Sports In America with David Greene

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.

Back in 2021, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin was at his peak. He had just led his team to victory in the NFC Championship, and they went on to win the Super Bowl that year. But right at the top of his game, he suffered numerous serious injuries that could have ended his career.In this episode, we sit down with Chris, who is finally back on the field after a year out of the game, to talk about what it feels like to not play for weeks, months, or even seasons at a time. And we’ll hear from an expert about how an athlete, someone known for their strength and perseverance, can even begin to heal mentally from that experience. Show Notes: Freezing Temps Don't Stop Chris Godwin from Racking Up 110 Yds | NFL Half Man, Half Monster | The Players Tribune How long is Chris Godwin out? Injury update, timeline for Bucs WR | USA Today Chris Godwin at the 2017 Rose Bowl | Antonella Crescimbeni Chris Godwin Mic'd Up vs. the Saints | Tampa Bay Buccaneers  Show Credits:Executive 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.

With nearly a dozen marathon titles and a handful of Olympic medals under her belt, Susannah Scaroni is one of the most decorated wheelchair racers in the world. But her story has been anything but easy. At just 5 years old, Susannah and her family were involved in an accident that paralyzed her from the waist down. This incident, and the many others she’d come to face, only motivated her more to become the elite athlete she is today.In this episode, Susannah sits down with host David Greene to talk about the sport of wheelchair racing, what it was like to win gold at the Tokyo Olympics, and the unexpected aftermath of the games that almost ended her racing career.Content warning: This episode discusses eating disorders and recovery. Please listen with care. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, you can contact the National Alliance for Eating Disorders’ helpline or the ANAD helpline.Show Notes Susannah Scaroni | Illinois Public Media WATCH: Susannah Scaroni wins 2025 Chicago Marathon | NBC Chicago Wheelchair Racing - Push Stroke Basics | Challenged Athletes Foundation Scaroni breaks from pack during Tokyo’s 2020 Paralympics | NBC Sports Eat like an Elite: Susannah Scaroni Runner's World  Show CreditsExecutive 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.

In 2022, University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas became the first trans woman to win a D1 NCAA title. Under pressure from the Trump administration, Penn stripped Lia of that title earlier this year, and banned future trans athletes from competing. For many people, Lia has come to symbolize the heated debate over whether trans athletes should be able to compete in women’s sports. Regardless of what side of the debate you're on, all this news hasn’t just been news to Lia. It’s been her real life, and people have long misunderstood her. In this episode, Lia sits down with host David Greene to dive into her journey: what it took for her to come out as trans in college and compete on the women’s team, while under an international microscope.Content warning: This episode discusses mental illness and suicidal ideation. Please listen with care. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or thoughts of suicide, you can contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or visiting 988lifeline.org.Show Notes Should trans women be included in sports? With Lia Thomas | Dear Schuyler  Fact check: Do trans women have an unfair athletic advantage? | DW UPenn updates swimming records to settle with feds on transgender athletes case | NPR What is gender dysphoria | American Psychiatric Association  Transgender athletes face growing hostility: four tell their stories in their own words | USA Today 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.

Known for his brute strength and punishing style, Craig “Ironhead” Heyward made a name for himself as one of the best NFL running backs during the 90s. After his passing in 2006, his son Cameron continued his dad’s legacy by getting drafted to the Steelers and quickly becoming one of the premier defensive linemen in the game. A few years later, Craig’s youngest son, Connor, would join his brother in Pittsburgh and learn to pave his own way in the NFL.So what’s it like to be a Heyward? How do the pressures of living up to a family legacy compare to the pressure athletes put on themselves every day? And will this be the year Cam gets that elusive ring? We sit down with both brothers to find out.Show Notes Craig Heyward Hall of Fame Nominee | Pitt Football  Chiefs vs. Steelers Week 4 Highlights, 2017 | NFL Connor Heyward's first career touchdown | NFL Cam Heyward shares emotional story about brother Connor’s first touchdown | All Steelers Talk Why has Rodgers signed for the Steelers | BBC 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.

From WHYY and PRX, this is Sports In America with David Greene, a new show that explores the stories that make sports the cornerstone of American life. Premieres September 30th 2025 on podcast feeds and public radio.