Sports In America with David Greene

Baseball season is officially in full swing, and with every home run robbery, oppo taco, and walk-off eruption, it feels like, even for a few hours, baseball restores our faith in humanity. But outside of the stadium, life is anything but calm.A country gripped by fear, a heightened sense of political suspicion, and athletes pulled into the discourse. Any of this sound familiar? This week, we talk with award-winning sports historian Howard Bryant to take us into the moment America asked its biggest sports hero to prove his loyaltyWe also sit down with Tim Lambert, a Pittsburgh sports writer, to talk about the irrational hope that all of us feel at the beginning of baseball season and ask the question on everyone’s mind: could this be our year? Show Notes ‘The most dangerous man in America’: how Paul Robeson went from Hollywood to blacklisted | The Guardian Paul Robeson Biography | PBS The Story Behind Jackie Robinson’s Moving Testimony Before the House Un-American Activities Committee | TIME Venezuela’s historic WBC title fueled by power, pitching — and passion | The Athletic Kings and Pawns | Howard Bryant Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike Villers, Adam StaniczeskiTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Just after the closing ceremonies of the Olympics in Milan, we sat down with Emmy award-winning commentator Bomani Jones for a special live recording. We get into FBI director Kash Patel’s locker room antics after the US men’s team won gold, why Bomani calls them the “whiter Olympics,” and we ask who gets to define America as the US gets ready to host the World Cup this summer. We also sit down with producers Paula Lavigne and Dan Arruda from ESPN’s 30 for 30 Podcasts to discuss their latest true crime series, “Murder at the U,” which investigates the killing of former Miami Hurricanes star Bryan Pata and the 20-year saga of trying to find justice for him and his family. Show Notes FBI director joins US men's hockey team celebration | ABC Why is ICE going to the Winter Olympics in Milan | The Guardian Trump discourages Iranian soccer team from attending the World Cup, citing safety concerns | PBS The Right Time with Bomani Jones Podcast Introducing: Murder at the U | 30 for 30 Podcasts Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike Villers, Adam StaniczeskiTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

The National Women’s Soccer League kicks off its regular season with games all over the country. So this week, we sit down with one of the biggest stars to ever play, Carli Lloyd.Carli is a two-time World Cup Champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and Hall of Famer. Her talent on the field is undeniable, but the media has long misunderstood her. We’re going to unpack her 17 years as a professional to learn about the unrelenting hard work that got her to the international stage and the sacrifices she made to stay there.We’ll also hear from Meg Linehan, the women’s sports lead at The Athletic, who believed in Carli when nobody else did. Meg gives us a preview of what to expect from the NWSL this season, who the key players are to watch, and answers the question, has women’s soccer in the US finally arrived?Show Notes Women's World Cup Final: USA vs. Japan - FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 Highlights | FOX Soccer Stone Cold Weirdo Carli Lloyd Leads U.S. Into World Cup Final | VICE ‘Beast,’ ‘weirdo,’ choker, winner: World Cup star Carli Lloyd is bundle of contradictions | Washington Post #ThankYouCarli - Carli Lloyd Career Highlights | U..S. Soccer Carli Lloyd was estranged from her family. How the postponed Olympics healed a 12-year rift | TODAY Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike Villers, Adam StaniczeskiTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Claressa Shields is one of the most decorated female boxers ever. She’s a two-time Olympic gold medalist and is the only boxer — male or female — to hold undisputed titles in three separate divisions. She’s also currently undefeated. But for Claressa to climb to the top, she had to face her toughest opponent yet: her past. This week, we relive Claressa’s historic journey to her first Olympics, learn how she finally let go of resentment, and find out what it takes to become a champion. We’ll also check in with Andreas Hale, a combat sports reporter at ESPN. With Floyd Mayweather’s recent announcement that he’s coming out of retirement, Andreas helps answer the question: How old is too old to compete?Show Notes The Fire Inside  2012 Women’s Middleweight Final | Olympics Claressa Shields fighting for gender equality for women’s boxers | CBS News Claressa Shields: From poverty and abuse to boxing greatness | BBC Sport Mayweather to unretire, resume boxing after Tyson exhibition | ESPN Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike Villers, Adam Staniszewski Tile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

The fictional TV show Heated Rivalry was an overnight sensation — raking in more than 10 million streams for each of its six episodes. It follows two rival professional hockey players, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rosanov, whose public feud hides their secret, years-long romantic relationship. The show is fun, and it also raises a larger question: How welcoming is the NHL to LGBTQ athletes and fans?This week, we sit down with Harrison Browne, an actor on the show, and the first person ever to come out as trans in professional hockey. He tells us all about his role in Heated Rivalry, what it’s like to come out and compete as a pro athlete, and whether he felt supported. We also hear from Julian McKenzie, an NHL staff writer at The Athletic, about the upcoming playoffs — and whether he thinks the buzz from the show could actually change the culture in the pros.Show Notes ‘Heated Rivalry’ Easter Egg: This New Character Is Actual LGBTQ+ Hockey History | them Let Us Play | Harrison Browne, Rachel Browne ‘Heated Rivalry’ inspired me to come out as gay | BBC The Truth About Trans Athletes in Sports with Harrison Browne Hit show ‘Heated Rivalry’ became a TV phenomenon. Can it change hockey culture? | Julian McKenzie for The Athletic Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

This year's Winter Games are wrapping up, and while many athletes are still buzzing from the thrill of performing on the world's largest stage, what actually happens to an Olympian’s mental health when the limelight moves on?For freeskier Nick Goepper, after the US Men’s Team swept the slopestyle podium at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, it seemed like he’d ride that high forever. But when the television appearances and sponsorships slowed to a stop, he was left to wonder, what’s next?This week, Nick tells us about the realities of the post-Olympic depression so many athletes face, his journey to recovery, and how he’s changed his preparation for Milan. We’ll also hear from Olympic runner Alexi Pappas to get her take on this year’s Games and how she’s tackled similar challenges. Show Notes Olympian Nick Goepper’s Comeback | HuffPost 3x Olympic Medalist Goepper Retires From Freeskiing | US Ski and Snowboard  Nick Goepper | My New Favorite Olympian Nick Goepper Podium Run | US Ski and Snowboard Mentor Buffett | Alexi Pappas Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Alysa Liu has been considered a figure skating prodigy ever since she was a kid. When she was just 12 years old, she was the youngest U.S. woman to land a triple axel in a competition. Then at 13, she became the country’s youngest World Champion ever.But in 2022, right as Alysa was at the height of her career, she quit the sport altogether and retired at 16. She didn’t set foot in a rink for nearly two years, until a family ski trip reminded her just how much she loved the sport. Now she’s competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy — and she’s looking like one of the favorites to win gold. If she medals at all, she’d be the first U.S. woman to do it in 20 years. In this episode, we hear from Alysa on what it’s like to be a child athlete competing at an elite level, what brought her back to the rink, and how she’s taking ownership of her career. We also discuss Alysa’s chances and her competition with senior correspondent at The Athletic Marcus Thompson, who’s covering women’s figure skating at the Olympics.Show Notes Alysa Liu 2025 World Championships | Skating ISU Alysa Liu left figure skating behind. She came back better than ever | The Guardian Alysa Liu Fell in Love With Skating All Over Again — And Is Now a World Champion | Sports Illustrated 14-year-old Alysa Liu makes history again at 2020 Nationals I NBC Sports Alysa Liu back on the Olympic stage, this time truly herself | Marcus Thompson for The Athletic Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

As we get ready for Super Bowl LX, we sit down with one of the greatest football players to never win a Super Bowl.Larry Fitzgerald is an 11-time Pro Bowler who spent his 17-year career with the Arizona Cardinals. His first and only shot at a title was in 2009 when his team lost a squeaker to the Pittsburgh Steelers.In this episode, we relive all the key moments of that fateful game with the star wide receiver, who shares what it feels like to be so close to winning it all, only to have the opportunity snatched away in the final seconds. Plus, we sit down with The Athletic’s Madeline Hill and Charlotte Wilder to break down this year’s matchup between the Patriots and Seahawks.Show Notes Fitz Four: Super Bowl Versus Steelers | Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald: If a loved one has cancer, know there’s power in your presence | The Athletic Larry Fitzgerald: Best Hands in NFL History Career Highlights! | NFL Legends The Sports Gossip Show The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation Show CreditsExecutive Producer: Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Tom Coughlin’s first Super Bowl was one of the most famous games in NFL history. It pitted the New York Giants, considered massive underdogs at the time, against the New England Patriots, who hadn’t lost a game all season. To many people, the Giants seemed doomed from the start.But Coughlin and his team showed that with discipline and determination, anything was possible. Tom Coughlin is a three-time Super Bowl Champion, NFL Coach of the Year, and, more recently, a 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist. But perhaps the most important title he’s had is that of caregiver to his wife Judy, who passed away in November 2022 after a long battle with a rare brain disorder.In this episode, Coach Coughlin talks us through that first Super Bowl with the Giants. We learn about his meticulous old-school style of coaching and how staying by his wife’s side in her final days changed his perspective on success.Show Notes Super Bowl XLII Helmet Catch | NFL (Patriots vs. Giants 2007, Week 17) | NFL Throwback  Nothing Could Prepare Me for Watching My Wife Slip Away | Tom Coughlin for NYT Tom Coughlin, You Had Me At Hello… | Bleacher Report Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Andrew Whitworth is an NFL legend. A four-time Pro Bowler, he played for 16 seasons into his 40s, then retired as the oldest tackle in NFL history. He was known not just for his skill on the field and his longevity — but also widely recognized for his character, and his charity work in his personal life. In this week’s episode, we sit down with Andrew to hear everything he learned from his 16 seasons in the NFL, like how to sweet-talk the defenders he was up against, and how the game helped him learn to take care of himself and the people around him. Show Notes Andrew Whitworth Mic'd Up For Super Bowl LVI Win vs. Bengals Andrew Whitworth is the Walter Payton Man of the Year | NFL Honors Look: Rams O-linemen training together in Andrew Whitworth's garage | RamsWire Los Angeles Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth retires after 16 NFL seasons, goes out on top | ESPN Inside Matthew Stafford's no-look pass to Kupp in Super Bowl LVI | 'America's Game Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Benjamin Watson spent 16 seasons in the NFL as one of the league’s most reliable tight ends. He was known for being a model teammate, always willing to do the dirty work of blocking in the trenches just as much as catching touchdown passes. Not as well known is the perfectionism and self-doubt he struggled with throughout his time in the league. When the Patriots won the Super Bowl his rookie year, the injured Watson refused to wear his ring because he felt he hadn’t earned it. In this episode, we hear about his challenges with mental health, his passion for faith and family, and how he became a fierce advocate for social justice after a prolific career. Show Notes 15 years ago today: Ben Watson tackles Champ Bailey at 1 yd line after 100 yard interception | Patriots NFL Player Benjamin Watson Reflects on Ferguson in Viral Facebook Post | NBC News Benjamin Watson: How to Stay Focused in Fatherhood Benjamin Watson | Pressure, Identity and Faith Inside the NFL  The Just Life with Benjamin Watson Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Tom Grahsler and Joan IsabellaSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

For many athletes, it’s their worst nightmare: getting an injury that could end their season — or even their career. In this episode of Sports in America, we sit down with two star athletes who’ve competed through painful moments. Robert Griffin III, or RGIII, had one of the most promising rookie campaigns in NFL history — but got injured soon after he made his debut. And in an attempt to lead the Washington Mystics to victory, two-time WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne played through three herniated discs, a broken nose, and a knee injury.What’s the line between a heroic performance in the game, and the risk of permanent damage to an athlete’s body? And in the end, who’s responsible for protecting a player from themselves?Show Notes Outta Pocket with RGIII Podcast  Robert Griffin Dominates the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day | NFL Highlights Mike Shanahan: James Andrews cleared Griffin to play, but doctor disagrees | USA Today The Best Of Elena Delle Donne (WNBA Finals 2019) | WNBA Family comes first for Delle Donne, even during WNBA championship run | ESPN Elena Delle Donne listens to body, announces retirement | ESPN

Kareem Rosser was just eight years old when his brothers stumbled across the Chamounix Stables in a Philadelphia park. That wrong turn would change his life forever. In 2011, he captained the first all-Black team to win the National Interscholastic Polo Championship.Today, we learn all about the sport of competitive polo, which is less genteel than it looks. It’s almost like a mix of ice hockey and NASCAR. Kareem opens up about the whiplash of traveling from the rough neighborhood where he grew up to the Hamptons and back in a weekend. He also talks about how he uses the tragedies he’s experienced to drive his passion to help others.Show Notes  A behind-the-scenes look at Philadelphia’s inspiring Work to Ride Program | Ralph Lauren A Polo Primer: Lessons From a Pro | WSJ 'Why I Play': Dominating polo while being black | The Undefeated Ride to the Olympics CEO on increase in Black polo players: 'We break barriers' | ABC News When You're Ready: A Love Story | Kareem Rosser Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Last week, we heard from former Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen about how going pro was never supposed to happen to him; that dream was his brother Seth’s. This week, we sit down with Seth to talk about his own rugged athletic career, cut short by injury. We hear the highs of being a 5-star recruit, the lows of when the game was taken away from him, and how this all tested the bond between brothers.Show Notes Seth Jensen Athlete Profile | University of Nebraska- Lincoln Ryan Jensen: My Life as an NFL Offensive Lineman | CBS Back home in Colorado, the Bucs’ Ryan Jensen is still inspired by his family | The Athletic Retired Buccaneers Center Ryan Jensen Finds Post-NFL Purpose Alongside A Former D2 Rival | Forbes For sworn, retired, or family members of the law enforcement community who might be struggling with mental health, please call 1-800-267-5463 (1-800-COPLINE) Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Ryan Jensen made a name for himself as a center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with quarterback Tom Brady. But even as he looks down at his Super Bowl ring, Ryan knows: None of this success was supposed to happen to him. It was supposed to be his brother’s. When Ryan was a kid, his older brother Seth was the one who seemed destined for greatness in the NFL. It caught everyone by surprise when Ryan got there instead. Over the next two episodes, we’re bringing you a story about family, expectations, and the times when fate has something else in mind. What happens when two brothers seem to switch places, and their destinies shift in a way that shocks their family, friends, and each other?Show Notes Back home in Colorado, the Bucs' Ryan Jensen is still inspired by his family | The Athletic Rams vs. Buccaneers Divisional Round Highlights | NFL 2021 Tampa Bay's Ryan Jensen is the game's best center — and one of its most relentless players | ESPN Ryan Jensen on Tom Brady: He Expects Perfection | Tampa Bay Buccaneers Press Conference Ryan Jensen Career Stats | ESPN

Nattie Neidhart is part of the legendary Hart family that produced professional wrestling greats, like Bret and Owen Hart. But none of the women in her family wrestled professionally. That is, until Nattie came along. This week, we talk to Nattie about her new memoir, “The Last Hart Beating.” She shares stories from her decades-long career in the WWE, how her family dealt with the tragic loss of her uncle in a wrestling accident, and why her legacy is more than what we see on TV. We also ask the question that wrestling skeptics have always wondered: If the results of a match are predetermined, can we even call it a sport?Show Notes Nattie Neidhart, “The Last Hart Beating” Faby Apache vs. Natalya | 2025 highlights Inside The Hart Family Dungeon | WWE The Legacy of Owen Hart Lives On | All Elite Wrestling Bret "The Hitman" Hart vs. Shawn Michaels | WWE Rivals

It’s the most successful and the most maddening play in professional football right now: the tush push. If you’re a football fan, you have probably seen the play in action — the one where the Philadelphia Eagles seem to push their quarterback Jalen Hurts over the line to gain a first down, or to score. But you might not know its surprising backstory. In this episode, we bring you the man who helped create this controversial play: Richie Gray, a former rugby coach from a small town in Scotland. Richie tells us how he made his way into the NFL, what he thinks about the tush push controversy, and what makes the play so unstoppable.Show Notes The Tush Push Explained with Kyle Brandt & Dr Neil DeGrasse Tyson | NFL Inside Packers-Eagles battle over banning the tush push | ESPN How a Scottish Rugby Lifer is Changing the Way NFL Teams Tackle | Sports Illustrated Jason Defends the Push, Travis’ Record-Breaking Connection and Coach Prime Makes History | New Heights Podcast 26 Minutes of the Tush Push | Philadelphia Eagles Show CreditsExecutive Producer: Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

With recent news of an FBi investigation into the NBA and mob ties around sports betting, this week on Sports in America, we take a look at how sports gambling went from the smoky parlors of Vegas to a multi-billion dollar industry that we can access from our smartphones. We talk to author Beth Raymer, who gives us a firsthand personal look at the highs and lows of sports gambling. We also talk to gambling expert Jonathan Cohen to understand how this collective obsession can ruin people’s lives, and some solutions for how we can control it.Show Notes Lay the Favorite: A Memoir about Gambling | Penguin Random House What we know about arrests in FBI's illegal gambling investigation | BBC Losing Big: America’s Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling | Columbia Global Reports Inside how sports betting went mainstream | ESPN What is Gambling Disorder? | American Psychiatric Association   Show CreditsExecutive Producer: Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway had a stellar career in the NBA, from his time with Run TMC on the Warriors to the epic Heat/Knicks rivalry in the late 90’s. But maybe the biggest accomplishment in Tim’s career was the time he admitted he was wrong. This week, we talk about his new memoir “Killer Crossover,”  where Tim tells us about honing his craft in his hometown of Chicago, how his life on the court has changed his relationship with his son, and the ways his toughness on the court translated directly to his accountability off of it.Show Notes Knicks @ Heat 1997 ECSF Deciding Game 7 Highlights | NBC Tim Hardaway’s Killer Crossover | NBA Killer Crossover | My Life from the Chicago Streets to Basketball Royalty Run TMC's High-Scoring Offense | NBA Tim Hardaway: Gay rights champion | The Denver Post Show CreditsExecutive Producer: Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Pablo Torre is a podcaster, host, and one-of-a-kind media personality. He got his start as a fact checker for Sports Illustrated, then guest hosted shows on ESPN, and now has his own podcast called Pablo Torre Finds Out. His witty sense of humor and in-depth reporting, have made him one of the leading voices in the industry. In this episode, we see the world through Pablo’s unique lens and learn why he thinks sports are more vital than ever to break through the noise in our divided country.  Show Notes The Bill Belichick Ring Video: Pablo Torre Found a New Tape — and Finally Solved the Mystery | PTFO How We Investigated Jordon | Pablo Torre Kawhi Leonard Signed a Secret $28M Deal. Steve Ballmer Funded a Fraud. We Followed the Money. | PTFO Athletes Quick To Go Broke | NPR Watching the Dallas Cowboys on Death Row: Our Visit to a Supermax Prison | Pablo Torre Show CreditsExecutive Producer: Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.