Lots to Say: Cutdown Week and Fmr NFL RB Steven Jackson

Summary

The Bobby Bones Show – "Lots to Say: Cutdown Week and Fmr NFL RB Steven Jackson"

Date: August 27, 2025
Host: Bobby Bones
Co-Host: Matt Cassel
Special Guest: Stephen Jackson (former NFL running back)

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on the excitement leading into the NFL season, the stress of cutdown week for players, quarterback and contract drama across the league, and an in-depth interview with former NFL running back Stephen Jackson. Jackson reflects on his career, advocacy for NFL legends, Hall of Fame discussions, and the changing landscape of the running back position. The show mixes personal stories, playful banter, and a fun game segment on NFL rushing leaders.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Excitement and Uncertainty of Preseason & Cutdown Week

• Bobby and Matt express excitement as both college and NFL football seasons approach. Matt reflects on what it's like as a player during this time—everyone feels hope, even on struggling teams.
• Matt Castle [03:45]: "There's great players on every team. It's whether or not you come together as a team and you gel… You don't know how good or bad you are at the beginning of any season."
• Matt recounts his experience with the 2010 Kansas City Chiefs, who exceeded expectations after rebuilding.

2. Quarterback Moves and Locker Room Dynamics ([05:43–10:26])

• Discussion of shakeups: Kenny Pickett being traded to the Raiders, Cleveland’s quarterback logjam, and the circus that surrounds high-profile backup QBs like Shedeur Sanders.
• Matt Castle [06:54]: "I don't think their intent was ever to keep four quarterbacks... Eventually they were either going to cut Picket or trade him."
• The group discusses the media pressure and distractions for teams with polarizing backup QBs.

3. Contract Negotiations and Holdouts ([11:09–13:57])

• Highlights recent big-name signings: Trey Hendrickson (Bengals), Terry McLaurin (Washington), and ongoing cases like Micah Parsons (Cowboys).
• Discussion on the modern trade request as a negotiation tactic.
• Bobby Bones [12:08]: "I start to trust trade demands less and less now because you're seeing people demand trades… really it was just a negotiating tactic."

4. Bobby’s Search for a Favorite NFL Team ([13:57–18:28])

• Bobby describes never having a hometown team growing up in Arkansas, and his current process of picking one to root for.
• He narrows it down between the Panthers (Carolina) and Broncos (Denver), seeking input from Matt.
• Bobby Bones [18:12]: "Next week I'll probably let you know… I'm going to be die hard for a whole year. We'll see how they treat me and see if I want to stay."

5. The Reality and Stress of Cutdown Week for Players ([18:28–23:19])

• Matt relives the anxiety of roster cuts: waiting by the phone, seeing teammates leave, and the reality of football job security.
• The segment expands into personal stories of contract negotiations in both football (Matt) and entertainment (Bobby), discussing the discomfort of holding out for better pay.
• Matt Castle [23:08]: "That's also when you start to learn you've got to remove yourself from the situation; let them do their job because they know better than you do."

6. Interview: Stephen Jackson – NFL Legend ([30:52–55:20])

Stephen Jackson’s Mission to Lift Up Forgotten Legends ([31:09–33:07])

• Jackson discusses his YouTube show "Legends," which shines a light on overlooked greats from NFL history like Sterling Sharpe, Darren Woodson, and Warrick Dunn.
• Stephen Jackson [31:09]: "As we transition from the playing days to retirement... we still feel like we're in the locker room together… Let's reintroduce them to the new generation."

Self-Advocacy and the Hall of Fame ([32:17–33:07])

• Jackson explains why he dislikes campaigning for himself, lamenting the lost support after the Rams relocated from St. Louis to LA.
• Stephen Jackson [32:17]: "...when the Rams picked up and moved... the beat writers... I will lose their voice and maybe their even their vote..."

Running Back Inspiration and Style ([34:23–35:18])

• Modeled himself after Walter Payton, Bo Jackson, Ricky Williams, Marshall Faulk (his teammate), among others, blending power and finesse.

Choosing Oregon State and Early Career ([35:19–36:42])

• Details how recruiting led him from Las Vegas to Oregon State, opting for a college that truly wanted him at RB.

Impact of Marshall Faulk and the Old School Locker Room ([36:53–38:06])

• Faulk’s mentorship was ‘indirect’—he answered questions but didn’t coddle.
• Stephen Jackson [36:55]: "He didn’t treat me as a project, but he also treated me like a man..."

Tone-Setting and Physicality at Running Back ([38:06–39:02])

• Stresses the importance of setting a physical tone early in games to warn opponents and fire up the team.

The Devaluation of the Running Back – And Why It’s a Myth ([39:02–41:19])

• Jackson recalls his "Save the Running Back" campaign, explaining why elite RBs can never be replaced by "just anyone."
• Explains significance of the role in playoffs and for young QBs.

Fantasy Football Fame and Losing Seasons ([41:19–42:17])

• Even during 3–13 or 1–15 seasons, Stephen was still adored by fantasy players for his stats.

Injury Prevention and Longevity ([50:06–51:24])

• Shares the meticulous off-field recovery regimen that helped him play 12 seasons: ice bath, hyperbaric chamber, abstaining from gluten, strict attention to rest and training.

Reflections on the Rams’ Move ([51:24–52:10])

• Feels “like going back to your hometown and your house is torn down”—disconnected, but proud.

Memorable Moments ([52:11–53:34])

• Favorite is a determined multi-tackle TD run in Seattle—emblematic of his career’s grit.

Should He Be in the Hall of Fame? ([54:00–54:23])

• Leaves the case to his “resume” and humility, but clearly believes he deserves enshrinement.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Matt Castle [30:02]: "He's 6'2", 240, agile, athletic, would run through your face, make you miss… But no—he'd come out of the backfield, catch the ball gracefully…"
• Stephen Jackson [38:16]: "It's a tone setter... not only are you setting the tone for the defense, but you're getting your team on alert to say, hey, now we're playing for real."
• Bobby Bones [54:23]: "He’s so humble, he won’t even shine on himself. Like, I’m begging him to shine."

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Important Timestamps

| Time | Topic/Segment | |---------|-------------------------------------------------------| | 02:41 | Season’s start – optimism, rebuilding teams | | 05:43 | Quarterback carousel: Pickett Trade; Browns QBs | | 11:09 | Big contracts: Hendrickson, McLaurin, holdouts | | 13:57 | Bobby chooses his NFL team | | 18:28 | Cutdown week, player anxiety, and contracts | | 30:52 | Stephen Jackson interview starts | | 31:09 | NFL Legends show and advocacy | | 38:16 | Running backs: Setting the tone, role devaluation | | 41:34 | Fantasy football years | | 47:36 | Surpassing Eric Dickerson’s record | | 52:25 | Most memorable moment: tough run in Seattle | | 54:00 | Hall of Fame self-reflection | | 59:05 | Top 10 All-Time NFL Rushing Leaders Game |

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Fun & Lighter Segments

NFL Rushing Leaders Quiz ([59:05–69:55])

• Bobby, Matt, and Stephen play a name-the-top-10-all-time NFL rushing leaders game—lots of banter, guesses, and football trivia history.
• Notable players named: Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, Frank Gore, Barry Sanders, Eric Dickerson, Jerome Bettis, LaDainian Tomlinson, Curtis Martin, Tony Dorsett.

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Tone & Style

Lighthearted and humorous, punctuated by genuine admiration for football history and the current state of the NFL. The show moves swiftly, balancing serious insights on the business and psychology of football with inside jokes, friendly ribbing, and moments of humility—especially in the Stephen Jackson interview.

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For Listeners Who Missed the Show

You’ll get inside access to both the emotional highs of preseason hope and the realities of NFL life—contracts, cuts, the politics of high-profile backup QBs, and how legends like Stephen Jackson see their careers in retrospect. The stories are authentic, the banter is lively, and the football knowledge is deep. Whether you’re a fantasy player, a nostalgic fan, or an NFL nerd, this episode covers it all.

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Listen to "The Bobby Bones Show" for your daily fix, wherever you get your podcasts.

Transcript

[Bobby Bones]

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[Bobby Bones]

To say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle is a production of the NFL and iHeart podcasts. We got lots to say.

[Stephen Jackson]

We got.

[Bobby Bones]

Lots to say.

[Matt Castle]

We'Re glad you're here.

[Bobby Bones]

And we hope you stay Cause we got lots. Yeah, we got lots to say. Now here's Bobby and Matt. We're almost to the starting line.

[Matt Castle]

We're almost, almost there to the starting line. What is it, a week and a half away? Yeah, I'm pretty fired up about this.

[Bobby Bones]

And it Almost feels like it's starting anyway. Because college starts this weekend.

[Matt Castle]

Yes.

[Bobby Bones]

So it's like football starts.

[Matt Castle]

Football's here, baby.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. That's awesome.

[Matt Castle]

It's so cool. I mean, is there anything better than the start of a football season? Everybody's undefeated. Expectations are high for everybody. Maybe not Arkansas, but at the same time, dang. I got.

[Stephen Jackson]

Shoot.

[Bobby Bones]

Got me.

[Matt Castle]

Shoot. No, but it's an exciting time of year for sure, especially the start of football season as. As fans. But also, I can go back to when I played. There's nothing like opening day environments.

[Bobby Bones]

Even if you're on a bad team.

[Matt Castle]

Even. Well, if you're on a bad team, it's probably not as exciting. No, it's exciting because, like I said, everybody's undefeated and you go into a season and you know that. Look, it's up to you to go win a game here, there, and you've got an opportunity and you don't know how good or bad you are at the beginning of any season.

[Bobby Bones]

That was my next question. Do you know you're on a bad team if you're on a bad team, or do you think you're probably in between a middle and a bad team, but you don't know yet?

[Matt Castle]

Well, there's great players on every team. It's whether or not you come together as a team and you gel and the different aspects of your team excel the way that you want them to. Now, you definitely can go into a season and know we've got some holes right at the wide receiver position or depth at this position or whatever it might be. So you understand that. That also, though, doesn't dictate the entirety of the season by any means.

[Bobby Bones]

What team were you on that was projected the worst? It ended up being not a Super bowl champion by any means, but way better than maybe they thought you would be.

[Matt Castle]

Well, the first season I got to Kansas City, we. I definitely knew we had some holes. We. We had some rebuilding and. And. And it kind of showed on the field and 12. But then that next season, I don't think anybody was predicting us to win the AFC West. And so we brought in some pieces. Tony Moyaki was tight end from Iowa. We brought in Dexter McCluster from Ole Miss.

[Bobby Bones]

Man, he was crazy.

[Matt Castle]

He was crazy good. And you. You would never imagine it. Just when you first meet him, I mean, he's 5, 8, 180 pounds soaking wet, and you're like, this guy is going to be our running back. But he also played some wide receivers, so we added some pieces. Steve Breaston as well to. To our team. But then early on that season we beat San Diego and I think that that kind of woke us all up like that. That was probably the front runner to win the division that year with Philip Rivers and all the great players that they had. And so to go out and exceed expectations that year and actually win the division, I don't think anybody had marked us down to do that.

[Bobby Bones]

I remember watching McCluster at Ole Miss.

[Matt Castle]

Dude, he was a savage.

[Bobby Bones]

A lightning bolt.

[Matt Castle]

Lightning bolt. And like, with his agility and ability to change directions was absurd. But he also played so much bigger than his size. He would run between tackles like he was £220.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, I haven't thought about him in a while, but man, I think about him all the time because he used to run circles around us at Arkansas.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Okay, let's go back and forth. I'll go first. Let's start with. Well, and it's a whole situation, but Kenny Pickett got traded to the Raiders.

[Matt Castle]

We talked about this last week. He said one of these guys are trade bait.

[Bobby Bones]

So Kenny Pickett goes to the Raiders. Well, o' Connell got hurt. Aiden o' Connell gets hurt. He's the backup.

[Matt Castle]

Right.

[Bobby Bones]

So then Vegas has got to go find a backup. Well, turns out Cleveland's got five quarterbacks on the roster, right? They cut Snoop and then it's okay. Flacco starting. We got Pickett, we got the two rookies. So they try to pick it for a fifth round pick. So that I won't say eases the tension in the quarterback room, but at least there's a little more understanding of who is now the backup. Because with if it were Pickett and either one of the rookies, you'd wonder like, who's really the second quarterback here.

[Matt Castle]

Right. I don't think that their intent was ever going to be, let's keep four quarterbacks on the roster and use up roster spots. I think eventually they were either going to cut Picket or. Or trade him. And it just kind of fell in their lap that The Raiders, Aiden OConnell gets hurt, broke his wrist. He's out for six weeks. They know that they need a veteran guy to come in that has played a little bit to back up Geno Smith, God forbid, because of the volatility of just the position itself.

[Bobby Bones]

And so now Gabriel's second quarterback, shoulders third quarterback. We can talk about that for a second because I think Gabriel outplayed Shador. I think what everybody was worried about with Shador being in the pocket and drifting A lot. You started to see that a lot in that last game. Like he couldn't stay in the pocket and then he would hold the ball and he was, his completion numbers were good, but it's because he took a.

[Stephen Jackson]

Lot of sacks, right?

[Matt Castle]

What do you get sacked five times in that game? And, and there's something to be said. Look, you're in preseason, you've got your backup offensive line in the LA Rams got after him and you feel that pressure consistently as a young quarterback. And the one thing that he'll learn is that as a quarterback in college, there's such a difference in just the overall speed of the defensive line and the ability for them to close gaps and get to you. So you hold on to the ball for any long period of time that allows them to get to you and you try to extend plays. It's just different in the NFL. So throwing the ball away, getting it out of your hands, doing those things, it's something that's going to take a little bit of time on task for him to realize, okay, I can get away with certain things, but I gotta get, stay ahead on down and distance and I gotta get the ball in my hands.

[Bobby Bones]

A couple questions about this situation. Number one, I do now think that first preseason game was a bit detrimental to his overall health. His, his, his quarterback room health. Because it was so good and people were just loving on it so much. We were like, this is not good because the pendulum is going to swing back the other direction.

[Matt Castle]

Right.

[Bobby Bones]

And now you're seeing kind of the circus that comes with having a high profile player like Tebow when he wasn't starting Shedeur when he's not sure. Just third string quarterback.

[Matt Castle]

Right.

[Bobby Bones]

And we could go through the list, even Cam Newton with the Patriots. I don't think it's that he wasn't good enough to be a backup. It's that you don't want the circus for a second or third string quarterback.

[Matt Castle]

And that's, that's part of this whole process that as an organization and the front office, when you take such a polarizing figure as Shador Sanders that you know along with that is going to be the noise. But if we know anything about the Cleveland Browns, they don't care about the noise because they went out and got DeSean Watson in the middle of that.

[Bobby Bones]

Whole ordeal and then paid him, and.

[Matt Castle]

Then paid him 240 million. And guess what? We, we know that you might have to sit out and be suspended for an entire year. So organizationally I think it goes hand in hand. With and aligns with who the Cleveland, I mean, Cleveland Indians. Great call, Castle. Cleveland Browns are. Because I don't think that they care about that. But at the same time, you don't want it to become a distraction. I think as they get the season Flacco plays and it's a defined role that Dylan Gabriel's two and he's three, it'll slowly but surely lose its power. Unless this. Unless as they get going early in the season, Flacco struggles early throughout the season and they go to Dylan and then all of a sudden there's all the stuff that goes along and the rumors and the media jumping on board. Like just play Shador and see what he can do. So that, that's. I think it'll settle down now that I got the season.

[Bobby Bones]

I think both quarterbacks will get a shot to show if they are. It's hard to say starting quarterback. They're rookies and that's not even that they're first round or second round draft picks. You're looking at Dylan Gabriel, third round shooter or fifth round. So that's what the team started. Then they drafted them in a backup quarterback position.

[Matt Castle]

Right.

[Bobby Bones]

I think both players will get a chance to shine. I think they'll both get a chance to play Flacco's 40. And also the Browns aren't good. Their offensive line is not great. It doesn't matter who plays there. They're going to struggle.

[Matt Castle]

They're going to struggle and at some point they're going to want to see what the future is and they're going to put these young guys in the game and let them play a complete game and see if potentially they're the future of the franchise. And that's just how the league goes. But again, that won't happen unless they're truly out of the race if Joe Flacco is playing consistently. But there are 500, 500 somewhere around their team. They're going to continue to roll with Joe Flacco because at the end of the day, for Kevin Stefanski, his staff, they know the job security is only when you win ball games. It's not just given to you just because, you know, all of a sudden you're, you're in a position where you might make playoffs and you're like, oh, let's roll the dice and put one of these young guys out there.

[Bobby Bones]

All right, you're up.

[Matt Castle]

All right. Well, I mean, I think that there's some big contracts being finished this week. Right. Trey Hendricks finally gets his deal with Cincinnati. It's a one year deal worth what, $30 million. But that's a huge signing for Cincinnati to have him on the field because again, he's a guy that had 17 and a half sacks. He's a leader of the defense and with the offense being as explosive as they are, they needed a guy like that on the defensive side of the ball because still to this point, I don't know what their defense is going to look like. But at least they secured their number one player on defense and got him to come back and he'll be on the field this year. And then Terry McLauri thought was a hu finally getting him done. He signed a three year deal and for Washington. Terry McLaren means a lot to this organization because he's a dog out there. He's a true number one. And to give Jaden Daniels going into his second year that security blanket and a guy out there that can go win for you consistently, that was a big signing to have him get to get that done before the season started.

[Bobby Bones]

I start to trust trade demands less and less now because you're seeing people demand trades like a Terry McLaren and really it was just a negotiating tactic. Right back in the old, back in my day, whenever you said you wanted to trade, they found you a trade.

[Matt Castle]

Yep.

[Bobby Bones]

Now you have guys like McLaren. You have guys or you can go to the friggin Dallas Cowboys and look at Michael Parsons.

[Matt Castle]

Parsons or Jacoby Myers out the wide receiver in the Raiders, he's requesting a trade. They're like, we're not trading you.

[Bobby Bones]

Same thing with you're in a contract.

[Matt Castle]

The, the thing about Parsons, which is so interesting to me is Jerry Jones usually finds a way to get the deal done right before season, whether it was Dak or Ezekiel or one of these guys. But at the end of the day, when is Parsons going to be football ready to go out and play? Because.

[Bobby Bones]

Well, that's a you question.

[Matt Castle]

Because you've played well, that's what I'm saying. Because they say he has a back now. Okay, does he really have a back? And then what type of conditioning are you doing on the side? Because conditioning is one thing. Running, sprints, lifting. Okay, I understand physically you're probably in shape, but football shape is different. Contact hitting, being out doing drills, having your timing down with your different stunts that you have up front and what you're trying to get accomplished. Now I know he's, you know, the premier pass rusher in the league and probably will adapt pretty quickly, but still, are you game ready to go out there? And play four quarters. You haven't stepped on the field since camp started.

[Bobby Bones]

You've laid on the table, though.

[Matt Castle]

You've laid on the table. He's definitely got a massage. Yeah, definitely got a massage. He's in the hyperbaric chamber, ready to roll. But to think that he'll go out there and be as impactful as he would be if he went through an entire camp and was out there grinding with the rest of the guys every single day. I don't know if he's going to be the player that even if he does play against the Eagles. You know what I mean?

[Bobby Bones]

So weeks ago, I told the story of not growing up with a favorite team. Obviously, I'm a massive fan of the NFL and play fantasy and follow religiously, but I never had a home team. In Arkansas, we didn't have a team. Most people like the Cowboys, but the Cowboys, when I was young, they were really good, and I refused to jump on the bandwagon of a team.

[Matt Castle]

You should have definitely jumped on that bandwagon. That was a fun time. I was a big Cowboys fan growing up.

[Bobby Bones]

But you were naturally like, your. Wasn't your dad?

[Matt Castle]

Yeah, my dad was from.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, Then that's all good. Yeah. Me, nobody made me be a Cowboys fan. Jerry Jones played at Arkansas. Barry Switzer played at Arkansas. So there were those ties, but they were winning so much. When I was a kid, I felt like a fraud to jump on and be a Cowboys fan. And so I said on the show, I'm going to find a favorite team. I'm going to follow them religiously this year and hopefully more so. And I had four teams that I suggested. The Cowboys was one. They haven't won in so long. I don't feel bad now. If I were to jump on the Cowboys, the Cowboys was one. Which, by the way, have you watched the series at all?

[Matt Castle]

I just started. It's awesome.

[Bobby Bones]

It is.

[Matt Castle]

It is awesome. I mean, they're sitting down with Jerry Jones and, you know, with his draw, and he's kind of going into how they started drilling and going after these holes, and then he hit the honey hole, and in that one honey hole, $100 million. And then it was the negotiation and the previous owner. Gosh, it's. It's evading me right now. But nonetheless, they went in for a negotiation. And at that point, who's the previous owner before Jerry Jones?

[Bobby Bones]

HR Bum Bright. Oh, HR Bum Bright. Duh.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah. So he goes in to negotiate with HR Bum Bright, and they're arguing over. I think it was something around 30 to $50,000. And at the end he says, well, let's flip a coin for it. And so they flip a coin. Jerry loses. He loses whatever it is, 30 to $50,000. But it was interesting just how he came in and he was seen as an outsider that they might want to move the team to Arkansas and all the.

[Bobby Bones]

That was a thing. They might want to move the team to Arkansas.

[Matt Castle]

That's what all these fans like. And so they're going to miss a team. Yeah, they're going into this whole, a whole part of the negotiation. And when he took over the team and just he came in with this aura about, look, I'm going to go get my guy, Jimmy Johnson, do this, that, and I'm going to do it my way. But it's, it's very cool insight about the organization itself. Jerry Jones and where, where he started and then how they just took off, especially in the 90s.

[Bobby Bones]

Well, I eliminated them, so they're not my team.

[Matt Castle]

So they almost were in Arkansas, supposedly.

[Bobby Bones]

I know. And then I would have, definitely would.

[Matt Castle]

Have had a team.

[Bobby Bones]

I had three other teams. The Broncos, the Panthers and the Vikings.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah. Weren't you leaning toward Vikings?

[Bobby Bones]

I cut the Vikings.

[Matt Castle]

Oh, you did.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm down to two.

[Matt Castle]

Because you don't like Kevin o', Connell, even though he's been a guest on our show.

[Bobby Bones]

Has nothing to do with Kevin o'. Connell. You know what I had to do with it's cold in Minnesota.

[Matt Castle]

You don't think it gets cold in Denver?

[Bobby Bones]

It does, but have you ever watched.

[Matt Castle]

Some of those games? But I've been to Denver and freezing.

[Bobby Bones]

Denver's awesome.

[Matt Castle]

Denver is.

[Bobby Bones]

The city is awesome.

[Matt Castle]

And I'm pretty sure you're just acquiescing that because you kind of want to go over to Aspen and jump on the mountain and go Denver.

[Bobby Bones]

It's just awesome. I've never been scammed before, ever.

[Matt Castle]

Seriously, huh? What does it matter with you, Dan?

[Bobby Bones]

Okay, first of all, you grew up somewhat near skiing, somewhat being in Southern California.

[Matt Castle]

But like we, that's a four hour drive, mountain high, right.

[Bobby Bones]

In Arkansas, we don't have skiing. We have water skiing. And I grew up broke. We only rich people or people that live near skiing went skiing.

[Matt Castle]

So you'd go float the river. We would go watch out for the water moccasin.

[Bobby Bones]

You're a hater. So I think Denver to me is different than Minnesota. What I'm going to do Mall of.

[Matt Castle]

America now, the Mall America is pretty sick.

[Bobby Bones]

It is legit.

[Matt Castle]

Have you been on the roller coaster in there.

[Bobby Bones]

No, I didn't get on the roller coaster, but I went.

[Matt Castle]

They've got the same store at like three different areas of that mount because it's so much so massive.

[Bobby Bones]

So my two teams that I'm deciding between are going to be the Panthers and the Broncos. Any thoughts?

[Matt Castle]

Well, Panthers is definitely warm weather climate. It's close in proximity. You could get down there. Not thrilled about where they are as an organization. I mean, I do like Bryce Young. So, yeah, I mean, you're kind of rolling dice with that one. Denver, I think's on the, on the. Come up, Sean Payton, you know, I think you'd get along real well with him. Bo Nicks, young quarterback, had a great first year. And it's Denver.

[Bobby Bones]

It's going to be one of those two teams. So next week I'll probably let you know. So that is my, my second little story here is that I'm down to two teams and that I'm in. I'm going to be die hard for a whole year. We'll see how they treat me and then we'll see if I want to stay. But it's going to be Denver or it's going to be Carolina. All right, over to you.

[Matt Castle]

Let me ask you a question. Have you ever been a contract negotiation where you didn't know whether or not they were going to pick up your contract or you thought you were going to get cut?

[Bobby Bones]

No.

[Matt Castle]

No.

[Bobby Bones]

My. No, I.

[Matt Castle]

No, because I just think about this week. It's always a difficult week because I've been in the position before as a young player in the league where it is so stressful because you. And even before. Well, now they've got a whole two weeks to figure out their roster before it was literally finished that last preseason game on Thursday. You're playing the following week. And so the cuts happen really quickly. But I remember just sitting by my phone, just nervous, biting my nails and, and going, oh, my gosh. So I just. This week always brings back some of those memories because I know rosters are getting set, but there's so many guys near the bottom end that are fighting for a position on that team. But I always feel like there's guys that were next to you in the locker room that one day they're there, the next day they're gone and you might not see them again. Now some of these guys come back on the practice squad and I think they expand the practice squad since I played. But at the same time, it's. It's an eerie week. All Together because you go from this massive locker room with like 85 guys in it to now, a 53 man roster. And it just looks different when you get on. It's crazy.

[Bobby Bones]

I was thinking, I lied. I've been in a situation where I'm like wondering if a TV show is going to get renewed. And you're just waiting. Yeah, waiting to see if you get the call or not. So I think that's probably similar where you're like, oh, I'm gonna have a job.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah. And that, that's it. Because it's your livelihood. And then if you do get released, do you have enough time to get picked up by another team? Because also in the quarterback room, normally in, in camps and stuff like that, you carry four, five quarterbacks. Some of the guys, you know, kind of are on the cusp, but you spend a ton of time with these guys. But then all of a sudden, the next day they come in and he's like, yeah, I just got the call, man. Let's keep in touch. And you never see him again. It's just a crazy dynamic.

[Bobby Bones]

Was it ever with you? And I can give you a story, but related to football, because you have me now in the contract space. I remember my first year at American Idol. I made very, very little money because they were only hiring me to do one episode at a time. And I was making union minimal, which was like 2,300 bucks an episode. And they didn't know I didn't live in la. So I was like flying back and forth, not telling anybody, paying for everything. So I was losing money.

[Matt Castle]

Yes.

[Bobby Bones]

And so I was losing money. But my agent was negotiating with them for year two and they came back and they offered me, like to do the whole season for like $80,000. And my agents, like, do not accept that money.

[Matt Castle]

Oh, seriously.

[Bobby Bones]

He's like, do not accept the money. So I know you want the, you want to be on the show and what it'll bring with it, but we're not. And honestly, he was like, we're not going to take anything less than a million. And I'm like, there's a big difference in 80,000 and a million.

[Matt Castle]

Yes, 100%.

[Bobby Bones]

And I was like, if we ask for a million, there's a chance we don't even make. We don't even. We're not even on the show.

[Matt Castle]

I mean, they're offering 80,000. Like you're making a massive jump 10x.

[Bobby Bones]

And he goes, Magent goes, trust me on this. And so I did and ended up making a Million two for that year.

[Matt Castle]

Hell yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

But I would have taken $80,000. I was ready to jump in and take $80,000 because I was like, oh, I don't want to mess this up. Whenever you're negotiating contracts, is that ever a situation where it's like, should I. Are we sure I can ask for this much?

[Matt Castle]

Oh, a hundred percent. I remember I got franchised in New England when after the season I played, I got franchised. So I signed that franchise tender, which is the top three or four salaries of all the quarterbacks in the league. I was like, oh my gosh, I've got a golden ticket. And then I got traded to Kansas City. And you're looking for that long term deal, some security. There's. But the negotiation process is so stressful because your agent's trying to get the most for you. But you're like, sometimes you question, am I deserving of this? Of getting paid the same amount as a Drew Brees that have been doing it for years or one of these other great quarterbacks that have been played? And number two, is it all going to go go for not. Because at the end of the day they might come back and say, are you out of your mind?

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, no, that's what I was worried about. No chance. We're not giving you that and we're going to move on to another quarterback.

[Matt Castle]

And at the same time, they offer you a contract and the first contract comes through and you're like, this is more than I ever imagined that I would make in my life, let alone, this will set me up. This is great. Let's sign it. And he's like, no, no, no, I know.

[Bobby Bones]

And don't sign. Scared me.

[Matt Castle]

Because the last thing you want to do is work so hard. Get to that point where you can sign a contract that in anybody's mind would be amazing.

[Bobby Bones]

$80,000.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

I was going to take it. I was going to take it.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah. And I would have taking it probably three times over. But that's also when you start to learn. You've got to remove yourself from the situation. Let them do their job because they know better than you do.

[Bobby Bones]

Let the experts be experts.

[Matt Castle]

100%.

[Bobby Bones]

That's. That was hard for me and now I do it all the time. It's like, you're the expert.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

You do what you think. Because they're also tied in. Right. Like, they don't want the deal to fall through because their money relies on my money. Your money.

[Matt Castle]

Right. They don't want the deal to fall through. And they figure out a way to negotiate and make it work. But it's always like, no, there's no way we're accepting this. I was like, what are you talking about?

[Bobby Bones]

I was like, it's $80,000. What do you mean? We're not accepting $80,000.

[Matt Castle]

Sign that.

[Bobby Bones]

Yes.

[Matt Castle]

He's like, no, we're getting more. I was like, oh, you're kind of being greedy right now.

[Bobby Bones]

You have anything else? You have another one.

[Matt Castle]

I thought one of the interesting signings this week was the Minnesota Vikings signing Carson Wentz, who was a free agent, but sending Sam Howell to the Eagles in a trade. I just. Sam Howell's a young player, done a lot of good things in this league, but Carson Wentz, they bring him in, who hadn't been with them all camp and has to get caught up to speed. There's got to be something there. I just thought it was really interesting that they made that move this late in the preseason.

[Bobby Bones]

It's got to be a dynamic with somebody who's done it because they're about the same level now.

[Matt Castle]

Right.

[Bobby Bones]

But one's done it at a higher level before.

[Matt Castle]

Right. And the personality fit maybe, like, between the two players themselves, because we know that JJ is going to be the guy, maybe less threatening, to have a guy like Carson Wentz who knows that he's in that position's been through all the crap before. I just thought it was interesting because, again, Sam Howell's still a young player, but at the same time, from a skill set standpoint, price more similar to JJ than Carson Wentz's.

[Bobby Bones]

If they'd have kept Sam Howell, I'd been a Vikings guy. But as soon as they traded him.

[Matt Castle]

As soon as they traded, I was.

[Bobby Bones]

Like, I'm out on the Vikings.

[Matt Castle]

Know how Nobody, Carolina, Denver, period.

[Bobby Bones]

My final thing is this happened right before we came on Big engagement.

[Matt Castle]

I heard.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. So it's a day old by the time you hear, but Travis and Taylor got engaged.

[Matt Castle]

I thought you had this conspiracy theory that this was not they were broken up or something like that. Didn't you have that?

[Bobby Bones]

I did not have that. No.

[Matt Castle]

Somebody had that.

[Bobby Bones]

There are people that I work with that are constantly like, this isn't real. This isn't real.

[Matt Castle]

Seems pretty real now.

[Bobby Bones]

Is it weird that she's getting engaged right before her album comes out? Is that weird?

[Matt Castle]

Or right before season starts?

[Bobby Bones]

I think that's bad for football. I think it's good for her album. But again, she doesn't need it. She doesn't need it.

[Matt Castle]

Right.

[Bobby Bones]

So I don't think it's that, but that just feeds the conspiracy theory.

[Matt Castle]

But it's also not going to bring any more notoriety to her.

[Bobby Bones]

It's like the super bowl halftime show. She doesn't need it.

[Matt Castle]

Right. But the, the. Those were actually really interesting takes last week about the little, little hints.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, we're going to break and come back with Stephen Jackson, who was a beast from tv. He was a beast, but I didn't play with.

[Matt Castle]

You played against him.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah.

[Matt Castle]

And he was always that guy that every defensive coordinator would stay up late and have nightmares about because he was the guy that you had to stop. But he was such a physical runner that even if you were in the right position, he'd run through your face. But then he also had the long speed to go break it long. He was a remarkable player.

[Bobby Bones]

All right, coming up, Steven Jackson. Lowe's knows that Reward members get more. That's why when you sign up for Milo's Rewards or Milo's Pro Rewards today you get member deals, points and more. Plus you get free standard shipping starting at Silver Key and Gold Pro Status. Savings for reward members add up fast, so why wait? Become a rewards member for free and get more savings today.

[Sponsor/Advertiser]

You can make a difference in someone's life, including your own with a job in home care. These jobs offer flexible schedules, health care, retirement options and free training. They also provide paid time off and opportunities for overtime. Visit oregonhomecarejobs.com to learn more and apply. That's oregonhomecarejobs.com this Labor Day say goodbye to spills, stains and overpriced furniture with washablesofas.com featuring Anabe, the only machine washable sofa inside and out where designer quality meets budget friendly pricing. Sofas start at just $6.99, making it the perfect time to upgrade your space. Anibe's pet friendly stain resistant and interchangeable slipcovers are made with high performance fabric built for real life. You'll love the cloud like comfort of hypoallergenic, high resilience foam that never needs fluffing and a durable steel frame that stands the test of time with modular pieces you can rearrange anytime. It's a sofa that adapts to your life. Now through Labor Day. Get up to 60% off site [e-mail] Every order comes with a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not in love, send it back for a full refund. No return shipping, no restocking fees, every penny back. Shop [e-mail] Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Bobby Bones]

This is Rob Gronkowski from Dudes on Dudes. Anyone else feeling hungry because Applebee's just.

[Matt Castle]

Cooked up the ultimate option.

[Bobby Bones]

Play with their new Ultimate Trio deal. You can choose from three of their delicious appetizers and pair them up with three sauces for just 14.99. Craft your perfect trio from over 80,000 different combinations in this flavor packed plate. But built for one or to share if you're generous. You can stick with the classic pairings like boneless wings and buffalo sauce, mozzarella sticks and marinara, or brew pub pretzels and white cheddar beer cheese. Or you can spice things up and try some unexpected combinations like dipping chicken won tacos and their honey Dijon mustard.

[Matt Castle]

The choice is yours.

[Bobby Bones]

The Ultimate Trio is the perfect way to hit all your cravings in one plate and turn appetizers into an entree. It's time to head to your neighborhood Applebee's or order online today. Now that's eating good in the neighborhood.

[Matt Castle]

Talk about stepping up.

[Bobby Bones]

It's time to level up your game.

[Stephen Jackson]

Introducing the all new ESPN app. All of ESPN all in one place. Your home for the most live sports and the best championship moments.

[Bobby Bones]

The electricity is palpable.

[Stephen Jackson]

Step up your game with no annual contract required.

[Bobby Bones]

Fired.

[Stephen Jackson]

It's the ultimate fan experience.

[Matt Castle]

Level up.

[Stephen Jackson]

For more on the ESPN app or at stream.espn.com sign up now.

[Bobby Bones]

We are about to talk to legendary NFL running back Stephen Jackson. You played against Steven?

[Matt Castle]

I did. He was an absolute beast.

[Bobby Bones]

From what I remember. He was an absolute beast. But you had to play against him.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah. I mean he's 6, 2 2, 40, agile, athletic, would run through your face, make you miss. But the other part, a lot of times when you think about running backs that are big in stature, you think about just a downhill runner. No, he'd come out of the backfield, he'll catch the ball gracefully. A lot of those guys have brick hands, right? I mean I'm no offense Derek, you were my teammate. But at the same time he didn't have great hands.

[Bobby Bones]

Stephen Jackson, the LA Rams all time leading rusher had over 10100 rush yards. With his Rams career, 18th all time NFL rushing list, eight consecutive 1000 yard seasons. He was the 24th overall pick in the 2004 draft and here he is. You can follow him on Instagram. I am SJ39. Stephen Jackson. Stephen, really good to talk with you man. Thanks for the time.

[Matt Castle]

No problem.

[Stephen Jackson]

Thanks for having me.

[Bobby Bones]

I do want to start off because I was watching on YouTube your NFL legends show and I was watching a little bit about Sterling Sharp and how you're advocating for Sterling Sharp. So why this project? Like what. What did it make you? What was the passion behind it to get started?

[Stephen Jackson]

Yeah, the quite honest with you, I think, you know, I'm a football hit. So growing up, I was a guy that collected trading cards. I was watching all the highlights and I slowly began to favor players over teams and nostalgia. Looking back at stuff like that, I'm like, yo, what happened to that guy? Or what's his story? What is they're doing in life? I go and I would go on and then retire from football and join Legends community, which is about uplifting the legends of the past and making sure that as we transition from the playing days to our retirement days, that we still feel supported, we still feel like we're in the. In the locker room together. But each and every year I would look at the highlights or the promos for the upcoming season and NFL will always feature the same guys. And I'm like, well, there were other guys that had really great careers. Let's reintroduce them to the new generation so they can be familiar with them as I was.

[Matt Castle]

So you're advocating for these guys that you've seen play and all that stuff. My real question is, who's advocating for you in the hall, big boy? Because you used to run the Rock, had an incredible career. I mean, talk to me about that and what your view is on that.

[Stephen Jackson]

Well, I appreciate that. You know, I took great pride in every carry, every time I touched the field. I wanted to leave it all out there. The game, the passion that I played with. It was true and authentic. And I think that's why a lot of my fans connect with me. Who's advocating for me now? I would just say, you know, the most high and also guys like yourself and other sports writers that remember what I did in St. Louis. Unfortunately for me though, when the Rams picked up and moved back west to la, the beat writers that covered me week in and week out, a year in and year out, annually, I. I will lose their voice and maybe their even their vote of consideration to go in the argument for me. So I have to argue for myself. I'm not really good at that because I don't like to speak about myself in third person or talk about the things I've done. I. I feel like I left it all on the field. And then all you got to do is pick up a tape and watch some old games. I think you will see the passion that I play with.

[Bobby Bones]

You have the show called Legends which people can watch on YouTube but you did one on Bo Jackson.

[Stephen Jackson]

I'm reintroducing some of those older videos that I did season one and redoing them and giving them justice. So Bo is one of those athletes we all know when we're at that age. He was a true talent and he. His. His time in the sun was just too short. But that being said, you know, I think that guys like Darren Woodson, a safety for the the Cowboys, someone like, you know, even like a war Dunn, a smaller running back, had a great career. You wouldn't think someone his size would have the length of career that he had. But he great impact on the field as well in the community. What he's doing now you have the, the likes of Reggie White. I think his stories get lost in time. Not only because he's no longer with us, but we have such great defenders putting up these crazy stats that we forget. Some guys in the 80s and 90s and even before that was putting up just as oppressive stats that wasn't always tallied like they are now. So shining light and introducing to this again this generation to let them know that it's not necessarily you have to have the most social followers. To be famous or to be popular is actually, you know, being committed to the process and playing the game the right way and inspiring the next generation.

[Matt Castle]

Of football players who are some of the legendary running backs that you grew up watching that you kind of wanted to model your game after and really looked up to when you started your career.

[Stephen Jackson]

Oh, for sure. I wore 34 all the way up until I got to the NFL and that was large and behold because of Walter Payton. You pair that 34 with Bo Jackson and then you go down the list. There were other running backs I looked up dearly to. You have the Ricky Williams, you have the Eddie Georges of the world, but also you have some smaller guys. Marshall fault who was a teammate of mine as well as going back into early 90s, a guy named Terry Allen. He had played for the Redskins and he was an amazing gap runner. I learned how to be patient and run counter and power due to watching his film. So there's a number of guys I look up to and follow their career and took a little bit of their game and added it to mines. It just so happened that I'm a bigger packet than some of those guys I mentioned.

[Bobby Bones]

Stephen, how did you end up at.

[Stephen Jackson]

Oregon State, my senior year was the year Chad and TJ and those guys went to the Fiesta bowl and would go on to beat up on Notre Dame. But the, the, the level of groundwork and the foundation they were laying there in Corvallis made me want to be a part of it. Coming out of Las Vegas, Nevada, particularly in the early 2000s, it wasn't an area that was recruited heavy. I didn't go to a private school. I went to a city school here. And so my, the schools that wanted me to play or was going to allow me to play running back was largely on the West Coast. You had some of the bigger universities, like in Nebraska, that wanted me to be a middle linebacker. I didn't, I didn't want that for myself in my future. So I decided to stay west of the Mississippi. And it just kind of boiled itself down between Oregon State and. You had Colorado State and Arizona State. Those three schools were big on me. But eventually they will all weed themselves out. You know, Coach Snyder, Bruce Snyder at the time, for the Arizona, Arizona State, he was fired. You know, so there, you know, so those kind of process of elimination began to play itself out for me. And I want to be in a big conference, which was the PAC 10 at the time, and Oregon State and coach Dennis Erickson did a great job of making me feel wanted and definitely lived up to every, every commitment. They said they were going to allow me to come in and compete as a freshman. And I did play right away at the True, and, you know, the rest is history, as they say.

[Matt Castle]

So you also were drafted in the first round by the St. Louis Rams at the time, and you just talked about it. One of your teammates is Marshall Falk, who's obviously a legend in his own right.

[Bobby Bones]

How.

[Matt Castle]

What type of impact did he have on your career?

[Stephen Jackson]

Well, his impact for me was indirect. You know, at that time, some of the older veterans wasn't. They didn't feel like they had to hold your hand. It wasn't their job to get you ready to take their job. And so what I appreciated about our relationship for Marshall was it was one that if I asked a question, he would answer it truthfully. He didn't treat me as if I was a project, but he also treated me like a man, which was really big for my masteration and growth is because I knew Marshall studied the offense, he knew every aspect of the play of the game. So he made me step on my game. If I was going to try to compete for his job and replace him, I needed to be Able to do those same things, catch the ball out of the backfield, know the route tree, being able to be able to pass, protect and not have to come off the field in third down. So as he went to film study and as he did those things, I was dissecting him as he dissect the defense in the game preparation, it really helped me out and helped me stay around for a very long time because of that. You know, your f, your, your rookie year coming in, you just think it's all about the run game, but in the NFL, it's a whole different monster. You have to be able to pass pro and prove to the coach that you can stay on the field.

[Bobby Bones]

Did you feel like you had to at times assert a tone as a running back at the beginning of games and actually run through people so they knew what they were going to be dealing with all game?

[Stephen Jackson]

Absolutely. I think, you know, to the point you just made, it's a tone setter. You need to set. You, you know, you let them know this Sunday or whatever game day it is, it's going to be a long four quarters for them. It also gets the offense, it gets the team fired up, you know, you, you know, so not only are you setting the tone for the defense, but you're getting your team on alert to say, hey, we, we now and we're playing for real. And then lastly, that game film goes around, you know, so for the next three to four opponents, they're looking at that game field. So be it the rams playing the 49ers or the Rams playing the Miami Dolphins, whoever plays us those neck that next month, they're going to see that intensity that I play with, and they know that coming into that game, they're going to have their hands full. So not only did it put that team on alert that day, but they put the whole league on alert.

[Matt Castle]

That is true because anytime we played them, whether it was Coach Belichick or any coach that we had, we, they'd always talk about you as this guy's a game record. We got to wrap him up. We got to get hats on the ball because they knew the physicality in which you played with was different than a lot of the opponents that we'd face. That leads me to another question, because I think about these last, however, five years or so where there's kind of devalued the running back position. They say, you know, they're, we're not going to pay them as much money there. We can put anybody in there. But then you look At a team like the Eagles, go out and get Saquon Barkley and they go and win the super bowl this last year. And a big primary reason for that was Saquon. So can you talk about your feelings about when you hear people and express themselves in saying, well, the running back's not that important.

[Stephen Jackson]

I love that you bring that up. So I had another campaign over 10 years ago called Save the Running Back. It was towards my end of my career, but I was with the Atlanta Falcons at the time. And I've definitely saw what you're hitting on. You know, the devaluing of the position. General managers and head coaches feel like they could get anybody to put in the backfield and, you know, voila, here goes two or three yards in a cloud of dust. But it's like anything you. It's what you pay and what you invest in and at what level you're going to get that back. So as a team, they look for insurance, where your insurance factor is making sure that the guy is carrying a ball or the difference maker on the field feel that he's wanted and he's going to be there for a long haul. So that security makes that player rise to the occasion when you need him. As well as the running back position, I'm not a believer that anyone can do it. It's the shortest live position in the game. It's two and a half years as a running back for those is not special. But if you make it four years, you're almost guaranteed to make it another four, eight years. That's nearly a decade that you could depend on that guy. That's going to be a game, a game record. And it's going to be someone that if you have a young quarterback, typically is their formula for winning a Super bowl on a cheaper salary. You got to lean on the run game. And for, for in late in the January and February games, you need a run game again to keep the ball away from may dynamic offensive player, maybe like a Mahomes or as well as, you know, bad weather games like Foxboro. So those kind of games and those players are special in the moments, but you have to make sure that you have the right one and not just anybody.

[Bobby Bones]

Back in the day, it was you and Sean Alexander and fantasy, like you're the two fantasy gods. You had to get either you or Sean Alexander if you wanted to win the league. Now. Fantasy is a lot different now, though. But did you feel that from fantasy football when you were playing?

[Stephen Jackson]

Oh, for sure. You know, some of those lean years you you hit on in St. Louis, there was a stretch of my career where we were 3 and 13, 2 and 14, 1 and 15 and that was six wins in three years. So a lot of team wins was, you know, kind of thrown out the window. So gassing up at the gas station or a weekly call in for a radio call, most people let you know not only do they want to get a win that was so rare at their time, but we need you to get your stats so we can win our fantasy football league. So you're right. So I was definitely aware of how how much people valued me during that time.

[Bobby Bones]

Lowe's knows that Rewards members get more. That's why when you sign up for my Lowe's Rewards or my Lowe's Pro Rewards today, you get member deals, points and more. Plus you get free standard shipping starting at Silverkey and Gold Pro Status Savings for Rewards members add up fast, so why wait? Become a rewards member for free and get more savings today.

[Sponsor/Advertiser]

You can make a difference in someone's life, including your own with a job in home care. These jobs offer flexible schedules, healthcare, retirement options and free training. They also provide paid time off and opportunities for overtime. Visit oregonhomecarejobs.com to learn more and apply. That's oregonhomecarejobs.com this Labor Day say goodbye to spills, stains and overpriced furniture with washablesofas.com featuring Annabe, the only machine washable sofa inside and out where designer quality meets budget friendly pricing. Sofas start at just $6.99, making it the perfect time to upgrade your space. Anibe's Pet Friendly Stain resistant and interchangeable slipcovers are made with high performance fabric built for real life. You'll love the cloud like comfort of hypoallergenic, high resilience foam that never needs fluffing and a durable steel frame that stands the test of time with modular pieces you can rearrange anytime. It's a sofa that adapts to your life. Now through Labor Day. Get up to 60% off site [e-mail] Every order comes with a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not in love, send it back for a full refund. No return shipping, no restocking fees. Every penny back. Shop [e-mail] Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Bobby Bones]

This is Julian Edelman from Games With Names. Anyone else feeling hungry because Applebee's just cooked up the ultimate option? Play with their new Ultimate Trio deal. You can choose from three of their delicious appetizers and pair them up with three sauces for just 14.99. Craft your perfect trio from over 80,000 different combinations in this flavor packed plate. Built for one or to share if you're generous. You could stick with the classic pairings like boneless wings and buffalo sauce, mozzarella sticks and marinara, or brew pub pretzels with white cheddar beer cheese. Or you could spice things up and try some unexpected combinations like dipping chicken wonton tacos in their honey Dijon mustard. The choice is yours. The ultimate trio is the perfect way to hit all your cravings in one plate and turn appetizers into an it's time to head to your neighborhood Applebee's or order online today. That's eatin good in the neighborhood.

[Matt Castle]

Talk about stepping up.

[Bobby Bones]

It's time to level up your game.

[Stephen Jackson]

Introducing the all new ESPN app. All of ESPN all in one place. Your home for the most live sports and the best championship moments.

[Bobby Bones]

The electricity is palpable.

[Stephen Jackson]

Step up your game with no annual contract required. It's the the ultimate fan experience.

[Matt Castle]

Level up.

[Stephen Jackson]

For More on the ESPN app or at stream.espn.com sign up now.

[Matt Castle]

You are the all time rushing leader for the Rams organization. You surpass Eric Dickerson. When that happened at the time did you understand the significance and leading up to that moment in that game, did you understand where you were in terms of yards and that it might happen this game? Talk to us a little bit about that and what that experience was like.

[Bobby Bones]

Sure.

[Stephen Jackson]

It happened in Tampa Bay. We were in Tampa Bay. So I definitely recall when it happened. Going into the game I knew I was a good chance I would break his record. And I'm someone that value history. So when I'm when I would get ready for the season or you know, even getting ready for practice, I posted certain stats up that I knew that I was within reach reach or wanted to break. One of the goals was to be the all time leading rusher for the Rams. Probably should have let it set that goal a little higher and and I said I wanted to lead the NFL in rushing as well. But that said I was very condensative of what I was trying to do and what I was approaching it. It meant a lot to me. Ed still holds a single season rushing record. He's a 2,000 yard record and when most people think of Rams they still think of Ed. So he's he's a special player and rightfully so. He deserves that kind of respect. But as someone to go on and break his record in a franchise that has such a rich lineage with running backs. It means a lot to me. Saying that I'm number one, I'm first on that list. But, you know, it still goes. Records are meant to be broken. Given that the game is more passing now, it may stand who knows for how long, but it's something that I'm very proud of. Unless, you know that again, hitting on my respect for the game and my respect for legends, it means a lot to me.

[Bobby Bones]

Is there a current running back you see yourself in?

[Stephen Jackson]

I wouldn't say necessarily see myself then, but I, I do enjoy watching, as you said, Saquon Barkley. I do enjoy watching Derrick Henry. I'm looking forward to seeing some of these, this younger crop of guys, the Bijan Robinson down there in Atlanta. I, I, I enjoy Kyron Williams. He's a St. Louis kid that's now in LA rocking the horns. So there's a number of guys that I watch, I follow their careers. I wouldn't ne say that they, you know, mimic or have my exact running style. I know I was a quite a unique runner, you know, being 6:2 and over £240. Still having some versatility and flexibility in my, in, you know, my athleticism. A lot of that can't be duplicated. But I do enjoy watching these young guys take the game to another level.

[Matt Castle]

What's your relationship now with the Rams organization now that they're in LA? And, and have you met Sean McVeigh? And what, what's that relationship like?

[Stephen Jackson]

Like, I do have a good relationship with the franchise. They, they do a good job of keeping myself and some of the other guys involved. I was there, I would say, late winter and I had a chance to talk to, to the team and we, we talked about not only the passion heading into the playoffs, but also man of the Year award. Those things that, you know, differentiate, differentiate those guys off the field and on the field of saying, you know, we're our community leaders, then there's a young, young that looks up to us. So doing anything in the community, I would, you know, always say go out and do that. You never know who likes you can touch and who you inspire. But as well as take advantage of the moment because these moments are not guaranteed. I made the playoff my rookie year and I made the playoffs my 12th season. Those, those years in between was just a void. So going into it, I just wanted them to be realized the moment that they're in and appreciate it.

[Bobby Bones]

At what age did you get Bigger than everybody else.

[Stephen Jackson]

I was a late bloomer, I would say my junior in high school, I was the smallest guy and the shortest guy on the team is why I played running back. Start playing at Pop Warner at seven. But I didn't get my growth sport until I was 16, 17 years old. And it's oddly enough I stopped playing basketball at the same time. I was like, I'm never going to make it in basketball. I'm just too short focused on football. And then I just grew into this long linky body and once I got to Corvallis, kind of started to fill out that frame game.

[Matt Castle]

You know, it's interesting because you mentioned that the average for a running back is two and a half years. You played 12 years in this league at a really high level. And my question to you is, with the demanding nature of your position in general, how did you stay healthy for that long duration of time?

[Stephen Jackson]

I was very cognizant and aware of my. My recovery. I had a whole. I had a whole routine down in my basement. I had a recovery room where we had an ice tub. I hyperbaric tent around a mattress that I would sleep at in between the game days. I was also very aware of what I was putting in my body. I was no to little gluten, right. So that's all retention of inflammation. So I was a guy that constantly was working and tweaking on myself. Even when I, when I wasn't in the building at the practice facility with the trainers, I was trying to make sure that I was putting myself ahead of schedule, being able to be ready for the next game. So I think these younger guys, that they're going to last, you know, they got to treat themselves just as precious that they treat their sports cars. Make sure the fuel you put in yourself is worthwhile. You're getting something from it, but also you're getting rest at night and you know, you're playing, you're playing with a sense of passion that coaches and general managers feel like they want to reward you and keep you around.

[Bobby Bones]

It's got to be weird to play for a team, put your whole career in a team that's in a city and the city changes because the organization, like the bones are there, but it's not. It's like going back to your hometown and your house is torn down. Like it's still your hometown, but it's not the same. Like that's got to be weird a little, right?

[Stephen Jackson]

Yeah, that was a really good analogy. And that's how I feel. Right. Yeah. So even, you know, sometimes I go back to St. Louis for maybe a non profit event or something that's still going from my years there and having those relationship intact still. But you're right, it's just like going back to your hometown but your home's not there. It's weird. It is truly a weird feeling. You know, do I fit in in LA? Maybe maybe not St. Louis, not quite anymore. So I'm a journeyman. I'm a journeyman.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah. I always like to ask guys like yourself, do you have a moment or one of those mo the most memorable moments from your playing careers that you can describe to us that you remember and you're like, ah, this is awesome.

[Stephen Jackson]

Yeah, I have, I have a number. But I will say Seattle. Playing in Seattle one was. It's special to me. It was going back to the Pacific Northwest where I played my college ball at. So you know, there was a connection there. I wanted to put on always a good show for. For them. But also the rivalry. The 12th man has always allowed stadium and there was a particular run, I think it was a draw and made contact with the linebacker or a couple of guys at about the five or six yard line and just kept driving my legs, kept driving my legs and then all of a sudden the pal start to move and lo and behold end up in the end zone. The. The helmet ripped off. I'm going crazy. But it was a big score, big momentum shift. But I think that's a defining moment of my career. Nothing really truly came easy. I had to fight for every yard. But at the same time I was that I was that spirit stick for the team and it was one of those those runs that always play back. When I think of my playing days and when I think about favorite places to play in Seattle, it's truly a run that sticks out to me me.

[Bobby Bones]

Let me give you one final question here. And I'm going to force you to put shine on yourself because I know you're not that type of guy to do so. So do you feel. Because I feel like you should get bonus points for putting up hall of Fame numbers for with an organization that struggled to win games like you still did it even though the team at times wasn't doing it. I feel like you're top 20 in rushing. I feel like that should be enough to get you in. Don't you?

[Stephen Jackson]

You're kind. I believe that, you know, my resume speaks for itself. And when you compare apples to apples, I'm up there with some of the best. How does that shake out with the voters? What are they looking for? Style points? I don't know. But I tell you, I was a determined player. I, I believe one day I will be there, just a matter of when. And I appreciate you saying that.

[Bobby Bones]

He's so humble. He won't even shine on himself. Like, I'm begging him to shine.

[Matt Castle]

I was a beast. I got hit, he said. At first I made contact with one run back. I mean, one linebacker. And then there was multiple. And then I just basically put them on my back and ran into the end zone.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, you just wish that people would go, the voters would go and just watch. We just watch old tape, right? Like, and it's everywhere now. I think the benefit now is you can go to Tik Tok and just watch. Like, I was watching a lot of your highlights on Tik Tok because it's so readily available. And I think if you could just get the voters exposed to some of the things that they may not have seen firsthand, but they're making decisions on people who they didn't get to see firsthand. I think it's all there. And so I would encourage people to go and, and just watch his highlights and also check out Legends, which you can get it a couple ways. You can go to YouTube or go to sj39.com to find out more and find out more about what Stephen's doing. Hey, big fans. Was a big fan of you back in the day. Love what you're doing now. We really appreciate the time. And hey, good luck and. And you know what? You deserve. That's all. I'm just gonna say you deserve it. You deserve it.

[Matt Castle]

That's 100.

[Stephen Jackson]

Thank you, guys. I appreciate it.

[Bobby Bones]

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[Matt Castle]

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[Bobby Bones]

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[Matt Castle]

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[Bobby Bones]

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[Matt Castle]

The choice is yours. The ultimate trio is the perfect way.

[Bobby Bones]

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[Matt Castle]

Talk about stepping up.

[Bobby Bones]

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[Stephen Jackson]

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[Bobby Bones]

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[Stephen Jackson]

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[Matt Castle]

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[Stephen Jackson]

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[Bobby Bones]

Sign up now. All right, let's go over to kickoff. Kevin, who's got a game for us? What do you have?

[Matt Castle]

Yeah, I want to see how many.

[Bobby Bones]

Players you guys can name in the top 10 all time NFL rushing leaders. Okay. And you can work Together. I like it. I like. I like being a team. And you're out. Okay, so top 10. Top 10 can eliminate. Okay, you want to go first? Let me go first because I can. I can hit number one. Okay, go. Emmett Smith, number one. Yep. Okay. Emmett Smith, number 1. Ding, ding.

[Matt Castle]

Adrian Peterson.

[Bobby Bones]

Yep. What's he. He is number five.

[Matt Castle]

Number five. Okay.

[Bobby Bones]

Okay. We talked about him earlier. Eric Dickerson. Correct. Number. Number nine, by the way.

[Matt Castle]

Number nine.

[Bobby Bones]

Okay.

[Matt Castle]

How about Frank Gore?

[Bobby Bones]

Dang, you guys are on a roll. Now he's number three.

[Stephen Jackson]

Wow.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. Wow.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

That is time spent right there. He spent a lot of time.

[Matt Castle]

He played a long time in the league.

[Bobby Bones]

Wow. Okay, so we have walk with him. We got Emmett at one, Gore at three. Yep. Peterson at five. Okay. Eric Dickerson at nine. Got it. Okay. How about. I mean, two. It's got to be Walter Payton, right? Is that what you're going with?

[Stephen Jackson]

I'm.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm not going to say it's for sure. Two, but I'm going to go Walter Payton. Okay. He's two. Okay.

[Matt Castle]

He is two. Okay.

[Bobby Bones]

Hey, we're doing pretty good.

[Matt Castle]

Pretty good.

[Bobby Bones]

Maybe one strike in your own.

[Matt Castle]

Pretty good.

[Bobby Bones]

So we have 4, 6, 7 and 8. We have 4 left. 4, 6, 7, 8, 10. Oh, and 10. Dang.

[Matt Castle]

How about Fred Taylor?

[Bobby Bones]

Is that a final guess here?

[Matt Castle]

Yeah. Wrong. Damn it. Shoot. Where. Where's he on the whole one strike? Is he up there, though?

[Bobby Bones]

Not in the top 10.

[Matt Castle]

Not in top 10. Not in the top 10. We don't care about anybody that's not in the top 10.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm going to go TCU alum, La Dania Tomlinson. Correct.

[Matt Castle]

Oh, nice grab right there.

[Bobby Bones]

Number seven. He went to tcu, right? Yeah. Okay. How about.

[Matt Castle]

What do you think about Earl Campbell?

[Bobby Bones]

Dude, I don't know. I don't sound very convincing there.

[Matt Castle]

I mean, I.

[Bobby Bones]

So we got 1, 2, and 3. So who is between Gore and Peterson? Like, who are the most dynamic backs ever? Like, if we go to the 49ers, there's nobody there because, like the Roger Craigs, like when Rice was playing. Like, I don't think, though. Right. Like the Rathman Roger. I don't think the 49ers would have one. No, because it's not any new ones. It's not like Christian McCaffrey, so. Okay, 49ers gone. I'm thinking of the two.

[Matt Castle]

Any could. Could Derrick Henry already be. I mean, he's played a long time.

[Bobby Bones]

That's a good. I was. I'm shocked that Gore's at 3. I was too. Yeah, that's high.

[Matt Castle]

He played for like 18 years.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, 16,000 yards.

[Matt Castle]

That's a bunch of yards like in LA.

[Bobby Bones]

Well, you have Ladanian Tomlinson, you have Eric Dickerson, but that was also St. Louis. I'm just trying to think of the Cowboys. You would only have Emmett. That would possibly be on there, right? The Giants and the Jets. Yeah, they.

[Matt Castle]

I don't.

[Bobby Bones]

Nothing.

[Matt Castle]

Well, you had Tiki Barber.

[Bobby Bones]

I mean, nothing. Top 10 and there's no way Tiki Barbers top 10.

[Matt Castle]

I don't think so.

[Bobby Bones]

Like the other power.

[Matt Castle]

Not the Patriots, Miami.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm thinking best running backs from these teams ever. The Houston. I don't know. We can get.

[Matt Castle]

I mean, you guys are on a.

[Bobby Bones]

Roll to start doing. It's hard now.

[Matt Castle]

I know. I mean, the pool is shrinking.

[Bobby Bones]

There is no. No hints.

[Matt Castle]

No.

[Bobby Bones]

No hints. Saints, Buccaneers, Herschel Walker. I mean, I don't know that that's a no.

[Matt Castle]

But Earl Campbell, Herschel Walker are two guys that are legendary backs. But I don't know if they're up there in that. I mean, 16,000 yards for Frank Gore.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, on the dot, too. I don't know who for.

[Matt Castle]

Oh, what about Corey Dillon?

[Bobby Bones]

No, I don't know.

[Matt Castle]

He played for a long time.

[Bobby Bones]

No way. I mean, I could for sure be wrong, but I'm going to go no way. On Corey Dillon. But you can take guess we're a team and you have the only strike. You have the only strike and you're the former player.

[Matt Castle]

Well, then you go ahead and pick one. I'm throwing out three dang names, but.

[Stephen Jackson]

I don't think those are right.

[Bobby Bones]

Right.

[Matt Castle]

Who are we missing that.

[Bobby Bones]

Okay, most legendary running backs of all time. One we know. Emma Smith is one. But like, ever. Barry Sanders. I don't know that he is.

[Matt Castle]

All right, let's go, Barry. You go, Barry Sanders.

[Bobby Bones]

It's your pick and I want. You guys are a team here. But he's got the only strike, you know, I mean.

[Matt Castle]

All right, Barry.

[Bobby Bones]

No, Barry, what do you got?

[Matt Castle]

All right, let's go, Barry Sanders, number four.

[Bobby Bones]

Barry Sanders.

[Matt Castle]

Was he number four? That's remarkable.

[Bobby Bones]

Let's go. Okay, so we have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. We have three left. Yeah. Is that right? Yeah.

[Matt Castle]

6, 8 and 10. Who are we?

[Bobby Bones]

Are any of them, like we're probably not gonna get in a million years? No. Maybe one's a pretty big surprise. Baker Mayfield.

[Matt Castle]

What's his name for that? Played for the Jets. And somebody else. Curtis.

[Bobby Bones]

Oh, Curtis. Martin.

[Matt Castle]

Martin.

[Bobby Bones]

That's a good guess. That's a good guess.

[Matt Castle]

I'm gonna go with Curtis Martin.

[Bobby Bones]

It's my pick.

[Matt Castle]

It's your pick. I think Curtis Martin might be on there.

[Bobby Bones]

That's a good. I would have never got to him. I would have listed 100 running backs and never guessed it. I'm gonna let you. I'm gonna save that one for you. You can have that one. Don't give it up. Don't give it up.

[Matt Castle]

Up.

[Bobby Bones]

Okay, what about curse?

[Matt Castle]

Martin played for a long time.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, I think that could be a pretty good guess. It's. You know what you took very. I don't know. What about the bus?

[Matt Castle]

I know. I thought about that too. Jerome Benis Bettis. Yeah.

[Stephen Jackson]

Do it.

[Matt Castle]

Like egging each other on.

[Bobby Bones]

Okay. It's my pick. It is your pick. Jerome Bettis. Number eight. Drone Bettis. Let's go. Okay, we have two left.

[Matt Castle]

I need three, but. Yeah, but you did say yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

So your picks are.

[Matt Castle]

All right, I'm going with Curtis Martin.

[Bobby Bones]

Number six. Curtis Martin. Let's go. Nice. I would have never got that.

[Stephen Jackson]

Thank you.

[Matt Castle]

I appreciate it.

[Bobby Bones]

My very first jersey I ever had. Patriots. Curtis Martin.

[Matt Castle]

Let's go. See, I knew he was a sad.

[Bobby Bones]

So we have one left and one left. What number is he? 10.

[Matt Castle]

He's number 10.

[Bobby Bones]

Last guy on the list. Could it be. How many strikes do we have?

[Matt Castle]

1. We only have one.

[Bobby Bones]

Okay, so if we were to talk out running back because you got to Curtis Martin now. I haven't passed over the jets earlier. I was like, well, it can't be a Jet because they suck. Yeah, that's fair.

[Matt Castle]

Played for multiple years. What year is Derek Henry in? Can we at least get asking a friend, man?

[Bobby Bones]

It could be Derek Henry.

[Matt Castle]

It could be.

[Bobby Bones]

Is any. I don't like hints because I think that we're not gonna ask for any hints until we get three strikes. Okay. Is it my pick or his? Yours, because he just had Curtis. Okay, I'll take one for the team. Derrick Henry. Strike number two.

[Matt Castle]

I think Earl Campbell played for a really long time.

[Bobby Bones]

Well, I mean, listen, you're married to Earl Campbell. You've said it eight times. I. I have.

[Matt Castle]

And I'm just thinking. Thinking about him. I don't know. Oh, Herschel Walker. I said those two multiple times. Those are. I'm trying to think of another.

[Bobby Bones]

Okay, what about.

[Matt Castle]

What about Tony Dorsett, who was Seattle?

[Bobby Bones]

Sean Alexander.

[Matt Castle]

Sean Alexander. He could be up there.

[Bobby Bones]

So. Okay, let's. Let's weigh it out. Who we think it could out of. And you just tell us if it's one of these people. Okay, I'm gonna listen for you. Okay, he wants Earl. He's got a bone of Earl Campbell. So. Earl Campbell, Sean Alexander, Herschel Walker, Tony Dorsett. Are there any others? And did we say Derek Henry? You just guessed him. Okay. We missed him. Okay, those four. Is it one of those four? It is one of those four. Okay. I don't think it's Sean Alexander.

[Matt Castle]

You don't?

[Bobby Bones]

I don't. I don't know. I did bring him up in the Stephen Jackson interview, so maybe that was a sign to. But I. Okay, let's eliminate somebody. I don't think it's Earl Campbell. I think it's too old. I don't think they even measured in yards back then.

[Matt Castle]

I think it's John Alexander.

[Bobby Bones]

Who? You do?

[Matt Castle]

I do. I have a feeling I could be completely wrong.

[Bobby Bones]

Well, there's only four on here, so you won't be completely, completely wrong. Yeah, we have a 25% chance. I think it's probably one of the. One of the Cowboys boys that's. I'm only doing 50. Like, I've cut my losses. I think it's either Herschel Walker or Tony Dorset.

[Matt Castle]

I'm going. Sean Alexander. Okay, your pick, Sean Alexander.

[Bobby Bones]

Matt, he's not even in the top 25.

[Matt Castle]

Darn it.

[Bobby Bones]

Hey, Sean. Is it his boy? His other. His oiler, Earl? It is not Earl either.

[Matt Castle]

Oh, Tony Dorsett or Herschel Walker?

[Bobby Bones]

Walker.

[Matt Castle]

Oh, Herschel Walker.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm gonna go. Tony Dorsett. It's Tony Dorsett. We didn't win. Dang, you guys are so close.

[Matt Castle]

That was hard.

[Bobby Bones]

You really wanted Earl Campbell.

[Matt Castle]

I sure did.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah.

[Matt Castle]

Where is Earl Campbell?

[Bobby Bones]

I just have the top 25 here.

[Matt Castle]

He's not in the. He's not even in that. I mean, I met him one time at the Cowboys facility, and I'm telling you, dude, his hands were so mangled from just all of his days running and stuff like that. He was a beast, though.

[Bobby Bones]

Derek Henry is 19, by the way, at number 19. Yeah. Right behind Steven Jackson.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

And Fred Taylor. How far is he back behind Steven Jackson? He is. Oh, 15 yards. Oh, one quarter. What about behind Fred Taylor? Yeah, that's who. He's next. 240. Who do you think he can break this year? Where does he end up this year if he rushes for 900 yards?

[Matt Castle]

3.

[Bobby Bones]

900. He'll just break Thurman Thomas. He'll be behind.

[Matt Castle]

We didn't think of Thurman.

[Bobby Bones]

No, actually, Franklin, he'll be right with Marcus Allen at 14 oh, cool. Wow. Yeah. I didn't think of Thurman Thomas and Thurman Thomas played with who in college? I don't know.

[Matt Castle]

Didn't go to Oklahoma State.

[Bobby Bones]

Yes, he sure did.

[Matt Castle]

Who did he play with in college?

[Bobby Bones]

Barry Sanders.

[Matt Castle]

They played together. That's amazing. That's a great trivia question. I had no idea.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, that's a pretty cool backfield.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah, that's it.

[Stephen Jackson]

Yeah.

[Matt Castle]

I'd say.

[Bobby Bones]

What year was that? That was before me. Like, I just.

[Matt Castle]

That was before me for sure.

[Bobby Bones]

I just. I just know that from.

[Matt Castle]

That's. That's an incredible. Though thurman Thomas was 88. That was his first NFL season. Thurman Thomas, 88.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. And then 86 and 87. Pro Football hall of Fame running backs were teammates at Oklahoma State University. Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas, Thomas, they were arguably the best backfill in college football history. After Thurman Thomas graduated, Sanders had his famous Heisman Trophy season at osu, but they were there together.

[Matt Castle]

Wow.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. That's crazy.

[Matt Castle]

That's unbelievable.

[Bobby Bones]

Speaking of college, you on the road this weekend?

[Matt Castle]

On the road this weekend. Boys going to Michigan, Going to Michigan get to see. They just named the young stud, Bryce Underwood, the starter. So he's going to be a true freshman. I think only the fourth time in Michigan history or something like that, that. So I'm excited to see him. Now they're playing New Mexico. New Mexico is going to have to pull few, you know, rabbits out of their hat, but at the same time, it'll be a great environment. I mean, that. That place, the Big House, is exceptional.

[Bobby Bones]

Big Ten Network.

[Matt Castle]

NBC. Wnb. No, NBC.

[Bobby Bones]

Wait, what?

[Matt Castle]

Yeah, it's on NBC.

[Bobby Bones]

I thought.

[Matt Castle]

I thought we cover the Big Ten for NBC.

[Bobby Bones]

I thought you're on the Big Ten network.

[Matt Castle]

No, Big Ten. Big.

[Bobby Bones]

You're on the actual network.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah, on the actual network with NBC.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm working with a network guy.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. This is awesome.

[Matt Castle]

Network guy.

[Bobby Bones]

Damn.

[Matt Castle]

Third season with NBC.

[Bobby Bones]

No. So that's awesome.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah. It'll be fun.

[Bobby Bones]

I will be. And this is the stupid thing that's happened here with me. And I'll end on this. My fantasy football league is having their draft this weekend. They're doing it Saturday, first of all, on week one of college football. And I get it, it's the NFL and these guys are big NFL guys, not so much college guys, but they're doing it Saturday at 3 o'. Clock. You know what happens Saturday at 3 o'?

[Matt Castle]

Clock?

[Bobby Bones]

Arkansas plays. Oh, no. So I'm not Going to the draft. I'm gonna.

[Matt Castle]

You're not gonna have like just put it on and then just draft?

[Bobby Bones]

I'll draft from my phone as I watch the game at home.

[Matt Castle]

So you're definitely not going?

[Bobby Bones]

No, I'm not going. That. That is. Why would you even do it on Saturday? Week one of college football. That's worse than a wedding, by the way. I gotta. I gotta.

[Matt Castle]

Let's do Sunday.

[Bobby Bones]

I gotta find out where NBC is. I thought he was on Big Ten network. Because to be fair there, we didn't work together while you're doing television last year.

[Matt Castle]

Right.

[Bobby Bones]

We came in at the end and you were like, I worked for the Big Ten.

[Matt Castle]

No, we. I cover the Big Ten.

[Bobby Bones]

I don't know what you said cover.

[Matt Castle]

No, NBC.

[Bobby Bones]

I don't know about that. But anyway, he's on the NBC boys. Big timer, let's go. Big Timer. Wait, like NBC.com?

[Matt Castle]

No, like NBC.

[Bobby Bones]

What?

[Matt Castle]

The network.

[Bobby Bones]

Wow.

[Matt Castle]

You're gonna turn on NBC for pregame and you're gonna see an old cast dog up there. What?

[Bobby Bones]

I'm like, I know him.

[Matt Castle]

Bryce Underwood.

[Bobby Bones]

That's wild.

[Matt Castle]

Michigan Wolverine.

[Bobby Bones]

Thank you, guys. Thanks to Stephen Jackson Kickoff, Kevin executive producer Brandon Ray running all the video. That's Matt Castle. Who, by the way, there was a documentary crew in on the Matt Castle documentary.

[Matt Castle]

Yeah. And I'll tell you, your glowing remarks really filled my heart up today. I'm gonna get a copy of that. I'm just gonna play it over before I go to bed. Honey, you see this? Elizabeth, this.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm Bobby Bones. We'll see you guys next week. We've had lots to say. Bye, everybody. Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle is a production of the NFL and iHeart podcasts. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. When you have a kid, the only bowl that matters is the one in the bathroom. Yes, we mean their trip to the toilet bowl. Introducing a new team player from Dude Wipes. Little Dude Wipes. The flushable wet wipe for kids. Like the original, they're also free of chemical binders and alcohol, so you can protect your little player's end zone with the safest clean possible. And the best part, Little Dude Wipes come fragrance free or in bubblegum scent for your little stinker. Gentle enough for little cheeks and strong enough for toddler streaks. Made with 100 plant based natural fibers. Available exclusively at Walmart nationwide.

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[Bobby Bones]

Summer is here and you.

[Stephen Jackson]

Can now get almost anything you need.

[Bobby Bones]

For your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. What do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parmesan delivered. A cabana? That's a no, but a banana? That's a yes. An ice tan? Sorry, no.

[Matt Castle]

But a box fan? Happily yes.

[Bobby Bones]

A day of sunshine?

[Stephen Jackson]

No.

[Bobby Bones]

A box of fine wines?

[Matt Castle]

Yes.

[Bobby Bones]

Ubereats can definitely get you that. Get almost almost anything delivered with UberEats.

[Stephen Jackson]

Order now.

[Bobby Bones]

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