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Dan LeBatard
You're listening to Giraffe Kings Network.
Stugotz
What is Dax?
Greg Cody
Are you tracking all our cars on Carvana Value Tracker on all our devices?
Mike Ryan
Yes, Kristen.
Greg Cody
Yes, I am.
Dan LeBatard
Well, I've been looking for my phone for.
Mike Ryan
In Dax's domain, we see all.
Greg Cody
So we always know what our cars are worth.
Dan LeBatard
All of them?
Mike Ryan
All of them.
Greg Cody
Value surge trucks up 3.9%.
Dan LeBatard
That's a great offer.
Greg Cody
I know. Sell. Sell. Track your car's value with Carvana Value Tracker today.
Mike Ryan
Now's a good time to remember where tequila's story truly began. In 1795, Cuervo invented tequila. Cuervo, what are you doing here? Cuervo.
Greg Cody
Anytime someone says Cuervo, I show up.
Mike Ryan
Well, I do know that to be true. But even during ad reads like Cuervo, I think he could lay out, especially for one of our great partners.
Greg Cody
Sweet, delicious Cuervo.
Mike Ryan
Since then, Cuervo has stayed true to its roots. The same family, the same land, the same passion.
Greg Cody
Cuervo.
Mike Ryan
So enjoy the tequila that started it all. Cuervo. Cuervo, the tequila that invented tequila. Proximo. Cuervo.com, please drink responsibly.
Greg Cody
Cuervo. Shadow Show.
Stugotz
Shadow Show.
Greg Cody
Shadow Show.
Stugotz
Shadow Show. Shadow Show.
Chris Cody
Shadow Show.
Greg Cody
Shadow Show.
Stugotz
Shadow in it. Shadowing it.
Greg Cody
Happy Greg Cody. Tuesday. Well, we're not on video, so you giving me a thumbs up there isn't really helpful.
Chris Cody
That's crazy.
Stugotz
Live video. Who knows around here?
Greg Cody
How is it that he doesn't know where he is? Still, after all of these years doing this with us?
Mike Ryan
Shadow show, in Craig's defense, is a relatively new concept and I'm still not, like, fully dialed into it.
Chris Cody
Yeah, Mike, you're messing with me with how far you have that mic down, right? Like, that's just to troll me.
Greg Cody
Like, it's very low. It's closer to your crotch than it is to your mouth. Greg. It is.
Billy Gil
Okay.
Stugotz
And then when it's too close, it's like we hear you breathing. Okay, but breathing.
Greg Cody
Greg, these are problems no other professional broadcaster has.
Chris Cody
Just some notes. When you're not talking, lean back slightly so your breathing doesn't get caught. And when you're going to talk, sit up normal. So you're into the mic. It's kind of not that difficult.
Tony
Here's a helpful note. Stop picking on your dad. Everybody hates it.
Stugotz
Thank you, God. Isn't that the truth? All right. Go on with the show. The show must go on, as they say.
Greg Cody
Why did you say before the show? Mirror, don't lie, and then you Said actually, the mirror does lie.
Stugotz
I believe that all the time.
Mike Ryan
It's Everything's opposite.
Stugotz
Yeah. Well, not only that, but the mirror is open to interpretation. Like, when I see myself in a mirror, I see myself differently than when I see my photo on TV or, you know, something. Something else.
Greg Cody
Well, I. The reason this conversation started is because I was asking Greg what he thought of Angel's caricature that flips up there on the slot machine, and he doesn't like it.
Stugotz
It's a little harsh.
Chris Cody
It's all one color, right?
Greg Cody
It's all gray. It's all of it pale. Well, it's just. All of it is ashy. All of him is just covered in it. If. If he were to emerge from a volcano that had just erupted and was running for his safety, he would look that kind of ashy on. In his hair and on his face.
Stugotz
Yes. Let's just refer to it as an unflattering caricature.
Greg Cody
But you said. Originally, you said, mirror don't lie. Because what you said to me was, I guess I got to accept that I am now gray mirror don't lie. And then you stopped and said, actually, the mirror does lie. And I don't think the mirror lies. Put it on the poll at Lebatard show. Does your mirror lie?
Chris Cody
I'm with my dad on this. You'll look at yourself in the mirror and you're like, all right, this is fine. This passes. And then you see yourself in a picture and you're like, what was I thinking?
Greg Cody
Yeah, but the picture.
Chris Cody
What did my mirror tell me?
Greg Cody
No, but the mirror. Wait a minute. But the mirror's more accurate than the picture. You can take unflattering pictures. You can't take unflattering mirror.
Mike Ryan
No, you can't, because it's a scientific fact. You do appear better looking to yourself in the mirror because of the facial symmetry being reversed. The fact that you're subconsciously posing. You control the lighting. You. You. When you look in the mirror, you're trying to look as best as you can.
Chris Cody
I put my tongue in my mouth so my face gets as thin as possible.
Billy Gil
Like, there's some mirrors that lie, though, because you look at some mirrors and you're like, oh, I look good. And then you look at other mirrors and you're like, whoa, where does this guy come from? Not even the funhouse mirrors, just a regular mirror. Sometimes the gym has some better mirrors. Is the lighting, is the angles.
Mike Ryan
It's all those things they know how make people feel good about themselves. It's part of the business.
Billy Gil
But when you see one at your.
Mike Ryan
House and you're like, damn, have the mirror at the gym.
Billy Gil
Where'd that gun come from?
Mike Ryan
It might be a good mirror with good lighting.
Tony
The mirrors at the gyms have filters on them now, like IG filters. So, like, when you go, you're like, ooh, okay.
Billy Gil
I think you can work out with those mirrors. They do like, a workout, too.
Greg Cody
I don't think you guys are accurate anyway. I believe the mirror is an accurate representation of what you look like. More accurate.
Mike Ryan
No, I asked Chatgpt about the photographs. No, no, no. I asked Chatgpt. That's like a human thing that happens in your brain when you look into a mirror.
Stugotz
It's a fact.
Greg Cody
Put it on the poll. Is it a fact, Jack, that it's, like, your thing?
Stugotz
I'm not a slave to that. I don't have to say Jack every time.
Greg Cody
Your line. It's your line.
Stugotz
It's my line when I'm ready for it.
Mike Ryan
We want to get the people to pop. You get the people to pop when you recite your own line.
Stugotz
That's Doogie. That's what I called my grandfather.
Billy Gil
He's right about that.
Greg Cody
Yeah.
Billy Gil
He has said that on multiple occasions.
Stugotz
Thank you. I'm in reruns.
Greg Cody
Except the ones you need to remember those you get wrong. How is it that you get your signature lines wrong?
Stugotz
Because I'm not a slave to them. You know, they're. We heard you say that. They're on my terms.
Chris Cody
Please stop saying that phrase.
Greg Cody
You want to put you down as them up in the rafters again today.
Stugotz
You're the one who is lifting them up into the rafters. I'm the one. I just put ropes under his armpits.
Greg Cody
All right, let's start the show. Start the show.
Tony
This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats podcast.
Greg Cody
I felt for Roy this morning, even though Roy is affiliated with the only good thing that we have in South Florida sports at the moment, I guess I should say Inter Miami is also excellent. But among the major sports that we cover here, the top four. Roy has the hockey team, and he was out at Panthers practice. And Brad Marchand spoke glowingly of both the Bruins and the Panthers yesterday. But right under his nose. He missed the ekblad suspension of 20 games, and he didn't do any good reporting. He gave us atmosphere from an empty arena. But soon, soon after he left the arena, we learned that Ekblad was suspended for 20 games. And your reaction, Roy, was what to both this news and being beaten on this news.
Mike Ryan
Well, first of all, it was about six hours after we left this news.
Greg Cody
Well, you could have broken it early.
Chris Cody
You could have hung around.
Greg Cody
You were there.
Mike Ryan
I could have hung around for six extra hours. I don't think anyone actually broke this story. It was announced by the league in the nhlpa.
Greg Cody
I understand.
Tony
What's the COVID up then? Is asking Roy was there.
Greg Cody
It's not really the COVID up. It's more just missing the news. Just being there to gather news and then missing the news.
Mike Ryan
Well, yes, okay. I missed the news.
Stugotz
Yeah.
Mike Ryan
Thank you for pointing that out.
Chris Cody
There were no rumblings.
Mike Ryan
No, no's. No rumbling.
Tony
You see Aaron walking out with like a cardboard box full of his, you know, personal effects.
Mike Ryan
I don't think he was fired, Billy.
Stugotz
Well, no.
Tony
For two weeks, though. He can't be there.
Mike Ryan
That is correct. No, no, I did not see a cardboard box of any of his belongings in it. No. You also missed on reporting the Mikko Ranton trade to Dallas. So apologize.
Greg Cody
Me?
Mike Ryan
I gotta apologize? Missing scoops left and right.
Greg Cody
We do that well here at Meadowlark Media. I will have you know that yesterday Taylor, and I'm in agreement with that listener at Flanagan's who said Les Taylor on the show.
Billy Gil
It was one guy.
Greg Cody
Taylor reported yesterday because he's our North Carolina expert. And no one has more Mac Hollins information nationally than Taylor does. He reported yesterday on X. Max Hollins to Matt Collins to the Patriots. And he had a typo in the tweet. And when he took it down to edit it, someone else reported it.
Stugotz
Oh, my God.
Greg Cody
It's the new pizza. Sort of that type of game. No, but that's how we do it around here. Some people might ask, how do you get beat when you're standing on the ice and Eric Platt eck bladders. Aaron Eckblad is packing up his stuff. But you got beat on that story.
Chris Cody
How bad was the typo? I didn't see it. Like, what did he need to take it down? Did you? The context of the tweet with. With the typo, like, he should have just left it up. Right.
Mike Ryan
The thing is, he's.
Billy Gil
He's the nation's foremost expert on Mack Holland. So anytime that Taylor tweets something out, it's got to be right because obviously he's the number one guy for Mac Holland's news. When you send out the tweet and it says DTH instead of th e, it's like, oh, I don't know.
Stugotz
Yeah, I Do that all the time. I have to take down tweets and redo them. It's. It's tough not to make an error. Matt Collins, I think number 57 on the Greg Cody show. All time list of all time guests. So. So Eckblad, number 85. All my guys are moving, you know, they're being traded, they're being busted for dope. I mean, all kind of things are happening.
Greg Cody
Okay, well, what is. I saw Bobby. I saw Bobby Portis got 25 games. When you get these bigger suspensions, that's always. We're always assuming in an Eckblad's case, I guess we now understand how his play improves, right? I mean, you guys hated him for a while, and then for the last nine months or so, you guys have been fine with him.
Chris Cody
Something happened.
Mike Ryan
Well, the funny thing is, the last person who got busted for peds and suspended for 20 games was Nate Schmidt.
Stugotz
When he was in Vegas.
Mike Ryan
He's a Panther now.
Stugotz
I wish that Ekblad or any athlete suspended for peds would just instantly own up to it instead of implying, oh, inadvertently, you know, I took a medicine. I didn't know this Ekblad, he's 29 years old, okay? He hears the career clock ticking a little bit, no longer the best defenseman on his team, and he wanted to get a little bit of an edge. It's human nature. It's illegal, but it's human nature.
Mike Ryan
Kind of crept back into the discussion of being the best defenseman on his team.
Stugotz
More than forsling.
Mike Ryan
He had a really good season, really great bounce back. When he was out for a brief period of time this season, the Panthers form had dipped. He came back. They were off to the races. I mean, I hate to say this, but this is like one of those baseball suspensions where a guy has a crazy year and you're like, oh, that makes sense. When I saw the Ekblad news, I'm like, man, that kind of makes sense. He's bounced all the way back this year.
Stugotz
I do wonder, when they made the deal a couple of weeks ago for Seth Jones, did they have an inkling that this might be coming?
Greg Cody
Well, this is why Roy should have broken at six hours early, because I doubt that all of this news came down in those six hours after he left the ice. Mike, when you say off to the races, I know that the expression, what it means, but why are people off to the races? Like, what is it that makes people go off to the races? And Tony, I saw you checking your phone. Do you have Any breaking news?
Billy Gil
I've got an update on the Taylor situation. He said he had two typos posted, deleted. Posted again, deleted again. Mike Garofalo posted, then I posted.
Chris Cody
That's just on him. You need to look in the mirrors.
Billy Gil
Problem was I went for a two year deal to try to add the money involved, and that's how I got the mix up. And the typos.
Mike Ryan
19Th century horse racing.
Billy Gil
I was gonna say Diablo took off. That's where I know the thing comes all of a sudden. It's like, we're off to the races. This guy's gone.
Chris Cody
Can't you just edit a tweet in the first, like, hour? Like, what's he doing there?
Billy Gil
If you're subscribed to Premium, I can.
Greg Cody
Let me, Let me ask you guys the question about Ekblad and just suspensions in general, because I want to play this sound from an unreliable messenger. It's old sound, but it didn't get any traction. None. And Chael Sonnen, because he's a professional troll, but he's also been someone who has broken news. Chael Sonnen said this of LeBron James. Flatley.
Chael Sonnen
If the world understood what LeBron did, like, other basketball players will hear what LeBron does and go, yeah, but that doesn't matter, right? It's like a baseball player and you're hitting a stick out of the way. It doesn't matter. It's like, no, no. If you knew what these performance answers did, then you would know why it does matter. There's only one. We have the same drug guy. If you. I know exactly what he's doing. But there's only one golfer.
Stugotz
Please tell.
Chael Sonnen
There's only one golfer. I'm not going to. But there's. There's only one golfer that follows the big three. The big three is epo, growth hormone, testosterone. That's the Lance Armstrong diet. There's one golfer, but it's Tiger Woods. Like, yes, it does matter. People will say it all the time, it doesn't matter. John Daly, one of these. It matters. Trust me that it matters. EPO matters. It's the reason LeBron takes it. It matters. And if other basketballs understood what it did, EPO increases your red blood cells, which gives you endurance, can play all game long. You can shoot in the fourth quarter.
Chris Cody
In your red blood cells.
Stugotz
Okay, got you.
Chael Sonnen
It's the king of performance enhancers.
Mike Ryan
So you would prefer that, especially in.
Chris Cody
A fight sport, to anything else.
Chael Sonnen
EPO is king.
Stugotz
It's supposed to give you the stamina.
Chris Cody
Yes, that's oh, that's why bicycle. That's why cyclists do it. That's why Tour de France is so.
Mike Ryan
That fifth round energy is.
Chael Sonnen
The human body is not made to do the Tour de France. I mean, the people that set that up are inhumane. So of course you have to go. Of course it's supernatural people that you, you're there forcing them to take.
Mike Ryan
What sound is that? What is he doing?
Greg Cody
Chael Sonnen, for those of you who do not know, produced for five rounds. One of the most stunning things I've seen while on performance enhancers is he totally dominated the best pound for pound fighter in the world in Anderson Silva at the time and then lost at the end because he slipped up, but had him dominated. My question to you is when Chael Sonnen says something like that, if right now the news came down that the oldest player in the NBA who's still doing things that are completely unprecedented for his age, if the news came down that he was using hgh, would anyone be surprised by that?
Mike Ryan
The small domino is Aaron Eckblad testing positive and getting a 20 game suspension that leads to a Chael Sonnen clip. That's old. And the big domino is. Let's just use this to invoke LeBron's name. Well, I don't like this one bit.
Greg Cody
Well, I was going to do it yesterday with Mo Vaughn's HGH admission, but instead I decided to do it today because.
Mike Ryan
Oh, Bond, just. Let's peel back the curtain. We know what we're doing here.
Greg Cody
I want to ask the question because I'm amazed at what's happened in sports when it comes to this stuff. We were all naive with Maguire and Sosa. McGuire and Sosa had it in their lockers and it was a totally common thing and we were naive at the time. And I'm asking legitimately, who would surprise you now and what would be your reaction to specifically the one guy doing things that have never been done before? Because I would be not only unsurprised, I also wouldn't blame him. And furthermore, if I were him, I would dare the league to punish me. I would dare the league to find out and try to do that to me so that they eradicate my records.
Billy Gil
Like if we want to get conspiratorial, the league has been turning a blind eye to people at that level, taking things for a very long time. Like what? We're just surprised that LeBron is at 40 years old now creeping back into the MVP race at 40 because he's had an Incredible season all of a sudden.
Stugotz
Yeah, but what does that mean, though? I mean, retroactively, are we now suspicious about Tom Brady's longevity and success?
Mike Ryan
Kind of.
Stugotz
I don't throw any shade on LeBron James based on something an ex UFC fighter says. I think he's built up too much credibility to assume that just because he's still great at 40.
Greg Cody
Okay, but he's on. I'm asking a career newspaper man to just for a moment, take a look at results that have no precedent and have some questions about it, as opposed to simply accepting at face value something in sports that can no longer be accepted at face value.
Chris Cody
So he's the only one doing it, though?
Greg Cody
I'm not saying that.
Chris Cody
But that means if a lot of people are also doing it, he's still the best.
Mike Ryan
That, in turn, levels the playing field. If the greatest ever at their sport. Tom Brady, arguably, LeBron James, are doing these things and getting away with it. You got to assume everybody is the same thing, like the 90s in baseball, and that doesn't mitigate his greatness. It may explain some things that are hard to explain, which is, why are we seeing this guy do it at 40? It was a question that we asked about Tom Brady, and we just assumed everybody else would, and it turns out, no, no one else could. Tom Brady was the greatest ever.
Billy Gil
Peyton Manning was also, you know, there's a lot of cloudiness, a lot of things around the Al Jazeera report of Peyton Manning getting stuff for his neck. Maybe he was taking things before that.
Greg Cody
His wife.
Billy Gil
His wife, his wife. Sorry, I'm.
Mike Ryan
Excuse me.
Billy Gil
Sorry.
Greg Cody
Sorry. You got to get that. Right.
Billy Gil
Sorry. Yeah. Allegedly typo.
Stugotz
To answer your question, would I be surprised if all of a sudden it came out that LeBron James has used HGH? No. Just as I was not surprised late afternoon yesterday when my wife said, hey, did you hear about Aaron Ekblatt? It isn't a shock when any professional athlete, to me, tries to get better or tries to get healthier sooner by using medicinal means. It's against the rules. Maybe shouldn't be against the rules. I don't know. But it doesn't surprise me. The only thing that I don't like is to assume that Chael Sonnen is right and to assume that LeBron James is not quite the angel that we've known.
Greg Cody
I want to stop you for a second, though, because I do think it's possible for something to be completely unsurprising and still shocking if that news came down right now. You're not Going to tell me that you'd be like, ah, like you'd have a reaction to it, and it wouldn't be a. Like you would feel lied to in some way. I don't know how emotional you would be or how much we've changed this over the last 20 years, but you would not be indifferent about that news. We would be engulfed by that news. If they.
Mike Ryan
I'll entertain your gambit. I think, for me, the shock would be, man, they actually did it. They caught him and they decided to put out a press release and announce this to the face of the game. I would be shocked at that. I'd be more shocked at that than learning that a top athlete is doing whatever he can to stay at the top.
Greg Cody
You know what's funny about you saying that is that I would indeed be shocked if the league actually did that, but I would also be shocked if the league consciously and actively covered it up. If you showed me some sort of chain that revealed to me how it is that that got covered up by a league protecting its interests and declining to protect its integrity. If you showed me all of that and showed me knowledge of it, I would find that to be shocking as understand that we're sitting here saying these things in the hypothetical, but now put it on Adam Silver's desk and have him make the decision that. That overtly protects something that is against the rules. That seems kind of crazy. Even if we're. Even if we're now used to corruption in all facets of. Of the space where we're watching.
Tony
There's a paper trail on this.
Mike Ryan
Come on.
Tony
That's getting to Adam Silver's desk. And the person that takes it in is still alive.
Mike Ryan
It is. Let me just say it is extra reckless to be. I know Chael says he shares the Doctor, but half the time he's in character. Like, he's not. It's not the best source.
Greg Cody
Okay. But I remember the first time that I noticed Feel Good being swept up by conspiracy theories and cynicism. It's When Cal Ripken Jr. Hit a home run in the All Star Game, and it was such a perfect moment that immediately was it Hideo nomo. Somebody assumed that the Pitch had. Many people assumed that the Pitch had.
Chris Cody
Chan Hill park grooved it.
Mike Ryan
Ooh. Oh.
Stugotz
Ooh.
Mike Ryan
Dan, let me tell you something.
Billy Gil
It got grooved, Dan. More importantly, the pitch got grooved.
Greg Cody
I think that's.
Mike Ryan
You did this for yourself. You did this for yourself. I tried to stop you. Tried to stop you with Chael. Not great. Not great.
Greg Cody
I originally.
Billy Gil
I hope Chris is right, by the way.
Mike Ryan
Yeah, it's fact check that one, man.
Greg Cody
No, it's even worse than that. It is even worse than that. You said. You said Chanho park. And I had in my head that Chan Ho park for some reason was a first baseman. That was Hisop Choi. So it's even worse. It's even worse. They weren't both.
Chris Cody
They were both Dodgers.
Greg Cody
Thank you. Yes. Not. Not a good defense. And I actually.
Mike Ryan
All three of them.
Billy Gil
Peace up. A little chubby, too.
Greg Cody
Again, though, I will say to you guys that that was the first time that I'm like, can we not have good things that we believe in in sports, that we're going to immediately arrive 25 years ago or more than that, in a place where we're going to take Cal Ripken Jr. S as if it's not hard to hit home run in an All Star Game, and we're going to immediately apply cynicism to it.
Mike Ryan
So you didn't like how that made you feel. And then 20 years later, we're lifting up Chael Sonnen. Like, it's cool watching this phase of LeBron's career and those questions and whispers, social media conjecture and innuendo that's been around LeBron forever, for literally, like, at least 15 years of his career. People have been wondering, what's that little break that he's taking in the middle of the season? This is stuff that people. He's going where all the time.
Greg Cody
Again, though, I simply say to you, as we're watching all of these things that have no human precedent on where the limits of the human body have been, this is not a player. I go look at Michael Jordan's number and his percentages, his numbers when he.
Mike Ryan
Was 37 years old, no doubt. And I get it. And I feel like we have this conversation every time an aging quarterback hits the market. We're watching two guys do it, and they just so happen to be the best ever. Like, that's why they're doing it. Maybe. I understand. Like, we're trying to rationalize what we're seeing with Brady. It flatly doesn't make sense because look at his body. Like, we're with LeBron. We're doing, like, wow, he's chiseled out of granite. I get it. With Brady pliability and avocado tequila.
Greg Cody
Strawberries and strawberries. The thing that I'm doing, though, with you guys, I understand, okay, that the playground is this utopian space for us where we do dreamy childhood things, but everywhere else In America, facts are being questioned everywhere. Things that have conspiracy theories are growing power everywhere. But not here. But not here. No, no.
Billy Gil
Yes, here.
Greg Cody
No, no, not here. Because. No, this isn't a conversation that's actually happening anywhere. It's. And I'm not. I want to preface all of this even though I'm already deep in the weeds on it. I want to preface all of it by saying that I lost my baseball hall of Fame vote because I am not judgmental about these people using science and advantages to try and beat all the other people who are using science and the advantages that all of us would love to have a fountain of youth. And I get everything. I'm not judging it. I'm wondering that the reaction seems to be around this to just simply accept. Yes. Something I've never seen before. I believe that to be pure. And we're not doing that with anything else, any other subject matter in America.
Mike Ryan
But is it fair to like, maybe not reserve that for the goats? Messi's playing great in older age too. And he actually had to be on human growth hormone when he was younger because of how he was born. Like, like, I think we're conflating all time greatness. When I list those three names. They might be on the Mount Rushmore of all time greats in athleticism for. For conversation. That might be reserved for journeymen trying to hang on because those are the guys that get pinched most of the time for this kind of stuff.
Billy Gil
But isn't the thing to do it as the number one guy knowing that you're the face of the league, knowing that Adam Silver would have to crater the entire league to make sure that you don't get put on one of these lists. Dan lebron James is more protected than the President, United States. I want you to know that. Okay.
Greg Cody
I think that's.
Chris Cody
That can't be true.
Billy Gil
I think so.
Greg Cody
I don't think that's accurate.
Mike Ryan
I think you're more protected.
Billy Gil
He's more protected from PR from all these different angles than the President.
Mike Ryan
Although the last president was accused of peds.
Greg Cody
He had to the idea. Come on, man. The idea that anybody would be using human growth hormone to feel better is something that I would understand and say, yes, if your body is in pain, go ahead and do whatever it is that you have to do. The only arguments I've ever heard against human growth hormone are if you have some sort of undetected tumor in your body, it will speed up its growth if you do human growth hormone. In fact, I will tell you Because South Florida, because South Florida has been something of a pioneer in this regard where a Rod and Manny Ramirez and a whole bunch of lawlessness took place in a way that was sloppy. I will tell you that about 10 years ago, a urologist suggested, I remember I went to this, I went with my brother and I was ready to do something that actually was inserted in your body that released human growth hormone monthly when it was supposed to. And the last thing the doctor told me as I was leaving is what I said, which is if it's got an undetected, if you have an undetected tumor. Because I'm like, what are the side effects? Like, how is this something that you're telling me? I could just come in here and feel much better. I'm gonna hur. I'm going to have more energy, I'm going to be happier about life. And it's got no side effects. That side effect is not generally a concern for young people. That's not an absolute. But that's not something that if you're in your athletic prime, necessarily undetected tumors. But I was in my 40s when it is that I was looking into doing this and I did a lot of research on it and I totally understand why any athlete would protect the $50 million a year late in their career that wouldn't be available to them because these careers used to always end at 30 years old. Like, there's no there, there's no such thing as what Taurasi did, what Ovechkin is doing, what Tom Brady did. And yes, you're talking about all time greats keeping their level from falling more precipitously, which is generally how it drops at 37. I'm simply more interested in why it is that we choose this particular naivete when you're presented with something that by three years has no precedent, because even Kareem Abdul Jabbar, what he was doing late in his 30s was all just skyhooks. And you can see all of the ways that he's aged numerically. You can't see it in the, in, in LeBron's numbers. It's not anywhere to be found except on his defense.
Mike Ryan
You know, you, you mentioned Ovechkin and it does get the brain to wander a little bit because he did drop off for a little bit. And, but also this is the first offseason I can ever remember where he was like photographed working out and running and playing pickleball to kind of stay in shape. And he, he doesn't have this Great body. And he's, he's aged like he's partied.
Chris Cody
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Dan LeBatard
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Greg Cody
Yeah, sure thing.
Dan LeBatard
Hey, you sold that car yet?
Chris Cody
Yeah, sold it to Carvana.
Dan LeBatard
Oh, I thought you were selling to that guy.
Stugotz
The guy who wanted to pay me.
Chris Cody
In foreign currency, no interest over 36 months.
Stugotz
Yeah, no.
Chris Cody
Carvana gave me an offer in minutes, picked it up and paid me on the spot. It was so convenient.
Greg Cody
Just like that. Yeah, no Hassle none. That is super convenient opinion.
Dan LeBatard
Sell your car to Carvana and swap hassle for convenience. Pick up these may apply.
Greg Cody
Don LeBatard.
Chris Cody
For five minutes I was watching everyone just like, nope, not letting you in. Not letting you in. So when I got up there, I had to say something and I said it. Cheaters never prosper.
Greg Cody
Stugats.
Chris Cody
My buddy was saying, not today. Yeah, but you're not today.
Greg Cody
Okay.
Chris Cody
I think that was what he was adding.
Stugotz
Yeah.
Chris Cody
I'm telling you, the response I got from this guy, what I said was amazing. Cheaters never prospered. This guy yelled as angry as he could.
Greg Cody
I ain't cheating.
Tony
This is the Dan Levatar show with the stugats.
Greg Cody
You mention off season and practice and working out. Let's check in with Tua and how it is that he is looking these days. Because the Internet has no issues on the fat shaming. And now we're doing tattoo of what it is we did to Patrick Mahomes last off season where a little dad, a little dad belly all of a.
Billy Gil
Sudden went up on se.
Mike Ryan
Okay.
Chris Cody
I'm sure he' super excited that his friend put this out.
Mike Ryan
This is. This is the big domino.
Chris Cody
He looks great.
Mike Ryan
Fat shaming Dan fat shaming Tua. I was now the big domino.
Greg Cody
I was not doing.
Mike Ryan
You're just asking us if we'd like to.
Chris Cody
The Internet is definitely doing it and I don't agree with it.
Greg Cody
The Internet is doing it. I'm not here. I am not here for fat shaming others. I have been something of a pioneer in terms of allowing fat shaming of me.
Tony
Your picture is Mark Mangino, I think still, right?
Mike Ryan
That's true.
Chris Cody
I see a guy that's enjoying his off season. Nothing wrong with this.
Mike Ryan
Number one, no glass on the boat. Party foul. Pour that into a glass and also it'll help you with bloating. Have you never seen bar rescue?
Greg Cody
Can you guys get for me, please, the sound of Brad Marchand talking yesterday both about the Panthers and the Bruins. I'd like to get to it in a second. But before I do that, I want to make a shameful admission here that was very different than the rest of you on. What was your visceral reaction to the headline yesterday? When I saw the headline, dolphins sign Wilson at quarterback legitimately, I'm like, who the hell's Wilson? I totally forgotten about the entirety of Zach Wilson. Like, I'd forgotten where he was, what he was doing, that he was bad with the jets, that he was still available, that anybody would want Him. Like, when I saw Wilson in the headline, I'm legitimately. It took me five seconds to be like, who the hell's Wilson?
Tony
You didn't think it was Russell?
Stugotz
Maybe I did.
Mike Ryan
Limited.
Stugotz
I hoped it was Russell.
Mike Ryan
Russell.
Stugotz
Now, that would have been a good signing.
Chris Cody
No.
Stugotz
Yes.
Chris Cody
I'll take Zach Wilson over. Russell Wilson.
Tony
Oh, Zach, what a bad take. What are you doing?
Chris Cody
More upside. We know what Russell Wilson is. Zach Wilson is just like a Super bowl winner.
Tony
Hold on a second. What? I mean, I think somehow the jets still though, when they're paying Fields $20 million a year, still lost yesterday, right? Like, that's crazy.
Chris Cody
I mean, Zach Wilson is getting six times what Russell Wilson got last year. So you guys can laugh at me all you want.
Tony
Really, though, like, he got paid by the Steelers a million, but he's getting paid by like 30, by like the Broncos.
Chris Cody
That's true. But I'm. Dude, what is Russell Wilson doing this offseason? Where's he ending up? I don't. I just think there's unknown with Zach Wilson. We kind of know what Russell Wilson is at this point.
Stugotz
Well, the Dolphins needed a proven veteran backup quarterback behind tua. Zach Wilson ain't that guy. He's a draft bust.
Chris Cody
That's true. He's not proven. I'm not arguing. He's proven.
Stugotz
He's played three seasons and he's got more interceptions.
Greg Cody
It's a top five. It's a top five quarterback skill set. Those are th. Those measurables are still the same.
Billy Gil
Greg, if I can. By the way, we thought the same thing about Sam Darnold, and now he just signed $100 million contract. Right. It's where you get plugged in who you get plugged in with. All of a sudden, Zach Wilson starts looking really good in the system with Mike McDaniel, and then two years from now, you know, somebody signs him to a 65, 70 million.
Tony
Zach Wilson, the top five quarterback in the XFL maybe.
Chris Cody
I love that you just act like, you know, that he couldn't be good in another system.
Greg Cody
No, it's your.
Tony
It's that the jets knew new and that the Broncos knew, and now the Dolphins will find out.
Stugotz
Yeah. I mean, if you're trying to flatter a dubious free agent signing, that's the thing to say. Well, what about other quarterbacks who we wrote off three years into their career and they bloomed and they turned out great? Yeah. If you want to believe that, go ahead.
Greg Cody
Well, the Dolphins believe it.
Stugotz
Of course they do. They also got them cheap.
Greg Cody
Well, they're paying him like they believe it. It's $6 million with. Couldn't be $10 million. They're paying like they believe that they can make him.
Tony
That they're paying. Like they realize they need a backup plan in case two gets concussed. Again, Zach Wilson is. And he, he, he's a better option than Skyler Thompson. Right. But like he's a worse option than Russell Wilson. If the two of them, like if I had Russell Wilson and Zach Wilson, I would take Russell Wilson.
Stugotz
And they also signed Zach Wilson to a one year contract, which isn't believing that this is a guy who might actually be your quarterback. If Tua peters out with his health.
Mike Ryan
It'S them signing a backup. And Chris, to your point, like, we know what Russell Wilson is. Yeah, I know that Russell Wilson is better than Zach Wilson. Wilson.
Stugotz
Right.
Chris Cody
I think there's more upside with that. Look, I want two to stay healthy. I don't want Zach Wilson to play. I'm just looking at the landscape of all these backup quarterbacks and like it's better than Skyler Thompson. I mean, he's got the top five talent. I think my. You, like, you can say all you want about, you know, he can't be anything. I guarantee you Mike McDaniel sees Zach Wilson is like in my system, this guy I can, I can work with.
Mike Ryan
I just, I just generally dismiss because like he's got high upside. It's something that people say about bust first round picks all the time. It's something that people maintain to until Brock Osweiler left the league. Occasionally you'll catch the Sam Darnold and you'll catch the Baker Mayfield and maybe it'll work out. But most of the time it's a sad story and it's Brock Osweiler.
Tony
I'm also kind of souring on Mike McDaniel. Like Mike McDaniel thinks he can fix a. Mike McDaniel. Such a genius. How about you fix the problems that you have with the people you have and stop getting these pet projects just in case. Like Mike McDaniel, if we're being honest, is kind of on the hot seat.
Greg Cody
All right, let's talk for a second about both Sam Darnold and getting tired of coaches and what it is that they have to say. Because how tiring are these Spoelstra press conferences now when you see them lose to Charlotte and Chicago at home and he's saying all the things about grinding and grinding and face your demons and we're going to get out of this. When the numbers eight of their last nine losses, they've blown a fourth quarter lead. They've got 15 blown double digit leads this season. Only Utah has more. They have real problems late in games because their offense is terrible late in games. And I mentioned to you guys how bad Utah is late in games. That game I saw where they had the ball with 20 in a tie game with 26 seconds left. They're bringing it up court and they get a half court violation because they don't get it up in time because they're just terrible. The idea that they're with Utah in blown leads and is Portland now better than they are? Does Portland now have a better record than the Miami Heat? Because the Miami Heat are supposed to be going through the soft part of their home schedule and are losing games. And the Spoelstra talk like this, this roster is bad compared to what we're used to. It's not lose to Chicago and Charlotte at home bad. It's not that bad.
Billy Gil
Heater one game up on the win column from the Portland Trailblazers.
Chris Cody
They reached the point where you don't want to lead. You just, you just like don't want.
Billy Gil
To build a comeback. You just double digit leads.
Chris Cody
That's the rule.
Mike Ryan
It's a, it's a tough time for SPO to have his worst coaching season ever because it times out with maybe Pat Riley's worst season as an executive ever. So it's vibes are bad.
Billy Gil
I'll tell you where it started. The game against the Pistons. Dan, you said that he would wake up 10 years from now in a cold sweat thinking about that timeout call. And all of a sudden that's the little domino. And what's the big domino going to be?
Mike Ryan
I think the little domino was telling Jimmy Butler to shut up 40 years.
Greg Cody
From now, not 10 years from now, 40 years from now. The Golden State warriors are 12 and one now with Jimmy Butler, they have lost one. One back step's been playing really good.
Billy Gil
Though, let's be honest.
Mike Ryan
For the record, Jimmy Butler wanted to go to Phoenix. That was the only team he wanted to go to.
Greg Cody
Let's play some of this Brad Marchand sound to get a bit of a palate cleanser. Let's get some sorbet in with this meal.
Mike Ryan
This is sorbet.
Chris Cody
This is just two minutes of him talking about how good the Panthers are.
I
It's extremely exciting to be part of such an incredible group. And when I walked into the room the other day, I literally had flashbacks to back in the year that we won. And some of the groups that we've had over the year that I looked at as an incredible chemistry and incredible culture. When you walk in here and you see the way the guys interact and the relationships that they have, not just within the room as players, but with their staff and their coaches and management, it shows why they've been the pillar in the league the last few years. So I'm extremely excited to be part of the group and really looking forward to getting back on the ice and becoming part of the group here. They've bounced us the last couple years in playoffs, so they bounced the Bruins the last couple years, and it has been pretty remarkable to see the growth they've had as a group the last few years. And, you know, I think throughout the year here, this year, we've played the team multiple times. And I remember just thinking like, that that's. That's the team to beat this year. I just. I thought the way that they came at you in waves all game long, just the depth that they had in their group, the way, I mean, they have the experience. They know what it takes when they get, you know, get in those tough situations, and that's invaluable. They didn't lose many guys, and the guys that they did replace them with are great players. So, yeah, I just. I looked at the group and I was like, that's the team that has the ability to go all the way again. And, you know, when you match the drive with the experience and the depth of the group, it's a very dangerous combination. So I was. That was, you know, when things were kind of coming up and kind of writing was on the wall. This is absolutely the place I wanted to go.
Stugotz
Oh, I love that, guys.
Billy Gil
So update me really quick. Obviously, I was locked in on the Panthers this past run, but. So this guy is a guy from the Bruins. Correct. That everybody hated. Mike called him a rat bastard, I think.
Mike Ryan
I didn't call him a rat bastard, but I. I would. You would?
Billy Gil
Okay. You would. So now he's a Florida Panther, and now he's talking about how much he loves the Florida Panthers. Even though battle back like two weeks ago, he hated the Panthers and everybody on the USA team because of the Canadian USA thing.
Greg Cody
The part that you're not understanding is that when rat bastard becomes cat bastard, all of a sudden Roy and Chris love that. And Mike are doing what Chris was doing, which is. Greg. How. How embarrassed are you that your son spent that entire time rubbing his nipples with his hands until they chafe.
Stugotz
Yeah, I I noticed that journalist Chris Co. Cody, he's a fan. He's a season ticket holder. I mean, I expect that from Christopher. But as someone who's not a season ticket holder and doesn't cheerlead for the team, I love the signing. I mean, they got him for next to nothing, potentially a second round pick. And you know, for the stretch run to have him as your second line or whatever, I think it's a wonderful deal. Bill Zito continues to amaze with some of the things he's doing. He. He had a great team, wasn't satisfied, made it even better. Paul Maurice is one of the all time great coaches. I mean, they're just state of the art right now in the NHL and have been for the past three seasons.
Tony
Tony, what you're missing is also. This is a. This is what we call a sleight of hand. You know what I mean? Like, look over here. We got this guy. Big breaking news. Is this going to work out? He hates the Panthers. They hate him now. He's a Panther. He's an ice cat.
Billy Gil
No, he loves him.
Tony
Let's make sure to fly him down here so we can do this press conference. And then later in the day, you're.
Stugotz
Gonna find out that one of our.
Tony
Players is taking steroids and has been suspended 20 games. But don't look at that. Look over here. Look at the big signing. And now we're gonna fly him right back to Boston for the next game where he was a minute ago. That's what they're doing here, sleight of hand. Turns out Chris cheaters do prosper. Lord Stanley, he is cheating.
Greg Cody
Ekblad played very well. I won't remind anyone that the 2003 Marlins won a World Series with a ball that Pudge was able to hold onto at the plate because he was £40 than he was the next offseason.
Mike Ryan
Thank you for Miami cooking.
Tony
Yeah, glad you did that. Yeah.
Mike Ryan
I'm not there with this guy. I don't like it one bit. We invited toxic vibes. And look, immediately the universe says, Ekblad suspended 20 games. This is what you invited in when you bring Brad Marchand in a locker room. That was fine without him. Also, why do we have to do him this favor?
Greg Cody
Why?
Mike Ryan
Because he's injured.
Stugotz
Let him.
Chael Sonnen
No, no.
Mike Ryan
Let him toil away in Boston. Let him be someone else's problem. He's trying to come over here and hitch his wagon to an absolute force in the sport that is by all indications, hand handicapped to be the favorite in their conference. I Don't like this for Brad Marchand. I don't want him to experience happiness.
Greg Cody
Would you like to see him cry? Would you like to see him cry?
Mike Ryan
I'm telling you, I want to see the Florida Panthers win. If Brad Marchand lifts a cup and does that, fine. I won't clap or anything like that, but.
Greg Cody
But I'm.
Mike Ryan
I'm unhappy that he gets to have that joy.
Greg Cody
But would you like to see him cry? Would you like to actually watch a former Boston Bruin?
Mike Ryan
I've seen him cry plenty. I've seen him cry, but the guy's a loser.
Stugotz
Game seven, Mike.
Chris Cody
That clip right there, where I was rubbing my nipples, is him just for two minutes, being like, I have looked at this team in awe for two years.
Mike Ryan
Like, but that's kicked her ass two years running.
Tony
What else?
Chris Cody
We win, but we win there. That's our victory.
Mike Ryan
I get it. It's. The only silver lining is ripping him away from Boston, putting him specifically on this team. I've seen so many reaction videos of Bruins fans.
Chris Cody
Now I can chirp. Sarah, Sivan.
Greg Cody
They're.
Mike Ryan
They're torn up about it, and I guess that's a silver lining, but for me, I'm good. Healthy scratch.
Tony
What happens if, like, he plays tonight? Right? It's tonight.
Billy Gil
He's not playing.
Mike Ryan
He's injured.
Stugotz
Yeah, he's out.
Tony
Okay, well, never mind then.
Stugotz
Why are we acting all surprised that a player traded to a team would speak glowingly of that new team? This is what trade traded players do. I mean, he. He's.
Chris Cody
But he doesn't have to, like, give. Like, he wanted to be only here, and he had a good relationship with the Bruins, so they made it happen for him.
Stugotz
Right. Well, if you're going to be traded, you want to go to the defending Stanley cup champion that might win again. No duh. I mean, no brainer on that one. Brad Marchand, he's. He. He made a good career decision.
Greg Cody
Do you guys realize that it is fundamentally impossible to surprise the old savvy veteran here with anything we discuss or any thought that you have? He is completely unsurprised by all things that happen.
Tony
Hold on a second. While everyone's jumping down my throat about him being injured, when Roy was at the Panthers camp yesterday, not reporting on the steroid suspension, he reported that Brad Marchant was gonna be on this road trip, traveling, and he might be good and suit up for the game.
Mike Ryan
No, I said he might take some ice recovery, morning skate type stuff. Yeah, he's injured. I said he was injured yesterday.
Tony
Get out there, tough guy. Geez.
Greg Cody
Again though, Mike Ryan, would you like to see Brad Marchand cry? Just say yes of happiness so I could just call them a rap. Just say yes so I could play the video.
Mike Ryan
I never called him a rap. Bastard. Stop putting those words in my mouth. However, if I did say that, I stand by it.
Greg Cody
Let's hear Brad Marchand get emotional.
I
You know, I've had an incredible run in that organization and I'm extremely proud just how things went there. Sorry. So, yeah, it was very disappointing that things didn't get done just because obviously I love the organization. I wanted to stay there. But at the end of the day, I also know that business is business and every player is a shelf life.
Tony
Crocodile tears.
Mike Ryan
I think I actually enjoyed that.
Dan LeBatard
All right, I know I gotta do this ad read, but hold on, let me reapply. Did you hear that?
Mike Ryan
Yep.
Dan LeBatard
That's my new favorite lip gloss from Nyx Cosmetics. Now I'm ready to talk to you. I've been a huge fan of Nyx Cosmetics for many years now. In fact, I use their thick It Stick it brow gel every single day. So you can imagine my excitement when we recently received a special delivery to the Lebitard Studios from our friends over at NYX Cosmetics. And there it was when I opened the browser box. Glowing. I heard the angel sing. It's their latest lip gloss, Fat Oil Lip Drip. It's Nyx Cosmetics first lip oil of its kind. This creamy lip oil will have your lips dripping with fat perks. You get all the shine of a lip gloss and none of the stickiness while experiencing 12 hour hydration. I'm usually a matte lip gloss kind of gal. My normal go to is NYX Cosmetics Lip Gloss, the Lingerie xxl. But after applying the status update shade, I have found my new go to lip gloss. Fat Oil Lip Drip has high shine finish with comfortable wear and none of the sticky texture. A lip product that's hydrating, non sticky and only $9. Now that's a win. Try Fat Oil Lip Drip from NYX Professional makeup. Available in 14 universally flattering shades. Find your perfect fat oil lip drip shop now@nyxcosmetics.com or a retailer near you.
Mike Ryan
Howdy folks, it's Mike Ryan. I talk to you about Miller time all the time, but we're in the wintertime right now and one of my favorite pat times is to crack open a Miller Light and enjoy myself some Miller time during the wintertime. Because when there's a brisk chill in the air it just makes everything right. My friends and I who live down here in South Florida can actually sit outside because it's not super muggy. We can thoroughly enjoy our Miller Time together. And for you listening, I know there's a lot of things going on right now. Sports cheap among them. Nothing more important than sports. From basketball and hockey to game night, winter means more moments with the coolest people in your life. Make these moments even better with Miller Lite, the great tasting light beer for people who love beer. Now's the perfect time for friends, family, and a great tasting light beer. Tastes like Miller Time. And you know Miller Lite is brewed for taste. It hits different than other light beers, and at just 96 calories and 3.2 grams of carbs per 12 ounces, miller time is always a good time. Miller Lite Great Taste 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com stand to find delivery options near you, or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell. Beer tastes like Miller Time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.
Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Episode: Local Hour: Roy Missed The News
Release Date: March 11, 2025
In this episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, titled "Local Hour: Roy Missed The News," the hosts delve into a critical discussion about Roy's recent oversight in reporting significant sports news. From the outset, the conversation highlights the importance of timely and accurate sports journalism, especially within the dynamic South Florida sports scene.
Greg Cody initiates the core discussion by expressing disappointment over Roy's failure to report the suspension of Aaron Ekblad, a prominent player for the Florida Panthers. Ekblad’s 20-game suspension was a significant event, yet Roy left the arena before this news broke, leading to a lack of comprehensive coverage.
Mike Ryan attempts to defend Roy, explaining that the news was announced six hours after Roy had departed.
However, Greg Cody counters by emphasizing that Roy could have extended his coverage to catch such critical updates sooner.
The hosts collectively critique the reporting standards, highlighting missed opportunities and the repercussions of such oversights on the credibility of Meadowlark Media.
Transitioning from Roy's oversight, the conversation broadens to address the pervasive issue of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in sports. Greg Cody introduces a provocative segment by referencing a Chael Sonnen clip that discusses PEDs, specifically targeting high-profile athletes like LeBron James.
Chael Sonnen is quoted discussing the impact of PEDs like EPO on athletic performance, suggesting that such substances significantly enhance endurance and overall performance.
This leads to a heated debate among the hosts about the authenticity of extraordinary athletic performances, particularly focusing on LeBron James' sustained excellence at the age of 40.
Stugotz expresses skepticism but maintains respect for LeBron's legacy, refusing to accept allegations without concrete evidence.
Greg Cody challenges the notion of accepting exceptional performances at face value, urging for a more investigative approach to maintain the integrity of sports.
The discussion intensifies as the hosts contemplate the possibility of league cover-ups to protect star athletes. Greg Cody questions the integrity of league officials, suggesting that protecting top players might compromise the authenticity of the sport.
Mike Ryan echoes these concerns, reflecting on past instances where athletes might have evaded scrutiny, thereby leveling the playing field unfairly.
The conversation touches upon historical comparisons, referencing Tom Brady and his unparalleled longevity as potential indicators of widespread PED usage among elite athletes.
Shifting focus, the hosts analyze the recent trade of Brad Marchand from the Boston Bruins to the Florida Panthers. Greg Cody and Mike Ryan dissect the implications of this move, debating whether Marchand’s presence will bolster the Panthers’ performance or introduce toxicity.
Greg Cody (38:55): "Mike, why do we have to do him this favor?"
Mike Ryan (43:30): "He’s injured... I'm unhappy that he gets to have that joy."
Stugotz defends the trade, highlighting the strategic benefits for the Panthers.
The hosts argue over Marchand's character and his impact on team dynamics, with Mike Ryan expressing a desire to see Marchand experience failure, while others recognize his skills and contributions.
The episode also touches upon NFL quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s physical condition, sparking a discussion on body image and fat-shaming in sports. The hosts debate the fairness and impact of public criticism regarding athletes' appearances.
Stugotz emphasizes his commitment to supporting athletes regardless of their physique, critiquing societal tendencies to judge based on appearance.
The conversation underscores the pressure athletes face regarding their physical standards and the broader implications of such scrutiny on their mental health and performance.
Towards the end of the episode, Greg Cody reflects on the overarching theme of maintaining integrity within sports journalism and the athletic community. He underscores the necessity of questioning unprecedented performances and advocating for transparency to preserve the spirit of competition.
The hosts conclude with a call for higher standards in reporting and a collective responsibility to uphold the authenticity of sports.
In "Local Hour: Roy Missed The News," The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz navigates through critical issues affecting sports journalism and athletic integrity. From Roy's missed reporting to the broader implications of PEDs in sports, the hosts engage in a candid and thought-provoking dialogue. The episode serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between celebrating athletic excellence and safeguarding the authenticity and fairness that define competitive sports.