Throwbacks with Matt Leinart & Jerry Ferrara

Episode: Kyle Van Noy on Tom Brady, 28-3 Comeback, Ravens-Steelers Rivalry & More
Date: January 15, 2026
Guest: Kyle Van Noy
Hosts: Matt Leinart, Jerry Ferrara
Featured Contributor: Annie Agar

Episode Overview

This engaging episode dives into all things football, featuring veteran NFL linebacker Kyle Van Noy as the special guest. The hosts and Kyle discuss everything from the soul of NFL rivalries and locker room culture to candid stories of Tom Brady, epic playoff moments—like the Patriots’ legendary 28-3 comeback—and fresh perspectives on the state of rivalries, free agency, and the evolution of defensive play. Alongside regular segments with Annie Agar, listeners also get relatable digressions into sports fandom, family, and some wild behind-the-scenes stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Playoffs & the Current Landscape

• The hosts reflect on the unpredictability and excitement of the NFL playoffs.
  • Matt notes: “This year just feels...kinda wide open. Any of these teams that are left could seriously win a Super Bowl.” (01:07)
• Jerry points out the parity and drama: “...every year is the best wild card weekend ever” (00:54) and sets the stage for Van Noy’s insider perspective as a player who just missed the postseason.

2. Introducing Kyle Van Noy: Career Highlights and Locker Room Culture

• Van Noy’s multi-team journey and experience with legendary players and coaches is discussed.
  • “He’s played with...Brady, Stafford, Lamar, Herbert, Megatron...unbelievable NFL players, and of course, a lot do, but that’s—he’s played with the, like, Hall of Fame.” — Jerry (02:24)
• The “Unk” nickname is unpacked:
  • “People were trying to call me grandpa. And so I was, you ain’t grandpa...Let’s meet in the middle at Unk.” — Kyle (18:37)

Memorable Moment

• Discussion on skiing as a big guy, helmet-and-goggles anonymity, and irony of outdated Wikipedia stats. (16:42–18:05)

3. Player Experience: Free Agency, Aging, and Playoff Fallout

• Kyle talks openly about the emotions post-playoffs and keeping in shape:
  • “Life is going on. Life being a loser when you’re out of the playoffs, you know...But hey, I am enjoying family time.” (16:20)
  • “Every year’s different depending on how you finish...The NFL has made surgeries look like going to the dentist. It’s kind of crazy how we’ve numbed surgery in the NFL.” (20:07)
• Dad workout jokes and prepping for “beach season,” with wit about “big booty season” on the stair stepper. (21:02)

4. Culture of Rivalries & Respect in Today’s NFL

• On why NFL players talk less trash than NBA players:
  • “There’s a lot of respect...you do have to go out there with a helmet on...that’s a lot of dudes that could end you if they wanted to...so it’s a respect factor.” — Kyle (22:05)
• Concern about NIL, player loyalty, and coaches’ friendliness impacting rivalries:
  • “Too many people are buddy, buddy. I think that 7-on-7 has done numbers on the next generation, and this NIL is doing a lot of damage...” (23:24)
• Kyle reaffirms he’s “cut from that old school that Matt grew up with. I’m not trying to be your friend out there.” (23:11)

5. Advice to Young Players and College/NFL Culture Shift

• “Choose your hard...It’s hard going the long route. I understand both, but I think if you choose your hard in the sense of...if you work as hard as you can to succeed at that one place, it’s going to benefit you in the long run.” — Kyle (25:24)
• On “production over potential,” the value of players like Puka Nacua, and why staying and grinding pays off. (22:00–29:03)

6. Greatest Rivalries: Ravens-Steelers vs. BYU-Utah (“Holy War”)

• “Raven-Steelers, you can just stop.” — Kyle (34:55)
• But notes that BYU-Utah impacts families, with stories of actual family rifts and deep personal stakes. (35:01)
• Vivid depiction of the emotion and pressure of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry:
  • “When you play that Steelers matchup, you know, those highlights are going to live forever. Good or bad…you’re on the bad side of things where we let 42 year old wax us twice, which just eats at me…” (38:09)

7. Inside the Patriots’ 28–3 Super Bowl Comeback

• Rare insight on how Belichick’s staff empowered defenders during the comeback:
  • “We were literally—Hightower and myself—were able to call, like, gains that we were doing in the game, and that led to what it led to. I remember Hightower sack-fumble like it was yesterday.” — Kyle (46:27)
• “It’s like backyard football in the Super Bowl.” (47:21)
• Defensive unsung hero angle: “The defense only gave up 21 points to Matt Ryan, who was playing unreal. MVP. He won MVP that year. ...They rushed the ball six times for negative six yards in the second half. That’s why I’m throwing the ball with Matt Ryan...to Julio Jones every time.” (48:09)

8. Tom Brady Stories

• On Brady’s generosity:
  • “My dumb ass, like, opened the curtain… sure enough, it’s Tom with his kids....It was that I realized, like, that’s big bro...He was just looking out for a little bro. I always love him for that.” (51:01)
• On Brady’s humility and leadership:
  • “He introduces himself right after, like, ‘Hey, I’m Tom Brady. Nice to meet you. Glad you’re here.’ And I just am like, ‘I know who your dumb ass is.’”
  • “He’s just first class all the way around…he is who you see on TV.” (53:50)
• Locker-room anecdotes: Tom’s “pimp robe” and his extra locker for signing autographs for all staff and teammates. (54:56)

9. Defensive GOATs and Playoff Takeaways

• On the greatest defensive players:
  • “I don’t think I’ve been more impressed with another defender besides (Myles Garrett). Him and Aaron Donald. On a football field…so impressive.” (62:52)
  • Also, “Julius Peppers and Marlo Williams were like, holy shit, I’m in the NFL with those dudes.” (63:02)
• On playoff upsets and home-field advantage:
  • “It really doesn’t [matter]. You’re in the playoffs, so you’re getting the best teams…determined, focused…Outside distraction of home or away doesn’t matter.” (41:55)

10. Athlete Pop Culture Crossovers & Life Off the Field

• Jerry shares wild Golden Globes celebrity and Entourage stories, including blurring lines between roles and real-life encounters (05:03–07:53).
• Relatable dad-life and nostalgia—discussing the pains and joys of missing kids’ games due to work, and teaching their kids about classic athletes (65:09–67:19).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments by Timestamp

• On NFL Playoffs’ unpredictability:
  “Any of these teams that are left could seriously win a Super Bowl.” – Matt Leinart (01:07)
• On old-school football rivalry:
  “I’m cut from that old school… I’m not trying to be your friend out there. I respect you… but I’m trying to take food off your plate.” – Kyle Van Noy (23:11)
• On advice to young players:
  “Choose your hard. It’s hard getting a bunch of money early. It’s hard going the long route… if you produce, everything’s going to go into place.” – Kyle Van Noy (25:24)
• On the Ravens-Steelers rivalry:
  “Raven-Steelers, you can just stop.” – Kyle Van Noy (34:55) “When you play that Steelers matchup, you know, those highlights are going to live forever … and we let 42 year old wax us twice, which just eats at me.” – Kyle Van Noy (38:09)
• On the 28–3 comeback in Super Bowl LI:
  “We were literally – Hightower and myself – were able to call... [the rushes] we were doing in the game, and that led to what it led to. I remember Hightower sack-fumble like it was yesterday.” – Kyle Van Noy (46:27) “It’s like backyard football in the Super Bowl.” – Kyle Van Noy (47:21)
• On Tom Brady’s humility:
  “He introduces himself right after, like, ‘Hey, I’m Tom Brady. Nice to meet you. Glad you’re here.’ And I just am like, ‘I know who your dumb ass is.’” – Kyle Van Noy (53:50)
• On defensive legends:
  “I don’t think I’ve been more impressed with another defender besides him (Myles Garrett). Him and Aaron Donald.” – Kyle Van Noy (62:52)
• On playoff upsets:
  “It really doesn’t [matter]. You’re in the playoffs... the outside distraction of home or away doesn’t matter.” – Kyle Van Noy (41:55)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Rivalry, Playoff, and Kyle Van Noy Intro: 00:35–03:27
• Kyle joins, discusses off-season & aging: 16:16–21:10
• NFL culture, respect, NIL, and rivalry: 22:05–29:03
• Ravens-Steelers & BYU-Utah rivalry deep-dive: 34:55–38:09
• Super Bowl 28–3 comeback, defensive focus: 46:08–49:19
• Tom Brady stories: 49:19–55:57
• Defensive GOATs: 62:52–64:10
• Personal/family moments: 65:09–68:25
• Annie Agar’s Packers postmortem & Trivia: 68:29–81:43

Regular Segments

Twisted Trivia with Annie Agar

A Packers-centric, 2010-themed showdown with Annie, Jerry, and Matt, featuring questions about the Packers’ last Super Bowl win and rapid-fire photo identification games—with Annie scoring a comeback over Matt.

Tone & Atmosphere

• Warm, funny, and unfiltered, with an easy camaraderie among hosts and guests.
• Kyle’s candidness and wit bring a fresh perspective, mixing locker-room honesty with real-life humility.
• Mix of nostalgia, sports banter, and life wisdom, punctuated by memorable stories and good-natured ribbing.

Takeaways for Non-Listeners

• This episode offers rare, honest insights into the mentality of NFL veterans, both right after a season and reflecting on legendary rivalries and comebacks.
• Kyle Van Noy provides mentorship-worthy advice for young athletes while also delivering behind-the-scenes gold—especially his stories of playing with Tom Brady and being part of iconic New England moments.
• Lively, funny, and loaded with both sports context and off-the-field tales, it appeals to fans of the game over generations.