Hour 3 - More on Aaron Rodgers - The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Transcript

Colin Cowherd (0:00)

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Colin Cowherd (1:48)

Thanks for listening to the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports radio and noon to three EAs, 9am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd@foxsportsradio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.

Unknown Speaker (2:08)

Now let's get this party started.

Colin Cowherd (2:10)

You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. There we go. It's hour three. I was thinking about this J Mac. Certain things are bigger on certain coasts. The UFC overwhelmingly started in Vegas and la. So when I worked at the other place over a decade ago or about a decade ago, I can remember going to them and saying, there's this sport called ufc and my friends think it's awesome. And they're like, no, it's too much. And I'm like, I'm just telling you, it's Hollywood celebrities, people going to UFC. This was like 15 years ago. I said, you should go buy it. Well, they ended up, you know, buying it for about 12 times the multiple they could have had it for. So I, I remember that. And a lot of that was just a geographical bias. Grow up in the Northeast. It started out west, obviously, Saturdays in the fall are much bigger in the south than they are anywhere else in the country. Midwest, they're big too. But in the Northeast, in the Fall, you're just going out with your wife or your friends because it's Sunday, football day, NFL day. March Madness, to me, has always felt bigger in the Northeast and Tobacco Road than everywhere else in the country. Because you grew up with the ACC in the Big east. And I was a West coast kid, so I grew up, you know, I grew up in the West Coast. My favorite conference was the Big east. Second was the PAC 12. I, I didn't even, you know, I didn't care about big 10 sec. I mean, it just didn't care about it. To me, I'm a, I'm a fairly young college guy in my early 20s. All I cared about was Louis Carneseca and, you know, Rolly Massimino or what, whatever this, you know, Rick Patino and John Thompson, Patrick, you. And however old I was at that time, I'm on the exact opposite side of the country, 3,400 miles away. I was totally into the Big east, so I love March Madness. But I've noticed you are a northeast guy. My Northeast friends, they take work off for it.

Summary

Summary of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" - Hour 3: More on Aaron Rodgers (Released March 19, 2025)

The Herd with Colin Cowherd’s third hour, titled "More on Aaron Rodgers," offers an in-depth exploration of current sports narratives, focusing primarily on college basketball, the evolution of NFL positions, and an insightful conversation with NFL veteran Mercedes Lewis. Hosted by Colin Cowherd and produced by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, this episode provides listeners with a comprehensive analysis of the sports landscape as of March 2025.

Regional Passion for March Madness

The episode opens with Colin Cowherd reflecting on the intense regional enthusiasm surrounding March Madness. He notes the geographical biases that influence the popularity of sporting events, emphasizing how the Northeast's deep connection to college basketball contrasts with other regions.

Notable Quote:

Colin Cowherd (04:34): “My Northeast friends, they take work off for it.”

Colin discusses how March Madness has become a cultural phenomenon, particularly in the Northeast and Tobacco Road areas. He contrasts this with the West Coast's more subdued engagement, where watching games is often a social activity rather than a fervent obsession.

The Evolution of College Basketball and NIL Impact

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the transformation of college basketball, driven by Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies. Colin highlights how these changes encourage top players to remain in college longer, enhancing team performance and fan engagement.

Notable Quote:

Colin Cowherd (05:55): “We are becoming an event culture.”

He elaborates on the benefits of NIL, stating that it allows colleges like Duke to retain their best talent unless a player is exceptionally outstanding. This trend not only improves the quality of college basketball but also solidifies its status as a premier sporting event.

In-Depth Interview with Mercedes Lewis

The heart of the episode is an engaging interview with Mercedes Lewis, a distinguished NFL tight end with 19 years of experience. The conversation delves into the evolution of the tight end position, Mercedes’s personal career journey, and her insights on maintaining longevity in a physically demanding sport.

Notable Quotes:

Mercedes Lewis (17:30): “Now, teams are starting to get more guys, you know, more depth at these different positions to kind of take the workload off of the number one guys.”
Mercedes Lewis (19:14): “But my mentality is what sets me apart. Having a routine and my adaptability as well.”

Mercedes discusses how modern NFL teams are adapting by increasing depth at various positions, allowing star players to remain fresh and effective throughout the season. She attributes her long career to mental resilience, a robust routine, and adaptability, emphasizing that these traits are crucial for enduring success in professional sports.

Perspectives on Aaron Rodgers’s Career and Future

A significant segment of the conversation shifts to Aaron Rodgers, examining his illustrious career and contemplating his future in the NFL. Colin and Mercedes share their perspectives on whether Rodgers might retire or seek a new team.

Notable Quotes:

Mercedes Lewis (26:34): “My guess would maybe be the Steelers.”
Colin Cowherd (50:27): “I think he may retire… it’s a 50 called a career and again, an unbelievable career.”

Mercedes speculates that Rodgers might consider a move to the Pittsburgh Steelers, given his strong relationship with Coach Tomlin and the Steelers' strategic needs. Both agree that Rodgers's dedication and passion for football are unparalleled, making his next move highly anticipated.

The Cyclical Nature of Sports Popularity

Colin reflects on the cyclical trends in sports popularity, noting the shifts from boxing to UFC and the enduring dominance of the NFL. He expresses optimism about baseball's current favorable cycle, praising teams like the Dodgers, Yankees, and Cubs for their success and broad regional appeal.

Notable Quote:

Colin Cowherd (10:00): “Baseball right now is in a great cycle.”

He also touches upon the NBA's potential resurgence, suggesting that with strategic team developments and healthy key players, sectors like the Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks could become title contenders.

Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

As the episode winds down, Colin reiterates his admiration for Moses Lewis and underscores the importance of mental fortitude and adaptability in achieving sustained success. The conversation closes with light-hearted banter about potential future collaborations and predictions for the upcoming sports seasons.

Notable Quote:

Mercedes Lewis (24:49): “I’ll be ready when that time comes.”

Key Takeaways

Regional Influences: The fervor for March Madness varies significantly across different regions, with the Northeast showing exceptional enthusiasm.
NIL Impact: Name, Image, and Likeness policies have positively impacted college basketball by enabling top players to extend their collegiate careers.
Career Longevity: Mental resilience, routine, and adaptability are crucial for long-term success in professional sports, as exemplified by Mercedes Lewis’s career.
Aaron Rodgers: Rodgers’s future remains a topic of speculation, with potential moves or retirement being key points of discussion.
Sports Cycles: Sports popularity is cyclical, with different sports rising and falling in prominence over time. Current trends show a strong phase for baseball and promising developments for the NBA.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Colin Cowherd (04:34): “My Northeast friends, they take work off for it.”
Colin Cowherd (05:55): “We are becoming an event culture.”
Mercedes Lewis (17:30): “Now, teams are starting to get more guys, you know, more depth at these different positions to kind of take the workload off of the number one guys.”
Mercedes Lewis (19:14): “But my mentality is what sets me apart. Having a routine and my adaptability as well.”
Mercedes Lewis (26:34): “My guess would maybe be the Steelers.”
Colin Cowherd (50:27): “I think he may retire… it’s a 50 called a career and again, an unbelievable career.”

The Herd with Colin Cowherd successfully combines personal anecdotes, expert interviews, and insightful analysis to provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the current sports environment. Whether discussing the fervor of March Madness, the strategic evolution of NFL positions, or the future of legendary players like Aaron Rodgers, this episode stands out as a comprehensive exploration of today's top sports stories.