The Bobby Bones Show Episode 25W: Why Bobby Chose a Non-SEC Team to Win the NCAA Tournament + Steven Rinella on Handling a Grizzly Charge + Worst Teams to Be a Fan Of Release Date: March 17, 2025
1. Introduction
In this engaging episode of The Bobby Bones Show, hosts Greg Rosenthal and Daniel Jeremiah dive deep into a variety of topics ranging from NCAA Tournament strategies to wildlife encounters and the challenges of supporting underperforming sports teams. The episode also features valuable insights from renowned outdoor enthusiast Steven Rinella.
2. Choosing a Non-SEC Team to Win the NCAA Tournament
Discussion Highlights:
Greg Rosenthal and Daniel Jeremiah kick off the episode by discussing the intricacies of the NCAA Tournament, specifically focusing on the strategic decision to support a non-SEC team.
- DraftKings Pick Six Promotion: The hosts mention leveraging player statistics over team performance to maximize betting success with DraftKings Pick Six.
- Greg Rosenthal (03:09): “If you're struggling to choose which team will pull off an upset, forget about the teams. Focus on player stats to rack up big cash prizes with DraftKings Pick Six.”
Fan Engagement and Betting Strategies:
The conversation shifts to the excitement of March Madness and the evolving landscape of sports betting.
- Personal Anecdotes and Strategies:
- Daniel Jeremiah (05:09): “I love it. March Madness is the best.”
- Greg Rosenthal (08:32): “It's basketball. It's the greatest. Just pick a team to win it all.”
The hosts engage in a playful betting game, selecting various teams and discussing their prospects, emphasizing the unpredictability and thrill of the tournament.
3. Interview with Steven Rinella on Handling a Grizzly Charge
Guest Introduction:
Greg Rosenthal introduces Steven Rinella, a New York Times bestselling author and founder of the outdoor lifestyle brand MeatEater. They delve into Rinella's extensive experience with wildlife and his latest project, Hunting History.
- Greg Rosenthal (16:07): “Steven Rinella is an avid hunter, writer, wild foods enthusiast... He has a new show called Hunting History with Steven Rinella.”
Handling Grizzly Encounters:
Rinella shares his harrowing experience with a grizzly charge on Fognack Island, Alaska, highlighting the psychological and physical challenges faced during such encounters.
- Steven Rinella (22:46): “We were eating lunch under a tree when a bear charged at us... my buddy Dirt rode the bear downhill for about 15 yards.”
Bear Spray vs. Firearms:
A significant portion of the discussion centers on the effectiveness of bear spray compared to firearms in deterring bear attacks.
- Rinella (25:44): “Aim low with spray... you don't need to be accurate, you just need to be in the right direction.”
Greg shares his concerns about bear spray usability in high-stress situations, to which Rinella provides practical advice based on real-life incidents.
- Greg Rosenthal (26:30): “If a bear was attacking, would you have sprayed the spray at all or would you just go full gun?”
- Rinella (30:57): “There's a very compelling case to be made that spray is better, especially if you're not a super experienced marksman with a pistol.”
Historical Hunting Practices:
Rinella delves into the evolution of hunting techniques, comparing modern methods with those of ancient hunters and indigenous practices.
- Rinella (31:46): “The technologies have changed, but so is the human response to animals. It's a rich field of inquiry.”
DB Cooper Mystery:
Rinella discusses his fascination with the DB Cooper case, exploring theories about Cooper’s survival after his parachute jump.
- Rinella (35:08): “After working on that episode and hanging around parachuters... there's no reason to think he wasn't fine.”
The conversation highlights the enduring mystery of DB Cooper and Rinella’s perspective on the likelihood of his survival.
4. Worst Teams to Be a Fan Of
Analysis of Underperforming NFL and MLB Teams:
Greg Rosenthal and Daniel Jeremiah transition to a lighter yet relatable topic: identifying the worst teams to support across major sports leagues. They evaluate teams based on performance relative to expectations, draft decisions, roster talent, and fan morale.
NFL Teams:
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Tennessee Titans
- Greg Rosenthal (53:58): “Performance versus expectations has been fluctuating. The Titans have had fluctuating success and unmet playoff expectations.”
- Issues include inconsistent draft picks and underperformance of key players like Trayvon Burks.
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Cleveland Browns
- Greg Rosenthal (54:52): “They have a history of unmet expectations and poor draft decisions.”
- Notable mention of veteran quarterback Mark Sanchez’s struggles.
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New York Jets
- Daniel Jeremiah (50:14): “Draft inconsistency and struggles with early round picks have plagued the Jets.”
- Discussion on the impact of coaching and organizational instability.
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Detroit Lions
- Daniel Jeremiah (59:08): “The Lions have suffered decades of poor performance, including an infamous 0-16 season in 2008.”
- Despite loyal fan support, the team’s lack of success makes it a challenging fandom.
MLB Teams:
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Kansas City Royals
- Greg Rosenthal (51:26): “As a small-market team, they struggle to compete financially with bigger franchises like the Yankees and Dodgers.”
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Pittsburgh Pirates
- Ongoing struggles in performance and competitiveness within the league.
NBA Teams:
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Charlotte Hornets
- Daniel Jeremiah (52:50): “Charlotte has been particularly tough to support, with consistent underperformance.”
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Atlanta Hawks
- Greg Rosenthal (53:42): “The Hawks have always been a mediocre team, rarely making a significant impact despite having talented players like Trae Young.”
5. Closing Remarks and Promotions
The episode wraps up with the hosts reiterating promotional content for DraftKings Pick Six and other sponsored segments. They encourage listeners to stay engaged with the show for ongoing sports insights and betting strategies.
- Greg Rosenthal (64:08): “If you're betting all on playing games, good luck. Don't put all your money on playing games.”
Final Thoughts:
Greg and Daniel emphasize the importance of informed betting and maintaining passion for sports despite team performance challenges. Their candid discussions provide both entertainment and valuable insights for sports enthusiasts and bettors alike.
Notable Quotes
- Greg Rosenthal (03:09): “If you're struggling to choose which team will pull off an upset, forget about the teams. Focus on player stats to rack up big cash prizes with DraftKings Pick Six.”
- Daniel Jeremiah (05:09): “I love it. March Madness is the best.”
- Steven Rinella (22:46): “My buddy Dirt rode the bear downhill for about 15 yards.”
- Rinella (25:44): “Aim low with spray... you don't need to be accurate, you just need to be in the right direction.”
- Greg Rosenthal (53:58): “Performance versus expectations has been fluctuating. The Titans have had fluctuating success and unmet playoff expectations.”
- Daniel Jeremiah (50:14): “Draft inconsistency and struggles with early round picks have plagued the Jets.”
- Greg Rosenthal (54:52): “They have a history of unmet expectations and poor draft decisions.”
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the diverse range of discussions in Episode 25W of The Bobby Bones Show, providing listeners with key insights into NCAA Tournament strategies, wildlife management, and the tribulations of supporting less successful sports teams.