Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron
Episode: Hour 2: Player Engagement
Release Date: July 20, 2025
Hosts: Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf, ESPN Radio
1. Golf Spotlight: British Open and Major Rankings
The episode kicks off with Matt and Myron delving into the current state of the British Open, affectionately referred to as "the Open." With Scotty Scheffler holding a significant lead, the hosts discuss the dynamics of the tournament and the performance of notable golfers like Rory McIlroy.
Notable Quote:
Myron (00:34): "Scotty Scheffler leads by seven, might make a bogey here, might be down to six, but still a huge lead over a number of golfers, including Rory McIlroy."
The conversation shifts to ranking the four major golf tournaments. Matt expresses a preference for the U.S. Open due to its competitiveness and challenging courses, while Myron favors the Masters for its prestige and familiarity.
Notable Quotes:
Matt (01:02): "Probably the U.S. Open."
Matt (01:04): "It's competitive. It's a hard course."
Myron (02:15): "I'm going to say Masters one just in part because I know the course."
They also touch upon local golfers' performances on renowned courses like Augusta and the difficulty for amateur players to match the prowess of professional golfers.
2. Player Engagement Controversy: Lloyd Howe Jr.'s Resignation
A significant portion of the discussion centers around the resignation of Lloyd Howe Jr., the former executive director of the NFL Players Association. Investigations revealed misuse of union funds for personal indulgences, including visits to strip clubs and extravagant expenses.
Notable Quotes:
Matt (05:24): "I give them credit for listing a strip club visit as player engagement, because that's a new one for me."
Myron (06:04): "If this is a dude negotiating deals and you're a player in the NFL, you're pretty... you might be worried about."
The hosts critically analyze Howe Jr.'s actions, questioning the appropriateness of categorizing such expenditures as "player engagement" and drawing parallels to historical figures like Jerry Springer who faced similar controversies.
Notable Quotes:
Myron (07:56): "It's run support. It's definite run support."
Matt (08:11): "I think it makes you feel like you have a guy who's not serious about the job."
They further discuss the potential impact of Howe Jr.'s resignation on future negotiations and the overall strength of the NFL Players Association compared to other major sports leagues.
3. Mixed Martial Arts: UFC 318 Recap
Matt and Myron review the highlights of UFC 318, focusing on Dustin Poirier's final fight against Max Holloway. Despite losing, Poirier's performance is lauded for its competitiveness and excitement.
Notable Quote:
Matt (14:09): "Justin Poirier is one of the legends of the sport... he's one of those guys who would be remembered as just a fun fighter, exciting fighter, and I'm glad he went out with that kind of battle."
They also comment on the unexpected presence of celebrities like Lil Wayne at the event, pondering the reasons behind such appearances and their relevance to the fight atmosphere.
Notable Quotes:
Myron (14:36): "They just randomly shows up at these fights."
Matt (14:49): "It was weird. Like, Theo Vaughn got here an hour before the broadcast."
4. Boxing News: Manny Pacquiao's Latest Bout
The conversation shifts to boxing, with a focus on Manny Pacquiao's attempt to become the oldest fighter to win the welterweight championship. His fight against Mario Barrios ends in a majority draw, marking an unexpected conclusion to his storied career.
Notable Quotes:
Matt (15:56): "Manny looked better than I thought he would at 46. Didn't have a lot of power, but he was still fast..."
Myron (16:10): "He's 46 years old. Like, why do we keep doing this?"
The hosts express mixed feelings about Pacquiao's continued presence in the ring, acknowledging his dedication while questioning the motivations behind his persistent pursuit of victories.
5. NFL Spotlight: Joe Burrow's Stolen Property
A headline-grabbing story involves Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, whose stolen luxury items were sold by a pawn shop owner. The individual pled guilty to purchasing and reselling goods belonging to Burrow, including high-end watches and handbags.
Notable Quotes:
Myron (18:37): "It's kind of scary. I have to say, for these players, Myron, I would be scared."
Matt (19:09): "It's just bizarre to me, like, something that high profile."
The discussion highlights the vulnerabilities high-profile athletes face regarding personal security and the underground markets that thrive on such illicit activities.
6. Entertainment Mishap: Martha Stewart and Jalen Brunson
An unusual incident is brought up where Martha Stewart's toe was reportedly broken by NBA player Jalen Brunson during the Celtics' playoff series. The story, sourced from a New Yorker column, sparks curiosity and amusement among the hosts.
Notable Quotes:
Myron (20:34): "Martha Stewart getting her toe broken by Jalen Brunson during the playoffs. How was that not a lead story when it happened?"
Matt (21:20): "If you're gonna sit courtside, somebody might run into you."
They ponder the lack of media attention such a peculiar event received and discuss the unpredictable nature of court-side interactions at sporting events.
7. NFL Contracts: TJ Watt's Record Extension with the Steelers
The episode covers TJ Watt's substantial contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. The hosts debate the financial implications and strategic value of such a deal for the team.
Notable Quotes:
Matt (43:08): "I'm fine with rewarding a guy who has been one of the best defensive players in the NFL and is the anchor of your defense."
Myron (43:38): "It's a short deal. That's good, because then if you get a franchise quarterback going in the future, you could maybe still have him on a rookie deal."
The discussion touches on the balance between investing in elite defensive talent and maintaining flexibility for future team-building endeavors.
8. Interactive Segment: King of the Mountain
Introducing a new interactive segment, "King of the Mountain," Matt and Myron invite listeners to call in and share their best sports takes. The current reigning king, Jared from St. Louis, sets the bar for incoming challengers.
Notable Quotes:
Myron (44:08): "King of the Mountain is next on Sunday morning with ESPN Radio."
Matt (44:06): "We have a king right now. Who's our king right now? James? Do we know the person's name?"
This segment aims to engage the audience, encouraging participation and fostering a sense of community among listeners.
9. Closing Remarks and Promotions
The hosts wrap up the episode with light-hearted banter about phone mishaps and promotional segments for sponsors like Shopify, Venmo, and State Farm Insurance. They also tease upcoming content and encourage listener interaction through the "King of the Mountain" segment.
Notable Quotes:
Myron (38:49): "I have Drake's phone number. I never called it."
Matt (41:07): "Is that their slogan now? Because it probably can be."
The episode concludes with energetic exchanges and reminders for listeners to tune in next week for more sports discussions.
Key Takeaways:
- Golf: Scotty Scheffler's dominance in the British Open and discussions on the prestige of major tournaments.
- Player Engagement: The ethical implications of financial mismanagement within the NFL Players Association.
- MMA and Boxing: Highlights of UFC 318 and reflections on Manny Pacquiao's enduring boxing career.
- NFL Security: The alarming case of Joe Burrow's stolen property and its impact on player safety.
- Entertainment: The quirky story of Martha Stewart's accidental toe injury by Jalen Brunson.
- Contracts in the NFL: Analyzing TJ Watt's lucrative contract and its strategic value for the Steelers.
- Audience Engagement: Introduction of the "King of the Mountain" segment to foster listener participation.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Myron (00:34): "Scotty Scheffler leads by seven, might make a bogey here, might be down to six..."
- Matt (01:02): "Probably the U.S. Open."
- Myron (05:24): "I give them credit for listing a strip club visit as player engagement..."
- Matt (14:09): "Justin Poirier is one of the legends of the sport..."
- Myron (18:37): "It's kind of scary. I have to say, for these players..."
- Myron (20:34): "Martha Stewart getting her toe broken by Jalen Brunson..."
- Matt (43:08): "I'm fine with rewarding a guy who has been one of the best defensive players..."
- Myron (44:08): "King of the Mountain is next on Sunday morning with ESPN Radio."
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the diverse range of topics covered in the episode, providing listeners with a clear overview of the engaging discussions between Matt and Myron.