The Bobby Bones Show – 25W: Full Episode Summary

Episode Title: Bobby Gets Honest and Vulnerable About His Gambling + Steve Smith Sr. on the Memorable Justin Timberlake–Janet Jackson Super Bowl Halftime Show + Beanie Wells’ USC Almost-Commitment
Date: January 8, 2026
Host: Bobby Bones
Guests: Steve Smith Sr., Beanie Wells
Regular Crew: Eddie, Kevin, Brandon

Episode Overview

In this candid episode of "The Bobby Bones Show," Bobby takes listeners behind the curtain of his sports gambling results from 2025, revealing big wins and even bigger losses with total transparency. The show features two in-depth, football-heavy interviews: first, with former NFL star and current analyst Steve Smith Sr., who discusses NFL coaching changes, Super Bowl memories – including the infamous Justin Timberlake–Janet Jackson halftime – and playoff perspective from a player's view; then, with ex-Ohio State and Cardinals running back Beanie Wells, who recounts his own wild recruiting journey (including a secret commitment to USC his mom shut down) and weighs in on the chaos of college football’s transfer portal era. The crew also shares their own gambling stories, runs down the richest college athletic departments, and debates current hot topics from Michael Irvin's sideline antics to Travis Kelce's charity headlines.

1. Bobby Bones Gets Honest About Gambling

Full Transparency on 2025 Sports Betting

• Bobby opens the episode by revealing his real-life DraftKings gambling stats, owning up to a major loss for the year.

  • "My total for 2025 was minus $24,256. 24." (01:42)
  • Most losses came in the final two months (about $18,000).
  • Root cause: big bets, chasing losses, unlucky futures (especially big preseason parlays that didn’t hit).
  • "I never want to be the guy that acts like he wins all the time, because I don’t." (01:42)

• The group reacts:

  • Kevin marvels at the sum, Eddie and Brandon share their own tales about the “fun” and pitfalls of sports betting.
  • "You have to do it for entertainment...I was entertained the crap out of minus $24,000!" – Bobby (04:34)
  • Discussion about “chasing bets” and the difference between healthy entertainment and problematic behaviors.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Don’t do it unless you have it to lose. It’s entertainment only.” – Bobby Bones (04:49)

2. Richest Athletic Departments in College Sports

Bobby quizzes the group on the top-earning college athletic departments:

• Texas ranks #1, “I don’t know how they lose a single game at anything.” – Bobby (07:23)
• Ohio State is #2, with Texas A&M, Georgia, Michigan following.
• Oregon surprisingly outside the top 15.
• Discussion on how money is poured into various sports, especially in the SEC.

3. Interview: Steve Smith Sr. (10:08–34:12)

NFL Coaching Carousel & John Harbaugh's Exit

• Bobby asks for Steve Smith’s take after John Harbaugh leaves the Ravens after 18 years.

  • "18 years is a very long time...your message gets stale and that’s just part of business." (10:33)

• On whether Harbaugh makes sense for other teams:

  • “He’d be best for a place that has an established quarterback ... I don’t think he’s looking to rebuild.” (11:51)

• Steve clarifies the importance of fit and timing for a veteran coach.

Panthers Fandom and Training Camp Stories

• Bobby shares his bandwagon story: “I picked the Panthers...there was no wagon when I got on.” (13:55)
• Steve jokes about Spartanburg, SC training camps and saving money by using a luxury blow-up mattress.
  • “I pick up pennies and quarters off the street ... after six months I cash it in, go into the Coin Star, 4-500 cash.” (16:38)
• Saving money and early-career lessons: “My first check was...blew it. However, I learned a little bit after that and so I took care of my money.” (16:54)

Playoff Mindset, Byes, and Game Prep

• The mental and physical challenges of the postseason:
  • “It’s hard to be a really good team twice...third down conversions, keeping themselves on the field, not leaving points on the board.” (17:17)
• On playoff buoys: “I prefer to play the wildcard weekend so you just kind of have a flow and a feel.” (19:33)

Wide Receivers, Return Game, and Super Bowl Memories

• Intricate details of being a punt returner:
  • “It’s a mind trick. The outcome still happens: if you catch it, you know you’re gonna get hit.” (22:07)
  • On fair catching: “Yes, I sure did. I was a stat whore.” (22:43)
• On juke moves and trash talk: “I definitely would say some things...more inside my head than out loud.” (24:49)

Super Bowl Halftime – The Janet-Justin “Nipplegate” Show

• Steve recalls his Super Bowl experience:
  • “It was the infamous Justin Timberlake.” (31:12)
  • Did they know about the halftime controversy? “No, never want to cross our play sheet. No nipple talk.” (31:45)

Podcast Plug

• Steve is now hosting the “89 Show” on YouTube, talking film breakdowns, current NFL and college topics.
  • “I’m kind of a film nerd, so it lets me geek out, and I enjoy it.” (33:25)

Memorable Quote:

• “I mentioned every team; you’re covered...You can’t go on a sideline without them being like, Steve Smith, you said our team!” (34:09)

4. College Football Parlay and Betting Strategy (34:12–36:33)

• Bobby discusses his next parlay picks, aiming to avoid betting biases.
• General gambling philosophies: remove emotion, hedge bets, and entertainment value.

5. NFL Playoff Picks and Roundtable (38:14–40:46)

• The crew debates who will win the key playoff games (no spreads), discusses favorites and potential upsets.
• They collectively root for underdogs, debate the “heart vs. head” picks (e.g., all but Eddie pick the 49ers over the Eagles).

6. Interview: Beanie Wells (40:46–62:52)

Ohio State, Recruiting, and the “Almost-Commit” to USC

• Beanie’s podcast, “The Script,” covers Ohio State football.
• On recruiting, he shares a wild recruitment story:
  • “I committed to USC while I was still committed to Ohio State, but my mom shut that down so quick...She said, give Coach Carroll the phone. [He said] ‘Take you back to the airport immediately.’” (46:43)
• Only made a few visits (OSU, Michigan, USC), but family ties kept him a Buckeye.

Program Culture, Transfer Portal, and NIL

• Deep dive into Indiana’s program transformation, thanks to coach Curt Cignetti:
  • “They're a complete football team...He’s going to have a statue when it’s all said and done.” (48:09)
• On player movement and the portal:
  • “I think they should be paid as well, but...we have to get this thing reeled in a little bit.” (52:32)
• On players being “pushed out” of programs and the need for new protections.
  • “Nobody wants to be left in the dark...I don’t want my kid pushed out just because he isn’t producing right now.” (54:13)

Personal Reflections

• On being THE top running back as a high schooler:
  • “I wish I would have enjoyed it a little bit more because you never know how fast that time period goes.” (59:25)
• Advice to sons and new prospects: “Just keep working...there’s always somebody outworking you.” (60:45)
• NFL and Cardinals talk: “It’s hard to build a culture when you don’t have that continuity.” (61:11)

Memorable Moment:

• The wild story of Beanie committing to USC for about ten minutes, before his mom shut it down—"That was my short, brief, 10 minute commitment to USC." (47:03)

7. Hot Takes & Sideline Anecdotes

Michael Irvin’s Miami Sideline Antics

• The crew debates whether Irvin adds or subtracts from the broadcast.
  • “It annoys me a little bit. It just annoys me when...we’re watching the game, and I know Michael Irvin is a huge supporter, but I want to watch the game.” – Eddie (66:20)

Travis Kelce’s Charity “Scandal”

• Discussing accusations of mismanagement (majority of funds spent on admin).
  • Bobby's take: "I think it's unfair to judge him because he's differently because of the accomplishments and the success that he's had." (69:23)
  • Skepticism about the real significance, but acknowledgment that public scrutiny is high due to his fame.

8. Super Bowl Odds and Gambling Group Finances

• Bills are Bobby’s surprise “value” pick at +1100 (71:51).
• Seahawks and Rams lead the odds; debate why Seattle’s favored.
• The crew calculates their group pool’s $5,000+ loss, muses about needing the Patriots and Panthers to pull off upsets to reduce the deficit.
  • “If we get to $7,500, each of you guys will owe $1,800, basically. Just say the worst-case scenario: $2,000.” – Bobby (75:32)
  • Group jokes about starting a car wash or food drive to pay off bets.

9. Closing & Light Moments

• Brandon reminisces about opening for Taylor Swift on tour, insists she was always kind—“She got my name wrong a few times, but I didn’t care. By the end of it, she knew it.” (70:31)
• The team teases a March Madness “Calcutta” bracket betting pool for the spring.

Notable Quotes / Moments With Timestamps

• “My total for 2025 was minus $24,256. 24.” – Bobby (01:42)
• “Don’t do it unless you have it to lose. It’s entertainment only.” – Bobby (04:49)
• “A lot of people are saying [Josh Allen has to do it this year], and I’m not...I don’t think it’s fair.” – Steve Smith Sr. (20:31)
• “It was the infamous Justin Timberlake...No, never want to cross our play sheet. No nipple talk.” – Steve Smith Sr. (31:12, 31:45)
• “That was my short, brief, 10 minute commitment to USC.” – Beanie Wells (47:03)
• “I wish I would have enjoyed it a little bit more because you never know how fast that time period goes.” – Beanie (59:25)
• “It’s unfair to judge him because of the accomplishments and the success that he’s had.” – Bobby on Travis Kelce (69:23)
• “If we get to $7,500, each of you guys will owe $1,800, basically...just say the worst-case scenario: $2,000.” – Bobby (75:32)
• “Theme song written by Bobby Bones. That’s me. And performed by Brandon Ray...” – closing credits (78:19)

Key Takeaways

• Bobby leads with humility and transparency about gambling, offering a rare look at the real results behind the gloss of “big wins.”
• The Steve Smith Sr. interview offers genuinely insightful football analysis and rare insider tales from one of the league’s most intense former receivers—including the real feeling inside a Super Bowl halftime, and a methodical breakdown of the skill in being a returner.
• Beanie Wells brings stories from the wild world of college football recruiting, offers pointed opinions on the transfer portal and NIL, and provides encouragement to young athletes and parents alike.
• The show maintains its hallmark combination of humor, self-deprecation, and savvy sports commentary, touching on topics from sideline spectacle to charity finance scandals.
• The crew’s real-world gambling pool both warns and entertains—there’s camaraderie, but also real money at stake.

Recommended Segments

• Bobby’s Gambling Revelation – 01:23 to 06:39
• Steve Smith Sr. Interview – 10:08 to 34:12
  (Especially Super Bowl stories at ~31:01)
• Beanie Wells’ USC Story – 46:41 to 47:23
• Michael Irvin Discussion – 65:05 to 66:46
• Final Gambling/Pool Calculation Drama – 71:46 to 76:16

For more, follow the crew on social (especially Bobby at @BobbyBones), Steve Smith at @stevesmithsr89, and Beanie Wells at @beaniewells26. Check out Steve’s “89 Show” on YouTube, and Beanie’s “The Script” podcast on Ohio State football.