The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Episode: Postgame Show: The Hard Knocks Curse (feat. JuJu Gotti)
Release Date: August 5, 2025

1. Introduction and Return of Juju

The episode kicks off with Juju Gotti rejoining the show, signaling the wrap-up of another engaging Tuesday broadcast. Juju expresses his appreciation for Hawk's contributions, setting a friendly and dynamic tone for the discussion ahead.

Juju: "Juju's back. Which means that it is the end of another great Tuesday. Thank you, Hawk." (00:32)

2. Main Topic: Bills' Hard Knocks Season and the Curse

The primary focus of the episode centers around the Buffalo Bills' participation in HBO's Hard Knocks. A listener, David, voices his skepticism about the potential impact of the show on the team's performance, fearing it might jinx the Bills for the upcoming season.

David: "The Buffalo Bills hard knock season starts tonight on HBO. What do you predict with the Bills this year? I'm a Bills fan, so I'm always thinking that, well, hard knock showing up. This is going to be our worst year ever. We're going to be jinxed. What do you think, bruh?" (00:55)

3. Impact of Hard Knocks Filming on Teams and Players

Hawk delves into the implications of Hard Knocks filming on NFL teams, highlighting how media exposure can influence player behavior and team dynamics. He suggests that the presence of cameras can lead to excessive self-promotion among players, potentially disrupting team cohesion.

Hawk: "When hard knocks cameras around. It's not so much the veterans. Well, some of the veterans as well, but the young players do play into the camera because it becomes this, like, opportunity for superstardom that football players typically don't get." (01:17-02:22)

Hawk also touches on the artificiality introduced by the show, comparing players' on-camera performances to acting during training camps.

Hawk: "It almost felt like acting, you know, in the middle of training camp." (02:12)

4. Bills' Prospects and Player Analysis

The conversation shifts to analyzing the Bills' prospects for the season. Hawk expresses a cautious outlook, attributing potential struggles to the added pressure from media exposure. However, he remains optimistic about key players like Josh Allen and Elijah Moore, suggesting that their synergy could alleviate some of the team's challenges.

Hawk: "Elijah Moore, your boy be on the lookout for Elijah Moore. I think he's going to have a good season with them and he'll be able to take some of that pressure off of Shakir in the slot." (03:11)

Chris chimes in humorously, referencing previous player narratives that were possibly exaggerated by the media.

Chris: "They probably was planning ahead for this hard knocks run. My boy ain't put on a pair of shoes since Obama now." (04:02)

5. Poll Discussion: Dark Web Question

Transitioning to audience engagement, the hosts discuss a humorous poll question regarding the necessity of a separate Ethernet cord to access the dark web. The surprising result shows 62% of respondents believing a separate cord is needed, prompting laughter and light-hearted banter.

David: "The only one. Do you need a separate ethernet cord to get on the dark web?" (04:26)
Juju: "62% of the audience says yes." (04:56)

6. Handling of Calls and Phone Etiquette on Air

A significant portion of the episode delves into the etiquette of handling phone calls during live broadcasts. The hosts share personal anecdotes about managing calls while on air, emphasizing the balance between accessibility and maintaining focus on the show.

David: "I think that I'm an old school guy. I prefer talking to you for two minutes versus text messaging." (07:46)

Hawk discusses his strategy of not changing his phone number to avoid unwanted distractions, highlighting the importance of setting boundaries.

Hawk: "I've had the same cell phone number since I originally got a cell phone in 2002." (06:10)

7. Discussion on Jerry Jones and Michael Parsons

The hosts critique Jerry Jones's handling of Michael Parsons, questioning whether Jones's actions are strategic for brand building or overstepping. Hawk defends Jones by framing his decisions as business-minded moves to enhance the Cowboys' reputation.

Hawk: "I think he's being a business mind. I think like we've done, we've gone through this song and dance so many times with Dak, with CD Lamb..." (09:06)

Juju underscores the unnecessary drama stemming from public disputes, advocating for a more harmonious relationship.

Juju: "We don't need him to fight with Michael Parsons." (09:48)

8. Movie Review: War of the Worlds

Shifting gears to pop culture, the hosts briefly discuss the movie War of the Worlds featuring Ice Cube. David shares his disappointment with the film's online format, while Juju humorously critiques the movie's rating system.

David: "I saw Ice Cube, War of the Worlds. I'm clicking it. Say less. ... I exited. I ain't even getting more than five, man." (10:39)
Juju: "If you haven't watched the whole thing, why do you have a right to assign a number to it?" (11:14)

9. Show Promotions and Conclusion

As the show nears its end, David promotes his involvement with WNBA coverage and appeals to listeners for support through subscriptions. Juju and the team reciprocate the appreciation, culminating in a warm sign-off.

David: "I've had the same cell phone number since I originally got a cell phone in 2002... So they threw me over there on DLS Hoops." (11:50)
Juju: "I know Zaz will do it because he's heard of every single podcast known to mankind and womenkind and people kind." (12:23)

Key Takeaways

• Media Influence on Sports Teams: The episode explores how reality TV shows like Hard Knocks can impact team morale and performance, particularly through increased media scrutiny and player behavior adjustments.

• Balancing Accessibility and Focus: The discussion on handling phone calls during live shows highlights the challenges of staying connected without compromising the quality of the broadcast.

• Business Strategies in Sports Management: The critique of Jerry Jones reveals the complexities of managing high-profile sports franchises, balancing public relations with business objectives.

• Audience Engagement: Through polls and listener questions, the hosts maintain an interactive and entertaining rapport with their audience.

Notable Quotes:

• Juju on returning: "Juju's back. Which means that it is the end of another great Tuesday. Thank you, Hawk." (00:32)

• David on Hard Knocks impact: "This is going to be our worst year ever. We're going to be jinxed." (00:55)

• Hawk on media performances: "It almost felt like acting, you know, in the middle of training camp." (02:22)

• Juju on phone calls: "I like you." (12:33)

• Hawk on team dynamics: "I think he's being a business mind." (09:06)

This episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz offers a blend of sports analysis, personal anecdotes, and light-hearted humor, making it a comprehensive and engaging listen for fans seeking in-depth discussions on current sports topics and beyond.