The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 3 - Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Episode Date: June 27, 2024

2-time Super Bowl champion Marquez Valdes-Scantling joins the show to talk about joining the Bills and shares some surprising news about Aaron RodgersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On The Look Back at it podcast. In 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me.

I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle grahammed.

Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host, Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor. It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun,

thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of Tontons and Wampas on the ice planet, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith Rule of Two. Listen to stuff to bowl your mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening to The Heard podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to 3 Eastern, 9 a.m. to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd at Fox SportsRedio.com or stream us live every day in the IHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.

You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Back here on the herd, we have a great guest in studio, first time in studio. Oh, boy, here we go. He is gone from Aaron Rogers to Patrick Mahomes, and now he's in Buffalo with Josh Allen. What a charmed life, Marquez Valdez Scanling in the building. How are you, my man? I'm good, man. I'm good.

I'm happy to be here. Excellent. Now, I just learned, you know, we had all these battery of questions ready for him. And then I started talking to him during the commercial break. and I find out he was hanging out with Aaron Rogers yesterday out here in L.A. So obviously, this is breaking news for much of the NFL audience. Tell us about it. Yeah, I mean, I guess.

You know, me and Aaron have been great friends since I've been in Green Bay. I hit him up until I was coming out to L.A., and so let's run some routes. So we got it in and went out to some high school and ran some routes together. So it was good. It was good. Yeah, so all the New York media can stand down. Aaron Rogers is back from Egypt. It's not a secret anymore, and he's hanging out with MVS.

I like the earring, by the way. It's MVS. He's got his own line of stuff, obviously, because he's a star. What do you want to start here? I mean, you go from Rogers to Mahomes, and now to Josh Allen. Like, that is as good as it gets. Yeah, man, I'm grateful. You know, when I came out of college, I was like, man, I don't want to go anywhere cold.

And it ended up in Green Bay. But I think that was the biggest blessing that I had. You know, obviously my four years there were great. I got to learn from, you know, one of the best receivers to ever play this game in Devante Adams. And then being able to learn undergis like Randall Cobb was huge. And obviously, playing with Aaron, man. You know, those are one of those situations that, you know, you dream of as a kid. You know, I grew up watching these guys play, you know, on Sunday night football.

And, you know, walk into the locker room. And my first day I see Aaron, Cobb, and Devonte, you know, sitting at a table. and Aaron calls me over, you know, and called me by my name, you know. So that was one of those moments that I'll never forget and told me how much he, you know, admired my play and said I can help this team, you know. So those are probably a moment that he doesn't even remember. But, you know, that was one of the things that just will stick with me forever. Yeah, so you had a great run, obviously, with the Packers.

Then you go to the Chiefs, and it's like, oh, who just win a Super Bowl. Tell me how, first of all, Rogers and Mahomes are different off the field and then in the huddle. Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, they're just. two different types of leaders. Pat's a lot more vocal, you know, rally the team. You know, Aaron's more, you know, right in your face, you know, talk to you, right in your face opposed to the whole team. He goes to each individual,

and Pat addresses the whole team. But they're both great at what they do. You know, they lead in different ways. They're both super competitive. I think that's, you know, one of those things that between those two guys, you know, that's the biggest similarity into them. You know, obviously, the armed child and what they can do off schedule and the throw that they can make. But just the competitiveness that they both have, you know, I was grateful to have those two guys as my first two quarterbacks.

I'm sure the numbers say one thing for deep ball accuracy, but for your money, Rogers or Mahomes, who was the better deep ball thrower for you? Man, I don't know. I think, you know, I think they both had different skill sets when it came to it. You know, obviously I got Aaron in year, you know, 17. Yes. had in year six. You know, so, you know, obviously, you know, Pat had the stronger arm, you know, when it came to it. But, you know, Aaron was just so pinpoint with everything that he did, you know.

So I think that the skill sets were just so different. But those two guys, man, it was great to be a part of that. Walk me through the Super Bowl against the Niners. I had 49ers winning. If 49ers were in total control, it felt like, to me at least. But I'm just curious, tell me about halftime. because it seemed like you guys were kind of in trouble, especially third quarter, Mahomes throws the pick,

and it's like, oh, here we go. But at halftime, was there any concern at all, or has it been here? No, man, I think, you know, the great teams that, you know, battled through adversity all year, it was no flinch out of us. You know, I knew that, you know, and we knew that we deserved to be there. We knew that we just had to settle down and just play our game of football. And, you know, obviously we had been through ups and downs all year. and, you know, it was no different than the Super Bowl.

And so that kind of prepared us, you know, for those moments and to never ever have to flinch. Coach Reed does a great job just preparing guys for all the situations and never be blindsided by the moment. And so I'm forever grateful that I had a coach like that to kind of prepare the team in that manner. And, you know, it showed in the Super Bowl, showed the last two Super Bowls. You caught a touchdown pass, obviously. Just an incredible comeback and victory for the Chiefs. I don't know. Take me through like the fourth quarter in overtime.

Man, it was a crazy thing, man, because obviously, you know, we have to go down to tie that game on the last quarter right before it ends. And then to go and watch them get the ball first. And, you know, they decided to say, hey, we'll take it first and leave us to figure it out after. And then, you know, we just went and drove that field and won the game. I was, you know, part of a couple of those calls to, you know, get us some first downs and, you know, making some plays to help us get in that position. So it was a great experience, man. Well, is that, would you say to date, highlight of your career? No, man, you know, obviously, I think, you know, scoring the Super Bowl, a lot of guys can't say that they did that.

But, you know, there's been, you know, monumental moments, you know, a part of our career, you know, even the struggles, you know, even the drop versus Philly in the season. And I think that was, you know, a big moment for me just to say, hey, man, you can still do this, you know, and shake back. You know, so I think, you know, that was a big moment for me just to say, hey, man, people are still going to count on you. Oh, so let's go back to that, the drop. If memory serves, it was like over, right around like the, was it in the end zone? Yeah, right. That's right. That's right.

I remember two yard line or something like that. You know, it was a third down, I think a couple seconds left in the game. You know, it was raining. You know, we got, you know, it was supposed to not rain that the whole day and we ended up getting rain at the end up. entire game. You know, and then, you know, obviously that was a rematch from the Super Bowl the year before. And, you know, they counted on the media go make that play, and I didn't. But, you know, I was able to kind of battle through that, man, and get through, you know, those

sorrows and keep going, man. You know, I've never wavered. You know, my faith always stayed high. You know, I believed in myself. My confidence never kind of dropped down. I know I can go make a play. And then throughout the rest of the season, I just kept making those plays when they needed me. I got to say, that's pretty cool.

You brought that up. There's some people who don't want to talk about their lows. You brought that up, or I wasn't going to ask about it. Yeah, no, it's cool, man. It's all a part of my story, man. No, I'll never rhyme from it. You know, it made me know who I am today. You know, I battled through way worse things.

We know some athletes these days have the rabbit ears. Like, for instance, Kevin Duran and the NBA, like you'll say something about them online. He'll come and find you and DM you and get all of it. In the NFL, a little less so, but there's some of that. There's some punching back. How are you handling social media? after like a game like the Eagles game. Man, it don't bother me, man.

I'm from the top side of St. Petersburg, Florida, man. I've seen way worse things in real life. You know, so anybody behind the camera or, you know, have behind their phone to say whatever they got to say, you know, to make themselves feel better from their mom's basement or, you know, their work off its internet. It's cool, man. You know, I love the passion that you know, fans have.

But, you know, we are still people, you know, but at the end of the day, man, it don't bother me. Have you had any teammates who you've seen struggle? with it. Listen, I've worked with people who they can't handle it when people are bombarding them. What do you say to them? You know, we know what we do in real life. You know, the work

that we put in in real life, you know, in this building, you know, wherever that building is, whether it's Green Bay, Kansas City, Buffalo, you know, the adversity that you had to battle to get to where you are today. None of us fans will never understand that. You know, so those are the things that you kind of just got to remember,

you know, and these people don't know what you really went through, you know, to how to Get where you are now. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the IHeart Radio app. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque.

Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win.

A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined.

And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast.

It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me, or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok.

Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English.

Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence.

I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking. Trip Fontaine, Ryan Clark.

Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth. Are you a good person because you're afraid?

Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast.

Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of tauntons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'll ask about the Buffalo Bills. And again, like, I got to be careful how I framed this, because, you know, earlier we were

talking about Brandon Iuke and some of the stuff he's doing on social media. I know people don't like the word diva, but like Stefan Diggs has went through a lot in Buffalo. And they kind of moved on from him and now they bring you in. And you guys aren't the same receiver, but it's almost like a breath of fresh air. Look at how calm you are, bringing up big drops. Like, that's pretty cool. I guess how do you walk into a locker room knowing you're kind of replay? I know Gabe Davis is gone too, but like you're now one of the guy.

You know, man, it's, I never really look at it like that, man, because I went through the same thing. when I went to Kansas City and Tyree Kill left. That's right. You know, so I just come in there and be myself. You know, whatever that version of myself is that's needed for the team to help them win, you know, that's what it is. I've never really tried to say, oh, yeah, I want to come in and replace the guy. You know, I think one of the best things that I ever learned from Devante was just come in

and be yourself. You know, don't try to come in and emulate me. Don't try to come in and emulate Cobb. You know, Larry Fitzgerald, my favorite receiver growing up. Don't try to be that guy. Just be yourself because that's what got you here. And so just going in and being myself is the goal. Man, it's never about, you know, what anybody else did before me or after me.

And, man, it's just all about, you know, who I am and be the best version of myself. It wasn't on the question list, but is Sauce Gardner the best corner back in the NFL? Because you're going to be going up against him twice this season. No, man. I think, I think Sneed is the best corner. Really? Just being, you know, with him for two years and just watching play, man. I think that he just has a very unique skill set, you know, that,

a lot of guys just don't have. The physical nature? Yeah, man. And just his intelligence. You know, I'm excited to see what he does, you know, in Tennessee. But I think he's one of the best corners in the league, man. I'll ask, last question is you played the dolphins in the coldest game, I think, in like, NFL playoff history. Go ahead.

Tell him. Yeah, man. Were you one of those guys going out shirtless before the game or no? Nah, man. You know, I'm a Florida boy. So I'm trying to stay inside as long as I can until this kickoff time. but you know it's uh it was definitely inhumane for us to be out there man it was it was cold but you know obviously it was it was cold for them too you know we lived in it in kansas city so

we had a bit of advantage there but yeah it was it was brutal but you know we we got it over quick and we went on a nice little run to you know go on the road and beat buffalo and then go and beat the ravens you know then ultimately win another super bowl amazing playoff run Congrats. Marquez, Valdez, Galing. Great stuff. Let's go to Alex Curry with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Marquez, I just have to say, what a rad outlook on life that you have. Like, thank you for sharing that perspective. Because we don't get that a lot from athletes and to just feel that and see that that you are also motivated by the lows. Like that's, that's great. Thank you for sharing. Of course. That was awesome. Yeah, I appreciate that.

Okay. Now let's get to the NFC East. The commanders have a whole new regime. in place with a new ownership, new head coach, and Dan Quinn, and a franchise quarterback and Jaden Daniels. Now, the rookie has gotten a lot of praise coming out of camp, and the latest comes from another newcomer in running back, Austin Echler. He's an absolute stud out there slinging it. I love his leadership that he's shown early on. You know, he's texting me about routes. He's calling me out in practice. Hey, Ech, this is what we need to do on this, or what did you see on this choice route? And so he's got all of the the right stuff that I love to see from a quarterback that he's been bringing out in the first

couple weeks that I've met him. And so I'm looking forward to his growth. And we have a lot of veterans, you know, like you mentioned, that we brought in to help set the culture. I mean, I hope this is a turning point for Washington, but this is what you want to hear, right? Like from a veteran in the league,

but again, you're coming to a new team with new ownership, a new coach, a new GM, playing under a new offensive coordinator in Cliff Kingsbury. So like, there's a lot of, there's a lot of new here. And you just hope that a guy like, Hayden Daniels, whose Heisman trophy winner, can come in and they can figure something out right away.

Because you're also not, you're not in a necessarily easy division in the NFC East. Yes, Dallas, there's some questions, what's going to happen with DAC and Citi and Michael Parsons, Eagles. Can they bounce back after kind of falling off of a cliff at the end of last season? Giants losing Sequel and Barclay. So there is an opportunity to kind of do something, but like is it all going to come together with so much new? Yeah, I don't know. It almost feels like they should have gone after Montquez-Veldes Scanling, right, to add to the receiver group.

I mean, what? I mean, geez. Yeah. What an outlook. I'm not as bullish on Washington. Cowherd loves them. Yeah. Sounds like you kind of are all in on Daniels.

I'm not all in, but there's hope. Like, it feels like there's hope. Like, everything that you've heard about Jayden Daniels from former teammates or just coaches that have played from him is just like how great and good and ready he is. It's just you never know. This is something that, like, again, new coach, new GM, new system, new offensive coordinator, new quarterback. It's so much new.

We don't really have anything to base it off of right now. So it's going to be interesting. What are your expectations for... Six or seven wins, and we'll see. I don't know if he's the guy. I don't. Whoa. We'll see.

It's early. It's early. All right. Well, let's move to a team that does know that they have the guy. The Jaguars had a lot of promise heading into last season, starting eight and three. and looking like one of the teams to beat in the AFC, but their season ended with a 1-5 finish that cost them the division title

and a playoff spot, which their owner called an organizational failure, which is interesting to come out right after you give your quarterback the biggest contract in NFL history, but then say the end of the season going 1 and 5 was an organizational failure? I don't know.

Lawrence was kind of dinged up. He was not 100%. This is true. But at some point, somebody's got to, usually there's got to be a fall guy when you collapse like that, especially after making the playoffs

the year before. Yeah. It's going to be interesting. Trevor Lawrence and his wife just recently, I think it was today, announced that they're pregnant with their first child.

So now he's got a little extra to play for, not only trying to bounce back from the end of last season, prove and now go out and earn and deserve this biggest contract in NFL history. And then now you have a baby on the way.

Did they say how many weeks or months they are or no? I only asked that. Yeah, it looked fairly, it was on Instagram. It looked fairly new. So let's just say three months in, Alex. Yeah, they're fine. They're going to have help. They're going to have a night nurse.

No, no, no, no. I'm talking about like if there's a big week 17 game and his wife goes into labor, Saturday night before week 17, like, is Trevor Lawrence missing the game? I don't think you can. Of course you can miss the game. Jason Kelsey's wife, Kylie, was like

at the Super Bowl, like, possibly going into labor there and they had a full plan in place with the doctor traveling with them at all times. But no, you can't miss it if you're in the game in that moment. Day before, day after, yeah, it's tough. No, no, wait a minute.

Alex, if his wife's, you want to be in the room with the wife. Who cares about week 17? Now, it's obviously not great for the Jags. Yeah. But you got to be there with the wife. There's, you only, come on. He's very religious. I, I'll go ahead. I'm on record. I predict Lawrence will skip a game if his wife's giving birth on that Sunday. Now we're stepping steps ahead.

If it's a game that, like, determines if you get into the postseason? So what? It's one game. He's going to play in 200 in his career. But if it, if it's a game like on the line to terminate, I don't know. Again, like this is, this is a personal choice. Yes, yes. Yeah. Congratulations. This is awesome. But yeah, a lot to prove and a lot to play for.

Yeah, it's going to be interesting. Let's switch gears to Major League Baseball, where Shohei Otani has been absolutely crushing the baseball and on the hunt for the league's first triple crown since Miguel Cabrera in 2012. And with All-Star weekend coming up next month, Shohei told reporters yesterday that although he hasn't been approached about it, he wants to take part in the home run derby,

but also mentioned his ongoing recovery from Tommy John surgery, might be a potential holdup. Now, this would be great for the Home Run Derby. Of course. But Shoah Tani is going to be at the All-Star Game anyway. Like, he's going to be there as a DH. And I know we haven't seen, we don't always see the top players participating in the home run derby.

Take his former teammate Mike Trout had been asked numerous times when he was the best player in the game, always declined. Now, there is this notion that a lot of players feel like if they are in the Home Run Derby, it ruins their swing towards the second half of the season because you're going up there, yes, it's kind of like batting practice, but in batting practice, you're hitting a ground ball, hitting a fly ball, then hitting a home run. This is like 100% power trying to hit it out of the ballpark every single time for however many rounds you make it through.

And so with Shohei Otani, he is recovering from his elbow surgery and he's still in the build up recovery process. So if there is anything that could affect that. I don't think he would do it, but Shohei Otani will know what's best for his body. This is what he's done his entire career in Major League Baseball to become a two-time unanimous ALMVP as a two-way player. He knows his body if it's not going to be the best situation for him and his team to continue winning and get to the postseason and win a World Series, that is his ultimate goal.

He's not going to do it. He's going to listen to his body. But also, like, this could be really fun, like seeing... Seeing Shohei Otani just hit dinger after dinger, that would be awesome. Well said. I think I'm with you. Sit it out. Don't force it.

You know, bigger fish to fry. Alex Curry with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lie News. All right, is tonight must win for USA against Panama. Alexi Lalas will tell us next. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific.

On Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the I Hard Radio app. Hey, what's up everybody? It's me, three-time Pro Bowl of LeVar Arrington, and I couldn't be more excited to announce a podcast called Up On Game. What is Up on Game, you ask? Along with my fellow Pro Bowler, T.J. Hushman Zada and Super Bowl champion. Yep, that's right, Plexico Burris. You can only name a show with that type of talent on it. Up on Game. We're going to be sharing our real-life experiences loaded with teachable moments. Listen to Up. on game with me, LeVar Ayrington, T.J. Hushmanzada, and Plexicoke Burris on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast from. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds.

I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined.

And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment.

And the next, we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream,

this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people.

I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill,

waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you finishing that sentence. Yes.

I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests.

I'm talking. Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch.

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learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the hard way and listen now. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of tauntons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Anytime I've hosted, or I will be hosting this summer, I have requested, we got to bring

this guy in. He's so good on soccer. He's polarizing. He fires people up. Alexei Wallace, the legendary USA soccer defender. I would say the best soccer defender that we've ever had in this country. I don't know if you would say that. Oh, no, I would concur, absolutely. I mean, it's pretty obvious. Two of my favorite people here. This is awesome.

What a way to start a wonderful day of celebrating the greatest country in the world, America, especially through the eyes of soccer, U.S. versus Panama today in the Copa America as we continue on. So bring it on and off the field, a celebration of America. Yes. I love the fire. He is excited. And listen, this is a must-win game tonight. That's not saying too much.

It's must-win, Alexi. Yeah, I mean, so for those that maybe haven't been following, Cope America is happening this summer. This is a huge tournament. So last time this U.S. team is going to be in a tournament where they are going to face opposition that is better than them before the 26th World Cup. Obviously, so this is kind of a prelude. This U.S. team right now came out in the group stage, won their first game against Bolivia.

But let's be honest, Bolivia is not a good team. now it's up a notch here today when we play against Panama. And yes, it's a must-win game in that if they win it, for all intents of purposes, they go on. And they also don't want to leave it late to the third game because it's up a whole other notch when it comes to Uruguay, which is a very, very good team. And if you have to get points,

if you have to win against Uruguay, that could be problematic. Yeah, now I don't want to go overboard and get too much into Burrhalter. Sure. But some of the stuff, critical against Bolivia, I saw you were critical and obviously doing a great job on your podcast. I'm just curious. The lineup looks good.

Probably no changes tonight, right? Yeah, I don't think that, I mean, you won two zero. You probably could have won five zero against Poland, against Bolivia. And I don't think that there's going to be a lot of changes, and I don't think that there should. So one of the big questions is up top for the striker position, and it is just this vacancy,

and nobody has grabbed hold of it with both hands. Flo Balligan scored in the first game. That's what you want. Didn't have a great game, but scored. That's the most important thing. so I think you roll that back and continue it on. Christian Polisic, Captain America, I think he's playing some of his best soccer right now. I think he's matured.

I think there's a grit that has arisen in his game, which I think is good, and also kind of just a fearlessness in terms of taking players on. He scored early on. You can see here, a corner kick here, but more importantly, I don't think that he, I think he's matured. I guess I'm using a lot of words to say that this is a player that is matured and potentially could become what a lot of people, when he first burst on the scene,

scene wanted him to become was this iconic type of American player and potentially the best player in American history. And he's become a leader on and off the field, soft-spoken leader, but he's also doing a lot of leadership in terms of what he's doing on the field. You know, you use the word grit for Pulisic.

I do wonder, some of our staffers in the morning meeting were like, this team, I don't want to use the word soft, but they don't have that gritty underdog vibe that they used to have, where they were the plucky upstart who's going to fight hard and battle. I don't know where I'm going with this, but is there a little softening to the U.S. approach? Okay, so first off, we have played the underdog role to a T.

It suits us, to be honest, it's easier at times when you often have nothing to lose, and over the decades, we have used that to our advantage. We all know that going from the underdog to the favorite and making that transition, even though it's only this much space, it's oftentimes the most difficult thing to do. What I am concerned, I think what you're hitting on here, is this pendulum that has swung, and yes, we were gritty and we were, in a sense, raw. I don't know if that's the right word, but raw in the way we went about doing things, but it was practical, and it was pragmatic in the way that we played for a long time.

And it was, dare I say, American, and that's not a pejorative. That is a good thing. So as the pendulum has swung, we have tried to become more evolved and progressive and romantic in the way that we play, I just hope that we don't leave all of that behind. And I think that there's a good type of balance that we can have where we can take the great stuff from the past, but also some of the talent that we have. And yes, at times, become more expansive.

And yes, at times, have more of the ball. And yes, at times, you know, be more proactive and putting pressure on the other team, without losing that unique Americanness, if that's even a word, that has gotten us where we are. And I do think is a good thing to lean into going forward. Before we get to the Euros, I got to ask Brazil laid a massive egg

this week. It kind of can show you anything can happen in Copa. So I'm going to put you on the spot score prediction. USA Panama. Oh yeah. I think we beat Panama. I think we beat them comfortably. There is, you know, because this is a team that we face in our region, which is Conca Calf, familiarity breeds contempt, yes, but familiarity also breeds familiarity. And so I think this Panama team will recognize that they are not as good at the U.S., but they will not fear us. and I think that there is a level of confidence that comes from having seen exactly what we are. There are no surprises when it comes to the U.S. relative to Panama. And not to go back to last year's Gold Cup game last July, I believe.

We lost in PKs, but it was not to be a pejorative, but it was kind of our B team, right? Fair to say? So we don't need to take anything away from that. No, no. And I think there's a lot of players that didn't play in that game in that tournament that are licking their chops saying, all right, let's fix this right now. And let's also be honest, this is Copa America. And for those that maybe I don't understand Copa America,

there's the World Cup, and then there's all the regions around the world that they have their own kind of World Cups. Comnable is a South American region. All right? So this is the championship of South America that it's actually being hosted in the United States with guests like the United States, like Panama,

making up a bigger tournament. So by the end of this tournament, if the U.S. were to win this tournament, they would be crowned champions of South America. that would be awesome. Yes, yes, very awesome. All right. And let's get to the Euros.

You had one of the best takes I've seen. I'm on some text thread with soccer dads, and everybody saw, is Portugal better without Ronaldo? And that's a spice. I think I might have even commented to you online. Like, that's an awesome take, because that's what we do, takes.

But there's some truth to that, right? Because they've got a great young foundation. And Ronaldo, I'll let you say it. No, but I think, you know, you guys talk about soccer and sports every single day. And we all know that the dynamic within a lot of locker room, the dynamic between coaches and players, especially big-name players, famous players, iconic players sometimes.

Roberto Martinez is the coach of this Portugal team, and he's got Cristiano Ronaldo here, and he brought him. When he took over, nobody would have begrudged him saying, you know what, it's over. You're a legend right off into the sunset, but we're going in a different direction. But he said, no, we are going to have you, not only we're going to have you, but we're going to start you on a consistent basis. And so every manager, every coach out there will tell you that they are, you know, they're your priest and then your psychologist, you know, and they are at times your parents. And so I'm fascinated by what the dynamic is between this iconic player who wants to play every single game, who still feels that he is the best, and in many instances does incredible things.

But are there players around that are saying, God, we got to keep going, we have to say how much we love him. and if he was not necessarily on the field, we could be so much better as a group and addition by subtract, subtraction, but there's no way they can possibly say that in public because this is Cristiano Ronaldo. And so I'll be looking forward to seeing what Portugal looks like in the future,

because it's not going to happen this tournament, with a Cristiano Ronaldo less Portugal team. It's a great pub talking point. Sure. I didn't say bars at pub. Speaking of pubs, England has not looked amazing. I was talking with Sturridge about this and like, I don't know, what's your level of concern with that national team?

So first off, thank you, England, because you provide more content than anybody out there. You know, I came on air with the Copa America and I said something that I've said many times before and people lost there, you know what, especially around the world when I compared them to the Dallas Cowboys. Yes. In that as many people love them as hate them, but everybody tunes in and wants to see. And there's Chaden Freud and all the stuff that surrounds them. And even internally when it comes to England and there, press, they're just constantly critical of what's going on. And I think that it's warranted right now

because I don't think that this team believes that they are the elites that they make them out to be. It doesn't mean that they can't win right now, but there's a lot of concerns that, again, this is a wonderful group of talented individuals, but not necessarily a good team. Yeah, so your favorite here with, I'm assuming Spain, they've looked incredible. Germany, the host nation. While it hasn't been a couple of good cycles for them. Germany hosting, they rise to the occasion. Everybody, you know, jumps on board in Germany right now. The crowds are incredible. So, you know, that would be Germany and Spain right now are at the top of my list there. We're seeing teams like Turkey, by the way, which is

formerly known as Turkey. Turkey A, which is doing some amazing things going forward, Austria. So there can be some dark horses. So Georgia is a total shocker. Yeah. I knew nothing about their, their program. Is there a Georgia in Copa America potentially? La Vino Tinto, which are Venezuela. They have already secured passage into the knockout rounds, and they are sitting pretty actually in qualifying for 2026 in fourth place. This is a team that's never qualified for the World Cup.

So I think a lot of people are looking at them as not just an interesting story and a possibly successful story for this summer in Copa America, but also going forward into 2026. All right. Alexi Lala's great stuff. Hey, listen, man. You're fired up. I love it. I'm fired up. Big Day for America on and off the soccer field, right?

Lots of debate going on. You're talking about the NBA drafted? Yeah, of course. Bring it on. Alexei Lala's always firing up the crowd. And listen, man, you're 94 team. One of my favorite sports teams of all time. Oh, cool.

There's a lot of hair ago. Yeah, watching the World Cup. I mean, listen, man, that was a seminal moment in this country for soccer. We had a good time. You know, it warms the cockles of my red-headed American heart to see how far we have come on and off. to soccer field. So onward and upward as we get into this summer and continue on into 2026 because the men's World Cup is coming at 2026 and it is going to be awesome. Can't wait.

Great stuff. Alexi Lala. Obviously tune in USA Panama on Fox tonight for Jason, Alex, have a great night in sports. Talk to you tomorrow. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and headwriter, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes.

Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 is big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English.

Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it, with our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. It was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged.

It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardweight with your favorite therapist and host Kier Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of tontons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith Rule of Two. Listen to Stuff to Bole Your Mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts,

or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. guaranteed human.