The Champ Is Here!

Throwbacks with Matt Leinart & Jerry Ferrara

Episode: The Champ Is Here!

Date: December 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this energetic, hilarious, and heartwarming episode, Matt Leinart and Jerry Ferrara cover Jerry’s triumphant experience at the Derek Jeter Invitational, swelter through family holiday travel stories, dig into modern family traditions (and headaches) around Christmas, and debate the state of sports—especially the new NBA Cup and NFL MVP race. With characteristic back-and-forth and guest Annie Agar bringing NFL trivia heat, the guys offer a rich blend of personal stories, sports analysis, and relatable dad-life moments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jerry Wins the Derek Jeter Invitational [00:03–09:46]

Jerry on winning the Celebrity Shootout:
Jerry attended the 30th annual Derek Jeter Invitational charity golf tournament in the Bahamas, a bucket-list event for '90s baseball fans with legends like Ken Griffey Jr., Cliff Floyd, Andrew Jones, and many others.
The Celebrity Shootout:
- All celebrities and Hall of Famers gather around a par 3; closest-to-the-pin wins.
- There’s heavy roasting from emcees Anthony Anderson & Chris Tucker, adding to the nerves.
- Anthony Mackie and Ja Rule both shank—Ja hits a cameraman (“completely vertical… hit the camera dude right in the arm”—Jerry, 07:10).
- Jerry, under major pressure, delivers: “I essentially closed my eyes, swung, and I hit it to about 11ft. Everyone goes nuts.” (Jerry, 07:56).
- As notable players (Michelle Wie, Nick Swisher, C.C. Sabathia, Chris Young) fail to get closer, Jerry takes the title.
Quotes & Memorable Moments:
- “This is one of the greatest things I’ve ever accomplished in my life.” (Jerry, 08:39)
- “Standing in front of all of those Hall of Famers… and just to stripe one… it’s got to be…the greatest feeling Jerry Ferrara’s ever, ever felt in his entire life.” (Matt, 08:43)
Jerry’s new identity post-win:
- “Now everyone starts calling me champ everywhere I’m going. Charles Oakley: ‘What’s up, champ?’” (Jerry, 09:18)
- Jerry promises full “heel” mode next year: “I’m gonna walk in like Ric Flair, bro. Sunglasses, shirt off…” (Jerry, 09:31)

Family Travel & Dad Life [00:48–03:42]

Matt’s New York fiasco:
Navigating New York at Christmas with young kids is “magical” but “the most anxiety and stress we’ve had as parents” (Matt, 01:13).
Return travel: Plane delayed for six hours, then a night in a hotel, more delays. "It was like a 36-hour day. It was brutal."
Memorable: Matt’s son, after six hours on the tarmac — “Daddy, did we land at home?”

Christmas Traditions, Gifting, and Family Philosophy [17:57–35:51]

Gifting other adults:
Matt, on paring down adult gifts: “My dad. That’s it…My wife and I aren’t doing gifts for each other this year.”
Modern Christmas chaos:
- Explosion of gifting among friends’ kids and teachers: “We have to…all my nieces and nephews…our best friends…This adds up to like 15 or 20 gifts…Christmas is all about that, but when did we go into like the friend circle?” (Matt, 19:32)
- Both reminisce about the shift from intimate to overwhelming holiday expectations.
Least Favorite Traditions:
- Jerry: The Italian “Feast of the Seven Fishes.”
  “My brother and I don’t eat fish at all…my aunt Celeste would always make me mozzarella sticks and chicken parm.” (Jerry, 22:27)
- Matt: Elf on the Shelf.
  “It just adds another layer to the magic…but I just don’t know at what point this little f***ing Keebler elf became a huge part of our life.” (Matt, 25:10)
- Both admit to reluctantly lying to their kids as part of holiday “magic.”

Reflections on Gifts & Family Memories [41:13–44:30]

Meaningful gifts:
- Video game consoles evoke strong feelings about what parents went through to afford them: “The Xbox was a couple hundred bucks back then—a lot of money…they had to save up probably or budget it.” (Matt, 41:30)
- Jerry’s moving story: Mom put a San Jose Sharks starter jacket on layaway for a year despite money being tight. “The jacket’s great, but the memory of what my mom did…” (Jerry, 44:18)
Experiences over things:
- “Creating experiences…those are things your kids will remember forever.” (Matt, 32:09)

Is Christmas the New Best Sports Day? [35:51–40:51]

Christmas Day status debated:
- NFL and NBA games overlap—has the holiday become the new top sports viewing day?
- “Christmas with the kids playing to the toys…having a nice glass of wine or beers…watching NFL and NBA…” (Matt, 37:24)
- Both reminisce about growing up with different Christmas Eves/Days—traditions, trips, NBA games at Madison Square Garden.

The NBA Cup & Celebrating Small Titles [45:19–53:44]

Knicks win the NBA Cup; what does it mean?
Jerry: “No means do I think it should be a banner…I just enjoyed watching that game.” (Jerry, 46:41)
Matt: “It doesn’t get you any closer to an NBA Championship.” (Matt, 52:53)
- Debate over whether it’s appropriate to celebrate (“Our good friend Charles Barkley says the NBA Cup is embarrassing. I don’t see any other incentive.” - Matt, 47:30)
- Both agree: Intensity was higher; fans can enjoy it—just don’t call it a ring.
- Knicks fans will celebrate wins regardless.

Load Management, Youth Sports & NBA Woes [48:00–51:25]

Load management and AAU fatigue:
Matt: “Basketball’s been around a hundred years. Load management wasn’t a thing in the 90s…”
Jerry: “Kids are playing hundreds of games a year before college. That starts a whole chain reaction.”

Funny & Relatable Dad Stories [26:36–30:05]

Tough, pain-loving kids:
- Matt describes his son, Case: “He will be my teenager who, if I threaten him, he’s like: ‘Do it, Dad. I want to feel it.’ He loves pain. It’s awesome…I’ll never question his toughness.” (Matt, 26:36 & 27:56)

Special Guests & Trivia Segment – Annie Agar [57:13–68:24]

Annie joins for “Twisted Tea Trivia”:
- Opening banter on road trips, Costco, and the NFL.
- Chiefs dynasty: “It’s hard for me to dislike them…Mahomes is great…Kelsey, Andy Reid… I love it.” (Matt, 58:58)
- NFL MVP debate: Stafford vs. Josh Allen. “He [Josh Allen] is the entire offense…they would be maybe a four-win team without him.” (Annie, 61:14)
- Discussion about weird possible Super Bowl matchups.
- Jerry makes a case for Arizona’s Trey McBride as Offensive Player of the Year (“Dude is leading the league in catches…105 catches…more touchdowns than [JSN]…” - Jerry, 63:14), which Matt and Annie mostly dismiss due to the team’s poor record.
- Fantasy football suffering: “Fantasy is still undefeated as the worst thing going.” (Jerry, 66:21)
- Trivia round: Current NFL player stats and rapid-fire guessing, with much banter over who answered first.

Notable Quotes & Moments

On the Jeter Invitational win:
“This is one of the greatest things I’ve ever accomplished in my life.” (Jerry, 08:39)
“I’m going to walk in like Ric Flair, bro. Sunglasses, shirt off…” (Jerry, 09:31)
On Elf on the Shelf:
“I just don’t know at what point this little f***ing Keebler elf became a huge part of our life.” (Matt, 25:10)
On meaningful gifts:
“The jacket’s great, but the memory of what my mom did…” (Jerry, 44:18)
On Christmas sports:
“Christmas with the kids…NFL and NBA…has to be up there…top two or three [sports days].” (Matt, 37:24)
On NBA Cup celebration:
“No means do I think it should be a banner… I don’t feel any sense of accomplishment. But there’s no reason why the Knicks shouldn’t celebrate that win.” (Jerry, 46:43)

Timestamps for Key Segments

Derek Jeter Invitational Story: 00:03–09:46
Holiday Travel Woes: 00:48–03:42
Christmas Traditions & Gifting: 17:57–35:51
Meaningful Gifts & Family Memories: 41:13–44:30
Christmas as a Sports Holiday: 35:51–40:51
NBA Cup & Trophy Celebration Debate: 45:19–53:44
Sports Load Management, Youth Training: 48:00–51:25
Dad Stories, Tough Kids: 26:36–30:05
Annie Agar NFL Segment & Trivia: 57:13–68:24

Tone & Style

The episode is classic “Throwbacks”: warm, self-deprecating, and loaded with affectionate ribbing. Both hosts are open about the absurdities of modern parenting, the genuine pressure and joy of shared sports moments, and nostalgic about their own upbringings. The blend of humor, nostalgia, and real talk is tangible throughout.

For New Listeners

This episode offers:

Firsthand sports celebrity stories you won’t get anywhere else.
Honest, funny takes on family, holidays, and modern fatherhood.
Unique perspectives from two icons with very different routes to fame.
A real sense of how sports, memories, and personal victories—big and small—shape their lives.

Skip the ads and outros; this is where the action, laughs, and lessons happen.

Throwbacks with Matt Leinart & Jerry Ferrara

Episode: The Champ Is Here!

Date: December 18, 2025

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jerry Wins the Derek Jeter Invitational [00:03–09:46]

Jerry on winning the Celebrity Shootout:
Jerry attended the 30th annual Derek Jeter Invitational charity golf tournament in the Bahamas, a bucket-list event for '90s baseball fans with legends like Ken Griffey Jr., Cliff Floyd, Andrew Jones, and many others.
The Celebrity Shootout:
- All celebrities and Hall of Famers gather around a par 3; closest-to-the-pin wins.
- There’s heavy roasting from emcees Anthony Anderson & Chris Tucker, adding to the nerves.
- Anthony Mackie and Ja Rule both shank—Ja hits a cameraman (“completely vertical… hit the camera dude right in the arm”—Jerry, 07:10).
- Jerry, under major pressure, delivers: “I essentially closed my eyes, swung, and I hit it to about 11ft. Everyone goes nuts.” (Jerry, 07:56).
- As notable players (Michelle Wie, Nick Swisher, C.C. Sabathia, Chris Young) fail to get closer, Jerry takes the title.
Quotes & Memorable Moments:
- “This is one of the greatest things I’ve ever accomplished in my life.” (Jerry, 08:39)
- “Standing in front of all of those Hall of Famers… and just to stripe one… it’s got to be…the greatest feeling Jerry Ferrara’s ever, ever felt in his entire life.” (Matt, 08:43)
Jerry’s new identity post-win:
- “Now everyone starts calling me champ everywhere I’m going. Charles Oakley: ‘What’s up, champ?’” (Jerry, 09:18)
- Jerry promises full “heel” mode next year: “I’m gonna walk in like Ric Flair, bro. Sunglasses, shirt off…” (Jerry, 09:31)

Family Travel & Dad Life [00:48–03:42]

Matt’s New York fiasco:
Navigating New York at Christmas with young kids is “magical” but “the most anxiety and stress we’ve had as parents” (Matt, 01:13).
Return travel: Plane delayed for six hours, then a night in a hotel, more delays. "It was like a 36-hour day. It was brutal."
Memorable: Matt’s son, after six hours on the tarmac — “Daddy, did we land at home?”

Christmas Traditions, Gifting, and Family Philosophy [17:57–35:51]

Gifting other adults:
Matt, on paring down adult gifts: “My dad. That’s it…My wife and I aren’t doing gifts for each other this year.”
Modern Christmas chaos:
- Explosion of gifting among friends’ kids and teachers: “We have to…all my nieces and nephews…our best friends…This adds up to like 15 or 20 gifts…Christmas is all about that, but when did we go into like the friend circle?” (Matt, 19:32)
- Both reminisce about the shift from intimate to overwhelming holiday expectations.
Least Favorite Traditions:
- Jerry: The Italian “Feast of the Seven Fishes.”
  “My brother and I don’t eat fish at all…my aunt Celeste would always make me mozzarella sticks and chicken parm.” (Jerry, 22:27)
- Matt: Elf on the Shelf.
  “It just adds another layer to the magic…but I just don’t know at what point this little f***ing Keebler elf became a huge part of our life.” (Matt, 25:10)
- Both admit to reluctantly lying to their kids as part of holiday “magic.”

Reflections on Gifts & Family Memories [41:13–44:30]

Meaningful gifts:
- Video game consoles evoke strong feelings about what parents went through to afford them: “The Xbox was a couple hundred bucks back then—a lot of money…they had to save up probably or budget it.” (Matt, 41:30)
- Jerry’s moving story: Mom put a San Jose Sharks starter jacket on layaway for a year despite money being tight. “The jacket’s great, but the memory of what my mom did…” (Jerry, 44:18)
Experiences over things:
- “Creating experiences…those are things your kids will remember forever.” (Matt, 32:09)

Is Christmas the New Best Sports Day? [35:51–40:51]

Christmas Day status debated:
- NFL and NBA games overlap—has the holiday become the new top sports viewing day?
- “Christmas with the kids playing to the toys…having a nice glass of wine or beers…watching NFL and NBA…” (Matt, 37:24)
- Both reminisce about growing up with different Christmas Eves/Days—traditions, trips, NBA games at Madison Square Garden.

The NBA Cup & Celebrating Small Titles [45:19–53:44]

Knicks win the NBA Cup; what does it mean?
Jerry: “No means do I think it should be a banner…I just enjoyed watching that game.” (Jerry, 46:41)
Matt: “It doesn’t get you any closer to an NBA Championship.” (Matt, 52:53)
- Debate over whether it’s appropriate to celebrate (“Our good friend Charles Barkley says the NBA Cup is embarrassing. I don’t see any other incentive.” - Matt, 47:30)
- Both agree: Intensity was higher; fans can enjoy it—just don’t call it a ring.
- Knicks fans will celebrate wins regardless.

Load Management, Youth Sports & NBA Woes [48:00–51:25]

Load management and AAU fatigue:
Matt: “Basketball’s been around a hundred years. Load management wasn’t a thing in the 90s…”
Jerry: “Kids are playing hundreds of games a year before college. That starts a whole chain reaction.”

Funny & Relatable Dad Stories [26:36–30:05]

Tough, pain-loving kids:
- Matt describes his son, Case: “He will be my teenager who, if I threaten him, he’s like: ‘Do it, Dad. I want to feel it.’ He loves pain. It’s awesome…I’ll never question his toughness.” (Matt, 26:36 & 27:56)

Special Guests & Trivia Segment – Annie Agar [57:13–68:24]

Annie joins for “Twisted Tea Trivia”:
- Opening banter on road trips, Costco, and the NFL.
- Chiefs dynasty: “It’s hard for me to dislike them…Mahomes is great…Kelsey, Andy Reid… I love it.” (Matt, 58:58)
- NFL MVP debate: Stafford vs. Josh Allen. “He [Josh Allen] is the entire offense…they would be maybe a four-win team without him.” (Annie, 61:14)
- Discussion about weird possible Super Bowl matchups.
- Jerry makes a case for Arizona’s Trey McBride as Offensive Player of the Year (“Dude is leading the league in catches…105 catches…more touchdowns than [JSN]…” - Jerry, 63:14), which Matt and Annie mostly dismiss due to the team’s poor record.
- Fantasy football suffering: “Fantasy is still undefeated as the worst thing going.” (Jerry, 66:21)
- Trivia round: Current NFL player stats and rapid-fire guessing, with much banter over who answered first.

Notable Quotes & Moments

On the Jeter Invitational win:
“This is one of the greatest things I’ve ever accomplished in my life.” (Jerry, 08:39)
“I’m going to walk in like Ric Flair, bro. Sunglasses, shirt off…” (Jerry, 09:31)
On Elf on the Shelf:
“I just don’t know at what point this little f***ing Keebler elf became a huge part of our life.” (Matt, 25:10)
On meaningful gifts:
“The jacket’s great, but the memory of what my mom did…” (Jerry, 44:18)
On Christmas sports:
“Christmas with the kids…NFL and NBA…has to be up there…top two or three [sports days].” (Matt, 37:24)
On NBA Cup celebration:
“No means do I think it should be a banner… I don’t feel any sense of accomplishment. But there’s no reason why the Knicks shouldn’t celebrate that win.” (Jerry, 46:43)

Timestamps for Key Segments

Derek Jeter Invitational Story: 00:03–09:46
Holiday Travel Woes: 00:48–03:42
Christmas Traditions & Gifting: 17:57–35:51
Meaningful Gifts & Family Memories: 41:13–44:30
Christmas as a Sports Holiday: 35:51–40:51
NBA Cup & Trophy Celebration Debate: 45:19–53:44
Sports Load Management, Youth Training: 48:00–51:25
Dad Stories, Tough Kids: 26:36–30:05
Annie Agar NFL Segment & Trivia: 57:13–68:24

Tone & Style

For New Listeners

This episode offers:

Firsthand sports celebrity stories you won’t get anywhere else.
Honest, funny takes on family, holidays, and modern fatherhood.
Unique perspectives from two icons with very different routes to fame.
A real sense of how sports, memories, and personal victories—big and small—shape their lives.

Skip the ads and outros; this is where the action, laughs, and lessons happen.

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Summary

Throwbacks with Matt Leinart & Jerry Ferrara

Episode: The Champ Is Here!

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jerry Wins the Derek Jeter Invitational [00:03–09:46]

Family Travel & Dad Life [00:48–03:42]

Christmas Traditions, Gifting, and Family Philosophy [17:57–35:51]

Reflections on Gifts & Family Memories [41:13–44:30]

Is Christmas the New Best Sports Day? [35:51–40:51]

The NBA Cup & Celebrating Small Titles [45:19–53:44]

Load Management, Youth Sports & NBA Woes [48:00–51:25]

Funny & Relatable Dad Stories [26:36–30:05]

Special Guests & Trivia Segment – Annie Agar [57:13–68:24]

Notable Quotes & Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Tone & Style

For New Listeners

Summary

Throwbacks with Matt Leinart & Jerry Ferrara

Episode: The Champ Is Here!

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jerry Wins the Derek Jeter Invitational [00:03–09:46]

Family Travel & Dad Life [00:48–03:42]

Christmas Traditions, Gifting, and Family Philosophy [17:57–35:51]

Reflections on Gifts & Family Memories [41:13–44:30]

Is Christmas the New Best Sports Day? [35:51–40:51]

The NBA Cup & Celebrating Small Titles [45:19–53:44]

Load Management, Youth Sports & NBA Woes [48:00–51:25]

Funny & Relatable Dad Stories [26:36–30:05]

Special Guests & Trivia Segment – Annie Agar [57:13–68:24]

Notable Quotes & Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Tone & Style

For New Listeners