Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron

Episode: Hour 2: Middle Seat Marilyn
Date: August 31, 2025
Hosts: Myron Medcalf & Matt Jones
Network: ESPN Radio

Overview

This hour covers one of the most shocking NFL trades in recent memory—the Cowboys’ blockbuster decision to trade Micah Parsons to the Packers. Matt and Myron offer spirited debate on Jerry Jones’ motivations and the implications for both teams. The show segues into a round of dynamic sports headlines, spotlights a quirky Marilyn Manson travel story, discusses MLB races with Eduardo Perez, and wraps with their trademark playful banter.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Micah Parsons Trade Reaction and Analysis

(00:19–11:34)

• Shock Factor
  • Myron expresses profound surprise over Jerry Jones trading away Micah Parsons:
    • "I think it might be the most surprising NFL trade of my lifetime." (01:52, Myron)
  • The expectation, based on Dallas history, was always re-signing key stars.
• Contract Context
  • Micah Parsons signs a 4-year, $188M deal with Green Bay, averaging $47M/year—highest ever for a non-QB.
  • Matt questions if defenders can be worth QB money:
    • "Is that extra $6 million too much? My answer is probably yes. But is it, like, disqualify-you-from-winning too much? No, because it's only four years." (03:08, Matt)
• How Parsons Shifts the Packers' Fortunes
  • Both agree Packers are now near the top of NFC contenders with Philly.
  • Matt: "They went from a team... that could have even been fourth... to a team that people say might be the second best team in the NFC, period." (04:07)
• Parsons' Personality & Locker Room Fit
  • A candid Parsons quote:
    • "As I'm here, I'm probably one of the most authentic persons you'll meet... I'm going to say things I probably shouldn't say off emotion. That's just me. All I know is go." (04:39, Parsons)
  • Myron: "He sounds 26 and 26 with $200 million." (05:49)
  • Concern lingers: Can Parsons' intensity mesh with the Packers’ culture?
• Jerry Jones’ Motivation Questioned
  • Myron: "He doesn't know. ...I just think Jerry's pride got the best of him. They said, 'I'll show you. You can't play here. Get out of town.'" (06:50)
  • Matt: "It's an old man pride thing, 100%." (07:36)
• Was This a Football-wise Decision?
  • Discussion of long-term picks vs. peak talent:
    • Myron: "You’re not going to pick a Micah Parsons with the package of picks you got from the Green Bay Packers." (08:33)
  • Matt argues Dallas’ ‘in-between’ approach (keeping Dak, planning for the future) is incoherent:
    • "You're either ...[rebuilding] or you're trying to win now, like, which one is it?" (09:59)
  • Both agree the move feels more driven by ego than logic.
    • "Ego is very rarely the reason to do anything." (11:34, Matt)

2. Sports Headlines Roundup

(16:33–22:41)

a. Tulane-Northwestern Jersey Flap

• Tulane denied wearing white uniforms on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
• Tulane coach John Sumrall: "When you show disrespect to the city of New Orleans, that's what's going to happen to you... Don't disrespect New Orleans ever." (17:04)
• Both hosts agree Northwestern made a PR blunder.

b. Champions League Underdog Story

• Kazakhstani team Kairat Almaty reaches Champions League group stage; will host Real Madrid in a 7,000-seat stadium.
• Matt: "Real Madrid is going to have to go 5,000km to Kazakhstan... It will be the smallest stadium Real Madrid has played in in 25 years." (19:12)
• Myron celebrates these ‘David vs. Goliath’ European sports oddities.

c. Scoreboard Divorce Shout-Out

• Arkansas Razorbacks scoreboard: “Congrats on the Divorce Grant. Plenty more fish in the sea.”
• Matt: "Sometimes people should be congratulated for their divorce... Sometimes a union needs to end." (21:51)
• Myron: "You got to be honest with yourself about that fish-in-the-sea thing." (22:09)

3. Eduardo Perez MLB Roundtable

(24:34–38:31)

• Phillies & Braves State of Play
  • Phillies: Perez credits Christopher Sanchez filling the pitching void; offense strong.
    • "Yes, they do have enough [to win], because they have Christopher Sanchez... and they got the offense." (24:48, Perez)
  • Braves: "Just been a long year of injury early on... they depended a lot on young starters." (24:48)
• NL MVP Race: Ohtani vs. Schwarber
  • Debate whether Schwarber should rival Shohei Ohtani, especially after big performances:
    • "Kyle Schwarber is catching up every day to Shohei Ohtani... Shohei Ohtani opened the door for a designated hitter to be an MVP." (27:31, Perez)
  • Perez leans Ohtani via advanced metrics but sees Schwarber in the mix.
• Yankees’ Surge: Real or Schedule?
  • "We'll find out next week" as they face Houston and Toronto. (30:07, Perez)
  • Believes Yankees are "an interesting subject moving forward."
• Brewers’ Underappreciated Success
  • Myron laments lack of attention for Milwaukee; Perez praises their 'postseason-ready' makeup:
    • "They can play small ball... they're built for the postseason." (32:36, Perez)
• Old School vs. Analytics in Baseball
  • Matt is frustrated by Reds manager Terry Francona’s small-ball tactics.
  • Perez shares an anecdote from his playing days: choking up on the bat increased his contact and power, blending old-school and analytics.
  • On changing approach: "Check your ego at the door and just choke up the entire time... Changed my career." (35:59, Perez)

4. Show Banter & Marilyn Manson 'Middle Seat' Story

(40:01–45:35)

• Matt recounts a wild encounter with Marilyn Manson at the Las Vegas airport. Highlights:
  • Asks for a photo—Manson only agrees if both hold his shoes.
  • Later, on a Southwest flight, Manson intentionally takes the middle seat between Matt and his friend Drew, chats nonstop, and makes Matt pay for drinks.
  • Manson ignores his own girlfriend to talk with Matt and Drew.
  • "I'm not holding another man's shoe." (42:40, Myron)
  • "Middle seat Maryland makes me pay for the drinks." (44:50, Matt)
  • Drew wanted to go with Manson to a party; Matt declined.
  • Myron: “I also feel like Marilyn Manson was setting y’all up to invite y’all one of them parties we can’t talk about.” (45:16)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Jerry Jones’ Motivation (06:50):
  • "I just think Jerry's pride got the best of them... 'You can't play here. Get out of town.'"
  • —Myron Medcalf
• On Sports Logic vs. Ego (11:34):
  • "Ego is very rarely the reason to do anything, you know, unless you're like Ryan Day and you're trying to have the perfect beard."
  • —Matt Jones
• On European Soccer Oddities (20:05):
  • "I love that professional soccer in Europe is like that, where...you have to go play these little small towns."
  • —Myron Medcalf
• On Old School Baseball (35:59):
  • "Check your ego at the door and just choke up the entire time and find [the] bat, and that way you know where the bat head is... it changed my career."
  • —Eduardo Perez
• On Marilyn Manson Encounter (44:50):
  • "Middle seat Marilyn makes me pay for the drinks. Middle seat Maryland."
  • —Matt Jones
• On Scoreboard Divorce Announcements (21:51):
  • "There are marriages that need to end and rather than just assume they're sad, sometimes they're happy."
  • —Matt Jones

Key Segments & Timestamps

• Micah Parsons trade breakdown: 00:19–11:34
• Headlines (Tulane-Katrina, Champions League, Arkansas Divorce): 16:33–22:41
• MLB Overview w/ Eduardo Perez: 24:34–38:31
• Marilyn Manson Southwest story: 40:01–45:35

Tone & Atmosphere

The hour blends sharp sports analysis (Parsons/Cowboys/Packers) with cultural observations, engaging stories, and inside jokes. The conversation maintains a light, humorous, and slightly irreverent tone, with Matt’s penchant for off-the-wall anecdotes and Myron’s grounded but witty skepticism keeping the episode lively and accessible.

Ideal For Listeners Who:

• Want informed but informal takes on major NFL and MLB stories
• Enjoy sports commentary mixed with humor and personal storytelling
• Appreciate unique, memorable sports media moments—like the “middle seat Marilyn” tale