PMS 2.0 1316 - Feel Good Friday With Sweet 16 Preview, Tyler Hansbrough, Paul Skenes, Ted Karras In Studio, & AJ Hawk

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Pat McAfee Show - PMS 2.0 1316

Release Date: March 28, 2025
Episode Title: Feel Good Friday With Sweet 16 Preview, Tyler Hansbrough, Paul Skenes, Ted Karras In Studio, & AJ Hawk

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Introduction

On this vibrant episode of The Pat McAfee Show, hosted by Pat McAfee alongside Ty Schmidt, Bruce Brown, AJ Hawk, and Teddy Karras, the team dives deep into the exhilarating world of sports. From the electrifying Sweet 16 college basketball games to the latest NFL and MLB updates, the show promises a blend of insider insights, humorous banter, and relatable discussions.

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College Basketball Sweet 16 Preview

Overview of Sweet 16 Excitement
Pat McAfee opens the show by expressing his enthusiasm for the recent Sweet 16 games, highlighting the intense competition and unexpected outcomes that have captivated fans.

Arkansas vs. Texas Tech Overtime Thriller
A standout moment is the overtime showdown between Arkansas and Texas Tech. Pat remarks on the game's unpredictable finish, stating, "Texas Tech ended up with the dub. Congrats to Texas Tech winning in the nightcap." [00:00] The discussion emphasizes Arkansas's Cinderella story and Texas Tech's remarkable comeback, particularly spotlighting Mr. Williams' late three-pointer that tied the game.

Alabama's Offensive Prowess
The conversation shifts to Alabama's impressive offensive performances, with Paul Skeens noting their high-scoring games and record-breaking achievements. Pat adds, "Alabama looks like the hottest team in ball right now." [04:43] The hosts debate whether the SEC will dominate the tournament or if traditional powerhouse ACC teams will make a resurgence.

Impact of Three-Point Shooting and Analytics
Ty Schmidt and AJ Hawk delve into the evolving strategies in college basketball, questioning the heavy reliance on three-point shooting. Tyler Hansbrough offers a critical perspective, suggesting that "three-ball analytics may not translate well at the college level," [29:30] advocating for a more traditional approach focused on inside play and fundamentals.

Quotes:

• Pat McAfee: "Whenever you talk about great basketball games, all you're hoping for is magic at the end." [00:58]
• Tyler Hansbrough: "I think teams trying to apply NBA analytics to college kids aren't seeing the same success." [29:30]

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NFL Updates

Paul Skeens' Opening Day Performance
The segment introduces Paul Skeens, the Pittsburgh Pirates' ace, discussing his performance on opening day. Pat sympathizes with Skeens' no-decision outcome, emphasizing the challenges pitchers face with bullpen support. Skeens remains optimistic, focusing on consistency and team improvement.
"This is the first time I've been the opening day starter, so getting out there in front of a full stadium feels great." [91:00]

Russell Wilson and Stefan Diggs Trades
The hosts cover significant NFL trades, including Russell Wilson's move to the New York Giants and Stefan Diggs joining the New England Patriots. Pat comments on the strategic implications for both teams, while Teddy Karras shares insights on team dynamics and expectations.

Aaron Rodgers Free Agency Speculation
A heated discussion revolves around Aaron Rodgers' uncertain free agency status. The team speculates on potential moves to the Pittsburgh Steelers or his retirement, highlighting the impact on the draft and team strategies.
"I don't think Aaron knows exactly what he wants. The options are all laid out before him." [53:09]

Quotes:

• Ty Schmidt: "If you don't let Skeens go deep into the game, the bullpen might ruin it for him." [05:16]
• Paul Skeens: "We have to figure out something that works over the full 162, not just when it's going good or bad." [92:21]

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MLB Highlights

Shohei Ohtani's Stellar Season
While primarily an MLB focus, there's a crossover discussion about Shohei Ohtani's exceptional performance and his influence on both baseball and fan engagement. Pat remarks on Ohtani's ability to excel as both a pitcher and hitter, contributing to the Dodgers' impressive start.
"Shohei's the biggest star in baseball right now. Makes sense that everybody's there." [07:34]

Cincinnati Pirates' Prospects with Paul Skeens
Paul Skeens discusses his role as a starting pitcher, his pitching style, and aspirations for the season, including potential strikeout records and postseason goals. The hosts commend his dedication and philanthropic efforts, notably his support for the Gary Sinise Foundation.
"Every strikeout I get, I donate $100 to a veteran and first responder charity." [91:48]

Quotes:

• Pat McAfee: "Shohei is the biggest star in baseball." [07:36]
• Paul Skeens: "Winning a World Series is even better than setting strikeout records." [95:29]

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Guest Interviews

Tyler Hansbrough on College Hoops and Coaching Trends
Tyler Hansbrough joins the show, sharing his expert analysis on the current state of college basketball. He discusses the influence of coaching changes, the transfer portal, and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) rules on team dynamics and competitiveness.
"Young coaches are more willing to adapt and get ahead. That's why we're seeing a shift in power among programs." [24:17]

Teddy Karras on Bengals' Team Dynamics and Philanthropy
Teddy Karras provides an insider's perspective on the Cincinnati Bengals, addressing team performance, player retention, and off-field initiatives. He highlights the team's commitment to community projects and the importance of maintaining a strong team culture.
"We're developing infrastructure in Cincinnati to support our community, and it's progressing well." [149:52]

Paul Skeens on Pitching Strategies and Season Goals
Paul Skeens discusses his pitching strategies, the addition of new pitches, and his approach to facing hitters. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and consistency throughout the grueling MLB season.
"It's about executing my pitches and staying consistent over the full 162 games." [91:25]

Quotes:

• Tyler Hansbrough: "College hoops is evolving with the transfer portal and NIL, making teams more dynamic." [25:08]
• Teddy Karras: "Philanthropy is a big part of what we do. It's about giving back to the community." [149:52]

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Technology and Sports

Guardian Caps in the NFL
The discussion touches on the introduction of guardian caps in NFL practices. Teddy Karras shares his experience with the new equipment, noting improved safety and comfort. The hosts speculate on future technological advancements and their impact on player performance and safety.

Quotes:

• Teddy Karras: "The guardian cap has eliminated a lot of the sore feelings from practice hits. It's been a net positive." [141:00]
• Pat McAfee: "Technology like the guardian cap is making the game safer without compromising on performance." [141:18]

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Closing Thoughts

Pat McAfee wraps up the episode by reflecting on the diverse range of topics covered, from thrilling basketball tournaments and strategic NFL moves to philanthropic efforts and technological advancements in sports. The hosts express their passion for sports and commitment to delivering insightful and entertaining content to their audience.

Final Quotes:

• Pat McAfee: "We're learning and evolving with every conversation. It's what makes this show unique and engaging." [99:27]
• Tyler Hansbrough: "Coaching in this new era requires adaptability and a willingness to embrace change." [25:08]

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This episode of The Pat McAfee Show offers listeners a comprehensive look into current sports events, enriched by expert opinions and behind-the-scenes insights from esteemed guests. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual observer, the discussions provide valuable perspectives on the ever-evolving landscape of sports.

Transcript

[Pat McAfee]

Hello beautiful people and welcome to our humble abode, the Thunderdome on this Feel good. Friday, March 28, 2025. This program starts right now. Sports are happening all around us. Last night was a sweet 16 and thank you to the college basketball gods for delivering us four fantastic games being capped off, which I fell asleep for with an overtime thriller where both Arkansas and Texas Tech played their best basketball whenever overtime was wrapp. You're talking about an electrifying finish to this game. I think a lot of us were asleep. A lot of people thought Arkansas beat Texas Tech. A lot of people thought that Calipari would add another dub into his 143 Sweet 16 record throughout his entire career. At one point they were up 16. Holy hell, Arkansas. The Cinderella story lives on. This Texas tech team, including Mr. Williams here who popped a three late to tie this thing really turned it on. And whenever you talk about great basketball games, I don't care if you're talking NBA, I don't care if you're talking high, I don't care if you're talking and one Harlem Globetrotters. All you're hoping for is magic at the end. And there was in this particular game, Texas Tech got hot. There was a jump ball controversy the gumpy certainly thought took place earlier in the game. But in the overtime period, neither team gave up. Neither team choked it away. Both teams showed up. It just so happened to be that Texas Tech ends up with the dub. Congrats to Texas Tech winning in the nightcap. And congrats to Arkansas for covering. And congrats to Seth Greenberg for basically going perfect last night in his bets. He thought the BYU Bama game was going to go over. It was 175 points. Well, there was a chance Alabama was going to score that. And going into the first half there was like 91 points scored. I think so. I'm like, wait a minute, we are on track for 175point over. When a lot of these games went under in the first round, we were seeing a lot of low scoring, good defense, bad shooting, basketball out of college hoops this year. And then this Alabama team, they broke a record. Old Buddy had like 12 threes or something like that. They had over 100 points. They want absolutely absurd. And BYU did as well. Let's not get it twisted. They had to help to hit the over. But Alabama looks like the hottest team in ball right now. And they weren't the only team that won over 100 points. That happened multiple times in all four games we thought were electrifying. Now Obviously Maryland's magical run ends. That Florida team is a real deal. Yes, they are. Yeah, that Florida team is a real deal. Certainly you know who else is the real deal? Who's that? Doug? I wonder who is going to win this entire thing. It's crazy. Legitimately. Like is Florida going to win this entire thing? Is Alabama going to win this thing? Is the SEC going to be the year not only they have the most teams In a Sweet 16, most teams in a tournament in history, but are they going to go ahead and win it? Or do we got an old school story that's going to happen? Do we got a old school ACC representative in there doing their thing? Got some more magic happening tonight, obviously in the sweet 16. We'll actually be in attendance for a couple of the games. Cannot wait to get down to Indianapolis and shout out to college hoops for being electrifying and for us understanding that although there was no Cinderella stories, maybe Arkansas was really the only one and maybe Nil and transfer portal have ruined it forever. Got a lot of good hoops happening. A lot, a lot of good hoops happening. And it's a magical time. There's obviously some NFL news. There's some NBA news. We got a lot of things to chit chat about today. It should be a good one. Psycho T will be joining us.

[Ty Schmidt]

Hell yes.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Tyler Hansbrough be joining us in about 17 minutes. That is what that man has accomplished. Obviously whenever he was at unc, he was must watch. You're talking about first one in, last one out. You're talking about coach's son. You're talking about lunch pail guy. You're talking about high motor. You're talking about trying as hard as possible all the time. You're talking about smacking a wood. You're basically saying Tyler Hansborough basketball. Yes, that is what you're saying. As a whole, he then would get drafted to the Pacers out here while I was playing for the Colts, I got to know him. I got to witness the Tyler Hansborough experience on numerous occasions. What a weapon. Yeah, okay. Just what an absolute weapon. And I believe he's covering college hoops.

[Ty Schmidt]

Currently for the field of 68, I believe.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. So I can't wait to get his take on college ball. Also, the NBA have had a couple of magical evenings. Buzzer beaters happening all over the place. And then the NFL, obviously we're going to have new rules and the leagues meeting next week and there's still rumors going around so we'll chit chat about it. All Paul Skeens will join us in the next hour fresh off opening day loss. Okay, Opening day loss. This was scheduled long beforehand and he came out and he was doing some dealing, wasn't he?

[Paul Skeens]

Sure was.

[Pat McAfee]

This guy's a professional dealer.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Let's get him at a blackjack table. Let's get him at a poker table. You're talking now. He gave up a run. Had himself in a jam, obviously a couple at bats. Went a lot longer than anybody could have imagined. Had more pitches, I assume than we would come to expect from a Paul Skeens outing. Because normally it's 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1- 2, 3. That is kind of how the ball skins. Seven strikeouts already. Whenever he leaves the game, they're up 4 to 1. Then they get a relief in, does great. Another relief, does great. And then they end the game and they shit all over themselves. And he gets another loss to start the entire thing.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yes. Well, he got a no decision. So he doesn't actually get a loss.

[Pat McAfee]

But not a win.

[Ty Schmidt]

Correct.

[Pat McAfee]

We thought he's potentially gonna have 30 wins this year.

[AJ Hawk]

29.

[Pat McAfee]

We're down to 29 and no decision gives us no shot.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yep.

[Pat McAfee]

Let's go over the talk to table at Bruce Brown at Ty Schmidt. Opening day was yesterday for baseball. We had it on here.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Multiple games. Yep, yep, we had multiple games. Those TVs right over there. It's kind of fun. Obviously, when Skeens is on the bump, it's awesome. When the Yankees are playing. That's great. What were the big stories from yesterday? Ty Schmidt.

[Ty Schmidt]

So you, you hit the nail on the head because as a Pirates fans like Tony knows this. You're going to come to find this out and you already know this, but like that's, that's kind of the MO and it even was last year, like Skeens was super. He was still winning a bunch of games and performing very well. But this is kind of always the mo is if you don't let him go deep, deep, deep into the game, like there's a chance to. Bullpen is going to ruin it for him. They did this several times last year. But he'll bounce back. Is the, you know, first game of the year, the, the Marlins had their ace on the bump too. So that was a good game. You mentioned the Yankees. Austin Wells is batting leadoff for the Yankees. He's their catcher. The guy with the big mustache. Yeah. You're saying who is this guy? He is the first catcher to hit a leadoff home run on opening day. Since 1900.

[Pat McAfee]

That's awesome. Jason Kendall.

[Ty Schmidt]

Well, a little bit before Jason Kendall's time as well. The Yankees hit a couple of short por homers yesterday. Him and the kind of quasi hometown kid Anthony Volpe. And then the Yankees closer Devin Williams was actually on the brewers last year. So he closed down the Brewers. Yankees get a win. A couple other kind of big things. Yesterday, Tyler O'Neal for the Baltimore Orioles, he hit his sixth consecutive opening day home run, which is just crazy. The Orioles hit six homers in total and beat the out of the Toronto Blue Jays. And then in the nightcap, Shohei, he went yard again. Dodgers are 3, 0. A lot of people already saying, hey, is this team going to go 162 0?

[Bruce Brown]

Maybe.

[Ty Schmidt]

Can it be done? Is it possible? And people are starting to say is it possible that Shohei maybe has his eyes set on the single season home run record this year, which would be 74.

[Pat McAfee]

That was Tom Hanks Magic. Yeah.

[Bruce Brown]

Can't believe it.

[Ty Schmidt]

City of stars.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. That's Los Angeles baseball. Shohei is the biggest star.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yes.

[Pat McAfee]

In all of baseball.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yes.

[Pat McAfee]

Yes. Makes sense that everybody's there. He obviously in Tokyo they go two and. Oh, right. Because they started the season eight days ago in Tokyo and they're doing that because. Yeah. This guy.

[Ty Schmidt]

Right.

[Tony]

Yes.

[Pat McAfee]

Tens of millions of fans in Japan of the MLB all of a sudden. Not that they haven't always been fans of baseball and fans of the mlb obviously. Ichiro, who won out last night and threw an 84 mile an hour opening pitch. Japanese players have a lot of history. I mean this is gas. In full uniform.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, that's easy, baby.

[Pat McAfee]

In full uniform and we're throwing heat. Okay. It's a ball.

[Ty Schmidt]

Okay.

[Pat McAfee]

But at least you know, you still got it. They have an Ichi meter that, that is out in the, in the stands. It said it. 84 Ichi speed meter. Yeah. 84 miles an hour on the opening pitch. I don't know anybody else is bringing that. But with that being said, very. I think Japan has always loved baseball.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Japanese history in MLB is a deep one. But I think Shohei has brought the eyes completely back, you know, like to the MLB and them just selling, they're selling ads to these Japanese companies right behind because the amount of Japanese people that are watching it, it's like the MLB has to be so incredibly pumped and thankful that Shohei Ohtani exists. The Dodgers obviously paid massive money for him to be over there. But I bet you like everybody that's around him says he's the Right. One for. It seems like he is just, you know, somehow was able to stay the course when he was getting frauded by his translator who was supposed to be his best friend. I mean, best friend now. Yeah, yeah, we've learned.

[Ty Schmidt]

Sure.

[Pat McAfee]

It might not always be what it.

[Ty Schmidt]

Exactly.

[Pat McAfee]

Not always what it's cracked in the media sports world. Yeah, in the media sports world. But this guy was his eyes and ears in America. And then he was doing something that could ruin his entire legacy and then also stealing millions of dollars from him at the same time. He still has just remained just like this. How old is Shohei? How many more years of Shohei do we have? And how many more years of Paul Skeens do we have? Do you think? Like Paul Skeens, He's. This is 15 years.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Potential. Like that's what great pitchers do if he stays healthy.

[Ty Schmidt]

I mean, Randy Johnson, who we've had on the show a couple times, he pitched until he was like 41, 42. So it kind of. It. It's tough. Like when a guy throws that hard, you just hope that he's not going to have a couple elbow surgeries. And that's kind of when I go back to when you're asking about like Shohei and whether or not he's going to pitch this year. He's already had a couple elbow surgeries and like that really at this point is the only thing that could like end Skeen's career short because he's going to have good stuff like this for a long time. So if he stays healthy, like, yeah, he. He could be doing this for the next 15 to 20 years.

[Bruce Brown]

It also seems like with skiings that he's starting to chase movement more than just trying to go up in velo to like 102, 103.

[Pat McAfee]

He's such a good drop there. VLO.

[Bruce Brown]

He is moving that ball side to side like crazy. It's awesome to see. Shohei is 30. So luckily he won't be torturing us for the next 15 years. Maybe more like 8 to 10. Maybe 12 on the high side. We'll see with the pitching too, if he.

[Pat McAfee]

He needs to get into the pitching.

[Bruce Brown]

Yeah, but it is there.

[Pat McAfee]

He's not gonna do. He's 30.

[Ty Schmidt]

No, no. I think I'm going to have him do it.

[AJ Hawk]

Just let him hit 80 home runs.

[Ty Schmidt]

I agree. I agree.

[Pat McAfee]

You say. Because why would we even focus any time on pitch? Well, let's just keep seeing the. They're just the beach balls that are.

[Ty Schmidt]

Coming down and there's already an injury history there. If he had never gotten hurt before then it'd be like, yeah, of course. Have this guy pitch, he's on elbow.

[Bruce Brown]

And shoulder sliding into second base during the World Series. Now it's two different parts of his arm as well.

[Pat McAfee]

And baseball pretty important part.

[Paul Skeens]

Yep.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Bruce Brown]

Playoff closer would be.

[AJ Hawk]

That'd be sweet.

[Pat McAfee]

Biblical. Yeah. That's what we're talking about. Yeah.

[Bruce Brown]

That would be sick.

[Pat McAfee]

Him coming out, some music. Yeah. Just like he did the international things right.

[Ty Schmidt]

The world baseball or even just a.

[AJ Hawk]

Closer like every handful of games. He doesn't have to be the full time closer. But I know, you know, it's weird if you have two closers because the closer is such a, like a mental thing and having to close the same closer every game is a thing. But like it would be awesome to see him in a closer role. But I mean their arm gets worked a lot too. I mean it would be 1012 pitches versus 100 pitches. But I mean they're, they're seeing, they're, they're closing every one to two days or whatever.

[Pat McAfee]

It is just a spotlight. You can have your closer. Full time closer. Sure. Well, you know, tonight Shohei has actually hit two bombs. He stole three, three bases. And he also feels pretty good.

[Bruce Brown]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

So we're going to let him go ahead and finish this thing out. Let him get a close. You know, like I don't hate that. Those moments would be awesome. But there's no way with how methodical baseball is they would be making that decision on the fly.

[Ty Schmidt]

No. And again it's like one of those things where like the Dodgers bullpen's unbelievable. So it's like are you going to kind of like rob Peter to pay Paul when you have a really good guy already? Probably not.

[Pat McAfee]

Do you get a, you don't get a save if you're up more than three runs. Right.

[Ty Schmidt]

There are certain situations because there are like multi inning saves, like where if a team is blowing someone out but like a relief pitcher comes in and throws like two and a third or three innings, sometimes those are safe situations as well.

[AJ Hawk]

There are situations though where the closer has gone back to back days and you're playing three games in three days and the closer like they'll, they'll know before the game the manager will say our closer is not available today where he could go in a situation like that.

[Pat McAfee]

Edwin Diaz is back any.

[Ty Schmidt]

Well, I don't know. He didn't have an opportunity yesterday.

[Bruce Brown]

Yeah, he, he did not show up.

[Pat McAfee]

It is Edward Diaz is the closer. For the Mets, who we missed out on last year because he broke his ankle on the mound at the World Baseball Classic. Correct. Okay. We missed out on him. The way we knew that he existed was most electrifying entrance in baseball. Play the Trumpets. Timmy. He would come out from the outfield. This is what we're talking about with Shohei. Yes. When the closer comes out and everybody knows, like, all right, spotlight. Ball. Yup. Follow the guy. That's the one right there. Take us home, buddy. Take us home. Is literally the expectation. An entire baseball stadium is waiting on your arrival to kind of close this. It is all. It is a spectacle every single time it happens. Especially whenever Timmy Trumpets is playing live and then he's coming out. And he was having the playoffs in the postseason. He was having where he was coming and cooking and then he got paid and it was like, we got this all year. I couldn't wait.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Whole baseball season. Paul Skeens is coming in. We got Trumpets coming in. I'm a Mets guy. I'm a Skeens guy.

[Ty Schmidt]

Sure.

[Pat McAfee]

They didn't even play all last year.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

He's got her at the World Baseball Classic for his country. Okay. Respect it. Now he's back. That makes the Mets a problem. Right? They pay all this money for Juan Soto. They get Edwin Diaz back. The Mets are a new start. Spreading the news.

[Bruce Brown]

Not quite so. Soto's debut. He did have a. A nice single in his first at bat. Worked a couple of walks. Left stranded though. Did not score a run. Because of what we may have been talking about in the think tank a little bit, you don't have Aaron Judge behind them. You got Brandon Nimmo. You got Pete Alonso. He's going to be left out there on second base more often than not this season. And then his first. His first opportunity to have his clutch signature. Welcome to the Mets Moment down two runs in the bottom of the ninth. Runners on first and third. Before it got to a full count here it was actually a 30 count. And Soto, like we all know Soto, he's not taking that pitch. He's not looking for a walk in the ninth inning. No, he's mashing it. But no, he stares at a slider down the middle, 94 mph, fouls off the next pitch. And then chases an outside slider in the dirt with an absolute sword. People are calling it.

[AJ Hawk]

It's to our Yankees fan. We should let everyone know.

[Pat McAfee]

This is biased journalism.

[Paul Skeens]

There's a lot of crap.

[Pat McAfee]

They lost this man. This man was on their team. Last year.

[Bruce Brown]

There's a lot of crashing out going on lately and people are saying that Soto might be crashing out a. Over there in Citi Field.

[Ty Schmidt]

You'd be a good person to ask. You're a Mets fan now. A lot of Mets fans out there. They're saying buyer's remorse already after one day.

[Pat McAfee]

Overpaid. I did get some. I am not a Mets fan. Yes, please do. Actually, please call that. Oh, yes. So we're going to call the Mets fan that I happen to sit next to every single Monday night and have very lucky to have text conversations with throughout every sporting event of every one of his team's games. You know, he's very active. Yeah. I think a lot of Mets fans said. Of course, that's what. That's. I think that was kind of the takeaway. Of course we did. Yeah. Paid the most money in the history of anybody. Get this guy here. First game, has a chance, could win it. It's a dinger there.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

We win this game instead, he strikes out. Yeah, I think there was a lot of that, but a lot of season left.

[Ty Schmidt]

Oh, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

He was still getting used to the uniform. Sure. We don't know what the equipment managers did with his arms. We don't know if it was a little bit too tight. Maybe that chase. Normally he's able to stop it because the shirt's tighter, looser, you know, because he doesn't have his jersey fitted yet. And that's why he goes all the way down. Do you call that a sword?

[Bruce Brown]

Yeah, sword. It's when you swing, but it. You don't really swing.

[Ty Schmidt]

Kind of looks like a. Yeah, swinging a sword. Like a medieval, you know, like a really behead someone sword.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, I got. Yeah, I get what you're saying. I get what you're saying.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Shout out to baseball.

[Ty Schmidt]

Shout out. Shout out to Juan Soto. He'll be okay.

[Pat McAfee]

Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, with a Metropolitan, Mike Cole. Hey, Cole. Juan Soto had an opportunity. The Yankees fans here are saying, start spreading the news. They're the same as yesterday. The Mets are gonna screw it up. Is that happening right now? Juan Soto, Is this too much money? The Yankees fans are dancing on your graves after one particular game in the eighth inning yesterday, I text Jeff Passon and I said, the Mets suck. And then he texted me back and said right on cue. Yeah, same as last year. Can't score runs. Juan Soto strikes out with a tine runs on base. There it is.

[Teddy Karras]

He was. He was up.

[Pat McAfee]

He was up 30 on the count by the way. And this bozo here had walked like two straight guys and given up a single, so. And Soto couldn't even hit him. I mean, it's the same. It's the same shit every year. I mean, come on. I mean, it's ridiculous. So I don't know what. Clay Holmes, the guy was a reliever for the Yankees. Now he's our number one starting pitcher. And now McGill's going today. This season's going to be a disaster. Really lucky. We won 80 games. All right, thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, Michael Cole.

[Ty Schmidt]

Love it.

[Pat McAfee]

Thank you, Cole. That was awesome.

[Ty Schmidt]

That's awesome.

[Pat McAfee]

Hell, yeah. That was the text. I don't know if he uses like talk to text. He must say, or if he's actually typing this thing up, but these texts I'll get, it'll sound. I mean, that was exactly the promo. You know, someday though, you guys will be the kings of that town. Keep spending. We appreciate it. Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, live from an attic in Ohio, fresh out of, I believe, Mexico.

[Teddy Karras]

Wow.

[Pat McAfee]

Ladies and gentlemen, college football national champion, super bowl champion, Ryder cup winner, A.J.

[Teddy Karras]

Hawk Hawker.

[Pat McAfee]

You missed a lot. You missed a lot.

[Tony]

Yeah, you'd say. I'd say the news spread to Mexico very quickly about the LeBron situation. Stephen A. Going back and forth. So, yeah, that was. That kind of took over everything going on down there. So, yeah, I missed you guys. Good to be back.

[Pat McAfee]

We missed you as well. And we're happy you and the family had a good time. We hope the weather was great and yeah, it's been a wild week. Now with that being said, you know, because it is March Madness, it does feel like the sports calendar operates in a fashion where they are kind of cool with each other. Now, I know the NFL just took Christmas from the NBA, like, that certainly happened, but it feels like it's like March Madness time. NFL doesn't really have a lot of shit, you know, like there isn't a lot. Aaron is the only outstanding conversation pretty much. Now, obviously, Russ Wilson goes to the Giants. That's great. Stefan Diggs goes up to the New England Patriots. Congratulations to both of them getting big time deals. But this like the fifth wave of free agency now and then owners meetings next. Like, okay, we'll kind of give the tournament the time. So this week for us has been. AJ I don't know how much you got to catch up. Obviously, you said the LeBron Versace made its way down there talking to these college players. We had a college commitment this week. Yeah, we had a. I mean, it's been a basket. It's been a fun time. A. I will say we're enjoying the basketball season more than we ever had in the past, is what I'm telling you.

[Tony]

Well, yeah, I mean, they're scoring points at, at an unbelievable rate. It's fun to watch when guys are scoring, they're making buckets and they're playing hard. Like, that's what college basketball is. I feel like you, you know, smacking the floor, playing defense. Guys that, you know, getting back to old school roots, obviously with some, some three balls mixed in that they may not have done 40, 50 years ago, back when Koozie was playing. But, yeah, it's been fun to watch.

[Pat McAfee]

Koozie was a dog.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Coos had game. Coos did have game. We'll have Tyler Hansborough joining us here in a couple minutes if you want to talk about everything you just said right there in it. But it's been cool to learn about these stories and the transfer portal nil thing with college hoops. Fascinating. And I'm only saying that because, you know, West Virginia had been looking for a coach for a while, and I was watching what was happening with these other coaches that were going places. It's like, okay, these coaches from smaller schools get hired at the bigger schools. And now because the transfer portal, they're just bringing their guys with them. Like, hey, boys, we made the tournament. We should be able to do better if we get better. It's like you're almost like just paying for a group to come. Like, that is kind of.

[Tony]

It's like you're bringing your book. You know, like, if a financial guy works for a firm and then he gets recruited away and gets a big, like, bonus to bring his book over to another firm. Like, that's what, what's happening in college sports.

[Pat McAfee]

I feel like, yeah, your network right there, you're not just getting me, you're getting this network, is what you're talking about. Yeah, I think. And it happens in the NFL whenever coaches get hired. Normally you'll see coaches hire the assistant coaching staff. Now in college ball, it's like, same with the coaching staff, assistant staff. But it's also like, if any players have any eligibility left, probably going to come help you with the culture. Especially in basketball, you get two to three guys that know the culture and are good. College hoops, you got a team, you can bring other people in from the transfer portal, you can bring in freshmen, and then you're. You're off and running. Fascinating what that'll be in the Future because like Willard, the story in Maryland was happening and he got booed while he's walking through the hotel. I think I didn't get a chance to hear the entire thing. He walked through like the Maryland hotel to head to the bus. And they said it was not like a welcomed response by the Maryland fans. This guy's got maryland at sweet 16. Yep. Okay. This guy's got this team. And everybody's like, well, he's leaving, he's leaving. And afterwards he said he didn't know what he wanted to do. And Maryland people are saying it's bullshit. But you listen to Derrick Queen. He's the best player on the, on the court for them. He's like, are you coming back next year? He's like, I gotta talk to my agency, my family, and obviously coach Willard as well. And it's like, Derrick Queen's probably going to the NBA because he's 6 foot 10, can move, shoot and do everything. He's an NBA guy. But like if he doesn't, he's probably going. Yeah, yeah, he's probably going with Willard to Villanova, you know, and it's like, does Villanova know that? Whenever they're like hiring the coach, like, hey, also probably getting a pseudo made team coming alongside of it. Joining us now is a man who probably knows or has opinions that are definitely better than whatever we would say on the subject. He's a national champion. His name is synonymous with college hoops. He was an Indiana Pacer and we were proud as hell to have him represent Indianapolis. For a while he played in China, then he played in Puerto Rico. Now he's covering the college hoops world. Ladies and gentlemen, Tyler Hansborough. Yeah.

[H]

Hey, thanks for having me on, fellas. Glad to be on here.

[Pat McAfee]

Tyler, it is our honor to have you on the program. Just would like to let you know that massive respect for the way you went about doing your business and you never changed. You were you through every situation, North Carolina. Every time I saw you, you were Tyler Hansborough. You came to Indiana. Every time I saw you, you were Tyler Hansborough. Hard working. Let's go ahead, do this. Maximum effort, all in guy. And in the community here in Indianapolis, you were, I saw you at events you were crushing it at. I saw you for the Pacers do that and obviously North Carolina. So you want to, I want to let you know we are fans of the way you operate. You need to know that.

[H]

Okay, well, I appreciate that and that's kind of all I know. But I really enjoyed my time in Indianapolis Playing for the Pacers. I'm a blue collar guy, so work for everything and kind of played an old school style compared to what's being played now. But I had fun at every, every place I was.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, we were lucky for you. And I think that's a good descript. It feels like you nailed who you are, you know you are. Let's talk about, let's talk about the current college hoops. I was just chit chatting about it. There's for a little bit where, like if Willard gets the job at Villanova, I think a good assumption is that some of the guys that he has on his team now are probably going to transfer with him to Villanova. And a lot of people thought maybe the players wouldn't respond to or be distracted because the Maryland conversation and where they, I think they're just committed to the coach now. Do you agree with that? Do you think that is kind of what college hoops is becoming?

[H]

Absolutely.

[Pat McAfee]

Go ahead. Yes.

[H]

I think you've got to kind of do that. And a big reason, probably the only reason I chose North Carolina was to play for Coach Williams. And it wasn't just because I like the, the program and the tradition. But you know, if you're, you're choosing a school to play, you know, you like the coach's style and you like how you fit in the offense and you guys have good chemistry. If he leaves for another place, of course a lot of players going to go with him. And also you saw this at Arkansas, California, Caliper, he took a lot of his players. And McNeese, you're probably going to see a lot of Will Wade take a lot of his players from McNeese and bring them over to NC State. And especially with the way that college basketball, the way the landscape is now, you're supposed to have a quick turnaround. Programs aren't waiting for rebuilds. They want to be good right now.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. And if you're good right now, it can change everything. You have one magical run in March. The school tuition can go up, the enrollment's going up, the brand is going up. It's a, it's a great thing. Sports are great for the university. He's obviously great for the sport. And then if you get to a bigger one, you would assume more money available. So then you continue to grow. Interesting. A lot of young coaches.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yes.

[Pat McAfee]

Like I see that Florida coach on the sideline, like, damn, I had no idea who that guy was. I did not know Texas, Texas coach last night. I saw him, I'm like I had no idea who that guy was. And then McCollum, you know, obviously a Drake. I had no idea who that guy was. Feels like it's a younger coach's game that's happening kind of in football where the modern world is something that these younger coaches are either more likely to want to do or also better at with the business side of it, the communication side of it, the brand building side of it, as opposed to older coaches. Then you got the Cal, you got Izzo, you got Pitino. What does it take, you think, to be a great college basketball coach?

[H]

Well, it's kind of changing. I'm old school. I like a coach that comes in there, gets after the kids. You lose a game, you get back to the arena and they're going to run you, discipline you. I think they're losing a little bit of that, but also a lot of of the older coaches, you know, they weren't real receptive to change. They didn't like how the landscape was kind of changing and they were kind of stuck in their routines and their styles. So they, you know, they just said, hey, I can't take this new era of basketball. But the young guys, they're hungry. They're more willing to adapt and to get ahead. Position at one of these big time schools, of course are going to change and kind of make, you know, get with the times. But the one thing I will say, I gained a lot of respect for Pitino, how he handled things. He's won at multiple errors. He comes in there, he still coaches, he still gets after his kids and he's winning. So he's a coach who's, you know, coached pre nil and after nil and I think he's probably the coach of the year. So I gained a lot of respect for him this year.

[Pat McAfee]

Year. He was great in Greece too, as you know, as an international player. How easy or hard is that to get used to, like a different country's league in basketball? Is basketball the same or is it different?

[H]

Oh, it's different. Especially in China. China is one of the most physical basketball leagues in the world. So. Oh yeah, they'll, they'll bang in China, you'll get fouls. It's like NBA in the 80s, really.

[Pat McAfee]

You were there for what, four years? Then Covid hit and you leave?

[H]

I was, yeah, I played three seasons over there. Covid hit in the middle of the third. I took back off to North Carolina, got out of there, had no idea that Covid would turn out to be what it was. And I was Training in North Carolina. Messed up my knee, so I never played again after that. But, you know, playing overseas, there's a lot of different dynamics. I actually really enjoyed my time in China. It's probably some of the best can and probably my favorite experience playing basketball, just from the fact that I couldn't hear the fans talking trash. There was a language barrier right there. It was just hooping. I took my. My best friend from my hometown. He didn't have a lot going on, so he went with me to China and he actually ended up staying over there. Got married, had a kid, and now they're back in the States. But, yeah, it's a great story. So he got more out of it than I did.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, you ain't got shit going on, right? No. You wanna go to China with me?

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, sounds good.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, I fell in love over here. That's awesome. That is a wonderful story. I'm happy to hear that. And you said it was physical, huh? You're just. They're just not calling fouls.

[H]

It's physical. Well, you know, you can get some calls. It just depends on how much the refs like the teams and, you know, what the situation is. You know, other refs, you know, in China and Beijing, of course, the government team, they're going to give a. They're going to get a few more calls than what we got at Gong Joe. So that's just the way it goes. But I love the basketball over there. It's physical. They went inside, they didn't hemorrhage threes, and of course they didn't apply the analytics and ruin a lot of the aspects of the game that I love.

[Pat McAfee]

That's amazing. Never would have guessed some of the officials might be a little bit cooking the books. Yeah. Anyways, I assume you knew that going in, though. Go ahead, A.J.

[Tony]

Tyler, what are some of those analytics that you feel like you may not be the biggest fan of that you think may be changing or slash ruining the game that we watch now?

[H]

I think it's got to be the three ball. And the reason I say that is because. Just because the NBA guys are making a high volume of threes and they think that they can apply a lot of the NBA analytics to college kids? Well, college kids can't shoot as well as NBA guys, so a lot of what, you know, the analytics that they're applying at the college level isn't necessarily going to translate. And I think it's really hurt a lot of good, big men. I think that they're not going inside. I Think there's a lot of value in going inside, trying to get easy buckets and try to instead of passing it out and just shooting a ton of threes. I don't really think that translates all that well. I'm old school. I think that, you know, getting open looks, inside, layups, dunks, free throws, I think that's a huge difference maker. And I don't really think the three ball analytics is really all that successful as people believe.

[Pat McAfee]

Now on that note, Alabama hits their threes, which might be why they are good. Like that is if everybody's chucking up threes. If you hit your threes, you're going to be the team that is going to profit from it. I think 51 of Bama's 65 shots last night, I believe, yeah, Alabama took 66 shots. 51 of them were threes. So to your point, exactly, the entire game plan is knocking down threes. And I think last night during the Arkansas game, Arkansas hit a bunch of threes early. And you heard the commentator say, if you're Texas Tech, at some point these shots have to stop falling. Like at some point these threes have to stop falling. That's inevitable. And to your point about how your sport's probably going to evolve and has evolved, football did too. It became a real showy kind of lighter, faster, quicker, finesse game. And then it came back this year and over the past couple years into being a physical game because people are taking advantage of the humans that are on the field now or were on the field whenever it got fast and finesse. Do you think basketball will have the same type of thing? Like how do you. Do you think it only continues to go more and more threes? Because like in the NBA, Wemby's 7 foot 9 and he's chucking up threes. Now granted, he goes inside and he swats the shit out of things, but he's shooting threes. Like everybody's hucking up threes. Do you think it's cyclical? Do you think that's how basketball will work? Like football?

[H]

Yes, I absolutely think it's going to come back around. And I think a lot of teams that are applying these analytics now, Alabama, they're kind of like the, you know, they really embrace analytics and they've been on some pretty good runs. They have some really good players as well. Nate Oates does a great job. But I'll just say Michigan State is a team that doesn't really shoot the outside ball all that well. And they've had a lot of Success. And everyone, you know, they're not the most sexy style, but they play defense, they rebound, they dominate the paint, and you know what, they win a lot of games. So I think teams that are applying these analytics and aren't really seeing the success or the wins translate, I think it's a matter of time before they revert back to going, you know, kind of the older style basketball that we're all kind of used to watching.

[Pat McAfee]

I watched the highlights of the co op. There was a kid yesterday that committed to Arizona on our show and I watched his highlights. His older brother, offensive lineman for the Raiders right now, three time Pro Bowler. His dad, offensive lineman in the NFL. He's 6 foot 8 and like he plays like, obviously he's explosive, but I think he takes a lot of pride in being like a, like a physical, like a physical. I think with the way the NBA in basketball kind of is right now, if you do have somebody who can be a big body, strong while also having to have the finesse game, that feels like the winner, that feels like the future. On that note, let's talk about the future of the NBA and the current of the college hoop storylines. Tone has a question for you while he's wearing a brand new sweatshirt.

[AJ Hawk]

Yeah, I am. I figured I'd represent this today for, for Tyler, basically. You were the mayor of Cameron indoor, I believe you 40 at Cameron and basically owned Duke your entire career. So I figured, how would you defend Cooper Flag, who is going to be the overall number one pick in the NBA when he decides to come out? And how would, and how would you go up against this Duke team?

[H]

Duke's a tough team and Cooper Flag, to me is the best player in college basketball. No question. I know Jani Brooms had a really good year, but Cooper Flag and what he's doing and how he's stepping up in these big moments is incredible. Incredible. I would be physical with him. I would, I would bump him and make him defend. I'd put him in a lot of duck ins. Obviously his length presents a lot of problems, but his ability to do, you know, impact the game in so many different ways. But I would run him, I would try to wear him down and I'd be very physical and I would make sure that he's not getting any open or easy looks and try to limit a lot of his shots.

[Pat McAfee]

I'd run him. Okay, we're gonna test him a little bit, then we're gonna, we're gonna see if he can. Can he handle these? Can he handle this elbow, because this elbow's coming with a strong pivot foot because that is within the laws of the game. Okay, Tyler Hansborough's elbow is gonna be available, too, for your body. And if you want to punch me in the face, do it. I've shattered his nose before. No problem at all. We were looking up some of your photos, dude. The bloody nose shot, the dive on, like, just the. The. The ruthlessness of just tenacity, seemingly at all times on the court. Such a wonderful that you're a dog. Psycho T. I don't think that was the proper name. I think you're just relentless Tee. Like, I think high tea. High T. High T. Relentless Tee T. Tyler Hansborough. What a fun. You would have been able to play in any era, brother. You would have been able to play in any era. On that note, this era, you see North Carolina, we were just talking about Duke, used to be a lot of those. Ty has a question for you.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, Tyler, obviously, when you played at North Carolina, the ACC was the bell of the ball and had been for a long time, only getting four teams into the tournament this year. What do you think the ACC needs to do to kind of get back to the top of the mountain where a lot of people think it should be? Obviously, with the SEC getting 14 teams in and the Big Ten doing what it's doing, why do you think the ACC is kind of taking a back seat? And what do you think they need to do to kind of reclaim their throne when it comes to college basketball?

[H]

Right now, I think we're making a lot of the right moves. I. I kind of like some of the hires. I really like the hire at Miami for, you know, hiring Lucas from Duke. I think that it's just a matter of time. And the one thing I will say about the SEC is they have the money, and that's what college basketball has turned into kind of pay for play. So they have the ability to pay more than what the ACC has. And I know that's a little bit of an excuse, especially when you see teams, you know, you know, having these runs outside of the sec. But I think that's why the SEC is dominating. But I think the acc, I think this is just a bad year for us now. Let's not forget, recently, we've dominated a lot of these tournaments. And so we'll be there, you know, in the coming years. This is just a bad year for us. We're going to figure it out. We're hiring new coaches at these places that some of the coaches Left or made some changes. We're making the right moves. We're going to figure out the nil and we'll be back in the tournament representing again.

[Pat McAfee]

That feels like 10 years ago the ACC mattered. You remember that? Yeah, yeah. Feels like maybe 100 years ago. It's crazy. It's the SEC sport now. Well, that's crazy. Southeast this year, was that just this year?

[H]

I would say, you know, one so long ago that we met Duke in the Final Four. Right before Coach K retired. I would say that North Carolina, we were one seed last year. Duke possibly could win it. I mean, it's not that bad of a year for acc. I just. I would like to stand up a little bit for us.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, absolutely. That's why we're saying what we're saying. Yeah. Because that has been the convo. Like. Like the SEC has just taken over. It is the basketball school now. And you got everybody talking about how ACC used to be the creme de la creme. Now they're even saying, and Seth Greenberg said this on our show and then said it on many others in the concept of it. Not bad. Maybe the ACC links up with the Big east for basketball. How would you feel about that?

[H]

I wouldn't mind having Yukon. I wouldn't mind having a little St. John's action. I think that's great. We're both known for basketball, so bring them on board. You know, the Big east has a ton of great programs. There'd be some great rivalries in there and. Yeah, I would love that.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. I like to hear that.

[H]

Let's go.

[Pat McAfee]

I like to hear that because I think a lot of people are like, no, can't do it. And then you got like, one of the main faces in the history of ACC basketball being like, I think that'd be okay. Pitino told us St. John's doesn't have a football team. So whenever this revenue share thing happens, there might be in, like, a great position for the revenue share than maybe other schools that have a football team. You know, like the Big east right now, I think are maybe majority prime for a little bit of a basketball run, because the amount of money that they're going to be able to have versus some other schools that are going to be splitting it or divvying it up with the football team. So, acc, Big east, back on top. Let's go. Good luck, boys. Good luck. They need you to get back in there and Coach. Go ahead, A.J.

[Tony]

Yeah, Tom. As far as coaching, I'm curious which, from college to. To pros whether it's the NBA or overseas. Are you, like, how is the coaching different when you're in college? Like, is it. We think like college for. For our era, Pat, in our era, when we were in college football, like, he played for Rich Rodriguez, like, it's. There's. You're never late. You're never. You're never doing anything out of line like, you are. You're part of the program, part of the system. You're one little piece. Are they able to do that in the NBA and overseas? Can coaches still kind of hold guys accountable the way they can in college?

[H]

I think that's the one thing about the new era of college basketball. It's really hurt. I think a lot of kids need to be coached like that. I played for Coach Williams, and you are never late. You're late once and you're never late again. I can tell you that. I still have a little bit of anxiety about showing up late to anything. And, you know, the old school coaching that, you know, a lot of people associate with college, getting after guys, you still see, like, Izzo gets after guys, Pitino gets after guys. I think there's a lot of value in that discipline. But there's a big difference between, you know, the NBA, college and overseas. I think in the NBA, you know, it's really hard for a coach, probably just like it is in any professional sport, for, you know, coach to get after really, an all star, somebody of a high caliber name. But a lot of the younger kids, I actually think, think in the NBA are a little more receptive to coaching just because they're not dealing with so many outside voices, like a lot of the college kids are dealing right now. And I think that they can make a big impact on young guys, young rookies. But overseas, you know, I saw some crazy thing, you know, you know, China's a little different. You know, they'll. They'll light up a cigarette right there in halftime. I've never seen that before. And so that was. My jaw dropped when I saw that. But they will get after you in China, too. Yes.

[Pat McAfee]

Coaches, you were saying they were lighting up sigs or players were as well, or both.

[H]

The players would line them up in the locker room. I will say that. But I wouldn't be surprised if they were. You know, they smoke over in China a lot of cigarettes. So, yeah, I mean, I saw that. That was a new experience for me, but, you know, I got used to it. Didn't really necessarily like the smell, but, you know, that was one of the biggest Differences.

[Pat McAfee]

Was the coach. Did the coach speak English at all or did you guys play charades?

[Teddy Karras]

Not.

[H]

Not many of there was a translator, so they, you know, they spoke broken English. But it's funny, after my first season, I had a full on conversation with my head coach in English and I had no idea that he even knew what I was saying or knew English until after the season was over. So I think he kind of of kept it from me just from. Just because he wanted to know what I was saying and didn't think that I knew that he knew English.

[Pat McAfee]

That was a setup, brother. You had a hot mic. You had no idea.

[H]

Yeah, no idea. It really caught me off guard.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, talking to the translator. Let me think of what to say to this piece of shit. All right, all right. Tell him that I'm thankful for everything he's done for me. Please. The translator. Yeah. All right. And then keep it moving. What a moment. That's awesome. How about day to day over there? How's the food?

[H]

Food's amazing. Everyone always asks about that. No, I didn't eat any of the crazy dishes that everyone's probably talking about. A lot of meat. You know, I'm a big, you know, I like some, some steak and stuff like that. So I had a ton of that. And the food was amazing. Yeah. So they took care of us. A lot of western food. Food too. You could always get that. But you know, the, the spicy hot pot. Unbelievable. If you guys have ever had spicy hot pot, it's amazing.

[Pat McAfee]

No, I've, I've had rice. Roni.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yep.

[Pat McAfee]

I've had a number three from. What's the name of this one down here? China Express, I believe.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Is what it is. I've had General South. Yeah. So good. So good. Oh, Kung Pao chicken.

[Ty Schmidt]

You bet.

[Pat McAfee]

Unbelievable. Orange chicken. Obviously chicken and broccoli would rather general TSO's than orange chicken every day. Like when you walk up to the Chinese buffet and they're trying to sell you like it is General Tso's, but you know, it's orange chicken. Yes. It's like, hey, similar, but I know the difference. So that was your life every day over there.

[H]

Not necessarily like that. You know, I think you're thinking more of what we've made the Chinese food out to be here. I mean, I never got a fortune cooking cookie.

[Pat McAfee]

Why?

[H]

A little disappointed. Yeah. Never got a fortune cookie in China, so I always kind of laugh at that when I come back. But, you know, there's a ton of pork, ton of dumplings and stuff. Like that. A lot of noodles. So, yeah, I enjoyed that.

[Pat McAfee]

We had a guy who ate four fortune cookies just on a Tuesday. Yeah, he was. That was this Tuesday. He did that just the other.

[Ty Schmidt]

He did on Monday, too.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, yeah. And he had eight. This guy had eight fortune cookies. Monday, Tuesday. That's beginning of the week. That's more than you had in three and a half years in China. That's wild. Swallowed all the fortunes too, right, foxy? Because if you swallow the fortune, only way they come true. Yeah, that's not real. Okay. So unless they told you that in China. I don't know. Is that real?

[H]

No, they would have laughed at me if they. I'm not even sure anyone knew what a fortune cookie was when I was over there talking about. I've never seen any fortune cookies over here. But yeah, I mean, I've never ate and. And I've never eaten the wrapping, that's for sure.

[Pat McAfee]

So thank you. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's because you're a smart man. Okay, last question before we let you go. How about how closely are you paying attention to the NBA and can we ask you who's going to win the NCAA tournament and who's going to win the NBA championship?

[H]

Yeah, absolutely. Right now I'm really locked in on the ncaa tournament. I'm going to go with bama. I know, you know, they. They face up with, you know, duke. I actually had duke losing the first game to the 16th seed. But, you know, so I'm a little biase and I picked bama at the early part of the year. So I'm going to stick with bama and the NBA championship. Man, I really want to pick Oklahoma just because they haven't gotten a lot of credit. I'll roll with Oklahoma. The thunder, okay.

[Pat McAfee]

They're a team that has obviously had a lot of wins. They go into Boston. They beat the celtics. They're at the top of the convo or top of the leaderboard, but not at the top of the convo is what you're saying. Small market team not getting a lot of love. SGA is electrifying. Excited for playoff basketball. We can't thank you enough for joining us. What do you. What's like today look like for you? You're. We assume you're squatting. You put a bar on your back every single day. Maybe go till the land. What is today? What. What do we got today? I.

[H]

You know, I'm not in the weight room today. I know it's a big disappointment. I'm actually going to play A little pickleball action right now. So, yeah, I'm fully addicted to pickleball and everyone's going to laugh at it because of the name, but that's what I'm about to go do.

[Pat McAfee]

No, we know pickleball.

[Bruce Brown]

Oh yeah, You're a professional pickleballer, right?

[H]

I wish. Hey, I tried to play against some pros and realize that dream is gone.

[Pat McAfee]

Gotcha.

[H]

It's not a reality for me.

[Pat McAfee]

Where, where do you lack at it in the kitchen? The hands. It's your hands. You don't have good enough hands.

[AJ Hawk]

What's your rating?

[H]

It's not my hands. I got the hands. It's more of, you know, the technique. I didn't play a racket sport and also I'm on the back end of 30, so I'm not, you know, the young 20 year olds that just finished college or D1 tennis players. I kind of struggle against those guys.

[Pat McAfee]

They get you moving a little bit.

[H]

Yeah, they get me moving. I move like a school bus now. So I have my challenges.

[Pat McAfee]

I will say you always did though. You know, he always did. And the things you were able to do, nobody could have expected. Absolute weapon. What is your rating in there? A number rating thing in pickleball?

[H]

About a four or five. Not a five. Zero. Yeah. So five zero means you're pretty, pretty good. But, but four or fives.

[Pat McAfee]

All right, so how many games will you go play right now? And this will be like against high level talent or these have no idea what's showing up at the pickleball court that's coming.

[H]

I used to go out there and get smacked by the retirement community. It was Martha. And that's when I really started getting addicted. So I've kind of outgrown that, you know, little community. But yeah, I'm playing against some high level guys. I, if I go out there and give them work today, I'm going to be really happy. Happy leaving that facility.

[Bruce Brown]

Hell yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, go give them that. You know what I mean? Old school high tea.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yep.

[Pat McAfee]

You know, boosted tea. Not psycho tea, cerebral tea, kitchen tea. That's what we need today. Good luck out there. We appreciate you, man.

[H]

Thanks, fellas.

[Pat McAfee]

Ladies and gentlemen, college basketball and basketball icon Tyler Hans. If I give these guys work, I'm gonna be real happy. These guys should beat my ass today. But they have no idea I'm coming 110 miles an hour out there.

[H]

No, they don't.

[Pat McAfee]

Like, do you think they see like a schedule of who's playing who and they see T dot handsbro and they think to themselves, it's gonna be a long morning. It's gonna be a long morning.

[AJ Hawk]

He's gotta be on the ground all the time.

[Tony]

What's the highest rating you can have?

[Bruce Brown]

I think it is five.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, I think five's pro. I think you get to a five, you're like a pro. Know what?

[AJ Hawk]

Did AQ lie and say he was 4:3 or something?

[Pat McAfee]

4:2. So we don't know what every tenth is? No, I'm assuming it's pretty.

[Ty Schmidt]

Pretty. It has to be.

[Pat McAfee]

I assume a four, five is very good. Yeah.

[Tony]

Yes.

[Pat McAfee]

No offense, aq. AQ has committed a lot of his life.

[Ty Schmidt]

He was a good player when we were out in Arizona.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. But he. I think that was at the beginning of his run. I think he has continued to play since then.

[Ty Schmidt]

He's in tournaments now.

[Pat McAfee]

He's got his own gloves, his own thing.

[AJ Hawk]

It goes up to five, five plus.

[Pat McAfee]

Whoa.

[AJ Hawk]

So five, five plus is top caliber players.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. Those are pros.

[AJ Hawk]

Five has you mastered the four? Five is high level of consistency. Use pace and depth to generate opponent's errors or set up the next shot. What's a 424340 is consistently hits with depth and control. Still perfecting shot selection and timing.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, so you're being judged for the score? Apparently, yeah.

[Tony]

Who's doing the job?

[Pat McAfee]

Adjudicator coming in.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

This guy can't work the kitchen.

[Tony]

What if you pay him off? What if you pay off the judger?

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, probably try to find a guess.

[Bruce Brown]

Then you run into a 5, 5 plus and get your ass kicked.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, I think AQ's probably trying to get his lower. I bet you everybody's probably trying to get there. Yeah.

[Bruce Brown]

Sandbagging.

[Tony]

Well, you should. But golf people should lie. The people lie the wrong way when it comes to golf. Handicap all the time. Or go, I'm a two and then they shoot 95.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, but those people don't say that. Whenever they're about to compete against somebody, those people say, hopefully not, I'm a 10. They're actually a five, you know, much like Brandon Bean. Sure. You know Dan Orlovsky. I'd assume people were saying Aaron Rodgers.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Josh Allen said this about Aaron Rodgers because they played in. Was it Pebble Beach? I don't remember which. Was it Pebble Beach?

[Ty Schmidt]

I think so, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, Aaron's seven. Did you guys see Aaron Rodgers is a seven handicap in golf is, I think, is what Josh Allen was saying. Man, I just thought the guy was better, that's all. Josh Kept saying, Aaron won. I think Josh probably came in second or third. And all Josh could say was, man, Aaron. I thought Aaron. Aaron really outdid himself. But Aaron never plays. Right. That is like, kind of. That is kind of the thing with Aaron Rodgers, which is so annoying for what he shoots.

[Tony]

Yeah, he. He plays a tiny amount of golf for how good he is.

[Pat McAfee]

That one that was on TV for the match. The match or whatever, he had just landed from, like, Hungary the day before that. It wasn't a golf trip. It was not a. It was on a golf trip over there. And then gets his clubs. I think they were just fitted. If the story is. It goes how I think just got his clubs and then he plays in his thing on television. Has not played. These guys have been fucking playing, obviously. And then he buries the putt to win the thing at the end.

[Ty Schmidt]

He kind of carried Bryson the entire time.

[Pat McAfee]

What an asshole. Okay, on that note, how the conversation's been with him, Is he happy? Was he down in Mexico with the family? What has he been.

[Tony]

Cause he did not make the trip.

[Pat McAfee]

He's been talked about, A.J. there's been a lot of reports about him. That's really the only thing NFL media has right now. Aaron Rodgers, though. Huh, huh, huh. And then all of a sudden, Quesi, who looks wildly young. Yes. Quesi, general manager of the Minnesota Vikings at his press conference, he didn't close the door on Aaron Rodgers. That's basically the only thing right now. Steph Diggs to New England. Congratulations. That was about 20 minutes.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yep.

[Pat McAfee]

Right?

[AJ Hawk]

Yeah, it was that night.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. And it was 26 million. Congratulations. That's awesome. Russell Wilson goes to the Giants. Oh, okay, Russ. Okay, Mr. Unlimited. 10.5 million. Could go up to 21 million. It's got Malik Neighbors, got Jameis Winston over there. Jameis Winston told me Cutlitz and Russell Wilson. That's a reality show. Hard Knocks should be doing off season again there. But obviously, I don't think the Giants will allow that to happen after what happened last year. And then inevitably, it all roads go back to what's Aaron Rodgers going to do? Because that affects the draft. So before we can really do a proper mock draft, we have to know what Aaron Rodgers is planning on doing. So, like, basically, he is still the only thing radiating at this time. Now, next. Next week, owners meetings, there's going to be rule changes. There's going to be a lot of that. But this week, it's just been potentially, maybe we heard potential situation brewing, not certain, but maybe Aaron Rodgers waiting on The Vikings. We heard maybe Aaron Rodgers think about retirement. We heard maybe the Steelers and Aaron Rodgers have had a contract in place for weeks, if not months. Months. At this point, they're just trying to figure it out after the meeting. What have you heard and how do you think people should be talking about this situation? Because my entire take has been. I don't think Aaron knows exactly what he wants. And is the. Are all the options already shown to him that it's going to be, you know, throughout it all? Is he waiting until the draft to see who does what with a quarterback? Like, what are your thoughts on it, A.J. as somebody who we all know is a close friend of Aaron Rodgers.

[Tony]

Yeah, the waiting until the draft, I haven't really thought about that. I cannot imagine that would be the case. Like, what. What would that do for him? Right now? It looks like what? Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is an option and the Vikings are possibly an option. Is that what's out there? Is that what it feels like?

[Pat McAfee]

Yes, that is kind of what the. And retirement, obviously. So retirement, Pittsburgh, and then the Vikings haven't said no.

[Ty Schmidt]

That's right.

[Pat McAfee]

That is the.

[Tony]

Yeah, they didn't close the door completely. That's the thing. Yeah. Like, you had the opportunity to close the door completely publicly, at least if you were the Vikings and you did not. So what does that tell you? I don't know if that means there's a possibility the Vikings would want to bring him in or not, but it means there's. There's got to be some kind of chance of that, correct?

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, I would say that's probably why people are saying it publicly. Yeah, I would say there's some chance.

[Tony]

And what? He visited Pitt. He visited Pittsburgh. Probably loved it.

[Pat McAfee]

Well, Pitt and Pittsburgh have the same facility, so we will see. He was probably. He did probably see both sides of it, but yet allegedly, and I think confirmed by multiple reports, Jerry Dulak says Aaron Rodgers came to UPMC practice facility to visit with, I believe, Arthur Smith, Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan and ownership. I don't know if he met with cafeteria equipment managers, athletic trainers as well. Probably, though, if he's in the building. Did you hear that as well?

[Tony]

Yeah, Well, I mean, I do know that he actually really likes all the Pittsburgh staff. He loves the staff, half the front office, everything about Pittsburgh. Yeah. The people there. That's what makes the Steelers the Steelers, don't you think? Like, what they. From the top down. I think he definitely loves all them.

[Pat McAfee]

Agreed. Yeah. The program, the franchise, the city, the lore, the tradition. That is everything that you know, does make the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh Steelers. But you're saying he loves everybody in the building. Okay. So that is. Okay. Put that on a seat. Geek ticker down there. A.J. hawk says loves everybody in the building. So A.P. tone has a follow up question, I assume for this.

[AJ Hawk]

Yeah. What do you say, like Wednesday he decided?

[Tony]

That's the question. I don't think he knows. I don't know what he's waiting on. I really don't. I have no clue what the timeline. Like maybe, maybe, maybe big night out. Remember we called it a couple weeks ago. Maybe he's gonna pop in there and say, hey, I'm going to the Viking to everybody.

[Pat McAfee]

That would be awesome. Okay. We should think about that.

[AJ Hawk]

By the way, everyone.

[Pat McAfee]

What's that?

[AJ Hawk]

It's all everyone on the Internet. Think, think that's what's happening.

[Pat McAfee]

That he's.

[AJ Hawk]

He's deciding at that night on Big night out.

[Pat McAfee]

Yep. Yeah, I know. That's crazy. That is hilarious to think about. I do appreciate that people think that is what is possible though, for like big night. Yeah. Guy's gonna sign to the fucking Pittsburgh Steelers. Big night out. Yeah. We actually scheduled it in advance. He's leaving everybody in the, in the, in the dark.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yep.

[AJ Hawk]

Wow.

[Pat McAfee]

Until big night out. Yeah. You caught us. Now granted, if we are still around in a decision he's made, then I would like to let Aaron know that it's certainly an opportunity for you.

[Tony]

What a great way to introduce yourself.

[Pat McAfee]

To the city and the people that we have coming. I think would be a good. That would be a good. That'd be a great start to the entire thing.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Also not a bad time or place to give a little speech about what we're looking to do. Yeah. I mean, it is an option for you, Mr. Rogers, if you would like to change your neighborhood to Mr. Rogers neighborhood, which was filmed where Mr. Pennsylvania. Okay. So you rest in peace, Mr. Rogers.

[AJ Hawk]

Rest in peace.

[Bruce Brown]

Great guy.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. Cheers.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

And the way he tied his shoes.

[Tony]

It all checked out too. He always was a good guy, right? No matter what. Like he always.

[AJ Hawk]

Yeah.

[Tony]

Behind the camera. In front of the camera.

[AJ Hawk]

You're not getting Fred Rogers.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay?

[AJ Hawk]

That's not happening. A lot of people are getting got right now. Fred's not wantable.

[Ty Schmidt]

He is a Marine sniper. Former Marine sniper.

[Pat McAfee]

How about that? Was that him or Bob?

[Ty Schmidt]

Oh, I know.

[Tony]

Maybe both. I think they both were in the same regiment.

[Pat McAfee]

Probably. Could be probably same platoon too, potentially, you know. Good. We don't know. So much talent.

[Ty Schmidt]

I know.

[Pat McAfee]

Could you imagine Mr. Rogers waking everybody up and then tossing it over to Bob Payne in the middle of a war zone. I have bad. Rest in peace, boys.

[AJ Hawk]

I have bad news. Google's saying that's a. That's an urban legend.

[Pat McAfee]

Which one?

[Ty Schmidt]

What?

[AJ Hawk]

He was a Marine sniper?

[Pat McAfee]

Who?

[Teddy Karras]

No.

[AJ Hawk]

Mr. Rogers.

[Pat McAfee]

What about Bob?

[AJ Hawk]

Bob?

[Pat McAfee]

All right.

[Tony]

Come on.

[Pat McAfee]

Saget. Oh, I don't think. Maybe. Actually, you never know. He was a sniper though. I mean, he.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, for sure.

[AJ Hawk]

Parker.

[Pat McAfee]

Recipes to a lot of people. Parker. Everybody that has passed another one.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Rest in peace. We appreciate you all.

[Ty Schmidt]

TaxAct can think of a million things more fun than filing taxes.

[Pat McAfee]

TaxAct is going to name some now. Sitting in traffic, folding a fitted bedsheet.

[Ty Schmidt]

Listening to your co worker talk about his fantasy team digging a hole. Digging an even larger hole next to that original hole. Unfortunately, TaxAct's filing software can't make taxes fun.

[Pat McAfee]

But TaxAct can help you get them done.

[Ty Schmidt]

TaxAct.

[Pat McAfee]

Let's get them over with.

[I]

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[Pat McAfee]

Sports. Howdy, baby. Aj welcome back. Back from Mexico off spring break. It's great to see you. That's AJ Hawk Toxic table's here. Bruce Brown sitting in for boss of Connor. Send your love to he and talk. They'll be back next week at Ty Schmidt. Sitting next to him. Sweetheart. Hey.

[Ty Schmidt]

Thank you. You know, anytime you can put on for the Rose bowl and you know those beautiful San Gabriel mountains and the cotton candy sky, you kind of just have to do it.

[Pat McAfee]

How about just that B52 bomber flying that thing. Kicking off with the sun setting in the background as we're sitting on perfect grass, somehow able to call two of those from the sideline. What a place.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah. Unbelievable getting in and out, but it'll.

[Pat McAfee]

Be tough getting in out of there. But what Anything worth getting to is probably not easy to get to.

[Ty Schmidt]

Well said.

[Pat McAfee]

And I think that is probably the Rose bowl in a nutshell, because if it was easy, everybody would be able to get there.

[Bruce Brown]

That's right.

[Pat McAfee]

And if everybody was able to get there, it wouldn't be a Rose bowl because he got a really earn your way down into that beautiful valley.

[Ty Schmidt]

Oh, my God.

[Pat McAfee]

One lane in, one lane out. Just get all the way down in there. Nestle down in there. Okay. But once you get down in there. Oh, it's beautiful. Paradise. Yeah. Para. Para. Paradise for football.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yes.

[H]

Yes.

[Pat McAfee]

Let's go to one half of the hammer. Done. Cowboys. AP Town saw you pandering to Tyler Hansberg with your sweatshirt.

[AJ Hawk]

I was. I did have a change of clothes today, but as soon as I heard psycho T was on, this sweater was high tea.

[Ty Schmidt]

High tea. Tanaki St. You're right.

[Bruce Brown]

Yeah.

[AJ Hawk]

As someone with low T, I do respect the high tea nickname.

[Pat McAfee]

You can get that back. They say.

[AJ Hawk]

We're working on it.

[Pat McAfee]

Got it. You got it. I'm not getting into it. I believe they're saying things boost your testosterone.

[Ty Schmidt]

Oh, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

And I'm like, really? Really? Sounds like you guys are making an excuse for your potential nicotine habit. You're like, yeah, but side effect of the nicotine actually boosts your testosterone.

[I]

No way.

[Pat McAfee]

Allegedly. Listen, you'd have to do your own research. You'd have to do your own research.

[Bruce Brown]

I don't think based on my anecdotal research. I don't think so.

[Pat McAfee]

I have done a focus group of one is what Brown just said. And doesn't feel like that whole low T thing is real, though. And you know the science nowadays where they can actually get it done to an exact amount you're supposed to have. That's a lifetime commitment, though. I think once you start it, people need to know that once you pop. No, I don't know. Allegedly. I think that's being alleged by companies that are trying to profit off, you know, so, you know, you never know what's real, but it is. They. They start putting that on stuff, you know, like, hey, you could buy that. Like, I think meat you eat, red meat is cheese base testosterone. You eat this, it's top booster testosterone. Own. It's like that has become a conversation, I think in the zeitgeist over the last three to five Years, probably. Yeah. When people have like, kind of understood it a little bit more. I've looked into it, obviously, and that's a lifelong commitment if you really want to die.

[AJ Hawk]

I don't think Doug Flutie or the Big Hurt would lead us down a road and they didn't want us to come on.

[Pat McAfee]

How about him in that commercial?

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, yeah.

[Tony]

He stole that lady's. That guy's wife. Right on camera.

[Pat McAfee]

Just. Just do one of these too. Just with an actual back.

[Tony]

Was that a bat he threw on the shoulder?

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. He's a baseball player. Oh, oh. Can't he throw their shoulder? He did right on that commercial. Anyways, baseball happened, AJ do you know that?

[Tony]

I do know that.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah.

[Tony]

Opening day. I know Shohei, obviously, he. He lives up to the moment always, certainly.

[Pat McAfee]

And has, I think them having an opening day eight days ago or nine days ago now. Good for them to get the jitters out out. You know, like first game jitters, I think is also good. Not that sh. Didn't do great in his first game. I don't think he had a home run his first game. Second game he hit a home run in third game, he's now hit a home running. But to get that opening day vibe kind of out. Especially whenever he had to go back to Japan to experience it. What it. That was probably like for him. I think they're. I don't want to say mid season four, but they're. I think they were in a better position yesterday than maybe any other team. Cubs, you lose a couple games over there. Is that good or bad? I'm not start the season. Oh. And too. Okay.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

You could be behind the eight ball shots of Chicago doing that. But everybody else. Everybody else was kind of, you know. Yeah. Which by the way. Yep.

[AJ Hawk]

Got the j.

[Pat McAfee]

Got the jitters out on opening day travel to travel to Japan. Okay. Who knows what's going to happen, but probably going to win opening day because your team will already have it. Big storylines from opening day.

[Ty Schmidt]

Ty Schmidt are Shohei obviously going yard. Dodgers starting 3. 0. Tyler O'Neal for the ball. Baltimore Orioles hitting his sixth consecutive opening day home run, which. Yeah, that is ridiculous. You can almost set your watch to it at this point. You know, again, not. Not to grovel, but a lot of Mets fans saying, hey, did we overpay for Juan Soto? Is this the guy we want carrying the torch for our franchise for the next 15 years as he strikes out to end the game with two runners on base. Down to in Houston. Yankees get a big win at Yankee Stadium Austin Wells leadoff hitter.

[Pat McAfee]

You don't have to do the Yankee stuff right next to the Mets.

[Ty Schmidt]

No, it's just, it's coincidental really. You know, the New York teams kind of go hand in hand so it kind of just, I mean the way it, it comes out is, is kind of crazy. It is. And a lot of Yankees yesterday, Carlos Rodon, the starting pitcher, he looked great with beard. He looked so bad last year, clean shaven and now it's like, okay, thank God we, we did. We paid a lot of money for this guy and he looks like a Yankee with a beard. He just looked weird last year with that one. So Yankees get a big win with beards and all. And outside of that, it was pretty, pretty solid day of baseball yesterday.

[Pat McAfee]

All right, well, I appreciate the fact Paul Skeens will be joining us here in about 25 minutes or so. He was scheduled to join our program because, you know, he's on the COVID of the show. This guy obviously last year wasn't even in the majors yet. Now he's opening day ace for the Pittsburgh Pirates and such a young career. He's already on the show. 25. Okay. Which is a great. I, I believe it's a good video game.

[Ty Schmidt]

This is. Yeah. Again, talking about being able to set your watch stuff like this is one of the few things, you know, Madden gets killed because it just, it sucks every year kind of, but people still buy it. This game is incredible year after year. Like it, it's, it's one of the, the last really like elite sports franchise video games out there.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Speaking of elite, that's PNC park right there. You see that view in the back? Yeah, yeah. You think to yourself, damn, that looks nice. You see in real life, especially whenever it's dark in the Zambelli, fireworks are over top of it. I mean you're talking about beautiful ballpark. Pittsburgh Pirates have it all, including a fan base that's ready to go crazy, a starting pitcher that is the next one, and hopefully a team that doesn't just lose games for. Yeah, you know, I think they need to get invested. What Jet Passing said yesterday was. It's a travesty, the ineptitude at the Pittsburgh Pirates. Yeah, they have the guy. Everybody knows they have the guy. Even people that aren't in baseball like us know that they have the guy. The guy knows he's a guy. Could you do something with it, AJ all they care about is the bottom line. The bottom line could be a lot higher.

[Ty Schmidt]

Could be, could be a lot higher.

[Pat McAfee]

If you, like, have a winning team, A.J. you know, and from what Jed Passing said yesterday, the days of potential ownership being lazy and like, not active owners, I think are potentially going to get voted out. Jetpassen had a little bit more fire yesterday than I had heard him talking about these ownership situations. He's basically saying, other owners, I assume, Cohen, who's spending so much money. Yes. It's like, why am I the only one doing LA is probably thinking this. The places and the owners that are very active. From what Jetpassen said yesterday, fed up with the ownership. That is not. They think it's bad for the league as a whole. Seemingly. Is what Jet said.

[Bruce Brown]

Definitely. I think Hal Steinbrenner would probably be a big piece of that too, because he's one of those guys where obviously he inherited the team from. From George and he's like, you want the Yankees to suck? We could just have them suck and I'll print money hand over fist, too. Like, we put some pressures on these guys to, you know, build something and, and compete.

[Pat McAfee]

What? Oh, so what the other owners are saying, what you're doing is easy. Any of us could do.

[Teddy Karras]

Right.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay, got it, got it, got it. So I didn't even think about that angle. Yeah. I thought about, like, hey, our whole league, like, stinks because you guys stink.

[Tony]

Take care of the little teams. Right. Aren't in the rev.

[Pat McAfee]

Share.

[Tony]

Don't the big teams have to take care of the. The guys that aren't spending money?

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, certainly. And they have to share money with. You're right. So I, I couldn't even imagine that aspect of money leaving our pocket. We're spending a bunch trying to make this league, trying to make good teams, trying to get a winner. The ones that are going to be on whenever everybody's actually watching baseball, our teams are going to be. And we have to give money elsewhere. I didn't even think about that. But also saying, like, yeah, we could just sit here and collect the check too. Certainly, like, we all could do. That's an easy thing. You're not a genius. I appreciate that aspect out of it as well. From ownership.

[Bruce Brown]

Yeah. Yeah. It is also ridiculous. On the one hand, you're chasing Guggenheim and Steve Cohen, like the biggest hedge fund billionaire in the world on the top end, you know, with the Dodgers and the Mets. And then on the flip side of it, you have owners, like, even with the A's getting out of Oakland, like they're playing in a minor league ballpark this year, it's just, it's all Ridiculous. But hey, it's gonna be.

[Pat McAfee]

They got guys this year, though. Shohei track back. Yes.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, he is.

[AJ Hawk]

He's the worst luck.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, he got hit in the hand yesterday.

[Bruce Brown]

It was either first, first, or second at bat. I don't know if he left the game, but it's just like, what the hell's this guy got to do to stay on the baseball field? He just. Just nailed right on the hand, shaking it out, going to. Going to first base, are you?

[Pat McAfee]

First game, first. This is what, first at bat? Yeah.

[Bruce Brown]

It's either first or.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, yeah. First. Third pitch.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

This guy just can't get.

[H]

Unbelievable.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, try. We're sorry about it, dude. We're sorry. We are sorry about it. We do love you, Mike. I mean, that guy. Yeah, dog.

[Ty Schmidt]

Oh, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Long, long time. Then he's run into a little bit of an injury bug. Unlucky bug. And shout out to baseball. We'll cover it all 162 games. Won't we, AJ?

[Tony]

Yeah. Can't wait. Not overreacting after one game at all with the. The Mets and Juan. So he only has 161 left.

[Pat McAfee]

Michael Cole is very casual. He's seeing the big picture.

[Tony]

Like, is that. Is that fun? I don't know. Like, when you see Cole's reaction. Is it fun to be a Mets fan when you're Cole?

[Pat McAfee]

I think Cole does enjoy our reaction to his reaction, but inside his body, I think he's not happy. Like, I think it's a miserable. I think he is a miserable fan. Like, that is kind of his mo. I'm a Jets fan and a Mets.

[Ty Schmidt]

Fan, so he was spot on with the jets, too. Everyone else was going crazy saying, super bowl. When we got Rogers said, this is the Jets.

[Pat McAfee]

They're gonna screw it up.

[Ty Schmidt]

Be talking about.

[Pat McAfee]

No questions asked him.

[Ty Schmidt]

And look what happened.

[Pat McAfee]

It did get messed up.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

And it wasn't obviously anybody's fault, the first one.

[Ty Schmidt]

No, no.

[Pat McAfee]

But it does end up not going right. And then obviously the next year, it doesn't go right. And it's like, yeah, everybody. I don't even get my heart rate up whenever these types of things happen. And that's just like, he expects that, I guess, forever. I guess he expects that forever with both teams. So the day that he dies, which is hopefully another hundred years from now, now he's going to be able to say, I told you so. My whole life. I knew they were going to stink. And then he goes to bed. I think that is his angle. I think that is his style of Fanhood.

[Bruce Brown]

The Mets love to be miserable all season. And then September rolls around and they, they, you know, have a couple big walk off wins and then all of a sudden it's the Miracle Mets are back. Look at all the magic at Citi Field. We're having so much fun. We're, we got a guy, Iglesias, he's doing the OMG song, Look at us. It's awesome. And then, you know, crashing burn and then go back at it again, be miserable all season. And then they'll probably do the same deal in September.

[Pat McAfee]

Two Yankees fans are sitting next to each other. They're giving those takes and we need to remember that with everything that is said. Sidney Crosby in the NHL broke a record. Congrats to Sid. We appreciate Sid in Pittsburgh. Cindy Crosby has brought a lot of happiness alongside, you know, Geno and Letang and Mark, Andre Fleury who had that massive night last night and the boys and Solly who's been the coach for a long, long time. They've brought a lot of happiness to Pittsburgh at a lot of great times. Obviously we're on the tail end of that, seemingly with this particular group, but Sidney Crosby still playing at a level that nobody could have expected this late into his career. This man was hyped up to be the LeBron James of hockey. Coming out of Canada, he gets drafted to the Pittsburgh Penguins number one overall. He's been a dude. And you don't know him because he's done absolutely nothing wrong. All he's done is committed fully to hockey, fully to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He rarely talks to anybody, doesn't do any interviews, never says anything wrong, never does anything wrong, just shows up in balls. 20 seasons now, he's averaged at least a point per game. Yes, that is absurd. They play 80 some games a year. How many games is it exactly, Nick? 82. 82 games a year, just like in the NBA. And he's averaging a point per game at this stage with the record that they have, the team that they have, he's still playing his best hockey and he. This is the type of reason why that he'll be remembered as a great of all time, because he wasn't. He's a lot. And I don't want to make too much of a comparison here because I think LeBron's like the all time leading point scorer in the history of the NBA as well. But he was like a playmaker. LeBron was much more of a playmaker, an assister than potentially Michael Jordan ever was. A facilitator yeah, different styles of basketball, different styles of people, I think. And that's the way he played. But everybody wanted him to be like Michael Jordan. Like, we want you to not pass the ball in that moment. Even though the person's wide open, we want you to take it, be a dog, yada yada. Sidney Crosby's always been a playmaker. First, not worrying about scoring, always wanted to just make the play pretty much. So him, his assist, his playmaking, his goal scoring ability, obviously all elite, but just scoring points and showing up every single game is what he will be known for forever. And obviously Wayne Gretzky is unbelievable. Ovechkin is going to go down as the greatest goal scorer of all time and all that, but concurrently with OV's career, Sidney Crosby's been there and you're talking about two greats that are near end in near a lot of records being broken. So I think this is going to become a very common thing for both of these guys. Nick, what did I miss in that entire thing? Well, you made an excellent point with the LeBron MJ comparison in the sense that Like City is a playmaker. And you mentioned OV chasing down Gretzky's all time goal record here. It's fascinating that two of these records could potentially be broken in the same season. Two of Wayne's all time great records because Sid being known as the playmaker, he captures this based on his assists, his playmaking ability, his point per game status.

[AJ Hawk]

20 straight seasons, unbelievable. Now OV's got 11 games left to.

[Pat McAfee]

Score 6, sorry, 10 games now to score 6 goals to tie Gretzky's all time goal scoring record. OVI known much more as the pure goal scorer, the pure sniper. So these are two guys who came into the league after a lockout when the NHL was dead and buried, revived the league, saved the league, and now here they are both breaking or potentially breaking Wayne Gretzky, the all time greats records in the same time frame. It's kind of unbelievable when you look at it from that frame of view and lens. It's just awesome historical context. It's amazing. Good for hockey, baby. Maybe Hogg. Good for hockey. You talk about that lockout, they were dead.

[H]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

And I think the owners were willing to just sit for as long as possible. I think they made some rule changes too. I think they changed some rules of hockey, a lot of them during the lockout, to change the style of hockey that people were watching. And then obviously you get a couple superstars and get some teams and get some Runs and it's like now hockey is strong as hell and they're looking for expansion teams, I think. And you got teams like Florida winning Lordo, which obviously only grows the game game. But it's like there's a lot of good happening on the ice right now for hockey. And even though the Penguins haven't been in like the Lord O combo for a couple years, you know, which has been difficult, especially with Boston. Connor sitting over here. Yeah. You know, and then Darius J. Butler sitting over here. Foxy. Yeah, Hockey beach. Exactly. And then Foxy just Talking about the 50s in the 30s and things like that night.

[AJ Hawk]

Super fast fan.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. And then you got a Las Vegas Golden Knight super fan. And they've been very good. Obviously expansion draft helps with that. They get a lot of high profile guys that some reason weren't one on their team. Then they come together like island and misfit Misfits, baby. And then they absolutely crush it. So it hasn't been the most fun time to be a Penguins fan. But I do appreciate the fact that Sidney Crosby is going to be getting a lot of flowers, you know, over the next, probably season or two for a lot of things. Same with ovech. I'm happy OV's getting all the flowers that he's getting because anytime the Capitals were playing for what the last 15 years, probably must watch because Ovi's playing and Penguins, same thing. You might not even know hockey, but you'll see 87 flying around. It's like, hey, that guy's everywhere. And Ovi and Sid both would fight, you know, not scared to actually scrap, which I, I absolutely love. Hockey's in a good spot, aj. Even though the Penguins or not, I.

[Tony]

Mean, just to play for 20 years in the NHL is, is unbelievable. And then the fact that he's averaging a point per game over that whole time, like, yeah, the guy. What do we talk about? Like, consistent success in professional sports is like the most difficult thing to. To, I think, put together, especially as a team, as an individual. And what Sid has done. Yeah. Like there'll never be another like him. Like how he carries himself, everything about him. It seems to be pretty special.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, I, I got massive respect for the way he's operating. Fully committed to hockey. Fully, fully committed to hockey.

[Tony]

And any hockey dude you ever asked, though. Sorry to cut you off any. I, you know, I'm the hockey mark. If I meet a hockey guy, I'll ask him, like, is Sid really that good? And every one of them is like, he's probably Better than what you think. Like, he is that good.

[Pat McAfee]

AJ's brother in law, Jack Johnson, Stanley cup champion. I think he's. His hockey career, NHL career. How long, how many years he's with.

[Tony]

The Columbus Blue Jacket still. I think his 20th year.

[Pat McAfee]

Year. Yeah, exactly. So.

[Tony]

And he went to. He went to Shadic with Sid and he's like, no, Sid from day one has always been the man.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Professional. I remember he got drafted to the Pens and then they had him walk around LA or whatever, and he's 18 years old and they're doing like an interview, like showing a picture of every other sports, like pheno. Like, I think they showed LeBron James. I think they showed like maybe a rod or something like that. I think they showed a couple other. And then Sid was standing there and then he'd be like, do you know who this is? No. Hi, I'm Sidney Crosby, number one overall pick. I'm supposed to be the next LeBron James and then the mother. He does, you know, he actually lives up to it. And what a good lad for Pittsburgh. We appreciate you, Sid. Good for hockey. Speaking of sports that we don't normally get the opportunity to cover as well, you know, the NBA has been very good to us, aj. The NBA has been very good. Good to us. I think our friendship with Tyrese Halliburton has obviously escalated that because I have felt very invested in the Pacers. Okay. I have enjoyed watching the Pacers have success because I would like to see Tyrese Halliburton, T.J. mcConnell, Pascal, Coach Carlisle. I'd like to see those guys have great success. And the city loves. The city, shows up for them. And they went to the Eastern Conference finals. So I'm like, very invested in the Pacers having success, which has brought us into the NBA, I think, a little bit. And then obviously a little conversation happens.

[Ty Schmidt]

Sure.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. Just so happens to be coming into town to play the Pacers. He comes in, does his thing. We appreciate the hell out of him. I am a Caucasian. I am a Caucasian male. It was an honor to talk to him as a Caucasian male. That was a very cool thing. Thankful he came on our show. Obviously the conversation has had a lot of reactions and everything like that. And we're thankful for everybody chit chatting about something we were a part of. But mostly LeBron was the man. He was the absolute man. So nice to us, blessed us. We're very, very thankful for that. But he had to go play the Pacers then that night, you know, and so now I'm in An interesting predicament. I'm like, wow, probably a billion views if you're just count everything that has been ripped, clipped, seen everywhere. Just. Okay. Probably one of the biggest, biggest thing we've probably been a part of of, you know, in this whole thing happens. And that night, playing against our friends, like our, our team, and he has two points in the first half and they're talking about worst game since 2010 for him. And I'm thinking to myself, oh no, we are going to be known as an NBA curse.

[Bruce Brown]

He was coming up on 2000 straight 10 point games. So that was on the line as well.

[Pat McAfee]

And Tyrese Halliburton earlier in the year, comes in here, does a shooting thing, goes on like a month drop. Yeah. So I'm sorry. Oh, no. Literally, the guy who's called the King we just talked about for the first time, talks some of his shit. He's having the worst game he's ever had. This is not good. Then he gets the game winner against the Pacers. So I'm a little bit torn. You know, I'm a little bit torn. I'm like, thank God he got a double double and a game winner. That's the only thing that needs to be said. Double, double, game winner day. His conversation. Then I felt bummed about that guy because I saw that shot and he just hit a game winner and it was a whole thing. So then the next night comes around, complete opposite takes place. You know, basically, Pacers go crazy. They're playing in D.C. and the Lakers lose to the Chicago Bulls on a last second shot from an Australian guy. But whenever you talk about bouncing back from a walk off happening against you guys in your house and then having the greatest game that the franchise has ever seen. Most points in the history of the pacers last night, 162 points. Most assists, sixth in the history of the franchise last night. And then obviously most points scored in this season of the NBA. That's an All Star game number they put up against Washington after the LeBron James walk off. So this morning I just asked Tyrese Halliburton if he could send a video about the last couple days from his perspective. What's up, y'all? Pat asked me to record a video. I don't know why I'm doing this at this point because I don't know if he's a Laker fan or a Pacer fan, but it's still love. Past couple days have been pretty crazy. Laker game was crazy. The crowd, the environment was awesome. Back and forth Game. We came back from a big deficit. You probably blame me for the jinx a little bit. I've been saying all year that I have yet to be gamed in the NBA. And of course LeBron's the guy to do it. And of course it's the same day as the LeBron Versation, which is good for the program. Congratulations to you fellas. Thank you. And then the next day, have to go to Washington on a back to back. Set the franchise record for points. Set the franchise record for three pointers. The rim was just big. Guys couldn't miss first, second, third unit all played well. So it's pretty crazy. And that's just the great part about the NBA. When you have a tough game and you have a back to back, you can kind of wash it off and get ready for the next one. So we'll take it. And now we got to get ready for okc. And those guys are really good team, team. So got to be ready to go. Hopefully Pat and the boys still Pacers fans appreciate you guys. We are okay. And he said, first time I've never been gamed before. That's walk off buzzer beater calling game. You know, which is what Bron did to Tyrese. Never happened before. He actually, I said. I think said that in a press conference afterwards. What was going through your head? Well, that's the first time that's ever happened to me. And of course it's this guy and I. The reaction to the LeBron versation from the basketball world and from the media world and from the fans world was so cool. Watching the game winner happen, you know, literally that night was like, okay, we're not a jinx. Okay, that's good news. We are not a jinx. That's good news. Bad for the Pacers, but then for like Tyrese and the rest of the NBA, I think everybody watched the conference and I think everybody was like kind of pumped about it. Like, thank you for talking about the NBA in the way that you were talking about the NBA in Lewis. And then Tyrese and the boys go bananas the next night. And then LeBron James is on the complete opposite side of it, where a couple mistakes late and then half court shot goes in there. It's like, wait a second. Maybe the NBA is awesome. You know, maybe the NBA isn't the shithole league that some people think it is. You know, maybe the play on the court isn't a nightmare. Maybe the players aren't all prima donnas. Maybe, maybe the guy who has been talked about that way, after our. I mean, hour and 15 minutes is a long time. Yes, that is a long time to chit chat with people you don't know. Like, he doesn't know us, and we're coming from a different angle. A lot of people say we're not in the basketball world, yada, yada, yada. It's like, exactly. We're coming from a complete different angle of conversation. And I'm sure he got to relive some stuff, but it's like, he was incredibly cool to us. Like, very nice to us. Chit chat with us, open about us. I assume there are situations out and about where not necessarily as kind. Like, maybe in public, like, things have happened where he hasn't been perfect in the last 27 years. But we talked to Tyrese. Love Tyrese Bron came in here. He was awesome. Maybe there's a lot of perceptions about the NBA that aren't necessarily true, maybe, is what I'm saying. Maybe it just from my experience and are we living a different experience? Yeah, yeah. LeBron James walked in here the other day, of course, but like, four hours. We were all very surprised. Like, I think we were all very surprised how he was. And I tried to tell that to Tyrese every single time. I'm like, well, you're like, you guys soft as. Anyways. He's like, no, what do you know? We're not like, we are. That is not true. I'm like, yeah, it is. I've been told it's true. That's what I've been told. You're soft. Oh, well, you got a pinky. He was like, well, actually, finger and hand injuries are a big deal. Okay. It's like, okay, all right. Okay, okay, okay, okay. You know, so it's like, I'm pretty excited that we're potentially a part of a time where we're learning, like, maybe this league isn't just what we potentially thought it was or have heard it was. And. And if it wasn't, maybe they're trying to change into being, you know, Like, I. I appreciate what they've done for us.

[AJ Hawk]

The NBA is awesome. The NHL is awesome. College basketball is awesome. Golf is awesome. All these things are awesome. It's just from August to February, there was something more awesome. So during those times, we. We look at them differently. But then when you get it into the scope of light, when football is not being played and all we're watching is NBA and college basketball and stuff like that, like, oh, these things are awesome. It's just, you know, From August to February, football is king, baby.

[Pat McAfee]

And the numbers say that, the ratings say that. I think the sport itself is always going to have that, because what the sport is, you know, introducing our sport to new people. People like Scottish people who have fallen in love with another sport. This is their second sport. Like, maybe it takes a little bit for everybody to fall in love with the sport, but I think they're seeing growth, especially after how much time has been in there. More exposure, learning the rules, learning the pace, learning what's possible in places like in America. That's already all built in. So it's like, I think. I think the sport is a great sport, first of all, for entertainment and to pay attention to. But it's like, you're right, NFL is king. And I think we always come from that perspective. And then we might say some things that aren't necessarily as good about these other leagues at times. Get caught up in a moment. Yeah, get caught up in a moment. But we're learning. The more we learn about something, the more we like it. That's weird.

[Ty Schmidt]

Well, it's weird. It's still, like, with the NFL, like, you guys. You guys have connections with damn near every team, you know, and we are an NFL show. So, like, by this point, like, you wouldn't get a player that would be like, oh, I don't know what the Pat McAfee show is. You know, like, everyone is aware of what we do. And you guys know a lot of these guys. Like, that was always. The big thing is, like, we need to hear from these players, because anytime we get a hockey guy on the show, which is far and few between, because they don't. They don't do a whole bunch of media. Those guys are always awesome. And you said the thing about the bubble where it was like they were deciding whether or not they were going to play or what was going on, and, you know, it was basically like, hey, is LeBron playing? Yeah, he is. Okay, we're all playing. So. So I wonder if a situation like that where LeBron comes on and he does an interview with us where, you know, like, we. We don't know him at all. He doesn't know any of us. Like, and he was very comfortable. You wonder if it does kind of trigger something in a lot of these other guys, like, hey, maybe I can do, like, I can sit down and do an interview with someone, like, and I can let people know a little bit about. More about me. So it's not just. The only thing they're seeing is, you know, and, and again, I think the back to back stuff gets blown out of proportion. But like, like, oh, this is a star in this game and he played tonight and he's not playing tomorrow night because of load management. Like hopefully that opens up a lot of guys eyes where it's like, hey, I can go sit down and, and do an interview and let people know a little bit more about myself.

[Pat McAfee]

And what I've learned with our show, AJ and it's not great, is you're going to get killed if you come on our show. There's going to be people that are going to kill you because you're going to say stuff on our show that probably hasn't been said before. You know, because we're asking questions from an angle that probably haven't been asked before. So there's gonna be some people that hear some things potentially in a manner or context that they've never heard before. So there's gonna be times to bash like there is that side of it. But the reactions I saw a lot of people like, yeah, you know, I didn't know LeBron. I might, I didn't like LeBron. But knowing a little bit more about him don't seem like that bad. I understand where like that type of stuff.

[Tony]

He was super likable. I told you, like he was very likable. Likable, very comfortable. And also felt like he's at the point in his career where he's not worried about everything surrounding like Kobe got to that point where Kobe was just, he was just honest. I felt like towards the end of his career where he was, when he would talk and I appreciate, I loved it. I thought it was great. And some people might not like that, but I think the majority of people that actually listen, they're like, yeah, I at least respect for this dude is coming from and I respect what he's doing.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, he's a human. I think, you know, I think that.

[Tony]

Is, that's what you need to know. You need to know they're a human. Human and that they're related. I think he was very relatable too.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. And obviously there's gonna be people who say, nah, he wasn't. And I saw, I think Outkick had a headline that said four swear words or something. Something. An unfunny interview. It's like, okay, so you put unfunny in a headline. Okay. I'm sure we go back in there and find some things that are laughable.

[Bruce Brown]

Definitely.

[Pat McAfee]

I like that. But I appreciate that you have to put it's unfunny in there. So we all understand your thoughts. We get it. Okay. Like, so there's been a lot of people, obviously, in the media that didn't appreciate some of the things. And hey, hey. As it was happening, yeah, we kind.

[Ty Schmidt]

Of knew that might be the case.

[Pat McAfee]

We understand. And if we were on there, we understand that, but it was like, also, we learned a lot about LeBron James, I think, in the way LeBron James operates. And I don't like to toot our horn much. Okay. I don't like to do that. I think this show stinks. But there's a lot of people, like, kind of upset at LeBron for doing it on our show. If other shows could have done, that would have happened, right? So, like, maybe we are good at some things. Like, maybe we do have an ability at some. Not everything, obviously. Obviously not every. I completely understand that. But, like, we're pretty good at talking to people. We enjoy talking to people. Like, it is kind of. It's kind of the whole essence of this show is we enjoy talking to people. So it's like, hopefully there'll be a chance for that to. To. To kind of be understood that LeBron walked in here with no teleprompter, no scripted questions, which is how we operate. Always will be, always have. That's kind of. That's just how it goes. And we had no idea where that was going to go. No clue. But as one thing leads to, no. It's like, as we're in the middle of it, we're like. It feels like LeBron just having a conversation with us here, like, this just feels like he is very comfortable. And in the middle of it, it was so cool. It was just like, a cool feeling to have. And then he takes a picture with us, and he's 14ft.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yep.

[Pat McAfee]

So tall. Yeah. So, yeah, right. I saw a lot of people say they like LeBron now.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, there was quite a bit of that.

[Pat McAfee]

A lot of people saying they like LeBron now. And I feel like we did. Like, I think that's good for sports as a whole, because this guy's been famous for 30 years, and I feel like we learned a lot about him.

[Ty Schmidt]

And I did see a lot of maybe not necessarily like, oh, I like this guy now, but, like. Like, I used to hate this guy and be a hater just to hate, and, like, now I at least respect him a little bit, you know, like, I might still be a fan of another team, but I respect him now.

[Pat McAfee]

And with that being said, you're allowed to feel that way. Yeah. Like you're allowed to change the way you feel about something. If there's new evidence given, you're allowed to. Oh. And evolve your opinion. Let's go, society. Let's go, society. Ain't that right, AJ? Feels like we're there.

[Tony]

Yeah. I think truly smart people do when they're presented with new information about certain things, they are able to change their opinion on things.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay, good. Good news. You want to know my opinion on this guy that's joined us? Goat already? It's going to happen. It's only his second year in the Mages, but he's already on the COVID of the show. One of the greatest video games in the history of video games. Yesterday, he struck out seven. Obviously had no decision against the Miami Marlins on opening day, but he was the opening day ace for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Former national champion with lsu. Ladies and gentlemen, stallion Paul Skeens. Yeah, Paul. How you doing, man?

[Paul Skeens]

Doing well. What's up, guys?

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, sorry about the loss, the no decision legitimately, I know there's a lot of games left, so you can't get caught up on one particular game, but opening day is a big deal, especially for you. Sorry the game ended that way, but how did you feel? And is there a different feeling now as an opening day starter as opposed to coming out of college, doing aaa, then getting called up middle of the season? How does the body feel? How's the arm feel? And where are we at as this season starts, brother?

[Paul Skeens]

Yeah, I mean, body feels good. Definitely good to get back out there, get in front of, you know, full stadium again. At the end of the day, it's just baseball. So, you know, aaa, college, the big leagues, like, it's kind of all the same hitters. Hitters change a little bit, but execute your pitches and they're out. So it's kind of how I'm looking at it.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay, let's talk about your pitches. You added some pitches this offseason. It was a big topic of conversation. Paul Skeens got better this offseason.

[Bruce Brown]

Oh, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Look at. Okay. The big throw the ball hard guy has added some more sheer to his arsenal. How much of that did you get to use yesterday? And how confident are we with every single pitch? And will we add pitches during the season?

[Paul Skeens]

Yeah, I mean, confident with everything. We didn't really use any. Any of the new stuff yesterday.

[Pat McAfee]

But.

[Paul Skeens]

Yeah, feeling good with everything. Maybe. Maybe we'll add some stuff. Maybe we'll take some stuff away during the season. We'll see it's kind of just the game will tell us.

[Pat McAfee]

Yesterday when you're down in Miami and you said full stadium and it's just baseball, it's just in there, that game ends. Are you thinking about that game at all? Do you watch film of that game? Do you like what is the process whenever there's 162 of these things and you literally just wrap up number one of the season?

[Paul Skeens]

Yeah. Really got to figure out something that works over the full 162, not just when it's going good or bad. I haven't watched film yet, I'll do that today. But I got basically a day to think about the game yesterday and then the next few days I'm going to prepare for my next outing, basically.

[Pat McAfee]

Go ahead, A.J.

[Tony]

Do you have a. When it comes to scouting your future opponents, do you have a book of all the hitters that you may be facing? How do you consume all this information? I would assume the coaches are giving you you about each individual battery you'll be facing.

[Paul Skeens]

Yeah, I mean, at this point it's kind of cool because I've faced a fair number of the, you know, the guys that I'm going to face before. So there is a little bit of a book on what's. What I've done in the past. But also, you know, like I said, there's a few day process to prepare for the next game and kind of take it slow, do chunks, you know, each day, look over the hitters, all that and then go, go out there and pitch my game, basically.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay, so quarterbacks like recall blitz packages or disguises from earlier in their career. Obviously you're very early in your career right now, but as a hitter's coming up or in the middle of an at bat, are you thinking about a previous time that you faced this guy or is that all pre pitch with that guy? Is there, is there anything happening in the middle of a at bat where you're audibling or changing or seeing something? Is that something that takes place in pitching? This is literally coming from somebody that has no idea about baseball.

[Paul Skeens]

Yeah, I mean, all the time. Because you, you can look at getting guys out or I look at getting guys out, you know, the first time through and trying to save pitches for the second and third time through a little bit. It doesn't always work out that way. So you don't want to show them all your stuff all the time. But you know, you're going, I faced, I faced the Cubs four times last year. I'm going to have to Figure out how to get those guys out. You know, three to four times a game. All four times I pitch against them. So there's definitely going to be some overlap there.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay, so let's talk about a thing that happened yesterday. I think there was somebody on first and third. One out. I believe it was 00. The one score ended up happening on this at bat. I think you were throwing because Ty's sitting right next to me. Ty loves baseball. We're watching it and Ty thinks you're going high heat just to blow it right by the guy. Like he's going to go high. Instead you were throwing some break and shit, I think to try to pull a double play there after he fouls off like four or five of them. Is there a thought like, okay, now we bring that, like, are you playing that bat with the catcher in the middle of that, like to keep him guessing. How are those decisions made? Is it you signaling to him, him signaling to you? What is the, the kind of breakdown? Because that at bat was fascinating. It was like a very. It was a good joust. It felt like between you, the catcher and the batter at the time.

[Paul Skeens]

Yeah, I mean we both. The catcher has a pitch comm and I have a pitch calm. So I can basically tell him what I want and he, you know, tells me what, what, what he wants. So. And then, and then we have a lot of conversations before the game. You know, Joey was catching me yesterday. He knows me really well. I know how he thinks. And so we can kind of, you know, skip some of the like inter. Intermediary steps of like, you know, okay, this is, you know, what we're thinking and we kind of just know what, what each other's thinking a little bit. A little bit more than, you know, probably you guys watching at home, basically.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, I'd hope so. That's good chemistry. That's good chemistry because you're playing like poker. You're playing poker with that batter. Right. The batter is trying to guess what's coming. That, that is what's happening in there. As I'm trying to learn about baseball, I'm trying to figure out like the app. The batter is trying to figure out what pitch you're throwing. Right. That is kind of the reason why tell is such a big deal in the garbage cans are such a big deal. That's kind of the game, you not giving it away and them trying to figure it the fuck out.

[Paul Skeens]

Yeah, yeah. I mean, yeah, that's a, that's a really a good way of putting it.

[Pat McAfee]

I'm gonna get a read on you by the end. I'm gonna try my best. Ty has a question for you, Paul.

[Ty Schmidt]

Paul, going into the season, a lot of analysts are picking you to, you know, win the Cy Young and bringing up the question of, hey, could this guy set the single season strikeout record? Obviously last year you had 170. 383 is a lot. And you were, you know, dealing with limited pitch count counts in certain games last year. Is that something this year? I'm not saying you go into the year thinking, like, hey, I'm going to set the single season strikeout record, but as you kind of get into things more, are you still hunting strikeouts or are you trying, like in that situation Pat's talking about right there, like, are you trying to maybe think about, like, limiting your pitch count more and like inducing more ground balls and stuff like that, as opposed in years past where it might just be like, hey, I'm going to try to set this guy down so that you can go deeper into game.

[Paul Skeens]

Yeah, I mean, the strikeouts will come, I think, because you look at my game yesterday, I think I was in two strike counts, like 14 times, 14 or 15 times, maybe 13. And I had seven strikeouts. So you get into two strike counts, you're going to get strikeouts. Those will come. We were, you know, that, that first and third situation. Situation with one out. A strikeout's great. A double play is even better because it saves you pitches. I think that's all, you know, the art of pitching. So this single season strikeout record is great. Making the playoffs and winning World Series is even better. And that happens, you know, from throwing more pitches and, you know, being on the mountain for a longer period of time.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay, so let's talk about that, what you just said there, because winning a World Series as a Pittsburgh Pirate is a hilarious thing to hear if you're from Pittsburgh, but your entire preseason messaging here has been a complete opposite of that. AP Tone Yinzer legend has a question for you.

[AJ Hawk]

Yeah, Paul, I appreciate you kind of had some comments about the 20002013 wild card game against Cincinnati. PNC only holds 40, 000 people, but I think 500, 000 people were there that night according to stories that everyone says it and it you gave respect to the guys that were on that team. And Cutch. Cutch is obviously still one of your team, was probably the only one still left on that team. But you said, like, that should not be the bar or the standard for this city. The standard should be World Series. Is that like, is that the messaging kind of going into the season or what is the message in the locker room to start the year?

[Paul Skeens]

Yeah, I mean, that's obviously some we look at because that's, you know, what I. Basically what I meant when I said that was, you know, if this is. If this is what they're going to show up for a wild card game, like, imagine how they'll show up for a World Series game in Pittsburgh. So that's kind of the mindset behind that. And, you know, it's to win the division. That's been the messaging all spring, and that's the messaging now. And, you know, we have the opportunity to do that. You know, gotta win today, gotta win tomorrow, and, you know, win each day after that. But yeah, it's a cool opportunity.

[Pat McAfee]

You guys could be 161 on one. We get it. Yeah, yeah, I understand opening Miami got taken l there, I guess let's win 161 straight as we head into the playoffs as number one seed. And I'm sure that matters in baseball. I would assume that, yeah. Okay, good. It does matter. I know a lot about baseball. I get it. I understand the ins and outs of it the day to day. But what you just said there about the World Series, imagine the boats, oh, behind PNC park there in that river, just bopping over dead bodies to get back. I mean, that thing, you wouldn't even. It would be be. It would be packed up, people on the bridge. I mean, the city would be upside down. And I think the city just appreciates the fact that you're like, hey, this city, like, deserves it. Like, no Pirates say that. You know, going into the year, the conversation around the Pittsburgh Pirates is always like, another year. Ownership's just going to try to make money and our best players get traded away. You're the first person, and you are the first person who's been there, who's a guy. And I know you don't like to hear that and all that, but you are the guy. And for you to say, like, let's go win this thing, that's a. That's a rally cry, brother. You should be. Pittsburgh loves you and for good reason. Bruce has a question for you.

[Bruce Brown]

Yeah, Paul, I know there was a lot of off season talk about the addition of the Mariano Rivera cutter, and we didn't really see a ton of that on opening day, but the two seam, 98, 17 inches of horizontal break, absolutely spicy. Have you made a conscious effort to focus on adding movement with the velocity instead of just, you Know, cranking that four seam up as fast as you can and you know what is going through your head while you're painting that thing high outside corner like that, it's got to be the best feeling in the world.

[Paul Skeens]

Yeah, I mean, my four seam naturally runs, so some of the pitches you guys saw might have been four seams that got tagged as cutters. So sorry, sorry to ran on the parade there, but did throw a couple.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, it was. Good question though. Good research.

[Paul Skeens]

Good question. Did throw a couple two seams. And it has. I mean, it's been good. Splinter was really good yesterday, so I didn't have to throw a ton of, of two seams. But yeah, I mean, it's, you know, constantly just playing around with everything and, and when it goes right, it definitely feels good.

[Pat McAfee]

So when you're in warm ups and you're doing that thing with the. Yeah, the thing, you know, and you're doing, doing the things with the footballs. Yeah. And then you're throwing football's core ma. All that. And then you, you, you finally cue country road. Still. Are we still queuing country roads?

[Paul Skeens]

Yep, yep. Always.

[Pat McAfee]

Hell yeah. Hell yeah. Banger. When you're going out there and you're starting your first pitches, I assume you know what's good that day. Like, is there, is there a reason? Like, if there's more humidity in the air, like, you might go to another pitch. Like, when do you find out what is your shift? Like, you said the splinter was working pretty good right there, so we didn't need a lot of twos. When do you find that out? In mid game? Or is it like warm ups? You kind of know what it's going to be and who's. And who's going to show up in your pitch count?

[Paul Skeens]

Yeah, a little bit of both. But funny thing about warmups, sometimes you got to just get the bad ones out of the way early and then it ends up being really good. So Kemper, too much stock and warm up in warm up throws. But I mean, really, the first inning of. The first inning of the, of the game. And the hitters will tell you what's working or not when you hit that little.

[Pat McAfee]

Because you're super humble, but you do have a little sauce whenever that thing hits the. Whenever that thing hits the mitt. And you're fun to watch, brother. You're donating $100 for every strikeout yet again to the Gary Sinise foundation like you did last year. Last year you had 170 strikeouts. It ended up being 17,000 from you others joined along, myself included. Raised over $100,000, I do believe doing it again this year. Year. $100 per strikeout. You can match Paul Skeens like we will be doing yet again. Why the Gary Sinise foundation and why are you choosing to do this again, brother?

[Paul Skeens]

Yeah, I mean, for one, it's a, it's a veteran and first responder, you know, charity. A charity that helps veterans and first responders, which is, you know, basically being an Air Force guy and seeing the impact that it's had on my life and my family's life. Life, you know, it's, it's, it's something that I, I feel I have to do. So that, and it's, it's a good foundation where, you know, the money that you donate to, to the group is going to go toward, toward helping people. So.

[Pat McAfee]

Holy.

[Paul Skeens]

There's not a, not a ton of fluff. Yeah, that's a, that's a, that's a big smile there, huh?

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, but that fireman, firefighter stash. Oh, my God, you look right at home. A little taller than I think most, you know, cuz that's why your head's up there at the roof. But boy, you look, you look right at home there in South Baldwin.

[Paul Skeens]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. South Baldwin. Took a visit over there and got to toot the horn, everything. It was a, it was a good time.

[Pat McAfee]

Did you get the hose out? You get to use the hose? You get to use the hose.

[Paul Skeens]

I didn't, no. They, they. You got to draw the line somewhere with that kind of stuff. You can't, you can't give a ballplayer a hose.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, but what if you got those. Remember those firefighter races, those ladders?

[Ty Schmidt]

Yep.

[Pat McAfee]

Where they're sprinting through those ladders. They climbed it up, then they pulled it, did it again. We need to see you do that. I mean, you really want to commit to this. We need you on the speed ladders with the firefighters. And we appreciate the hell out of what you're doing for the city and how you're giving back through success. 170 strikeouts, about half a season with a pitch count where he had a perfect game, I think going. Or is that no hitter or perfect no hitter. Okay. You do remember if it was game, you'd be like, it's not.

[Ty Schmidt]

No, I'm going.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Ball stays in my hand, Bob. But zmlb, we can't wait to play with you in the show as you're a cover guy now. And thank you for everything, Paul. We'll see you soon.

[Paul Skeens]

Awesome. Yeah. Appreciate y'all.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, tell the lady we said hello. Tell the family we said hello. Tell Pittsburgh we said hi. And let's go 161 straight here. There we go. Okay.

[Paul Skeens]

Yes, sir. Love it, love it, love it.

[Pat McAfee]

Ladies and gentlemen, Paul Skeen.

[AJ Hawk]

Hey, Paul.

[Pat McAfee]

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[Teddy Karras]

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[Pat McAfee]

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[AJ Hawk]

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[Teddy Karras]

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[AJ Hawk]

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[I]

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[Pat McAfee]

So pissed they lost yesterday.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

So mad that that was scheduled ahead of time. I bet we did send over a. Hey, don't have to. He's like, no, no, no, we're good. We're good.

[Ty Schmidt]

It'd have been different if he would have got, like, shelled, but, like, he pitched good enough to win.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, he. He's got a little sauce. Like, when that thing hits, you see a little pot, there's like a little. How you doing? Yeah, there's a, you know. Hi. I. It feels good. He's not a complete robot is what I'm saying thing. He does have enough robotic qualities.

[AJ Hawk]

Yes.

[Pat McAfee]

That are great to be, you know, frontman, organization number one guy in the entire league. He has enough of those robotic qualities. Like, hey, what are your hobbies? Napping, I guess, in between baseball stuff. What do you. What do you think about baseball? It's great. Sport of all time. Okay. How do you feel about working? Love working. Working. Yeah, I love working. Getting better. I think I owe it to everybody to work my hardest and become the best I could possibly. Okay. You sound like a robot that was kind of planted here to be a baseball pitcher. That is what you're thinking, and then you see him do a little. And it's like, hold the phone. Down in there. There's a dog, and there has to be. And I think at the pitching position. What a perfect guy to lead baseball kind of going forward. Ty. Yeah.

[Ty Schmidt]

I mean, same deal. His. His stuff is. You know, they're there. I wouldn't say. There's a whole bunch of guys who, if you're not a fan of that team, they're like, must watch. In terms of pitchers, he's definitely one of them. And even, you know, like Diggs has said, like, the Pirates. And that's kind of. That's. That's what they do. They did that a lot yesterday, where he pitches great through, you know, six innings or seven innings, and then somehow the bullpen comes in and blows it. But when you have a guy that throws that hard and his stuff moves that much, like he's one of those guys where it genuinely does feel like if I watch him pitch today, like, he might strike out 20 guys. And they're just. There are very, very few.

[Pat McAfee]

Maybe.

[Ty Schmidt]

Maybe like one or two guys who are like that in the majors.

[Pat McAfee]

What an absolute dream for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Hopefully we take advantage of it. Ladies and gentlemen, joining us now is a friend of the program. He's from Indianapolis. He currently plays for the Bengals. He won two super bowls with the New England Patriots. Ladies and gentlemen, fresh off of the Cincinnati Reds opening day parade. Daddy Cash.

[Teddy Karras]

Thanks for having me on, man.

[Pat McAfee]

Thanks for coming. Dude.

[Teddy Karras]

An indie landmark.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. You'll be sitting over there if you want. Yeah. Sorry about the close quarters. Good air forces. See you. Great Air Force.

[AJ Hawk]

Sick chest. Let us there.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, I do like the gold in the hair. Yeah, it's a good idea. Let a little cheese out, you know? Yeah, yeah. Let them know you still got it.

[Teddy Karras]

Heck, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Microphone's muted, I believe. I hope. Unless you just can't speak. You look great.

[Teddy Karras]

Thank you.

[AJ Hawk]

There we go.

[Pat McAfee]

So do you plan weight? Is this playing way right here? I'm.

[Teddy Karras]

I'm like, probably 304 right now, so probably about 10 more pounds.

[Pat McAfee]

You are unbelievable. Thank you. I mean, you look great.

[Teddy Karras]

Run a little lighter in the off season, so, you know, but.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, we remember the milk story.

[Teddy Karras]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

You got to put on.

[Teddy Karras]

I get a lot of questions about that. People think I can't actually do it, but I did do it.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. But that's kind of the thing we. We learned immediately afterwards. And for those that don't know Teddy in high school, I think 9th grade, 10th grade. Yep. 9th grade and 10th grade drank a gallon of milk every single day because he needed to get bigger.

[Teddy Karras]

You need to get bigger. I was too slow.

[Pat McAfee]

Your dad said this?

[Teddy Karras]

My dad said this?

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Yeah. Your dad. NFL guy. Yeah, football guy. So dad in NFL looked at old Teddy, freshman, sophomore year of high school and said, bud, I don't know how to tell you this. You're too slow, you're too small to play any other position other than offensive line.

[Teddy Karras]

That's it.

[Pat McAfee]

And to do that, you're gonna have to gain weight. So you chugged a gallon of milk every single day for two years straight. Right. And then we asked you if you think it worked and if you needed to do it. And I think your immediate answer was probably not. I think puberty would have helped out. Do you think it is a big piece of your story, that entire thing. Thing and you still carried into today.

[Teddy Karras]

I don't drink as much milk. I do think it was fundamental in, in that crazy amount of weight gain in that period, but I don't think you would need to do that to gain that much weight anymore.

[Pat McAfee]

Just protein shakes.

[Teddy Karras]

Protein shakes. Just a lot of calories. I mean, that's when I turn it on. You know, we got work in a month, you know, I up the calories, get up to 3:15 and then report to work.

[Pat McAfee]

What do you do? We do a lot of protein there. We just eating a lot of protein.

[Teddy Karras]

A lot of like, you know, late night snacks. Try to get a thousand calories in before bed. Yeah, I got like, wish they got these beef patties at Costco. Frozen money.

[Pat McAfee]

What do you do?

[Teddy Karras]

You just, you just microwave it up.

[Pat McAfee]

And then we're just housing those right there.

[Teddy Karras]

Housing those right there.

[Pat McAfee]

We putting cheese. What about a sweet tooth? You got a sweet tooth?

[Teddy Karras]

I, you know, I don't.

[Pat McAfee]

You don't have a sweet?

[Teddy Karras]

Not really. I mean maybe some candy every now and then, but. Yeah, that's probably would help me if I had more dessert.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, but whenever you're done, the sweet. Not having a sweet tooth is good news. Not bad.

[Teddy Karras]

That is.

[Pat McAfee]

That is. I have a sweet tooth. So anytime I try to lose weight, any diet I'm on, that is always the problem. Because I'll get late night. 11 o'clock. Maybe we're touching the clouds a little bit. Hold the phone. Are there any cookies here? No, but doordash actually can bring me McDonald's soft baked cookies. You can get three of them, six of them, maybe even a bucket of them. That's 11:30 this is seven minutes away. Express order. Do I want that? Yeah, I do. That's my issue. You don't have that issue. You're gonna be like Marshall Yonder when he retired. Hope so.

[Teddy Karras]

Or Joe Thomas.

[Pat McAfee]

Beast.

[Teddy Karras]

Beast.

[Pat McAfee]

Or Andrew Whitworth. Worth.

[Teddy Karras]

Whit looks great.

[Pat McAfee]

He does. Okay, so before we get into a full conversation with Teddy about Cincinnati Bengals, his life and these hat sales to raise money and to make the world a better place, we have to send you off of ESPN. We'll continue on ESPN+Disney+, YouTube and TikTok live. TikTok still going. Did you know that, Teddy?

[Teddy Karras]

I did not.

[Pat McAfee]

They were going to have to sell it and they were. Shut it down. That thing survived.

[Teddy Karras]

It did thrived.

[Pat McAfee]

So some would say a lot of.

[Teddy Karras]

People making money off it. Good for them.

[Pat McAfee]

Will you watch any of the college hoops tonight?

[Teddy Karras]

I'm going to Tennessee Kentucky tonight.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. Yeah, so are we.

[Teddy Karras]

Let's go.

[Pat McAfee]

We'll see you down there.

[Teddy Karras]

We'll see you down there.

[Pat McAfee]

Let's enjoy the hoops, let's enjoy the NBA. Let's enjoy the NHL. And we'll see you back here for overreaction Monday. It's going to be spectacular. Have the greatest weekend of all time. Be a friend. Tell a friend something nice to my. Change their life. Okay, they're out of here. Let's talk about your team.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Everybody's getting money. Yeah. How do you feel about it? You got to be pumped about it. This is what Cincinnati Bengals fans, I think, have been hoping for forever. A team that spends. A team that's all in now. We got TE Jamar Joey and then Trey Hendrickson. They're saying they're going to try to keep him around there as well. You enjoy what's going on, I see.

[Teddy Karras]

Heck, yeah. I mean, we're keeping our best players in house. I mean, that's a big strategy for winning in the NFL, is developing high picks into good players and then retaining them. And I'm really happy for those guys. Those guys work hard. They're those top three. I mean, that makes us a very serious offense.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay, so let's talk about the amount of drama, controversy potentially around these contracts. Feels like Cincinnati has had in the past these types of situations, and they've ended differently. I mean, you can go all the way back to Carson Palmer. Carson Palmer said, I'm going to quit if you don't get me out of here. Instead, they keep the team. How much of the chatter in the locker room is like, what does the future hold for us? Or do you guys just worry day to day? You can't really focus on like T's situation or Jamar's or Trey Hendrickson situation.

[Teddy Karras]

I think it's a going to be a huge plus that we're not having like the hold in with Jamar and just, you know, so there's not that periphery distraction. Overall, it's not a big deal, I, I would say in an NFL locker room, but it can, when it, when it builds up like that, it can be a negative.

[Pat McAfee]

It got real loud every offseason.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

And, yeah, this was the first time Joe, I think, was healthy during training camp. Yep. And he got still started a little slow and then he offended, obviously. Make your run, you're lurking. How do you describe last season and like, what is kind of the mentality going into next year?

[Teddy Karras]

Well, I think not making the dance two years in a row. I mean, the pressure's on us. I think everyone knows that and has taken it very serious. I was, you know, checked in with them yesterday. A lot of guys in there grinding.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Because you were over there for the parade.

[Teddy Karras]

For the parade, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

How was that?

[Teddy Karras]

It was awesome. Cincy's unbelievable. It was funny because we sell hats and, you know, started at 1:1 and everyone was together really energetic and then just in Cincy just got progressively a little bit sloppier and sloppier throughout the day. By 4pm it was, it was a pretty funny crowd.

[Pat McAfee]

A little bit of a runaway. A little bit of a runaway over there. Yeah. You guys had a little bit of a. You tied one on a little bit yesterday, baby.

[Teddy Karras]

We had a night. Yeah, we had a great night. Since he's fun, man.

[Pat McAfee]

I don't, you know, good people.

[Teddy Karras]

Great people.

[Pat McAfee]

Great fan base.

[Teddy Karras]

Unbelievable.

[Pat McAfee]

They're expecting you guys to win, I think always. Everybody outside says, can you build a roster with paying that much money to those amount of players? Do you think so?

[Teddy Karras]

I think so. I think if you look at the, the super bowl champion Eagles have a, have a lot of money out to a lot of different positions. So I think, you know, obviously it's going to come down to managing cap, which I, you know, kind of confuses me overall. I wouldn't say I'm a cap scientist because some of these teams, does it exist for them? So.

[Pat McAfee]

I'm not a cap scientist.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah, you have to maneuver that with that. But I think, you know, we have, we have a lot of good players in the building and hopefully we get some, get some good rookies that contribute and let's go. It's a big year.

[Pat McAfee]

Big year. AJ Has a question for you.

[Tony]

Yeah, Ted, what do you think camp's going to look like this year? I know you guys have struggled getting off to a hot start and they always talk about what you can do to change up camp to try to, you know, switch things up in your favor. Do you have any idea what that might look like?

[Teddy Karras]

I don't yet. I think that obviously we have to change something though, with, you know, these 0 and 2, 0 and 3 starts. So I think maybe spring might look a little different too. I don't know, you know, what that's going to entail, but I know that probably some more playing time perhaps in the games, these preseason games for the starters, just to. I mean that would be like probably the easiest thing to change and try to try to switch up that early season.

[Pat McAfee]

Mojo, how do you feel about preseason activity? Activity that's such a. Every single. It's not a conversation in reality until we get to it. And then whenever we get to it, there's always the debate, well, are they going to start? Is it rust or is it rest with the players? And then there's different strategies. Obviously there's teams that are top heavy with their money and they can't risk an injury, which could potentially be the situation you guys are in. So they kind of. And then there's teams like the Chiefs. The Chiefs spend a lot of money on the high end and they play as well. And then there's teams that offset dropped none of it. What are your thoughts on it? You've been in the league a long time now.

[Tony]

Yeah.

[Teddy Karras]

So I mean, I have kind of interesting perspective because, you know, early on in my career, first four or five years, that preseason 4Ps4 was basically my last chance at a resume. I was, you know, had to go make the team in this game. So I would play, you know, 85 to 100 of the snaps.

[Pat McAfee]

No tapping out.

[Teddy Karras]

No tapping out. I mean, that was like, you know, the obviously preseason three was traditionally like the dress rehearsal and then every fringe guy, all the starters rested and then that was our game. So, you know, I do appreciate what the preseason means to a lot of guys going out there and fighting for a job. It's been nice to sit down for a few later in my career. But I'm a football player though, so if coach is telling me to go play, let's. We're lacing them up.

[Pat McAfee]

Is there something too. The first time seeing full speed, even if it's not reality, I Guess in joint practice, do you guys do joint practices?

[Teddy Karras]

Yep.

[Pat McAfee]

Who'd you do you doing with.

[Teddy Karras]

We dealing with the Colts this year.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay.

[Teddy Karras]

And the Bears.

[Pat McAfee]

How have you done them in the past?

[H]

Yep.

[Pat McAfee]

Fight every time.

[Teddy Karras]

You know, I think the second day. So I think a good rule would be one day of joint practices because I think it's good work. That second day, there's, there's. It gets a little sloppy in my opinion.

[Pat McAfee]

You think it's because people watch film and think, oh, that was a little on buddy. Or do you think it's their sick of hitting the same person?

[Teddy Karras]

I think it's a little bit of both. Obviously you might have a vendetta from a one on one the day before. You know, it's hard practices too. So guys are tired now and I mean, I think some guys probably start fights sometimes to get kicked out. I've seen that happen a few times.

[Pat McAfee]

You know what, this is a long. What period are we in right now? We're in period four. This is a 20 period practice. It is 100 degrees.

[Teddy Karras]

100 degrees.

[Pat McAfee]

I'm on the team. I know. I'm on the team. Yeah, why not A little.

[Teddy Karras]

Little one, two.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey bud.

[Teddy Karras]

Little one, two. Go to go to the shower.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, bud, we want to work here a little bit. Yeah, yeah, yeah. All right. I'll keep my helmet on YouTube. Bye. And then all of a sudden it comes in. Yeah, yeah, you're right. I didn't think about the gamesmanship happening in there.

[Teddy Karras]

There's. There's a ton of it.

[Pat McAfee]

And you get handshake afterwards. Good work.

[Ty Schmidt]

Hey, nice job.

[Pat McAfee]

I'm good.

[Teddy Karras]

The worst is though, when you don't get kicked out. And now, I mean, we're completely exhausted.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, yeah.

[Teddy Karras]

Fighting from fighting. And we line it right back up.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, that's. Oh, you think you're getting. No, no, no, no, no.

[Teddy Karras]

Red zone.

[Pat McAfee]

That's awesome. If Zach does that this year, Ted gets into a fight. Day two, it's 105 degrees. I heard you. Yeah, I know what you're doing. Logan.

[Bruce Brown]

Logan Wilson. Last summer, right. Then you two get into it.

[Teddy Karras]

We did get into it. And that's, you know, I think there's a certain amount of healthiness to that on a team. Just some chippiness and edgy in camp because camp is a pretty insane month of your life. I mean, you're either going to have a job at the end of it or not. And everyone's fighting for, you know, 50 spots out of 90 guys. So. So I think it was Good. But it was. Oh, yeah, Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

I think I'm a little bit more worried if nobody on my team fights. And we say that every year. Aj, isn't that kind of our big takeaway?

[Tony]

Yeah, it's got to be a couple.

[Pat McAfee]

Of them at least, because there is. And you can tell us if we're right or wrong. But there's a lot of media that cover the fights and they're like, we want charges pressed. There's people that are like, this is disgusting. And yada, yada, yada. That's actual how some people feel about it. Okay, yes. That is actually talked about. We then fuck. We come on. These people are, you know, in the same world that we're in sports media and they're talking about all the things that could happen. And obviously you can't be throwing helmets and yada, yada, yada. And then our dumbasses come on and we're like, this is going to happen. These are actually kind of want it to happen. If nobody on your team does it, then you almost have more fear about your team going into the season than if everybody was to fight. Want to say, whoa. More so than go. And we talk about that and people think we're the dumbest people on earth. But I think that's real.

[Teddy Karras]

I do too. I think if you believe that, you're totally missing a huge context and cultural part of football. I mean, this is a violent game and guys are out there, we're hitting each other. It's four weeks straight of just us. And yeah, like you said, it's better to want to hold your athletes back than to have to rally the troops every single day.

[Pat McAfee]

You think enough dogs coming through society for football to continue to be. You've been in how many years you've been in league?

[Teddy Karras]

Think 10 going on 10.

[Pat McAfee]

Congratulations.

[Teddy Karras]

Thank you.

[Bruce Brown]

Let's go.

[Pat McAfee]

Thank you.

[Teddy Karras]

Pretty crazy.

[Pat McAfee]

Very. For a guy. Chug. Yeah. Big time dreams. Obviously it's in the family, but do you think there is a. A dog supply for the NFL to continue to go the way it is?

[Teddy Karras]

I do. I think a lot of kids are. Are playing good. I think it's the seven on seven culture could get a little bit interesting. I think that youth football could use a refresh. As far as, you know, maybe no pads or helmets till seventh grade. Let's let everyone touch the ball. You're a bigger kid in second, third grade. They just put you at right guard. I mean, of course the kid doesn't love football so much. He's just grinding that right Guard. Why wouldn't he want to go play basketball or something else? Rugby. To touch the ball, be part of the offense.

[Pat McAfee]

Interesting. I didn't even think about scaring people away from being offensive lineman. Let maybe just let them happen to figure that out. Through a little bit of a development of the sport, everyone.

[Teddy Karras]

You know, like a rotating flag football type thing where you can, you know, you get a couple rips at QB in the game.

[Pat McAfee]

You can spin it. Oh yeah, yeah. Oh yeah.

[Teddy Karras]

I won Sam Hubbard's foaling tournament two years ago.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, really? When he's throwing a football at the pins.

[Teddy Karras]

At the pins.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. How far have a throw. Is that 10 yards, 15 yards?

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah, I think probably closer to 20.

[Pat McAfee]

Did you roll it or is it a throw in?

[Teddy Karras]

No, you throw it. Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Are you trying to find a pocket? Are you trying to. Is it like standard.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah, stand standard bowling. Trying to go right down the middle.

[Ty Schmidt]

Really chant reaction.

[Teddy Karras]

And the. The owner of the folding warehouse has a really interesting technique.

[Pat McAfee]

He.

[Teddy Karras]

He like launches it up like a pop shot. And he's really hard to beat. He's very good player.

[Pat McAfee]

So backspin.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah. He like launches it up almost like a cornhole. A really high cornhole toss and hits.

[Pat McAfee]

The front or the middle.

[Teddy Karras]

Hits the middle and just like bounces around and knocks pins down.

[Pat McAfee]

That's chain reaction.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

You ever do duck pin bowling? We did down at pins Indie pins mechanic. Have you ever done that? Oh, yeah.

[Teddy Karras]

I've been to pins many times.

[Pat McAfee]

This might might be my new favorite place. To be clear.

[Teddy Karras]

It's a cool spot.

[Pat McAfee]

Very cool. I mean, when you have the whole place.

[Ty Schmidt]

Awesome.

[Pat McAfee]

It is awesome. All the pinball. What is it? Pinball.

[AJ Hawk]

Pinball, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Pinball machines, the Jenga. Every game, little sit down soccer thing that I busted. Gumpy's beer, you know, like just so many of these little games. It was a good time. The duck pin bowling really had Ty on the ropes big time.

[Teddy Karras]

Really?

[Pat McAfee]

Ty was pretty boozed up trying to figure it out.

[Ty Schmidt]

Tough to figure out by the end, but. But you know, it's all about the chain reaction. You gotta just throw as hard as you fucking can and hope every pin.

[Teddy Karras]

Force on the pins. Yeah, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

A couple of the employees, we were asking for tips because they had more employees than we had people there. Okay. Because we rented the whole place out. Normally it's massive events and they didn't really have to do anything. We were like, we'll just kind of. We'll just kind of sit right here. We got this whole place. So we started Asking them. They were a friendly group of people, and we said, like, what is the. What's the thing with the that? And all the guy said was chain reaction. And that's all Ty needed to hear. That's right. So Ty, for the rest of time was just throwing this ball as hard as you go. Where's the chain reaction? For two hours, it was unfixable. Fouling or folding, I've never done before.

[Teddy Karras]

It's really fun. I actually really like it because I think it's a good barometer for some of your, like, guys, you know, like, can you throw a football? Like, let's see you throw it in front of everyone.

[Pat McAfee]

It's a good barometer. How should we be talking to you going forward? Can you throw a ball or not? Can you don't have to catch it all either, right?

[Teddy Karras]

Nope. But you have to play defensive. It bounces and you have to. Other people's balls can also knock your pins down. If there's a wild game going on down there and it flies in, you got to keep your board.

[H]

Wow.

[Pat McAfee]

Wait till you get introduced to Thunder Buckets out here, buddy. All right. It's a pretty active. Is it an active game? Got to play defense.

[Teddy Karras]

I like what you've done. A couple changes since I was here two years ago.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Is there. Has there.

[Teddy Karras]

Your dad came up outside. He was like, what are you doing here? I'm like, well.

[Pat McAfee]

He'S building a deck.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah, he's building. He's building a gazebo out there.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. On top of the deck.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Obviously it's small enough so we don't have to license it.

[Teddy Karras]

He looks good, man.

[Pat McAfee]

Dude, he's a bloodhound. Yeah. You know, they said like, those dogs, those bloodhound dogs, if you put them on a scent, they'll go until they, like, die. Yes. Like, that is just like what they are. That's Tim McAfee. Soon as we decided that we were gonna try to maybe put somewhere right outside the. We could sit that isn't just grass. That kind of gets all muddy. He's. I do a deck two days. What's that? I. I could pull a deck up in two days.

[Teddy Karras]

He's grinding out there.

[AJ Hawk]

He is grinding out.

[Pat McAfee]

He's a bloodhound. This guy almost died out there yesterday. I think I had to take him a water. I'm like, why don't you sit down? Sweat dripping all over him, limping cuz he pulled his calf on St Patrick's Day. He's like, nah, I'm good. He's pouring concrete for 10 hours.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Or two days ago.

[Teddy Karras]

Unbelievable.

[Pat McAfee]

He's. Yeah, he's a weapon. Absolute weapon. I do appreciate the fact he came up to your car.

[Ty Schmidt]

Car and was like, what's going on here?

[Teddy Karras]

What are you guys doing here? Yeah, like, I'm on the show, man. But you must be Mr. McAfee. I mean, you guys are almost indistinguishable.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, he's. He's. He's awesome. Yeah, he is. He's jocked too. He's in here.

[Teddy Karras]

He is.

[Bruce Brown]

Oh, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

He's absolutely jacked.

[Teddy Karras]

Moving the wood around out there. I'm impressed.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, he's got three guns on him, too, so you're lucky you got the answer right.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Tone has a question for you.

[AJ Hawk]

It said you guys have had some, you know, kind of movement on the O line with guys leaving and coming in the last few seasons. Seasons. And now you have it again. Kappa's leaving. I mean, Trent Brown, I believe, is gone as well, but at least all five projected are. We're on the team last year. Does that make it a little bit better than a guy coming from the outside and trying to join you guys for this year?

[Teddy Karras]

I think it's always, you know, O line is such a continuity position, so whenever you can retain guys that have worked together and had a lot of reps together is a positive. You know, I'm excited for Lucas Patrick coming in. I think that's a great signing. He's another year 10 guy. Been solid everywhere he's gone and, you know, I think it's going to be great. Healthy competition for. For a couple guard spots. I think there. There's a lot of guys who could take it. I think that's healthy for a team, and I'm excited to work with, you know, the guys that are. That are there.

[AJ Hawk]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Who's. So you lose. Lou Annorumo. Any other members of the coachings, Obviously the entire defense.

[Teddy Karras]

A lot of defense. Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Anybody on the offense or.

[Teddy Karras]

We got a new aligned coach, Scott Peters.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. How do you feel?

[Teddy Karras]

Feel great. I've talk to him. I haven't met him in person yet. Was gonna. Was gonna call him and meet him up last night, but I was like, ah, I'm gonna. We're just hanging after, after, after, after opening day, but no, sounds great, man. I think that'll be. That'll be great for everyone to get, you know, a new. A new voice, a new, you know, way of working. I think that's always a positive or can be. You know, I had a Lot of respect and love for Frank Pollock, but. And then losing town here. Yeah, yeah. Very punishment. I was happy for him.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, me too. I. I don't your guys is. That was an interesting storyline of last year because we all have respect for Lou Anarumo. We all know that Louis Anarumo is good dc but it felt like the defense was potentially, you know, and now you have the sack king on that defense as well. It's like how much better can the defense get? I guess that is the big question mark. I guess that is the big deal over there.

[Teddy Karras]

I think it'll be great. I mean you think it was it.

[Pat McAfee]

Injuries we didn't pay attention to on defensive side.

[Teddy Karras]

I think there's always an element of that that I mean obviously, you know, we were in some high scoring one score games. I think the narrative is a little different if we pull out at least three of those. So you know, that's really what it comes down to is just wins and losses. So I mean I think that the defense would have taken less heat had we been able to pull out some of those one or one score game in season.

[Pat McAfee]

Hard knocks.

[Teddy Karras]

Not bad.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay.

[Teddy Karras]

I mean first time ever on it.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, not bad.

[Teddy Karras]

Barely noticed.

[Pat McAfee]

Well, I don't know.

[Teddy Karras]

And we had the quarterback thing too and barely noticed that. I think those guys, guys, they did a great job. I mean it really was not infringed at all.

[Pat McAfee]

Congrats. NFL Films.

[Teddy Karras]

I think it was good too to show everyone. I think. Yeah, I thought it was a good, well produced show.

[Pat McAfee]

I thought so too. Whenever they were showcasing how I think you guys were playing Steelers, it was a first episode and they were literally going from Tomlin's messaging on Wednesday morning to Zach's messaging on Wednesday morning. And it was crazy how much they mirrored each other. But then also like, oh, this is what they're thinking. This is what they're thinking. Thinking going in.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

And then the studying of the players and then Tomlin I think says the gp, like what they're saying about you right now is this. And then Hilton was like, this is exactly what it is. It was. I think that was a view that nobody's really got to see before. Just like the off. Did you watch the offseason one of Giants?

[Teddy Karras]

I didn't. Poor, poor Giants for that one. But yeah, I don't think anyone. No one wanted to do it this year. No one was. Everyone was like, no, we can't have that.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. What you guys did. Career assassination.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Potentially for two guys. But that's Also, the first time we ever got to see it, just like it was the first time we ever got to see two teams preparing for each other. Watching Zach work was interesting. Has he always been like that? Is Zach ever. Has Zach changed since you've got to know him? Because obviously he was a young head coach when he gets the gig over there, but it was a showcase of the head coaches for a lot of that hard knocks.

[Teddy Karras]

I don't think he's changed much. I mean, I, you know, he's obviously, I think he's delegating a little bit, bit more now and being more of a head coach and involved with the, you know, in all facets. But it, yeah, it was great to see. I love the division aspect of the show.

[Pat McAfee]

Did you expect the Ravens have that castle that they had? I did not.

[Teddy Karras]

I didn't know. I didn't.

[Pat McAfee]

They. That thing showed up on a drone. I'm like, so sick.

[Teddy Karras]

Country club, that's an underrated part of the NFL though, is how cool the facilities are, I would say.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay, let's talk about yours.

[Teddy Karras]

See, I love our cozy facility. I love it. I think for me it's been really cool in my career. This is the first time that I've got to work downtown because New England was hours south of Boston. Miami was about 45 minutes north. So I mean, you're pulling up downtown early morning, people in their pea coats smoking, smoking cigs and I just love the, the coffee. Yeah. Just driving downtown for work like everybody else.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. Do you like walking across the street to the practice field?

[Teddy Karras]

I don't mind it.

[H]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Did you see that one video? Was it a Hyundai?

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Teddy Karras]

Oh, that came close.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah. Oh, yeah.

[Teddy Karras]

I know. Watch it.

[Pat McAfee]

I know you need to watch that especially. We got a 40 million dollar wide receiver. Let's make sure we're.

[Teddy Karras]

No, they, they, they got on the, the traffic detail pretty hard after that.

[Tony]

Tighten it up, Tighten it up.

[Pat McAfee]

AJ Has a question for you, Ted.

[Tony]

So, Ted, I, I see that you are on the executive committee with the nflpa. Like, what's your expanded role and is there any kind of changes you're going to try to implement?

[Pat McAfee]

Man.

[Teddy Karras]

Well, I was very grateful for my peers to elect me as executive committee. Thank you.

[Pat McAfee]

For he's a jolly good fellow. For he's a jolly good. For he's a jolly good fellow. Which. No, that's what they said when they elected you.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah, we didn't quite chant. It was the fourth day of our Maui conference, so I think everyone was getting a little.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, you Guys are in four seasons.

[Teddy Karras]

Out there in Maui spending grand Wailea.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. Yeah, really nice spot.

[Teddy Karras]

We're going, we're keeping it stateside from now on.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh really?

[Teddy Karras]

I think so.

[Pat McAfee]

I didn't know if we're upping the fees and then maybe taking the trip to Japan.

[Teddy Karras]

It's been a standard fee and I, I've been, you know, I told the guys too, I've been really impressed since how, when I joined the union, about year two, when I really started getting involved. The player perception of the NFLPA is much more positive now.

[Pat McAfee]

Come on.

[Teddy Karras]

I think, I think Lloyd's done a great job job. Obviously J.C. treader has, you know, really fundamentally elevated our union and Jalen Reeves Mabin has done a great job as president now too.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. So we're saying that morale is high amongst the members.

[Teddy Karras]

Felt high in Maui and I. Yeah, well, but I think we had, we had, we had a productive meeting though. And you know, to be fair, we are in the middle of a, of a 10 year CBA, so it's not, we have don't have too many pressing issues. But to get to AJ's question, you know, I, I think that they've been onboarding me. I've been in a few, few meetings with them. You know, I think, you know, what we're going to do on the EC is kind of delegate roles that people are interested in and just kind of do a light investigation into things and, and kind of see if we can expand some of our processes. How are the guys feeling? My big thing is I'd like to educate our membership more on like just the, just, just, just the standard things. So you know, big FAQ packet that you get in your locker, like a little, almost like a pocket constitution, but for our CBA and our rules and policies, just so everyone can reference it.

[Pat McAfee]

Ce, Chief Executive Committee and then FAQ frequently asked questions down there. Get those out there. Guys will read those, I'm sure. And I think that is. Right, aj, don't. We think that is exactly how every one of them. You'll never be every which you very.

[Tony]

Much make it like 10 pages. Make it 10 pages.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah, very small. But I think there's, I get a lot of repeat questions just on a couple, you know, fundamental things of our union. So I think if we just, you know, put it in there.

[Pat McAfee]

Can I pitch some ideas?

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah, let's hear them.

[Pat McAfee]

So you guys need to have a public speaking like instruction, okay. Because everybody's story is worth money whenever they retire, like no matter who they are. They can make maybe a little bit of money speaking or turn it into a full time career where they make a bunch of money. I think like providing ideas that can profit, like guys can profit off of is like something that the NFLPA has an obligation to do.

[Paul Skeens]

Okay.

[Pat McAfee]

You know, because the lifetime insurance feels like that's going to be difficult to figure out. You know, who's going to do. Is the NFL going to give that up ever in a CBA negotiation? Hopefully one day they figure out how to make that a marketing thing. Will the NFLPA ever fight enough for that? Because of all the other shit that'll potentially go against it, you scratch, you know, that's kind of how negotiation goes. But I think the NFL PA should take time trying to figure out how guys when they retire can continue to profit. And not just some guys. Like, I know there's broadcast boot camp. I was denied to it three times. Shout out to them. Really? Yeah. I think I'm the first person.

[Teddy Karras]

What a miss.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, no shit. Why is that guy kind of contentious towards some fuck you. Okay. The whole thing. But nonetheless, like, I understand that's an avenue, but like public speaking is an actual. In like content creation.

[Teddy Karras]

Like, I mean that works for every industry too. If you can be a good communicator. I mean you can go into any industry and tell your story. Success.

[Pat McAfee]

Yes, I think so. I think that's something that is.

[Teddy Karras]

So do you think this would be more like a rookie onboarding workshop or. Anyone can do it at any time.

[Pat McAfee]

But I think it should be something like people sign up for it. You can bring in different, like public speakers. Like I would probably go whether I'm a public speaker or not, but you could probably pull anybody you wanted to if they were able to work with NFL players and then just set up like seminars on how to set up a speech, how to tell a story, like when you should. How you should approach these speaking fees. Because you know, there's that old adage about the 80% broke. Right. That was the 30 for 30. Broke is what it was called. I believe 80% of professional athletes were broke. With the way the world is now and content being king and stories mattering more than ever, if somebody's able to make it to the NFL, their story somewhere is valuable, has some sort of value for it. So I think that'd be a cool thing.

[Teddy Karras]

Even maybe like have like a standard studio that you could go and use it and record it.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah.

[Teddy Karras]

Free time, content creation area.

[Pat McAfee]

Boom. Yes. Because I think that is money. Like, I think Guys can make money.

[Teddy Karras]

I love that.

[Pat McAfee]

As opposed to like, hey, we want free insurance. Which is always the thing. Always the thing from like retired guys. Yeah, we want money. We want free insurance, which by the way, should get it. We appreciate that. But if you can figure out ways for them to make money, I think.

[Teddy Karras]

That'Ll, that could be a. I think that is a. That's truly a responsibility. One thing I encourage guys to do, especially young guys, is take advantage of the tuition reimbursement program.

[Pat McAfee]

Definitely.

[Teddy Karras]

I got my MBA while I was playing in the NFL through IU and through our tuition reimbursement program took me five off seasons.

[Pat McAfee]

So these are FAQs.

[Teddy Karras]

These are FAQs.

[Pat McAfee]

These are.

[Teddy Karras]

And then I want to, you know, I have like, who you call for that and who will get information because we had, we had great people at the pa. You got to submit your forms, you got to get a C or above to get your class paid for. I got one F. I know accounting, it was brutal, man. And Kelly's hard. Kelly school business is not. It was not a slouch.

[Pat McAfee]

Cuban went through there. Yeah. So, yeah, I do believe the accounting is effort too. A lot of effort.

[Teddy Karras]

A lot of effort. And it really. The thing that killed me was some of the accounting equations, they have like the same value but on, on both sides of the equation. So that didn't make any sense to me. Why wouldn't they just cancel out?

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. I think I could actually teach you guys some things. Yeah. Yeah.

[Tony]

There's.

[Pat McAfee]

There's some flaws in your system here.

[Teddy Karras]

Better be good at Excel too.

[AJ Hawk]

Oh yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Better be good at Excel Spreadsheet, Phil.

[Bruce Brown]

Oh yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

You. You a cfo Phil? He is a Excel spreadsheet guru.

[Teddy Karras]

It's a good, good trait.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, what is blah blah blah of blah blah blah from blah blah blah then bang, bang, bang, boom, boom, boom. Right there.

[Teddy Karras]

Just info.

[AJ Hawk]

In college, I took an Excel class. The best class I ever took. Really?

[Pat McAfee]

You still. Yeah. Cuz you, you utilize it a lot. It is a great app, I guess the whole.

[Paul Skeens]

Yeah, it's a beast.

[Teddy Karras]

It's a good program. It's. I mean, it's span. The test of time. What's it been? Around 25 years. 20 years.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Technology's changing. How do you feel about technology and sport right now? Did you wear a guardian cap in practice?

[Teddy Karras]

You know, I. I don't think I would wear it in a game. I thought they didn't looked horrible, but.

[Ty Schmidt]

I mean, some of them did.

[Teddy Karras]

You're just kind of raising your hand like, you know, I got, you know, so. But, you know, one thing that I'd like to maybe test on the guardian cap would be, you know, it does definitely take away a lot of the impact. Now, does it affect your neck differently if two guardian caps hit and then it doesn't let the helmet slide off like, it, does it catch it longer? So now it's like a drag hit to where, like, you know, two helmets hit and usually just bounce off or like ricochet.

[Pat McAfee]

Do you do. Okay, so you don't want to say too much about yourself, obviously, in the world that we're in with concussion talk, but let's say after a practice, would you normally have like a soreness or a buzzing or something in your head, and then with guardian cap on, you feel less of that? Like, how do you judge if the guardian cap is working?

[Teddy Karras]

I think, you know, the early days of camp is when you really feel like when you first start hitting in those long hitting days, when you come off, you know, your head could be ringing a little bit or you're sore and you're, you've taken some hits. I think the guardian cap did eliminate a lot of that, I would say.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay, so a benefit we're, it is.

[Teddy Karras]

No, I, I, I believe in the product. I think that, you know, we should, I'd like to see with like, the drag test or something. But I, I think overall it's been a net positive for our players.

[Tony]

AJ Any questions as far as the guardian camp situation? I think that's very, it's true. Like, all these new age helmets, Ted, you know, they build them to look like horrendous, you know, in my opinion. I guess because they want ricochet shots, right? They want you to, they don't want it to, I guess, have like, sustained, you know, contact. But when it comes to those guardian camps, what if you ever strap two of them on and say, hey, I'm wearing two guardian caps, you're wearing one.

[Pat McAfee]

Two condoms.

[Tony]

My head's much better. Yeah, just like the two condom thing always works.

[Teddy Karras]

Are you saying we're double wrapped guardian caps?

[AJ Hawk]

Yeah.

[Tony]

Yeah. What if you got, what if you don't really?

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah.

[Tony]

You're double wrapping. He is only a single wrap. Are you better? Are you not gonna get CTE?

[Pat McAfee]

No. That's 60, right? So what is they were saying is 20. Yeah, yeah, like I said. So if it's three caps, one collision.

[Ty Schmidt]

Reduces 60 of the impact.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah.

[Teddy Karras]

Was it weird? It would, I think it would look weird. But if they had like a supplement for even more I guess, yes.

[Tony]

I mean, was it weird though, coming. Coming out of the guardian cap when you got to the first preseason game, whatever, when you actually had like, oh, this is the. The contact. I am used to, like, minus the guardian cap. Was that an adjustment?

[Teddy Karras]

I just. I think. No, not really. The guardian cap is really light. Ours are black, though, so they. It kind of gets kind of hot on your head. I just think. I think the film looks better without them because kind of like we look kind of goofy. Like, my head's so huge and I'm, you know, practice film looked. That was like the biggest adjustment I had to. I was like, this kind of looks kind of goofy here, but works.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, but you're saying it works, so that's the only thing that matters.

[Teddy Karras]

I mean, you can even feel though, like my helmet from 2016 and to now, I mean, it's a much different weight. Our helmets now are very.

[Tony]

You like them lighter?

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah.

[Tony]

Heavier. Lighter.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah, heavier.

[Pat McAfee]

You like it? It's heavier now.

[Teddy Karras]

Heavier now.

[Pat McAfee]

What?

[Tony]

I like heavier. I think heavier is better. But I thought they were going lighter for all these new age.

[Teddy Karras]

When I hold mine too. I think it's a st. Stark difference of just like, you know, those rubber square. Not rubber square pads, whatever that was, faux leather pads in the helmet, you know, they wore in 2016. Now I have like the form fitted scanned mold of thick. Whatever material that is. I feel that it's much heavier.

[Pat McAfee]

So you got a nice girthy material surrounding your head, inside of the helmet.

[Teddy Karras]

Scan to your head. You put a. You put a sock on your head and then they put you in a PET scan.

[Pat McAfee]

What?

[Teddy Karras]

And then your helmet has like your signature on it. It's pretty cool.

[Pat McAfee]

Cool. That is very cool.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

I think that's like racing. It sounds like it is like a racing helmet almost because you get form fitting in there. Form fitting, heavier. But it feels better, more comfortable than the 16 helmet, I assume.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah, definitely not. You know, sometimes, you know when you get really hard, you hear that, like, sharp ring. I don't know if I make sense to anyone, but yeah, yeah, took that away.

[Tony]

Really.

[Teddy Karras]

I haven't. Knock on wood. Haven't felt that in a while.

[Pat McAfee]

Haven't got a concussion. Yeah.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Ty has a question for you.

[Ty Schmidt]

It hasn't happened yet, but there's been talks about them outlawing the tush push. Now, I'm not going to ask whether or not you think they should, but as a guy who's right in, you know, like kind of the line of fire there. And granted you guys don't do it a whole bunch with Joe, but what is just your opinion on that entire situation about whether or not, you know, because like a lot of teams are very successful at it. A lot of teams aren't. And I think that's one of the reasons they're trying to outlawed.

[Teddy Karras]

Well, I think that point with only, you know, one team really being elite at it kind of validates the point why it would be a good strategy. I, and I have a lot of respect for, For Jason Kelsey and now Cam Jurgens that they do it so much. I mean, that is a brutal place to be and they are very effective at it. The Eagles obviously train that a lot. I don't think that. I mean, I think that would be kind of weird to ban something like that. No one's been hurt so far, I guess. I mean, knock on wood again, but not too hard.

[Pat McAfee]

You don't have a guardian kill.

[AJ Hawk]

Yeah, true.

[Teddy Karras]

But, you know, they're so effective. I mean, other teams have tried it. I'm a big believer in just the traditional QB sneak. I think that, that, you know, is an effective play and obviously an important play to be able to execute and they've taken it to a new level. So I wouldn't, I wouldn't want to see that band just draft that kid from Florida that's coming out.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. 370 or 380 or 4.

[Teddy Karras]

I thought he was 460.

[Pat McAfee]

Started at 370, 380 whenever he was a freshman. Now he's 460. I remember him coming to Florida. I did not know that he is already eligible for the draft. They've given him the ball, like. Oh, yeah, they've given him the ball before. He's £400. Good luck.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah, hopefully he's slow.

[Pat McAfee]

No.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, he ran a real slow 40.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. But if he's on your team, he's also running right over your back. That should be a good. Yeah, that'd be a good time for a nice center in the middle.

[Teddy Karras]

Another thing like how Philly does it too, is. I mean, obviously they have a lot of great players, but if you watch their tush push, like Myata is like coming a little bit behind and then adding his big self in there too. It's a. They. They've strategized it out and made it into, you know, something that has been kind of unstoppable.

[Pat McAfee]

They're saying the momentum currently is that they're going to ban the tush push. That is, as a report coming out of the NFL league meetings down there with the competition committee. And I think there's a chance that they ban it on the precedent of like former special teams field goals. You remember they used to push.

[Teddy Karras]

Oh yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

The linebacker used to go get the D tackle and then they banned that for that particular play. And I think back in the day there used to be pooling and pushing a little bit more that they banned. I don't know. It feels like that plays. I'm worried about that plays existence after next week's meetings, like legitimately, I think it's probably okay.

[Teddy Karras]

They can do whatever they want.

[Pat McAfee]

Well, look what they did with the extra point. Yeah, look what they did with the extra point.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Whenever that became like a night, I.

[Teddy Karras]

Thought that's been kind of successful though to move it back.

[Pat McAfee]

I think so too.

[Teddy Karras]

I think we probably hit a little bit of a kicking regression this past couple years as far as percentage wise. Right?

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. I mean the kickers are doing just fine.

[Teddy Karras]

I know they are. But I think we went on, we went on a run there for a while of like really expecting all kicks to go in. I think a lot of kickers took some heat. Really just regressing back to the mean of what a professional kicker does.

[Pat McAfee]

I think that's good analysis. I think it's not easy to do that.

[Teddy Karras]

Not easy to do that.

[Pat McAfee]

You're not on field goal team anymore, right? No.

[Teddy Karras]

Always on field goal team.

[Pat McAfee]

Is that the word? That's the worst gig.

[Teddy Karras]

No, I I scoring points. And it's another snap for player performance sh.

[Pat McAfee]

The NFL pa. Yeah. On the player performance negotiation. Way to go on. That little bonus money at the end actually make up for how much you played versus how much your contract value is. Offensive linemen eat normally off of that.

[Teddy Karras]

I believe young DBs do a lot of good on that. I think we have our first million dollar PP bonus coming out this year.

[Pat McAfee]

Really? Yeah.

[Teddy Karras]

So congrats. I don't know who it is, but congrats to that young gentleman.

[Pat McAfee]

Congratulations. How does that go against the salary cap? Doesn't it does not.

[Teddy Karras]

No. That's a bonus that is out of a different pool.

[Pat McAfee]

So explain what this is. For people that don't know what this is. There is a bonus fund that has been created. I don't know how long it's been around. It's been around since I've been in a list league where it matches up what your contract is versus how much you actually contributed. And then they try to make up the value for that in a bonus. Yeah.

[Teddy Karras]

So snaps. So it's all snaps based. It's how many snaps you played, what your contract ranks amongst guys in your position, like playing. And that's. That's really just about it. It kind of. It's a way to incentivize guys who aren't making on a rookie deal to, you know, that contributed 95 of snaps. They get a nice bonus at the end where the guy making, you know, 25 million, playing the same position, same amount of snaps is way less. His whatever weight is in the equation is way less.

[Pat McAfee]

I made like an extra 80 grand my first couple seasons.

[Teddy Karras]

It's a big check, too, like right in the middle of the off season. March 15, like so. Saved me a couple times.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Bingo. Yeah.

[Teddy Karras]

Yes. Saved me a couple times. Sometimes early on you don't have, you know, that much saved up and, you know, you don't get a check for four months. Now we get. Now we get paid on 34 weeks.

[Pat McAfee]

Really?

[Teddy Karras]

Yep.

[Pat McAfee]

I did not know that. That's league wide.

[Teddy Karras]

I'm pretty sure. Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Pretty sure. You're smart. Executive committee.

[Teddy Karras]

Well, I know. Well, I don't want to speak for every team. I actually voted against it because. Just because, you know, I just. It's my money and I want it now. But. Exactly then I forgot about it and we had passed it and it was like, you know, know mid, you know, early April, and I was like, oh, man, you know, you got a check. I'm like, oh, nice.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, this is not a bad.

[Teddy Karras]

Got some cash flows coming in.

[Pat McAfee]

I thought.

[Teddy Karras]

I thought it was. I was like budgeted out of what I had for the year. No, we get another way, another half coming.

[Pat McAfee]

There's more on the way.

[Teddy Karras]

Let's go.

[Pat McAfee]

That's Good news. Yeah. AQ Shipley used to eat off this performance.

[Ty Schmidt]

Oh, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Like 200, 300,000. Used to be so pumped. As he should be. Yeah, I mean, that was.

[Teddy Karras]

It's life changing money.

[Pat McAfee]

A million dollars going to somebody.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, sure would.

[AJ Hawk]

The jets linebacker got 1.1.

[Teddy Karras]

There you go.

[Pat McAfee]

So you'd wonder, like, Purdy, you know, definitely gonna. How did he not get a million bucks?

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

What are you guys doing? You don't like Purdy either?

[Teddy Karras]

QBs must be a little bit. I don't know though. I. I like rock pretty, though. I'm rooting for him.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. I didn't know. It sounds like the NFLPA doesn't give any bonuses. That's what it sounds like to me.

[Teddy Karras]

No, it doesn't.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, it does. Yeah, it does. Sounds like you're getting downloaded the wrong information right now. Teddy, we appreciate you man. We'll see you at the game tonight.

[Teddy Karras]

Thank you so much. Always great coming in. This is a indie landmark, man. A lot of guys appreciate that you do the show here in Indianapolis. So thank you so much.

[Pat McAfee]

Come on, come on, come on. Ten more pounds until when's everything gets started back up? April.

[Teddy Karras]

April 21st day after Easter.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, 4:20 is when the testing starts, right?

[Teddy Karras]

No, no, that's changed now too. That is. You first week of camp is the only time you can be tested for. For marijuana.

[Pat McAfee]

That's amazing.

[Paul Skeens]

It.

[Pat McAfee]

That's it all year. That's it.

[Teddy Karras]

Stop after July 4th and you're good.

[Pat McAfee]

NFLPA. NFLPA coming through.

[Teddy Karras]

FAQ.

[Pat McAfee]

Yes, that is. Yes, that is. Yeah, that's right there at the bottom.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Nice little asterisk by the way. Celebrate America. Go ahead and light a couple up and then we are done till the end of the first week of training.

[Teddy Karras]

Camp as a team usually put the pads on. You can enjoy a chill evening, fellas.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, cuz that, that's. That becomes an intelligence and discipline test as opposed to anything else. Good work by you guys making that happen. And good work with Cincy Hat company.

[Teddy Karras]

Thank you so much.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, we still raising money.

[Teddy Karras]

Oh big time. Big sales day yesterday. You know we're, we've done stuff in Indianapolis. Right down the street in Lawrence is the village of Marichi and that's where most of the funds have gone and they built a brand new condo building for adults with disabilities. And then, you know, our big goal this year is we're going to bring infrastructure into Cincinnati. So you know, I can't wait to. Can't wait to announce some of the things we're doing.

[Pat McAfee]

We're.

[Teddy Karras]

We're developing right now the dev team is rolling and can't thank the Cincy fans enough for all their generosity. Want to make sure there's things in the Cincy community for these people.

[Pat McAfee]

FAQs for the dev team would be. How long has this been the vision? You know, like you becoming a gap pretty much between two states doing something for a foundation and a mission that you obviously care a lot about. Having one built over in Cincinnati is awesome that that has to be dream come true whenever it comes to this type of philanthropy. For sure.

[Teddy Karras]

Unbelievable how this has unfolded. I think one of the things that makes it so special is how organic it was. I didn't set out to sell any hats. I made this hat and people loved it. And the, the volume of hats we've sold has been able to do real fundamental infrastructure change for these people. So we're going to. We're going to go hard forever at it.

[Pat McAfee]

I saw you had a news reporter asking you a question yesterday about your hat, and then he said you get emotional about, you know, how much you have.

[Tony]

Awesome.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, I get emotional for the Reds. Let's have a. Well, yeah, I mean, I'm on a.

[Teddy Karras]

Float in a parade.

[Pat McAfee]

Am I emotional?

[Teddy Karras]

Emotions are flying high right now, brother.

[Pat McAfee]

That was awesome. All right, well, I'm sure the Bengals fans are pumped that they have you in the city. Congrats on all the success thus far. Thank you for making the world a better place. Thank you for stopping by. Do you want to do a giveaway of some sort? I don't want to put you on the spot. You know, you said you could throw football well, though, because you're.

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah, let's go. I brought you guys a bunch of gear, too. Got you some tanks. Got you a bunch of hats in the green room.

[Pat McAfee]

Scenty hats.

[Teddy Karras]

Oh, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

All right. Well, I mean, I'll wear them, I guess.

[Teddy Karras]

I'd like to see one on the desk maybe a couple times. It doesn't have to be a mainstay, but throw it up there.

[Pat McAfee]

You saw the Bengal social media team dunk on me. You see that?

[Teddy Karras]

I did. I did.

[Pat McAfee]

I did. That was good. That was good Internet.

[Teddy Karras]

That was good. We get. They're pretty good.

[Pat McAfee]

That was really good. That was really good Internet. Now, I will say the Cincinnati Bengals fans. Yeah. They're passionate.

[Teddy Karras]

They are. I love them.

[Pat McAfee]

And they love. They'll love you more if you're able to win them some money. Is there footballs down here?

[Ty Schmidt]

Yes, there are.

[Pat McAfee]

All right, Teddy, let's do this. We appreciate the swag that you're gonna give us. Are you connected over there? Your headphones?

[Teddy Karras]

Yeah, no, no, no.

[Pat McAfee]

You can get up and move. Yeah. Okay. Why don't you grab one of these balls? Okay, Teddy, where do you want to throw it into? Do you want to throw it into that hoop? Do you want to throw it into that hoop? Do you want to throw it in the net in front of the bear? Do you want to throw it into a trash can and thunder buckets? Where would you like to put. Put that particular Duke that is in your hand right now?

[Teddy Karras]

Let's drop it in the bucket.

[Pat McAfee]

In the. In one of these buckets.

[Teddy Karras]

Is that cool?

[Pat McAfee]

I get.

[Teddy Karras]

I get the whole beer pong.

[Pat McAfee]

I think you should have to call a section of. At least. Is it like the back three. The front three. Front middle one. Okay. From us. So if you're looking at it straight on, it would be the left one right behind the front cup. If you were looking at it from the front, looking at it right in the middle here. The row of three.

[Teddy Karras]

The middle one.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, sorry. I got it. Yeah. This one closest to us, right in the middle. If Teddy cares, is able to bury this ball into that particular bucket right over there. We'll give 30 people 500 to repost this. Say something nice to somebody and put the easiest way to pay him. Teddy. Unison hat. Raising money for a good cause. Can he spin it? Too strong. Way too strong. Missed all the buckets. Missed all the buckets.

[AJ Hawk]

He left it today.

[Pat McAfee]

All the.

[Ty Schmidt]

Recalibrate, Recalibrate.

[Pat McAfee]

Did you lift today? I did not. You look jacked, though. Thank you. Yeah. Are you working out all year round. Do you take down time? What do you.

[Teddy Karras]

No, I mean, I do. Like the start of the off season. I'll do light lifts, but now I'm grinding in my garage in Florida.

[Pat McAfee]

Hell, yeah. It's fine. Hold on. Same bucket. Same bucket.

[Teddy Karras]

That was way too strong.

[Pat McAfee]

Recalibrated. 30 people. $500. Once again, overshoots a. Recalibrate.

[Ty Schmidt]

Recalibrate.

[Pat McAfee]

Sorry, guys. Sorry. Is there any more balls down there? No. Yes.

[Ty Schmidt]

There are several dukes.

[Pat McAfee]

Let's. Let's do a different. Let's do a different target. Let's do a different target. Okay. Same one on the right side. All it has to do is hit the middle one closest to this stage. If he's able to do that. 30 people, $500.

[Ty Schmidt]

Take a little offer or move back, maybe.

[Pat McAfee]

I'm not playing your games.

[Teddy Karras]

I'm done.

[AJ Hawk]

I respect that.

[Pat McAfee]

I do respect that. Good work, man.

[Tony]

Thanks, fellas.

[Pat McAfee]

Good luck with everything. We appreciate the hell out of you. Thank you for stopping by. We'll see you tonight. All right. Have an incredible weekend, everybody. We now we're gonna hold. Just hold your horses.

[Teddy Karras]

Now. In my throws, you play hoops? No, marginally.

[Pat McAfee]

You think you can put a basketball into that hoop right away?

[Tony]

I bet he does. He does.

[Pat McAfee]

He could do from right here.

[Tony]

Steve.

[Pat McAfee]

Let's try it. All right, Teddy. If Teddy Karras is able to put this basketball into the hoop to his right. 40 people waiting. $500. That's right. Oh, my gosh. Oh, my God.

[AJ Hawk]

It's great because. It's great because AQ did the same exact thing.

[Pat McAfee]

We knew you were done, and then we got you doing that.

[Teddy Karras]

Now we're just. Now we're just making fun of me. That's. That's gonna be a horrible clip.

[Pat McAfee]

You almost broke your ankle.

[Ty Schmidt]

It's even better. You said shot of my life right here.

[Pat McAfee]

You're a legend, man. Appreciate you coming by.

[Teddy Karras]

Thank you, guys.

[Pat McAfee]

All right, have an incredible weekend. Let's enjoy these Sweet 16 games tonight. Let's enjoy the weekend of sport. I believe golf is happening. Scotty scheffler was like 7 under through 7.

[Bruce Brown]

Yep.

[Pat McAfee]

I don't know where he's at right now.

[Bruce Brown]

Houston Open.

[Pat McAfee]

Houston Open. So Scotty's golfing. That should be electrifying to check out as well. We will see you on Monday. Be a friend. Tell a friend something nice. It might change their life. It was great to see you, A.J. we're in this thing together. Never forget it. Team on me. Team on three. You got anything to say, team?

[Teddy Karras]

Let's go. Big year.

[Pat McAfee]

One, two, three. Team. Goodbye.

[I]

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[Teddy Karras]

In case you didn't know, these young men are driven. They are prodigies, the savants, the ones we've been waiting for. Like Damian Lillard for instance. He doesn't seek guidance or mentorship. He's a leader. He isn't waiting for the baton to.

[Pat McAfee]

Be passed to him.

[Teddy Karras]

He's taking it for himself. He's relentless in a pursuit of greatness. Always pushing to one up himself. He is accomplished, but far from satisfied. He embodies what it means to have an unstoppable drive and are shaking up the status quo in their community and beyond. And Damian Lillard drives a Toyota, a new generation of Toyota drivers are here and they want you to know one thing. You can't stop my drive.