Houston Texans pass rusher JJ Watt is one of the stars of the NFL and the most ferocious defensive player in the league. What's even more unprecedented than the two 20+ sack seasons Watt has put together is the way he reached this point.The 2014 NFL MVP-runner up joined me to talk about what it was like to grow up in Wisconsin, the city of Houston, and the drive that inspires him to strive for greatness.
Vince Papale was a fearless special teams players that had an incredible rise to stardom. His life was so interesting, Disney made the movie "Invincible" in 2006 based off of his trials.Papale talked about how closely movie coincides with his life, life in the NFL, his unique friendship with Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bo Rya, and his life in Philadelphia today.
Grady Jackson was one of the most physically imposing players at the defensive tackle position in the NFL in the 2000's.He joined me to talk about the many teams he was on, the position itself, and his thought process while threatening to hold out in 2005.
Chuck Smith was one of the most fear-invoking pass rushers in the NFL in the mid-late 1990's and played a huge hand in the Atlanta Falcons making it to Super Bowl XXXIII.Smith talked about that 1998 Falcons team, how the NFL has changed in recent years, and how he is training young pass rushers.
Brett Favre was at his best in the mid-late 1990's and his main target during that period was Antonio Freeman.Freeman talked to me about how Favre was able to help him as a receiver, his epic catch against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football, and how much he loves the Green Bay Packers fans.
NFL Hall of Fame defensive end/linebacker Bobby Bell is a living example that sometimes the best reward in life is a good education.Bell talked to me about how he went to Minnesota to finish his education over 50 years after he began taking classes. He also spoke in-depth about his career and how the NFL has evolved from his day to now.
Michael Jordan had one of the most memorable plays in NBA history at the expense of Craig Ehlo, hitting the infamous shot that knocked the Cleveland Cavaliers out of the 1989 playoffs.Ehlo joined me to talk about being a part of that moment, being a member of the Cavaliers in the 1980's and early 90's, and the evolution of the shooting guard position.
UW-La Crosse pitcher Caleb Boushley grew up just minutes from Appleton Wisconsin, where the Division College Baseball World Series takes place every year, and will be pitching for UW-La Crosse on the big stage this week.Boushley shares how he was able to win the closeout game of regionals to help his team get to this spot, how he's had the success he has even with a year off of baseball, and his memories of watching the College Baseball World Series as a child.
The New York Giants in the late 1980's and early 1990's had an incredible defense and Mark Collins was a big reason why.Collins joined me to talk about his career, the great Bill Parcells-led Giants teams, and how he is currently working with aspiring athletes.
Pass rushing in the 1990's is much different than it is today. One of the best at the time was defensive end Marco Coleman.Coleman talked to me about his career, how pass rushing has changed with the increase in passing, how "Mean" Joe Green helped his career both on and off the field, and his role in the movie Ace Ventura:.
The Houston Astros have stunned the baseball world with their 20-12 start, which has many wondering how they've done it and how long they can keep it up for.Andy Pondillo of the Astros Chat podcast and a producer with Yahoo Sports Radio in Houston joined me to talk about the team's surprising offense and the keys to continuing their winng ways.
Though Division III football is not heavily covered, there are some talented players at that level and a few of them do go on to play in the NFL.Former UW-Stevens Point defensive back Zach Vallafskey is one of those players that has caught the eye of scouts and has been given a tryout with the Minnesota Vikings.Vallafskey talks about how players that don't get invited to the main NFL combine work to get noticed by scouts, what it was like to play for Stevens Point, and what it's like to be a lifelong Packers fan trying out for the Vikings.
Back in the 1980's the NHL was much different than it it is today. One of the stars in the league at that time was Brian Propp of the Philadelphia Flyers.Propp joined me to talk about his career, how the league has changed, and what he does now.
The MLB season is about a month in and already we have seen some surprises and interesting twists and turns.Sports Illustrated MLB columnist Albert Chen joined me to talk about the Milwaukee Brewers managerial change, the state of the Washington Nationals, and the hot start of the Houston Astros.
The action in the NBA Playoffs has reached a fever pitch with four great series currently being played.Sports Illustrated NBA columnist Ben Golliver joined me to talk about what we have seen so far and what to expect moving forward.
Marcus Dupree was arguably the greatest high school running back of all time, but had some interesting twists and turns in his career that prevented him from becoming a superstar at the professional level.Dupree talked about his illustrious high school career, injuries halting his career, and how Walter Payton got him back into football.
Kevin Zeitler has been a staple of the Cincinnati Bengals' offensive line ever since he was drafted in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.Zeitler talked to me about his time with the Wisconsin Badgers, the NFL Draft process, and the keys to the Bengals winning some playoff games.
Phillip Buchanon made news a few weeks ago when he revealed his mother demanded $1 million after he was a first round pick of the Oakland Raiders in 2002.He talked about the demand, his career, and how he is trying to help others avoid debt.
The NBA Playoffs are heating up with many first round series still hanging in the balance.ESPNB's Scoop Jackson joined me to talk about the comeback by the Milwaukee Bucks, the woes of the Los Angeles Clippers, and the player that must step up for the Cleveland Cavaliers with Kevin Love out.
The MLB season just over three weeks ago and already the league has created tons of buzz.Jerry Crasnick, a columnist for ESPN, joined me to talk about Adam Wainwright's injury, the Kansas City Royals' dust ups, and the teams that have surprised in good and bad ways.