other ones more?
[01:00]
Matt Jones
Yeah, it's a really good day. I mean there's a top super bowl day. I mean to me it's a good.
[01:05]
Myron Metcalf
For me, I think the super bowl is more of like a party day. This is more of a football day. Like if you're a football man or woman, then like today is the day, right? You get back to back games. I mean these last couple weekends you've had four or even six games. So that was very fun. But if you're talking about great matchups and lot at stake and football taking the center stage, I think this is the weekend it does it well.
[01:29]
Matt Jones
Now you just hope that it lives up to the hype. You know, that's the thing. It's like you want two competitive games, you want drama in both regardless of who you want to win. So I hope it's thrilling. I hope it lives up to.
[01:41]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, I think the second one will be we'll see about the. We'll see. I think the first one, I think these are both gonna be good. You can be a part of Countdown to Kickoff Nation on the Dr. Pepper call in line 888 say ESPN. We've not gone to the phones as much the last couple of weeks and I've missed you all. But because some of you have really good opinions and some of you don't and I like to hear them. 888 say ESPN and we're presented by Dr. Pepper. It's not football season without the delicious taste of an ice cold Dr. Pepper. Football is a Pepper thing. We're going to get to both the commanders and The Eagles followed by the Bills and Chiefs. But let's start with yesterday. Around the world, you know, we've had a big week of NFL football coaches. But for you and I, we like, this is the time of year we get excited because the sport we like, college basketball, kind of gets going. Full day of games. Yesterday you are. I know a lot of people probably say, matt, I watch college basketball in part to learn about the dudes are going to be in the NBA. You've covered three Cooper Flag games in person. Is he as good as everybody says he is?
[02:46]
Matt Jones
He is. I'm getting on a plane tonight to go do another one tomorrow when they play NC State. I think he is, man. I think he is a two way guy. He's a really great defender. The way he plays above the rim. Like, you could see how when he goes to the NBA where everything is, is one on one, that he's going to excel. So. And he's also just, you know, I know like the Duke reputation, you know, players there, but he is really aggressive, man, and assert. He stands over people when he blocks their shots and dunks on them. So I think he has the swagger too, man, to be a great player in the next level.
[03:20]
Myron Metcalf
He does do a lot of standing over people. He's gonna get hit one day though, you know, like he's got one of those. He's not, he's not Grayson Allen. I'm just saying though, like, he's, he. I've never seen him be really physical, but he certainly gets over people. You know, when I was growing up, I had the mouth of somebody that could fight, but I couldn't fight. So like, I had to know. I had to know the exact moment. Like I, I had a, A, a tracker in my head of just. It's like a camera on your car when it starts beeping when you get too close to the wall. I knew how much trash I could talk before this dude would punch me in the face and then I would stop right before he'd punch him in the face. I hope Cooper Flag has that because there's a lot of like getting in people's face and he just needs to know, okay, I'll stop right here.
[04:11]
Matt Jones
He's got, I mean, he's six, eight, man. It's solid. He, he's okay. And then you got to think about his journey, man. He, he's from Maine. Like, can you imagine?
[04:19]
Myron Metcalf
That doesn't help. Can you. I mean, you say he's from Maine, like he's from the mean streets of The Bronx.
[04:26]
Matt Jones
Here's my point. Imagine the kinds of things he heard as he was moving up the rankings and playing the best players in America. Like imagine what he, what was said to him. And I think that's why he has a lot of that. He's actually told me that like he has a chip on his shoulder because in his mind he's still the, the kid from Maine. But that dude's tough, man. I don't think a bunch of people messing with a 68 dude like that dude. You said, you said, I'm saying from.
[04:52]
Myron Metcalf
Maine, he's got a chip.
[04:53]
Matt Jones
I'm saying now to the point that.
[04:55]
Myron Metcalf
He'S playing all over. You get a chip on this show.
[04:57]
Matt Jones
I'm not going to make. I'm, I'm saying you got to think about the fact he's played all over the world. All over the country, all over the world legitimately. So you, you imagine a six. Listen, he had to summer in Saint bars.
[05:11]
Myron Metcalf
Are you kidding me? Like he had a tough go.
[05:14]
Matt Jones
Matthew, Matt, you know basketball. A 6 foot 8 white dude from Maine.
[05:18]
Myron Metcalf
That's true.
[05:18]
Matt Jones
Showing up to these courts and saying, pick me. Like you have to imagine as he was coming up, what that must have been like and for him to be validated by all these guys. That dude's toughness I think is real.
[05:33]
Myron Metcalf
He's walking in, he's eating like, he's like got lobster with him and he's.
[05:36]
Matt Jones
Eating and he's lobster.
[05:38]
Myron Metcalf
He's wearing a fisherman outfit. You're like, oh man. Is he going to be able to play in this dude?
[05:43]
Matt Jones
That dude?
[05:43]
Myron Metcalf
Right. That is a tough existence.
[05:45]
Matt Jones
I do this, I don't question his toughness, but again, to, to come up and to play against the guys he's played. Imagine what people have said to him over the years, you know, being a 6 foot 8 white dude for Maine.
[05:56]
Myron Metcalf
Basically everything they say to me when I go to the barbershop with you, it's the exact same.
[06:02]
Matt Jones
They don't know. It's the exact same computer saying coming up. I'm sure that dude was qu question all the time about how good he was. And it was the equivalent of Eminem having to get on stage in 8 mile. Like it was like that was probably a big part of his development.
[06:22]
Myron Metcalf
But yeah, the first time I walked in the ESPN NFL room with Randy Moss and all those guys and I.
[06:30]
Matt Jones
Walked in like they lost.
[06:31]
Myron Metcalf
Wait a minute. You're a lawyer from Kentucky. What did you play? Well, I didn't really play anything exactly, but I have I had a blog. That was something. Yeah, he's very talented. So I'm. I'm just kidding. Now, let me ask you. From the week. He's the real dude. Danny Hurley, the coach at UConn, he looked at a referee and he screamed out and said, don't walk away from me. I'm the best bleeping coach in America. He got a lot of criticism for that. Some of our ESPN colleagues took up for him. Some of them didn't. He said he doesn't regret it. It just makes him feel bad towards his fellow coaches because he doesn't want them to think he's better than them. Well, he clearly thinks that or else he wouldn't have said that. What did you think of Danny screaming like that?
[07:22]
Matt Jones
It didn't surprise me. I guess I was surprised that it surprised other people. I also think we got to be honest about college coaches. And you notice, Matt, NBA coaches are mostly reserved. Like, they kind of just stand there like they're at a golf outing or something, right? Like, it's. When you see an NBA coach go off, it's a big deal because you don't see it a ton. College coaches at this level are, for the most part, somewhat unhinged, right in that moment. Like, it's almost like you can meet some of these guys off the court, and they're cool guys, nice guys, and they get on the court, and it's like you don't recognize. It's like they're in a trance. So I think there are more coaches like that.
[07:59]
Myron Metcalf
People realize there are only three types of people. Like, there are certain times in life where people think they can just be and say anything. One is online. If you go to any social media, anything, there'll be people. There might be people working on this show that are perfectly normal people. And then the moment they get online, they start going, you little Berber derpa. Deeper. And you see them in person, and they're like, hey, man, what's up? You want to get a sandwich? Same thing. Second place is if you're in traffic. When somebody cuts you off in traffic, you'll say the worst things to them in the world. And then the third worst place for personalities is when you become a college basketball coach. You don't see NFL coaches, college football coaches, baseball managers, basketball. I mean, like, they might get mad in a moment. College basketball coaches are screaming from moment one, yelling at referees like, they're the worst people in the world. Danny Hurley is the latest example. His lineage, though, traces back to probably Bobby Knight. I Don't know why they think they can just act like this and that it's normal behavior.
[09:04]
Matt Jones
No, it shouldn't be normalized. It shouldn't. I just think Dan Hurley's gonna get the attention because of who he is in the national championships. I don't think that should be an excuse for crossing the line. I also think, though, it's bigger than Danny Hurley. Like, I've talked to a lot of officials, and the things that are said to them are wild, you know, because college coaches are the stars of our game still. Despite the talent on the floor, they're still the most recognizable people. But if we're going to deal with it, let's not just deal with Hurley. Let's deal with it across the board.
[09:34]
Myron Metcalf
Because I'd start.
[09:35]
Matt Jones
That happens every night.
[09:37]
Myron Metcalf
He seems like he's a. He's. He's the worst offender. And then finally, on the college football side, Ohio State, one of their players allegedly offered $5 million to leave right after getting the national championship. First of all, do you believe that? And secondly, is it bad if that is happening?
[09:59]
Matt Jones
I believe it 100% believe.
[10:01]
Myron Metcalf
So you believe somebody offer a wide receiver $5 million, maybe more.
[10:05]
Matt Jones
Jeremiah Smith, I'd offer him 10. He'd be the number one pick in.
[10:08]
Myron Metcalf
This year's draft, getting the $10 million.
[10:11]
Matt Jones
I'm just saying he would be the number one pick in this year's draft, man. So I. I would definitely think that offer is valid. And I get why you do it. Is it bad? How many coaches were offered jobs after the College Football Playoff? You know, so if. If we're going to admit that, if we're going to acknowledge that money is a legal part of the game. Now, let's talk about it the way we talk about coaches. And I think Ben Johnson had just lost a game and was interviewing right away for jobs. Like, I don't see a problem with it with players. Get your money.
[10:41]
Myron Metcalf
Get your money. I like how quick you are to spend other people's money, though. You're like, yeah, give him $10 million, would you, Myron? Would you specifically give him $2 million? Listen, man makes so much money.
[10:54]
Matt Jones
Five million.
[10:55]
Myron Metcalf
I didn't realize you're the richest. Five million.
[10:57]
Matt Jones
He'd be the number one pick in this draft. Jeremiah Smith will go number one this year. This year.
[11:02]
Myron Metcalf
It's unbelievable. It's unbelievable. Admiring how quickly, well, somebody's gonna make a big pot of money today as we got two chances to go to the Super Bowl, NFC and afc. We will go over the games give you our initial insights. Jaden Daniels willing make history? Can Mahomes go for three in a row? Does Josh Allen get the monkey off his back? That's all next here on Countdown to Kickoff.
[11:26]
Matt Jones
This episode is brought to you by Love Hurts. Kiwi Kwan has had quite a career, from childhood roles in Indiana Jones and.
[11:33]
Myron Metcalf
The Temple of Doom and the Goonies.
[11:34]
Matt Jones
To a recent Academy award win for.
[11:37]
Myron Metcalf
Everything everywhere all at once.
[11:38]
Matt Jones
But now Key finally stars as a.
[11:40]
Myron Metcalf
Leading man in the film Love Hurts.
[11:43]
Matt Jones
Love Hurts is the perfect date night.
[11:45]
Myron Metcalf
Movie with its mix of over the.
[11:46]
Matt Jones
Top action comedy and a ton of heart. Love Hurts only at theaters February 7th. From ESPN Podcast and Omaha Productions. Coach is a new groundbreaking educational football podcast hosted by NFL legends Bill Belichick, Matt Patricia and Michael Lombardi. In each episode, the coaches break down game changing situations, front office management tactics, sharing insights from decades of coaching experience and opening up the Bill Belichick encyclopedia of football knowledge created by football legends for football fans. New episodes of Coach Drop weekly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Matt and Myron the podcast it is.
[12:35]
Myron Metcalf
Countdown to kick off here on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance 888 say ESPN. Which of the two games today, Myron, are you more excited about? If you're just saying, okay, which do I think will be a better game? Which do I look forward to watching more? Commander's Eagles, Bill's Chiefs.
[12:53]
Matt Jones
I think it's Commander's Eagles by far for me. Yeah. I mean, because Jaden Daniels could ascend to this spot I think in the NFL that might change the league. Right? Like the NFC doesn't really have a dude, you know, but I think if Jaden Dan's leads his team to a Super bowl in year one, all the cap space they have, that team's gonna get better between now and next season. Like all of a sudden you, you have sort of the, the face of the NFC who might be chasing Mahomes in the years ahead. So I think that's what's on the line if the Eagles go. Not the same pizzazz, if you will, but I mean Jaden Daniels could do something literally we've never seen done today. So that's more intriguing.
[13:35]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, well, I mean we have seen it done. We haven't seen it done like he's done it. I mean he, he, he has, I think it's fair to say would be the first rookie quarterback to take his team to the super bowl where it was really on his shoulders. Right. A lot of these other guys have kind of risen with another like, you know, Joe Flacco is like the back part of a team that already has a lot. Brock Purdy's like that as well. Jaden Daniels is kind of the centerpiece of it. I will say, you know, history tells me one thing, which is if you lose in the super bowl, you're going to stink the next year. How many, how many times have we seen that happen over the last 15 years? So I do think everybody's got it. Remember we. Everybody was saying the same stuff about C.J. stroud last year. They were. And while he's still good, he wasn't as good this year. With that said, it's an amazing story. Sal Palantonio was on Hammer and Emmett, and he had some pretty high praise from the south, pal.
[14:30]
C
His numbers in the fourth quarter are better than any quarterback remaining alive in the playoffs, both running and throwing. He proved that December 22 against the Eagles. When he came back, Eagles were up 27 14. He's got three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter against the Eagles, against the Vic Pangio defense. I mean, Jaden Daniels and I've covered six of their games and studied him during the matchup show all year long, is the best rookie quarterback I've ever seen.
[14:59]
Myron Metcalf
Strong. That's strong words. I'm not going to disagree with him. I mean, I think you, you know, Dan Marino had a rookie season that was amazing, but they didn't win as much as this. I think he's excellent. Obviously. I do think, though, the game today is Chiefs, Bills, I mean, we're talking. This is, I mean, this is the continued part of a series that's going to go on for the next six to eight to 10 years of our life. We rarely get to see two giants in their prime trade punches. We got to see it with Brady and Manning for many, many years. You know, when you see that, it's awesome. And they get another round of it today and maybe the round that's the most consequential because if you're Josh Allen, you can't really lose it because, like, this is the best chance you've ever had and maybe will have is this year.
[15:52]
Matt Jones
Yeah, I mean, for me, this is like season seven of a sitcom that peaked in season four. I mean, that's kind of how it feels.
[15:59]
Myron Metcalf
You don't, like these things are in their prime. You don't. I mean, these dudes are in their prime. You don't think Mahomes and Allen are in their prime.
[16:06]
Matt Jones
Here's the problem with this situation so far for me and I think this is on the line. Like Mahomes doesn't have a Peyton Manning. Like he doesn't have someone who is an actual rival in the NFL. Now if Josh Allen's arrival. No, no. Neither is Lamar, neither is Burrow. You got to go get a Super Bowl, I think to be a real rival against Mahomes. But if you beat him today and then you go on to win a Super bowl, that does change. I think the narrative. That does change. So the matchup. But for now, you know, Brady Manning.
[16:31]
Myron Metcalf
Were like this at this stage of their career. I mean, Manning was in a lot of ways, like Josh Allen. He was really good. A lot of people thought he would have better seasons, but he couldn't win. And then he finally did. And part of the story of Peyton Manning was getting to the point to where he could win. Don't you feel like that's where we are here with Josh Allen?
[16:51]
Matt Jones
Yeah, but. But winning when he did set up the next decade of that rivalry. Right. Because you knew he could do it. My point is Josh Allen beating Mahomes today and then going on to win the Super Bowl. Yes. I think we would come back next season and go, this is Manning versus Brady in a lot of ways. So I do think it's significant.
[17:09]
Myron Metcalf
But if they lose it, let's. So let's assume that they don't win. Don't you think it's equally as compelling to watch a team try to get a three peat? Like, I mean, the Chiefs are literally going for history this year. If. And honestly, if they win, we'll be the favorites for history starting in two weeks. I mean, that's a fairly compelling storyline, isn't it?
[17:35]
Matt Jones
Yes, but I mean, we've seen so much success from them over the last.
[17:39]
Myron Metcalf
Seen this. You've made the point that we've never seen this.
[17:43]
Matt Jones
It's unique. It is unique. But if I'm. I mean, the NFL never said it, like, what's the most interesting thing that can happen? I think the most interesting thing for the league going forward would be Jaden Daniels beating Philly and Josh Allen winning this game against Kansas City, giving us some new blood in the Super Bowl.
[18:01]
Myron Metcalf
Now you.
[18:02]
Matt Jones
That would be the most intriguing.
[18:03]
Myron Metcalf
Now that would be the most interesting thing going. They want Mahomes. You don't think they want Mahomes? Kelsey and Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl.
[18:09]
Matt Jones
You, you. Mahomes has no rival. Like, you want to set up the idea that someone's coming for the throne, and that hasn't happened yet. So to Me, in order for that to happen, you need someone to actually win a championship while he's playing like you. You need that in order to set up the idea that there is this level of intrigue about what's going to come next if the Kansas City Chiefs win this year, when they could have easily lost four or five games at the end. Right. If they stumble into another super bowl win, I don't know how you beat them. But it also makes it less interesting going into next season in the afc at least it's not as compelling in the AFC because, you know, Lamar can't do it. Lamar had his best team, his best season, and Lamar couldn't get past Josh Allen.
[18:52]
Myron Metcalf
Are you.
[18:53]
Matt Jones
Here's Josh Allen.
[18:54]
Myron Metcalf
You're going to honestly argue that the NFL executives getting ready to plan the super bowl would rather see Buffalo than Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelsey, the Chiefs, Taylor Swift and the State. You think they'd rather see the Buffalo Bills in that game?
[19:12]
Matt Jones
I'm saying Jaden Daniels vs. Buffalo would be better for the next five to seven years in the NFL than Kansas City vs. Anybody. Now, the game. Are you talking about ratings? Yeah. Taylor Swift in a suite at the super bowl is going to get a bigger rating than anything that's fan, fine. But in terms of like, what's best for the health of the league, new blood is always going to be good for the NFL. Jaden Daniels getting to a Super Bowl, I think that's going to be good for the NFL.
[19:41]
Myron Metcalf
I think that's why if you were to ask the NFL what's the matchup you'd like to see, they would say Chiefs commanders for that reason. They would. I think they would say, wouldn't you love to see the dude who might be next versus the dude that is right now? And you know, then you have that game, you play it out. Maybe the dude that is now gets his win or maybe history is made. And the first rookie, that really, for the first rookie, that really was the reason the team was there. Potentially the greatest rookie season in all of sports occurs. I mean, if I'm the NFL, that's the matchup I want to see is is the is the current king versus the future king.
[20:23]
Matt Jones
Well, if you talk again, if it's ratings, Eagles, Kansas City will do the biggest number. That would be the biggest number in the Super Bowl. But again, Mahomes doesn't have a counterpart yet. And I think you need that. And this is an opportunity to set that up.
[20:43]
Myron Metcalf
You're one of those dudes that like, argues it Would be good for the NCAA tournament if the finals were like Creighton and Butler like.
[20:51]
Matt Jones
No, you know I don't do that. I believe the best teams need to be in the sweet 16.
[20:54]
Myron Metcalf
Oh, exact.
[20:54]
Matt Jones
So the obsessed in the first and second round.
[20:56]
Myron Metcalf
You want the Chiefs and you want. I think you want the commanders. But I can hear a case for the Eagles.
[21:02]
Matt Jones
But you.
[21:03]
Myron Metcalf
There's no way you don't want to have the Masters and not have Tiger there. If you're going to have the super bowl. You want to have Mahomes if Rory's.
[21:12]
Matt Jones
In it and he. And he just do want that. Stop. Don't dismiss Rory. Rory, Rory.
[21:19]
Myron Metcalf
But it's Rory getting the ratings Tiger gets. No. And that's as great as he is. He is not Patrick Mahomes. At least in terms of that. Now we can get into more conspiracy theories, potential rule changes, but we're also going to preview the games. That's next here I count out to.
[21:35]
Matt Jones
Kickoff Matt and Myron the podcast a.
[21:42]
Myron Metcalf
Lot of wan there by teams that have lost to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Also Aikman doing what Tom Brady won't or can't which is criticize the NFL officials. Mahomes and Chiefs are they the most hated team? ESPN radio is presented by progressive insurance drivers who switched to progressive could save big quote today@progressive.com. here's what I want to do. You know, you all out there listening. Most of you are very smart, you know, Some of you I don't know but most of you, most of you are very smart. I believe in the American people. I want to know with these two matchups, what is the super bowl that you Want to see? 888 say ESPN. I want to take your calls. We come on count. Had to kick off, you know, Sundays with Matt. Myron, let's hear what you got. 8, 8, 8, say ESPN. 8, 8, 8, 7 2, 9, 3, 77 6. What is the super bowl you would want to watch Now? I'm going to guess what people are going to say, Myron. They're going to open up the phones and I'm going to guess. People are going to say they don't want to see the Chiefs because they're like, oh, I'm tired of the Chiefs.
[22:44]
Matt Jones
They get all the calls.
[22:45]
Myron Metcalf
I don't want to see Taylor Swift. Patrick Mahomes slides too much like all that's what they're going to say. But at the end of the day, I will acknowledge I want to see him. I like to watch Greatness. This is one of the two or three best players to ever play. He's in his prime. I like the pomp and circumstance. I can even get over the fact that their kicker seems like a crazy man. Travis Kelsey is. Travis Kelce does things. We're not going to see him all that much longer. Andy Reid is a genius. So I want to see the Chiefs. I think I'd like to see the commanders, but I definitely want to see the Chiefs. But I think most people, Myron, are going to say they don't because people get tired about of looking at the same thing and looking at greatness.
[23:24]
Matt Jones
But that's what we're supposed to do. I mean, we're supposed to band together and come against, you know, who. Whoever the dominant force is in sports. Like that's what we do as sports fans. So.
[23:36]
Myron Metcalf
But we didn't. Yes. I expected like everybody cheers. We did.
[23:38]
Matt Jones
Who didn't we.
[23:39]
Myron Metcalf
Everybody. Who didn't we cheer for Tiger. Everybody.
[23:41]
Matt Jones
But golf is different. Golf is different. Team sports, I don't think that's the case. Individual sports are a lot different. But team sports, who haven't we going against? We went against MJ. People are going against LeBron. Like, well, that's what we do.
[23:55]
Myron Metcalf
I mean, I did. Were people really against mj? I think most people like Michael Jordan.
[23:59]
Matt Jones
As a kid in Milwaukee, I didn't like him.
[24:01]
Myron Metcalf
Well, but you were in Milwaukee. That's the Chicago. That's like, whoa, okay, whoa, whoa, whoa.
[24:05]
Matt Jones
Don't do that. Don't, don't, don't, don't do, don't slander.
[24:07]
Myron Metcalf
He is an hour away from Chicago. That's your rival. But like, if I just take somebody like me, we. I was in Kentucky. They didn't have. We'd have pro sports teams. Every kid I knew was for the Bulls. Like it was that. That was the thing you chose.
[24:19]
Matt Jones
No way. When anyone got close, when the Suns were playing well, when the Pacers are good, there was so many people rooting only Michael Jordan to finally lose. So many people.
[24:30]
Myron Metcalf
You all are haters. Milwaukee's haters.
[24:31]
Matt Jones
You, you're trying to tell me fans do.
[24:33]
Myron Metcalf
Are you trying to tell me America was rooting for the Utah Jazz?
[24:36]
Matt Jones
Is that's what you're trying 100. There were a lot of people who were. I mean, you still hear about the push off because of that. You still hear people say he cheated on that last shot. So this is what we're supposed to do as sports fans. We're supposed to band together and not want Kansas City to win another Super Bowl.
[24:52]
Myron Metcalf
I've learned now what to call you. Milwaukee Myron the hater, because you're right in Milwaukee.
[24:59]
Matt Jones
So you just loved everybody, Matt? Is that what you're saying? You just love.
[25:02]
Myron Metcalf
I did not like Brady. Brady was the one that I was a hater. Exactly. But that was because I like Peyton Manning. It wasn't that I didn't like him specifically as. As I liked Peyton Manning and he was the rival, but like Lakers, Celtics. I love the Lakers. There's a ton of Lakers. When I was a kid, there's a ton of Lakers fans. I think I love Tiger. Every single time I saw Tiger play, I wanted. I mean, I wanted him to beat Rocco mediate in the U.S. open, right?
[25:29]
Matt Jones
That's different.
[25:30]
Myron Metcalf
I wanted him to beat Bob May and Y E Yang. Come on. I was always for. I'm the same way with Mahomes.
[25:36]
Matt Jones
Individual sports are weight. You can't say, like, who's rooting against Michael Phelps to lose. Like, that's a different thing. Exactly.
[25:42]
Myron Metcalf
You're the kind of dude that's rooting for the crows in lane seven.
[25:46]
Matt Jones
Don't say that. Don't say that. Don't say that. Listen. Yeah, individual sports are different. Team sports, as you know, we come together and we decide. That's too much power for one man to have. Right? That's a quote from a move. And that's how we feel about Kansas City. That's how we feel about a lot of these teams that are dynasties. That's what fans are supposed to do. You are not supposed to like Kansas City chasing history this weekend. You're supposed to want Mahomes and company to lose unless you're a fan in that fan base. Those are the rules. I don't make them.
[26:16]
Myron Metcalf
What you don't realize is you go to Myron's house, he has posters up. He's got a David. He's got a David Duvall poster for what he played.
[26:24]
Matt Jones
I don't know what you about to say, but yeah, he's got a Tim Hinman poster.
[26:29]
Myron Metcalf
When he played against Federer, he'd be like, let's go, Timmy.
[26:33]
Matt Jones
No way.
[26:33]
Myron Metcalf
He's got the entire Croatian swimming team on. Because he wanted them to be.
[26:38]
Matt Jones
Hey, man, Phelps. Listen, man, it's been a rough week. They're gonna come to my house and you say that stuff. Stop saying that. I'm saying what a lot of fans I think are going to say under these circumstances.
[26:52]
Myron Metcalf
Myron has Byron, has everybody else. Right.
[26:56]
Matt Jones
I don't need that Static man, George.
[26:59]
Myron Metcalf
Mirror Washington poster, hoping he would take out.
[27:03]
Matt Jones
I don't need any Matt in South Dakota.
[27:06]
Myron Metcalf
What do you want to see in the Super Bowl? What matchup?
[27:10]
C
Hey, good morning, guys.
[27:12]
Myron Metcalf
Good morning.
[27:12]
C
All right, so for my, for me personally, I'm a die hard Wyoming Cowboys fan. A die hard Broncos fan. So my love of Josh Allen and what he did for the Pokes and my hatred of all things Chiefs still speaks for itself. I want to see Josh breakthrough, get the Bills in there, ultimately see the Bills win the super bowl and the Ms. You're from.
[27:38]
Myron Metcalf
You live in South Dakota. You live in South Dakota, Right. Why are you a Wyoming fan?
[27:44]
C
I was born and raised in Wyoming. I'm in service and I'm, I'm in Rapid City or Rapid City now, so.
[27:52]
Myron Metcalf
Well, I mean, listen, for you, for Wyoming, like, if you're talking great Wyoming athletes, it's what Josh Allen and Finis Dimbo. I mean, is that really your Wyoming University of Wyoming stars over the years?
[28:05]
C
Right? Well, you know, and you got some guys like Javon Bow Knight J. No.
[28:11]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, that's it. There's the list. But I mean, no, this is Josh Allen. Is he the greatest athlete in Wyoming history?
[28:19]
C
Probably, I believe so. And the way, like this, the way the state rallies around him and the story is, the story is Tom Brady ask counted out every step of the way and just proved himself every step of the way. When the Broncos drafted Bradley Chubb over him, I wanted. I wanted to faint. It was so.
[28:40]
Myron Metcalf
Well, I appreciate you saying why. I can understand why a Wyoming fan would want it, of course, but you.
[28:45]
Matt Jones
Can'T possibly believe there are more casual fans rooting for Patrick Mahomes over Josh Allen today.
[28:50]
Myron Metcalf
I think if you polled America, the numbers would be casual 80, 20. If you're talking about NFL fans, people who every Sunday sit down, watch red zone, play fantasy football. Yes, more of them would like to see Patrick Mahomes lose. I think they've become kind of the hated team. You're exactly right. If you're talking about casual fans, people who will tune in today and who maybe watch one game a weekend and like, they do other stuff, they want to see my home. So it just depends on how serious you are. Like you're. You speak. I completely agree. Myron, you speak for the average hardcore NFL fan. I don't know that the rest of the country looks at that edit like that. That's. I think Mahomes is a star. Mahomes can walk down the street. Let me put it like this. Mahomes can walk down any street in America. Everyone will know who he is. That's not really true about Josh.
[29:43]
Matt Jones
Yeah, I mean, Taylor. Taylor Swift did that, right? I think Taylor Swift helped with that.
[29:47]
Myron Metcalf
Maybe, maybe. But I think that before. I mean, he was a big deal.
[29:51]
Matt Jones
Before, but, I mean, how many people.
[29:52]
Myron Metcalf
Know what Jaden Daniels looks like? He just walked down.
[29:55]
Matt Jones
Probably not many.
[29:55]
Myron Metcalf
Not many. Not me. Let's go to Mike in Maryland. Who would you like to see? Obviously, you're going to say commanders, I would assume, since you're in Maryland.
[30:04]
C
Yes, sir. And the Kansas City Chiefs. I'm going against Myron. I'm not sure what age Myron is. Is he still bitter because the Milwaukee Bucks trade away Lou Alcindor?
[30:17]
Matt Jones
I mean, we had, you know what, a little bit like, okay, what if I am, though? What if I am upset with that he went to dinner with the team and he said he was all in. And then the next day he was on a flight to la. So what if I am bitter? Isn't that allowed?
[30:30]
C
Yeah, it's allowed. It's perfectly allowed. But I want to see Patrick Mahomes and. And Patrick Mahomes Jr. Who's James?
[30:37]
Myron Metcalf
I like how you say Mahomes, by the way. Say it again. How do you say. How do you say his name again? Patrick.
[30:43]
C
I want to see the. The Kansas City Chiefs and the Washington Commander.
[30:47]
Myron Metcalf
No, no, but did you see what he said? No, I want you to say Patrick. Patrick. How do you say his last name? Because I don't know how to pronounce it.
[30:54]
C
I. I say Mahomes.
[30:56]
Myron Metcalf
That's not what you said.
[30:57]
Matt Jones
You said it different before. He corrected.
[30:59]
Myron Metcalf
You were corrected. You said.
[31:01]
Matt Jones
No, he did. He corrected us. But did you hear what else he said? He called Jaden Daniels Patrick Mahomes Jr. That's what he said.
[31:08]
Myron Metcalf
Could be. Could be. Appreciate the call. I understand why Washington fans are mad. Did you see the story on ESPN.com or Happy. Excuse me? The story on ESPN.com that said Dan Snyder is hating it in London, England, in his flat right now.
[31:21]
Matt Jones
Yeah. Love it. Love it. Dude. Yeah. You messed it up, man.
[31:25]
Myron Metcalf
It's got to be. It doesn't have to be tough for him, you know, it's got to be tough for him. Like, you just. You have this team your whole life. You sell it.
[31:32]
Matt Jones
Yeah.
[31:33]
Myron Metcalf
You have not. You never have any sympathy for anybody, do you? You know, like. Like tough.
[31:37]
Matt Jones
Crying on the yacht. I'm sure it's very difficult.
[31:40]
Myron Metcalf
He is literally crying on the yacht. Like, that's. That Phrase is made for Daniel Snyder. He is crying on Linwood, Ali, Don, others. Hang on. We're going to come back, figure out who everybody wants the Super Bowl. We've talked somebody from South Dakota and a Patrick Mahomes fan. That's all next here on Countdown. The kickoff.
[32:05]
Matt Jones
Matt and Myron.
[32:07]
Myron Metcalf
The podcast kind of kick off here. ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance. We got people calling in, letting us know who they want to see in the Super Bowl. One person says, Milwaukee. Myron is the kind of guy who would cheer for Mike Tyson to be knocked out in 1987. He doesn't love greatness, which is probably why he bickers with you on this show so much. He just said, that's why I would read it.
[32:32]
Matt Jones
That's.
[32:33]
Myron Metcalf
That was the only reason Myron doesn't love greatness. That's okay. You don't love greatness. That's why you're not read. That's why you're not.
[32:40]
Matt Jones
What does that even mean? Like, no, you don't want to. This is what we do. Or maybe some of you all just, like, jumping on a bandwagon, you know, I think that's the other side of this.
[32:52]
Myron Metcalf
You've never. You've never, like, seen a guy that was good or a team that was good and said, I like them if.
[32:57]
Matt Jones
I didn't see them early, I don't jump on.
[33:00]
Myron Metcalf
I get that bands like, you refuse to like if you didn't want.
[33:04]
Matt Jones
The bands I liked, I saw early. I saw them really early. I knew usually early on.
[33:10]
Myron Metcalf
Like, give me an example.
[33:12]
Matt Jones
I mean, I saw Wu Tang Clan early. You know, I heard about them. I knew. Where did you see early 90s, early.
[33:19]
Myron Metcalf
90S, like a local.
[33:21]
Matt Jones
I read about them. Like, I knew they. I knew they were on the way. I knew they're on the way. Yeah. So I knew groups like that. I mean, you know, okay, Ali, Michael Jackson.
[33:32]
Myron Metcalf
I understand it.
[33:33]
Matt Jones
Yep.
[33:33]
Myron Metcalf
You knew Michael Jackson early?
[33:35]
Matt Jones
Well, I mean, he was before I was. No, I knew what was coming. I kind of knew what was coming. I don't want to get into it.
[33:43]
Myron Metcalf
Let you get away with that. You. How old are you? How old are you?
[33:48]
Matt Jones
Michaels was before me, but in terms of, like, what was ahead, I had a sense.
[33:52]
Myron Metcalf
But how old are you? I've asked you how old you are.
[33:54]
Matt Jones
I'll be 40.
[33:56]
Myron Metcalf
You're 42. So are you saying you were born in 1984? Michael Jackson put out Thriller in 84. How could you have known what was coming before Thriller?
[34:11]
Matt Jones
You, like, came out in the Birth canal.
[34:13]
Myron Metcalf
You knew?
[34:16]
Matt Jones
Yeah, it came out 82, but I. I had a feeling. Even. Even in the womb, I had a feeling.
[34:21]
Myron Metcalf
Okay. Ali in Chicago. Go ahead, Ali.
[34:25]
C
Good morning, fellas. I love having you guys on. On Sunday mornings, I sit here, read the Racing form, and I like listening to you fellas.
[34:32]
Myron Metcalf
Oh, reading the Racing Form. I love it. What's the big track today? What are we doing?
[34:38]
C
Well, I usually do Santa Anita. I'm a California guy.
[34:41]
Myron Metcalf
You're saying Anita guy. All right. Well, good. Well, Keeneland opens in April, so.
[34:46]
Matt Jones
Yeah.
[34:46]
C
Yeah, Keeneland's good, too, when they open. Yep, absolutely. I gotta. I gotta agree with Myron, but I also have a call out. I want to call out Myron from a few weeks ago. So I. You know, the Chief hate is real, guys. I've been a Chiefs fan for a long, long time. And, you know, a group of us, we go out and watch football every Sunday. We go out to the sports bar and watch. And over the years, you know, people, all the Chiefs, they like them. In the last couple years has not been that case. May I have people coming up to me. I wear a Chief shirt or jacket or something after Chiefs, you know, I mean, it's.
[35:18]
Myron Metcalf
Why do you think that is? You're a Chiefs fan. Why do you think that is? I mean, I sort of think a little bit of. It's getting tired of greatness. There's a little bit of the Taylor Swift thing. There's a little bit of, like, people have just decided in the culture war they're on a different side. What do you think it is, as a fan?
[35:35]
C
Well, I agree with all that, you know, and people like to see, you know, see a team lose after they've won for a while. I think there's probably a turn on. On Patrick Mahomes that he gets too many calls. Seems to be a sentiment out there, you know, kind of like what. What happened to Tom Brady years ago. You know, it kind of seems like he's. He's filling Tom Brady's footsteps.
[35:55]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah. Enjoy the Racing Form. I hope you find a good one. And text me. Text me your. Text me your picks.
[36:03]
C
Hey, Matt, man, I got a call out on Myron. You know, about a month ago, Myron did a terrible take, saying the Chiefs were gonna go nowhere about it. Nowhere. This year, if you remember, you had callers calling in. Yeah. And he said they were going to go nowhere as a penalty. I was just hoping that one of your callers was going to call from Milwaukee because I just love it when. When A caller calls from Milwaukee and Myron tries to help Milwaukee them.
[36:27]
Matt Jones
He does.
[36:30]
Myron Metcalf
Walkie. Myron is a jealous man. I appreciate the call. He's jealous of other teams. He's jealous of other Milwaukee.
[36:36]
Matt Jones
No, let them call. One thing he said, though, that people have to acknowledge, though, it's also the ultimate sign of respect to turn on a team. Like, you're right.
[36:43]
Myron Metcalf
No, that's true.
[36:44]
Matt Jones
So you know what I mean? That's actually part of the. The story arc, if you will.
[36:47]
Myron Metcalf
It's like in wrestling, you want them to cheer you or boo you. What you don't want is no reaction. And when they're booing you, that means you're doing something right. And I think that's even still true in, in, in. In non wrestling sports. When they're booing, that means you're doing something. Don, in Arkansas. Where at. Where are you in Arkansas?
[37:08]
C
Fort Smith.
[37:09]
Myron Metcalf
Fort Smithville. Oh, of course. I know it's not much pig suing going on in Arkansas this year, but that's okay. What do you got?
[37:18]
C
Yeah, we even lost last night to.
[37:20]
Myron Metcalf
Ou, so we were up late too. Yeah, but go ahead.
[37:24]
C
Yeah. Growing up, I was a huge Kansas City fan. Obviously living in Arkansas, that's the center of Kansas City. You're either a Dallas fan or a Kansas City fan. But I am a huge Buffalo fan and I want this to be their year and I want to see them.
[37:44]
Matt Jones
How did that happen?
[37:45]
Myron Metcalf
Kansas City and Buffalo?
[37:47]
Matt Jones
I don't get there.
[37:48]
Myron Metcalf
Do you just, like, look for people with good stories? You just have a big heart?
[37:54]
C
No, I got transferred to Buffalo and found that the mafia was just like rabid Razorback fans. They'll do anything in the world for you, but.
[38:05]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, well, all right, so you're. So you like, have liked both teams, but you. You want Buffalo today?
[38:13]
C
I am desperate for Buffalo to win. They deserve it. And Josh Allen is great. They've embraced Mac Hollins. He's got to be the craziest guy in the NFL with Cook and Shakira, I think that this is their year.
[38:30]
Myron Metcalf
All right, well, I appreciate the call.
[38:34]
Matt Jones
It's great.
[38:35]
Myron Metcalf
Enjoy Fort Smith. I appreciate it. You, you made a good point during the break. Byron. If you get Buffalo and the Eagles fans in New Orleans, super bowl, like, come on.
[38:45]
Matt Jones
I mean, stop it. They might have to get the National Guard involved because, I mean, the fighting will start on the plains, you know what I mean? And then once you get to New Orleans, if you put the city of New Orleans hosting Buffalo Bills and Eagles fans, I don't know that there is enough security for that kind of a situation.
[39:03]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, it'll be tough. Let's go to Dennis in Pennsylvania. I'm sure you want the Eagles, but who would you like to see them play?
[39:10]
Matt Jones
I like to see.
[39:13]
Myron Metcalf
First of all, are you on the toilet? You can't put us on speaker.
[39:16]
Matt Jones
Are you on a BlackBerry? No, I am getting my building done before the game.
[39:21]
C
I'm working.
[39:22]
Myron Metcalf
Okay, I'll let you. We work.
[39:24]
Matt Jones
Okay. I respect it. I thought you were on one of them phones. You got to put minutes on. Okay.
[39:29]
C
We.
[39:30]
Matt Jones
We need a rematch with Kansas City, and I think we're going to beat him.
[39:34]
C
First.
[39:35]
Matt Jones
We're going to take care of Daniel, we gonna get rid of Daniels, then we're gonna go get Mahomes like your other caller said. Daniel Mahone Jr. We're getting ready.
[39:44]
C
Him first, and then we're gonna get ready.
[39:46]
Myron Metcalf
All right, Let me ask you a question. If Sirianni and the it and Jalen hurts, let's say Jalen hurts, doesn't play well, and you all lose, are you done with Sirianni or are you still good with him?
[39:57]
C
I'm still good with him.
[39:58]
Myron Metcalf
Okay.
[39:59]
C
I'm still good with him.
[40:00]
Myron Metcalf
But you forgot.
[40:01]
C
You.
[40:02]
Matt Jones
You forgot Barkley.
[40:03]
Myron Metcalf
You didn't say nothing about getting about him. He's been. He's awesome. We got a whole segment coming on Barkley. Don't you worry about it. We'll get to it. Enjoy your work and hope you get the victory today, Dennis.
[40:14]
Matt Jones
We will.
[40:15]
C
Thank you.
[40:16]
Myron Metcalf
Look at that. Getting up. Working.
[40:18]
Matt Jones
He was in a building. What did he say? He was working on a building.
[40:20]
Myron Metcalf
On his building. That's. That's my man. Jeff and Indy.
[40:23]
Matt Jones
What do you got?
[40:23]
Myron Metcalf
Je. Jeff.
[40:25]
C
Matt. Matt. Thanks for taking my call. So you're getting ready to dog me out in a Bears fan from Indianapolis for five decades since Gail Stairs, probably. But I've always took an AFC team as one of my favorite, too, and it was the Chiefs because they sucked. All right? And I always would pull for him and everything. So go ahead and let Mahomes maybe get his third one and break history and all, but then I'd probably be done with them also. So I'm going to. I'm going to go ahead and give you the respect. Why? I'm not a Colts fan. I mean, if Dallas moved to Kentucky, would you be a Dallas fan? I mean, come on.
[41:02]
Myron Metcalf
No, no, I. If you want to be a Chiefs fan, that's fine. I got you. But you can't. But let me say this, you're not really a Chiefs fan. If you want to win one more and then you're going to stop being a fan that's not a fan.
[41:12]
Matt Jones
Like, you know, like nobody's picking multiple teams too.
[41:15]
Myron Metcalf
And no, nobody has a team and they wanted to win one more and then stop. Jeff, that doesn't happen, you know, and.
[41:21]
Matt Jones
You don't get two teams. Who is letting these fans pick two teams?
[41:27]
Myron Metcalf
I agree. You get one. Every sport you get one. Some of these people got too many teams. Makes it easy. We hope to have her medwards here. Join us in the next segment. But you know, Herm's a popular guy this time of year. He might be on 60 Minutes, I'm not sure. So if we don't have him, we'll get back to the calls and get ready for the games. This is Countdown to Kingdom.
[41:48]
Matt Jones
Thanks for listening to Matt and Myron the Podcast. You can listen to the show live every Sunday morning at 10am Eastern on ESPN Radio, the ESPN app, and on SiriusXM Channel 80. Matt and Myron the Podcast when it comes to family vacations, there are a million different trips you can take. You can get trip to Texas or if you prefer a vacation from your family, you can always get your own leave the kids with grandma trip to Texas. So go to traveltexas.com getyourown for the only trip to Texas that matters. Yours.

Summary6 min read

Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron: Episode Summary

Title: Hour 1 Welcome to Championship Sunday
Hosts: Matt Jones & Myron Metcalf
Release Date: January 26, 2025
Platform: ESPN Radio

Introduction to Championship Sunday

In the premiere episode of "Championship Sunday," hosts Matt Jones and Myron Metcalf dive deep into the vibrant world of sports, focusing primarily on the NFL's Championship weekend. The conversation kicks off shortly after introductory advertisements, setting the stage for a comprehensive analysis of the day's key sporting events.

Championship Sunday vs. Super Bowl

The discussion begins with a debate on whether Championship Sunday stands as the best day in the NFL calendar or if the Super Bowl holds that title.

Myron Metcalf (01:00): "For me, I think the Super Bowl is more of a party day. This is more of a football day."
Matt Jones (01:04): "I hope it's thrilling. I hope it lives up to the hype."

Myron emphasizes that Championship Sunday is dedicated to the sport itself, featuring back-to-back games that showcase intense matchups and high stakes, contrasting it with the Super Bowl's celebratory atmosphere.

Highlighting Rookie Quarterback Jaden Daniels

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing Jaden Daniels, a standout rookie quarterback whose performance has garnered considerable attention.

Matt Jones (02:46): "He is a two-way guy. He's a really great defender. The way he plays above the rim... he has the swagger to be a great player in the next level."
Myron Metcalf (04:10): "I hope Cooper Flag has that because there's a lot of like getting in people's face and he just needs to know, okay, I'll stop right here."

The hosts delve into Daniels' defensive prowess, leadership qualities, and his journey from Maine to the national spotlight. They discuss his aggressive playing style and the "chip on his shoulder" mentality that drives his performance, drawing parallels to iconic athletes like Eminem preparing for his pivotal moments.

Coaching Conduct and Danny Hurley's Controversy

Transitioning to coaching behaviors, Matt and Myron examine Danny Hurley, the coach at UConn, who recently sparked controversy by berating a referee.

Matt Jones (07:21): "College coaches at this level are, for the most part, somewhat unhinged in that moment... they're in a trance."
Myron Metcalf (08:35): "College basketball coaches are screaming from moment one, yelling at referees like they're the worst people in the world."

They critique the normalization of such outbursts in college sports, comparing it unfavorably to the typically reserved demeanor of NBA coaches. The discussion underscores the need for broader accountability among coaches to maintain professionalism across the board.

College Football Intrigue: Ohio State and Player Contracts

The conversation shifts to the recent news from Ohio State, where a player allegedly received a $5 million offer to leave immediately after winning the national championship.

Matt Jones (09:58): "I believe it 100%. Jeremiah Smith, I'd offer him 10. He'd be the number one pick in this year's draft."
Myron Metcalf (10:10): "Is it bad? How many coaches were offered jobs after the College Football Playoff?"

They analyze the implications of such lucrative offers, debating whether financial incentives are detrimental or simply a natural progression in competitive sports. Matt advocates for recognizing money as a legitimate aspect of the game, while highlighting the importance of maintaining ethical standards.

Super Bowl Matchup Predictions

A focal point of the episode is forecasting the potential Super Bowl matchups, particularly the excitement surrounding two marquee games: the Commanders vs. the Eagles and the Bills vs. the Chiefs.

Matt Jones (12:53): "I think it's Commander's Eagles by far for me... Jaden Daniels could do something literally we've never seen done today."
Myron Metcalf (14:29): "If you lose in the Super Bowl, you're going to stink the next year. How many times have we seen that happen?"

They express enthusiasm for seeing fresh talent like Jaden Daniels make history, potentially altering the NFL landscape by introducing new rivalries and dynamic gameplay. Conversely, they discuss the enduring legacy and rivalry between Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, contemplating whether this could be the most consequential matchup in recent memory.

Listener Engagement and Super Bowl Preferences

Throughout the episode, Matt and Myron engage with listeners, taking calls about preferred Super Bowl matchups. This interactive segment highlights regional loyalties and personal biases among fans.

Myron Metcalf (22:44): "But I think most people, Myron, are going to say they don't because people get tired about looking at the same thing and looking at greatness."
Matt Jones (28:50): "I can't possibly believe there are more casual fans rooting for Patrick Mahomes over Josh Allen today."

A notable call from a Buffalo Bills fan underscores the passionate support for Josh Allen and the Bills, contrasting it with Mahomes' widespread fame and the associated fatigue from his dominance. The hosts discuss the balance between celebrating established stars and embracing emerging talents for the league's growth.

Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

As the episode concludes, Matt and Myron reflect on the cultural aspects of sports fandom, debating the dynamics of supporting dominant teams versus rooting for emerging contenders. They emphasize the importance of evolving narratives in sports to maintain fan engagement and league health.

Matt Jones (23:54): "What a lot of fans I think are going to say under these circumstances."
Myron Metcalf (32:51): "You've never, like, seen a guy that was good or a team that was good and said, I like them if..."

The episode wraps up with a humorous exchange about personal sports preferences and the complexities of true fandom, setting the tone for future episodes filled with spirited debates and listener interactions.

Key Takeaways

Championship Sunday offers a focused, football-centric alternative to the Super Bowl, emphasizing competitive matchups and high-stakes games.
Jaden Daniels emerges as a promising rookie quarterback with potential to reshape the NFL landscape.
Coaching Conduct remains a critical issue, with calls for greater professionalism across college sports.
Super Bowl Dynamics highlight the tension between sustaining legendary player rivalries and introducing new talent to foster league growth.
Fan Engagement reveals diverse perspectives on team loyalties, reflecting broader cultural sentiments within the sports community.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Myron Metcalf (01:00): "For me, I think the Super Bowl is more of a party day. This is more of a football day."
Matt Jones (02:46): "He is a two-way guy. He's a really great defender... he has the swagger to be a great player in the next level."
Matt Jones (07:21): "College coaches at this level are, for the most part, somewhat unhinged in that moment... they're in a trance."
Myron Metcalf (10:10): "Is it bad? How many coaches were offered jobs after the College Football Playoff?"
Matt Jones (12:53): "I think it's Commander's Eagles by far for me... Jaden Daniels could do something literally we've never seen done today."
Myron Metcalf (22:44): "But I think most people... are going to say they don't because people get tired about looking at the same thing and looking at greatness."

Note: This summary intentionally excludes promotional segments, advertisements, and non-content-related discussions to focus solely on the substantive discussions between Matt Jones and Myron Metcalf.

Loading summary

Transcript256 lines

[00:00]
Matt Jones
Be honest, when's the last time you had a homemade meal? We get it. Between meetings, workout classes and the kids after school sports, who's got time to cook? That's where HelloFresh comes in. No matter how busy you get, HelloFresh has everything you need to get an easy home cooked meal on the table. With flavor packed recipes like Parmesan Herb Crusted Salmon, you'll be filling your kitchen with the cozy aromas of a homemade.
[00:24]
Myron Metcalf
Meal in no time.
[00:25]
Matt Jones
So go ahead, try HelloFresh. It's homemade made easy. Learn more@hellofresh.com Matt and Myron the Podcast.
[00:35]
Myron Metcalf
It is Championship Sunday here on ESPN Radio Countdown. To kick off, Matt Jones, Myron Metcalf, presented by Progressive Insurance. We are looking out on a some people say the best day of football of the year. Do you agree with that? Myron, do you think this is the best day of NFL of the year or do you like the other ones more?
[01:00]
Matt Jones
Yeah, it's a really good day. I mean there's a top super bowl day. I mean to me it's a good.
[01:05]
Myron Metcalf
For me, I think the super bowl is more of like a party day. This is more of a football day. Like if you're a football man or woman, then like today is the day, right? You get back to back games. I mean these last couple weekends you've had four or even six games. So that was very fun. But if you're talking about great matchups and lot at stake and football taking the center stage, I think this is the weekend it does it well.
[01:29]
Matt Jones
Now you just hope that it lives up to the hype. You know, that's the thing. It's like you want two competitive games, you want drama in both regardless of who you want to win. So I hope it's thrilling. I hope it lives up to.
[01:41]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, I think the second one will be we'll see about the. We'll see. I think the first one, I think these are both gonna be good. You can be a part of Countdown to Kickoff Nation on the Dr. Pepper call in line 888 say ESPN. We've not gone to the phones as much the last couple of weeks and I've missed you all. But because some of you have really good opinions and some of you don't and I like to hear them. 888 say ESPN and we're presented by Dr. Pepper. It's not football season without the delicious taste of an ice cold Dr. Pepper. Football is a Pepper thing. We're going to get to both the commanders and The Eagles followed by the Bills and Chiefs. But let's start with yesterday. Around the world, you know, we've had a big week of NFL football coaches. But for you and I, we like, this is the time of year we get excited because the sport we like, college basketball, kind of gets going. Full day of games. Yesterday you are. I know a lot of people probably say, matt, I watch college basketball in part to learn about the dudes are going to be in the NBA. You've covered three Cooper Flag games in person. Is he as good as everybody says he is?
[02:46]
Matt Jones
He is. I'm getting on a plane tonight to go do another one tomorrow when they play NC State. I think he is, man. I think he is a two way guy. He's a really great defender. The way he plays above the rim. Like, you could see how when he goes to the NBA where everything is, is one on one, that he's going to excel. So. And he's also just, you know, I know like the Duke reputation, you know, players there, but he is really aggressive, man, and assert. He stands over people when he blocks their shots and dunks on them. So I think he has the swagger too, man, to be a great player in the next level.
[03:20]
Myron Metcalf
He does do a lot of standing over people. He's gonna get hit one day though, you know, like he's got one of those. He's not, he's not Grayson Allen. I'm just saying though, like, he's, he. I've never seen him be really physical, but he certainly gets over people. You know, when I was growing up, I had the mouth of somebody that could fight, but I couldn't fight. So like, I had to know. I had to know the exact moment. Like I, I had a, A, a tracker in my head of just. It's like a camera on your car when it starts beeping when you get too close to the wall. I knew how much trash I could talk before this dude would punch me in the face and then I would stop right before he'd punch him in the face. I hope Cooper Flag has that because there's a lot of like getting in people's face and he just needs to know, okay, I'll stop right here.
[04:11]
Matt Jones
He's got, I mean, he's six, eight, man. It's solid. He, he's okay. And then you got to think about his journey, man. He, he's from Maine. Like, can you imagine?
[04:19]
Myron Metcalf
That doesn't help. Can you. I mean, you say he's from Maine, like he's from the mean streets of The Bronx.
[04:26]
Matt Jones
Here's my point. Imagine the kinds of things he heard as he was moving up the rankings and playing the best players in America. Like imagine what he, what was said to him. And I think that's why he has a lot of that. He's actually told me that like he has a chip on his shoulder because in his mind he's still the, the kid from Maine. But that dude's tough, man. I don't think a bunch of people messing with a 68 dude like that dude. You said, you said, I'm saying from.
[04:52]
Myron Metcalf
Maine, he's got a chip.
[04:53]
Matt Jones
I'm saying now to the point that.
[04:55]
Myron Metcalf
He'S playing all over. You get a chip on this show.
[04:57]
Matt Jones
I'm not going to make. I'm, I'm saying you got to think about the fact he's played all over the world. All over the country, all over the world legitimately. So you, you imagine a six. Listen, he had to summer in Saint bars.
[05:11]
Myron Metcalf
Are you kidding me? Like he had a tough go.
[05:14]
Matt Jones
Matthew, Matt, you know basketball. A 6 foot 8 white dude from Maine.
[05:18]
Myron Metcalf
That's true.
[05:18]
Matt Jones
Showing up to these courts and saying, pick me. Like you have to imagine as he was coming up, what that must have been like and for him to be validated by all these guys. That dude's toughness I think is real.
[05:33]
Myron Metcalf
He's walking in, he's eating like, he's like got lobster with him and he's.
[05:36]
Matt Jones
Eating and he's lobster.
[05:38]
Myron Metcalf
He's wearing a fisherman outfit. You're like, oh man. Is he going to be able to play in this dude?
[05:43]
Matt Jones
That dude?
[05:43]
Myron Metcalf
Right. That is a tough existence.
[05:45]
Matt Jones
I do this, I don't question his toughness, but again, to, to come up and to play against the guys he's played. Imagine what people have said to him over the years, you know, being a 6 foot 8 white dude for Maine.
[05:56]
Myron Metcalf
Basically everything they say to me when I go to the barbershop with you, it's the exact same.
[06:02]
Matt Jones
They don't know. It's the exact same computer saying coming up. I'm sure that dude was qu question all the time about how good he was. And it was the equivalent of Eminem having to get on stage in 8 mile. Like it was like that was probably a big part of his development.
[06:22]
Myron Metcalf
But yeah, the first time I walked in the ESPN NFL room with Randy Moss and all those guys and I.
[06:30]
Matt Jones
Walked in like they lost.
[06:31]
Myron Metcalf
Wait a minute. You're a lawyer from Kentucky. What did you play? Well, I didn't really play anything exactly, but I have I had a blog. That was something. Yeah, he's very talented. So I'm. I'm just kidding. Now, let me ask you. From the week. He's the real dude. Danny Hurley, the coach at UConn, he looked at a referee and he screamed out and said, don't walk away from me. I'm the best bleeping coach in America. He got a lot of criticism for that. Some of our ESPN colleagues took up for him. Some of them didn't. He said he doesn't regret it. It just makes him feel bad towards his fellow coaches because he doesn't want them to think he's better than them. Well, he clearly thinks that or else he wouldn't have said that. What did you think of Danny screaming like that?
[07:22]
Matt Jones
It didn't surprise me. I guess I was surprised that it surprised other people. I also think we got to be honest about college coaches. And you notice, Matt, NBA coaches are mostly reserved. Like, they kind of just stand there like they're at a golf outing or something, right? Like, it's. When you see an NBA coach go off, it's a big deal because you don't see it a ton. College coaches at this level are, for the most part, somewhat unhinged, right in that moment. Like, it's almost like you can meet some of these guys off the court, and they're cool guys, nice guys, and they get on the court, and it's like you don't recognize. It's like they're in a trance. So I think there are more coaches like that.
[07:59]
Myron Metcalf
People realize there are only three types of people. Like, there are certain times in life where people think they can just be and say anything. One is online. If you go to any social media, anything, there'll be people. There might be people working on this show that are perfectly normal people. And then the moment they get online, they start going, you little Berber derpa. Deeper. And you see them in person, and they're like, hey, man, what's up? You want to get a sandwich? Same thing. Second place is if you're in traffic. When somebody cuts you off in traffic, you'll say the worst things to them in the world. And then the third worst place for personalities is when you become a college basketball coach. You don't see NFL coaches, college football coaches, baseball managers, basketball. I mean, like, they might get mad in a moment. College basketball coaches are screaming from moment one, yelling at referees like, they're the worst people in the world. Danny Hurley is the latest example. His lineage, though, traces back to probably Bobby Knight. I Don't know why they think they can just act like this and that it's normal behavior.
[09:04]
Matt Jones
No, it shouldn't be normalized. It shouldn't. I just think Dan Hurley's gonna get the attention because of who he is in the national championships. I don't think that should be an excuse for crossing the line. I also think, though, it's bigger than Danny Hurley. Like, I've talked to a lot of officials, and the things that are said to them are wild, you know, because college coaches are the stars of our game still. Despite the talent on the floor, they're still the most recognizable people. But if we're going to deal with it, let's not just deal with Hurley. Let's deal with it across the board.
[09:34]
Myron Metcalf
Because I'd start.
[09:35]
Matt Jones
That happens every night.
[09:37]
Myron Metcalf
He seems like he's a. He's. He's the worst offender. And then finally, on the college football side, Ohio State, one of their players allegedly offered $5 million to leave right after getting the national championship. First of all, do you believe that? And secondly, is it bad if that is happening?
[09:59]
Matt Jones
I believe it 100% believe.
[10:01]
Myron Metcalf
So you believe somebody offer a wide receiver $5 million, maybe more.
[10:05]
Matt Jones
Jeremiah Smith, I'd offer him 10. He'd be the number one pick in.
[10:08]
Myron Metcalf
This year's draft, getting the $10 million.
[10:11]
Matt Jones
I'm just saying he would be the number one pick in this year's draft, man. So I. I would definitely think that offer is valid. And I get why you do it. Is it bad? How many coaches were offered jobs after the College Football Playoff? You know, so if. If we're going to admit that, if we're going to acknowledge that money is a legal part of the game. Now, let's talk about it the way we talk about coaches. And I think Ben Johnson had just lost a game and was interviewing right away for jobs. Like, I don't see a problem with it with players. Get your money.
[10:41]
Myron Metcalf
Get your money. I like how quick you are to spend other people's money, though. You're like, yeah, give him $10 million, would you, Myron? Would you specifically give him $2 million? Listen, man makes so much money.
[10:54]
Matt Jones
Five million.
[10:55]
Myron Metcalf
I didn't realize you're the richest. Five million.
[10:57]
Matt Jones
He'd be the number one pick in this draft. Jeremiah Smith will go number one this year. This year.
[11:02]
Myron Metcalf
It's unbelievable. It's unbelievable. Admiring how quickly, well, somebody's gonna make a big pot of money today as we got two chances to go to the Super Bowl, NFC and afc. We will go over the games give you our initial insights. Jaden Daniels willing make history? Can Mahomes go for three in a row? Does Josh Allen get the monkey off his back? That's all next here on Countdown to Kickoff.
[11:26]
Matt Jones
This episode is brought to you by Love Hurts. Kiwi Kwan has had quite a career, from childhood roles in Indiana Jones and.
[11:33]
Myron Metcalf
The Temple of Doom and the Goonies.
[11:34]
Matt Jones
To a recent Academy award win for.
[11:37]
Myron Metcalf
Everything everywhere all at once.
[11:38]
Matt Jones
But now Key finally stars as a.
[11:40]
Myron Metcalf
Leading man in the film Love Hurts.
[11:43]
Matt Jones
Love Hurts is the perfect date night.
[11:45]
Myron Metcalf
Movie with its mix of over the.
[11:46]
Matt Jones
Top action comedy and a ton of heart. Love Hurts only at theaters February 7th. From ESPN Podcast and Omaha Productions. Coach is a new groundbreaking educational football podcast hosted by NFL legends Bill Belichick, Matt Patricia and Michael Lombardi. In each episode, the coaches break down game changing situations, front office management tactics, sharing insights from decades of coaching experience and opening up the Bill Belichick encyclopedia of football knowledge created by football legends for football fans. New episodes of Coach Drop weekly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Matt and Myron the podcast it is.
[12:35]
Myron Metcalf
Countdown to kick off here on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance 888 say ESPN. Which of the two games today, Myron, are you more excited about? If you're just saying, okay, which do I think will be a better game? Which do I look forward to watching more? Commander's Eagles, Bill's Chiefs.
[12:53]
Matt Jones
I think it's Commander's Eagles by far for me. Yeah. I mean, because Jaden Daniels could ascend to this spot I think in the NFL that might change the league. Right? Like the NFC doesn't really have a dude, you know, but I think if Jaden Dan's leads his team to a Super bowl in year one, all the cap space they have, that team's gonna get better between now and next season. Like all of a sudden you, you have sort of the, the face of the NFC who might be chasing Mahomes in the years ahead. So I think that's what's on the line if the Eagles go. Not the same pizzazz, if you will, but I mean Jaden Daniels could do something literally we've never seen done today. So that's more intriguing.
[13:35]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, well, I mean we have seen it done. We haven't seen it done like he's done it. I mean he, he, he has, I think it's fair to say would be the first rookie quarterback to take his team to the super bowl where it was really on his shoulders. Right. A lot of these other guys have kind of risen with another like, you know, Joe Flacco is like the back part of a team that already has a lot. Brock Purdy's like that as well. Jaden Daniels is kind of the centerpiece of it. I will say, you know, history tells me one thing, which is if you lose in the super bowl, you're going to stink the next year. How many, how many times have we seen that happen over the last 15 years? So I do think everybody's got it. Remember we. Everybody was saying the same stuff about C.J. stroud last year. They were. And while he's still good, he wasn't as good this year. With that said, it's an amazing story. Sal Palantonio was on Hammer and Emmett, and he had some pretty high praise from the south, pal.
[14:30]
C
His numbers in the fourth quarter are better than any quarterback remaining alive in the playoffs, both running and throwing. He proved that December 22 against the Eagles. When he came back, Eagles were up 27 14. He's got three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter against the Eagles, against the Vic Pangio defense. I mean, Jaden Daniels and I've covered six of their games and studied him during the matchup show all year long, is the best rookie quarterback I've ever seen.
[14:59]
Myron Metcalf
Strong. That's strong words. I'm not going to disagree with him. I mean, I think you, you know, Dan Marino had a rookie season that was amazing, but they didn't win as much as this. I think he's excellent. Obviously. I do think, though, the game today is Chiefs, Bills, I mean, we're talking. This is, I mean, this is the continued part of a series that's going to go on for the next six to eight to 10 years of our life. We rarely get to see two giants in their prime trade punches. We got to see it with Brady and Manning for many, many years. You know, when you see that, it's awesome. And they get another round of it today and maybe the round that's the most consequential because if you're Josh Allen, you can't really lose it because, like, this is the best chance you've ever had and maybe will have is this year.
[15:52]
Matt Jones
Yeah, I mean, for me, this is like season seven of a sitcom that peaked in season four. I mean, that's kind of how it feels.
[15:59]
Myron Metcalf
You don't, like these things are in their prime. You don't. I mean, these dudes are in their prime. You don't think Mahomes and Allen are in their prime.
[16:06]
Matt Jones
Here's the problem with this situation so far for me and I think this is on the line. Like Mahomes doesn't have a Peyton Manning. Like he doesn't have someone who is an actual rival in the NFL. Now if Josh Allen's arrival. No, no. Neither is Lamar, neither is Burrow. You got to go get a Super Bowl, I think to be a real rival against Mahomes. But if you beat him today and then you go on to win a Super bowl, that does change. I think the narrative. That does change. So the matchup. But for now, you know, Brady Manning.
[16:31]
Myron Metcalf
Were like this at this stage of their career. I mean, Manning was in a lot of ways, like Josh Allen. He was really good. A lot of people thought he would have better seasons, but he couldn't win. And then he finally did. And part of the story of Peyton Manning was getting to the point to where he could win. Don't you feel like that's where we are here with Josh Allen?
[16:51]
Matt Jones
Yeah, but. But winning when he did set up the next decade of that rivalry. Right. Because you knew he could do it. My point is Josh Allen beating Mahomes today and then going on to win the Super Bowl. Yes. I think we would come back next season and go, this is Manning versus Brady in a lot of ways. So I do think it's significant.
[17:09]
Myron Metcalf
But if they lose it, let's. So let's assume that they don't win. Don't you think it's equally as compelling to watch a team try to get a three peat? Like, I mean, the Chiefs are literally going for history this year. If. And honestly, if they win, we'll be the favorites for history starting in two weeks. I mean, that's a fairly compelling storyline, isn't it?
[17:35]
Matt Jones
Yes, but I mean, we've seen so much success from them over the last.
[17:39]
Myron Metcalf
Seen this. You've made the point that we've never seen this.
[17:43]
Matt Jones
It's unique. It is unique. But if I'm. I mean, the NFL never said it, like, what's the most interesting thing that can happen? I think the most interesting thing for the league going forward would be Jaden Daniels beating Philly and Josh Allen winning this game against Kansas City, giving us some new blood in the Super Bowl.
[18:01]
Myron Metcalf
Now you.
[18:02]
Matt Jones
That would be the most intriguing.
[18:03]
Myron Metcalf
Now that would be the most interesting thing going. They want Mahomes. You don't think they want Mahomes? Kelsey and Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl.
[18:09]
Matt Jones
You, you. Mahomes has no rival. Like, you want to set up the idea that someone's coming for the throne, and that hasn't happened yet. So to Me, in order for that to happen, you need someone to actually win a championship while he's playing like you. You need that in order to set up the idea that there is this level of intrigue about what's going to come next if the Kansas City Chiefs win this year, when they could have easily lost four or five games at the end. Right. If they stumble into another super bowl win, I don't know how you beat them. But it also makes it less interesting going into next season in the afc at least it's not as compelling in the AFC because, you know, Lamar can't do it. Lamar had his best team, his best season, and Lamar couldn't get past Josh Allen.
[18:52]
Myron Metcalf
Are you.
[18:53]
Matt Jones
Here's Josh Allen.
[18:54]
Myron Metcalf
You're going to honestly argue that the NFL executives getting ready to plan the super bowl would rather see Buffalo than Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelsey, the Chiefs, Taylor Swift and the State. You think they'd rather see the Buffalo Bills in that game?
[19:12]
Matt Jones
I'm saying Jaden Daniels vs. Buffalo would be better for the next five to seven years in the NFL than Kansas City vs. Anybody. Now, the game. Are you talking about ratings? Yeah. Taylor Swift in a suite at the super bowl is going to get a bigger rating than anything that's fan, fine. But in terms of like, what's best for the health of the league, new blood is always going to be good for the NFL. Jaden Daniels getting to a Super Bowl, I think that's going to be good for the NFL.
[19:41]
Myron Metcalf
I think that's why if you were to ask the NFL what's the matchup you'd like to see, they would say Chiefs commanders for that reason. They would. I think they would say, wouldn't you love to see the dude who might be next versus the dude that is right now? And you know, then you have that game, you play it out. Maybe the dude that is now gets his win or maybe history is made. And the first rookie, that really, for the first rookie, that really was the reason the team was there. Potentially the greatest rookie season in all of sports occurs. I mean, if I'm the NFL, that's the matchup I want to see is is the is the current king versus the future king.
[20:23]
Matt Jones
Well, if you talk again, if it's ratings, Eagles, Kansas City will do the biggest number. That would be the biggest number in the Super Bowl. But again, Mahomes doesn't have a counterpart yet. And I think you need that. And this is an opportunity to set that up.
[20:43]
Myron Metcalf
You're one of those dudes that like, argues it Would be good for the NCAA tournament if the finals were like Creighton and Butler like.
[20:51]
Matt Jones
No, you know I don't do that. I believe the best teams need to be in the sweet 16.
[20:54]
Myron Metcalf
Oh, exact.
[20:54]
Matt Jones
So the obsessed in the first and second round.
[20:56]
Myron Metcalf
You want the Chiefs and you want. I think you want the commanders. But I can hear a case for the Eagles.
[21:02]
Matt Jones
But you.
[21:03]
Myron Metcalf
There's no way you don't want to have the Masters and not have Tiger there. If you're going to have the super bowl. You want to have Mahomes if Rory's.
[21:12]
Matt Jones
In it and he. And he just do want that. Stop. Don't dismiss Rory. Rory, Rory.
[21:19]
Myron Metcalf
But it's Rory getting the ratings Tiger gets. No. And that's as great as he is. He is not Patrick Mahomes. At least in terms of that. Now we can get into more conspiracy theories, potential rule changes, but we're also going to preview the games. That's next here I count out to.
[21:35]
Matt Jones
Kickoff Matt and Myron the podcast a.
[21:42]
Myron Metcalf
Lot of wan there by teams that have lost to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Also Aikman doing what Tom Brady won't or can't which is criticize the NFL officials. Mahomes and Chiefs are they the most hated team? ESPN radio is presented by progressive insurance drivers who switched to progressive could save big quote today@progressive.com. here's what I want to do. You know, you all out there listening. Most of you are very smart, you know, Some of you I don't know but most of you, most of you are very smart. I believe in the American people. I want to know with these two matchups, what is the super bowl that you Want to see? 888 say ESPN. I want to take your calls. We come on count. Had to kick off, you know, Sundays with Matt. Myron, let's hear what you got. 8, 8, 8, say ESPN. 8, 8, 8, 7 2, 9, 3, 77 6. What is the super bowl you would want to watch Now? I'm going to guess what people are going to say, Myron. They're going to open up the phones and I'm going to guess. People are going to say they don't want to see the Chiefs because they're like, oh, I'm tired of the Chiefs.
[22:44]
Matt Jones
They get all the calls.
[22:45]
Myron Metcalf
I don't want to see Taylor Swift. Patrick Mahomes slides too much like all that's what they're going to say. But at the end of the day, I will acknowledge I want to see him. I like to watch Greatness. This is one of the two or three best players to ever play. He's in his prime. I like the pomp and circumstance. I can even get over the fact that their kicker seems like a crazy man. Travis Kelsey is. Travis Kelce does things. We're not going to see him all that much longer. Andy Reid is a genius. So I want to see the Chiefs. I think I'd like to see the commanders, but I definitely want to see the Chiefs. But I think most people, Myron, are going to say they don't because people get tired about of looking at the same thing and looking at greatness.
[23:24]
Matt Jones
But that's what we're supposed to do. I mean, we're supposed to band together and come against, you know, who. Whoever the dominant force is in sports. Like that's what we do as sports fans. So.
[23:36]
Myron Metcalf
But we didn't. Yes. I expected like everybody cheers. We did.
[23:38]
Matt Jones
Who didn't we.
[23:39]
Myron Metcalf
Everybody. Who didn't we cheer for Tiger. Everybody.
[23:41]
Matt Jones
But golf is different. Golf is different. Team sports, I don't think that's the case. Individual sports are a lot different. But team sports, who haven't we going against? We went against MJ. People are going against LeBron. Like, well, that's what we do.
[23:55]
Myron Metcalf
I mean, I did. Were people really against mj? I think most people like Michael Jordan.
[23:59]
Matt Jones
As a kid in Milwaukee, I didn't like him.
[24:01]
Myron Metcalf
Well, but you were in Milwaukee. That's the Chicago. That's like, whoa, okay, whoa, whoa, whoa.
[24:05]
Matt Jones
Don't do that. Don't, don't, don't, don't do, don't slander.
[24:07]
Myron Metcalf
He is an hour away from Chicago. That's your rival. But like, if I just take somebody like me, we. I was in Kentucky. They didn't have. We'd have pro sports teams. Every kid I knew was for the Bulls. Like it was that. That was the thing you chose.
[24:19]
Matt Jones
No way. When anyone got close, when the Suns were playing well, when the Pacers are good, there was so many people rooting only Michael Jordan to finally lose. So many people.
[24:30]
Myron Metcalf
You all are haters. Milwaukee's haters.
[24:31]
Matt Jones
You, you're trying to tell me fans do.
[24:33]
Myron Metcalf
Are you trying to tell me America was rooting for the Utah Jazz?
[24:36]
Matt Jones
Is that's what you're trying 100. There were a lot of people who were. I mean, you still hear about the push off because of that. You still hear people say he cheated on that last shot. So this is what we're supposed to do as sports fans. We're supposed to band together and not want Kansas City to win another Super Bowl.
[24:52]
Myron Metcalf
I've learned now what to call you. Milwaukee Myron the hater, because you're right in Milwaukee.
[24:59]
Matt Jones
So you just loved everybody, Matt? Is that what you're saying? You just love.
[25:02]
Myron Metcalf
I did not like Brady. Brady was the one that I was a hater. Exactly. But that was because I like Peyton Manning. It wasn't that I didn't like him specifically as. As I liked Peyton Manning and he was the rival, but like Lakers, Celtics. I love the Lakers. There's a ton of Lakers. When I was a kid, there's a ton of Lakers fans. I think I love Tiger. Every single time I saw Tiger play, I wanted. I mean, I wanted him to beat Rocco mediate in the U.S. open, right?
[25:29]
Matt Jones
That's different.
[25:30]
Myron Metcalf
I wanted him to beat Bob May and Y E Yang. Come on. I was always for. I'm the same way with Mahomes.
[25:36]
Matt Jones
Individual sports are weight. You can't say, like, who's rooting against Michael Phelps to lose. Like, that's a different thing. Exactly.
[25:42]
Myron Metcalf
You're the kind of dude that's rooting for the crows in lane seven.
[25:46]
Matt Jones
Don't say that. Don't say that. Don't say that. Listen. Yeah, individual sports are different. Team sports, as you know, we come together and we decide. That's too much power for one man to have. Right? That's a quote from a move. And that's how we feel about Kansas City. That's how we feel about a lot of these teams that are dynasties. That's what fans are supposed to do. You are not supposed to like Kansas City chasing history this weekend. You're supposed to want Mahomes and company to lose unless you're a fan in that fan base. Those are the rules. I don't make them.
[26:16]
Myron Metcalf
What you don't realize is you go to Myron's house, he has posters up. He's got a David. He's got a David Duvall poster for what he played.
[26:24]
Matt Jones
I don't know what you about to say, but yeah, he's got a Tim Hinman poster.
[26:29]
Myron Metcalf
When he played against Federer, he'd be like, let's go, Timmy.
[26:33]
Matt Jones
No way.
[26:33]
Myron Metcalf
He's got the entire Croatian swimming team on. Because he wanted them to be.
[26:38]
Matt Jones
Hey, man, Phelps. Listen, man, it's been a rough week. They're gonna come to my house and you say that stuff. Stop saying that. I'm saying what a lot of fans I think are going to say under these circumstances.
[26:52]
Myron Metcalf
Myron has Byron, has everybody else. Right.
[26:56]
Matt Jones
I don't need that Static man, George.
[26:59]
Myron Metcalf
Mirror Washington poster, hoping he would take out.
[27:03]
Matt Jones
I don't need any Matt in South Dakota.
[27:06]
Myron Metcalf
What do you want to see in the Super Bowl? What matchup?
[27:10]
C
Hey, good morning, guys.
[27:12]
Myron Metcalf
Good morning.
[27:12]
C
All right, so for my, for me personally, I'm a die hard Wyoming Cowboys fan. A die hard Broncos fan. So my love of Josh Allen and what he did for the Pokes and my hatred of all things Chiefs still speaks for itself. I want to see Josh breakthrough, get the Bills in there, ultimately see the Bills win the super bowl and the Ms. You're from.
[27:38]
Myron Metcalf
You live in South Dakota. You live in South Dakota, Right. Why are you a Wyoming fan?
[27:44]
C
I was born and raised in Wyoming. I'm in service and I'm, I'm in Rapid City or Rapid City now, so.
[27:52]
Myron Metcalf
Well, I mean, listen, for you, for Wyoming, like, if you're talking great Wyoming athletes, it's what Josh Allen and Finis Dimbo. I mean, is that really your Wyoming University of Wyoming stars over the years?
[28:05]
C
Right? Well, you know, and you got some guys like Javon Bow Knight J. No.
[28:11]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, that's it. There's the list. But I mean, no, this is Josh Allen. Is he the greatest athlete in Wyoming history?
[28:19]
C
Probably, I believe so. And the way, like this, the way the state rallies around him and the story is, the story is Tom Brady ask counted out every step of the way and just proved himself every step of the way. When the Broncos drafted Bradley Chubb over him, I wanted. I wanted to faint. It was so.
[28:40]
Myron Metcalf
Well, I appreciate you saying why. I can understand why a Wyoming fan would want it, of course, but you.
[28:45]
Matt Jones
Can'T possibly believe there are more casual fans rooting for Patrick Mahomes over Josh Allen today.
[28:50]
Myron Metcalf
I think if you polled America, the numbers would be casual 80, 20. If you're talking about NFL fans, people who every Sunday sit down, watch red zone, play fantasy football. Yes, more of them would like to see Patrick Mahomes lose. I think they've become kind of the hated team. You're exactly right. If you're talking about casual fans, people who will tune in today and who maybe watch one game a weekend and like, they do other stuff, they want to see my home. So it just depends on how serious you are. Like you're. You speak. I completely agree. Myron, you speak for the average hardcore NFL fan. I don't know that the rest of the country looks at that edit like that. That's. I think Mahomes is a star. Mahomes can walk down the street. Let me put it like this. Mahomes can walk down any street in America. Everyone will know who he is. That's not really true about Josh.
[29:43]
Matt Jones
Yeah, I mean, Taylor. Taylor Swift did that, right? I think Taylor Swift helped with that.
[29:47]
Myron Metcalf
Maybe, maybe. But I think that before. I mean, he was a big deal.
[29:51]
Matt Jones
Before, but, I mean, how many people.
[29:52]
Myron Metcalf
Know what Jaden Daniels looks like? He just walked down.
[29:55]
Matt Jones
Probably not many.
[29:55]
Myron Metcalf
Not many. Not me. Let's go to Mike in Maryland. Who would you like to see? Obviously, you're going to say commanders, I would assume, since you're in Maryland.
[30:04]
C
Yes, sir. And the Kansas City Chiefs. I'm going against Myron. I'm not sure what age Myron is. Is he still bitter because the Milwaukee Bucks trade away Lou Alcindor?
[30:17]
Matt Jones
I mean, we had, you know what, a little bit like, okay, what if I am, though? What if I am upset with that he went to dinner with the team and he said he was all in. And then the next day he was on a flight to la. So what if I am bitter? Isn't that allowed?
[30:30]
C
Yeah, it's allowed. It's perfectly allowed. But I want to see Patrick Mahomes and. And Patrick Mahomes Jr. Who's James?
[30:37]
Myron Metcalf
I like how you say Mahomes, by the way. Say it again. How do you say. How do you say his name again? Patrick.
[30:43]
C
I want to see the. The Kansas City Chiefs and the Washington Commander.
[30:47]
Myron Metcalf
No, no, but did you see what he said? No, I want you to say Patrick. Patrick. How do you say his last name? Because I don't know how to pronounce it.
[30:54]
C
I. I say Mahomes.
[30:56]
Myron Metcalf
That's not what you said.
[30:57]
Matt Jones
You said it different before. He corrected.
[30:59]
Myron Metcalf
You were corrected. You said.
[31:01]
Matt Jones
No, he did. He corrected us. But did you hear what else he said? He called Jaden Daniels Patrick Mahomes Jr. That's what he said.
[31:08]
Myron Metcalf
Could be. Could be. Appreciate the call. I understand why Washington fans are mad. Did you see the story on ESPN.com or Happy. Excuse me? The story on ESPN.com that said Dan Snyder is hating it in London, England, in his flat right now.
[31:21]
Matt Jones
Yeah. Love it. Love it. Dude. Yeah. You messed it up, man.
[31:25]
Myron Metcalf
It's got to be. It doesn't have to be tough for him, you know, it's got to be tough for him. Like, you just. You have this team your whole life. You sell it.
[31:32]
Matt Jones
Yeah.
[31:33]
Myron Metcalf
You have not. You never have any sympathy for anybody, do you? You know, like. Like tough.
[31:37]
Matt Jones
Crying on the yacht. I'm sure it's very difficult.
[31:40]
Myron Metcalf
He is literally crying on the yacht. Like, that's. That Phrase is made for Daniel Snyder. He is crying on Linwood, Ali, Don, others. Hang on. We're going to come back, figure out who everybody wants the Super Bowl. We've talked somebody from South Dakota and a Patrick Mahomes fan. That's all next here on Countdown. The kickoff.
[32:05]
Matt Jones
Matt and Myron.
[32:07]
Myron Metcalf
The podcast kind of kick off here. ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance. We got people calling in, letting us know who they want to see in the Super Bowl. One person says, Milwaukee. Myron is the kind of guy who would cheer for Mike Tyson to be knocked out in 1987. He doesn't love greatness, which is probably why he bickers with you on this show so much. He just said, that's why I would read it.
[32:32]
Matt Jones
That's.
[32:33]
Myron Metcalf
That was the only reason Myron doesn't love greatness. That's okay. You don't love greatness. That's why you're not read. That's why you're not.
[32:40]
Matt Jones
What does that even mean? Like, no, you don't want to. This is what we do. Or maybe some of you all just, like, jumping on a bandwagon, you know, I think that's the other side of this.
[32:52]
Myron Metcalf
You've never. You've never, like, seen a guy that was good or a team that was good and said, I like them if.
[32:57]
Matt Jones
I didn't see them early, I don't jump on.
[33:00]
Myron Metcalf
I get that bands like, you refuse to like if you didn't want.
[33:04]
Matt Jones
The bands I liked, I saw early. I saw them really early. I knew usually early on.
[33:10]
Myron Metcalf
Like, give me an example.
[33:12]
Matt Jones
I mean, I saw Wu Tang Clan early. You know, I heard about them. I knew. Where did you see early 90s, early.
[33:19]
Myron Metcalf
90S, like a local.
[33:21]
Matt Jones
I read about them. Like, I knew they. I knew they were on the way. I knew they're on the way. Yeah. So I knew groups like that. I mean, you know, okay, Ali, Michael Jackson.
[33:32]
Myron Metcalf
I understand it.
[33:33]
Matt Jones
Yep.
[33:33]
Myron Metcalf
You knew Michael Jackson early?
[33:35]
Matt Jones
Well, I mean, he was before I was. No, I knew what was coming. I kind of knew what was coming. I don't want to get into it.
[33:43]
Myron Metcalf
Let you get away with that. You. How old are you? How old are you?
[33:48]
Matt Jones
Michaels was before me, but in terms of, like, what was ahead, I had a sense.
[33:52]
Myron Metcalf
But how old are you? I've asked you how old you are.
[33:54]
Matt Jones
I'll be 40.
[33:56]
Myron Metcalf
You're 42. So are you saying you were born in 1984? Michael Jackson put out Thriller in 84. How could you have known what was coming before Thriller?
[34:11]
Matt Jones
You, like, came out in the Birth canal.
[34:13]
Myron Metcalf
You knew?
[34:16]
Matt Jones
Yeah, it came out 82, but I. I had a feeling. Even. Even in the womb, I had a feeling.
[34:21]
Myron Metcalf
Okay. Ali in Chicago. Go ahead, Ali.
[34:25]
C
Good morning, fellas. I love having you guys on. On Sunday mornings, I sit here, read the Racing form, and I like listening to you fellas.
[34:32]
Myron Metcalf
Oh, reading the Racing Form. I love it. What's the big track today? What are we doing?
[34:38]
C
Well, I usually do Santa Anita. I'm a California guy.
[34:41]
Myron Metcalf
You're saying Anita guy. All right. Well, good. Well, Keeneland opens in April, so.
[34:46]
Matt Jones
Yeah.
[34:46]
C
Yeah, Keeneland's good, too, when they open. Yep, absolutely. I gotta. I gotta agree with Myron, but I also have a call out. I want to call out Myron from a few weeks ago. So I. You know, the Chief hate is real, guys. I've been a Chiefs fan for a long, long time. And, you know, a group of us, we go out and watch football every Sunday. We go out to the sports bar and watch. And over the years, you know, people, all the Chiefs, they like them. In the last couple years has not been that case. May I have people coming up to me. I wear a Chief shirt or jacket or something after Chiefs, you know, I mean, it's.
[35:18]
Myron Metcalf
Why do you think that is? You're a Chiefs fan. Why do you think that is? I mean, I sort of think a little bit of. It's getting tired of greatness. There's a little bit of the Taylor Swift thing. There's a little bit of, like, people have just decided in the culture war they're on a different side. What do you think it is, as a fan?
[35:35]
C
Well, I agree with all that, you know, and people like to see, you know, see a team lose after they've won for a while. I think there's probably a turn on. On Patrick Mahomes that he gets too many calls. Seems to be a sentiment out there, you know, kind of like what. What happened to Tom Brady years ago. You know, it kind of seems like he's. He's filling Tom Brady's footsteps.
[35:55]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah. Enjoy the Racing Form. I hope you find a good one. And text me. Text me your. Text me your picks.
[36:03]
C
Hey, Matt, man, I got a call out on Myron. You know, about a month ago, Myron did a terrible take, saying the Chiefs were gonna go nowhere about it. Nowhere. This year, if you remember, you had callers calling in. Yeah. And he said they were going to go nowhere as a penalty. I was just hoping that one of your callers was going to call from Milwaukee because I just love it when. When A caller calls from Milwaukee and Myron tries to help Milwaukee them.
[36:27]
Matt Jones
He does.
[36:30]
Myron Metcalf
Walkie. Myron is a jealous man. I appreciate the call. He's jealous of other teams. He's jealous of other Milwaukee.
[36:36]
Matt Jones
No, let them call. One thing he said, though, that people have to acknowledge, though, it's also the ultimate sign of respect to turn on a team. Like, you're right.
[36:43]
Myron Metcalf
No, that's true.
[36:44]
Matt Jones
So you know what I mean? That's actually part of the. The story arc, if you will.
[36:47]
Myron Metcalf
It's like in wrestling, you want them to cheer you or boo you. What you don't want is no reaction. And when they're booing you, that means you're doing something right. And I think that's even still true in, in, in. In non wrestling sports. When they're booing, that means you're doing something. Don, in Arkansas. Where at. Where are you in Arkansas?
[37:08]
C
Fort Smith.
[37:09]
Myron Metcalf
Fort Smithville. Oh, of course. I know it's not much pig suing going on in Arkansas this year, but that's okay. What do you got?
[37:18]
C
Yeah, we even lost last night to.
[37:20]
Myron Metcalf
Ou, so we were up late too. Yeah, but go ahead.
[37:24]
C
Yeah. Growing up, I was a huge Kansas City fan. Obviously living in Arkansas, that's the center of Kansas City. You're either a Dallas fan or a Kansas City fan. But I am a huge Buffalo fan and I want this to be their year and I want to see them.
[37:44]
Matt Jones
How did that happen?
[37:45]
Myron Metcalf
Kansas City and Buffalo?
[37:47]
Matt Jones
I don't get there.
[37:48]
Myron Metcalf
Do you just, like, look for people with good stories? You just have a big heart?
[37:54]
C
No, I got transferred to Buffalo and found that the mafia was just like rabid Razorback fans. They'll do anything in the world for you, but.
[38:05]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, well, all right, so you're. So you like, have liked both teams, but you. You want Buffalo today?
[38:13]
C
I am desperate for Buffalo to win. They deserve it. And Josh Allen is great. They've embraced Mac Hollins. He's got to be the craziest guy in the NFL with Cook and Shakira, I think that this is their year.
[38:30]
Myron Metcalf
All right, well, I appreciate the call.
[38:34]
Matt Jones
It's great.
[38:35]
Myron Metcalf
Enjoy Fort Smith. I appreciate it. You, you made a good point during the break. Byron. If you get Buffalo and the Eagles fans in New Orleans, super bowl, like, come on.
[38:45]
Matt Jones
I mean, stop it. They might have to get the National Guard involved because, I mean, the fighting will start on the plains, you know what I mean? And then once you get to New Orleans, if you put the city of New Orleans hosting Buffalo Bills and Eagles fans, I don't know that there is enough security for that kind of a situation.
[39:03]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, it'll be tough. Let's go to Dennis in Pennsylvania. I'm sure you want the Eagles, but who would you like to see them play?
[39:10]
Matt Jones
I like to see.
[39:13]
Myron Metcalf
First of all, are you on the toilet? You can't put us on speaker.
[39:16]
Matt Jones
Are you on a BlackBerry? No, I am getting my building done before the game.
[39:21]
C
I'm working.
[39:22]
Myron Metcalf
Okay, I'll let you. We work.
[39:24]
Matt Jones
Okay. I respect it. I thought you were on one of them phones. You got to put minutes on. Okay.
[39:29]
C
We.
[39:30]
Matt Jones
We need a rematch with Kansas City, and I think we're going to beat him.
[39:34]
C
First.
[39:35]
Matt Jones
We're going to take care of Daniel, we gonna get rid of Daniels, then we're gonna go get Mahomes like your other caller said. Daniel Mahone Jr. We're getting ready.
[39:44]
C
Him first, and then we're gonna get ready.
[39:46]
Myron Metcalf
All right, Let me ask you a question. If Sirianni and the it and Jalen hurts, let's say Jalen hurts, doesn't play well, and you all lose, are you done with Sirianni or are you still good with him?
[39:57]
C
I'm still good with him.
[39:58]
Myron Metcalf
Okay.
[39:59]
C
I'm still good with him.
[40:00]
Myron Metcalf
But you forgot.
[40:01]
C
You.
[40:02]
Matt Jones
You forgot Barkley.
[40:03]
Myron Metcalf
You didn't say nothing about getting about him. He's been. He's awesome. We got a whole segment coming on Barkley. Don't you worry about it. We'll get to it. Enjoy your work and hope you get the victory today, Dennis.
[40:14]
Matt Jones
We will.
[40:15]
C
Thank you.
[40:16]
Myron Metcalf
Look at that. Getting up. Working.
[40:18]
Matt Jones
He was in a building. What did he say? He was working on a building.
[40:20]
Myron Metcalf
On his building. That's. That's my man. Jeff and Indy.
[40:23]
Matt Jones
What do you got?
[40:23]
Myron Metcalf
Je. Jeff.
[40:25]
C
Matt. Matt. Thanks for taking my call. So you're getting ready to dog me out in a Bears fan from Indianapolis for five decades since Gail Stairs, probably. But I've always took an AFC team as one of my favorite, too, and it was the Chiefs because they sucked. All right? And I always would pull for him and everything. So go ahead and let Mahomes maybe get his third one and break history and all, but then I'd probably be done with them also. So I'm going to. I'm going to go ahead and give you the respect. Why? I'm not a Colts fan. I mean, if Dallas moved to Kentucky, would you be a Dallas fan? I mean, come on.
[41:02]
Myron Metcalf
No, no, I. If you want to be a Chiefs fan, that's fine. I got you. But you can't. But let me say this, you're not really a Chiefs fan. If you want to win one more and then you're going to stop being a fan that's not a fan.
[41:12]
Matt Jones
Like, you know, like nobody's picking multiple teams too.
[41:15]
Myron Metcalf
And no, nobody has a team and they wanted to win one more and then stop. Jeff, that doesn't happen, you know, and.
[41:21]
Matt Jones
You don't get two teams. Who is letting these fans pick two teams?
[41:27]
Myron Metcalf
I agree. You get one. Every sport you get one. Some of these people got too many teams. Makes it easy. We hope to have her medwards here. Join us in the next segment. But you know, Herm's a popular guy this time of year. He might be on 60 Minutes, I'm not sure. So if we don't have him, we'll get back to the calls and get ready for the games. This is Countdown to Kingdom.
[41:48]
Matt Jones
Thanks for listening to Matt and Myron the Podcast. You can listen to the show live every Sunday morning at 10am Eastern on ESPN Radio, the ESPN app, and on SiriusXM Channel 80. Matt and Myron the Podcast when it comes to family vacations, there are a million different trips you can take. You can get trip to Texas or if you prefer a vacation from your family, you can always get your own leave the kids with grandma trip to Texas. So go to traveltexas.com getyourown for the only trip to Texas that matters. Yours.