Hello and welcome to Crunching Tackles, a podcast where John Nekrasov and Chad Wylie sit down once a week to discuss the biggest cultural issues that affect the sports world. Tune in every Monday to hear our takes on the controversial topics that touch the games we watch every week (and hear us scream at each other about Star Wars). If you enjoy our content, like, follow, subscribe (all the fun stuff), and follow us on Twitter @john_nekrasov and @chadewylie!
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Episode 157: A Rowdy Rivalry Week
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With more than half-a-dozen brawls and flag planting attempts in college football last week, it's fair to say that rivalry week was heated. We discuss all the drama from Saturday on today's podcast. 2:45: What happened to the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving? 5:00: General Motors—aka Cadillac—is joining Formula 1 in 2026. 10:35: Jameis Winston is the …
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Episode 156: Dana White: Presidential Matchmaker?
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The 2024 election happened last week, and Donald Trump will return to the White House in 2025. But if you were up at 3 a.m. on election night, you may have seen a familiar face in the sports world addressing Trump's victory party: Dana White. What does White's involvement in politics say about Trump's success? Before that, we briefly touch on three…
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Episode 155: City Of Stars vs. The Big Apple
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We got our dream matchup in the World Series: Yankees vs. Dodgers; Ohtani vs. Judge. We take stock of the first 3 games of the series and consider if the games so far have lived up to the hype. We also check in briefly with Formula One, a sad story out of N.C. State football, and the award for best player in world soccer. As always, make sure to sh…
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Episode 154: A New Look for College Football and The Champions League
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Many different sports around the world are expanding their postseason format to maximize the amount of high profile games that top teams play each year. Is this a benefit to fans, or just another desperate money grab? As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!…
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Episode 153: Shohei Ohtani Hits (and Runs) into History.
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Shohei Ohtani has put together one of the most impressive seasons in baseball history. After spending some time discussing the Premier League and the NFL, we turn the focus of this podcast to MLB, and try to put Ohtani's historic season into context. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your soci…
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Episode 152: The Complications and Conclusions from Tyreek Hill's Arrest
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Tyreek Hill was pulled over and detained by Miami police on his way to Week 1 of the NFL season. The reaction has been understandably and expectedly strong. John and Chad break down every angle of the incident and what we can learn. 10:20 - We look at Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka winning the U.S. Open and where the state of tennis is going int…
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Episode 151: Jannik Sinner: Victim, Cheater or Something In-Between?
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For the first time in over 3 years, Chad and John are in person together for a podcast! They celebrate this occasion by discussing the U.S. Open, Jannik Sinner, and Alien: Romulus. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
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Episode 150: Paris 2024 in the Books
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The 2024 Olympics were incredible, and we convene one more time to go through all the final stories from the games. On today's episode, we discuss: 2:15 - Our general impressions and what we loved about this Olympics 9:30 - The closing ceremony, including Tom Cruise's stunts 214:00 - The final medal count and who won the games 29:00 - We recap the …
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Episode 149: 2024 Olympics Week 2 Recap!
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The Olympics have soared to an incredible level of success, and we are here to recap the most important moments we've seen this week. Simone Biles, Novak Djokovic, Scottie Scheffler, Mondo Duplantis, and Imane Khelif are just a few of the athletes we mention. On today's episode, we discuss: 10:00 - We recap the medal table and see where Team USA is…
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Episode 148: Paris 2024 Week 1 Recap!
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The medals are flying in Paris as we take stock of an action packed first week of the Olympic Games! From the Opening Ceremony to the tennis to the swimming, we have it all covered for you right here! On today's episode, we discuss: 3:10 - We open with some general thoughts about the games and how we feel about the experience of watching so far. 8:…
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Episode 147: A Double for Spain and Chaos in Miami
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The COPA America Final was delayed by over an hour because of a brutal crowd crush at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Fans and police officers were injured, and 27 people were arrested as Colombia fans attempted to storm the stadium. On today's episode, we discuss: 4:15 - We open with a conversation about the assassination attempt against former Presid…
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Episode 146: 2024 Olympic Preview
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The 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremonies are less than a month away, and we are here to prime you for the events and athletes that you need to be paying attention to this year. On today's episode, we discuss the international soccer tournaments currently going on, the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, and an extremely controversial decision by NBC for …
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Episode 145: Protecting the Paris Olympics 2024
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As the city of Paris and the nation of France prepares to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, there's one area they need to focus on that previous hosts of the games haven't: cybersecurity. On today's episode, we discuss: 4:15 - We briefly consider how to choose a British soccer team as American fans and who we would support if we were doing it all…
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Episode 144: The Death of College Sports + Caitlin Clark
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Although college sports have been trending toward professionalization in recent years, it's still a historic day when the NCAA finally agreed to pay its athletes. On today's episode, we discuss: 1:20 - We briefly discuss Scottie Scheffler's charges being dropped and what was most strange about his situation. 4:30 - Caitlin Clark has had a very cont…
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Episode 143: Scheffler Arrest and City Win the Premier League
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The Premier League title came down to the final day, but it never really felt close. Manchester City won their fourth consecutive title, and we are here to figure out what all the other teams need to do to challenge the champs. On today's episode, we discuss: 4:26 - We take a look at the NBA Playoffs, focusing on the Denver Nuggets Game 7 loss to t…
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Episode 142: Does God Care Who Wins the Masters?
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Scottie Scheffler won the 2024 Masters Tournament, but he wanted to talk about something different: his faith in God. So we are going to spend some time discussing the various intersections between religion and sports. On today's episode, we discuss: 2:45 - We take a brief look at the collapse of PSG in France and look ahead to a very tense week fo…
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Episode 141: What the Government Can Do To Legislate Sports Betting
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As sports gambling continues to dominate our culture, we take a closer look at the issues surrounding sports betting. We react to how the sports leagues and sports media have responded, as well as offer some legislative suggestions on how to fix some of the most problematic issues. On today's episode, we discuss: 1:30 - We start with a really quick…
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Episode 140: Caitlin Clark: The Main Character of March
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For the first time in television history, the women's NCAA basketball championship had more viewership than the men's. What does this mean for the future of the game? How important is this breakthrough in the present? On today's episode, we discuss: 8:15 - We start with the women's tournament, talking about South Carolina's dominance, Caitlin Clark…
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Episode 139: Shohei Scandal and Sports Gambling in the Mainstream
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Major League Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani has been implicated in a major sports gambling story concerning his professional interpreter. While it seems like at the moment Ohtani is unscathed, this investigation opens the door into a wider conversation about sports gambling in our culture. On today's episode, we discuss: 3:45 - March Madness Open…
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Episode 138: Christian Horner is Trying to Survive
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The world's most controversial sport is enmeshed in one of its biggest controversies to date. Christian Horner—the team principal of Red Bull F1 racing—has held onto his job despite a tremendous amount of scrutiny. On today's episode, we discuss: 3:45 - We briefly recap the Oscars, covering subjects like Oppenheimer, Ryan Gosling, Lily Gladstone, a…
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BONUS POD: Dune 2—Long Live the Podcasts
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Dune 2 is finally here! After a months-long delay, the much anticipated sequel film has arrived and we are here to break it all down in this special bonus edition of Crunching Tackles. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!…
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Episode 137: Fans on the Court
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The most recent incident of court-storming by a student section in college basketball has ignited a huge debate about the future of this behavior. So we had to way in. On today's episode, we discuss: 8:30 - Everton have been given a lifeline in their continued attempt to stay in the Premier League while facing point reductions due to financial malp…
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Episode 136: Patrick Mahomes Does It Again!
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Super Bowl 58 featured the two longest field goals in Super Bowl history, and two historic comebacks from Patrick Mahomes. On today's episode, we discuss: 6:30 - We break down the game, including the key fourth quarter and overtime drives, and why the 49ers will be thinking about their missed opportunities. 40:00 - We reopen the conversation about …
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Episode 135: 2024 Football and 2018 Hockey
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In 2022, the Ontario police and NHL opened investigations into sexual assault allegations against several members of Canada's 2018 Junior World Championship team. This week, 5 members of that team were ordered to surrender to the police. On today's episode, we discuss: 2:50 - The Super Bowl matchup is set, with the Kansas City Chiefs returning to f…
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Episode 134: Everton in Crisis and the NFL in Chaos
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Everton and Nottingham Forest are facing more financial charges from the English Premier League, casting a shadow on the fairness of the finances of elite soccer. On today's episode, we discuss: 3:50 - THE BIG STORY: Everton and Nottingham Forest are facing charges of financial misconduct. They are not sustainably managing their money and have face…
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Episode 133: 2023 Year-End Review
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2023 has been a consequential sports year. We've seen aging superstars cement their legacies, young phenoms announce their presence, and Saudi Arabia stage a takeover of multiple professional sports. We also spent a lot of time this year watching and thinking about film. We've shared a lot of those thoughts on this podcast, but we decided to spend …
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Episode 132: Rahm Sells Out and Shohei Defers
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Shohei Ohtani has signed a historic and unconventional contract to play baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Meanwhile, Jon Rahm announced his departure from the PGA Tour for LIV Golf, despite having previously stated that he isn't motivated by money. On today's episode, we discuss: 1:30 - The final College Football Committee Rankings, and if Flor…
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Episode 131: A Series of Unfortunate Mismanagements
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Everton Football Club have been hit with the largest sanctions ever given by the Premier League after they were found liable for mismanagement of funds and inability to retain a proper revenue margin. Their 10-point sanction is the largest points deduction the league has ever given. On today's episode, we discuss: 1:30 - A very brief run through th…
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Episode 130: FIFA Gives Saudi Arabia Soccer's Biggest Prize
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There is no event more prestigious than the World Cup, and the 2034 edition is going to be gifted to Saudi Arabia, as they continue their expansive sportswashing project. On today's episode, we discuss: 7:00 - Jim Harbaugh has been suspended by the Big Ten following evidence that his program was illegally spying on opponents. But we aren't convince…
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Episode 129: Is It Just Me, or do Those Athletes Look Bigger?
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Our eyes are telling us that athletes look bigger, stronger, and faster than they ever have before, and the empirical data backs that up. On today's podcast, we're looking at the growth of the athletic body and how we can contextualize the modern day elite. We discuss: 1:00 - A few additional thoughts about the conflict between Israel and Hamas and…
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Episode 128: Israel at War
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We're doing something a little different on the podcast today. We'll weave a couple sports stories into this discussion, but we are mostly focused on a frank and raw conversation about the state of the war in Israel, our connections to it, and what we can learn from the cultural response to this conflict. As always, make sure to share this episode …
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Episode 127: Taylor Swift Is the NFL's Wildest Dream
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For the past two weeks, Taylor Swift has been in attendance to see the Kansas City Chiefs, and Travis Kelce, play football. Her presence has in many ways dictated not just sports media, but all of culture. We here at Crunching Tackles have been swept up in Taylor-mania as well. This week, we discuss: 2:20 - What in the world is going on with Jimmy …
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Episode 126: 24 for Novak
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The 2023 US Open saw one of the youngest female champions in Grand Slam history, and also one of the oldest mens champions. We recap the entire tournament and look at what the future for Coco Gauff and Novak Djokovic might be. This week, we discuss: 1:45 - Our week 1 takeaways from the NFL season so far. 11:15 - The drama in the Spanish Football Fe…
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Episode 125: A Blind Side Legal Filing
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Michael Oher, the subject of the hit movie The Blind Side, has filed a lawsuit against the Tuohy family who took him in and became the heroes of the film. What is Oher alleging, and how does this taint the beloved film? On this pod, we discuss: 0:45 - John gives a full recollection of seeing Lionel Messi—in person—lift his first trophy on American …
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It was a disappointing outing in the Woman's World Cup for the USA, and we are here to react to the worst result the American ladies have ever suffered in the history of the tournament. On this pod, we discuss: 2:30 - Lionel Messi has continued to dominate in MLS in his first four games for Inter Miami. Is this a huge success for everyone all aroun…
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Episode 123: Barbenheimer + Sports (yes, we do talk about sports still)
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Full disclosure: there is a lot more talk about movies on this episode than there is about sports. But that doesn't mean we don't have a whole lot of important sports content for you as well. This week we discuss: 2:45 - Carlos Alcaraz is the 2023 Wimbledon champion, and we assess whether he is now the best tennis player in the world. Is it time to…
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Episode 122: Elon vs. Mark Fight (in the App Store)
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Elon Musk has led during a tumultuous time at Twitter HQ, and Meta have capitalized on this perceived weakness with their competitor app: Threads. Given the uncertainty around Twitter, we take this opportunity to reflect on how Twitter specifically has shaped the fan sports experience and the way entertainment comes into our lives. We also wonder i…
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Episode 121: Saudi Arabia Bought . . . All of Golf?
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It's been the summer of Saudi Arabia, as the Middle Eastern oil giants continue to buy their way deeper and deeper into the worlds of both soccer and golf. With mostly wins, and one significant loss, the Public Investment Fund of the controversy-riddled country is now a major player in the international sports scene. This week we discuss: 1:36 - A …
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Episode 120: Ja Morant's Troubles Deepen
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Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant will likely face a hefty suspension from the NBA after appearing in a second social media video with a firearm, not even two months after being suspended for the first one. But is that fair? Social media has been ablaze with controversy, and we try to find some answers. 2:30 - We start things off by looking at …
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Episode 119: The Coaching Carousel Goes Round and Round
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14 different managers have been fired in during the Premier League season this year—the most in any season ever. Why are owners and management so impatient with the results of their coaches? Does the high turnover lead to improved play on the field? This week, we discuss: 1:00—Personal news for the podcast 3:30—The first round of the NBA Playoffs i…
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Episode 118: UConn and LSU Reign Supreme
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March Madness is over, and the NCAA men's and women's champions have been crowned. Connecticut has cemented their men's program in the top tier of basketball, and LSU women won their first national championship. This week, we discuss: 4:50—UConn defeated San Diego State in the national championship, winning their fifth title in the past 25 years. W…
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Episode 117: Streaming Wars and Soccer
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Major League Soccer began a major deal with Apple TV this season, meaning that the majority of their games are behind a paywall. This move provoked disappointment for some fans who now view the league as inaccessible to casual supporters. But was this the right move for MLS? This week, we discuss: 3:15—Vanessa Bryant and her family received a $30 m…
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Episode 116: Hot Takes—Good Entertainment or Damaging Incivility?
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Shows like P.T.I., First Take, and Undisputed have dominated cable television for the better part of two decades. Watching celebrities argue about sports is a cherished tradition in sporting culture. But are these shows really just harmless entertainment? Or do they cause serious damage in our society? Why are other parts of culture starting to loo…
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Episode 115: All Hail Chiefs Kingdom
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The Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl Champions ... again! This week, we discuss: 3:30 — How did the Chiefs pull off the victory? What are our expectations going forward for both the Chiefs and the Eagles? And yes, was the holding penalty the right call? 25:15 — Why is Chad upset about the reaction to the Super Bowl Halftime Show, and what did the …
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Episode 114: King James Stands Alone
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Last Tuesday, LeBron James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the player with the most points in NBA history. This momentous achievement gives us the chance to discuss the significance of the record for LeBron, and his complicated relationship with the man he took the record from. This week, we discuss: 2:30 — Is the European Super League back? A…
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Episode 113: The Leaders of the Troops
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In many ways, NFL head coaches operate like military generals. They delegate to subordinates, scheme and create tactical plans, and motivate the players they lead. So who are some of the NFL head coaches that resemble specific generals? This week, we discuss: 1:30 — Tom Brady retired from the NFL again, so we say anything that we want to add from t…
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Episode 112: Why Sports Have a Domestic Violence Crisis
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January has been filled with headlines about domestic violence allegations against prominent sports figures. Why do we keep seeing more stories like this? Do sports have a domestic violence problem? And how should leagues and organizations punish people with these allegations? This week, we discuss: 2:30 — Netflix has released a new show about tenn…
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Episode 111: Damar Hamlin and the Road to Recovery
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Damar Hamlin suffered a severe and scary injury during Monday Night Football. He suffered cardiac arrest and had CPR performed on him. We are examining this story, the reaction, and the wider conversation of player health in football. This week, we discuss: 0:56: BIG STORY — Damar Hamlin's injury was scary in the moment, and in the aftermath the NF…
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Episode 110: Reflecting on Grant Wahl and the World Cup
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On Sunday, France and Argentina will face off in the World Cup Final. The knockout rounds of the tournament were filmed with drama, and controversy, and we look back on the previous week's games, and then project forward to the upcoming final. This week, we discuss: 4:54: Brittany Griner has returned to America as part of a prisoner exchange. We di…
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Episode 109: Bring On the Dutch!
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It wasn't easy, and it certainly wasn't stress-free, but the USA have advanced to the knockout rounds of the World Cup. Chad and John discuss what we can be confident about the team, and where we should be nervous. This week, we discuss: 4:05: The USA navigated their group stage and advanced. We look at the best games, the standout players, and how…
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