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Pat McAfee
Hello, beautiful people and welcome to our humble abode, the Thunderdome on this big sports Wednesday, July 2, 2025. This program begins now. Sports are happening all around us. We're incredibly lucky that we get a chance to chat about them every single day. We hope you are enjoying the hell out of your summer. This is actually a pretty monumental day in human's existence. This July 2, 2025. Not only because we're two days before another birthday for United States of Happy birthday to America, but also because this officially marks a very pivotal point in our existence. Let's go to one half of the hammer. Don Cowboys AP Tone, who is certainly going to nail this.
AJ Hawk
Yep, July 2, 2025 is exactly 9131 days away from the year to the start of the year 2000. It's also 9131 days away from the start of the year 2050. This is the halfway point between 2000 and 2050.
Pat McAfee
And that means tomorrow, guess what, we're on the backside 20. Okay? We are closer to living in that world than we were in the Y2K era. So look around, life is good. We're living. We're getting old quick, all of us, but it's a lot better than the alternative. Okay? You're either going another day or you're going down in the dirt. So let's make sure we enjoy the hell out of that. And thank you for that. Statham presented that to the class about 35 seconds before we went live.
Ty Schmidt
Wonderful.
Pat McAfee
And said, you think you'll be able to nail that whenever we start? He did. Tony, that may be the best stuff you've done a long time.
Darius Butler
Well done, Tony.
Pat McAfee
That's a compliment. A lot of numbers. Yeah. 2000, 20, 50, 9131. July 2, 2025. I mean, there's a lot.
AJ Hawk
I was an accounting major.
Pat McAfee
So.
AJ Hawk
Were you really pretty good with numbers?
Ty Schmidt
You're lying.
Pat McAfee
Let's go to the toxic table. That's why he's always so interested in all the conversations. You know, we had 401k conversations the other day. Can I shop into a at Boston, Connor at Ty Schmidt. Ty, baseball is right around the corner from one of its biggest mom all Star week happening. There's some storylines brewing around baseball. I don't know if you know this. Pittsburgh Pirates are the team.
AJ Hawk
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Have you heard about this? Ty Schmidt?
AJ Hawk
I have heard about this. Listen, Tony's been saying it and a lot of people are probably just thinking, well, this guy's a Pirates fan. This is all tongue in Cheek. There is no question about it. Since the Pirates have hired Don Kelly to be their new skipper, they have been playing salty ball. They're 25 and 24. So again, you know, nothing crazy, but you're starting to kind of see the pieces. This is the team we talked about before baseball season started. When, Pat, you asked like, hey, could this team make the playoffs this year? Their pitching's great. They can. They can do enough to maybe get there. We're kind of starting to see the. The bones of that come into place. The only problem, obviously, is that one, they don't give Paul Skeens any run support ever, no matter what.
Pat McAfee
They have historic numbers with the Wood.
AJ Hawk
Yes.
Pat McAfee
And then Paul plays. We can't hit a ball. Take this one off. Everybody's too mesmerized by Paul Skeens. Now. I think the reason why that stat's good to put alongside the fact that they're playing great baseball is they can still get so much better. Yes, the Pirates can still get so much better, and there's so much season left. So what I'm excited about is Pittsburgh Pirates may be going crazy around baseball, though. A lot of great storylines developing. A lot of teams kind of coming into, like, I think their own. I would say, in baseball world is if we kept track of this. And then there's the big city teams over there in New York. They just suck.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, yeah, I've seen that.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. The Met spreading the news. They lose every day. You're a big part of it.
Ty Schmidt
I know.
Pat McAfee
Ty Schmidt. They suck at baseball in New York. What's going on? All the money spent over there. I thought you guys were supposed to be the baseball gods over there.
AJ Hawk
The. The Mets certainly are not doing great right now. I. I believe I said this last week. The Yankees do this every single year that it's called the June swoon. For whatever reason, they get up, like 10 games in the.
Pat McAfee
In the games for it. Yeah.
AJ Hawk
And then they just. They just stop playing. Know, hey, whatever, we can go up to Canada and we can lose four games in a row up there. That's fine. So they'll continue to do that. The big thing now is we. We're close to the trade deadline, so we'll see which of these teams are really deciding they want to be movers and shakers. So again, you. Like you said, it's. It's still very early. I think within, like, the first couple weeks, post All Star game, post Home Run Derby, that's when we'll start getting a clearer picture of, like, okay, these teams are really going for it. And these teams are kind of going to just fade into the oblivion. Just before we got off baseball, I saw it this morning. The Marlins have won eight straight as a dog. So that's just something that's happened out there.
Pat McAfee
Hot bats down there in Florida as.
AJ Hawk
A dog is, is great for the gamblers, great for the Miami Marlins that nobody shows up.
Pat McAfee
And maybe they, maybe they got inspiration from the Florida Panthers. You know, maybe they decided to get hot because the ice was on fire, obviously for the Florida Panthers the last two years as absolute dynastic runs happen down there in South Florida in hockey. Joining us today will be Bill Zita, the general manager of the Florida Panthers. He'll join us at 1:40 Eastern Time to chit chat about the team being the same team till 2030. Yeah, this team is just going to be. This is our life. Oh, yeah.
Connor
Running it back.
Pat McAfee
Welcome to it. We now have five more years of what is dynastic hockey being played by a very dominant team in Sunrise, Florida. Down there in South Florida, the elbow room knows that they're going to have to maybe buy out the buildings next. We need to start spreading the news. Florida's going to remain hockey time. Congrats to the Panthers. I can't wait to talk to Bill Zito. We'll have Lane Johnson on in the second hour. He has his eighth annual O Line Mastermind summit taking place down there in Texas. You got a bunch of offensive linemen get together and talk about blocking our dudes. That's what they do. A lot of big bodies, a lot of meat down there.
Ty Schmidt
Bigger down there.
Pat McAfee
We'll talk to Lane Johnson. Can't wait to chitchat and congratulate him on another Super Bowl. And then in the first hour here, in about 25 minutes, we'll have Sauce Gardner joining us. Obviously, the New York jets cannot wait to chit chat with him about the new era over there and how he feels he's entering the fourth year of his rookie contract. They did pick up his fifth year option, so he has two years left on his contract. Some of his draft mates have gotten paid in a big way at his position. I don't think that's been a very big talking point for Sauce. If it was to be a big talking point, I think Sauce in the New York market would have done that. Seemingly just shows up to work, does his thing. And he's also now partnered with Q Collar. These things we started seeing guys wear. Sauce was wearing one last year. They wear it around the neck, allegedly. It puts a little pressure on something and it relieves something and then it makes your brain be not as. Not move. Applying light pressure. Here we go to jugular veins. Causes a slight increase in blood volume inside his skull, reducing the risk of brain injury because your brain doesn't move as much. Okay, so basically they're like, let's go ahead and pull a little bit more blood in your head. For me, I would rather be the tomato red that I normally am. It'd be a little deeper red, I think is what it's doing.
AJ Hawk
Sure.
Pat McAfee
But allegedly it's 25 peer reviewed scientific studies, I guess have said, like, yes, this does help or whatever. Maybe this is one of the answers for the future Sauce liked it so much he actually teamed up with them. So we'll talk to him about that and everything happening in their world. And then eight minutes, we'll have a British fellow named Nigel. He'll come on and talk about Wimbledon. That's happening. And then obviously, if we're having a British guy on, we need to tell him that the United States of America is going to win a World cup easily. Speaking of cups, Kathy Engelbert's cup was on the line last night. Yeah, it was okay. Indiana Pacers taking on the links of Minnesota Commissioner's cup title and the Indiana Fever are the Commissioner's cup champions. Hang the banner, do the parade, do your dance. Now, Caitlin wasn't able to play, but obviously she was massive part of the buildup to get to the finals of the Commissioners Cup. And that team really showed up dominating dub last night in the Commissioner's Cup. They celebrated afterwards in a locker room, doing dances, drinking, getting after. It felt like we learned a lot about the team in the live feeds. Seemed like a tight bunch. Seemed like a very tight bunch. Now, Sophie obviously pissed off Detroit in Cleveland with some of her remarks, but if you listen to the full thing, it wasn't, you know, I think she definitely said something negative in those, like, but it was. I think that got taken a little bit out of context.
AJ Hawk
Sure.
Pat McAfee
With that being said. But she doesn't care either. She will walk into Detroit and be like, what that is. She's a heel.
AJ Hawk
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
That is literally what Sophie is. So I appreciate that. Bad news out of the Commissioner's cup, though.
Ty Schmidt
Oh.
Pat McAfee
Oh, no.
AJ Hawk
What happened?
Pat McAfee
Nine year NFL vet Darius J. Butler is here. What is not. You look amazing. D butts. Somebody that we admire immensely, somebody that we respect and appreciate immensely, had a moment last night that we all thought would be possible, but Never hoped for it to come. There has been a lady who's been on top of a unicycle flipping bowls onto the top of her head for the last 20 years. Seemingly. We're talking about one of the longest heaters of all time. This lady would show up at an event on this super duper unicycle. 15ft, 20ft, whatever it is in here, she'd be on top. Just riding the unicycle at that height. Absurd. On wood. Okay. Absolutely insane thing. Look at this. Look at the balance. Holy shit. She's gonna go around the court. Yeah. Unbelievable. Would be better than most halftime performances. Okay. If it was to happen, then she would stack a bowl or two on her foot on top of the unicycle and then she would kick that thing. Touch, power, effort, muscle memory, everything. Boom. Up on to where her fucking head. She would catch it on her God. Boom. That's from when she visited us for a Draft spectacular. And the reason why I had her on the Draft Spectacular is because when I was going to Pacers games back whenever I was a rookie here in Indianapolis, Indiana, every time she would come on, it was unbelievable. This was one of the most amazing things. She was America's Got Talent. That was like, I don't want to say super duper. Whatever the case she was on, she never missed. This lady was one of the most impressive athletes, one of the most impressive performers, one of the most impressive just things in our existence that I'd ever seen. So whenever I got the opportunity to throw bowls to her, be a part of her act, I let her know that, too. I let her know, like, hey, miss. Ms. Red Panda, thank you for what you do. She's an athlete, okay? That is a performance. That is an athletic move. She has to have power, balance, touch, everything. And also mental fortitude in focus to be able to pull this off. So, like, we are big fans of Red Panda, gotten to know her personally. So when I saw what happened last night at that Fever Commissioner's Cup. Okay, watch this. I would advise you not to watch.
AJ Hawk
Oh, God.
Pat McAfee
She's used to going down from that unicycle. We saw it at the Thunderdome whenever she jumped off. And it's a way, way up.
AJ Hawk
It is.
Pat McAfee
I mean, you're talking about way. You're up on top of a basketball hoop.
AJ Hawk
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
You're coming all the way down the rope. Yeah. I mean, it is. You're really coming down there. So she's used to falling like that. This one. Obviously not expected. They're saying she hurt her wrist. She obviously left. I would assume the entire arena was like, no, not Red Panda. We can't have this.
AJ Hawk
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
There's a lot of different conversations happening. We reached out to Red Panda to get an update on her injury. They said they will keep us updated whenever they have one. So. Ts and peace for Red Panda. Yeah. This is with no shit involved at all. One of the greatest performers ever in the history of anything. How hard that would be. Yeah. And then to do it every single night, it's like impressive shit. And the world was her state. She was surrounded completely.
Connor
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
I'm a big red Panda. We're not saying she's retired. We're not saying happen. But we're saying, I think last night a lot of us got worried that a big red Panda. Fans, like, never seen that. Never seen that.
Sauce Gardner
Ira Red.
Connor
You assume a big time injury late in her career and you've been a part of her show. The first time I saw her live in that close was we. Boom. Right here. Fourth Annual Draft Spectacular. And look, it takes a lot to get my jaw to drop. Pause. Like I've practiced. I play. I play with Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Ty Hilton, Reggie Wayne, Steve Smith. So I've seen some special shit. Her performance here, that was one of the most spectacular performances I've seen. And I hope she does come back stronger. I think she will. She'll be back in front of crowds, you know, performing sooner. What do you mean you hope?
Pat McAfee
No, she will.
Connor
This is a goat.
Pat McAfee
Hey, she started in 1990. Yeah, she is dug up. 1993.
AJ Hawk
A long time.
Pat McAfee
That's how long she's been doing this. And it's like the reason why it's such a big deal. Like over the last five years, maybe she'll miss a bowl like once every six months. And maybe, maybe she did, though. That's what I'm saying, though. For like 15 years, 20 years, she batted a thousand. I have no idea how she was as consistent as she was. Her music, soon as her music's in the back.
AJ Hawk
Oh, yeah.
Ty Schmidt
Exactly.
Pat McAfee
Gosh. Hey, Red Panda. I hope you felt the love from everybody whenever we found out you were potentially injured. Nobody, nobody likes that.
Ty Schmidt
It's incredible. It sucks. It truly. It reminded me of when Kobe Bryant tore his Achilles. It was one of those gut wrenching moments. And you kind of wonder, is this it? You know, I know you guys are staying positive. And I love Red Panda just like everybody else. I just worry about expectations going forward. I think we got to look at this like 2011 Lakers. Okay. You know, hey, still the Lakers. Still the Lake show. Still have all those banners, but after an Achilles tear, something like this, it. It affects people. And, you know, again, it's her wrist, which is great. It's not.
Pat McAfee
That might be the best injury for red pants.
Ty Schmidt
Exactly.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Ty Schmidt
It's huge that she didn't.
AJ Hawk
You know, I mean, I was initially thinking that, but, like, she's tossing. You know, she. She's got to be able to handle the bowl still. Listen, I think she's going to be just fine. But I just want to make sure, you know, she is a little bit older now. I want to make sure she takes the rehab seriously. We don't need her.
Pat McAfee
She will. She's. She's on top of a unicycle. You never know. You don't think she's Attention to detail.
AJ Hawk
I do, but we're satin cheats. You know, we're talking about the. Maybe the greatest performer in the history of the. I mean, she's never had an injury like this. You know, it'd be very easy for her to wake up and be like, listen, I'm the goat. Like, yeah, this hurts a little bit. Today I'm gonna take the day off.
Pat McAfee
To be clear, if Red Panda wakes up, looks in the mirror, which I think she should, and for a long time, she should be doing this, says, I'm the goat. I'm gonna enjoy my life now.
Ty Schmidt
My banners are hanging.
AJ Hawk
I'd get it all.
Pat McAfee
The hall of fame.
Connor
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
I would congratulate the hell out of her.
Ty Schmidt
No doubt about it. That's. That's why I think me and Ty are worried about that rehab, because we see quarterbacks all the time.
Pat McAfee
Hey.
Ty Schmidt
Hurt shoulder. He'll be fine. Okay. Derek Carr.
Pat McAfee
What?
Ty Schmidt
What happened to Derek Carr?
AJ Hawk
You put her in the same bucket as Derek Carr?
Pat McAfee
No, no, no. But that. She broke the wrist in 2013. This has happened before. We are learning from our research, and.
Ty Schmidt
That is huge news. But again, I think it goes back to more. So 2013, 12 years ago. You know that that's like after Kobe wins his second title. Is she gonna try and go and win three in a row after she has 18 titles?
Pat McAfee
2013. Definitely closer to 2000 than 2050.
Ty Schmidt
Bingo. And she probably is the one that released that stat, because I'm assuming she knows everything about the future and that's how she catches those.
Pat McAfee
Well, we're saying Red Pandas, we love you. Love you, love you, love you. Red Panda.
AJ Hawk
Wolverine blood.
Pat McAfee
Good luck out there.
Ty Schmidt
You got this.
Pat McAfee
She should call Tyrese and Tatum, Tatum, Tyrese, Red Panda, all coming. Doing.
AJ Hawk
Yep.
Pat McAfee
Let's pivot away from the great. I mean, I know it's almost.
AJ Hawk
It's almost hard to.
Ty Schmidt
This is how it felt when Houdini died.
Pat McAfee
I wasn't there.
AJ Hawk
Houdini didn't die.
Pat McAfee
Houdini did. We don't know. I guess. I guess I think it happened in front of people. But nonetheless, joining us now is a British man, and we. I think people call us idiots all the time. As you should. As.
Ty Schmidt
As you should after that conversation.
Pat McAfee
But I think we try our best to get people that are actually knowledgeable of things. Yeah. To come on and explain it to us, what we should care about. Now, I think we do ask pretty good questions to get to the bottom of it, but we do try to bring experts in. This guy's an expert not only on England, but on gambling, on events that are happening in England. Ladies and gentlemen, this man. Big title. Yeah. Director of content at Betting Weekly over the Pond over there. Game, bet, match. Yeah. Ladies and gentlemen, Nigel Seeley.
Nigel Seeley
Thank you very much for that very, very, very warm welcome. Thank you very much. Good on time. No speak there. How you doing, mate?
Pat McAfee
I'm great. And I forgot how great that accent is until this moment right now. You sound spectacular. Let's get right into it here. Wimbledon's obviously happening. You have captivated not only your part of the world, but ours as well. ESPN broadcasting it all over the place. Next week, we're actually off because it's covering everything. It feels like the early story of this entire tourney is that a lot of favorites are losing, is that this is kind of the set. Four out of the top nine in the men, three out of the top nine in the women's. It feels like. Is that more parody, or is it just the big stage getting people. Nigel?
Nigel Seeley
There's a few reasons for it, Pat, to be fair. The first thing is, is obviously that when we look at the stats, 14 of the men's seeds have gone in round one. 32 seeds, 14 of them disappeared in the women's draw. 12 seeds have gone out of 32 as well. So there's some big, big names gone. Let me just put it into context. If you went back through the last 10 years and you had $10 on every single player in every. Every single underdog in round one, you would be losing fifteen hundred dollars. If you bet ten dollars on every single player in the last ten years who was the underdog in first round last week, this week and Monday and Tuesday, you would have won $320. So this is the first time ever by gambling on the underdogs, you would have made money. So this is a strange, strange, strange period of time. There's a couple of reasons for that. The first thing, I mean, not by American standards, but the weather in the UK has been extremely warm, very, very hot conditions. And the players are coming in here and they're not, they're underestimating the weather. The heat here is a very, very different kind of. It's very like a New York heat. It's very humid, it's very, very hot, it's sticky, it's extremely hot. So the first two games, the weather played a huge toll on it. And a lot of players come into this stage of the season when you would think they'd be fit. You'd think they'd be really, you know, you played professional sports this time of the mid season, you think you'll be fit. But a lot of the tennis players are not fit at this thing. They're playing an awful lot of tennis. They have to play from a transition from Maclay Court in, in Paris only a month ago to a grass court in Wimbledon, which is very, very different. They then have to go straight away to America to play the hardcore season in the build up to the Open. And it puts a lot of pressure on them. But the prize money for these players to come to Wimbledon is so big that even if you come here and you're not fit and you can participate in round one, you're still going to pick up a check for round one, loser of $80,000. So you're going to turn up, you're going to turn up. If you're not fit, you're going to turn up, you're going to play. If you feel good after set number two, you're going to compete. And if you don't feel set, you don't feel great, you're still going to pick up an 80,000 check by turning up. So the incentive for the players to turn up here and play is a big thing and the money gets them here. If it was any other tournament, they wouldn't play. But for the prestige of Wimbledon, the prize money of a major, they will all be here and they will all participate. The other thing you got to say, just one quick thing before we leave this side of it, is that the gulf between the guys in the top 20 and the top hundred isn't as big as it was years ago. The guys in the top 100, the guys in the top 80 can beat guys ranked 16, they can beat guys round 20. The problem with tennis from a competitive nature is that the top two in the men's game in particular are so far ahead of everyone. Sinner and Alcaraz are just dominant. And we think so much in sport where the domination of players has sort of made it not. Not the most interesting thing to watch. And after the year of Djokovic, Federer, Nadal, we thought we might have an Open era. But these two have come on and just play different levels. Their stats are as good as those great players, and they're so much better. So the guys below them, they're coming into this sort of not fit. They're underestimating the weather, and there is prize money at stake. So, you know, if someone said to me, I've got 80,000 check to turn up, play one set, I'll be there.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, In American terms, I know you all are turning up while watching. I believe a couple years ago you were in there with the first lady of Heineken, I believe her mama Heineken. Also the lady from Ted Lashley, Hannah Waddingham. Hannah Waddingham, who gets biscuits every single morning, by the way. And that I think the queen obviously goes to Wimbledon. It's a big deal. You get $80,000 to lose in the first round. I just learned that you just talked about Alcaraz and center there, who's going to win this? Is that who it's going to be? Because Joker, right, If he wins it, he'd be the oldest guy to win Wimbledon ever, or something like that. And to be clear, we were watching that Super Duper cup, which Tone is going to ask you about here in a matter of moments after we get through Wimbledon. And was it a British team that had their players sitting in the locker room when it was 87 degrees? You guys are hilarious. I think that's hilarious. I just want to let you know that that is a funny thing. Like, in European standards, it's hot. It's like, I think you guys deal with the cold a lot better because there's a lot of that weather. But, like, what you guys view as we're going through, like 102, it was like 105 degrees here in Indiana, let alone South Florida, Louisiana, New York. It's like, that is an interesting thing over there in Europe about the heat and how that kind of affects people.
Nigel Seeley
I think the thing is of England, the difference in America. I mean, I'm very fortunate to go to America. Many times you have things called air conditioning. Air conditioning this country. We don't have air conditioning because the way the British version thinks itself, we're only going to have one hot day in five years. What's the point of investing in.
Pat McAfee
That's bloody mad, isn't it? That's bloody fucking mad.
Nigel Seeley
Last night was the worst night I've ever slept back to sleep on the couch downstairs because we've got no fan, no air conditioning. And my wife said today, should we go and buy an air conditioner? What's the point of that? We're not going to use it for five years.
Pat McAfee
That's crazy. Okay, I just learned a lot. Shout out to you guys. Like, we kind of got an Amish group over here that kind of does the same. But you guys, obviously Internet, everything. Think about the air conditioning. It's a great invention.
AJ Hawk
It's awesome.
Pat McAfee
It's a great event you guys should think about. Okay, let's move forward now. Who's going to win this thing in the men and who's going to win in the women?
Nigel Seeley
Well, I think if you look at the men, sure, Carlos Alrest has been given a very, very favorable draw. And everything is about the bracket in this tournament. You know, you've got an easy bracket. Al has come through a really, really tough match against Fabio Fernini in round one. But again, it takes time to transition from a clay court to a grass court. He's a slow starter. Traditionally last year when he won Wimbledon, he got better as the tournament went on. You would expect a legend of the game or a player who's at the top of his game, like our craz on a winning one to have a bad day at the office. That was all. It was a bad day, the office. He's playing a young British guy now. He's two sets of love up. He's going to beat him. This is a big stage for the young British guy. He's not going to compete. The drawer is opened up. I cannot see Carlos Alcres not getting to the semi finals where hopefully he'll play the American number one, Taylor Fritz, who come through a bit of a tough match last night. Against him, Pepsi Peregard, the biggest server in the men's game. On the flip side of that, the other half of the draw, the other bracket is very, very tough. You have Novak Djokovic in there. You have Janik Sinner in there. You have the British number one, Jack Draper, who is a contender this week. You know, I'm not saying that because I'm a Brit, but he is a contender. So the Draw has been favorable to Carlos Alcres and I think that the draw will open up for him. I believe that he will. You know, he's played a five set match, he's had his bad day. I think he's going to get better and better as the tournament goes on. John McEnroe famously said, you want to just play your best tennis as you go through the tournament. You have a bad day in the first week, go on and go forward. And I think Carlos Alcraz will be the man to beat three times on the shot. Jannik Sinner will be his finest. I think. I can't see anything other than the top two playing and I think they'll compete on the women's side. It's much more competitive. You have literally about 20 players who can win the women's draw. Irina Sabalenka is the number, number one seed, but she's been the beaten finest in the last two majors in Australia and in France at Paris. Coco Gauff, the French Open champion, is gone. You have Von Drewsever, a former Wimbledon champion who's coming into some kind of form. But American women have won the two majors this year. Madison Keys won in Australia, you had Coco Gauff winning in French and it's good for American women's tennis at the moment.
Pat McAfee
Hell yeah.
Nigel Seeley
And I've actually bet two American players actually to go quite deep at big prices. I think Madison Keys is probably the biggest serving women in the tournament. Grass will suit her game. She has a quite a difficult bracket. But the fact that she's won the Australian Open and she's won a major gives her huge confidence going that she can compete and she can beat the best players. I think she's got a great chance. And if you're looking for a dangerous outsider, there's a hard hitting American who's around about 20 in the world, a girl called Amanda Anisimova. Now she has had problems off the court with her mental health. She's had issues with injuries. But on her day she is a proven player. She's coming to this tournament. Some great grass court form. She's got a favorable draw and I think the two American girls will give you a run for your money. I'm fading. The favorite, Sabalenka, I think, I'm not quite sure. I think she's more about her sort of lifestyle off the court rather than on the court. But I think you want hungry players. And at Wimbledon the last eight years, eight different people have won it and there's always been A shock. So it will surprise me to see a shock winner. Not like the men's. The men's dominated by the favorites.
Pat McAfee
I love you saying a little comfortable. I think, I think we're a little bit too comfortable at the top, especially for Wimbledon with how hot it is and everything. You'd have to go through Ms. Amanda. I didn't hear the last name because your accent obviously so heavy I couldn't hear what you said.
Nigel Seeley
It's Annie Simova. A N I S I M O.
Pat McAfee
V A. Amanda Simova.
Nigel Seeley
Annie Samova.
Pat McAfee
Yes.
Ty Schmidt
One name. Anna Samova.
Pat McAfee
Anna Samova. Yeah. Amanda Samova.
AJ Hawk
Amanda Anna.
Pat McAfee
Amanda. Anna Samova. That's a top one with a Bridget. Amanda Anna Samova. Okay. Good luck, Amanda. Good luck. Madison Keys. Obviously we're pulling free to win this thing. Okay, let's pivot away from Wimbledon real quick. We have a British person on. What should we ask about soccer? Yeah, tons question for you, Nigel.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, Nigel, I was wanting to see if you had a favorite or a club that you like the most in the FIFA club World cup moving forward.
Nigel Seeley
Well, I mean the first thing is I think the Brazilian teams have done exceptionally well in this tournament. I mean they've surprised everybody. They've got huge support, especially down in Miami. Massive mouth support. The conditions, you know, we're talking about hot conditions. There's air conditioning there. So they might say, I think, I honestly think that Paris Saint Germain will win it. They're the favorites. They're the best team in Europe. They're a very young side. They're getting better every, every, every round they play. They're the European champions. They dismantled Inter Milan in the final. Plus 225 Chelsea would be a fade for me at $4. I think the British teams or the English sides here, I don't think they'll go. They want to win it for the prize money. But I, I also, I think this cup competition is going to have huge ramifications when the season comes because I think a lot of these teams are going to be spent. So the angle for me was when they come back from here in the early parts of their regular season, I think they're a fade. So. But I think Parisan will justify favorite season, Paris Saint Germain will justify favourite season and win the tournament. The one thing I heard Pat say there is that the American team could win the World Cup. Well, they've got to do better than the 22 draw against Costa Rica. They got to do better than the.
AJ Hawk
Student one win against Hayes.
Pat McAfee
We want Aguas, Saudi we beat Costa Rica. We beat Costa Rica. Freeze. By the way, there was no extra time. If we would have had golden gold time, we would have wanted it. And then instead, they went straight to penalties because once again, we don't understand what's going on with the Gold Cup. Saudi Arabia's in it as well. I mean, there's a lot of conversations. We have a lot of questions. This guy stopped three out of six penalties, brother. We out. We dominated in that thing. What are you talking about? This is our team punch talking.
Nigel Seeley
You win the penalties against Costa Rica.
Pat McAfee
Where is no good time. There is no good time. They would strike the penalties. It was good for soccer. Of course you hate it, but just. You need to know this. It's never coming home. It's staying home when the World cup is here.
Nigel Seeley
You very kindly sent me. Last time I was on you very kindly and all your team sent me a bottle of champagne and I said, I'll drink it when it's coming home. I think you said that. We're almost nearing 2050. There's more chance of me 87 having a glass of that.
Pat McAfee
We are $9,000, 131 days from the year 2050. And whenever that champagne ages another one of those amount of days. Oh, it's gonna be great.
Ty Schmidt
So good.
Pat McAfee
It's gonna be great. All right. There is also another celebration anniversary. Anniversary coming around here at the end of the week. And. I don't know it's synonymous, but happy Fourth of July. You know, that's.
AJ Hawk
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
I don't know. 259 years since we beat your ass, Nigel.
Nigel Seeley
So many friends of mine across the pond, I wish them all the very best. Have a great holiday for your family and friends. And thank you as always. I love coming on your show. Really appreciate you having me on. Have a great holiday, lads.
Ty Schmidt
That's why America.
Pat McAfee
We love you, brother. We love you, Nigel. We love you. All right. We appreciate. Ladies and gentlemen. How many years?
Ty Schmidt
259, baby. 260 next year. I mean, that's a big one. That's a big anniversary.
Pat McAfee
It's a long time.
Ty Schmidt
Gotta appreciate that. Yeah. The U.S. open hat on, too. He knows.
Pat McAfee
Well, it's Fourth of July.
Ty Schmidt
I mean, yeah, I mean, they.
Pat McAfee
What do they call us? Colony colonies? Is that. No, they call us something, though, some of the British people.
AJ Hawk
Stinky Yank.
Connor
Yank.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. I mean, I. I've been called a stupid Yank everywhere. Yeah, for sure. There's something else, I think they say.
Ty Schmidt
All I know is they're just going to be Saying to themselves on Friday.
Pat McAfee
Like, damn, we let a. We let a good one go.
Ty Schmidt
Did it again.
Pat McAfee
We lost a good one.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah. They throw a bunch of tea in Boston.
AJ Hawk
I think they should call us saviors twice.
Pat McAfee
Okay. I mean, that's certainly a part of the conversation as well. They were with us, though, you know? You gotta remember that.
Ty Schmidt
What happened the last time England was in Penalties, by the way, in a big international?
Pat McAfee
I don't know, Gumpy. Can you tell us what England did? No idea. Grazi, Italy. That was the super duper Euros, or was it? Wasn't it? That was.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, that's right.
Pat McAfee
That was the super duper Euro tournament. Oh, yeah. Euros. Yeah.
AJ Hawk
Penalty YCF Blue.
Pat McAfee
That's what we do, you know, England.
AJ Hawk
Just gets as far as they can.
Pat McAfee
And lose in the final. Yeah. Well, I think. I wonder if England knows this, but Ponch and the boys are coming. Yeah.
AJ Hawk
They're bringing hell with them.
Pat McAfee
Yes, we are. Like, Nigel just.
Ty Schmidt
He didn't even.
AJ Hawk
He didn't even think about giving USA a chance.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. He laughed. You beat Costa Rica, too. You're tied to Costa Rica. You have to bet in that. It's like, we beat Costa Rica. Yeah. We gotta win.
Connor
So soccer guys don't respect PK wins.
AJ Hawk
Nah, not against.
Ty Schmidt
Not. Not against Costa Rica. But last time the English laughed at America, I think was 1776. And then what happened?
Pat McAfee
You tell me. And then what?
Ty Schmidt
Who won that?
Pat McAfee
Huh?
Ty Schmidt
A Nigel, you asshat.
Pat McAfee
Can't understand that guy, man. Nah, it is hard to understand what he's saying. Chewing on rocks.
Ty Schmidt
I got no idea who's winning Wimbledon.
Pat McAfee
Because I. I didn't pick up one.
Ty Schmidt
Thing from that interview.
AJ Hawk
It's the favorites on the men's side, and maybe.
Pat McAfee
I don't know. That's what he said, though.
Ty Schmidt
We can't confirm. I don't think anyone can confirm that.
AJ Hawk
Game said bet, brother.
Pat McAfee
There was a game. Bet, bet, match. What are you doing? What are you doing? An entire thing. You're Canadian with ties to England. You should not be talking. That's betting weekly. Game, bet, match.
AJ Hawk
I misheard it.
Pat McAfee
That's on me. No, it's like game, set, match.
AJ Hawk
Exactly.
Ty Schmidt
Oh, like a tennis.
Pat McAfee
Yes.
AJ Hawk
That's why we.
Pat McAfee
Game.
AJ Hawk
Said bet might be better.
Pat McAfee
He was talking about tennis there. All right.
AJ Hawk
I got something better for him.
Pat McAfee
Dental floss. Okay. It's real simple, Nick.
Ty Schmidt
Nick. We know that England doesn't have two things. AC Toothpaste.
Pat McAfee
I love England. I've been there multiple times. It is a great. It's beautiful place. Stayed on a golf course one time for our game in London. Then obviously stayed downtown whenever we had the WWE event over there. It's like I've got a chance to enjoy all of England seemingly out in the land and then in there. Not all of it, but you get it. The people are hilarious. And I think Nigel would take that as a. A sign of respect what you just said about him.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, but people in England just need to stop using freaking mustard for Listerine. Like, you don't need to. You don't need to do that. You just.
AJ Hawk
You can use.
Pat McAfee
That is not accurate depiction. I don't think I. How about the. No air conditioning over there. That's a lot.
AJ Hawk
Crazy.
Ty Schmidt
Insane. And they have the window locks. This actually just went. Did you see Also some of the buildings they have. Have these locks on them. So you can only open the windows like this much in the. In your house.
Pat McAfee
So it's just dead air in there.
Ty Schmidt
So it's so hot.
Pat McAfee
The. There was back in the day, they taxed some places. Like, I know Ireland when I was over there, they got taxed on their window size. They had to pay for their windows size. So some of these places, some of the buildings had like small little windows. And then you think if they get a heat wave through there, I mean, that's just nightmare. Sorry. Hey, we appreciate you all over here.
AJ Hawk
No wonder they're sucking down so many ice cold pints.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, yeah. Neat and. But it's not ice cold, remember.
AJ Hawk
No, yeah, it's really actually like lukewarm. But what they're sitting in, you know, it might. Might as well be the arctic.
Pat McAfee
Let's pivot away from England and let's go to an All Pro Pro Bowler. A man is making good business moves. I like what he's doing with this Q collar and he's a guy who's entering the fourth year, which is technically the final year of his rookie contract. But they picked up his fifth year option as well for the New York Jets. Everything. We thought he was going to be coming out of college at Cincinnati. He has certainly ended up being absolute stud superstar for the New York Jets. Ladies and gentlemen, Sauce Gardner.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
What's up, dude?
Sauce Gardner
What's going on? How y' all doing? I appreciate y' all for having me, man.
Pat McAfee
Thank you for joining us, man. We're big fans of yours. Obviously, we followed your college career. You're an absolute dog. And everything you've done with New York, obviously team success will hopefully come for you guys. But the way you've played on the field as an individual has been sweet to watch. Can we talk about this cue caller? Because I love that you're making business moves. First of all, you had the Buffalo Wild Wings deal. I assume you've had other deals. This one feels like a brilliant move because it could be what the future is looking for in football. You wore this and you felt different. Like, what is. What was your experience with it? And why did you decide that you wanted to spread the word about this for more football players?
Sauce Gardner
So I remember I was at practice and I seen my teammate, Braylon Allen, he was running out to practice, and I seen something on his neck, and I'm like, yo, what's that? Because I like different. I like being different, you know? So I asked him about it, and he told me about the science of it and things like that. So I got to doing my own research about it, and I was able to see how it. How it helps when it. In terms of head to head and stuff like that. And, you know, football can be a physical sport. It is a physical sport, and, you know, the most important part of your body is your brain. So I was like, yo, I'm aware this tomorrow. And I had one on Amazon to order it to get to the facility the next day. And the Q Collar team ended up, like, bringing me one that same day. And, like, I just ended up rocking with it. And I just remember me being able to feel so confident in the game and then after the games, being able to, like, feel good after. And I was like, yo, I'm gonna wear these every day at practice. I'm gonna wear these. I'm gonna wear this every day at every. Every game. And then it just became a necessity for me and, like, you know, my everyday routine in terms of practicing and especially in games.
Pat McAfee
Are you gonna get one iced out or what?
Sauce Gardner
So they. They've been making different, like, sleeves for me, and they did do, like, a iced out one. Not with actual, like, diamonds, but it looks pretty. It looks pretty iced out, though. You know what I'm saying? So I might. I might wear that week one.
Pat McAfee
Not often. Do you at. Hell, yeah. That's what I'm talking about. Not often are you able to add accessories to a look that looked cool. I think we noticed it last year because it looked cool on people. Now, obviously, used to have the cowboy collar. Used to have the little bit of a bump back there, but, like, that thing looked cool. And then as we learned about it, we assumed it was bullshit, by the way. We assumed that it was absolute bullshit. And then I read from the Q Collar folks on the website and everything. They've had 25 different peer reviewed scientific research testing done on this. They're saying there is actual benefits to it and everything and the science is real good for you. Get involved and hopefully this is something that helps the next generation.
Sauce Gardner
Yeah, I definitely think it's gonna help the next generation, you know, so that's why I'm excited to be partnered and, you know, involved with the Q Collar brand, you know, so I'm looking forward to me wearing it and other people that's in the league right now wearing it. And especially like, you know, I'm looking, looking forward to like college players wearing it, you know, because I think it's very beneficial.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, especially I mean, they're trying to do the Guardian caps, obviously in practice to take away the things. It's like this would be a much easier thing to do. Plus seven on seven. I mean, you can. Feels like a lot of different places. Good luck with all of it. Shout out to Satoshi Nakamoto. Is that. That's bitcoin. That's bitcoin on your. Your chest, your shirt.
Sauce Gardner
Oh, I don't know what this is.
Pat McAfee
I'm not gonna lie.
Sauce Gardner
I don't know what this is. My. My stylist had got it for me and he's there like this. This is. I think it's satoshi. So it's like a. It's a popular brand. You know, everybody really wearing it. Especially like in like the fashion.
Pat McAfee
Everybody.
Sauce Gardner
It's at dips too.
Pat McAfee
It's at dibs. And it's really going up. Going to the moon. That's awesome. I thought you see the shirt. That shirt is sweet. Let me go ahead and put that thing on. You look awesome. All right, let's talk about football a little bit here. Obviously, there's a new regime in New York. What has been your early thoughts on AG as the head coach? Obviously he and Aaron had a quick conversation in and out. He has a vision for what he wants his team to be. What is your thoughts on coach Glenn and what are your thoughts on where the jets are right now?
Sauce Gardner
Man, I'm impressed. You know, I've always heard a lot of great things about him, you know, when he was in Detroit. So I'm like, yo, this is who I want to be the next head coach here. And obviously I love defensive minded head coaches. But the thing that sets him apart is like, he knows so much about offense as well, so much about special teams and him just as a person, he want to get the best out of you. Like when I asked him, Coach Wilkes, like, what they want out of me, it's like they want me to have this standard that I already have and keep it there, like week in and week out. And it's like, you know, that's perfection. That's basically, basically what they're telling me is they want me to be perfect. And that's what I want. I always want to be perfect. Even though there's no such thing as perfect people, I want to be perfect. And like, you know, that's what I need. You know, I've had a lot of early success in the league and, you know, I never want to get complacent. So, you know, Mr. Johnson bringing the new regime in, and that's going to push me even more. More than. I don't know if nobody can push me more than I push myself, but for them to come in here and just like, also push me and have this new standard that I haven't even reached, like, for me, you know, it's just a blessing for sure.
Pat McAfee
Well, and having to feel like you have to reprove yourself to people is always a good thing too, for super competitive people like yourself. Like, that is. You got a whole new audience now. And these people, people are your coaches. I think that can be reinvigorating. And you're still on your rookie contract and you went into last season, I think is PFF's number one corner in the entire NFL. I think, on everybody's board, your top five corner in the entire league, no matter who is asked. And you're only going into year four. So much more on the horizon, especially with AG D. But has a question for you.
Connor
Yeah. Pat just mentioned stealing your rookie deal. Big fan of your game, first and foremost. Number one, what has this offseason been like preparing for this fourth year and it's a big contract year. I don't think you've made much noise about it, but your draft mate got paid. Stingley Jr. He broke the bank. Ramsey just got a bump, sir. Tan got paid. J.C. horn got paid. Like, you're on deck. So what's your thoughts going into this big contract year?
Sauce Gardner
Man, I'm not going to lie. Like, this offseason has been like, by far my best offseason. I've been like, I just left LA from training with my trainer Akil, and like, I just feel. I feel great. You know, I'm sitting about £200 right now, and I don't think I've ever really Played that heavy. But it's like the more weight that I didn't put on, the more muscle, like the more explosive and the faster I've be I've become, you know. But yeah, my team and the jets, you know, they've been talking and you know, we have like our goals in terms of like the contract and things like that. You know, it's been pretty productive. But yeah, we, we have our goals in terms of like numbers and stuff like that. And you know, the jets are aware of that and I'm aware of like the rest of my peers, like J.C. stingley, even Pat had got paid obviously before me. But those are all guys that. That is well deserving of the money that they, that they got. So, you know, it's definitely something that my team and the jets are talking, are talking about.
Pat McAfee
Vaynermedia too, obviously. We're big fans of the Vayner family. Excited to see he might own the jets someday is Gary's thought. AJ Obviously running Vayner Sports, excited to see how that works out. You're a pillar player over there for the Jets. Very quickly became brand for them and the corner position is back to getting paid a lot of money at the top, which is where you are.
Connor
Yeah. And I would say the market isn't high enough yet compared to like pass rushers, wide receivers, et cetera. And kind of on that note, what's your thoughts about having or putting together some type of summit? You know, for us, we got Lane Johnson coming on and talking about the O line summit, the sack summit they have that year in, a year out. Tight end use become a huge thing. I think you're. I want to put you on the spot, but you're one of those guys, you know, going into four, you know, you get. You become an OG event in the league real quick.
Pat McAfee
Hold on, hold on. You think DBs, I mean, that many DBs in one place.
Connor
Yeah. Need it.
Pat McAfee
Holy shit. The amount of shit being taught in that in that weekend would be we're talking historic. We're talking historic. Do we do need it sauce. Something to think about at least.
Sauce Gardner
I definitely. I definitely been wanting to be a part of something like that. I know guys like Quandary Diggs, Darius Slade, they hit me up about it. I think even Richard Sherman then said something to me about it. I've always wanted to. To like do something like that because me personally, I'm not going to say cornerback is the most needed position because obviously you need a quarterback. Like you need a pretty. You need pretty good Quarterback play.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Sauce Gardner
But I do think, and I'm not being biased, I do think cornerback is the hardest position to play. So it's like, ain't nothing wrong with giving game to the other guys around you. Like, it's bigger than, like, the way I think it's bigger than just me. You know, it's younger guys that come and I'm. It's crazy that I'm saying this because, like, I'm still young, you know, I'm only year four. But, like, you know, you got rookies that come in and, you know, they need some type of guidance, you know, as a person and you know how they need to be as a rookie, you know, so I've always been for that. I don't know why it haven't got done yet. I'm not going to say it's my fault it hasn't got done.
Pat McAfee
It is.
Sauce Gardner
I'm going to blame it. I'm going to blame it on Slade. Yeah, his fault. All right. So, yeah, it's his fault, but I'm definitely for that, you know, And I definitely want that to happen as well.
Pat McAfee
Where's that happening at? I know you're from Detroit. South Florida's probably the good spot.
Connor
South Florida, Louisiana is probably a good spot. We'll figure. I'll make sure.
Sauce Gardner
We can't do la. We can't do la. Cause it's a little far, you know, we definitely can't do Detroit because, you know, I'm not gonna say too much, but we can't. We can't.
Pat McAfee
Hell yeah.
Sauce Gardner
We can't do Detroit at all.
Pat McAfee
It sounds like you guys got to figure it out. Okay? You and Darius Slay need to figure it out. That would be an epic weekend. Okay. And you said. You understand that there has to be good quarterback. Blake. Speaking of that good friend of yours coming right down the pike. Go ahead, Tone.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, you'll be on the other sideline as Darius Slay, week one, but you'll also be on the other sideline as your friend Aaron Rodgers. How do you feel about playing Roger in week one?
Sauce Gardner
Man, it's gonna be crazy. There's gonna be a lot of emotions in that game. You know, he's a. He's a phenomenal. I don't care what people say about him, he's a phenomenal person. Like, you know, I remember when he first got to New York and we went to dinner and I just got to, like, pick his brain, you know, in terms of stuff as me as a football player, like, tendencies that I could give to make him know if I'm playing man or zone or what I'm doing and stuff like that. And we got on the field. It's just so much that he's taught me as a player, you know, and me playing cornerback, I'm not thinking a quarterback can help me, you know, And I'm looking forward to it because it's like, he might think he know that. Like, he might think he know all the tendencies that I have.
Pat McAfee
Oh, yeah.
Sauce Gardner
But like, this. This off season has really been, like, me trying not to give nothing away. Like, I've been. I've been, like, trying to work on literally everything because I already know I'm about to go against a Wizard week one, you know what I'm saying? I already know what time it is. And they got Slade J, Ram, John New, Smith, dk. They got some dogs over there. So Mike T, he definitely been cooking up. And I'm looking forward to the challenge because I always like challenges. But. But, you know, I know it's going to be a good game. I know there's going to be a lot of smiles out there, but it's going to be a lot of competing out there at the same time.
Pat McAfee
You trying to out Wizard. The wizard is a funny thing. Like, I'm. Hey, Aaron, just want to let you know I've been working on a lot of new shit this offseason. That's what you just said. He's going to hear what you just said. Yeah, yeah. You let him know. Hey, you think you know everything. Yeah. Right. This offseason, three new, different twists and turns. That's hilarious to think about. That team, though. Steelers. He's a diehard Steelers fan. They're going all in this year. First test got Sauce Gardner and the jets. Excited to watch how it goes. Excited for season to get started, man. You too. I know. I don't know what offseason's like for you. I know you're in a. I think you're in a public relationship. Congratulations. We need to give you.
Sauce Gardner
I'm not gonna say that, you know. Hey, I prefer to keep. Football is the main thing. You know what I'm saying? So I want to keep that the main thing. I don't want to. I don't want it to come off like. Like I'm just in this public relationship and I'm just. Because at the end of the day, football is my main focus.
Pat McAfee
You know what I'm saying? Yeah. You're allowed to do that, though. You know, you're allowed to be fully Focused on being the greatest football player you can be, especially in New York, especially with the fifth year coming up. On the other side. Have you enjoyed the off season at all? What have you. Has it been all work?
Connor
What happened?
Pat McAfee
Yeah. How's the golf game? I mean, everything.
Sauce Gardner
Nah, I'm not gonna lie. I haven't really even golfed this offseason.
Pat McAfee
But you quit the game.
Sauce Gardner
I'm not. I'm not gonna say I quit, but I had to, like. I had to take some time back to really, like, to really know what's going on in my life, like, you know what I'm saying? So I had to. I had to drop golf for a little bit. I had to focus on. Focus even more on training. Even though training is always like, I would golf after I got done training. It was never like sub in one end for the other or nothing like that. You know, just focus on training. I. I traveled a little bit. I went to, like, went to, like, Paris.
Pat McAfee
Ooh, oui, oui, bonjour.
Sauce Gardner
Germany, I think Italy too. I was just going. I was just going places and. Yeah, you know, it helped my mental. To just be able to travel the world and just do stuff like that.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, you worked your ass off, man. You worked your ass off to be able to experience that. You could have never fathomed Icer. Well, I guess you probably did, actually, but. But just think of the story. Detroit, all the way to hanging out in Italy, having some pasta, enjoying your life, working your ass off for all of it. You should be incredibly proud. Let's get back to you in football in the way you go about doing your business. Go ahead, Connor.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, Sauce. Maybe try Ireland, also a great place over there.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Gonna be boozing, though. You're gonna be. You're gonna have to do as the locals.
Ty Schmidt
Gonna be a lot of guin I being sucked down for sure. What is your film study kind of process? Like, what are you looking for. For when it comes to getting ready for teams? Obviously with Aaron week one, it'll be a little different because you're familiar with him, but what is that process like? And have you been able to watch film, you know, with Aaron Glenn, and has he been able to give you some more tricks of the trade, per se?
Sauce Gardner
Oh, yeah, definitely. You know, he always find ways to help me. That's why I appreciate him so much. In terms of watching. Watching like the Steelers or like somebody like Aaron. I can't really study it. I can't really study Aaron for real because he'll show you the same Exact tendency and do something totally different. So in terms of the Steelers, I would preferably like study their oc, study the receivers, just study the tight ends and stuff like that. Because you can't really get a beat on Aaron like that. And that go all the way back to when we played the Packers. Like, you got to be disciplined. If you're not disciplined playing against them, then it's not going to work. If you're the middle field safety and Aaron look to the left side and you go running to the left side, it's not going to work. You know what I'm saying? It's just little things like that. Like you have to be disciplined when you playing against Aaron. And it's not just Aaron, but Aaron is like, I feel like he's the best when it comes to making you think one thing and doing something totally different, you know, So I always. I put hours in when it comes to. To watch the tape, you know, I always put hours in and just, you know, make sure I'm learning something new every, every session.
Pat McAfee
I love that attention to detail. Aaron also will use up every second of that play clock. As you know, he's just waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting. You didn't show anything. God damn it. These timeouts at 1/2 or half a second on the play clock, legendary. But the amount of information he's trying to get, I appreciate and respect the. Respect the fact that you've been a teammate of his and I assume he's giving you some of this game at dinners and stuff. It's like, let's not worry about Eric, okay? Let's. Let's worry about our own.
Bill Zito
Hey, I do.
Sauce Gardner
I do miss him, though. I do miss him. So I appreciate y' all for bringing him up. I do. I do miss him. I can't lie.
Pat McAfee
He misses you, too.
Sauce Gardner
I mean, I miss. I miss his presence. You know what I'm saying? I miss his presence. But, you know, we got a new dog. We got a new dog in town. You know, we got Justin Fields. You know, he a dog.
Pat McAfee
What do you thought? What are your thoughts on him? Big investment by the jets in him to be your next quarterback. We obviously saw him with the Pittsburgh Steelers. We saw highlights from whenever he was with the Chicago Bears. What has it been like with him as the starting quarterback of the Jets?
Sauce Gardner
Man, it's been great. Like him being younger as well. Like me being able to say certain things and him being able to say certain things about each of our games, you know, and I could just tell he's Been locked in, in terms of tape, like, in terms of the playbook, in terms of everything. Like, he getting there. He getting there early. You know what I'm saying? He getting to the facility early, being one of the last people to leave. Like, he really been dialed in, like, trying to make those type of throws. Like, he made a few throws in OTAs that I'm like, yo, I did not know he was capable of making this throw because it's only a certain amount of quarterbacks that can make. I'm talking about. This grows on, like, Aaron's type of level, like, when it comes to, like. Like being able to squeeze those throws in there. I always thought Aaron was, like, the best when it came to that. And it's like Justin then made a few throws where I'm like, okay, he really been in the lab for. I could just tell. And he's always been a talented athlete. He's always been a talented quarterback. I just remember having to go against him and us changing the whole game plan. I remember we had to play the Steelers, and we didn't know if Justin was going to play or not and who was going to be the starter. We had to change. We had to change the whole game plan for Justin just for him to not even play that game, just for Russ to be the starter. So then we went back to the other game plan, like the night before or something like that. So, you know, I don't know what disrespect he received, but, you know, in terms of the players and the teams, I feel like they always give him his respect that's needed, you know?
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Hell, yeah. And he's faster than everybody on the field. Whenever he's running. On the field, seemingly. He looks that way at least. And the jets made a big investment. I mean, 20 million a year. I'm excited to watch them. I'm excited to see what they do with them. And if you guys are a power team, Power, power with him. And he's talking about in the lab, throwing it, look out. Maybe that wide receiver goes ape shit this year. Go ahead, Ty.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, speaking of that wide receiver sauce, how beneficial has it been to be able to go up against a guy like Garrett Wilson every day at practice? Obviously, both you guys super young, but already some of the best at your position in the NFL.
Ty Schmidt
What.
AJ Hawk
What have you guys done to kind of push each other every single day and kind of get to that. That next step in your careers, man.
Sauce Gardner
Just picking each other's brain, you know? Garrett asked me, yo, what you see what you see from me with this, how do you know I was going to do this? And me being like, yo, how did you know I was playing this instead of this? Like, stuff like that. Receiving that type of information is only going to make us better, and that's. Things that don't really require. Require talent. You know, the talent is different. Like, the talent is there. When it comes to Garrett, he like a human joystick. He at the top of his routes and even in his releases, like, it's like he playing basketball out there, you know, when you're going against the guys like that, you know, it makes it a little harder to guard them, you know, and me being able to go up against him when I go out there and play other guys that are a little bit stiffer than him, him, it just makes it much more easier. And, you know, not even just for Gary, you know, we got a lot of other guys out there. You know, like Josh Reynolds. Josh Reynolds, he had a pretty good, like, camp. You know, he just been doing his thing as well. Xavier Gibson. It's a lot of, like, younger guys out there that's been really, you know, making a name for themselves even more, you know, like, got a couple rookies out there that's been balling, you know, so I'm excited, man. I'm excited for our offense. I'm excited for our defense and our special team.
Pat McAfee
All right, well, good luck this year. We can't wait to watch Shout out to the Q caller. Hopefully taking care of people. Shout to Satoshi Nakamoto, too. His legacy will live on for a long time into the future. And are we growing. Hey, what are we doing with hair? Are you growing out?
Sauce Gardner
I actually just got it clipped a little bit. It was getting a little too long. And I never want to be a guy that has to get braids. I don't think I would look good with braids. So, you know, for. For my. For my shorty, I feel like. I feel like this really. The look.
Pat McAfee
Okay.
Sauce Gardner
You know what I'm saying? I feel like this really the look. You know, I did have thought I had thoughts before getting, like, a little. Probably a little mullet, you know, a little while ago.
Ty Schmidt
That's a good idea.
Sauce Gardner
This was a while ago, though, you know what I'm saying? But now it's like, you know, I think I'm pretty. I think I'm pretty good with this look right here.
Pat McAfee
What do you think? I think it looks good. I think it's a good look.
Ty Schmidt
I think a mullet would look better.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, mullet would be awesome.
Connor
Let's see.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. What's that?
Connor
I want to see Grok make. Make sauce with a mullet.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, you can get. You can see what this would look like. Grok would create all these things. Hey, can you make Sauce Gardener with a mullet? It might give you, like, a Connor.
Ty Schmidt
Mullet, which also would work for you.
Pat McAfee
Think about making that whole thing. You look awesome. Hey, no problem. Good luck on everything. Obviously, contracts, huge thing that you've worked your entire life for. That's on its way. You keep kicking ass on the field and in life. We'll just follow along and enjoy it all. You're the man, Sauce.
Sauce Gardner
Appreciate y' all, man. Thank you so much.
Pat McAfee
Ladies and gentlemen, Sauce Gardner.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, Sauce.
Pat McAfee
I don't know. We got Gro's first take on it. I don't know. I don't think you should do this.
AJ Hawk
That's pretty good.
Pat McAfee
Sauce. I don't think you should do that, Sauce. I don't think that. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. I'm glad.
Sauce Gardner
I'm not. Shout out to Grog, though.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, yeah. Shout out to. All right, we'll see you do appreciate you so good. As this hour wraps up, we will obviously prepare for the next. Next hour. Awesome. Lane Johnson, 115. They have the O Line mastermind summit. Maybe a DB one comes up.
Connor
We'll make it happen.
Pat McAfee
And we've heard from sauce that is 100% Darius Slay's fault that it hasn't taken place yet. And then Bill Zito, general manager of the Panthers, will join us to end the hour. Be a. Tell a friend something nice. Might change their life. We'll see you on the other side. With a Venmo debit card, you can Venmo more than just your friends. You can use your balance in so many ways. You can Venmo everything. Need gas? You can Venmo this.
Sauce Gardner
How about snacks? You can Venmo that.
Pat McAfee
Your favorite band's merch. You can Venmo this or their next show. You can Venmo that. Visit Venmo me debit to learn more.
Connor
You can Venmo this or you can Venmo that.
Pat McAfee
You can Venmo this or you can. The Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancorp bank and a pursuant to license, my MasterCard International Incorporated card may be used everywhere. MasterCard is accepted. Venmo purchase restrictions apply. This message is brought to you by Abercrombie and Fitch. I've been ready for summer for a while and now it's finally time for summer outfits. With a trip coming up. The A and F vacation shop has me covered. Abercrombie really knows how to do a lightweight outfit. Their tees, sweater, polos and linen blend shorts never miss. I wear Abercrombie denim year round. Their shorts are no different and have.
Sauce Gardner
The comfort I need for summer. Prep for your next trip with the A and F vacation shop, get their.
Pat McAfee
Newest arrivals in store online and in the app. Sports are awesome. We're lucky to talk about them every single day. Shout out to Sauce Gardner joining us in the first hour. And Nigel Sealy, a British lad who covers betting with betting weekly game bet match to talk about Wimbledon. And everything's going on. A couple American women named to look out for at Wimbledon as we go forward. Madison Keys. Okay, dog. Okay. In the women's bracket, if we listen to Nigel, who's a Brit who follows tennis and bets on tennis religiously and has been at these Wimbledon games and matches and everything like that, he says about 20 women could win the women's side of Wimbledon. About two dudes can win the men's side of Wimbledon. So the women, I guess, are far more competitive also when it comes to betting. You probably get hit some over on the women's side, even though a lot of the favorites have lost this year in the men's as well. And then Amanda Anna Samova. Amanda Anisimova is an American who when healthy. Great. So there's a chance with America wins yet again. Coco Gauff won France. We also had an American win the other major that took place on the women's side.
Ty Schmidt
Madison Keys.
Pat McAfee
Madison Keys. Okay. She's already won it in Australia, I believe. So. We. We won in Australia major and then we won in France with Coco Golf now Wimbledon, there's a chance Amanda Ancinova gives the American sweep in women's Texas, which is certainly something we should celebrate on this fourth of July. Hell, yeah. Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, is a man who's a college football national champion, a Super bowl champion and a Ryder cup winner, AJ Hawker. Hawker. It's hard to understand that British accent. I will say we're speaking the same language, but are we? I don't know. Yeah.
Bill Zito
I mean, we are, but. Yeah, I agree with you. And you've had to follow up, say, not really sure what name you were saying there, but the crazy thing, Nigel saying that people are turning up not fit to Wimbledon. Like this is. Like this is the event. This is what we do.
Pat McAfee
Have you. Have you seen how These Europe, once again, you're a beautiful place. A lot of history. Seems like you guys got a lot going on over there right now. Let's figure that out. But also feels like a beautiful place. Lucky that family comes from there, yada yada. You know, we know the history over there. The way we've seen them handle heat, I think is not good for their brand as a whole. Sure. Just, just, just. If we're just speaking from a sports standpoint, we're not talking about maybe even humans as a whole over there, them saying what's hot? Like 87 degrees. They're talking about like.
Bill Zito
Which is crazy though because they don't, they don't use air conditioning like we do. Like they live in that stuff too. Like they're in buildings with barely any air conditioning, is blazing. It's just uncomfortable and terrible.
Ty Schmidt
So stupid.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. I don't understand. I don't know how. There was a tweet also.
Bill Zito
You can play any sport when I. I'm sorry, I don't want to go on a rant or here. But when you talk about not being able to play games like two years from now in certain sports that don't wear pads, like football players practice in Miami and do two and three days in full pads year after year, day after day and stuff, what you're referring.
Pat McAfee
To is a tweet that we saw in our group text that maybe people watching have no idea. I have no idea. This just got sent in three minutes ago. AJ saw this. I need to get this off my chest. Go to rant in the World Cup. There's been tweeted that the World cup is going to be too hot over.
Bill Zito
Here like two years from now. How do we know two years from now or a year from now that it's going to be too hot on that day? So we're going to move it to a 9am kickoff.
Pat McAfee
With that, we rest in peace. Thank you, Darius. Nine year NFL vet Darius J. Butler. We need DiNardo to give us the Doppler Reed on what it's going to be in the World Cup. But yeah, some of these temperatures are like 78 degrees.
AJ Hawk
It's like it's too hot.
Pat McAfee
Just played a World cup in qatar.
AJ Hawk
It was 180. Like give it a rest, dude. I'm tired of it. Juventus had 10 guys that wanted to get subbed off pack your real Madrid took you home.
Pat McAfee
Like get out. Okay. Now that's a Canadian man right there. So he is used to colder temperatures as well. I guess Europe just doesn't experience this much like heat does, though.
AJ Hawk
It gets. It's 97 in Germany right now.
Ty Schmidt
I've been there.
AJ Hawk
It's been hot, look.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, Tony brought it up already.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. I don't think I know exactly the temperature.
AJ Hawk
I've been to Parthalon and it was super hot.
Pat McAfee
Sun was. I got a sunburn in March in London. Right. Wasn't that. Was it Scotland? Even.
Ty Schmidt
Even more so.
Pat McAfee
So what's the deal? They just got a super duper arenas. Every arena they play in has the. No, they're all outdoor.
Ty Schmidt
I mean. Yeah, Tony already brought it up.
Pat McAfee
Up.
Ty Schmidt
You know, two of the most pivotal moments in history. Who they call on you usually. These people need help. I think in this. In this situation, it. It feels as though they're looking for someone to go over there and fix all their problems with the heat.
Pat McAfee
I mean, God bless America. Okay. Happy birthday, America and everything like that. We love Europe. But this whole heat thing that you guys are doing, it's like, we get it, it's hot, but like we're doing the sport. Like we're playing.
Bill Zito
Playing this. We've been playing these sports for hundreds of years. Thousands sometimes.
Pat McAfee
I do love. AJ's first thought is. So you taught me three days in football pads down in South Miami, down.
Bill Zito
South Florida, you got like fifth graders doing that.
AJ Hawk
So.
Pat McAfee
Not anymore, I don't think.
Bill Zito
Not three a days. But they're out there in full pads going for two hours. Like it's not easy.
Pat McAfee
Yes, we would like to do that. Okay, we're going to Europe. We are pivoting away from Europe. Okay. And we are going to basketball.
Bill Zito
Nice.
Connor
Okay.
Pat McAfee
Hold.
Ty Schmidt
Okay, now we wait.
Pat McAfee
What do you think this news is? What do you think breaking news is?
Ty Schmidt
You said basketball. Yeah, I was. What I thought it was was Jim Cantore coming on talking weather.
Pat McAfee
Okay, so we. Okay, if it's. That might be it. Yeah.
AJ Hawk
That'd be sick. If it's basketball just giving everything. I mean, it's not going to be Giannis. I don't think I'm gonna go. Malik Beasley.
Pat McAfee
Okay, LeBron.
Connor
Okay, LeBron coming to the Pacers.
Pat McAfee
That'd be holy. Is that about to happen? Oh, no. AJ. AJ, what is.
Bill Zito
LeBron to the Cavs. LeBron to the Cavs again.
Pat McAfee
Okay, I like that. That's a guy from Ohio. This is a guy who lives half his life in Indiana. Let's get. Ladies and gentlemen joining us now, he is senior NBA Insider for espn. Sham Sharania.
AJ Hawk
We have news. We have news. The New York Knicks are Expected to land on two time NBA head coach Mike Brown as a franchise's next head coach. And so the Knicks are set to hire Mike Brown.
Pat McAfee
He's one, he's won two NBA coach.
AJ Hawk
Of the year awards. He's a four time champion as an assistant. I'm literally breaking this while I am.
Pat McAfee
On with you right now.
Sauce Gardner
And so Leon Rose, Knicks president, we.
AJ Hawk
Know he interviewed a handful of candidates. Taylor Jenkins was in play as well. Mike Onori, the Minnesota Terminals assistant, Grizzly's assistant in play.
Pat McAfee
So we have just tapped in here.
AJ Hawk
With you guys to announce Mike Brown is expected to be the next Knicks head coach. He's a four time champion, he's interviewed, he's. He's also coached a ton of star players throughout his entire NBA coaching career.
Pat McAfee
Congrats to the Knicks and to Mike Brown. Obviously the Knicks have gone through a draft and free agency and everything without a coach. That is obviously a storyline that people have been dunking on the Knicks for. You guys make it to the Eastern Conference finals. You have your best year you've had in a long time. You decide to fire your coach and seemingly have no plan on the other side of it. There was a lot of names that were getting thrown out there. There was some time that took place. Bringing in a champion and a guy that has had to lead a program before I think is probably a good decision. I don't know how Knicks fans will react to this. Let's go to the back. Bruce Braun, Mike Bran, now head coach of the New York Knicks. How do you think New York faithful will feel about this?
Bill Zito
Let's go. I'm, I'm fired up. I mean a two time coach of the year coming in. I think his reputation might be a little bit down after, you know, the, the ending in, in Sacramento. But from my perspective, Thibodeau came in with a bit of a damaged reputation and you know, he, he brought us the Eastern Conference finals and built us into a, a perennial contender moving forward.
Pat McAfee
Love the positivity shams. You can do your tweet. I saw you trying to do that while you're talking to us. We appreciate you. We'll talk to you. Thank you, Sean. That was incredible work out of you. The Knicks get a seasoned coach, a no name. I think that's a big deal whenever you're going to New York.
Connor
Yeah, for sure. For immediate respect. When he walks into that locker room and I don't know if you remember the video of Mike Brown. I believe he was the head coach of the Sacramento Kings at The he's running in practice. Yeah. You know, he's going to get in the trenches in between the lines with the guys. He's going to run sprints much like MC DC out there. But he brings the attitude. I know a default defensive minded coach once again, just like Tibbs was. But it's all, it's going to be about how they buy into him and how the stars, you know, play with them. Starting with Jalen Brunson up there. Big body Brunson, Brunson Burn or whatever we want to call them. It always starts with your star players and keeping that. But Mike Brown, he brings that attitude and he has that instant credibility. So this is good for Mike Brown, land on his feet.
Pat McAfee
Good for the Knicks. Just having a coach, AJ that was getting a little bit ridiculous. It felt like just as somebody that is not an NBA insider or NBA coverer, it was like the team in the biggest market in the Mecca with such a storied franchise has been not good for too long, you know. And then they get into the storyline, we happen to be a part of it with the Indiana Pacers and it's like, Ben Stiller's out here, Timothy Chalamet's out here, Spike's out. Like it's good for all sports. Whenever the New York teams are good and then we see what happens. They get good and then they fired a coach. It's like, what are you guys doing, man? And then from outside looking in, they got no plan. Like we're gonna send. We're just gonna ask every team if we can fucking treat them like a mid major. We're gonna hire their coach. Like that is. Hey, what's going on? Congratulations to your coach. The New York Knicks would now like to interview them to be our head coach. And like what six teams are like, no, that is not how this is gonna go. So they obviously got mocked and ridiculed. It's like they finally get a head coach. Seems like that team is going to be good regardless. And maybe a new voice in there is the thing that takes him over the hump. Maybe it's Mike Brown.
Ty Schmidt
Well, and like the way it ended in Sacramento, to Bruce's point, completely valid, sure. But they also completely blew up that team. And if there was a franchise that hasn't won in a while, that actually did turn around, it's Sacramento. I don't think Sacramento's ever been good in my life, except for when Mike Brown was there. And you can go back to Bid Libby and Vladi and those boys too, but that was, yeah, White. A long time ago. And so for him, I think they were the 3 seed two or three years ago in the West. Yeah. And we've talked about how good the west is. So he's had success in the West. I feel like this is great for the Knicks. It is just kind of your point. You know, he's had no say in any of the free agents or draft picks that they just did. So who knows if that means anything? But I assume he'll just. There was some agreement, like, hey, you know, your style works here. Stick to your style and let's go back to the Eastern Conference finals. I'd be. I mean, I'd be pumped. At least you got a dude who's proven it's not. So, you know, first, you got no idea what's happening.
Pat McAfee
I think it's a big market. Obviously, anytime you coach anything in New York, Mike would be ready for that. AJ he's no stranger to any of it.
Bill Zito
No, he gets it. But also, it's a great spot for Mike Brown. Usually when you get hired as a head coach, the team's garbage, and it's like a rebuild or they're just terrible. So, no, we know the Knicks have a deep playoff run. Fire the coach unexpectedly in my eyes. So, yeah, for Mike Brown, great situation. Hopefully go in there and win that Knicks.
Pat McAfee
If Jalen Brunson is just going to make every shot that he takes, I mean, they're going to be good for a long time. You know, just watching them play, that was a cool moment. We need to go to more games because whenever you see the these games live, there's a lot different conversation you want to have. Like, for instance, everybody is so tall. Kevin Dedurant.
Bill Zito
And they all play so hard, too. It feels like they play very, very.
Pat McAfee
Hard and they run so much. It's just gassers and gassers. Like, nobody talks about NBA guys cardio. The cardio is never talked about. It's always like the travel, the sleep schedule, the body rest. It's like they gotta be cardiovascularly fit. And they're very, very, very big. They're all very large. Kevin Durant, LeBron and Steve Nash had a great Mind the Game podcast. So many clips coming out of that. And they talked about how if you're 6 foot 6 one, Kevin Durant basically was like, I don't know anymore. Like, TJ McConnell's been able to make it because he's just absolute dirt dog out there on the offense and defensive side. There was a couple other guys he mentioned that can make it, he said, but with how tall everybody's getting right now, we just call you out. Basically, he said. On the defensive side, we were just, we're going to attack the six foot tall guy and we're going to play over their head until they stop it. And then we, we kind of move on. That is watching the Knicks. Jalen, obviously another one of those guys, undersized, but obviously an absolute dog. It's like so big, run so much and they seemingly made every shot. Now the Pacers better, obviously we won that series. No big deal. You know that in your garden, Mike that in your garden over there. But it's like that Knicks team's real deep and Mike might be able to get him.
Connor
All that'll be the biggest thing for him is some ball movement. Because Jalen Brunson is a dominant. He's kind of an offensive savant when it comes to one on one. It's more impressive because of how small he is and the type of big guys that he's doing it against. But you need that type of ball movement. And where Mike Brown won a bunch of those championships out in Golden State, that's what they do better than probably anybody. Steph is obviously, he has the handles, he does that. But Steph running through picks and just running around. So being able to have that ball movement and then obviously at some point your superstar got to, you know, have court cleared out, make a big time shot. But ball movement, defense, and hopefully Mike Brown, like AJ Said, you're walking into a pretty good situation with good players on the roster already. And hopefully you get that support to go out there and actually win in the, you know, what they call the Mecca of basketball.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, Masters, where Garden was electrifying during that playoff series, let alone all the time, Mike Brown might be the one to lead him all the way.
Connor
No, still got.
Ty Schmidt
We'll see what happens.
Pat McAfee
What in east, there's no Tatum, there's no Halliburton. Obviously there's going to be good teams.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, there's a few. We'll see. West is still the West. But to your point about, you know, kind of the size thing, it's like if you go back to Isaiah Thomas, like Isaiah Thomas was, you know, 5, 9, 5, 10 and, but. And he could score 30 points a game, but every single time when he was on the Celtics, the other team would come down and it would be, okay, let's move the ball. Who's Isaiah Thomas on? Go every single get marked.
Pat McAfee
That's a tough spot to Be. Especially if you literally cannot defend it.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, yeah.
Connor
Steph, too.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah. Step six, four, Kyrie. You know, like. Like, Trey Young is a perfect example. Trey Young, you know, probably 6, 1, 6 2, and he can shoot it from 40ft. So he, you know, he's a super max player, but that's the only reason. Supermax player on defense, they, you know, it's just not the same.
Pat McAfee
I would highly Recommend Listening to LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steve Nash talk while they're boozing. Yeah, that was good.
Connor
Great conversation.
Pat McAfee
All the clips that I've seen have been incredible conversation. And it's like, I appreciate the fact that KD is not scared to, like, talk. Yeah. You know, or tweet. Like, we're talking. Or tweet. I mean, talk at some guy named drew who's got 25 followers. I mean, it had to get. It had to be done. Had to be done. It's. That's a great show. I appreciate who is coming in there, having some wine and opening up and talking. It's like, I know that the sports journalists don't love athletes getting into the media world as much as we have and everything like that, but, like, getting a chance to learn from the greats about why they're great and how they're great and, like, the way they view it. I feel like that's a little bit of journalism in the sport world as well. That's a pretty good piece of information to have. And LeBron is going to get things out of Kevin Durant, and Steve Nash is going to get things out of Kevin Durant and ask questions that only motherfuckers at that level can really understand. It's great time right now of information that we're in.
Sauce Gardner
Yeah.
Ty Schmidt
One of the things LeBron talked about with KD was efficiency and, like, how, you know, KD has shot over 50% from the field since 2012 or something absurd of that nature. And then he went into, like, the examples where after a game, you know, he'll look and, like, sometimes he'll be 6 of 18 or 9 of 23. And, you know, seeing how LeBron thinks about efficiency as being one of the most important things, when normally you go to the box score, oh, you know, SJ's got 40 points. And I'm not saying SJ would do this, but SGA's got 40 points, but he's, you know, 10 to 25. And I feel like, as a, you know, not a professional basket basketball player, you see 40 points. That's awesome. Even if they are 10 to 25 at whatever, but.
Pat McAfee
But the way they View it is 15 wasted possessions.
Ty Schmidt
Exactly like LeBron. Thinking of it more as, yeah, well, I missed 12 shots. I made six shots. And the fact that KD has for, I don't know, 13 straight years or 11 straight years, whatever it is with the achilles has been 9, 18 or better, damn near every single game is just outrageous.
Pat McAfee
And I've told the story numerous times because I think it's a good piece of information to have about Kevin Durant. Whenever you think about Kevin Durant, however you think about Kevin Durant at Texas, he donated a shit ton of money back to the university. They played, they built a practice facility. Obviously he goes in there and works. There's been the same equipment manager, I guess since he was playing there is still there. Guy's been around and he said, Kevin Durant has these workouts where he will restart the entire shooting. We're talking like thousands of shots at this point. He'll restart. If this, the swish isn't the right sound, lights are off. Yeah. If it's not the right swish sound, he's restarting. It's like you're talking about an absolute dog when it comes to work ethic. When you talk about competitive juice and stamina, it's like. And I also love the fact he's not scared to get a little Twitter finger in there every once in a while. Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, is a two time, two time super bowl champion. He's also an All Pro. He's been named like all century teams, all decade teams because of how damn good he is. And the refs are trying to catch whether or not he's leaving a little early or if he's right on time. In his eyes, he's right on time and he's going to be telling other offensive linemen they need to be right on time as well. At the 8th annual O Line Mastermind Summit, happening July 10th through the 11th down in Frisco, Texas, alongside Duke Manyweather. Ladies and gentlemen, Lane Johnson.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, Lane, how you doing, dude?
Darius Butler
Doing good, man. Just got done with the workout, but ready to get online and get these fingers working about the. The false starts that all the flags I should have got.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, you're gonna get your Kevin Durant on. Yeah, go ahead and answer a little bit. I love that. Became a full talking point. Obviously you knew that. I think we've chatted about it a little bit and they're zooming in on your big. I don't want to say Your massive cleat. And that's the blur. It's a blur every single time. And they're like, is he earlier? Is it on time? Right on time every time. Lane, let's talk about this O Line Mastermind summit that you've been doing eight years now of big boys talking about moving other men down there in Texas. What is expected from this weekend and how excited do you get to share your game with others and maybe younger offensive linemen?
Darius Butler
Super excited. So when we started this, we had around 27 people. Last year was around 300. But it started, I remember, you know, going through the draft, didn't know much about the position or who was really good at it. So it was just a way for, to get everybody in the room. You know, a lot of college double guys are in now to just learn ball. We have Joe Thomas coming in, so, you know, I think I learned a lot about getting off the ball from him. Jason Peters, so. So, you know, it's just, you know, it's turned into a lot of fun, but a lot of hall of Famers and. Yeah, man, two days of just learning the game a little bit better.
Pat McAfee
So much beer. Go ahead, A.J.
Bill Zito
So are you guys.
Pat McAfee
So much beer I couldn't even. Sorry, I don't want to cut you. I couldn't even fathom an O Line summit, the amount of beer. Go ahead, A.J. sorry.
Bill Zito
Well, yeah, I would assume you guys might have a beer sponsor. I know Tight Endu has a beer sponsor. I don't know if you guys have that yet or not. Lane. If not, you guys can work on it. But, but other than film and like meeting and, and watching stuff and trying to explain things, how much stuff are you doing on the field and how much work can you get in? Because I, I instantly think of these like high school camps. I would, I don't know if you've seen these clips where they're doing O line D line one on one in a D lineman or bull rushing dudes with no pads on. And I would lose my mind. I can't imagine how you feel watching that. Are you guys doing that? Are you guys getting any one on ones in out there?
Darius Butler
Man, it's fun to watch. But yeah, I mean what we do, we watch a lot of film. Break that down and then we'll have breakout sessions. So where we're going on the field and a lot of what we're talking about is about pre snap alignment. What type of pass set are we trying to achieve here? If it's a run play inside Zone, outside zone. Mostly just footwork. So a little bit of physical stuff, but a lot of it's just talking through kind of what we broke down in the film session, and then a lot of it's just kind of about structure and routine, you know, how guys went about their week and stuff that they worked on. So it's. It's really cool to see just different guys, you know, different decades and kind of how they approach the game, learning.
Pat McAfee
And just a schedule from somebody that's done it and at a high level and Mount Rushmore, like, level is such a great piece of information to have as a young player, like how you can view it and what has been tried and true, what has worked for somebody else while you kind of scripted for yourself. You know, there's a Hall of Fame game this month. The NFL season's right around the corner. D Butt has a question for you. Lane.
Connor
Yeah. You had a short off season, you know, minute you went and won that super bowl championship going to year 13, I believe. How does the body feel and what has changed with your preparation going into these seasons from the time you came into the league up until now?
Darius Butler
Yeah, so me, I mean, it's about maintaining strength, but really, you know, not neglecting mobility. You know, as you see players age, they'll lose kind of their elasticity, their ability to generate force. So for me, I'm lifting heavy earlier in the week, later in the week, it's kind of lighter weight for speed, and then the plyometrics and all that good stuff. So, man, it's just, you know, I think just being consistent with it. And really, like, after every season, you evaluate kind of where your body is and what you need to work on. So, you know, every year is different, but, man, I'm feeling good. I mean, I made a statement. I feel better now kind of in my mid-30s, than what I did when I was 30. I was going through an ankle issue, so surgeries. So, you know, it takes a little bit to.
Pat McAfee
To bounce back from that 13 years in at offensive line, especially with the runs that you guys have had while you play football. Congratulations, dude. You big fuck. Yeah, legit. That is an outrageous feat, the amount of attention that you have to spend on your body to make it and continue to be able to operate. Your joints are screaming for help every single time you do everything. Now, Ty has a question for you. Lane.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, Lane. I don't know how much you guys paid attention to it in, like, the locker room last year, but we talked about it all year long. About how, you know, no matter what you guys were doing early in the season and even at the midway point, Coach Sirianni was getting kind of on, on, you know, every network pretty much, hey, this guy is one of the worst coaches in the NFL. He's just in a great situation. The Eagles win in spite of him, etc. Etc. They always said, you know, when it came to the playoffs, like he was going to be the reason that you guys ultimately lost. And then obviously you fast forward, you win the Super Bowl. What kind of vindication did you notice, like, from him? Obviously we saw him post game and he was just elated. He was incredible, telling guys, hey, let's run it back and all that kind of stuff. But, but what was kind of that whole situation like throughout the season and then obviously as you win the Super Bowl.
Darius Butler
Yeah, I mean, you know, when he's got emotional on the sidelines or screaming at guys, you know, the good thing about it is we go and talk about it the next team meeting after a game. But, you know, I think for him, he's evolved as a head coach. He's kind of learning as he goes. But you know, what I do enjoy about coach is that everybody's held accountable. Whether it goes to the film room, if it's a bad play by the player, that's a bad call by the coach, their name or number is up there. And then just anything that, you know, goes, you know, kind of out to the public, you know, we address as a team. So some of the, some of those hard conversations that are difficult to have, we have them and we put it behind us. And, and really, I think that's probably one of coach's best traits is, you know, he's a great communicator.
Pat McAfee
Feels like you all rally around him, you know, on the offensive side. First time, long time, I think you guys chose 150 more rushing plays than you did passing plays on the entire season. I think was the number. It's like first time, long time that had been the case in the NFL and especially a team, they'll go on to win the Super Bowl. But you paid wide receivers. So whenever you talk about becoming a run first run dominant team with Saquon, who's outrageous, I can't wait to ask you about him. Him. But also you've paid wide receivers. There's a natural potential, very big situation that could occur because the wide receivers understand that for the team, this is what's good. But my job is to catch balls and that's my legacy. And that's how much money I'm gonna get paid. And that's how I'm remembered. And then whenever you guys win, A.J. brown, Devonte Smith were the ones that dumped the Gatorade on Sirianni. It's like he had to manage that, I would assume, just in of itself, let alone everything else. Let's talk about the run game. So Saquon is just outrageous. Yeah. Like you guys.
Darius Butler
Yeah, no, it's just.
Pat McAfee
Go ahead.
Darius Butler
Yeah, I mean, what you're talking about, there's just a lot of avenues. We have so many star players and you know, if we wanted to throw the ball 60 times a game, you know, our receivers could have 2,000 yards. But we have a running back, you know, that can get that on the ground. So I just think, you know, what Saquon was able to bring to our offense made everything so much easier. When you have a running back that can do that, it sets up play action. And when they want to stop the run, you know, you're going to have to play one on one with AJ and devonte outside. So, you know, first thing I noticed about Saquon is just, he's a super, super good dude. So he made friends really quickly. He's. I don't think he misses a day on the golf course. So if he's not, he's not in the facility, he's golfing with somebody. So yeah, that's his other passion. But yeah, I mean, it took me about three minutes in the Green Bay game to go up. This is going to be a pretty fun year. Yeah, it was, it was something, you know, I never thought he'd be on my team. You know, he is now. So let's make the most of it. So it's been a lot of fun.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, it might have taken you three minutes. I think he. It might have taken him about 10 seconds to realize, oh, this is going to be great over here as opposed to what I got going on with your offensive line. I think if it was just yards before contact that he rushed for this year, he would have been like a top 10 rusher in the NFL as well. He was not touched for a long time. With your guys help in scheme and everything and with his speed, he was able to just break everything. The amount of home run touchdowns that he had this year, historic record breaking. He was explosive on the ground. A team hasn't been like that. I don't know, maybe ever. I mean, maybe Y2J when Tennessee Titans had.
Darius Butler
But it was Chris Johnson.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Darius Butler
You know, I Think what made our whole line different was man, I'm a pretty big dude and I was the second smallest. So it goes from Cam me and then it was, you know, Makai Landon and Jordan Malata. I guess, you know, whoever was eating the most that week weighed the most, but they're all 360, 70, 80 plus. So it's just, you know, you don't have those kind of guys that come around that often. So yeah, we just try to stay out of the way and don't get hurt.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, stay out of the way, don't get hurt and move bodies in record breaking fashion. On that note, Connor has a question for you.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah. Another guy that doesn't come around too often as a coach, like Jeff Stoutland. Can you talk about him a little bit because, you know, it feels like he is kind of turning into a, a legend. Everything, you know, Jason Kelce mentioned when he retired with Jeff and everything he's done for his career. And then of course you mentioned Makai, Makai Becton kind of ended up with the Eagles. And then Stoutland turns him into an all pro right guard playing right next to you. Can you just talk about Stalin, what he kind of means to the team, that old line in general. And also, please keep growing that beard out because it looks unbelievable. Unbelievable right now.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, very stout as that beard looks very stout. Like style.
Darius Butler
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, it's hard to find barbers back here. Usually when I'm back up in Philly, I'll slide in the team's barber and just get a cheaper one. So don't do it smart.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Darius Butler
Coach Stout, man, it's, you know, we've been very fortunate to have him. He came in the same year as I did in 13 from Alabama, but you know, he kind of has the intensity of like of Al Pacino. Any given Sunday locker room speech. He kind of has that vibe. But, but you know, I think what makes him so great is that he realizes that people learn differently. So some people, guys on the team really respond to walkthroughs as much as, you know, sitting in the classroom, but he finds a way to keep it fun, engaging and you know, I think what makes him so good as well is, you know, any guy that's had to come in a backup, you know, we've had many play in past Super Bowls, but every guy that's, that's stepped up is treated like a starter. It doesn't matter where he is on the depth chart, every guy is treated the same. And yeah, man, we have A lot of fun, you know, whenever we're in the room and, you know, we work whenever we're out there on the field, so. But he, man, he is a character. If you ever get a chance. I think Hard Knocks might be coming in this season, so I hope that they can hide that camera in there. I think it will make some really good content.
Pat McAfee
Okay, so we got some Stalin magic coming through through Hard Knocks and obviously your guys offensive line and him obviously being spotlighted in a big way and in such a big way that awards even get talked about. Tone Diggs has a question for you. Lane.
AJ Hawk
Yeah. Lane, obviously you won the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, All Pro, but I'm not sure if you know this or not. You won one of the most prestigious awards in sports. AQ Shipley named you the best tackle of the year for. For the trenches last year.
Pat McAfee
Congratulations.
Ty Schmidt
Hell, yeah.
Pat McAfee
This is months ago.
Darius Butler
Hey, I want to get that. I want to get that trophy. Put it in. Put it in the locker and put it somewhere. Put it in the gym.
Pat McAfee
Okay. We have it. Actually, we're waiting for the address to send it to. That is Hsley at 390 pounds as a fullback, a leader of a wedge on the kickoff return, and a center and guard for the Arizona Cardinals. He actually would roll on his gut at the snap of the ball. Ball. And he was doing that tush push before everybody else. He was gnawing on ankles. So it's a real. It's a real award. And we were waiting for an address. You won it for best tackle.
AJ Hawk
You did. So congratulations on that. On that. Just want to let you know, well earned.
Pat McAfee
It was a hard fought. Hey, there's a lot of names out there. You already know. Dion was pissed. Dion Dawkins was not happy about it. There was some others. Obviously the.
AJ Hawk
The NFL stole that idea. Now there's the actual protector of the year award. How do you feel about that?
Darius Butler
Well, it's taking them long enough to get something in the mix. You know, thankful for. For Dion, for. For stepping up. But, you know, we have guys like Whit and Kelsey, of course, making statements and, you know, for the online community. So, yeah, man, I think it's pretty cool. And yeah, man, I'm glad that it's. That it's finally a thing now. So shout out to Dion for getting it all started.
Pat McAfee
It's the clear, like, it is literally the clear indicator on who's going to win the game. Oh, yeah. Like if you have a bad offensive line, you're going to lose the game. Like that you might win a couple games. I'm just talking. You're not going to win. Yeah, you are going to win the game with your offensive line. You guys proved that. I assume many other teams in the past have, but I think it was more talked about this year than ever. It matters. You guys matter. And it's a talent, brother. Not everybody can do it, obviously.
Darius Butler
Yeah. And you know how it is when it comes to practice. You usually have the O line, D line doing the own thing. Seven on seven specialists. So y' all kind of get in the mix a little bit. But, yeah, it's. It's really two different games out there. But, you know, I'm glad they. They're. They're getting an award out now.
Pat McAfee
What is. Have you been fishing? We've been hunting. What have we got going on this offseason? Growing a beard.
Darius Butler
She had growing a beard, man. Taking the kids to Jiu Jitsu, soccer, tumbling. So just a lot of, uh. Yeah, a lot of daddy daycare around here. So. Yeah, I'm in Oklahoma City, and also.
Pat McAfee
Are you Jiu Jitsu?
Darius Butler
No, I stay out.
Pat McAfee
I don't.
Darius Butler
I don't want to get Rex Kwondo'd in there, so I kind of just hang out on the bleachers.
Pat McAfee
Smart way to get back to the game with this O line Mastermind summit. Congrats on becoming a Super bowl champion again, and we can't wait to watch you play this year, brother.
Darius Butler
Thank you. I want to shout out Portillo's for sponsoring us there at Cosm, for.
Pat McAfee
For food.
Darius Butler
So, yeah, it's going to be an exciting one this year. I'm excited to get Joe and some of the guys out, so. So it'll be huge.
Pat McAfee
Portillo's Diner. Cosm in Dallas. Hey, that causes that sick. That awesome. And you're good. Yeah. And you eat.
AJ Hawk
Portillo's got Italian beef sandwiches.
Pat McAfee
Is that. You're telling me that's the greatest coming together right there? Yeah, that's Oline Masterminds. Okay, maybe.
Darius Butler
Yeah, we might have a little bit of some snow cones, some whiskey there, too. Yeah, just a huge party.
Pat McAfee
All right, well, good luck. Enjoy it all. It's a lot of meat, a lot of booze, and a lot of information seemingly being tossed around from one big man to the next. You're the best. Ladies and gentlemen, future hall of Famer Lane Johnson.
Darius Butler
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Thank you, Lane. Thank you, Lane. So much booze.
Ty Schmidt
Oh, yeah.
AJ Hawk
Oh, shit.
Pat McAfee
So much.
Ty Schmidt
They're just skipping beer.
Pat McAfee
It sounds like I've had the opportunity. Obviously. To hang out with multiple different offensive lines, you know. Cause I too fancied myself a beer drinker. And they do. They did. At least I don't know about nowadays. I don't know. Cause where beer is.
Bill Zito
I hope so.
Pat McAfee
I hope. I think I would want my offensive line to do that in this day and age. I don't know if it's every offensive line. I think back in the day my understanding it was every offensive line was basically the same group of people. Pretty miserable bunch. Kind of funny. Definitely love beer.
Ty Schmidt
Secret society.
Pat McAfee
Yep, exactly. They know. They all understand what it is. But boy they used to. They used to house alcohol. I mean it was going out with them would be like. I think that would be the representative of the football team. So people would be like don't end up at the rugby house or the hockey house.
Ty Schmidt
Wrestling.
Pat McAfee
The wrestling house. Like each of those houses had different endings, you know. And how it went all we kind of understood what it was for football it's like I think good place to send. If you want to just go with the offensive line. The offensive line will kind of do this. I couldn't even fathom an O line mastermind summit with different generations of offensive lineman because when they get together it becomes a. You know, I think that has to be thousands of beers.
AJ Hawk
I assume I saw and he's probably going to do. I think it was Landon Dickerson ripping a top of a beer can off with his teeth and then just taking that down.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. The offensive linemen are just a little bit different. You know, they're built different. Incredibly athletic too. Especially nowadays because everybody's talking about the D lineman. You need four first rounders on the D line speed to get around the edge. You got a of lot of one on ones out there. So it used to be like tackle. I'm sorry like center guard. A little bit more unathletic but big. Could move bodies. Didn't really have the best feet. Now you got nose tackles, D tackles that are shaking. You have to be able to. Carter. Yeah, you kind of have to be able to. Exactly. Yeah. Exact on that team. He's three, what, 73, 60, massive. And he can move and shake. It's outrageous. That's. The offensive line has to be good. And the Philadelphia Eagles had the best in the game. AJ Yeah.
Bill Zito
I mean even speaking about athleticism, like Lane was a. Lane played quarterback when he first got to college right before he went to Oklahoma. He was still playing quarterback. Like yeah, the guy's a freak athlete.
Pat McAfee
I think he what jump yeah.
Connor
Oh yeah, he went to Oklahoma as a quarterback.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I think.
AJ Hawk
No, he went to a community college. Yeah.
Connor
Oh, okay.
Pat McAfee
Wow. High school.
Bill Zito
But he was like an all state high school quarterback.
Pat McAfee
Unbelievable athlete. Yeah. Those are guys you won't watch. And maybe you get ahead of schedule here and you buy some tickets the next NFL season.
Ty Schmidt
That'd be smart.
Pat McAfee
We are in the same month as an NFL game now. Is it an actual NFL game?
Darius Butler
No.
AJ Hawk
Yes it is. I mean the NFL uniforms will be on the field and you can bet on it.
Pat McAfee
And it's NFL bingo. MCTC and Harbaugh, baby, they're both there, they're coaching the teams.
AJ Hawk
Quarterbacks we know is David, it's going to be Trey Lance versus who's your hand?
Pat McAfee
And Hooker hopefully. Okay. We know these guys. Maybe Kyle Allen. Yeah. But they'll play what, 10 snaps? Probably. Cuz we know who they are. They probably won't play. But anyways, H. Yeah. Hen and Hook are probably not debuting in a Hall of Fame game. I doubt he's definitely. Anyways, it's a Hall of fame though. We're celebrating the next class of hall of Fame. Hell yeah. You can enjoy obviously. Obviously the game which we will be doing.
AJ Hawk
Certainly.
Pat McAfee
We will be there. Hey, we're going to be there. Whoa. Yeah, we're going to be there. I think we're getting like a real. I think we're getting a real setup over there to kick off the entire NFL season. Why not buy some tickets? Why not get $30 off the tickets at SeatGeek? Why not download SeatGeek and say, you know what? I have the greatest ticket buying platform on planet Earth and the moon readily available right now because there's ticket buying platform that looks out for you, A.J. you know what I mean?
Bill Zito
Yeah, they do.
Pat McAfee
They think to themselves, how can we help our customers? Whether they're returning or new, we'd like to help these people. So what they do is they score each ticket one to ten. Okay. They give it a one to ten score. What is that one to ten scoring off of? Well, are you getting ripped off? Okay. Is this way too expensive of a ticket? On a secondary market you could get a cheaper one somewhere else. Is the placement of this ticket absolute, Absolute shite? Is this an absolute shidey ticket? They'll score you one to ten on those types of things. If it's a red dot next to the ticket, it's like seatgeeks telling you, yes, we are selling this ticket, but you can get a better ticket. Okay. You can definitely get better if it's a green dot next to it, it's like, hey. Our research has told us it's a good price for the ticket that you're getting and should be a great experience. You'll never get catfished. Right now you get $30 off using code, Pat. That's got to be the easiest promo code in the history, Pat. $30 off any ticket. Now, there are some restrictions that apply, Connor. What are those?
Ty Schmidt
Well, you know, if. If a game is 20 bucks to get a ticket, then you're not going to get $10 back. Okay. You're not getting paid from seek.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I don't think you can use this on tickets that are less than 30 bucks. Maybe less than 50 bucks. We're not 100% sure what the restrictions are, but we do know that you can't just, you know, use this as a line of credit.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, it might turn into, like 30. 30% instead of $30.
Pat McAfee
They have tickets to everything they do.
AJ Hawk
Derby.
Pat McAfee
Oh, it's coming right up. Home run Derby. Gonna be incredible. Cannot wait for that.
Ty Schmidt
Game tonight.
Pat McAfee
Big time. Game tonight. Huge game activity.
Ty Schmidt
Sold out.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Soccer's happening. Yeah. Yeah. You got to get set. Comedy, music, bud. Festivals, they rank every ticket. No, they. They don't rank. Yeah, they score every ticket.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
Connor
Okay.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. I wonder if they do have. Hey, this is the best ticket on our app right now.
AJ Hawk
I probably do.
Pat McAfee
For what? The event.
Connor
Yeah, it's good shots.
Ty Schmidt
It's great.
Connor
It is great.
Pat McAfee
Shout out to U.S. men's National Team, which you were talking about. Game tonight.
Sauce Gardner
Yeah.
Ty Schmidt
Here we go.
Pat McAfee
They take on Guatemala in the super Duper cup. AJ Your thoughts on tonight's matchup?
Bill Zito
Well, you know, Nigel, the. The British gentleman earlier made me worry a little bit. He said we can't have a 2, 2 tied to whoever they played last game.
Pat McAfee
Game.
Bill Zito
Right.
AJ Hawk
Wow. That was pretty easier.
Pat McAfee
English Englishman on the call.
Ty Schmidt
Nigel back on the phone, he took.
Bill Zito
He took it like it wasn't a win for us. Like, yeah, we won in the shootout. Like, does that not count?
Pat McAfee
Yeah, it does. There's no overtime possibility. As soon as the game's over, the giggle rate to penalties because that's basically how soccer should be.
Bill Zito
By the way, nobody really knows when the game is over either, other than one guy on the field, but, yeah, we got pretty.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, it could be a lady, too, obviously. But we know what you're saying. In the entirety of it tonight, guys, against Guatemala. What should we be looking for other than a way around Nigel's negative vibes? Host of the Concave pod bubble Gumpino.
AJ Hawk
This should be an absolute shite kicking tonight. Guatemala shouldn't stand a chance. And I'd expect probably a snipe from Malik Tailman if I had to guess.
Pat McAfee
Okay, I like what you just said right there. Gumpy's never that positive about anything. Ever. No. Okay, so the fact that the United States are taking on Guatemala tonight and an opportunity to get to the finals of the.
Bill Zito
They better win by 10 or Guppy's gonna be in a real tough mood tomorrow.
Pat McAfee
I'm worried this place is sold out. Congrats. Congrats.
Ty Schmidt
Let's go, boys.
AJ Hawk
Not concede tonight?
Pat McAfee
No. Conceited.
Ty Schmidt
If we can see them, I lose my mind, man.
Pat McAfee
Are you gonna watch too much?
Connor
Of course I'm worried, though. I'm honestly worried. Because to your point, I never hear Gump that positive about anything. So that can't work out.
Pat McAfee
No, it means he knows, dude. St. Louis, are you trying to get us to lose? Cuz Canada lost wearing a USA tarp the other day.
Connor
Guatemala kind of parks above good.
AJ Hawk
Guatemala parks the Boston very good side. Don't worry, they only beat. They only beat Canada because they got a red car.
Pat McAfee
Canada got a red car.
Ty Schmidt
No, they beat Canada because they parked the boost like there was no tomorrow.
Pat McAfee
Well, when they parked the boost, you can look for a cagey affair. Yeah. And if tonight's a cagey affair, that's not good for soccer as a whole. And ponches bull boys don't want a kgfl.
AJ Hawk
No, we attack. Violent affair. All these tournaments have been bangers. Every game.
Pat McAfee
Last night, another banger.
AJ Hawk
Dortmund, Monterey, 2 1.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I guess even that 101 game was pretty cool too.
Ty Schmidt
That's the team. That's. That's the team that did this. Let's stay inside. It's too hot out there. Dortmund.
Pat McAfee
Oh, yeah. We like dormant, remember? Dormant was nice to us.
Ty Schmidt
They were nice.
Pat McAfee
They were very nice. They got us beers. They made you pay a hundred thousand dollars and then they paid you back that night.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, it was actually AJ had to pay for the beers. It was, you know, two beers for like 58 bucks. But yeah, the Dortmund guys were great. They were great.
Pat McAfee
All right, so United States of America. Tonight we ride. Yeah. Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, is a man who's about to ride a dynasty, I guess, for the next 10 years. We got a chance to chat with him after they won their second Stanley cup in two years. And then what he has done during free agency is somehow do something that is legal. We don't know what it is. We're not privy to the information but somehow the back to back Stanley cup champions have been able to sign their entire team until 2031. The man that did that, friend of the program, Yinzer, Bill Zena. Yeah Bill. The Jack Welch Management Institute at Strayer University helps you go from I know the way to I've arrived with our top 10 ranked online MBA. Gain skills you can learn today and apply tomorrow. Get ready to go from make it happen to made it happen and keep striving. Visit strayer.edu Jack WelchMBA to learn more. Strayer University is certified to operate in Virginia by Chev and has many campuses including at 2121 15th Street north in Arlington, Virginia. This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Knowing you could be saving money for the things you really want, like that dream house or ride, is a great feeling. That's why the State Farm personal price plan can help you save when you choose to bundle home and auto bundling. Just another way to save with a personal price plan. Prices are based on rating plans that vary by state. Coverage options are selected by the customer. Availability, amount of discounts and savings and eligible vary by state. Hey hey Bill. Sweet glasses. First of all, I love what you're doing right now. Fancy a thing? Yeah, yeah. I love that you had to feel so good as this was all coming together, every piece of the puzzle that was potentially out the door. Remember we talked about TSN's top five free agents of the NHL off season, three of them Florida Panthers? Some of us who are maybe Pittsburgh Penguins fans or Boston Bruins fans or maybe any other team in the entire NHL were thinking there's no way they're going to be able to keep this team together. A lot of greatness is going to be leaving Florida. Bill Zito is going to have to rebuild this thing. Instead you get deals done with basically every star that was potentially out. You got MVPs back in the building and you keep your core that has been so damn dominant over the last three years. How did you get it done and was this what you were expecting going in to offseason? I think you felt very optimistic when you chatted with us. But as it takes place, how does it kind of all unfold it?
I
It's really the guys, it has very little to do with me. They wanted to stay. I think they appreciated each other. They appreciated the opportunity that they have. I do think that they appreciate all that the coaching staff and ownership does to allow us to try to do things the right way. But Ultimately, they're staying because of them and because of their teammates, and that's really the only reason. And it does make you feel good to be able to have the privilege to be part of it.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, be a part of it. Be a massive piece of. Kind of putting everybody in the same room and letting them deal with it. Empowering others is also a great display of leadership. And your team, I think, think we talked to Gary Bettman the other day. I think every hockey person I talked to, the way your team plays hockey is one that I think all hockey people respect and appreciate as well. On that note, the way hockey people celebrate is also something we all appreciate and respect. Tone has a question for you.
AJ Hawk
Yeah. Bill, you talked about. You just said it's because of the boys and what they wanted. How much did it help with negotiations? That they were hammered the entire time, and then they were just. And they.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, that was good.
AJ Hawk
They just kept yelling, I'm not leaving. That helped.
Pat McAfee
It was. It was.
I
It was great that they did it. And when you watched him, I think I wasn't there. I was like, you guys. But, you know, they really enjoyed their time together. They enjoyed their celebration with the Cup. And it is kind of a theme through our group. You know, you can make fun of situations. You can make fun of yourself. You know, I always talk about how kind everybody is to each other. Well, in tandem with that, it's a pretty sporty room and just lots of fun, lots of gags, dark humor, light humor, but don't take it too seriously. So it was great.
Pat McAfee
Pretty sporty room. Yeah. That's a good way to describe a group.
I
I'm the victim of that sport, I'm sure pretty frequently.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I'm sure.
I
And that's the ones I know about.
Pat McAfee
Well, you're buying them dinner, though, on the road, and they're all eating together. It feels like that sporty room is what everybody is looking for in hockey. Go ahead, A.J. bill.
Bill Zito
Yeah. Have you talked to anybody or studied teams that have had the success that you have had? Obviously two cups in three years, Everything you're doing, too, how do you continue this? How do you keep it going? We know how difficult it is to, like, consistent success in professional sports is very, very difficult. If you began to, I guess, look around like, hey, who can I talk to? What can I do to make sure we keep this thing the way we have it? We keep getting better.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
I
And I should actually probably reach out to you. So then after you win it in Green Bay, then how do you keep.
Bill Zito
Unfortunately, you weren't there when you won it. Well, I was there, but I'm saying we should have won four. Like that's what we had. Aaron Rodgers, we should have won a lot more.
I
So I talked to a lot of people, a lot of people in hockey, a lot of people across other sports and just try to learn as much as I can. The biggest thing was more from the coaching level as to how to keep, how to understand, I guess what people call the hangover, if you will, and then at the same time appreciate the fatigue level, maybe even the emotional fatigue, and then help the guys get back. With our group, we're so lucky. We didn't have to do a whole lot, but our coaching staff is just outstanding. Patience is really important. And then strategically on the other side of the calendar is started doing those projections 1, 2, 3, 4 years out. If this happened, how could we address it? And some, some of those projections we don't have an answer for yet. Maybe four years away, you know, maybe a couple maybes, but at least you start thinking about it and that most of the time is enough to get it done.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, you got your core until 2030. It seems like if all the reports on the Internet are accurate. So you're going to be able to continue to hopefully just kind of add to your culture throughout the next few years of dominance. I think you guys are assuming are hoping for at least going to put in the work to kind continue to achieve the new CBA that's going to take place. How does that affect anything you were doing now? Is there any thing in that that's potentially going to unfold that affected how you kind of structure things now or how you did contracts? Or is that something you deal with whenever that becomes instituted, which Gary Bettman thinks is going to be relatively soon, which is a year ahead of time, which never happens in professional sports.
I
So there's a number of things, sort of technical things, contract wise, that may or may not impact us. The season could go to 84 games. That's something that would obviously impact us. We've already taken, we started well, maybe late in the season to address next season already. Okay, we've gone to the finals three years in a row. How tired are these guys going to be? What can we do? Well, maybe they're not. First of all, let's just not assume they are. 2. What could we do to sort of lessen the load physically and emotionally? We've already started to modify our training camp. We're going to do that differently. Examining the travel Nuts to bolts. So with the cap going up, that's going to help us. We're going to be right at the cap this year. It's going to be tight, but since, as you pointed out, our cores locked up to 2030, it will give us flexibility as we have more cap space to supplement and to help and to make additions to support that core.
Pat McAfee
And if you need to get rid of any of those guys, we're talking Bennett, Marshy, hell, Bob, you name it. No, you just send them right to Pittsburgh. Yeah, Chuck, you send them right to Pittsburgh, Bill. Okay, you do that. You go ahead and do that. Okay. Obviously, a lot of success has to come, has to fulfill a lot of things that you've dreamt about throughout your entire life. Your team showing you love has to be another thing that you can't put words or a price tag on. Go ahead, D. Budge.
Connor
Yeah, Bill, I gotta ask you. After the final game in the locker room, I know it's something that Panthers fans love to watch, probably just hockey fans in general, when that puck is handed out to someone in that locker room. Now, I don't know if you can confirm or deny, did you receive the final puck? I don't think I've seen it confirmed legitimately anywhere. And what was that moment like after win it All?
I
Once again, I did receive the puck. I put it in the board and it was surreal. And I still probably don't appreciate it. I was so shocked and so surprised that I just. I don't even know what I said.
Pat McAfee
You know, way to go.
I
There was no poignant moment. You know, you think about that. I'm going to say this and from the heart and I think I just said, am I supposed to do this? Like, I was pretty rattled. But looking back on it, it was an honor and what a privilege to be with those guys. I don't know. I think was the game before they gave it to Witek Vanessek, the backup goalie who didn't play last year. We had one where Yona Gadjevic was away from the team and he had twins. So he rejoined us in New York and he didn't even see the boys. Like, he came in at 6:30 and just came to the rink and we won it. And Nico Mikola looked up, said, gad's your player of the game because he had just had the twins. If you see the social media on it, it's awesome.
Pat McAfee
And the whole room erupts. That's your team, dude. Yeah, that's your team. Watching the celebrations Here, from the golf carts to the pools to the strawberry margaritas to the Dairy Queen. Feels like they're all together and they want to be together. And families, too. We got a lot of kids playing with each other. I think they all live in the same area. It's like you've literally built a community down there. And the community's culture is, we're going to win hockey games in an awesome.
Connor
Way, even on the ice. Sorry, could you eat on ice when a once they wanted, you know, passing a couple rounds to the first time winners, you know, everybody get to touch it first. That, you know, for their first time experiencing that, that just lets you know that illustrates what type of team, what type of culture that they really have in there. So congratulations on receiving that fighting puck, man. Well deserved. And you've shown it with this offseason.
Pat McAfee
Hell yeah, Bill, thanks.
I
Yeah, it was like the family thing.
Pat McAfee
You.
I
You can't overstate that. So, I mean, even. Even Marcy, when Marcy, no one knew what was going to happen. And my kids, his daughter's name's Ruru, might be the cutest human on earth. My kids are saying, you have to.
Pat McAfee
Get Ruru back, dad.
I
You have to get Ruru back. And then the next night, I don't know, maybe it was two nights after, and the boys had already gone a little bit, but they still had some in them. Matthew Tkachuk says, let's have a party with everybody and everybody's families, kids, everybody, let's go. And it was awesome. We had so much fun.
Pat McAfee
That feels like that's every day for you guys down there. Hop on a golf cart, go to the golf course, hang out with each other. Let's go work our asses off at the rink so we can fight other people and beat them. It's like you guys have everything that every type of team is looking for, every business is looking for. Congratulations on keeping that and enjoy the hell out of the offseason. Bill, you look awesome right now.
I
Thanks. Appreciate it very much.
Pat McAfee
You're glowing, brother. You're glowing. And also congratulations. Congratulations on being the most super Italian in America. Right? You won some. Yeah, you won the Italian. Most Italian. Italian, Right. Award.
I
I would like to win the most Italian Italian award. That would be something.
Pat McAfee
But I think you did. You're getting honored, I think at this golf.
I
No, that's the. Yeah, the National Italian Invitational. That's a golf. Oh, yeah, the Chuck golf outing out of Lake Geneva. I'm sure some packers had won it, A.J. i don't know, but You. Have you been Lake Geneva?
Bill Zito
Oh, yeah. Lake Geneva's awesome. I'm not Italian, but yeah. Congrats.
Pat McAfee
Lombardi won one. Lombardi won one.
I
LombardI, like a lot of big names, but it's. It's a special place and I'm just honored. And it's a great charity and they raise money and have scholarships. It's.
Pat McAfee
It's a great.
I
It's wonderful.
Pat McAfee
Well, congrats on being named their most super Italian. And that's a big honor. Coach Pagano won that in years past. Yeah. That's how we learned about the most Italian Italian over award. And we are pumped as hell for you to enjoy that and everything else that you've worked your ass off for. Congratulations, Bill.
I
Thank you.
Pat McAfee
Grazie. Prego. Bill Zito. The most Italian. Italian. I think our show has the most Italian Italian award winners to ever be broadcaster on it.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, I assume so.
Pat McAfee
Oh, yeah, I think so.
AJ Hawk
2.
Pat McAfee
A lot of paisans of the program have won the most Italian. Italian giants. That's the ultimate goal. When's territory getting his. That's gonna. Oh, I gotta.
Connor
We gotta four of them.
Pat McAfee
I think we might see Gene Steritor in the near future.
Ty Schmidt
That'd be awesome.
Pat McAfee
I'll tell you what, that. That is a mood lifter. As soon as Steritor walks into the room, boom. Who's that guy? Yeah, you want to know who it is? He's so good.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, the throwback. NFL games are awesome. And then when he comes on to make a call, it's even better.
Pat McAfee
He also there for a little bit. He was doing the.
Bill Zito
Yeah, I love that.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, Just so casual. What do you. A lot of refs wondering what to do with your hands. Well, Stereotor's got an answer. One of these times I'm gonna make sure this thing's on. That's first dime.
AJ Hawk
First dime.
Pat McAfee
That's first Don.
AJ Hawk
He's the best.
Pat McAfee
We got a personal file. We all saw it. 74 right over there. 15 yard penalty. First time. Gene Star towards the man. Also saw who he learned that from the Pittsburgh ref. The high school.
Connor
I'm assuming that guy was Italian 200 years.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, maybe. I don't know. Yeah, there he is right there, actually. You want to zoom in. There he is. That's the western Pennsylvania interscholastic triple og. First time. That's a hold. We saw it first time. We got face mask. Defense number 16. That's up. St. Clair, first time. Guy's the greatest.
Ty Schmidt
The best.
Pat McAfee
I can't believe they tried to eliminate the insurance Accent from, like, when people get out of Pittsburgh and they get into situations where more people can hear them, they immediately go, you gotta fucking get that out of your voice. Whatever that is. Sounds like you're just all saying one word and it's marbles in there. You need to get rid of that. It's like the Inzer accent is the greatest by far. Anything that is said, it's funny in it.
AJ Hawk
Yes.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah. I never knew about it until coming out. Coming out here, didn't even know there was Pittsburgh accent.
Pat McAfee
Very lazy. And then if you just think about the human that's probably saying, it's just so good.
Connor
Oh, my God. My D coordinator in college was Pittsburgh, and his favorite word was don't be a jack off.
Pat McAfee
All right.
Ty Schmidt
Come on, Jack.
Connor
Like, he loved it. We all used it.
Sauce Gardner
You.
Connor
You hear that a lot.
Pat McAfee
Do you think Bill Zito claims Pittsburgh? He should. We. We're definitely claiming him. I. I don't think he died. He had.
AJ Hawk
Hasn't argued against it. Sounds like he claims dad play for Steelers.
Pat McAfee
Ironman or Super.
Ty Schmidt
The Duke dudes.
Pat McAfee
All right, this terrible show ends now. We will continue digitally. Hopefully you'll join us back again tomorrow. Happy birthday, America. It's right around the corner. We'll see you then. Goodbye. I was very professional. That came out quickly there.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, it did, actually.
Pat McAfee
Four guests today. Five. Yeah.
Ty Schmidt
Moving.
AJ Hawk
Oh, yeah.
Pat McAfee
Sham's mom came in. Did you see that? We did some real, like, breaking news from the newsroom. And Sean's trying to get his tweet. He's trying to fire his tweet off while talking. Sham's good at multitasking. Obviously that was a thing to watch him do. That New York Knicks get a head coach. AJ Mike Brown.
Bill Zito
Mike Brown, Yeah. I mean, all I could think of when I heard Mike Brown was debut mentioned video. Whenever he was trying to tell the guys how to run, how to get back on D or whatever, it was like I knew, hey, that.
Pat McAfee
That's.
Bill Zito
That's our guy.
Pat McAfee
That's.
Bill Zito
We need that guy.
Pat McAfee
I do. I. All roads led to a notable probably right for the Knicks.
Connor
Well, started that way, but yeah, I.
AJ Hawk
Think it was kind of just scrambling. Hey, people know this guy. We probably won't get killed if we hire him. Let's go ahead and grab it. Because they. He. He was what, probably like the 8th choice realistically going into the off season. I mean, they went back, but they.
Pat McAfee
Would say that they were just casting a wide net for sure. It's not in faith favorite. We were just trying to interview as many people as possible. Like in the NFL, they interview like 20, 30 people nowadays, like, like 15, 20 people. But you know who's leader in the clubhouse? We never knew who the leader in the clubhouse was for the Knicks because everybody was seemingly opting out of being the leader in the clubhouse.
AJ Hawk
Exactly. We only got to him because they requested all these other people and they said no. And it was like, okay, can't do him. Can't do him. Like, well, shit, Mike Brown's available. Let's. Let's go get him. But even that, they brought in Don Staley, too, and some of those other people Sean's named. Like, he is. I mean, he's got a track record and he's a good coach, but I. I think you're being ignorant. And if you think, like, they come out and say, like, he's the guy who we wanted all along.
Sauce Gardner
No.
Pat McAfee
What maybe they did in the back of their mind, they're like, the universe will let us know if all these other guys we can interview and coach John Staley, if he ends up being the one. It's. It's the reason. And James Dolan could spin a web that. That's where he wanted.
AJ Hawk
And he will.
Ty Schmidt
Spins a lot of webs.
AJ Hawk
It's weird that spends a lot of.
Pat McAfee
Webs that does that sphere. I mean, how much we paid for one concert. I couldn't even fathom, oh, my God.
AJ Hawk
What he's got going on and where's the other ones? Open in Abu Dhabi or something.
Pat McAfee
I couldn't even fathom what that guy's got going on. The amount of money. And then him being the direct one, being like, Mac Fee's not. Yeah, right. I love. Like, I genuinely. I think people think that I'm talking shit when I say that. No, if I was the owner of a team and somebody from the other team did. Had a speech or was a part of it, hey, can he. Can he come get the fuck out of. You can sit in a suite if you want. You want to buy a suite, we'll get you. You're not going to be on the court. That's not representing us. I love that move out of that. I also appreciate that they did try to, as Bruce would put it, mid major other NBA teams. Yeah, it's like it was March Madness and mid major coach has a good run. Like, all right, he's getting plucked to a bigger school. That's kind. That's how Bruce was describing what the Knicks were doing. I think that's how Bruce was selling it to himself. But once I viewed it that way, I was like, oh, that's hysterical. Especially if Dolan was the one who was like, McAfee's not sitting in courtside. Like, if he's like, ask them if they want to congratulate their coach.
AJ Hawk
Coaches in Minnesota, ask him if he wants to come coach in New York.
Pat McAfee
And I love that, just the thought of that. Now, this is no way, like a normal avenue to get a head coach at all. But I do appreciate that the, the Knicks just do their own way.
Bill Zito
Seemingly, the only way you get Jason Kidd is if Jason Kidd forces his way to the Knicks. And the only way to pique that interest is to go and ask the Mavericks, hey, can we talk to Jason Kidd? They say no, then Jason Kidd can force his way out and, and, you know, come over. I, I don't think there was ever any expectation that those teams would grant an interview to their head coaches. I, I did think it was pretty funny to, to ask a bunch of them, but, you know, I, I think it often gets overblown. Like, what are the Knicks doing? They don't have a plan. Like, they're doing a coaching search is what they were doing. They interviewed Mike Brown, two time coach of the year. They got their coach, they got a better, deeper bench and the same starting lineup, and we just got to use our bench and not blow a game one lead, lead in the Eastern Conference.
Pat McAfee
See, think about that. You guys doing a coaching search is the timing of your coaching search was so late because your team made it to the Eastern Conference finals, which is why people go like, why are we doing a coaching search?
Bill Zito
And the, the flip side of that is that, like, Knicks fans should, like, man, we, we've always sucked. We should just be happy with being good now. And I think it was clear in the Pacer series that Rick Carlisle, you know, ran laps around Thibodeau and Tibbs was, was forced to go to a deeper rotation, which he never did once in the regular season. While meanwhile, Obi Toppin, who rotted away on our bench, is giving us 15 minutes of hell every single night, while Tibbs last season probably went to our GM Leon Rose, and said, obi Toppin, I can't play him. He's not good enough on defense. All those combinations of things leads to them, you know, moving on and pumped out about Jordan Clarkson, former sixth man of the year, coming off our bench now. And I think we're well positioned here.
Pat McAfee
I love that. Bruce. Congrats, Bruce.
Bill Zito
Yeah, Bruce.
Pat McAfee
Hey, he was, he's been awesome. Through this entire thing. Because at the beginning, he's like every other Knicks fan. Whenever they fire Tibbs after they said, whoa, we got no plan when it's all happening. And then you, you could tell Bruce laid down at night and was like, what else are they supposed to do? And then starts going through it all. And he is, he has done a full. Oh, yeah, it is the full reversal. I think that is a genuine attitude out of him right there.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, no doubt.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, we are. We did make it to the Eastern Conference finals. Yeah. Everybody seemingly forgetting about that with new voice in there and maybe new strategy that we. You guys ran into it two years in a row in the playoffs. Yes. Pacers. Both years. Yeah. Now the Pacers do that to a lot of teams. I think we're what we're learning. You know, Pacers took Oklahoma City, one of the most dominant teams in the history of the NBA, do a seven game series because of how they play. But I respect the fact that you, as a Knicks fan, was at the point of like, the Knicks are fucking idiots. And now it's like, no, I. I'm with him. I. I think this is a good play. I think Dolan will appreciate that. And if the Knicks make another run, that's good for the NBA and it's good for the Pacers as well, even though we don't have Tyrese.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, well, that's the thing for Mike Brown and like the whole entire Knicks thing, they look so dumb because they didn't have a plan. And like, I get the Mike Brown thing. If they fired T. Gibbs and hired Mike Brown the next day, that would be a different conversation. And if you look at the teams that did fire coaches or have in the past, they usually just hire an assistant. The spurs, they just, hey, let's go to the assistant Nuggets assistant, Celtics assistant. I think the assumption would have been that they had some other assistant coach in the Knicks organization that they loved and that they wanted to, you know, make head coach immediately, and then they didn't. And then it took a few weeks and then it was much. Malone would be perfect. And then, you know, Mike Malone either says no or doesn't want to do it. I think that was the big thing. But Mike Brown's now in a terrible situation because of the fact that it's like, hey, you're either the 2 seed because all these teams in the east suck. And we're the only team really coming back with everybody aside from the Cavs. So it should be the Cavs, Knicks and Then everybody else and you guys better go back to the Eastern Conference finals. And when you get there, you better win. Because if you don't, then hey Mike Brown, you just basically shit down your leg because this team's great first year.
Pat McAfee
And he'll have excuses. I would first year in the system.
Ty Schmidt
That's what I'm saying.
AJ Hawk
Excuses ready.
Pat McAfee
Don't worry, there will be reasons. But I'm just saying like after experiencing the Knicks series with us, like I understand that we are considered small market here in Indiana in the seven game finals was up 10% year over year whenever it comes to audience for the NBA and all that stuff. But it's like the New York effect is very. And I happen to be in their city for two of the biggest days and watching just buildings empty in the streets to celebrate like the scenes that the Knicks gave to New York City and to the sports world as a whole. It's like we would like the Knicks to be good. Yeah.
Ty Schmidt
The NBA is a thousand times better when like the Knicks, Knicks, the Lakers, the Celtics. The old school teams are good.
Pat McAfee
Just like hockey.
Ty Schmidt
Just like hockey. Exactly.
Pat McAfee
Gary Bettman told us a stat yesterday. Five new teams in the playoffs every year for like the last 20 years or so. I forget what the number was. He said five new teams get in there this year. None of the original six were in there. That's not good for hockey.
Ty Schmidt
First time Rangers, Penguins and Bruins haven't been in the playoffs. I think at the same time since.
Pat McAfee
I like what's that?
Connor
I kind of like.
AJ Hawk
It was an electric player.
Connor
It was kind of like what hockey's going.
Pat McAfee
It's pretty good. You need Pittsburgh in the playoffs. Okay, man.
Connor
Handy out. Earn it.
Pat McAfee
Okay.
AJ Hawk
Pittsburgh. Yeah.
Pat McAfee
I don't need the Rangers.
Ty Schmidt
I mean Pittsburgh started this whole Florida Panthers thing. You remember that?
Pat McAfee
What let them in.
Ty Schmidt
If the Penguins beat the Chicago Blackhawks last game two years ago, that was.
AJ Hawk
A good team though.
Ty Schmidt
The Bruin. Or three years ago, the Bruins don't play the Panthers in the first round of the playoffs and lose. They.
Pat McAfee
That was the greatest regular season of all time. You guys had. Yeah, you could just beat him in the first round.
Ty Schmidt
Brad Marchand. Actually there's a tweet going around like biggest butterfly moment in the history of hockey was breakaway Bruins up three one. Yeah. Breakaway. End of the game with the clock running out.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Great save.
Ty Schmidt
Great as Bob, baby.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. That is Bob. You think Bill's gonna send any of those guys to Pittsburgh? I tried to convince him.
Ty Schmidt
I don't know. Is trailer park boys Shot out of Pittsburgh. I think Bill might be a big one.
Pat McAfee
What's that had.
Ty Schmidt
Those were Bubbles glasses.
Pat McAfee
Right? I've never. I've never seen that. But a man named Bubbles could have those glasses on in my mind.
AJ Hawk
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Is that same as Poopies? Who's Poopy?
Ty Schmidt
Oh, no. He is the. He is the Poopies. The trailer park boy boys.
AJ Hawk
You, Phil Zito did not deserve that. There's a lot of people that didn't deserve a lot of today.
Pat McAfee
What do you mean?
Ty Schmidt
I thought Bubbles reference.
AJ Hawk
Nick's comment about Nigel was uncalled. That was. That was a kill. It was not about Nigel.
Pat McAfee
It was.
AJ Hawk
You said it was about British people in general.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, but you said Nigel needs to stop.
AJ Hawk
I mean, it was 10 seconds after he got off the phone.
Pat McAfee
He had to have heard it. Still watching?
AJ Hawk
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Family's a great guy.
AJ Hawk
He's great. Great for the program.
Pat McAfee
Entertaining, informative. He's awesome. And sometimes we'll say we love somebody and we don't mean it. Okay, I'm going to give a little behind the curtain over here. Nigel is a guy we love. I mean, that is. We've talked to him a long time.
AJ Hawk
Long time.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. It is funny just to drop a British accent in the middle of our show.
AJ Hawk
It is.
Pat McAfee
Is it on 4th of July week? Yeah.
Ty Schmidt
Literally.
Pat McAfee
Can't be tying two. Two Costa Rica. What? We won that game.
AJ Hawk
I mean, Connor said he was chewing rocks.
Pat McAfee
You're all right.
Ty Schmidt
What are we talking Was, man, I couldn't hear.
Pat McAfee
He's talking about the way it sounds. We need the captions under that. When are we gonna get to the point of tech where I'll be able to read what he's saying to me live?
AJ Hawk
You know, we could have just put up, like, indescribable British.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, but that's mumble bumble.
Pat McAfee
No, I know, but it wasn't British. Bullshit.
AJ Hawk
I could understand him. You know, I'm just saying, you know, I could help people out.
Pat McAfee
I mean, Amanda Anna Sonova. Yeah, that's a tough British accent. I mean, that was tough for me to get. I didn't know if he. Because you guys told me he said one name, I was like, oh, my God. That's why. But they are naturally more funny than us. I think the British accent is naturally funnier. Like, I think about Ricky Gervais. Ricky Gervais can and will say anything. And I think it's all just because of the accent, you know, and their ability to use words that we have kind of stigmatized.
AJ Hawk
Yeah. Big time.
Pat McAfee
Is an interesting. That is an interesting thing. That is. That is an interesting thing over there. But shout out to England. Wimbledon's been electrifying because I don't know who these people are other than Joker Alcaraz. I obviously know Madison Keys, New Coco.
AJ Hawk
Goth, Bo Djokovic, Terry Pegula, their. Their daughter Jesse Pula, sinner.
Pat McAfee
Okay, so we know some of these people.
AJ Hawk
People.
Pat McAfee
But a majority of these Wimbledon games, I'm looking up who it is and I'm seeing a number that's low and a number that's high and the high ones winning. And in it. It's been. Wimbledon's been electrifying. Tennis is not something I'll ever be able to watch full time, but at these big tournaments, you know, you get 80,000 for a first round loss. @ this thing, it is fun to watch the intensity and the reaction. John Cena was over there in a full suit.
AJ Hawk
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Oh, yeah, he was. He's awesome.
Bill Zito
He was so hot.
Pat McAfee
He's an American. He's a. Okay. Yeah. He lived down in Florida, Tampa, for.
AJ Hawk
However long, long time.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
AJ Hawk
He's no air conditioning in the military barracks. You think they got air conditioning in there?
Ty Schmidt
Easy.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. He looks unbelievable. I assume he's sitting near the King or whatever.
AJ Hawk
Yeah. Cena.
Connor
Yeah.
AJ Hawk
Killed. Been Marine.
Ty Schmidt
Easy.
AJ Hawk
Long time.
Pat McAfee
He was in a movie. A Marine. Yes, he was.
Connor
Well, is he to step on those yellow foot?
Pat McAfee
Ura. I don't know if he made it down to Paris island, but he. He was a marine in a movie.
AJ Hawk
Killed bin Laden.
Pat McAfee
His hair looks unbelievable. He looks unbelievable. He's really just batting. It seems like scene is really doing.
Connor
Yeah.
Ty Schmidt
Peacemaker's coming out as well very soon.
Pat McAfee
There's another movie too. I just saw a commercial. Yeah.
AJ Hawk
Very soon. Yeah.
Pat McAfee
It's going to be unbelievable.
Ty Schmidt
Air Force.
AJ Hawk
He plays the president of the United States.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, it's going to be. John Cena for shooting. Incredible at doing movies.
AJ Hawk
Yes.
Bill Zito
Great actor. Great legit.
Pat McAfee
Great actor. I agree. His context, his tone.
Bill Zito
Just kind of range. Got range that he shouldn't have too. Athletes usually don't have range like he does doing comedy and drama, all that stuff.
Ty Schmidt
Don Bautista too.
AJ Hawk
Oh, he's.
Pat McAfee
Oh, yeah.
AJ Hawk
Risks. Cena doesn't give a. If he looks like an. Or if he has to make fun of himself. Like, I feel like that's a pretty big deal for a guy in his position.
Pat McAfee
He does. Does things on a regular basis over there. They're like, that's a humiliation ritual. It's like. No, Cena's Just down for.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, he's self deprecating now.
Pat McAfee
Or we don't know. Is he up?
AJ Hawk
Did I say he's up for the next pond? You did not see that. That'd be sweet, though.
Pat McAfee
But they say that about everything. Like, cena's willing to do whatever. Did what, a four minute dance routine of peacemaker at the beginning of that thing with like all the. Cena is a beast. He's an absolute beast. That's a machine, that guy. Go ahead.
Ty Schmidt
I mean, he lived in China for a while, which, but with that being said, completely different land language.
Pat McAfee
All right, if this goes in.
Connor
Oh, do you learn speaking?
Ty Schmidt
Hey, AJ, you can speak Mandarin.
Pat McAfee
AJ can't speak man. AJ. 200 push ups this morning on the.
Bill Zito
Great.
Pat McAfee
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. We did a couple sets there. Yeah, we did a couple sets there. It was your push ups, though, the ones on the bench. You said that's the.
Bill Zito
Oh, like a decline kind of incline.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, incline, I believe, decline. My feet on the bench. Right. Incline would be hands on the bench.
Bill Zito
Yeah, yeah. So like. Oh, yeah, that's great, isn't it?
Pat McAfee
Feels good. Yeah. It was really 50 clips.
Connor
40.
Pat McAfee
Started at 50.
Bill Zito
Yeah, you can move your hands too. Like, you can start with your hands in. Go wide, close grip for your triceps, all that stuff.
Pat McAfee
Great workout. Because you're also doing a plank, right? Because you got. Hold the body up or whatever. I talked to Booker T. About this whenever we did the boxing events, and he's so jacked. He's like 60, whatever. And he's just jacked.
Bill Zito
He looks awesome.
Pat McAfee
He said, just does 200 push ups a day or whatever. Every morning. Starts his day, does 200 push ups a day. I was like, you, you're. You have no body. You're also like incredibly ripped. He's like, yeah, just the push ups because you're doing planks there the whole time. So it's. You're basically playing push ups. Like the greatest workout of all time. I've started doing it. It is amazing. And then rowing crew that.
Ty Schmidt
That machine back.
Pat McAfee
It's good. Like, I'm doing a lot of workouts for a lot of parts of my body that I'm like almost tricking myself into doing here, you know, like, the rowing is unbelievable. Back workout, tricep in legs, kind of cardio. Arms cardio. Like.
Bill Zito
Oh, yeah.
Pat McAfee
I think the number one rower in America recruit is in Indiana.
AJ Hawk
Oh, really?
Pat McAfee
I think he's a senior in Indianapolis, Indiana. I don't know if it's Brownsburg High School or maybe Carmel High School. I don't remember. His dad was at one of our shows for the NBA finals and he was like, hey, if you ever want to talk about rowing, the number one rower in the class of blah blah blah is my son. He's in Indianapolis, Indiana and he trained out on each Eagle Creek reservoir over there.
Ty Schmidt
That's interesting.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. He is six, five maybe.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, he's got to be a big son of a.
Pat McAfee
And I'm like so amazed that he rowing is where he stayed because that guy Jimmy Graham's about to row to the Arctic Circle. That's starting here really soon. Any day now. Geez. Yeah, they're maniacs. Yeah, that's a hard work. I've been doing it. It's a great workout. It's a full body type situation. You know, they say swimming's full body, but you got to get in the water. It's like a hole. I got a hole in my eardrum. I go, I don't really necessarily love it. If I drown, I actually die. So true. That's not, that's not a desirable workout for me. Hasn't been. I've tried it a couple times because I know how good it is for the joints and does the whole body. This rowing thing, I've really gotten into it. I've really enjoyed it. You put a song on too. A couple songs on, then you're just right on beat. Like whenever they're yelling, it's like you kind of get lost in it. And then you get up and you're like, I can't move my whole body.
Ty Schmidt
My workout second cousin of mine won gold at the Olympics.
Pat McAfee
Rowing, really?
Ty Schmidt
Coaching a combo. I think that no, Delaney, I think they actually when he was rowing he won silver or bronze. But then when he coached they won gold and not, I think he coached at UCLA. Maybe he like his D1 coach now.
Pat McAfee
The. It's hard.
Connor
Was it rap like all Americans?
Bill Zito
Yeah. Rapsey wanted gold, I thought.
Pat McAfee
Right.
AJ Hawk
But you saw how much strapped he.
Pat McAfee
Was when he was short st. Where.
Connor
Do they, what are they put the short swole guys at?
Pat McAfee
I, I don't know. In like the big races or in the one he was in.
Connor
I mean I assume he was in the biggest.
AJ Hawk
He was an all man.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah. The short swole guys, I think they did he just practice.
AJ Hawk
He's got a certain arm.
Pat McAfee
These dudes are huge. I, I, I think the, the rowing guys, Volleyball guys. Huge. Yeah.
Bill Zito
The winkle. The winkle Vi the wink. Remember them in the movie they have.
Pat McAfee
They're big.
Connor
Rose in front.
Pat McAfee
Tall.
AJ Hawk
He's huge.
Bill Zito
That's a different human.
Pat McAfee
That's Ian rap boy right there in front with sunglasses. Yeah. Wow. He likes to tape up his ore, obviously.
Bill Zito
Nice watch on too. What's the watch?
Pat McAfee
Well, he's keeping time for exactly 22. Yeah, he's in there. You know how many seconds it's taking.
Ty Schmidt
Him barking out that rap sheet the night before was up to some senile shots. I know for a fact.
Pat McAfee
What, senile? Yeah, like forgetting he's doing it.
Ty Schmidt
Exactly.
Pat McAfee
If this goes in, Ian Rapaport was never seen on.
AJ Hawk
Okay, okay.
Ty Schmidt
Maybe he did some senile though.
Pat McAfee
Oh.
Ty Schmidt
I wanted that so bad.
Pat McAfee
Bono ball. Bono ball. Bono ball.
AJ Hawk
Were you confused? Cuz rap he did actually roll the entire Nile river one time.
Pat McAfee
All right, what's this for tonight?
AJ Hawk
Usa.
Connor
Oh yeah, that's big.
Pat McAfee
Usa, Guatemala, semifinals of the concacaf. Not to be confused by with concave the CONCACAF gold cup tonight. AJ what's final score?
Bill Zito
USA, Guatemala 8 nothing. US wins.
Pat McAfee
Love that. That's basically what Gumpy was saying. Gumpy, who is one of the greatest footy handicappers on earth from the Hammer podcast in The Concave Pod. Gumpy3 Nothing Tone 3 1.
AJ Hawk
We all know they will concede.
Pat McAfee
Oh man, they don't have to.
AJ Hawk
They won't concede again.
Pat McAfee
They won't concede again. Toxic table at Boston. Connor score tonight.
Ty Schmidt
I'm gonna go zero.
Pat McAfee
Zero penalties and then who wins?
Ty Schmidt
Come on, we're freezing there.
Pat McAfee
Okay, so we win in penalties you're saying? Yeah. Okay. How many saves does Freeze have in five?
Ty Schmidt
Wait, that doesn't make sense. Four.
Pat McAfee
He has four out of how many out of four?
Ty Schmidt
Out of five.
Pat McAfee
Four out of five. It wouldn't probably make to the fifth I'd assume if he had four there.
Ty Schmidt
No, cuz they score first and then.
Pat McAfee
Boom boom, boom boom boom, boom, boom, boom boom.
Ty Schmidt
Two, one.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, but that thing's over early. Unless are we not scoring any of ours either?
Bill Zito
Yeah, they're always stand on his head too.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, yeah, exactly. Cuz they.
Pat McAfee
Oh, it's a kg penalty shot.
Ty Schmidt
They the boost. I'm just telling you what I read about. And then last shot. Two, one.
Pat McAfee
Freeze takes it.
Ty Schmidt
Freeze saves it. We win, everyone goes down. Freeze has his tongue out again.
Pat McAfee
Again. Like.
Sauce Gardner
USA.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, exactly.
Pat McAfee
USA.
AJ Hawk
Okay Ty, I'm gonna say 4 n US. And I also believe it's supposed to be pretty hot out there. Rumor has it Ponch is going to cut holes in his slacks and hang his nuts out.
Pat McAfee
All right, that's what? Punch.
AJ Hawk
That's what he wants to do that.
Pat McAfee
That's what he wants us to D. Butch your predictions for tonight's usa Gore, Morgan.
Bill Zito
Assless Chaps.
Connor
Freeze is locked in. He's down. I think we win. Five, zero.
Bill Zito
What city are you?
AJ Hawk
St. Louis.
Connor
Home turf.
Pat McAfee
What's your prediction if it's gonna too high?
Connor
Okay, that's a good question.
Pat McAfee
I have USA 4, 2. Okay. Oh, they concede.
AJ Hawk
They did concede again.
Pat McAfee
Then. Oh, never mind. Oh, international game.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, you're right.
Pat McAfee
It's an international game. What was I doing?
AJ Hawk
Well, hey, it's an honest mistake.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Okay.
AJ Hawk
International game.
Pat McAfee
Boom. Boom. All right. The USA wins regardless, it seems.
Darius Butler
Boom.
AJ Hawk
We're good.
Pat McAfee
All right. Be a friend. Tell a friend something nice. It might change their life. Enjoy the hell out of this summer. We appreciate you all for allowing us us to do this for a living. Team on me. We're back tomorrow. Team on three. One, two, three. Goodbye. In 1979, the first words spoken on ESPN weren't just an announcement. If you're a fan, they were a sports prophecy. What you'll see in the next minutes, hours and days to follow. Glad you're with us tonight. May convince you you've got gone to sports heaven. And right now, you're standing on the edge of tomorrow. This fall, the next era of ESPN begins. Sports forever.
Podcast Summary: The Pat McAfee Show – PMS 2.0 Episode 1373
Release Date: July 2, 2025
Introduction
In this vibrant episode of The Pat McAfee Show, host Pat McAfee, alongside co-hosts AJ Hawk, Ty Schmidt, and Connor, delve into a wide array of sports topics, featuring insightful discussions, expert guests, and engaging banter. The episode navigates through major sports events, team performances, player insights, and exclusive interviews, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of the current sports landscape.
1. The Significance of July 2, 2025
Pat McAfee kicks off the show by highlighting the historical significance of the release date.
Pat McAfee [00:00]: "This July 2, 2025, officially marks a very pivotal point in our existence."
AJ Hawk [00:43]: "July 2, 2025 is exactly 9131 days away from the year to the start of the year 2000. It's also 9131 days away from the start of the year 2050. This is the halfway point between 2000 and 2050."
This discussion underscores the unique positioning of the date as the midpoint between the years 2000 and 2050, symbolizing a reflection on past achievements and future aspirations.
2. Baseball Spotlight: Pittsburgh Pirates
The conversation shifts to Major League Baseball, focusing on the Pittsburgh Pirates' performance.
Despite the team's modest record of 25-24, there is optimism about their pitching prowess and potential for improvement, suggesting a possible playoff run as the season progresses.
3. Hockey Insights: Florida Panthers with Bill Zito
Bill Zito, General Manager of the Florida Panthers, joins the show to discuss the team's ongoing success and strategic decisions.
Zito elaborates on the Panthers' strategy to retain their core players until 2030, ensuring sustained dominance in the NHL. He emphasizes the importance of team chemistry and long-term planning in maintaining their competitive edge.
4. The Injury of Performer "Red Panda"
The hosts express concern over an injury sustained by a performer known as Red Panda, highlighting her remarkable athleticism and the impact of her injury.
Red Panda's injury during a Commissioners Cup event raises discussions about athlete safety and the physical demands of high-performance acts.
5. Wimbledon and Betting with Nigel Seeley
Nigel Seeley, Director of Content at Betting Weekly, provides an expert analysis of the Wimbledon tournament, focusing on surprising upsets and betting implications.
Seeley discusses the unusual trend of top seeds being eliminated early in the tournament, attributing it to extreme weather conditions and player fatigue from transitioning between different court surfaces.
Notable Quote:
6. Soccer Segment: USA vs. Guatemala in the CONCACAF Cup
The show covers the upcoming USA vs. Guatemala match in the CONCACAF Cup, discussing the implications for the U.S. Men's National Team.
The hosts predict a strong performance from the U.S. team, emphasizing anticipation around goalkeeper Save performances and the overall team strategy.
7. Football Focus: Exclusive with Sauce Gardner
Sauce Gardner, an All-Pro cornerback for the New York Jets, shares his experiences, insights on player safety gear, and thoughts on his team's future.
Gardner discusses his partnership with Q Collar, a gear designed to reduce the risk of brain injuries by applying light pressure around the neck. He emphasizes the importance of such innovations in football safety.
Notable Quote:
8. Offensive Line Mastermind Summit with Lane Johnson
Lane Johnson, a Super Bowl champion and prominent offensive lineman, talks about the O Line Mastermind Summit, an annual event for offensive linemen to enhance their skills.
Johnson highlights the growth of the summit from 27 participants to 300, emphasizing the exchange of knowledge and fostering a strong community among offensive linemen.
Notable Quote:
9. New York Knicks Hiring Mike Brown
Shams Charania, senior NBA Insider for ESPN, announces the New York Knicks' decision to hire Mike Brown as their new head coach. The discussion revolves around the impact of this hire on the team's future performance.
The hosts analyze the potential benefits of Brown's leadership, drawing parallels to his previous successes and the Knicks' current trajectory.
Notable Quote:
10. Celebrations and Culture in Sports
The episode concludes with discussions about team celebrations, locker room culture, and the importance of maintaining a strong, cohesive team environment.
Zito reflects on the Panthers' ability to retain their star players and the role of effective leadership in fostering a winning culture.
Closing Remarks
Pat McAfee wraps up the episode by recapping the key discussions, congratulating guests on their achievements, and teasing future segments featuring more sports insights and exclusive interviews.
Final Quote:
Key Takeaways
Historical Significance: July 2, 2025, marks the midpoint between 2000 and 2050, symbolizing a reflective and forward-looking moment.
Team Performances: Optimism surrounds the Pittsburgh Pirates and Florida Panthers despite challenges, with strategic hires and strong team chemistry.
Player Insights: Sauce Gardner highlights innovations in player safety, while Lane Johnson emphasizes the importance of community and knowledge-sharing in offensive line play.
Major Hires: Mike Brown's appointment as the New York Knicks' head coach is seen as a strategic move to bolster the team's competitiveness.
Sports Culture: Strong emphasis on team unity, leadership, and maintaining a winning culture across different sports.
This episode of The Pat McAfee Show offers a rich tapestry of sports discussions, blending expert analysis with personal anecdotes and exclusive interviews. Whether you're a fan seeking the latest sports news or someone looking to stay informed about key athletic developments, this episode delivers comprehensive coverage with engaging commentary.