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Nikola Jokic: From Dad Bod God to NBA MVP: 6/1/23

The NBA Finals begin tonight, with the Denver Nuggets on the leagues biggest stage for the first time ever. They are led by Nikola Jokic, the two-time MVP who has built a case to be called the greatest player in the world. So today, with his team hosting the Miami Heat in game one, Ramona Shelburne explains how the always humble Jokic evolved from a pudgy, soda-chugging teenager in Serbia to the playmaking center thats changing the game as we know it.

Will Florida or Vegas Win Their First Stanley Cup?: 5/31/23

After an NHL season where we thought wed see some of the blue bloods of hockey finally return to championship glory, the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights had other plans. The Golden Knights are back in the Stanley Cup Final for their second appearance in only six years of existence, while the Panthers snuck into the playoffs as the eighth seed and upset both the Bruins and Maple Leafs on their way to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 1996. Its a testament to how much the NHL has grown over the years&and today, Emily Kaplan gives us a preview of the Stanley Cup Final, and tells us what to expect as both teams close in on their pursuit of history.

The Time Michael Jordan Helped a Guy Win $1 Million (ENCORE): 5/30/23

It was 30 years ago that a nearly impossible, yet unforgettable shot was made at the Chicago Stadium. On that evening, a 23-year old office supplies salesman named Don Calhoun participated in the million dollar shot contest, in which he had to make a ¾ court shot to win one million dollars. With less than a 1% chance, Dons shot sailed right into the net, and the entire arena, including Michael Jordan, went crazy. But, shortly after this incredible scene, rumors began to circulate that Don might not receive the prize money, because of some contest fineprint. Ryan Hockensmith tells guest host Emily Kaplan the story of how an unimaginable shot ultimately needed an assist from Air Jordan himself&.and how that gesture forever changed the lives of one Chicago man and his family.

Battlefields to Ballfields: How Veterans are Helping Solve the Sports Officiating Crisis (ENCORE): 5/29/23

There may be no more thankless job than referee. At best, your existence is completely invisible. No one notices when you do a terrific job. At worst, you become enemy #1 for fans or coaches or in lower levels, angry parents. Combine that with low pay and high pressure, and it's no wonder why officiating is undergoing a crisis at the moment. Not enough people are willing to do the job&a job without which, the games quite literally can not go on. But, today, on Memorial Day, we revisit the story of a solution. And itll make you think differently about what this job actually is. And the people who really would love to do it.

Robot Umpires are Here. But do they Make Baseball Better?: 5/26/23

If youre a baseball fan, odds are youve probably been upset at the umpires calling your favorite teams game on more than one occasion. That fraction of an inch between a ball and a strike is a skill that almost nobody can do at the level of a Major League umpire, and even they get it wrong sometimes. But now, those calls can be handled by the Automatic Ball-Strike System, or to put it more simply& robot umps. But as the league begins to embrace automation, we find ourselves asking: is this all really worth it? Jeff Passan has seen ABS in action in the minor leagues this season, and he explains why this shift is about more than just balls and strikes&and if human error in baseball might not be the bug we think it is after all.

How USC is Preparing for the Bronny James Experience: 5/25/23

LeBron James wont be the only show on the Hollywood hardwood this fall, assuming of course that he doesnt retire. Because his son, Bronny James, and his seven-plus million social media followers, will be suiting up just down the road from the Lakers home court, for the USC Trojans. So today, Myron Medcalf tracks Bronnys journey from high school at Sierra Canyon, through a unique recruiting window. And he explains why USC is perfectly positioned to welcome in the Bronny James experience.

How the Oakland As Stole the Plot of Major League: 5/24/23

In the nearly 150-year history of professional sports in America, very few teams if any have used the threat of relocation quite like the Athletics. The baseball club began in 1901 in Philadelphia before moving to Kansas City in 1955, and eventually settled in its present home of Oakland in 1968. But, as Slate writer Stefan Fatsis recently noted, throughout its lifetime, the As franchise has planned or threatened to move an additional 19 times. So today, as the team explores yet another possible move, this time to Las Vegas, Tim Keown documents the latest chapter in the As nomadic history...and how the fans in Oakland are responding.

Heat Culture by the Numbers: 5/23/23

The Miami Heat are one win away from being the second team in NBA history to reach the NBA Finals as an 8th seed. Its one of the most remarkable postseason runs we have ever seen, particularly because Miami lost their first play-in game and barely survived the second game to stumble into the playoffs. So how were they seemingly able to flip the switch like this? The answer is simple: Heat Culture. Its a mentality, a mantra, call it what you will& but its real. And there are numbers that back it up. So today, Kirk Goldsberry dives into the analytics and proves the scientific existence of Heat Culture.

The Rat Trick: The Legend of the Florida Panthers Rodent Tradition (ENCORE): 5/22/23

After stealing the first two games of the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Florida Panthers return home tonight for Game 3. The Panthers have a real shot at closing out one of the title favorites, and returning to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in almost 30 years. And were reminded of one of the most unusual traditions in all of sports, one that originated in that first Stanley Cup run so many years ago: throwing rats onto the ice. Its a hair-raising tradition that dates back to the 95-96 season, when a Cinderella-esque Panthers team made the Stanley Cup Final in just their third year of existence. Emily Kaplan explains how the Panthers rat throwing tradition started, if it may or may not have contributed to the teams long misfortunes&and the ways in which this generations Panthers are trying to write their own tale.

The WNBA Enters the Superteam Era: 5/19/23

The WNBA is no longer asking nicely for your attention, theyre demanding it as we enter the leagues superteam era. Its impossible to ignore the New York Liberty, who built a star-studded roster featuring Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Courtney Vandersloot. And dont forget about the reigning champions, the Las Vegas Aces&who added none other than Candace Parker to their locker room. Oh, and Britney Griner is back too, making her return to the W tonight in Los Angeles as her Phoenix Mercury visit the Sparks. And of course, the serious stuff&as no league is immune to scandal. So ahead of tip-off tonight, LaChina Robinson takes us through all of this seasons cant miss storylines&and what it means for the future of the womens game.

Why Nick Sabans NIL Rant Wasnt Actually About Jimbo Fisher: 5/18/23

The college football universe was set on fire last May when Alabama head coach Nick Saban accused Texas A&M of buying all their players. Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher, once a Saban assistant, took offense to his former boss comments and responded with a fiery rant during a press conference. This war of words dominated college football headlines for the majority of the offseason, and even now, with tempers cooled, the question remains: Why did Nick Saban make those comments? So today, Alex Scarborough breaks down the bad blood, and describes a motivation unfamiliar to the many of the Crimson Tides coaches, players, fans, and boostersfear.

Heat vs. Celtics: A Playoff Trilogy Unlike Any Other: 5/17/23

The Boston Celtics have looked like one of the best teams in the NBA all season, and theyre just one series win away from having a shot at proving it. But first, theyll need to get past the Miami Heat, who have been playing out of their minds all postseason thanks to some legendary performances from Jimmy Butler. The Heat snuck into the playoffs as the 8th seed, and promptly stunned the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in just five games. They followed that up with a six-game dismantling of the New York Knicks to secure a rubber match with the Celtics, with Miami winning the first ECF meeting in the bubble in 2020 and the Celtics advancing in 2022. Can Miami prevail once again? Or does Boston have too much to prove? Tim Bontemps helps us find that out.

Can LeBron and the Lakers Topple the Nuggets?: 5/16/23

LeBron James and the Lakers are one step away from the NBA Finals&but back in October, that possibility seemed almost completely out of reach. The team started out the season just 2-10 and faced an upward climb back to the top of the west, with a 0.3% of even making the playoffs. But thanks to a complete roster overhaul at the trade deadline, the Lakers find themselves in a familiar position: In the Western Conference Finals against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. So today, Ramona Shelburne explains just how impressive the Lake Shows turnaround has been, and what the Denver Nuggets have to do to trigger an avalanche to come tumbling down on LA.

How Victor Wembanyama Became the Next Generational NBA Prospect: 5/15/23

Hes the most talked about NBA prospect since LeBron James, but Victor Wembanyama is unlike any basketball player weve seen before. The 75 Frenchman is just 19 years old, and dazzles fans and scouts alike with his dynamic movement and impressive eight-foot wingspan. But until now, we hadnt heard much from Wembanyama himself. Ahead of tomorrows NBA draft lottery, Jonathan Givony sat down with Wembanyama for an hour in Paris to talk to him about his life in basketball so far and his upcoming NBA career and today, he shares his story with us.

A Local Rink, a Stanley Cup Champion, and a Lifesaving Choice : 5/12/23

Ryan OReilly, center for the Toronto Maple Leafs, has become a hero on the ice for hockey fans across the league. But his mother, Bonnie OReilly, became a hero in her own right when she made a choice that ultimately ended up saving the life of a beloved member of their community. When Seaforth, Ontario rink manager Graham Nesbitt was diagnosed with a kidney disorder called Bergers Disease, Bonnie OReilly immediately put herself on the list to be a donor, connecting both of their lives forever. In honor of Mothers Day, Mike Farrell takes us inside his latest E:60 feature Little Choices, and shares a story of selflessness and sports. You can watch Little Choices on Sunday, May 14 at 12 P.M. ET on ESPN and ESPN Plus.

How the NFL Schedule Release Has Turned Into the Leagues Met Gala : 5/11/23

The 2023 NFL Schedule is set to release tonight, and we are once again reminded just how much people love football more than any other sport in the United States. Although the only new parts unveiled tonight are the time slots and dates of each game for every team, its the manner in which the 32 schedules are released that makes fans go into a frenzy. The social media and marketing departments of every NFL team will be competing tonight to see who can post the craziest, wittiest, and most viral content&so its basically like the Met Gala for the NFL. Field Yates drops by to give us a preview of tonights schedule release, and the spectacle it has become.

Steph vs. LeBron: the Final Chapter in this G.O.A.T. Rivalry?: 5/10/23

The second round playoff series between the Lakers and the Warriors has delivered no shortage of storylines, but for many NBA fans, theres only one that matters: LeBron James vs Steph Curry. Two of the greatest players of all time, who have faced each other four times in the NBA Finals, are battling once again&.this time in the Western Conference Semifinals. This time however, their roles are almost juxtaposed: LeBron finally has a supporting cast that doesnt require him to do the heavy lifting every game, while Steph has had to do everything to keep Golden States head above water in this series as they now face elimination. With Game 5 looming, the biggest question is can Golden State still make a comeback, or will the Lakers be the ones advancing to the Conference Finals? So today, Ramona Shelburne joins the show to recap the biggest moments from the series so far& and prepare us for whats to come.

The Transfer Portal, Explained: 5/9/23

If you are a college sports fan, odds are youve heard the words transfer portal way too many times recently & and thats not a coincidence. Athletes are entering the transfer portal at higher rates now than ever before. For example, At least 71 football players from the University of Colorado have entered the portal since last August, and 61 have entered since Deion Sanders was named head coach of the Buffs in December. But football isnt the only sport thats seeing a large number of players using the portal. Maryland transfer Angel Reese recently led the LSU Womens Basketball team to a national title, and since then, former Louisville star Haley Van Lith and DePaul standout Aneesah Morrow have also joined the Tigers. With so many players taking advantage of the transfer portal now, it is clear to see that the landscape of college sports has seismically changed. So today, Tom VanHaaren joins the show to tell us all about the transfer portal&and why its changing the game in college sports.

Why Connor Bedard is Hockeys Next Big Thing: 5/8/23

In hockey, theres only one player whos known as The Great One: Wayne Gretzky. But in the decades since #99 hung up his skates&theres been a whole bunch of Next Ones. Alex Ovechkin is The Great 8, Sidney Crosby was The Next One, Connor McDavid is sometimes called The Next Sidney Crosby. And for 2023s projected first overall pick&17 year old Connor Bedard, the pressure is on to follow in that legacy. So today, as the NHL prepares for the draft lottery, Emily Kaplan tells us a little more about hockeys next Next Big Thing...and whether he can live up to the hype as the games latest cant miss kid.

The Unlikely Friendship that Changed Kevin Durant Forever: 5/5/23

In June of 2005, 18-year-old Kevin Durant attended an all-star basketball camp for high schoolers that consisted of mostly juniors and seniors. During his stay at camp, he roomed with another young high schooler from Japan, named Taishi Ito, who had come to the United States to play basketball. The two were total opposites: Durant was 69 and full of hype, while Ito was 60 and was hoping to secure a D1 scholarship. The two became inseparable, as their friendship continued into their senior year of high school, and created a bond that would carry on well into their adult lives. So today, Ryan Hockensmith joins the show to tell us the story of how this unlikely friendship became one of the most important relationships in Kevins life.

Canelo Alvarez: Why Boxings Biggest Star is Finally Returning Home: 5/4/23

Canelo Alvarezs fight against John Ryder this weekend might be the biggest fight of his career, but it could be the most meaningful. For the first time in 12 years, the face of boxing gets to fight in his hometown of Guadalajara, Mexico in front of all of his family and friends. The fight is set to take place at Akron Stadium in Jalisco, and up to 50,000 people are expected to fill the seats to watch their hometown hero defend his undisputed super middleweight title. So today, Mike Coppinger joins the show to tell us about his experience traveling to Guadalajara with Canelo, and why it is so special for him to fight in his hometown once again.

Damar Hamlin, Commotio Cordis, and a Life Saving Long Island Mom : 5/3/23

When Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed, seemingly lifeless, on Monday Night Football in January: the world stood still. But somewhere on Long Island, New York, one mother watched everything unfold knowingly, fully aware of what had happened to Hamlin. Because the cause of Hamlins collapse was the same condition Commotio Cordis that had taken her sons life 23 years earlier. So today, Tisha Thompson shares the story of a decades-long mission that grew from that loss, which has saved hundreds of lives, including Damar Hamlin.

Blood in the Garden 2.0: Knicks, Heat Rivalry Renewed: 5/2/23

Stop us if youve heard this before, but the New York Knicks and Miami Heat are facing off in the NBA Playoffs. That phrase alone brings back memories of the 1990s, when the two teams engaged in one of the most intense rivalries in NBA history. While the conflict lacked the ultimate glory of championships, it was always filled to the brim with bad blood, betrayals, fisticuffs, animosity, and the occasional head coach hanging onto the leg of a star player. So today, ahead of Game 2, Chris Herring, author of Blood in the Garden: The Flagrant History of the 1990s New York Knicks, explains the feud between these two franchises, and how this series is bringing the 90s back into todays NBA Playoffs.

Bill Barnwells NFL Draft Winners and Losers: 5/1/23

The pinnacle of the NFL offseason has come and gone with the NFL Draft, and this years edition was more&unusual&than others to say the least. We saw surprising trades, running backs and inside linebackers taken in the first round - the Detroit Lions took both - leaving analytics-minded people discombobulated. So with the Draft officially in the rearview mirror and the start of the season on the distant horizon, Bill Barnwell gives guest host Myron Medcalf his reactions&and tries to make sense of a weekend unlike any the NFL has seen in a few years.

The Game Inside the Game: How NBA Players Work the Refs: 4/28/23

NBA officials are human beings (at least for now)...and they are emotional beings, just like the NBA players they share the court with. So its no surprise when you see tempers flare in the heat of the moment between the two parties. And despite the contentious interactions we sometimes see on the court, players and officials often do end up forming relationships. And like any relationship, there are ups and downs. So today, Tim Macmahon takes us inside the game within the game, as NBA players try to win over the referees&and whether or not it actually works.

All Hell Broke Loose. Why Vikings Missed Their Draft Pick in 2003: 4/27/23

Before all eyes shift to the center of the NFL universe in Kansas City for the Draft tonight where the Carolina Panthers will be on the clock with the first overall pick we turn the clock back 20 years. The Minnesota Vikings had the 7th overall pick, and had just sealed a trade to send the pick to Baltimore&or so they thought. As time was ticking down, they began to notice that the ESPN broadcast logo hadnt changed, and their name was still shown on the screen instead of the Ravens. Thats when they figured out that the trade was never executed by the NFL, and with their time expired on the clock the Vikings ultimately ended up missing their pick in the draft&resulting in a moment that went down as one of the wildest scenes in NFL Draft history. So today, as we gear up to watch yet another draft go down in the books, Kevin Seifert tells us the wild story of the time when things didnt quite go according to the NFLs plan in the 2003 draft.

Aaron Rodgers Traded: Reaction from Green Bay to Broadway: 4/26/23

Aaron Rodgers is officially a New York Jet. Over a month after announcing his intention to play in New York, the 39-year-old future Hall of Fame QB is leaving small town Green Bay for the bright lights of the Big Apple. The Jets are looking for Aaron Rodgers to solve their historic quarterback issues, and help them make a push in a crowded AFC East. Meanwhile in Green Bay, fans are left wondering how or if their team will recover from losing their starting signal caller of the past 15 years. So today, its a tale of two cities: Jets reporter Rich Cimini lets us know what we can expect to see from New York this upcoming season, then Rob Demovsky tells us how Green Bay is handling the loss of their star quarterback.

Is Bryce Young Big Enough to be an Elite NFL QB?: 4/25/23

The 2023 NFL Draft is Thursday night, and all signs point to Alabama QB Bryce Young going to the Panthers as the No. 1 pick. Young has dazzled in his time at Tuscaloosa. Taking home the Heisman Trophy and building a college football Hall of Fame worthy resume as well. But its his size not his accolades that make him unique in this years draft. He stands at 5-foot-10 and just under 200 pounds, making him one of the shortest and lightest QBs potentially going at the top of the draft in decades. So today, Pete Thamel joins us to break down whether or not Young can measure up to the job in front of him.

Mina Kimes NFL Draft Preview: 4/24/23

Although Kansas City Chiefs fans are still basking in the glow of their teams Super Bowl victory, the rest of the National Football League and its fans have begun to focus on the new season that starts this Thursday&at the 2023 NFL Draft. And this years draft feels as unpredictable as any in recent memory. Before she heads to KC, Mina Kimes answers all of our most pressing draft questions: like how many quarterbacks we should expect to see taken in the first round, whos rising up the draft boards, and whether a last minute blockbuster trade could change everything.

Can Psychedelics Help Heal Athletes Bodies and Minds?: 4/21/23

We can all see the physical toll that athletes take upon their bodies. What we might not be as aware of, is the mental and emotional stress that many of them are subject to as well. Especially after retiring. So how do these athletes find ways to manage that sort of trauma? In some cases, the unlikely answer is psychedelics. One underground community of athletes journeyed to Jamaica on a retreat to take psilocybin aka magic mushrooms, to help them heal, and rediscover themselves. A journey to let go of the pain. So today, Kevin Van Valkenburg takes us inside a seldom glimpsed world&to shed some light on an unusual, but intriguing healing practice.

Can Bijan Robinson Make Running Backs Great Again?: 4/20/23

Bijan Robinson is one of the best running back prospects to enter the NFL draft in recent memory, but its looking like he wont be drafted as such. Thats because the value of the running back has changed in todays NFL due to a short shelf life at the position, the rise of the passing games, and teams finding better value in the later rounds for what was once one of the NFLs premier positions. But Bijan hopes to change all of that. So today, Hallie Grossman shares his story, and tells us how the only flaw in his game is that he may have been born in the wrong generation.

Is Dillon Brooks the Next Lebron James Agitator?: 4/19/23

Game two between the Lakers and Grizzlies is going down tonight, and this matchup proves we have something the NBA has been lacking for many years: genuine bad blood. Memphis is a team that has not only made an enemy out of Los Angeles, but the league as a whole. And Grizzlies guard, Dillon Brooks? For this series, hes set his sights on one thing: becoming the next player in a long history of players to master the art of antagonizing Lebron James. So today, Brian Windhorst joins guest host Jorge Sedano to give the historical accounting of players who were proud to be LeBron James agitators, and he tells us whether Dillon Brooks has what it takes to get under King Jamess skin&and turn this series around.

Life After LeBron James: A New Era in Cleveland: 4/18/23

You could be forgiven for not recognizing the Cleveland Cavaliers team that you watched lose in game one to the New York Knicks 101-97. The Cavs havent made a postseason visit since Lebron James made his exit back in 2018, but enter Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell has coaches and fans of the Cavaliers hoping that his leadership combined with the young talent in place, can push Cleveland deep into the playoffs. So today, Nick Friedell joins the show to tell us how this team came together, what they need to do to succeed, and how much of the Donovan Mitchell gamble is on the line this postseason.

P.K. Subbans Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview: 4/17/23

The Stanley Cup playoffs are the most thrilling, unpredictable, and tense two month tournament in all of sports: and it all starts tonight. With a historically great Boston Bruins steamrolling the league, scoring leader Connor McDavids Edmonton Oilers still chasing his first championship with the team, and the perpetually disappointing Toronto Maple Leafs attempting to make it out of the first round since 2004, the road to hoisting Lord Stanleys Cup is as difficult as ever. So today, Norris Trophy winner and three time NHL All-Star turned ESPN hockey analyst P.K. Subban joins Emily Kaplan to get us hyped for the postseason, ahead of puck drop.

Running for Martin: 10 Years Later, One Boys Legacy: 4/14/23

Tomorrow marks ten years since the Boston Marathon Bombing&a day that changed the city, and its iconic race, forever. Three people were killed in the blasts that day, including eight-year old Martin Richard. In the days and weeks following the attack, Martin Richard, as much as anyone, became the face of the victims. A photo of him, holding a sign reading No More Hurting People. Peace. became an instantly iconic symbol of all that was lost on that tragic day. Now, ten years later, Martin Richards friends and family are running the marathon in his honor. Chris Connelly joins guest host Emily Kaplan to tell the story of the little boy whose memory lives on in the hearts of so many who will be running for him on marathon Monday.

The Pitch Clock Ticks On: Jeff Passan on MLBs New Era: 4/13/23

Were barely two weeks into the MLB season and things are already looking&unusual. In addition to the slew of game-changing rules introduced this year, were already seeing some other surprises on the diamond. For example, the team currently leading the NL West is NOT the Dodgers, or the Padres, but rather the Arizona Diamondbacks. The young Baltimore Orioles are shaping up to be one of the more fun teams to watch, and the Tampa Bay Rays are doing things that havent been done since the 80s&the 1880s! So today, Jeff Passan joins the show to give us his assessment on the state of baseball at this moment, and determine how the new rules will affect the future of the league.

The Time Michael Jordan Helped a Guy Win $1 Million: 4/12/23

It was 30 years ago this week that a nearly impossible, yet unforgettable shot was made at the Chicago Stadium. On that evening, a 23-year old office supplies salesman named Don Calhoun participated in the million dollar shot contest, in which he had to make a ¾ court shot to win one million dollars. With less than a 1% chance, Dons shot sailed right into the net, and the entire arena, including Michael Jordan, went crazy. But, shortly after this incredible scene, rumors began to circulate that Don might not receive the prize money, because of some contest fineprint. Ryan Hockensmith tells guest host Emily Kaplan the story of how an unimaginable shot ultimately needed an assist from Air Jordan himself&.and how that gesture forever changed the lives of one Chicago man and his family.

Brian Windhorst Previews the NBA Playoffs: 4/11/23

The biggest soap opera in sports is beginning its home stretch tonight as the NBA Postseason gets going with the play-in round. From now until late June, well be staring at our television screens every night watching the best teams battle for a chance at the NBA Finals. Two months of pure drama is surely on the way, and we have some coming right out of the gates with the Western Conference play-in game between the Timberwolves and the Lakers. So today, Brian Windhorst tells guest host Emily Kaplan what we can expect from the NBA playoffs.

WNBA Draft Preview: Aliyah Boston #1&Then What?: 4/10/23

Its been just one week since LSU and Iowa played for the NCAA Championship in the most watched womens college basketball game ever. But now, the attention turns almost immediately to the pro game, with tonights WNBA draft&and an opportunity for womens basketball to continue its historic momentum. So today, ESPN womens basketball reporter Alexa Philippou tells guest host Emily Kaplan what to expect from tonights draft and previews a WNBA season that promises to revolve around two super teams&and potentially, a historic new rivalry.

Is the NBAs Load Management Problem Fixable?: 4/7/23

As exciting as this NBA season has been&there is still a two word euphemism that the league just cant seem to shake off: load management. In a league where fans buy tickets or tune-in specifically to see a handful of superstars, no one is happy when they spend the game on the bench. So today, Baxter Holmes tells us what he found out while researching the NBAs biggest problem&and whether anyone has a decent solution for it.

Ryan McGee on the Circus of Minor League Baseball: 4/6/23

Everybody remembers their first real job. For ESPNs Ryan McGee, it was working for a minor league baseball team, the Asheville Tourists, getting paid the handsome sum of $100 a week. In exchange, McGee pulled the tarp, lined the basepaths, dealt with drunk fans&and came away with a lifetime of stories that he has put into his new book Welcome to the Circus of Baseball. So today, with the Asheville Tourists and countless other minor league teams opening their season, McGee shares with Justin Tinsley the lessons that sports fans everywhere can take from the magic and charm of minor league baseball.

Does Tiger Woods have any Masters Magic Left?: 4/5/23

The Masters is the most highly anticipated event in the golf world, and this year the pros are bringing more than just their clubs. The drama between the members of the PGA Tour and LIV Golf is still fresh, and with tensions continuing to rise, fans are left wondering what will happen when they all meet at Augusta National? Tiger Woods will also be at the tournament. With the golf legend still recovering from his car accident, everyone is waiting to see what he will be capable of on the links. So today, Michael Collins joins the show to give us an inside look into this exciting tournament, and explain just how different the Masters will be this year.

How College Athletes Face Social Media Abuse From Gamblers : 4/4/23

The college basketball season has officially come to an end, and if the Mens tournament taught us one thing this season, its that it is pretty much impossible to predict the results. And in a world where sports gambling is more popular than ever, for every shocking upset, or Cinderella run, there is likely a slew of bettors on the other side who are not happy about the outcome. Take the TCU-Gonzaga matchup in the 2nd round of this years tournament as an example: TCUs Damion Baugh hit a half-court shot with 0.7 seconds left to cover the spread against the Bulldogs, and consequently, Baugh received a collection of threats and abuse in his Instagram DMs despite the shot having no direct result on the outcome of the game. So today, ESPNs Sports Betting Reporter David Purdum joins Justin Tinsley to discuss the correlation between the rise of sports betting, and the increase in social media abuse directed towards college players and if there is any way to protect student athletes.

UConn vs. San Diego State: The Perfectly Weird Ending to a Bizarre Mens NCAA Tournament: 4/3/23

Congrats if you somehow saw this national championship coming. Back in October, in the preseason AP poll, the San Diego Aztecs were ranked 19th. And the UConn Huskies&they couldnt even crack the top 25. But five months and a whole lot of tournament madness later&here we are. So today, Myron Medcalf is on the ground in Houston and tells us whether the UConn Huskies will take home their fifth National Championship&or if the Aztecs of San Diego State can stun the world, and end a tournament like no other with one last upset.

Caitlin Clark vs. Aliyah Boston: The Biggest Womens Final Four Ever? : 3/31/23

The Womens Final Four games are going down tonight in Dallas. LSU is set to take on Virginia Tech first, and then Iowa tips off against South Carolina in undoubtedly the biggest matchup in college basketball this year. Were all anxiously waiting to see if Caitlin Clark, the newly crowned National Player of the Year, can upset Aliyah Boston and the undefeated Gamecocks. With so much at stake for these four teams, Holly Rowe is here to give us a preview of tonights matchups and prepare us for whats to come in the biggest Womens March Madness ever.

Listen: The Tragic Murder of Lauren McCluskey: 3/30/23

The murder of University of Utah heptathlete Lauren McCluskey by her ex-boyfriend is a cautionary tale of failure. One where every layer of protection in place meant to help a young woman who comes forward simply collapses under the weight of ignorance, complacency and incompetence. So today, after a four-year investigation, Nicole Noren joins the show to talk about everything we learned from the death of Lauren McCluskey and how easily this whole ordeal could have been prevented. Listen, a documentary reported by Nicole Noren and TJ Quinn is available now on ESPN+.

The Manager Games: College Basketballs Underground March Madness Tournament: 3/29/23

As the old saying goes, Not all heroes wear capes... especially not the ones in college basketball. These unsung heroes, otherwise known as student managers, are the backbone of the entire program. They clean the locker rooms, do the laundry, get practice ready, and help coaches with whatever else they need. Their passion for the game is what drives them to perform these tasks on a daily basis, and although these jobs are anything but glamorous, they do come with competitive perks. In arenas around the country, student managers compete against one another in a tournament known as the Manager Games. These games take place the night before the real D1 matchups, and these teams have the opportunity to advance all the way to the Final Four where they battle for the championship, and a chance to be recognized across their campus. So today, Jake Trotter explains to guest host Justin Tinsley the origin of an underground tournament where team managers finally get a chance at their very own One Shining Moment.

Can LeBron and AD Lead the Lakers to a Playoff Push?: 3/28/23

Dont look now, but the Lakers are suddenly healthy as the NBA regular season enters its final couple of weeks. But even with Lebron and AD healthy and on the floor together for the first time since late February, they suffered an ugly defeat at home to the Bulls on Sunday. So the question remains&just who are these guys, really? Today, guest host Justin Tinsley talks to Dave McMenamin, who takes us inside Lebrons surprise return to the court, details his conversation with AD about the big mans battles to get back and stay on the court, and explains how the future of Lakers basketball is under evaluation&right now.

Passan Time: MLB Pitch Clock Debuts + Pablo Says Goodbye: 3/27/23

Its about time we talk about one of the more interesting changes weve seen play out in sports: the introduction of the pitch clock to Major League Baseball. While the concept of a pitch clock is nothing new, its ratification has resulted in one of the biggest rule changes any major sport has ever seen. The goal is to reduce game time, which has run over three hours long since the turn of the millennium. But is this sweeping change enough to keep fans engaged with the game? Jeff Passan clocks in to talk about what weve seen from the pitch clock so far and its implications for the future&and Pablo says goodbye to ESPN Daily.

Meet Flaujae Johnson: LSU Guard By Day, Rapper By Night: 3/24/23

LSUs starting guard Flaujae Johnson is lighting up the court during this NCAA Tournament. But thats not the only passion and skills Flaujae possesses: shes also a rapper and a businesswoman. The 19-year-old prodigy currently has a distribution deal with Jay-Zs Roc Nation, where she makes music that highlights her fathers legacy. In her free time, Flaujae continues to build her success by navigating and negotiating her NIL deals. With her basketball and music careers continuing to soar, we cant help but wonder&.where did it all start? Maya Jones shares the story of a young girl from Savannah, Georgia whose trials and tribulations have culminated in the person Flaujae is today.

The University of Colorado Enters the Prime Time Era: 3/23/23

The Deion Sanders aka Coach Prime era is underway at the University of Colorado. And with spring practice beginning, Prime Time has moved from the locker room to the field. His assignment? Revitalize a program in Boulder that has fallen into obscurity since their glory days of the 1990s. All eyes are watching to see how this is going to play out, so ESPN senior college football writer Adam Rittenberg joins the show to tell us what he saw and heard in Boulder. And what we can expect from the first season of Colorados Deion Sanders era.

Where Does Ja Morant Go From Here?: 3/22/23

It has been a crazy three weeks for Ja Morant. The Grizzlies superstar and former second overall pick in the NBA Draft has been away from the team since March 4, the day after he was on Instagram Live waving around a gun inside a strip club. Morant stepped away to receive counseling, and the NBA later suspended him for eight games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league. That suspension ended on Monday, when he was on the Memphis bench for their win over the Dallas Mavericks. So with Morant widely expected to return to the court tonight against the Houston Rockets, Tim McMahon tells guest host David Fleming about the fallout from that night in Denver on March 3&and how Morant can move forward from the decision that put his entire career in jeopardy.

Cheers, Boos, and Protests: Cuban Baseball Returns to Miami: 3/21/23

Here in the United States, baseball is known as the national pastime. In Cuba, however, its something even bigger: baseball is part of their national identity. And there is no place where questions of Cuban identity and heritage take more center stage than Miami, the center of the Cuban diaspora in the United States. Its been more than 60 years since the Cuban national team played a game in Miami, not since Fidel Castro rose to power in 1959&and their return brought back the complex feelings of pride, anger, and so much more within Cuban Americans. So today, Alden Gonzalez takes us inside a city, a community, and a stadium where emotions are running high&and easy answers are nowhere to be found.

Japans Roki Sasaki Is Baseballs Next Phenomenon: 3/20/23

The next big thing coming to America from Japan might not be a baseball unicorn like Shohei Ohtani&it might be a once-in-a-generation starting pitcher who could actually be even bigger. His name is Roki Sasaki, and while he might not be ready to make the jump to Major League Baseball yet, hes already making waves in baseball on the worlds stage. As Sasaki takes the mound for Japan tonight against Mexico in the semi-finals of the World Baseball Classic, Jeff Passan tells us all about Sasaki's electric arm and the almost spiritual connection he has with the game of baseball&that comes in-part from an unforgettable tragedy.

Womens March Madness Preview with Andraya Carter: 3/17/23

If youve been paying attention to womens college basketball this year, South Carolina is the favorite, by far, to win another national championship. But maybe the field still has something to say about that. Theres Iowa, led by arguably the face of March Madness in Caitlin Clark&UConn who might just be getting healthy at the right time&and you cant forget about powerhouse LSU, led by Alexis Morris. So as the biggest teams in the country prepare to battle for a shot at cutting down the nets. As all the stars are aligning and preparing to shine in the largest spotlight ever for the womens college game Andraya Carter joins the show to give us an inside look at the bracket, from a perspective that only a former player can provide.

Aaron Rodgers Takes his Talents to East Rutherford, NJ: 3/16/23

Aaron Rodgers went on the Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday, putting an end to the lingering questions about his future by proclaiming, I intend to play for the New York Jets. The trade is all but a formality at this point, as both teams continue to negotiate and come to an agreement on compensation for the 39-year-old future Hall of Famer. And in Green Bay, theyre prepared to roll with 2020 first round pick Jordan Love who has backed Rodgers up for the first three years of his career as their QB of the future. But is Love ready to follow in the footsteps of Rodgers, and Brett Favre before him? ESPNs Packers reporter Rob Demovsky has seen every moment of Rodgers career in Green Bay, and he takes us inside the breakup between one of the NFLs legendary franchises&and arguably its greatest player ever.

Bill Barnwells Guide to NFL Free Agency: 3/15/23

Not too long ago we spent our Sundays glued to the television watching our favorite teams battle for a chance at the Super Bowl. But in an NFL with seemingly no offseason, here we are already. Free agency is upon us and it is both equally chaotic and eventful. Thanks in no small part to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, a trade at the very top of the draft, and, of course, Aaron Rodgers&who has yet to make a final decision on his future. So today, Bill Barnwell joins the show to help us understand everything going on across the league, as the 2023 league year officially starts.

Eight Minutes in Tuscaloosa: What Happened the Night Jamea Harris was Killed: 3/14/23

Alabama is the top seed in the men's NCAA tournament for the first time in its history, but even as March Madness begins, a larger story, one with much more significant consequences, is impossible to ignore. Former Crimson Tide player Darius Miles and his friend Michael Davis were officially indicted by a grand jury last week on capital murder charges for the shooting of 23-year-old Jamea Harris in January. Those indictments come just days before freshman star Brandon Miller, who was at the scene of the killing, leads Alabama in its first tournament game. And while prosecutors have been clear that Miller faces no criminal charges, controversy continues to swirl around what he did on the night in question. Reporter Michael Rothstein was part of a team of journalists at ESPN who have poured over the evidence in an attempt to paint the fullest picture possible about what exactly happened the night Jamea Harris was killed.

March Madness Preview with Myron Medcalf: 3/13/23

As the calendar flips to March, theres one sporting event that goes straight to the top of our priority list: the NCAA Basketball Tournament. And we cant remember the last time the Big Dance seemed this unpredictable. Theres Alabama with their first No. 1 seed in program history, and then we have the traditional blue bloods like Duke, Kentucky, and Michigan State&but their seeding is a lot lower than were accustomed to. So today, we enlisted our friend Myron Medcalf fresh off writing 12,000 words on Selection Sunday for ESPN.com to prepare us for the Madness.

Grizzly vs Wrestlers: Or How I Learned to Never Go Shed Hunting: 3/10/23

Last October, four teammates from the Northwest College wrestling team set out for a hike just outside Yellowstone National Park. For two of them, Brady Lowry and Kendell Cummings, the trip would bond them together for the rest of their lives, courtesy of a grizzly bear. Today, ESPNs Ryan Hockensmith navigates this tale of survival, loyalty, friendship and redemption while we hear all the harrowing details straight from the mouths of these two brave men.

A Million Dollar Shot, a Viral Video, and the Story that Nobody Knew: 3/9/23

You probably saw the video back in 2015. Then-56-year-old Scott Park, standing at half court, fires a shot to potentially win a million dollars at the ACC Tournament&only for it to barely reach the free throw line. It immediately went viral after a reporter posted the footage on Vine (remember Vine?). In true internet fashion, the negative comments piled on. But as our friend Ryan McGee found out and shares with us today, there was so much more to this story than the social media response&its about the limits of science, and storytelling&and ourselves.

Inside Anthony Richardsons Historic NFL Combine Performance: 3/8/23

Going into the 2023 NFL Combine, the top two quarterbacks in this years draft class were presumed to be Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, but that was before Anthony Richardson arrived. The Florida QB impressed: raising eyebrows with his 40-yard dash time, and setting QB records with his vertical jump and broad jump. Its Richardsons stellar marks that highlight how NFL scouting is a guessing game at best. ESPN NFL reporter Stephen Holder was embedded with Richardsons team in Indianapolis over the weekend, and he takes us behind the scenes of one of the most impressive pre-draft performances in NFL history&as the league tries to make sense of it all.

Mountain GOAT: Mikaela Shiffrin on the Brink of Skiing History: 3/7/23

Mikaela Shiffrin is only 27 years old, and shes already the GOAT. Her dominance of alpine skiing is in the same category as Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, and Serena Williams&and she has an opportunity to further build on her legacy this weekend by surpassing the 34-year-old record for wins currently held by Swedish legend Ingemar Stenmark in his home country. Its a far cry from where Shifrrin was a year ago, when she crashed out of the Beijing Olympics three times while still mourning her fathers death. So today, as Shiffrin chases history, Alyssa Roenigk brings us up to speed on Mikaelas quest for greatness&and gives us a crash course in a snowy sport thats picking up speed.

The Most Hated Man in Hockey (ENCORE): 3/6/23

Brad Marchand contains multitudes. Sure, the Boston Bruins winger could be called the most hated man in hockey&hes served eight suspensions in his career, and he was recently fined the max amount for a dangerous trip on an opponent. But Marchand is also one of the top scorers in the NHL, integral to the Bruins league-leading offense. Hes known for cheap shots, punching opposing players, licking faces, and was once given the nickname Little Ball of Hate from former President Barack Obama. With the Bruins in the midst of a historic season, Greg Wyshynski tells us what Marchand can do to help his team, and explains his complicated legacy.

Honestly, I Thought it was Money. Caitlin Clark has the Most Swag in College Hoops: 3/3/23

March Madness is set to tip off just over a week from now, and among all the players who will be competing both men and women there is no one who loves the spotlight more than Caitlin Clark. The junior guard, sometimes referred to as the female Steph Curry, will be leading Iowa in hopes of securing pretty much the only thing missing from her legendary collegiate resume: a national title. So today, we ask one Basketball Hall of Famer Holly Rowe to tell us the story of this player who might just be headed in that same direction.

F1 Season Preview: Are Red Bull and Max Verstappen the New Dynasty?: 3/2/23

When Liberty Media took control of Formula 1 racing in 2017, they made a bet on being able to grow the sport in the United States. F1 has always attracted an audience of hundreds of millions overseas but now, with millions tuning into races on ESPN domestically, and millions more binging Formula 1: Drive to Survive on Netflix, all signs point to a bet that has paid off. So today, ESPN F1 editor Laurence Edmondson joins us ahead of the 2023 season to tell us who is leading the pack, who is chasing them, and how, in the end, this sport of inches ultimately comes down to the fateful decisions of a bunch of nerdy engineers.

Why Creed III is Personal for Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors: 3/1/23

The Rocky franchise is one of the most quintessential sports series of all time. It spawned six sequels, and Philadelphia has embraced its fictional leading man as part of the cultural identity embedded in the city itself. And as Creed III - the third sequel in a franchise that, itself, is a sequel gears up for its release this weekend, its director/star Michael B. Jordan and co-star Jonathan Majors are stepping into the Hollywood spotlight. So today, Chris Connelly takes us inside the making of a sports movie thats more personal for them than you might think.

How a Disputed $55M Loan Plays into Federal Probe of the Commanders: 2/28/23

No NFL franchise has endured more public turmoil in recent years than the Washington Commanders and their owner Daniel Snyder. There have been allegations of sexual misconduct, a toxic workplace environment, the changing of the teams controversial name& not to mention the federal investigation into the teams finances. But now there are new allegations of potential fraud by Snyder in connection to how he treated his own business partners. So today, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Don Van Natta delivers his latest investigation into Snyder and the Commanders a staggering story about a hidden loan that led to Snyders fellow billionaires crying foul forcing the league, and even Roger Goodell& to step in.

NFL Combine Confidential with Domonique Foxworth (ENCORE): 2/27/23

The NFL combine: an annual spectacle that is part job interview, part gym class, and part reality TV show. It is also a critical moment in deciding the future of a new class of NFL draft prospects. An exceptionally good or bad performance in the combine will make a prospects draft stock rise or fall, meaning millions in potential salary is on the table. But just how useful is the combine in actually predicting a players NFL career? And what is it like for the players to run the gauntlet of medical evaluations, physical tests, and character evaluations? ESPNs Domonique Foxworth went through the process in 2005. He shares all the secrets from inside the scouting combine, and why it may not be as important as we think.

The Orangeburg Massacre: A Forgotten Story of a Team and Tragedy: 2/24/23

Just over 55 years ago this month, one of the most horrible tragedies of the civil rights movement took place in Orangeburg, South Carolina when police opened fire on a group of Black protesters outside of a bowling alley. The protesters had gathered to push for the desegregation of All-Star Bowling Lane, and when all was said and done 31 people had been shot, most of them students at nearby South Carolina State University. Three men lay dead, two members of the South Carolina State football team and a high school athlete. Andscape Senior Writer, David Dennis Jr., author of THE MOVEMENT MADE US: A FATHER, A SON, AND THE LEGACY OF A FREEDOM RIDE, tells the story of this underreported massacre.

Lamar Jacksons Contract Stalemate, Explained: 2/23/23

Things are just a bit messy in the NFL right now. With Patrick Mahomes giving Kenny Powers-style victory speeches and a hallucinating Aaron Rodgers trying to eat two meals a day in total darkness, you can see how things are really just&out of sorts. And as if things couldnt get any crazier, the Ravens are now in a predicament: they are refusing to give Lamar Jackson the contract that he wants and believes he deserves. So, today, Jeremy Fowler walks us through his and ESPN colleague Jamison Hensleys new reporting into the NFLs premiere contract standoff. And he shines a light on whats to come.

Behind the Scenes of the Kevin Durant Trade : 2/22/23

The NBA is a study in chain reactions many of which have been chronicled on this podcast. Like the fact that in November of 2021, our colleague Baxter Holmes published a bombshell investigation into the broken workplace culture of Robert Sarvers Phoenix Suns. And now, 15 months later, those Suns have a new billionaire owner, Mat Ishbia&who promptly went out and apparently gave the Brooklyn Nets whatever they wanted for Kevin Durant. So we asked Brian Windhorst to take us behind the scenes, in Brooklyn and Phoenix, as the dominos very quickly started falling& And how that power dynamic also helps explain why Russell Westbrook is staying in Los Angeles.

How Bill Russell Transformed College Basketball: 2/21/23

Bill Russells life touched so many different areas that trying to figure out how to properly honor his legend is a task in itself. His name adorns the Finals MVP Award, he was the first Black head coach in NBA history, the 11 titles he won with the Boston Celtics are still the standard by which champions are measured. And his impact was just as large off the court where the civil rights activist fought for racial justice at every step of his life. Martenzie Johnson takes us inside the foundational chapter of Russells life, where he transformed a small program that didnt even have a gym to practice in, into back-to-back national champions&and changed the entire sport of basketball along the way.

The Legend of the Red Panda: NBA Halftimes Cant Miss Act (ENCORE): 2/20/23

An NBA halftime lasts just 15 minutes. Its a time for players to leave the court, fans to run to the bathroom or grab another beer, or, a break, for all intents and purposes. But for Rong Niu - its her time to shine. Rong, better known to audiences as the Red Panda, has been astounding NBA halftime audiences around the country for thirty years, with her 7-and-a-half-foot-tall unicycle, a stack of white bowls, and not much else. With the NBA All-Star this past weekend, we celebrate a star who has been at the top of her game for decades&and who we believe belongs in the Hall of Fame one day. Rong Niu, the Red Panda herself, joins the show today to tell us her story - and how she became an NBA legend.

Chiefsaholic: Superfan, Twitter Personality&Bank Robber?: 2/17/23

Who is Chiefsaholic? Imagine a Chiefs superfan wearing a werewolf costume with a Chiefs cap, a KC shirt, and a red fanny pack. Thats Chiefsaholic, and in recent years hes been a staple at Chiefs games both home and away, while at the same time becoming a fixture on social media for seemingly sparing no expense when it comes to proving his Chiefs devotion. But now everything Chiefs fans thought they knew about Chiefsaholic has been turned upside down, after he was arrested for robbing a bank in Tulsa, Oklahoma this December. The shocking revelation has led many to wonder, was Chiefsaholic funding his Chiefs fandom by robbing banks? With so many elements to this story, Liz Merrill is here to unravel this mystery which must be heard to be believed.

How Brittney Griner, Breanna Stewart, and the Superteam Era Are Changing the WNBA: 2/16/23

On the surface, there is an unprecedented level of excitement surrounding the WNBA. TV viewership numbers have been trending upwards, and the league has entered the superteam era thanks to some splashy free agency signings like Breanna Stewart to the New York Liberty and Candace Parker to the Las Vegas Aces. But beneath all the hype, there are still some major issues that havent been addressed&such as the fact that the worlds best womens basketball players still fly commercial, unlike the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB, who all charter private flights. And as we found out, the real issue goes much deeper. So Ramona Shelburne helps us examine the changing landscape of the WNBA, and maps out what could be the next steps in the evolution of the sport.

The Story Behind the Super Bowls Most Famous Phrase: 2/15/23

For years, Super Bowl winners have used a four-word phrase to commemorate their iconic victory: Im going to Disney World! (or alternately, Im going to Disneyland!) In all its simplicity, this phrase has stretched across many generations of winners&.all the way up to this past Sunday night, and Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes. Sam Borden tracked down the origin of this famous sentence for SC Featured, and he explains how this magic phrase became an institution unto itself.

Love in the Time of Hockey Riots (Valentines Day ENCORE): 2/14/23

12 years ago, the Vancouver Canucks lost Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals to the Boston Bruins, in Vancouver. Canucks fans didnt exactly hide their frustrations, as a riot engulfed the city. Now, more than a decade later, arguably the most enduring image of that night was a photo of a couple, kissing on the ground, surrounded by police in riot gear. In an encore fit for Valentines Day&and of one of our favorite episodes&Greg Wyshynski caught up with the couple, and the photographer, and joins the show to share how that iconic image endures to this day.

The Kansas City Chiefs Are Super Bowl LVII Champions: 2/13/23

The Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl champions! MVP Patrick Mahomes re-injured his ankle shortly before halftime and faced limited opportunities as Phillys time of possession kept him off the field, but that didnt stop him from shining bright like a diamond and leading yet another Mahomesian comeback, proving that hell be here forever. With the game tied late (and a questionable holding call against the Eagles), Kansas City ran the clock down for the game winning field goal&and they ran this town tonight. Alex Smith was in Glendale, Arizona for the game, and he breaks down everything that led to the Chiefs hoisting the Lombardi Trophy once again.

Robert Griffin III on a Historic Super Bowl Matchup: 2/10/23

When the Eagles and Chiefs meet in Super Bowl LVII it will mark the first time in league history that both of the starting quarterbacks in the game are Black. Its a historic, and long overdue moment in a league where roughly 70 percent of the players are Black. ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III, the former No. 2 overall pick, explains why it has taken more than 50 years to see two Black QBs in the Super Bowl&what its like for young Black QBs who arent always given the same opportunities to compete at the position.

Super Bowls Are Won in the Trenches. Chris Long Explains How.: 2/9/23

Weve all heard the football adage, games are won in the trenches. And this years Philadelphia Eagles are a prime example of this mentality. Philly has dominated along the line on both sides of the ball: their defensive line has the third-most sacks in NFL history, while their vaunted offensive line has kept Jalen Hurts safe, and is led by two generational talents in Lane Johnson and Jason Kelce. All that being said, the trenches are still the part of the field that most people understand the least. What offensive and defensive linemen actually do is really hard to comprehend, especially if you have never done it. Chris Long won a Super Bowl with the Eagles in 2018, and he shines a spotlight on the d-line he played on, and the o-line he faced in practice every day&two units that could very well decide the fate of Super Bowl LVII.

Joe Montana: Ghost of Super Bowls Past: 2/8/23

If Super Bowl Sunday is Americas most beloved holiday the holiday that the greatest and most famous quarterbacks in the sport have spent their lives dreaming about winning it does feel like Joe Montana is a bit like the ghost of Christmas past. Montana is the man Tom Brady grew up idolizing. The icon whose accolades four championships and three Super Bowl MVPs Patrick Mahomes is now actively trying to surpass. But, today, Wright Thompson takes us behind the scenes and inside the feelings of Joe Montana&whose present life offers an important clue about a superstars future.

Bill Barnwell Previews Super Bowl LVII: 2/7/23

Believe it or not, theres a lot more to Super Bowl LVII than Rihanna performing at halftime. You may have heard about a pair of brothers facing off for the first time in Super Bowl history. Or about the beef between Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, who was the Eagles head coach for 14 championship-less seasons, before being fired&whos now taking on his former team. One of Reids first moves after being hired as the Chiefs new coach the next year was to fire much of the staff&including an assistant by the name of Nick Sirianni. So Bill Barnwell joins us to break down these storylines, plus all the Xs and Os.

Travis and Jason Kelce: Bond of Brothers (ENCORE): 2/6/23

Love him or hate him, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is one of the best in the NFL. But beyond the flamboyance and flash, theres a side most people havent seen...especially when it comes to his big brother, Eagles center Jason Kelce. And Sunday, both Kelce brothers will play in Super Bowl LVII. Ahead of the Big Game (or the Kelce Bowl as some are calling it), were playing an encore of our episode with Lisa Salters, as she describes the relationship between the two brothers. In fact, Patrick Mahomes favorite target may never have made it to the league if not for big brother Jasons interventions along the way.

Why LeBron Breaking Kareems Record is About Much More than Scoring: 2/3/23

Its only a matter of when, not if, LeBron James breaks the all-time NBA scoring record, surpassing the current mark of 38,387 points held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar& which has stood for longer than LeBron has been alive. At times, it seems as if the career paths of both LeBron and Kareem have run parallel to each other. Both entered the league at 18 years old, both infamously changed teams&and both are considered to be two of the greatest players we have ever seen. Despite that, their relationship has seemed non-existent and almost adversarial at times. So with James on the cusp of breaking one of the most hallowed records in sports, one held by his most impactful critic, we turned to Brian Windhorst&who has been covering LeBron longer than anyone on the planet.

Florida Man Retires, Again. (Seth Wickersham on Why This Time Its for Real): 2/2/23

Tom Brady is retiring...again. One year to the day after announcing his first retirement, Brady posted a video on social media announcing that he was done for good. Seth Wickersham has covered Brady up close for more than two decades, and he explains why this time Brady is retiring for real&and the opportunities that are already in the works for this new chapter of his life.

The Rat Trick: The Legend of the Florida Panthers Rodent Tradition (ENCORE): 2/1/23

The NHL All-Star Weekend hits South Florida this weekend, but theres one notable snub. Viktor E. Rat, the hometown Florida Panthers alternate mascot, will not be appearing and the fans are UPSET. Because Viktor E. Rat represents more than a costume&he is the personification of one of the most unusual traditions in all of sports: throwing rats onto the ice. Its a hair-raising tradition that dates back to the 95-96 season, when a Cinderella-esque Panthers team made the Stanley Cup Final in just their third year of existence. Emily Kaplan explains how the Panthers rat throwing tradition started, if it may or may not have contributed to the teams long misfortunes&and the ways in which this generations Panthers are trying to write their own tale.

A Huge, Huge Mistake. Meyers Leonard Opens Up on Ignorance, Regret, and Forgiveness: 1/31/23

It has been more than two years since Meyers Leonard last set foot on an NBA court. The former Miami Heat center had his most productive season ever in 2019-20, a season that ended with him playing for the NBA Championship in the bubble. But after a shoulder injury derailed his 2020-21 season, Leonard filled his time playing video games. And it was during one online game session in March of 2021 when Leonard would utter an antisemetic slur that would ignite a firestorm of controversy. Meyers was suspended by the Heat, before being traded to and ultimately released by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Jeremy Schaap sits down with Meyers Leonard, who finally opens up about his huge, huge mistake as well as the feelings of shame and regret he has felt since. Its an interview that explores questions of ignorance and forgiveness&and possibly, a path back to the NBA.

Chiefs Survive, Eagles Soar: Alex Smith Untangles Championship Sunday: 1/30/23

Its Chiefs vs. Eagles in Super Bowl LVII! The Chiefs escaped with a last second win over the Bengals, thanks to some late game heroics by a hobbled Patrick Mahomes. In the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles soared past the San Francisco 49ers, who ran out of quarterbacks after losing third stringer Brock Purdy to an elbow injury, and fourth stringer Josh Johnson was placed into concussion protocol early in the second half. Alex Smith takes us inside the mindsets of the quarterbacks and helps us understand key plays, as we break down the biggest moments from Championship Sunday.

The Yips, Explained. (Why We Are All Brett Maher): 1/27/23

We are all Brett Maher&and whether you realize it or not, you are too. Every human being is at least a little bit like the Dallas Cowboys Kicker and NFLs current poster boy for choking, flop-sweating, crapping the bed, whatever word you wanna use&even if youd never admit it. Even if the person we all dream of being is Joe Burrow. So, today, David Epstein, best-selling author of THE SPORTS GENE and RANGE, takes us inside the Yips and our own brains. Where we learn actual lessons that apply to both the very best athletes in the world, and the people who watch them. To help ensure you didn't miss any of our best stories from the past year, we've collected our favorite episodes of 2022 into one playlist. We think youll love every episode on there, so check it out.

The QB Battle that Unlocked Patrick Mahomes: 1/26/23

Patrick Mahomes is undoubtedly one of the most talented quarterbacks we have ever seen in the NFL&but there was a chance that his meteoric rise almost didnt happen at all. Back in middle school, Mahomes was locked in a QB battle with a kid named Ryan Cheatham that lasted for years until his junior season. Mahomes and Cheatham grew up playing baseball and football together, and despite how fiercely competitive they were&they actually became best friends. So Ryan Hockensmith tells you everything about the position battle that made Patrick Mahomes. To help ensure you didn't miss any of our best stories from the past year, we've collected our favorite episodes of 2022 into one playlist. We think youll love every episode on there, so check it out.

Mina Kimes Deciphers NFLs Conference Championships: 1/25/23

This time of year, as the field of NFL contenders whittles down, the hot takes start to ramp up&and with it comes the usual tropes. Talk of quarterback legacies and the Cowboys never-ending failure abounds. But with Championship Sunday mere days away, we asked Mina Kimes to help us break new ground and get our heads around these two highly anticipated matchups. Can the Bengals depleted offensive line support Joe Burrow and overperform for the second week in a row? How much does Patrick Mahomes bum ankle hinder Kansas Citys offense? What gives in the strength-on-strength matchup between the Eagles O-line and the Niners D-line? Mina explains what we should really be paying attention to, and what well be talking about after its all over. To help ensure you didn't miss any of our best stories from the past year, we've collected our favorite episodes of 2022 into one playlist. We think youll love every episode on there, so check it out.

Mo Money, Mo Problems: Why MLB Spending is on the Rise, and What it Means: 1/24/23

Just a few years ago in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Major League Baseball painted a picture of a dire financial situation across the league&but less than three years later, the finances and the contracts dished out this offseason paints the picture of a very healthy MLB economy: Aaron Judge reached a deal to stay in pinstripes for 9 years, $360 million. Trea Turner went back to the East Coast for an 11-year, $300 million agreement with the Philadelphia Phillies. Rafael Devers became the highest paid player in Red Sox history with his new extension&and even Carlos Correa himself signed over $500 million worth of contracts, before landing with the Twins. But not everyone is happy about the billions of dollars on the move this offseason. Jeff Passan returns to talk about baseballs evolving economy, and the resentment its fueling¬ among fans, but among the owners themselves. To help ensure you didn't miss any of our best stories from the past year, we've collected our favorite episodes of 2022 into one playlist. We think youll love every episode on there, so check it out.

Alex Smith Untangles the NFL Divisional Round: 1/23/23

The NFL playoffs are cruel. Take Dak Prescott&last week, he had the best game of his life against the Buccaneers. This week, his season ends on an inexplicable trick play that humiliates you in front of tens of millions of people. Or, take the Buffalo Bills&who were licking their chops to face a banged up Bengals offensive line, only to look completely outmatched in front of their home fans. So today, we ask our friend Alex Smith, a quarterback whos been there before, to tell us what impressed him during the Divisional Round this weekend. And how the four teams left standing managed to make it this far. To help ensure you didn't miss any of our best stories from the past year, we've collected our favorite episodes of 2022 into one playlist. We think youll love every episode on there, so check it out.

Cornerback Confidential: Domonique Foxworth Defends NFLs Most Underappreciated Job: 1/20/23

Domonique Foxworth has a theory. Our current ESPN colleague is convinced that the job he used to haveNFL cornerbackis more interesting than it has ever been. So today, ahead of the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs, we summon the heightened and unparalleled confidence of Domonique Foxworth. He brings all his diva cornerback vibes to explain why his old job is the biggest hidden secret-to-success in the NFL. And why, during a weekend full of superstar quarterbacks and the people who obsess over themwe should actually be focusing on his positions Golden Age. To help ensure you didn't miss any of our best stories from the past year, we've collected our favorite episodes of 2022 into one playlist. We think youll love every episode on there, so check it out.

Bill Barnwell Previews NFLs Divisional Weekend: Anything Is Possible: 1/19/23

The path to the Super Bowl is starting to narrow. But after the truly super, Wild Card Weekend where we only saw one blowout, the remaining contenders are catching their breath after needing miracles, big and small, to make it out of the fourth quarter. So we called up our friend Bill Barnwell to take us through each matchup one-by-one&and he tells us what to expect from a divisional round where anything can happen. To help ensure you didn't miss any of our best stories from the past year, we've collected our favorite episodes of 2022 into one playlist. We think youll love every episode on there, so check it out.

Is 50 the new 40? The NBAs Latest Scoring Surge, Explained: 1/18/23

Its not just you, we really are seeing more high-scoring performances by NBA players than usual. Weve seen 50-point performances from Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid, Giannis, and counting this season&and thats not including Donovan Mitchells 71-point game on January 2. It seems as though the saying 50 is the new 40 has finally made its way to the NBA, and it's become the dominant trend of the season&which left us asking ourselves, why? So naturally, we turned to the only person who could answer that question for us: Former San Antonio Spurs VP Kirk Goldsberry. Kirk helps us figure out why scoring is booming&and whether this trend is here to stay. To help ensure you didn't miss any of our best stories from the past year, we've collected our favorite episodes of 2022 into one playlist. We think youll love every episode on there, so check it out.

The Greatest Rule in Sports: Hockeys EBUG (ENCORE): 1/17/23

Its the dream of every sports fan: the star player on your favorite team goes down with an injury. The coach is desperate, and someone needs to step up. Somehow you, the average sports fan, get picked out of the stands to hit with the bases loaded, or step in at quarterback, or take the game winning shot. Obviously, that never happens in real life, or in sports, really&except for extremely rare occasions in hockey, thanks to the EBUG rule: which stands for Emergency Back-Up Goaltender. Its a rule that requires NHL teams to have a random person standing by in the arena, ready to hit the ice should either teams two goalies both get injured. Jeremy Schaap interviewed some EBUGs who have been called to action, and he brings us the stories of the lucky few who have lived every fans dream. To help ensure you didn't miss any of our best stories from the past year, we've collected our favorite episodes of 2022 into one playlist. We think youll love every episode on there, so check it out.

Alex Smith on NFL Super Wild Card Weekend: 1/16/23

The NFLs Super Wild Card Weekend did not disappoint, with nailbiting finishes, surprising upsets, and a comeback for the ages. Heavy favorites like the 49ers and Bills both advanced, although Dolphins put up a bigger fight in Buffalo than many anticipated. Meanwhile, the Giants continued their surprising season behind a resurgent Danny Dimes by upsetting the #3 seed Vikings. And the Bengals finished off their divisional rival Ravens with a 98-yard thicc six fumble return on what may be the worst QB sneak attempt of all time. Alex Smith, our Monday QB, breaks all the Wild Card action down for us&and helps us look ahead to Mondays finale between the Bucs and Cowboys. To help ensure you didn't miss any of our best stories from the past year, we've collected our favorite episodes of 2022 into one playlist. We think youll love every episode on there, so check it out.

The Birth of Bills Mafia: How a Divine Blunder Branded the NFLs Most Devoted Fanbase: 1/13/23

Why are Buffalo Bills fans called Bills Mafia? Its a story thats become legend within Buffalo. But outside of Bills fandom, the story is less well known, even for the individuals involved with the creation of Bills Mafia themselves. Twelve years ago, Stevie Johnson dropped a potential game-winning touchdown pass in overtime, and seemingly blamed God on Twitter, in the aftermath. That moment sparked a movement among Bills fans, and inspired Bills Mafia as we know it now. So today, ESPN Daily investigates: hear Adam Schefter, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Stevie Johnson, Ryan Clark, and more explain their roles in how a divine blunder branded the NFLs most devoted fanbase, Bills Mafia. Buffalo Bills beat reporter Alaina Getzenberg and Bills Mafia co-founder Del Reid also share the other side of Bills Mafia: the force for charity, as the community rallies around Bills safety Damar Hamlins recovery. To help ensure you didn't miss any of our best stories from the past year, we've collected our favorite episodes of 2022 into one playlist. We think youll love every episode on there, so check it out.

NFL Super Wildcard Weekend Preview with Bill Barnwell: 1/12/23

America is a French goose of a nation on Super Wild Card Weekend. Football foie gras. About to be force-fed a seemingly endless menu of expensive, high-stakes NFL playoff games - until we luxuriously burst. So today, we ask our friend Bill Barnwell the sharpest and most empirically minded football analyst we know to explain how hes attacking these half-a-dozen dishes. Will numerous quarterback injuries spoil the meal? Is Tom Brady about to eat humble pie? Can Dak and the Cowboys sugarcoat over their recent struggles? Bill helps us manage our expectations, and our livers, in the process. -------- To help ensure you didn't miss any of our best stories from the past year, we've collected our favorite episodes of 2022 into one playlist. We think youll love every episode on there, so check it out.

I Cant Speak!: The Craziest Game in Darts History, Explained: 1/11/23

If you live in the United Kingdom, you probably know the voice of Wayne Mardle. But after last week, millions of people around the world suddenly got a taste of him calling the World Darts Championship final a genuinely historic duel between Michael van Gerwen of the Netherlands and Michael Smith of England. And Waynes commentary helped make it the most globally viral thing thats pretty much ever happened to this admittedly strange game. So, today, for everyone who watched that clip with awe (and maybe a little confusion too) we bring you Wayne Mardle himself, as he tells the glorious story of the darts game that was heard around the world. We've collected our favorite episodes of 2022 into one playlist, to help ensure you didn't miss any of our best stories from the past year.

Soccers Biggest Soap Opera: What Happened Between the Berhalters and Reynas?: 1/10/23

The family feud between the Berhalters and the Reynas is unlike anything weve seen in sports. It feels more comparable to Shakespeare, or Game of Thrones, or even Star Wars. But it became all so real when Claudio Reyna, childhood friend of USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter, and father of rising star Gio Reyna, along with his wife Danielle, exposed a 1991 domestic violence incident between Berhalter and his now-wife Rosalind&seemingly in response to Gio being benched at the World Cup. Its a tragic dispute between two of US soccers most famous families. Kyle Bonagura, who has been covering this as it unfolded, tells us what exactly caused this massive rift between former friends.

Mina Kimes on the Packers Stunning Exit, Bills Emotional Return, and the Rest of NFL Week 18: 1/9/23

The final ticket to the NFL playoffs has been punched, and it belongs to the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks stayed alive with an overtime field goal over the LA Rams, and they got the help they needed from the Detroit Lions, who spoiled the playoff hopes (and bit the kneecaps) of the Green Bay Packers. The final week of the regular season was also the most emotional, especially for the Buffalo Bills, playing for the first time since Damar Hamlins cardiac arrest on Monday night. Add to that a Jaguars team completing a shocking turnaround from a season ago to make the playoffs, as well as a Chiefs play that looked like it belonged at a kindergarten recess, and there is only one NFL analyst who can make sense of all of it, our friend Mina Kimes.

The Ballad of Stetson Bennett: From Walk-on to the Brink of CFB Immortality: 1/6/23

Its hard to find a more unlikely college football journey than that of Georgia QB Stetson Bennett. He first arrived in Athens as a walk-on in 2017 and a year later, when five-star recruit Justin Fields committed to the Bulldogs, Bennett transferred to Jones County Junior College. He returned to Georgia in 2019, and didnt get his shot as the starter for two more years after that. But now, Bennett has been a Heisman finalist, and a national championship-winning quarterback&who is about to play for his second. So we called our friend Ryan McGee to put into context how unusual Bennetts story is&and how a former walk-on is now on the brink of college football immortality.

Remembering Pelé: Sports First Global Superstar: 1/5/23

Pelé is without question one of the most famous people to ever live. He won three World Cups for Brazil from 1958-1970, and is widely regarded as the benchmark to which todays greatest players are compared. Pelé died on Dec. 29 at the age of 82. ESPN Global Sports Correspondent Sam Borden is on the ground in Brazil for the funeral, and he tells us what hes seen in Pelés hometown&and how his death has reverberated around the world.

The Damar Hamlin Story: Everybody I Talk to, I Say I Love You.: 1/4/23

Damar Hamlins name has been echoing across sports for the last two days. On Monday night, the 24-year-old Buffalo Bills safety collapsed on the field during the Bills-Bengals game in Cincinnati, where he was administered CPR and eventually taken to a Cincinnati hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Tyler Dunne, a Buffalo based journalist and founder of Go Long, a football focused newsletter, profiled Hamlin in 2021 after hed been drafted by the Bills. As the world awaits additional updates on Hamlins condition, Dunne shares Hamlins story of resiliency and family, and paints a portrait of the man the entire world is just now learning about.

Tim Kurkjian: A Baseball Life (ENCORE): 1/3/23

There are many ways to describe ESPN baseball analyst Tim Kurkjian: Brilliant. Hilarious. Competitive. And above all, passionate. Passionate about the game of baseball. But now, theres another way to describe Tim Kurkjian: Hall of Famer. Over the summer, Kurkjian received the Career Excellence Award from the Baseball Writers Association of America. In an encore, we celebrate the life and career of our favorite baseball nerd: the story of a short, skinny kid who took a love of baseball, and not much else, and made it all the way to Cooperstown. You can listen to ESPN Dailys Best of 2022 playlist here.

Unrivaled: Inside Hockeys Bloodiest Rivalry (ENCORE): 1/2/23

In June, the Avalanche beat the Lightning to win the Stanley Cup, sending the trophy back to Colorado for the first time since 2001. It was an era when the Avalanche, and their archrivals the Detroit Red Wings, were engaged in a multi-year blood feud that became the center of the hockey universe. It was a rivalry perhaps best remembered for a game played 25 years ago, on March 26, 1997 in Detroits Joe Lewis Arena, and is now better remembered as Fight Night at the Joe. During the first period, Detroits Darren McCarty sought revenge on Colorados Claude Lemieux for a violent check in the previous years playoffs on the Red Wings Kris Draper. The hit caused severe injuries to Drapers face, enraging the Red Wings, who were furious that Lemieux refused to even apologize to Draper. Now, a quarter-century later, those who were part of it are opening up about what made the rivalry so intense, as part of E:60s Unvrivaled. In an encore of one of our favorite shows from the last year, Detroit native Dave Fleming joins us to discuss the trajectory of the rivalry and why we may never see anything like it again. You can listen to ESPN Dailys Best of 2022 playlist here.

JJ Redick on Mental Health vs. Mental Toughness (ENCORE): 12/30/22

Its no surprise that the athlete's mental health has been one of the biggest topics in sports in recent years, as more and more players are coming forward with the struggles they face in dealing with the constant pressure. The screaming fans, the pressure, and the high-stakes moments are exactly what makes sports so compelling. In an encore presentation, we offer an extended conversation with JJ Redick, a man who has both thrived and suffered under the pressure of elite competition, on how we should think about the strain on athletes mental health&while also acknowledging that watching human beings succeed or fail in high pressure situations is exactly what makes them worth watching. You can listen to ESPN Dailys Best of 2022 playlist here.

Betsy & Irv: A Love Story 40 Years in the Making (ENCORE): 12/29/22

The story of Betsy Sailor and Irv Pankey is unlike any youve heard before. Its a story that, for years, was shrouded in darkness, tied inextricably to the unspeakable crimes of a former Penn State football player named Todd Hodne. ESPNs Tom Junod and Paula Lavigne first brought Hodnes horrific crimes to light this spring in their meticulously reported feature Untold. But in the midst of their reporting, they stumbled onto another, completely opposite story. A story of compassion, friendship, and ultimately, 40 years later&love. You can listen to ESPN Dailys Best of 2022 playlist here.

Truth Be Told: The Fight for Womens Professional Soccer (ENCORE): 12/28/22

In 2021, the National Womens Soccer League faced a crisis. Explosive allegations from players of abuse, sexual harassment, and unrelenting coercion by one of the NWSLs most successful head coaches set off a reckoning across the entire league. The commissioner resigned. Games were canceled. Players had no collective bargaining agreement and the specter of a canceled season loomed, all while governing bodies opened investigations into misconduct and toxic work environments. And in October, a long-awaited report investigating the failures of the NWSL was released by former acting attorney general Sally Yates, which detailed systemic abuse within the league, and specifically a culture of abuse, silence, and fear of retaliation that perpetuated the misconduct. In an encore, Jennifer Karson-Strauss directed the E60 film, Truth Be Told: The Fight for Womens Professional Soccer, and joins the show to discuss the films investigation into allegations of abuse, sexual coercion and a toxic work environment in the league, as well as the lack of action taken by NWSL leadership. You can listen to ESPN Dailys Best of 2022 playlist here.

Doc Rivers on the 30th Anniversary of the LA Riots (ENCORE): 12/27/22

A little over 30 years ago, April 29, 1992, the city of Los Angeles went to war with itself. Riots erupted on the streets following the acquittal of four LAPD officers in the beating of motorist Rodney King. It was a verdict that provoked outrage because the incident was captured on video, triggering a national debate over police brutality. Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers was a guard for the Los Angeles Clippers in 1992. In an encore of one of our favorite shows from 2022, Doc shares how the sports world at large reacted to the verdict and the riots that followed, and how the social responsibilities of an athlete have changed in the 30 years since. You can listen to ESPN Dailys Best of 2022 playlist here.

Surviving a Moose Attack on the Way to the Iditarod (ENCORE): 12/26/22

The Iditarod is the most famous dog sled race in the entire world, run across 1000 miles through the Alaskan wilderness. And while the event brings to mind images of furry dogs and beautiful landscapes, the race is incredibly challenging and dangerous. Liz Merrill traveled up north and spent time with Bridgett Watkins, an ER nurse who competed in the race for the first time in 2022, despite her team enduring a brutal attack by a bull moose in February. In an encore of one of our favorite shows from 2022, Merrill shares Watkins experience and story of survival. [insert line and best of playlist link]

When Eagles Fans Booed Santa: The Notorious True Story (ENCORE): 12/23/22

Its one of the most infamous fan stories in sports history: when Eagles fans booed Santa at halftime of a game played at Franklin Field. But who was the Santa in question - and why was he booed and pelted with snowballs? Its ESPN Dailys Christmas tradition to bring you this episode, so hear an encore with Jeremy Schaap and Mina Kimes as they reflect on the enduring legacy of the Philadelphia Santa. [insert line and best of playlist link]

Most Powerful Curse in the NFL? The 1925 Pottsville Maroons (ENCORE): 12/22/22

Extra, extra, read all about it! Maroons Championship STOLEN! The Pottsville Maroons were one of the greatest early NFL teams, but the league stripped them of their 1925 championship and gave it to the (then) Chicago Cardinals. Thus, a curse was born. Almost a century later, could the stolen championship be behind the Arizona Cardinals lack of Super Bowl success? Dave Fleming wrote the book on it, called Breaker Boys: The NFLs Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship. In an encore of one of our favorite shows, Flem takes us inside the story, and his mission for NFL justice. [insert line and best of playlist link]

Where does Brittney Griner go from here?: 12/21/22

It took 294 days, but Brittney Griner is back home. On December 8, the WNBA star was freed in a prisoner swap with Russia for convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout, ending an almost year-long fight for her freedom by her loved ones, teammates, fans, and the White House. But just because Griner is back home, doesnt mean her life will ever be the same. We called up TJ Quinn to close the book on the biggest story we have continuously covered all year&and he tells us how we got Griner back, what her readjustment is expected to be like&and when we might next see her on a basketball court. Check out our favorite episodes of 2022. Subscribe to ESPN Daily: Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music iHeartRadio TuneIn ESPN PodCenter Download the ESPN App

Ryan McGee Explains Why Bowl Season Still Matters: 12/20/22

Its a weird time for Bowl Games, if were being honest. More players than ever are skipping out on them to either enter the transfer portal or preserve their NFL Draft stock&and the underlying argument of the College Football Playoff system is that the ceremony of these weird, one-off, de facto playoff games, just isnt important enough. Enter Ryan McGee, who joins us to explain why college bowl games should not only be protected, but savored&even if you arent a degenerate gambler or corporate shill.

A Tale of Two Footballs: Argentina Wins World Cup + NFL Week 15 Recap: 12/19/22

Lionel Messi is finally a World Cup champion! It took a penalty shootout, but Argentina was able to hold off the French comeback attempt, which was led by a hat trick from Kylian Mbappe. We called up our friend Roger Bennett for his reaction to Argentinas victory&and what it means for Messis legacy. And in the other football world, Alex Smith tells us what he saw in the snow on Saturday between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins, how things shaped up between the Giants and Commanders&and what the hell the Patriots were thinking on that play that cost them the game against the Raiders.

Lionel Messis Last Dance + Andres Cantor on Calling the World Cup Final: 12/16/22

As Lionel Messi prepares to take the pitch in what will be his final World Cup appearance on Sunday, theres another Argentinian legend that you should know about. Andres Cantor, the Spanish-language commentator for Telemundo known for his soulful call of GOOOL, will be in the booth for his 12th World Cup Final. In Latin America, hes almost as much of an institution as the sport of soccer itself&and hes about to call one of the most important matches in the history of his home country and the most crucial of Messis iconic career. And we also call up NPR reporter Jasmine Garsd, who explains the rocky relationship Messi has had over the years with his fans in Argentina, and whether a World Cup victory will finally allow him to escape the shadow of Diego Maradona.

Bill Barnwell Forecasts the AFC & NFC East: 12/15/22

Weather forecasting is kinda like football forecasting. You examine history. You try to account for randomness by building complicated, mathematical models. But whether youre right or wrong, and no matter which team you root for, youre gonna wind up yelling at clouds. Especially in mid-December. So, today, with cold fronts buffeting the East Coast, we show our coastal bias and ask our human doppler radar, Bill Barnwell, to take the temperature of what seems to be the two hottest divisions in football the AFC and NFC East. And he tells us what the Dolphins should pack to survive their trip to Buffalo on Saturday, why one Eagles flaw may spell trouble in the playoffs&and how the Commanders are defying the odds.

A Pirates Life: Remembering Mike Leach: 12/14/22

The college football world, and frankly all of sports, got a lot less interesting yesterday with the news that Mike Leach passed away at the age of 61. The Mississippi State head coach leaves behind a legacy as one of college footballs most eclectic, interesting, and controversial figures. So we called in our friend Ryan McGee, who covered Leach for years, and he helps us unpack just how far Leachs impact was felt.

Tony Reali on 20 Years of Around the Horn: 12/13/22

Any given TV show is lucky if it makes it to season No. 2, but this year marks two decades of Around The Horn. Twenty years of mutes and facetimes and competitive banter, every weekday adding up to more than 4,500 episodes and counting. So ahead of tonights 20th anniversary Around The Horn TV special, we wanted to take you way behind the curtain of the show that still scores the argument&and continues to embarrass Pablo in the process.

Alex Smith on Purdys Purdy Good Day, Mahomes Absurd Throw, Lions Big Man Catch: 12/12/22

How did 49ers quarterback Brock Purdys first NFL start go? Purdy&purdy&purdy good. The Niners trounced Tom Brady and the Bucs 35-7, with Christian McCaffrey also pitching in on the scoreboard. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs looked like they were putting together a blowout in Denver&until the Broncos scored 21 unanswered points to close the gap, with Mahomes throwing three interceptions, but the Chiefs hung on to win 34-28. And in Detroit, the Lions closed out their victory over the Vikings with not quite a Thicc Six - but a thicc third down conversion to OT Penei Sewell. Our Monday QB Alex Smith tells us everything he saw on Sunday across the NFL.

30 For 30 Podcasts Presents: 'Pink Card': 12/10/22

What if I told you...women in Iran *cant even go to a soccer game.* Theyre banned from stadiums. New from 30 for 30 Podcasts, Pink Card tells the tale of Iranian women who dare to risk it all for the simple right to watch a soccer match. Creator Shima Oliaee (Oh-lee-eye) reports on generations of women whove fought to take back their stadiums and their joy of the game. Pink Card will forever change how you see fandom and freedom - keep listening for the first episode and binge the full season now in the 30 for 30 Podcasts feed.

Remember the Blue & Yellow: Soccer, War, and the Pride of a Nation: 12/9/22

No team has ever faced a more impossible task than the Ukrainian Mens National Soccer Team. On Feb. 23, the team was a month away from playing Scotland, with a trip to the 2022 FIFA World Cup on the line. The following day, their lives and the lives of their countrymen were changed forever when Russia invaded Ukraine, with catastrophic results. Many thousands have died, millions have been displaced, and incalculable damage has been done to Ukraines towns and cities. Its against this backdrop that manager Oleksandr Petrakov and his players embarked on a journey to qualify for the World Cup. Wright Thompson followed the team over the last six months, in nine different countries, including the embattled Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, as the Ukrainians showed the world their countrys enduring spirit and commitment, and how crisis and conflict revealed their true character. Its the subject of the latest E60 special: Remember the Blue & Yellow which debuts this Sunday at 5:30 pm ET.

Pink Card: Soccer and the Fight for Womens Rights in Iran: 12/8/22

When the United States needed to beat Iran to make the knockout stage of this World Cup, the story of the ongoing protests in Iran captured the attention of American media. How thousands of protesters had been arrested and hundreds had been killed while fighting for the basic rights of women. How players on the Iranian national team were being threatened for being sympathetic to that cause. And how the countrys tangled history with America now seeped into the soccer being played. But then America won&Iran was sent home& and it felt like an even bigger story the story of how specifically important soccer has been to this movement, a movement spanning generations of women in Iran was lost. So today, we ask Shima Oliaee, host of the upcoming 30 for 30 podcast series, PINK CARD, to tell us about that story&and why it resonates right now, more than ever. You can listen to Pink Card here: https://30for30podcasts.com/

Jason Robertson is 23, Filipino-American, and #1 in NHL Goals (Pablo is Excited): 12/7/22

You may be familiar with some of the NHLs biggest stars. Names like Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, and Connor McDavid have transcended the sport&but theres a new star in Dallas who is currently rising above ALL of them. Jason Robertson is a 23-year-old winger for the Dallas Stars, leads the NHL in goals&and is in the conversation for MVP. So we called in our old friend Emily Kaplan, and she tells us everything about hockeys latest phenom&including why hes now Pablos favorite hockey player.

Andrew Luck Breaks His Silence: 12/6/22

Andrew Lucks football career was bright. He was the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, a generational, cerebral quarterback who played for the Indianapolis Colts and actually lived up to the hype, making Pro Bowl after Pro Bowl after Pro Bowl. But in 2019, at the age of 29, Luck shocked the world when he suddenly announced he was retiring from football entirely. Since then, the onetime superstar and would-be face of the NFL has remained largely removed from public view&until now. Seth Wickersham conducted multiple in-depth interviews with Andrew Luck, where they discussed everything from his decision to leave football, where hes been since&and if football is in his future.

Mina Kimes on 49ers Jimmy G-Less Future, Chiefs-Bengals Thriller, Vikings: Lucky or Good?: 12/5/22

For San Francisco 49ers fans, Sunday was&tough. On the first drive of the game, Niners QB Jimmy Garoppolo was injured, and later revealed to have sustained a broken foot, placing him on injured reserve for the season. Enter Brock Purdy, aka Mr. Irrelevant, who took over for San Fran under center and beat the Tua and the Dolphins 33-17. In Cincinnati, Joe Burrow and the Bengals earned another victory over the Chiefs, in a thrilling rematch of the AFC Championship game. And the Vikings survived several 4th quarter comeback attempts by Mike White and the Jets. Mina Kimes helps us understand everything that happened in the NFL on Sunday&and we ask her how she feels about a certain team close to her heart playing a different type of football.

USA vs. Netherlands Preview + Roger Bennett Helps us Hate the Dutch: 12/2/22

If you thought that US match against Iran on Tuesday was stressful&just wait for Saturday. After years of anticipation, geopolitical strife, and endless debates about ethical concerns, the USMNT has finally made it back to the knockout stage of the World Cup. USAs first quarterfinal berth in 20 years hangs in the balance, with just the Netherlands standing in the way. Sam Borden sets the scene for the game from Qatar, and then our old friend Roger Bennett, who has been traveling across America enthusiastically watching the World Cup, tells us what hes learned about this country and its growing love affair with soccer&and why we should hate the Dutch.

Justin Jeffersons Magical Moment: 12/1/22

Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is having a season unlike any other. From a highlight reel catch against the Bills to breaking records for most receiving yards through a players first three seasons, Jefferson has been this seasons breakout player. But despite his almost immediate dominance in the NFL, Jefferson was just the 5th wide receiver taken in his draft class, and coming out of high school received only one scholarship offer from a Power 5 programLSU. Tim Keown profiled Jefferson for ESPNs Cover Story, and he tells us how the Vikings magical wide receiver went overlooked&until his play refused to be ignored.

How Heisman Frontrunner Caleb Williams Ignited USCs Renaissance: 11/30/22

USC quarterback Caleb Williams does kinda look like Patrick Mahomes. Theyve got similar heights, and builds, and almost the same mop of curly hair, kept high and tight beneath a headband. And Williams also plays like Mahomes: making tackle-defying scrambles and ridiculous throws on the run. His playmaking magic has brought the Trojans back to life: theyre somehow one win away from the college football playoff. Paolo Uggetti has been covering Williams since he was a viral sensation at Gonzaga High School in Washington, D.C., and he helps us get to know Williams and understand his meteoric rise.

Why Iran vs. USA Is About Much More Than Soccer: 11/29/22

Iran faces the US today in the final game of their group stage. Its a win or go home for young Team USA, who earned two draws in their earlier group stage games vs. Wales and England. Off the field, Iran remains under a global spotlight after months of protests against their own regime because of the countrys stance on womens rights. This isnt the first time Iran and the US have met on the field during times of intense geopolitical opposition: back in 1998, the Americans lost to Iran and were eliminated from the World Cup, after the previous several decades of tensions between the two nations which saw the Iran Hostage Crisis and American support for Iraq in the Iran-Iraq war. Sam Borden is on the ground in Qatar, and he brings us up to speed on how the tournaments gone for Team USA so far, and explains whats at stake for both sides ahead of the match.

Alex Smith on NFLs Thanksgiving Leftovers: Jags, Jets, and Russell Wilson: 11/28/22

Sundays slate of NFL action saw multiple game winning 2-point conversions, an 86 yard walk-off overtime TD run, and most unlikely of all, a dominant Jets QB performance. In Jacksonville, Trevor Lawrence led the Jags to a comeback win against the Ravens. Jets QB Mike White delivered 3 touchdowns in New Yorks victory over the Bears, after replacing the currently benched Zach Wilson. And the Broncos havent been able to make their partnership with Russell Wilson work just yet&as tensions flared in their loss to the Panthers. Our Monday QB Alex Smith tells us what he saw on the field from these games and more.

The Great Imposter and Me, Part 2 (Encore) : 11/25/22

The story of Barry Bremen, a.k.a. The Great Imposter was already sufficiently ridiculous. Bremen was an average, suburban dad, husband, and insurance salesman whod risen to national fame by sneaking into major sporting events. But in 2019, nearly a decade after Barry Bremens death, his family received a mysterious letter that changed everything. The Barry Bremen legacy was bigger and more profound than any of them had ever realized. In an encore of one of our favorite episodes of the year, Jeremy Schapp brings us Part 2 of a tale unlike any other: one of family, and identity, and how technology has changed so many lives&and revealed so many secrets.

The Great Imposter and Me, Part 1 (Encore): 11/24/22

Its a story so wild we couldnt fit it into one podcast. If youre of a certain age, you probably remember Barry Bremen. In the late 70s, Barry was best known for dressing up as pro athletes and sneaking into televised sporting events&beginning with the 1979 NBA All-Star Game, where he shot layups on the court with stars like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Moses Malone. And while his Great Imposter persona brought him fame, an appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and more adventures, Barry was also a totally normal family man&and a beloved dad. Bremen died of cancer in 2011, but his story didnt end there. In an encore of one of our favorite episodes of the year, The Great Imposter and Me reveals the most unbelievable part of the Barry Bremen story, which came long after hed hung up his phony uniforms and disguises. Jeremy Schaap brings us this story in two parts, for ESPN Daily.

When Giannis Met Milwaukee: A Love Story (Encore): 11/23/22

Athletes often say they love the city where they play, but Giannis Antetokounmpo takes it to a new level. Hes called Milwaukee home since the team drafted him in 2013. It wasnt a given that the Greek native, a son of Nigerian immigrants, would stay in the midwestern city. But his massive 2020 contract extension shows the love is mutual. In an encore of one of our favorite episodes from the last year, our own ESPN Daily producer (and Wisconsin native) Ryan Nantell digs into a legendary anecdote from Giannis rookie season that shows why he and Milwaukee have been such a good fit.

Butt Fumble at 10: A Play That Will Live In Infamy: 11/22/22

10 years ago today, the Butt Fumble was born. On November 22, 2012, a crisp Thanksgiving night, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots visited the Mark Sanchez-led New York Jets at MetLife Stadium&where in the second quarter, Mark Sanchez turned the wrong way after a snap and ran right into his right guards butt and fumbled the ball to an awaiting Patriots defense that promptly ran it in for a touchdown. The play became a symbol of the Jets dysfunction, and has been immortalized forever through video clips, replays, and memes. Former Jets head coach Rex Ryan takes us back to that dark day in Jets history, and ESPN Daily producer Chris Tumminello, who attended the Butt Fumble game, helps us commemorate the notorious anniversary.

Alex Smith on Chiefs Thrill, Cowboys Dominance, and Heinicke Magic: 11/21/22

Week 11 in the NFL had the makings of a snoozefest&until the Chargers and Chiefs battled it out on Sunday night, with the Chiefs pulling off yet another last-second comeback. Just a week after putting the NFL on notice with a win over the Bills in the game of the year, the Vikings got embarrassed at home by the Dallas Cowboys. The NFC Easts good day continued as the Washington Commanders beat the Houston Texans to improve to 6-5 after starting the season 1-4&and more importantly, they finally named Taylor Heinicke their starting QB going forward. And amid all the outrage over the Colts hiring of Jeff Saturday as their interim head coach&prompted us to think, what actually makes someone qualified to be a head coach anyway? We brought in Alex Smith for another edition of QB Confidential, so he could help us make sense of all of this.

JJ Redick on Mental Health vs. Mental Toughness: 11/18/22

Its no surprise that the athlete's mental health has been one of the biggest topics in sports in recent years, as more and more players are coming forward with the struggles they face in dealing with the constant pressure. But screaming fans and high-stakes moments are exactly what makes sports so compelling. So today, in a special crossover episode with The Old Man & The Three podcast, we offer an extended conversation with JJ Redick, who has both thrived and suffered under the pressure of elite competition, on how we should think about the strain on athletes mental health&while also acknowledging that watching athletes succeed or fail in high pressure situations is exactly what makes them worth watching. Check out our favorite episodes of 2022. Subscribe to ESPN Daily: Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music iHeartRadio TuneIn ESPN PodCenter Download the ESPN App

On the Ground in Qatar for the Most Controversial World Cup Ever: 11/17/22

The World Cup, the biggest sporting event on the planet, begins this Sunday. While every World Cup is extreme in its own way, nothing compares to whats going on in Qatar right now. There is the migrant worker crisis (which this podcast reported on two weeks ago). Theres the fact that Qatar is the smallest country to ever host the World Cup. And there are concerns about the rights of the LGBTQ community in Qatar and the possibility of protests in a country that historically has been very tightly controlled. Sam Borden has been covering all of the issues surrounding Qatars bid for years, and reports from on the ground in Doha about the most controversial World Cup ever.

We Cant Do This Forever. Klay Thompson on the Warriors, Rehab, and Boating: 11/16/22

Klay Thompson is one of the best shooters in NBA history. Hes one half of the Splash Brothers, a five-time NBA All-Star, and a four-time NBA champion. He is also an avid boater. But hes 32 years old&and coming off a torn ACL injury which was immediately followed by a torn Achilles. Couple that with the emergence of younger role players such as Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins&and the Warriors slow start to this season, and all of a sudden Thompsons future with the dynasty hes been a cornerstone for is murkier than ever. Ramona Shelburne joins us to explain how Thompsons role has been changing&and charts the course for how both he and the Warriors can make it through these troubled waters.

Why Mens College Basketball is Going Back to the Future: 11/15/22

For years One-and-Done has been the name of the game in mens college basketball, with top programs courting superstar freshmen to play for one season before they head to the NBA. But now, with college players now legally raking in cash via Name, Image and Likeness deals, the calculus is starting to change. Many players can make as much, if not more in college than in trying their luck in the pros. It all means that college basketball in 2022 looks at once very new&but also, a little old&as star players like Gonzagas Drew Timme and Kentuckys Oscar Tshiebwe have returned for their senior seasons and brought back the notion of college basketball veteran. So Myron Medcalf gets us ready for the 2022-23 mens college basketball season&and he takes us on a campus tour unlike any weve ever seen.

Alex Smith on Vikings/Bills Instant Classic, Tuas Brilliance, and Playing for Dan Snyder: 11/14/22

With Week 10 of the NFL in the books, Alex Smith stops by to talk about the Game of the Year&and catch of the year, courtesy of Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson in the Vikings win over the Bills. Josh Allen now leads the league in interceptions, but is it time to panic in Buffalo just yet? Elsewhere in the AFC East, the now-first place Miami Dolphins steamrolled the Browns&and MVP chants echoed down on QB Tua Tagovailoa. And after everything we saw Sunday&are the Eagles still the best team in the NFL? Alex Smith answers these questions, and reflects on his time in Washington ahead of the Commanders-Eagles game on Monday Night Football.

Battlefields to Ballfields: How Veterans are Helping Solve the Sports Officiating Crisis: 11/11/22

There may be no more thankless job than referee. At best, your existence is completely invisible. No one notices when you do a terrific job. At worst, you become enemy #1 for fans or coaches or in lower levels, angry parents. Combine that with low pay and high pressure, and it's no wonder why officiating is undergoing a crisis at the moment. Not enough people are willing to do the job&a job without which, the games quite literally can not go on. But, today, on Veterans Day, we bring you the story of a solution. And itll make you think differently about what this job actually is. And the people who really would love to do it.

The Band is on the Field, 40 Years Later: 11/10/22

Its arguably the greatest play in college football history. November 20th, 1982. Stanford vs. Cal. A legendary rivalry known as the Big Game, that was made even bigger that year by the presence of Stanfords all-world QB, John Elway. What happened in the final seconds still echoes across 40 years&the iconic call of Cal Radios Joe Starkey exclaiming, The band is out on the field! With a new E:60 special airing Sunday, Jeremy Schaap tells the story of how five laterals and a trombone became an indelible part of college football history.

Brittney Griner Transferred to Russian Penal Colony: 11/9/22

After being detained in Russia for 265 days, Brittney Griner is currently in the process of being transferred to a penal colony. Nobody knows where she is, and we might not find out for a while. The transfer comes shortly after U.S. officials were able to meet with Griner in person last week, and it was previously thought that the midterm elections could have been a turning point for Russia to begin negotiations for her release. But now, T.J. Quinn tells us how nobody pretty much knows anything at this point&and he explains what the message is that Russia is trying to send.

The Drug Company that Landed Brett Favre in Hot Water: 11/8/22

Youve probably heard about Brett Favres involvement in a welfare fraud scandal in his home state of Mississippi. The Hall of Fame quarterback is accused of accepting money intended for the poorest citizens of Americas poorest state, and using the money to fund a volleyball facility at his alma mater: the University of Southern Mississippi. But Favres role in that case only became known to investigators when they began looking into something else entirely: a little-known drug company in Florida that was promising to give the entire football world the miracle it needed around concussion science. Mark Fainaru-Wada investigates the real story behind Prevacus and its gunslinging investor.

For Sale: Washington Commanders?: 11/7/22

When the news broke that Daniel Snyder enlisted Bank of America to help him explore a potential sale of the Washington Commanders on Wednesday, the reaction was shock&and, in some corners, celebration. Snyder has been embattled for years in controversies with fellow owners, accusations of a toxic workplace environment, and calls to change the name of the team&the latter of which came to fruition in 2020 after years of Snyder refusing to do so. Don Van Natta tells us how Snyder seems to have run out of options once again&and how the US Department of Justice may have been the final tipping point.

The Human Cost of Qatars World Cup: 11/4/22

In a few short weeks, one of the most controversial sporting decisions in recent memory will become a reality Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup. Almost everything from the selection process itself, to the claims of human rights abuses, to the promises made by Qatars government to improve conditions for migrant workers, has been thrust into the spotlight on the worlds biggest stage. Since it was awarded the world cup in 2010, more than 6,500 workers have reportedly died in Qatar, one of the richest countries in the world and one that has spent $220 billion to build stadiums and infrastructure. Jeremy Schaap traveled to Qatars capital city of Doha, where he visited the new stadiums, and spoke with workers and government officials&and he tells us what could be the true legacy of Qatars World Cup.

How the Brooklyn Nets Devolved into Chaos: 11/3/22

Since we last talked to Nick Friedell two weeks ago, the Brooklyn Nets vibes have gone from great to bad&to worse. Last Thursday, Kyrie Irving tweeted a link to a film littered with antisemitic tropes and later refused to answer questions about it. In addition, the Nets have lost 5 of their last 6 games and are in last place in the Atlantic Division. On Tuesday, head coach Steve Nash and the team parted ways, and now the Nets are reportedly looking to hire Celtics coach Ime Udoka, who just six weeks ago was suspended by Boston for the entire season for engaging in an inappropriate workplace relationship. So Nick fills us in on everything thats happened in the last week, why things in Brooklyn seem so bleak, and where the team goes next. Check out our favorite episodes of 2022. Subscribe to ESPN Daily: Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music iHeartRadio TuneIn ESPN PodCenter Download the ESPN App

First Instagram, Next: March Madness - How the Cavinder Twins Conquered College Hoops and TikTok: 11/2/22

When the Name Image and Likeness revolution arrived, we all assumed the biggest winners would be the obvious: The star quarterbacks, the All-Americans, the prospects already on their way to the pros. But in the social media economy, it turns out, what youre really monetizing is your audience. So today, we tell the story of the NIL pioneer Cavinder Twins, Hanna and Haley, two college basketball players writing the rules on this new economy as they go& as they head to the University of Miami and bring their millions of followers with them.

From Rock Bottom to Rocky Top: Is Tennessee Football Finally Back?: 11/1/22

There may be no other team that embodies the chaotic nature of college football more than Tennessee. The Volunteers have seemingly cycled through various head coaches since ousting the architect of their 90s glory years, Phillip Fulmer, in 2008&and have done so with very little success. Lane Kiffin infamously left the program in flames after one year at the helm. Derek Dooley, Butch Jones, and Jeremy Pruitt spent the rest of the decade in a revolving door of coaches, each one being no less mediocre than the last. But finally, it looks like the right guy is in charge at Rocky Top. Josh Heupel has the Vols sitting at No. 2 in the nation after knocking off Alabama, and they have a meeting with No. 1 ranked Georgia this weekend. So ahead of that clash of top teams, and as this years first College Football Playoff rankings are released, we sit down with Ryan McGee&and he tells us how his beloved Tennessee is finally revitalized.

QB Confidential: Alex Smith on Joe Burrows Unique Football Mind: 10/31/22

Bengals QB Joe Burrow is one of the most exciting young players in the NFL: from his talent on the field to his gameday outfits to how he talks about football, Burrows development is considered to be ahead of schedule. In just his second season, Burrow led Cincinnati to the Super Bowl, and the Bengals have high hopes for this year and beyond. Alex Smith sat down with Burrow ahead of Monday Night Football and tells us what makes his football mind so incisive, and reflects on what they have in common.

Bryce Harper: Will Baseballs Chosen One Fulfill His Destiny?: 10/28/22

America was first introduced to Bryce Harper when he was just 16 years old, thanks to a Sports Illustrated cover story that proclaimed the teen as Baseballs Chosen One. The article, written by SIs Tom Verducci, chronicled Harpers seemingly mythical feats: Hitting a 570-foot home run as a high school freshman. Crushing a homer off the back wall of Tropicana Stadium. Boldly stating he wanted to be the greatest player of all-time. It created a hype around the teenager that seemed impossible to live up to. And yet, Harper has done just that. And now the two-time MVP is about to step up to the plate for his first World Series appearance, after propelling the Philadelphia Phillies through the NLCS with a game-winning homer this past Sunday. Tom Verducci was there at Citizens Bank Park to witness Harpers heroics in the NLCS, 13 years after he first covered him as a 16-year-old high school phenom. He tells us what it's been like to chronicle Baseballs Chosen One since the very start.

A Beautiful Grind: John Urschels Life in Football and Mathematics: 10/27/22

Whats your passion? That one thing that gets you out of bed in the morning? For John Urschel, its two things: football and math. Urschel followed the football path first, playing in college at Penn State and eventually for the Baltimore Ravens. But during his time in the NFL, he realized how much he missed math&and decided to go back for his PhD at MIT&while he was still competing on the field. Urschel joins the show to tell us about his unique life in football, and how mathematics are key to understanding the sport thats been transformed by analytics. Check out our favorite episodes of 2022. Subscribe to ESPN Daily: Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music iHeartRadio TuneIn ESPN PodCenter Download the ESPN App

How Overtime Elite Could Become the Next Route to NBA Stardom: 10/26/22

The way NBA prospects get to the league looks nothing like it used to. Weve been importing future MVPs from overseas for years now: thats the story of Victor Wembanyama, next years projected No. 1 pick. And weve watched the G League become the NBAs own minor league system. Thats the story of Scoot Henderson, projected to go No. 2. But the story of Amen and Ausar Thompson who could maybe round out the top five in next years draft is something very different. Israel Gutierrez explains the rise of Overtime Elite: a viral video account thats become a league unto itself, where the Thompson twins have taken up residence, and where theyre getting everyone to click.

How Biggie Smalls Inspired Zions Return to the Court: 10/25/22

It had been 533 days since we last saw Zion Williamson compete in a real live NBA game until this season. The 22-year-old phenom has dealt with a foot injury that kept him out all of last season, and struggled with the perception he was out of shape. But this season (despite a fall on Sunday that left him with a bruised rear end) Zion has looked every bit the sensation he was predicted to be coming out of Duke. Its a turnaround he credits, in part, to the music of the Notorious B.I.G. We called up ESPN reporter Andrew Lopez to explain how Zion turned things around, whether this latest injury is anything to worry about, and what we might see from him the rest of the season.

NFL Week 7: Tuas Return, Alex Smith Bowl, GOATs Out to Pasture?: 10/24/22

Tua Tagovailoa is back: but does he need to learn how to slide? And is he the same QB he was before his frightening concussion three weeks ago against the Bengals? Elsewhere in the NFLs Week 7, we got the Alex Smith Bowl, as the Kansas City Chiefs jet swept all over the San Francisco 49ers. Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady continued to struggle this season as both their teams have now started 3-4 for the first time since Rodgers took over as the starter in Green Bay&way back in 2008. Are these two GOATs finally washed? Or can they still turn their seasons around? We called up Alex Smith for answers, in yet another installment of QB Confidential.

Sole and Valor: The Mystery of the NFLs Last Barefoot Kicker: 10/21/22

In the 1980s NFL, barefoot kickers were a fleeting and rare phenomenon, with little to no evidence to back up any claims of a strategic advantage. The last known barefoot kick in the league was recorded in 2002, and executed by St. Louis Rams kicker Jeff Wilkins&or so we thought. Sam Borden kicks off an investigation into a football mystery& and embarks on a quest for truth&and justice&and a heel turn for the ages.

Why The Biggest World Series Bet Ever Is a Sure Thing: 10/20/22

In Houston, everyone knows the name Mattress Mack. Hes a furniture store owner whose charitable efforts during Hurricane Harvey and in other times need have made him famous among Houstonians. But Mattress Mack, whose real name is Jim McIngvale, has become famous nationally for another reason: he consistently places some of the largest sports bets in history. But make no mistake, Mack is not your ordinary high roller&its all part of a strategy designed to sell furniture, while at the same time giving the local community something to cheer for. And now, if his beloved hometown Houston Astros manage to win the World Series, Mack stands to win more than 70 million dollars, the largest sports bet payout in history. And if the Astros lose? Well, as Dave Fleming explains theres more to the bet and Mattress Mack than meets the eye - and even if the Astros lose, McIngvale still wins.

No Sleep Till Brooklyn: Can Kyrie, KD, and Ben Simmons Survive This Season?: 10/19/22

The Brooklyn Nets were the talk of the NBA offseason, and as their season tips off tonight, it seems like the dust has settled&for now. But whats Kevin Durants future just months after he requested to be traded away? Can Kyrie Irving change the narrative around him this season? And what will Ben Simmons look like after more than a year away from the game? Nick Friedell shares his conversations with Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons with us, and he takes us for a ride through the Nets offseason drama as they take the court for a new season.

The NBA is Back: Zach Lowe Previews the Most Wide-Open Season in Years: 10/18/22

You may have heard that the NBA has just gone through the most dramatic offseason in memory. The league also has more star talent right now, top to bottom, than it has in years. And anyone whos telling you that they know whos going to win it all is a liar. So, today, as the season tips off tonight, we consult the very particular brain of Zach Lowe, who studies these games more deeply than anyone else in the business. And he makes us smarter about the drama on the court itself.

Josh Allen Hurdles Chiefs, Eagles Soar, & NY Football is Back?: 10/17/22

In Kansas City, Josh Allen hurdled to victory (literally) and led the Buffalo Bills on a game-winning drive over the Chiefs, in a rematch of last years explosive AFC Divisional Round matchup. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles preserved the only undefeated record in the NFL, beating the Cowboys 26-17. Across the NFC East, Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale helped beat his former team, the Ravens, thanks in large part to a Lamar Jackson interception and a strip sack in the last three minutes. And in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers was upset by the surging New York Jets, whove won their last three games (yes, you read that correctly). So we called up our Monday morning QB Alex Smith for this weeks installment of QB Confidential.

A Haters Guide to Football Analytics: 10/14/22

If you watch football, youve probably heard the word analytics so many times, its lost all meaning. But what if we told you theres a better way to understand football analytics&by instead using the word evidence? Our resident football professor Bill Barnwell is here with a lesson in making sense of analytics, what it means when coaches use information to make decisions on the field, and what people get wrong when they criticize teams using analytics. We also look ahead to this weekends juiciest games, including a rematch between the Bills and Chiefs and an NFC East showdown between the Eagles and Cowboys.

Is Dan Snyder Done As Washingtons NFL Owner?: 10/13/22

NFL ownership is one of the most exclusive, fiercely protected clubs imaginable. There is no American sport as profitable or as visible as the NFL, and there are only 32 teams 32 pieces of the most valuable real estate in American culture& each of them worth billions of dollars. Which means that entering this club requires another powerful person to want to leave. Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder, you may have noticed, does not want to go anywhere. But, today, ESPNs Don Van Natta breaks news about how the most controversial owner in football has been fighting, in secret, to keep his Washington Commanders. And he brings us deep inside the viciously guarded club that may finally want him out.

Is Victor Wembanyama the Best NBA Prospect Ever? (Seriously): 10/12/22

Meet the NBA Draft prospect that is the reason for a race to the bottom like weve never seen, as one NBA GM told Adrian Wojnarowski. Victor Wembanyama is a 74 18-year old from France, currently playing for Metropolitans 92&and did we mention that hes 74? Forget about a unicorn, this guy is an alien, something we have never seen before. There is so much hype around Wembanyama, that some have said that if he was in the same class as LeBron James, LeBron would be the second pick. ESPN Draft analyst Jonathan Givony isnt one for gushing and hyperbole when it comes to prospects, but even he is all-in on Wembanyama&and he tells us why.

NHL Season Preview: Sound the Goal Horn of Plenty: 10/11/22

Pucks drop tonight around the National Hockey League as the regular season begins, but what's changed since the Colorado Avalanche hoisted the Stanley Cup back in June? Can Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers challenge Nathan McKinnon and the defending champs? In the Eastern Conference, do Sidney Crosby and his aging crew of Penguins have what it takes to make one more run? And what should we make of Buoy, the Seattle Krakens new mascot? Our resident NHL expert Greg Wyshynski brings us up to speed on everything in the hockey world and tells us who we should be rooting for as hockey season starts.

Alex Smith's QB Confidential: NFL Week 5: 10/10/22

If you had to sum up the NFLs Week 5 in one word, it would have to be bizarre. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers held off the Atlanta Falcons, thanks in part to a bewildering roughing the passer call against the Falcons on a crucial third down in the fourth quarter. The Chargers survived the Browns, even after head coach Brandon Staley decided to go for it on a fourth down at midfield late in the game with a two-point lead and left many people, even Chargers receiver Keenan Allen, scratching his head. Matthew Stafford was sacked for the 21st time this season as the Rams still couldnt get on the right track. So we called up our Monday morning QB, Alex Smith, and he gives us his insight on what its like to be in the shoes of Stafford and Allen.

MLBs Wild Card Weekend is Pure Chaos: Jeff Passan Explains: 10/7/22

MLBs Wild Card weekend begins today, with a new format that seems primed to produce maximum chaos: eight teams facing off over the next three days for the right to advance to the Divisional round. And while we may still have questions about how this is all going to work, Jeff Passan helps us make sense of everything, and why the biggest winners might be the underdogs.

Bill Barnwell Makes You Smarter about NFL Week 5: 10/6/22

Were just under a quarter of the way through the NFL season, and so many teams are still facing questions about their quarterback situations. In Pittsburgh, Mike Tomlin benched veteran Mitchell Trubisky halfway through the Steelers Week 4 matchup for rookie Kenny Pickett, in search of a spark on offense. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who previously publicly welcomed the idea of a QB controversy, might now actually have one as the Cowboys are 3-1 with backup Cooper Rush in place of the injured Dak Prescott. So we called up Bill Barnwell to survey the quarterback landscape&and make us smarter heading into Week 5.

The Wild Cheating Scandal Consuming Professional Chess: 10/5/22

During a match in September, chess grandmaster and world champion Magnus Carlsen made his opening move, and then promptly resigned from play and walked off. This moment sent the chess community into a frenzy, as later it was revealed Carlsen had resigned in protest, accusing his opponent, Hans Niemann, of cheating. But was there evidence to back up Carlsens claims&and just how prevalent is cheating in pro chess? Brin-Jonathan Butler brings us inside the controversy that is consuming elite professional chess, a world which is also the focus of his book "Grandmaster: Magnus Carlsen and the Match that Made Chess Great Again."

Truth Be Told: The Fight for Womens Professional Soccer: 10/4/22

Nearly a year ago, the National Womens Soccer League faced a crisis. Explosive allegations from players of abuse, sexual harassment, and unrelenting coercion by one of the NWSLs most successful head coaches set off a reckoning across the entire league. The commissioner resigned. Games were canceled. Players had no collective bargaining agreement and the specter of a canceled season loomed, all while governing bodies opened investigations into misconduct and toxic work environments. And on Monday, a long-awaited report investigating the failures of the NWSL was released by former acting attorney general Sally Yates, which detailed systemic abuse within the league, and specifically a culture of abuse, silence, and fear of retaliation that perpetuated the misconduct. Jennifer Karson-Strauss directed the new E60 film, Truth Be Told: The Fight for Womens Professional Soccer, and joins the show to discuss the films investigation into allegations of abuse, sexual coercion and a toxic work environment in the league, as well as the lack of action taken by NWSL leadership. Check out our favorite episodes of 2022. Subscribe to ESPN Daily: Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music iHeartRadio TuneIn ESPN PodCenter Download the ESPN App

Inside the NFLs Concussion Protocol with Alex Smith: 10/3/22

Week 4 in the NFL saw the Bills storm back (in a literal storm) from down 20-3 to the Baltimore Ravens. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers held off rookie Bailey Zappe and the Patriots in overtime, and Patrick Mahomes casually threw 3 TDs against Tom Brady and the Bucs. But undeniably, the biggest story of NFL Week 4 actually took place on Thursday night, when the Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa suffered a frightening head injury against the Bengals. The injury came just four days after Tua suffered what appeared to be another serious head injury in Week 3, but nonetheless was cleared by an independent neurologist to return to the game. We called up Alex Smith, whos been through concussion protocol multiple times himself, to have an in-depth and honest conversation about how players view the NFLs concussion protocol&and what needs to change. Check out our favorite episodes of 2022. Subscribe to ESPN Daily: Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music iHeartRadio TuneIn ESPN PodCenter Download the ESPN App

Betsy & Irv: A Love Story 40 Years in the Making: 9/30/22

Investigating Brett Favre and the Mississippi Welfare Fraud Scandal: 9/29/22

If you find all the headlines about Brett Favre and the unfolding welfare fraud scandal in Mississippi kind of dizzying, that is completely understandable. Even over the past week, the names, allegations, and revelations havent stopped. And all of it raises valid questions about possible criminal charges not only for Brett Favre, but also the states former Governor: Phil Bryant. So we talked to the government investigator who helped uncover the largest fraud scandal in Mississippi history, state auditor Shad White. And we try to understand whats been happening behind the scenes as one of the most famous retired athletes in this country is accused of defrauding the poorest people in Americas most impoverished state&and where this case goes next. Check out our favorite episodes of 2022. Subscribe to ESPN Daily: Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music iHeartRadio TuneIn ESPN PodCenter Download the ESPN App

How Phoenix Moves on from Robert Sarver: 9/28/22

The aftermath of the Robert Sarver investigation has been anything but what the NBA had hoped. Sarver, the subject of a massive investigation by ESPN and later the NBA, was suspended one year for racist and misogynistic behavior. Fans and players felt it wasnt enough, and had been calling for the Phoenix Suns owners banishment from the league. The WNBAs Phoenix Mercury, who Sarver also owns, came forward and said they were excluded from the investigation altogether. One week later, Sarver has put both teams up for sale. Baxter Holmes, the ESPN reporter who kicked off this entire saga, explains why Sarver suddenly changed his mind about selling, what this means for the NBA&and how this story is far from over.

Jeff Passan on Aaron Judge vs. Shohei Ohtani MVP Debate: 9/27/22

Aaron Judge is having one of the greatest offensive seasons in baseball history. Hes on his way to setting the American League record for home runs in a season, and is on pace to claim the Triple Crown, something that has only been done once since 1967. In anything resembling normalcy, Judge would be a shoe-in for American League MVP. And yet, Shohei Ohtani exists. The Angels pitcher/designated hitter/unicorn is once again doing something that no player has ever done&playing all-star caliber baseball as a pitcher and a hitter. Jeff Passan, a man who is not afraid to make tough decisions, settles the debate once and for all.

Dolphins Survive Butt Punt, Colts Stun Chiefs in a Bizarre NFL Week 3: 9/26/22

When you punt the ball off the butt of your own personal protector and still win the game, you know its a strange week around the NFL. The Dolphins upset the Super Bowl favorite Bills, despite a tuchus-deflected punting mishap that rivaled the Butt Fumble in ridiculousness. The Chiefs stumbled against a Colts team that had looked hapless in their first two games. The Raiders dropped to 0-3, making them the only winless team in the league despite splashy off-season moves. And the Eagles proved why they are perhaps the class of the NFC by staying undefeated with a dominating win over the Commanders. Our resident football brainiac Bill Barnwell joins us to break down an NFL Week 3 that seemed to defy any logical explanation.

Claw & Order: The Ballad of South Carolina Mascot Sir Big Spur: 9/23/22

Whats in a name? When it comes to the University of South Carolinas live rooster mascot Sir Big Spur, the answer is a whole lot of ruffled feathers. Over the course of four fowl weeks, the Gamecocks mascot went from Sir Big Spur, to the Cock Commander (kind of) to The General, to Sir Big Spur again. So with something of an identity crisis hatching in Columbia, we called up Ryan McGee to stick his beak in this story and give us the strange-but-true history of the Gamecocks mascot. Check out our favorite episodes of 2022. Subscribe to ESPN Daily: Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music iHeartRadio TuneIn ESPN PodCenter Download the ESPN App

The Federer Model: Life Lessons from the Tennis Icon: 9/22/22

With Roger Federer announcing his retirement following this weekends Laver Cup in London, most sports fans thoughts will immediately go to his 20 Grand Slam Titles (3rd most all-time) and his storied rivalries with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. But for writer David Epstein, Federer represents something much biggera model for how to develop athletes, raise our kids, and discover our individual talents. Rather than specializing in one sport early on, like Tiger Woods did with golf, Federer played many different sports as a child, and didnt focus on tennis seriously until later. Epstein explains why this model of development works, why it might be more effective than the often-cited 10,000 hours model&and why it made Roger Federer into the dominant athlete he is today. You can find more of David Epsteins work through his free Range Widely newsletter.

Brett Favres Role in the Mississippi Welfare Scandal: 9/22/22

Brett Favre is a legendary figure in his home state of Mississippi for his Hall of Fame NFL career. But now, Favre is making headlines in Mississippi (and across the country) for very different reasons. Favre, and others, are accused of diverting millions of dollars in welfare funds to go toward the construction of a volleyball stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi. The same school where Favres daughter played volleyball and where Favre himself is an alum. It is all part of a sprawling investigation into fraud and misuse of money that is meant to assist Mississippis neediest citizens, the state with the highest poverty rate in the nation. Anna Wolfe, a reporter from Mississippi Today whos been investigating the case from the very beginning, joins us to unpack a story that is about much more than just a famous football player.

The NBAs Robert Sarver Problem, Explained: 9/20/22

Last week, after the NBA announced a one year-suspension of Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, many NBA players and stakeholders spoke out: saying the punishment wasnt strong enough. Sarver was accused of racist, sexist, and misogynist behavior by scores of employees, chronicled by ESPN in an investigation from fall 2021. Its a situation that in some ways mirrors that of former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, who was banned for life from the NBA when audio tapes revealed he had made racist statements. But thus far, the NBA has maintained that Sarvers behavior does not warrant the same punishment as Sterlings. So today, Brian Windhorst explains why the NBA ruled as it did with Sarver, whether the backlash from the players will amount to anything, and what the whole affair says about the balance of power in the NBA.

Alex Smith Comes Back for Week 2 in the NFL: 9/19/22

Week 2 in the NFL saw not one, but TWO 20-point comebacks. The Las Vegas Raiders somehow blew a 20-0 halftime lead to fall to Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals in overtime, while the Miami Dolphins overcame a signature Lamar Jackson performance thanks to Tua Tagovailoas 400 passing yards and six touchdowns. The 49ers lost Trey Lance for the season, extending the Jimmy G era in San Francisco for another year. We called up Alex Smith, our Monday morning QB, to help us make sense of everything that happened.

The Survivor: From the Holocaust to the Munich Massacre, One Athletes Incredible Story: 9/16/22

50 years ago this month marks one of the darkest moments in sports history the Munich Massacre, when Palestinian terrorists murdered 11 members of the Israeli delegation at the 1972 Summer Olympics. Shaul Ladany, now 86, was one of the Israeli athletes who survived the massacre, just as he had survived World War II and the Holocaust when he was a child. Ladanys life is explored in the new E60 documentary, The Survivor. Jeremy Schaap traveled to Israel and Germany to profile a man of unmatched endurance and perseverance, someone who still competes to this day after surviving the worst horrors of the 20th century. The Survivor will debut on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, and will be available on ESPN+ following the premiere.

Bill Barnwell Makes You Smarter About NFL Week 2: 9/15/22

The NFLs Week 2 kicks off tonight with a thrilling AFC West showdown between the Chiefs and Chargers. So what did we learn about Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert in their Week 1 games? Bill Barnwell returns to make us smarter about football, previewing tonights game and what the Chargers need to do to contain Mahomes&and the Chiefs tasting menu of solutions for curtailing Herbert. Elsewhere, Bill tells us why we shouldnt be too high on the Steelers after their Week 1 win, whats up with Dak and the Cowboys, and how we should think about Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett after some poor decision making to end Monday nights game in Seattle.

EuroBasket, Explained: The Tournament Luka, Giannis, and Jokic are Desperate to Win: 9/14/22

For years, European players were something of an afterthought in the NBA. They were (often unfairly) labeled as soft, not tough enough and frankly not good enough to hang with their American counterparts. But those days are long gone. Two European players, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic have combined to win the last four NBA MVP awards, and Slovenian Luka Doncic is maybe the NBAs best player under 25. All of which makes EuroBasket 2022 arguably the most competitive basketball tournament in the world after the NBA Playoffs. EuroBasket, which is now played every four years, features the top national teams from across Europe, in an atmosphere that is akin to a mix of March Madness and Soccers World Cup. Former Vice President for Strategic Research with the San Antonio Spurs, Kirk Goldsberry was reporting on the ground from EuroBasket, and explains why understanding Europe is essential to understanding the modern NBA.

Sue Bird on the WNBA Finals, Retirement, and a Career Like No Other: 9/13/22

It has been an all-time WNBA playoffs, full of historic performances and dramatic upsets&as well as one reluctant farewell. So, today, ahead of Game 2 of the Finals, with the Connecticut Sun trying to even the series in Vegas against the Aces, we bring you someone who knows this league better than anyone else. Someone who dominated it over 21 years, and 13 All-Star Games, and 4 titles, and more assists *and more wins than anyone else in the history of her sport: Sue Bird, who also tells us what its really like to say goodbye.

NFL Week 1: Kicking and Screaming with Alex Smith: 9/12/22

The NFLs first Sunday of 2022 kicked off in chaotic fashion&and we mean literally. The Dallas Cowboys were embarrassed on their home field by Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, losing QB Dak Prescott to a hand injury in the process. Chargers QB Justin Herbert showed off his superpowers against the Raiders, while Aaron Rodgers and his new receivers worked through some chemistry issues. The Bengals and Steelers went to overtime and saw a missed extra point and two missed field goals&while Trey Lances first start for the 49ers was a wash in Chicago. Our Monday morning QB Alex Smith returns to make you smarter about the NFLs opening Sunday.

Will Dolphins HC Mike McDaniels Unconventional Style Work in Miami?: 9/9/22

New Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel doesnt look or sound like other NFL head coaches. Hes young, self-deprecating, and his press conference sound bites are plastered all over social media. But just a year ago, few NFL fans knew who he was at all. So we called up our Dolphins beat reporter Marcel Louis-Jacques, to understand how McDaniel made the jump from boy-genius offensive coordinator with San Francisco&and whether his unconventional style can work now that he is the man in charge in Miami.

Bill Barnwells Super-Sized NFL Preview: Part 2 - The NFC: 9/8/22

In the second part of our two-part mega NFL preview, Bill Barnwell joins us to take a look at whats going on in the NFC. As the Los Angeles Rams prepare to defend their Super Bowl title in year two of the Matthew Stafford era, the San Francisco 49ers are all-in on Trey Lance as QB1&or are they? Tom Brady retired, then just as quickly un-retired to come back for his 21st season in the NFL, but will he still be the Tom Brady we all know and hate at age 45? Will Aaron Rodgers keep up the psychedelic highs on the field that led to his MVP season a year ago, or will the Packers come down after losing Davante Adams and ZaDarius Smith? And then theres the NFC East&which may just be the worst division in football. And of course, we couldnt let Bill leave without getting a way-too-early Super Bowl LVII prediction out of him.

Bill Barnwells Super-Sized NFL Preview: Part 1 - The AFC: 9/7/22

Our NFL regular season preview with our old friend Bill Barnwell is so big that we couldnt even fit everything into one episode. So in todays edition, we talk all things AFC. In the East, theres Josh Allen and the Bills trying to finally get over the hump, the Dolphins are finally going all-in on the Tua Tagovailoa experiment, theres whatever the hell is going on with the offense in New England, and the Jets are also a football team. In the group of death, aka the AFC West, there should be no shortage of offensive firepower with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Derek Carr, and Russell Wilson at the helm. The Baltimore Ravens look to bounce back in the AFC North after injuries derailed their 2021 campaign and Lamar Jackson enters his contract year, while the Bengals try to make it back to the Super Bowl. And in the AFC South, a new regime in Jacksonville hopes to get the most out of second-year QB Trevor Lawrence&and Bill explains why he thinks the Tennessee Titans are one of the teams most likely to decline in 2022. Make sure to listen again tomorrow for Bills preview of the NFC.

How Davante Adams Ended Up in Las Vegas (hint: Derek Carr): 9/6/22

Before Davante Adams became arguably the best receiver in the NFL with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback, he was a star at Fresno State. But then-Bulldogs quarterback Derek Carr wasnt just the guy throwing Adams the ball&he was one of Adams best friends. Theyve spent eight years apart in which Adams blossomed and Carr became the franchise quarterback for the Las Vegas (and Oakland) Raiders, but the duo is finally back together&after Carr reached out this offseason to woo Adams away from the Frozen Tundra. Tim Keown gives us the inside story of how one of the NFLs elite playmakers ended up in the desert.

How Whitney Houstons Super Bowl National Anthem Has Endured (ENCORE): 9/5/22

The link between the musical icon Whitney Houston and sports is specific and indelible, through her iconic rendition of the national anthem at Super Bowl XXV. While her performance was breathtaking, much of what made it truly special, and the events surrounding it, have been overlooked. E:60s Jeremy Schaap relives a classic Super Bowl memory, and why Whitneys high notes from that night continue to echo a decade after her passing.

Will Albert Pujols Get to 700 Home Runs?: 9/2/22

Albert Pujols was the most dangerous hitter in baseball for more than a decade, putting up monumental statistics with such precision he earned the nickname, The Machine. But after signing a massive free agent deal with the Angels, injuries and age caught up with him. Today, Pujols is back in a St. Louis Cardinals uniform and just might be looking like his old self again. With 700 home runs in sight as his career comes winding down, Alden Gonzalez joins the show to help us understand the man and the machine.

Ryan McGees College Football Buffet: 9/1/22

There is no white tablecloth at the restaurant of college football. Things are going to get messy. From the College Football Playoff contenders, to the happenings at Tony Starks house, there is a lot to consume here. So ahead of Week 1 of the season, Ryan McGee prepares a multi-course menu and tells us why you might as well unbuckle your Sunbelt right now.

The Incredible Origin Stories of Aaron Donald: 8/31/22

Before he went virtually unrecruited, before he slid to the 13th pick in the loaded 2014 draft, Aaron Donald was already a Hall of Famer to those who knew him best but only to them, apparently. Ryan Hockensmith joins the show to share Donalds origin story from kindergarten, through his high school days, all the way to last years Super Bowl victory&a win that could seal Donalds reputation not just as the greatest defensive player of his generation, but the greatest defensive player of all-time.

The Long-Awaited Promise of Kelsey Plum: 8/30/22

Kelsey Plum was one of the most dominant college basketball players we have ever seen, a top draft pick, and a would-be franchise savior for the team that picked her, the San Antonio Stars (now the Las Vegas Aces). But the NCAAs all-time leading scorer struggled with her transition to the pros, and it turned out her team didnt need saving&she did. Now in her fifth season in the WNBA, Plum is finally playing to her potential and helped lead the Aces to the #1 overall seed in the playoffs. Katie Barnes tells us the story of how, after years of searching, Kelsey Plum has found herself, both on and off the court. Check out our favorite episodes of 2022. Subscribe to ESPN Daily: Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music iHeartRadio TuneIn ESPN PodCenter Download the ESPN App

Is Coco Gauff the Next Great American Tennis Star?: 8/29/22

Coco Gauff has been on the verge of greatness ever since she picked up a tennis racket at 6 years old. It was then that her father Corey shamelessly stole the Richard Williams playbook and developed a 10 year plan for his talented daughter. But now, after years of ups and downs, both professionally and mentally, Coco Gauff arrives at the 2022 U.S. Open in New York City as an 18-year-old woman full of expectations and aspirations. All of which she gladly accepts on her own terms.

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