The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Herd - Hour 3 - A former player's perspective

Episode Date: January 3, 2023

3 time Super Bowl Champion Mark Schlereth joins the show to give a former player's perspective on Damar Hamlin    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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iHeart Radio app by searching Heard. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Updating you throughout the course of the day on Damar Hamlin, we thought a player perspective could be added today. He's got three Super Bowl rings, a multiple-time pro-bowler, a member of the Fox Sports family. So go back to your career. You know, your lineman age generally poorly. You guys have to have more weight. The collisions are nonstop.

There's a lot of some head trauma. these days receivers tend to be a bit more protected quarterback's a bit more protected but you spent you know Mark God you spent 15 years in that tunnel you know go back to it when you watched that last night did you ever have did you ever have one of those moments where somebody laid on the field that you knew or didn't know

because for me for somebody that's never played I mean I was sick to my stomach I can't imagine being a form of player, what did it take you? Yeah, well, I think as a former player, as a player, you're used to, you know, moving the drill and having injuries and fairly severe injuries that, you know, happen on a football field. There's 100% likelihood that you're going to get injured if you're on a football field, and we all know the consequences that, you know, that are very severe of playing this game

that we love. And so we all understand that as we go in. Watching that, that was surreal. That was a different level. And, you know, I've been on the football field when guys have been injured. And like I said, we've moved the drill. We had a severe neck injury in training camp where the ambulance came on to the football field and we just moved our goal line drill to the other goal line.

So you're fairly desensitized to some of that stuff. But yesterday and last night, that was a different story. They knew the severity of what was going on. And, you know, ultimately, Colin is terrible as it seemed. I've talked on my radio show this morning. I've talked to several other people. It's probably the best place in the world that it could have happened because you're not talking about having medical professionals there within minutes.

You're talking about within seconds being treated. And that, quite frankly, could and hopefully did. saved that young man's life. But yeah, it's devastating. And like I said, you know, there's a love and there's a passion. And I talk about this all the time. It's the lifeblood that courses through my veins. And it's something that has afforded me this incredible opportunity. And I think oftentimes when tragedies hit us as people, we sit back and say, why me? And my perspective last night was why me from the standpoint of why am I the guy

that was chosen to be blessed and why are all of us, you know, not suffering some of those tragic consequences. So I think it does lend perspective. And obviously there was, at that point, I don't think there's any way you can go back to playing that football game so I thought the right

decision was made. I wasn't mad that it took a while for it to be made because I think the concern was for that player and what was going on and the procedures that they were going through. So, you know, I commend the NFL. I commend the medical professionals that were there.

I commend every player, man, woman, child that were on that field, you know, watching that thing happen, all the people in the stands. Because, you know, the gravity of the situation was obviously very serious. You're in a unique spot where you played for a couple of teams in a very physical position, and now you're a broadcaster, and you also are a regular visitor to Broncos practice or NFL practices. And I've said my, I can remember Mark years ago, I was in San Francisco watching UFC at the very beginning of it. There was eye gouging.

And I remember telling a friend, I'm like, no advertiser is going to be on this. And they cleaned it up. And now it's very popular, although still regulated levels of violence. So in the NFL, it does appear to me when I watch. I don't go to practice regularly, but it does appear to be a safer game. Then they put on a 17th game. then they do Thursday night football. So I'm like, boy, you're sending mixed messages to guys.

You know, be safe, but here's more, here are more hits. As a former player that goes to practice today, do you think the league is safer and doing enough? Yeah, they are much safer than they were. And obviously, the amount of collisions and the things that we did even in my time compared to the way things are operated today are completely different. So they have made a conscious effort to clean that stuff up. And players have much more of a voice than they did during my time. And obviously the league has a much deeper concern from the standpoint of they have more knowledge about concussions and some of the other things that, you know, that derail careers and derail lives for that matter.

So they're very conscientious about that. And I'll give them a lot of credit for that. That said, yeah, there are mixed messages. This is still an entertainment for profit organization. And every one of us that signs up for understands that that's the life we signed up for. And listen, people ask me all the time. You know, I had 29 surgeries during the course of my career. I had 20 knee surgeries.

I had seven elbow surgeries. I had a back surgery. I had a kidney surgery over the course of my career. I had a surgery on a Sunday night at 1 o'clock in the morning, check myself out of the hospital and played Monday night the next day. That's what we do because we're passionate about what we do and we understand the consequences of what we do. And I would do it all over again without even hesitation, without even thinking about it. So I heard Ryan Clark say this last night and Ryan Clark did a phenomenal job on television.

But he said, you know, that young man started that day, there was no place he'd rather be than right there on that football field in the biggest game of his life. And I believe that to be true. And so that's where DeMarre wanted to be. That's what he's trained his whole life for. That's what he's worked his whole life for. And like I said, I think we all understand the consequences. I don't think we ever really think about or try to put out of our minds the potential of death or the potential of paralyization. But we all know that's a reality of the game we play.

And so, again, I'm just thankful right now that, that the people that were involved, you know, had the wherewithal and the alacrity to get to him and basically treat him. And hopefully, you know, hopefully he comes out of this. Okay. You know, here's where I defended the league, and I work at Fox, obviously, and the NFL's a real big deal here. So I know I can get criticism for saying this, but this is where I defended the league. is that sometimes you'll see Mark in a natural disaster or a crisis. The president calls a governor, who calls a mayor, who calls the head of the National Guard, who talks to the men and women on the ground, is that you don't have all the information.

And it didn't bother me that the coaches next to their players, hearing their dialogue, were the ones that huddled with the officials and said, hey, we're not, this isn't going to to work here. Some people in the media were saying you've got to cancel it immediately, but it's like, you know, the precincts got to check in. Like this stuff, crisis, you can plan all you want for crisis, then it happens, and then all of a sudden you're not prepared for it. That didn't bother me the coaches making the call up instead of the information coming down. Did it bother you a little bit that there should be protocols in place for that stuff? Yeah, I don't know. So the protocols in place are NFL teams train for these type of scenarios.

The medical professionals at those games trained for these type of scenarios in the offseason. They work at this and they are as good as it gets when it comes to treating these, you know, just horrific injuries that happen in the National Football League, but also a situation like this. So that's what they're trained for. I don't look at the NFL and say, hey, let's train for the, you know, let's train for something that, you know, frankly, and I heard Peter King on your show earlier, that collision happens 200 times a weekend. I mean, it's just one of these freak accidents that happen. And I don't think until you get all the information and you take your time during the process and you talk to the coaches and you talk to the players and where are we at and what are you guys thinking? and what is the latest on, on tomorrow and on and on it goes,

I just don't think you make any snapp a decision. That's not going to help anything. So, I mean, so what? So they call it within five minutes. Do you feel better? The same, the kid is still, you know, the kid's still fighting for his life. I just, I think you wait until all the information is in. You talk to the principles that are there, where they're at, what they're thinking about.

And you wait to get all the information. The other thing is, man, you're just waiting to see hopefully that, you know, tomorrow is fine. He's going to be okay. Normally we're used to seeing guys get hurt, you know, giving us a thumbs up and all that kind of stuff. I just think you took your time. And I don't think there's anything wrong in a critical situation of being a critical

thinker. And it takes time to be a critical thinker. You've got to put all the scenarios together. So I'm not going to look at the NFL and bash the NFL for taking its time to make a decision to, they made the right decision. Isn't that what matters? This may feel pithy today, but I'd be, I want to ask you one Bronco question. There are reports that Harbaugh has been offered $20 million and that they're going to go get a veteran star coach. I think it's probably the right move. Somebody with experience, Harbaugh was very good in the NFL and Sean Payton has been better.

what do you make of that search? What do you think transpires here over the next six to eight weeks? Well, yeah, the Broncos, I mean, they're going to be in that search. And of course, as I like to call their ownership group ownership deep pockets because they got more money than anybody else than the national football league. So they'll do a thorough search. They still have to do the, you know, comply with the Rooney Rule, which is at least two out of, you know, out of the organization.

minority candidates, so they still have to put that search into place. But as far as Jim Harbaugh is concerned, and I talked to Brock Heuer, our colleague on college football this morning, and he said one thing that resonated with me. Everywhere that Jim Harbaugh has gone, he's built a bully. He understands how to build an NFL franchise from the inside out. And that's one thing that I believe, not only this. franchise needs, but I believe that Russell Wilson needs to put him back in a system, to put him back in an organization that operated like the organization he was in for 10 years in Seattle.

And that's one thing that Jim has always been able to do in everywhere that he's been, whether it's the University of San Diego, whether it was at Stanford, whether it was San Francisco early, or now here in Michigan, he's been able to build that bully. So he would be the guy that would make a lot of sense. I think the other thing you have to think about when you talk about Sean Payton, our colleague here at Fox, is Sean is you're going to be required to compensate the New Orleans Saints. You gave a lot of your draft capital away when you signed Russell Wilson. So I don't know what that does in regards to what they're going to be looking for for Sean Payton. But I don't know if that, you know, if that eliminates the Broncos from that potential Canada.

Yeah, they're already a little shy on draft capital next year. Mark Schlarith, as always, Fox Sports. Appreciate your insight, buddy, on a tough day. Yeah, absolutely. My pleasure. All right, Mark Schlarth, good guy. 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, 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 which I'm 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 Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. 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 taun-tons 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. Um, J-Mack, with the news. No, no, no, no, turn on a news. This is the herd-line news. Go to Detroit where the Lions are still in the playoff mix heading into the final week of the season. Boy, that's good for that fan base. Dan Campbell's guys need some help. First of all, they need Seattle to lose to the Rams.

And that game earlier, Rams Seahawks a few weeks back was very close. Where's the game? What is the game? It's in Seattle. All right. I don't know that it matters. They just lost the linebacker for the season, Jordan Brooks, to an ACL. But, you know, if Detroit does lose.

I'm sorry, if Seattle loses, Detroit has a chance to win at a year. You just have to beat the Packers at Lambo. Sunday night football, expected temperatures, high teams, low 20s. That feels Jared Goff splits. Cold weather, road, all the splits. He's not good under 30 degrees. It's not good on the road. And this is the coldest place.

And anytime I put that on social media, Lions fans are quick to remind me that Jared Goff has played well in outdoor games this season. None will be the Arctic blast that he's going to be facing at Lambo. All that being said, Campbell is excited to be in this position. Do you feel this team deserves to be on Sunday night football? What are you saying? You do?

I do too. I do too. So that's not up for me to decide, you know. But, you know, I know we'll put up a hell of a fight one way or another. Would you rather have that than the two four, class of four 25? Listen, I just, I don't care. I just want to play. You know, so it's coming and it'll be down the wire and they'll be there, we'll be there,

and it's going to be fun. It's going to be an exciting game. Listen, Detroit being in this spot to win and go to the playoffs potentially, what a leap for the franchise. That whole Stafford thing this year, they're better than the Rams. Oh, by far. So, I mean, it looked like at the time the Rams made off with Stafford, but they gave up some first round picks. I think if I could be wrong, I think the lines have two first and two second.

And they've shown a real ability the last couple of years to drafts. They're going to have four potential starters in the draft if they hit on them. They got a good team, man. And shout out to Dan Campbell for that hat. Did you see it? Grit. There is a book on grit. Came out many years ago. I read it. I have it on my bookshelf. If you want to borrow it, you know, for some leisure reading. It's a good book. I could use a little. Grit and perseverance. Stuff is important. All right. What are we doing here next? Let's see. Oh, geez, do we have to talk about the New York Jets? Oh, boy.

Listen, we talked about them a lot this fall, Colin. And rightfully so, they were good for a few minutes. But, you know, things kind of faded behind Zach Wilson struggling. Of course, there have been rumors that the Jets are moving on from him. Yeah. It's only been two years. However, Ian Rappaport of the NFL network says that the Jets will not be shopping. What does that mean?

So he's on the roster or they'll cut him? Listen, this is all, you know, they're, The Jets are playing games here. We're not shopping, Zach Wilson. Of course, they're going to take a call if somebody calls about Zach Wilson. If somebody gave you a six-round pick for him, take it. But who's calling about Zach Wilson? Well, I don't know.

Again, when you're a number two pick in the draft, you get a second team. Somebody is going to roll the die because somebody will say to themselves, well, the Jets have a defensive coach. It's a bad old line. You know, people talk themselves into. We saw Josh Rosen. Remember, he was like a tempo roll pick. I don't know.

He was this year. everybody gets a second chance, a third chance. Zach Wilson's very young. You know, Jay Glazer said Wilson was on his way out. I think we can agree. He's not going to be back next year.

Zach Wilson with the Jets. Maybe they're trying to get some leverage on a trade here. Again, Colin, they've got to move on from Zach Wilson. I don't know if, like, if you see him in training camp with the Jets, I think people are going to be a little bit upset. It's like Mike White seems like a safer backup. I don't know what the... But I will say that that clunker on Sunday did not

give you a ton of confidence with the coaching staff, did it? That was as bad. It was a bad... See, but then it gets Colin to the point of, like, the head coach didn't have a great game plan coming in defensively. The offensive coordinator did not have a great game plan. This is only their second year. You can't say, well, they're on alert for next year.

Well, Pete knows that offense because it's from San Francisco. Yes, it's a great point. So Pete's seen that offense a lot and completely shut it down. But all these Jets fans wanted to move on from the OC. You know what Derek Carr is going to say? Oh, you're firing the O.C. already? The head coach, you've got to have some stability. Give these guys a chance. Let it bake, right?

Final story, Colin, over in the NBA, again, this was missed last night. Donovan Mitchell had 71. LeBron had a great performance in a win. But Clay Thompson, 54 points. I didn't see the game. Threes. This game was bananas. Oh, he went crazy on threes.

And they wanted it at the buzzer on a Kavanaughn-Luny shot. Clay's best performance, by the way, since he had 60 and 20s. 16. It was his fourth career 50-point game. Yeah. Now, they've been resting like Wiggins and the staffs hurt, obviously. So I wonder how many people played last night. Listen, they got to win some games here. They're on a home stand now and they're playing better. I think they're 17 and 2 at home. Yeah.

But listen, it was nice for Clay to bounce back. Here's what he said after dropping 54. There was some hard days for me when I didn't know this would be possible and to live it in real time. I'm just going to embrace the heck out of it. Just a big confidence booster individually for myself. And we're almost nearing the halfway point, and it feels great to feel like I'm getting better with every game. And I'll know I'll be more consistent as the season goes on. After 30 games under my belt, I'm feeling just wonderful.

I know you're not paying a lot of attention to the NBA. I get on the treadmill and I watch a game or two, half a game. If you're looking at the macro view of the league right now? They're terrible this year, defensively and on the road. I think a lot of that is when you're in the NBA playoffs, you add 23 games or whatever amount of games. That's why Jason Tatum of the Celtics got hurt last year. He was playing so many minutes.

So you come into the next year as an old team with a lot of extra games, and what are you going to give up? It's not your jumper, it's your defense. Everybody's gunning for the Warriors team. Yeah. And then you had the Draymond, Jordan Poole thing. So on the road, the chemistry was fragile. they're really good

and what they really have the ability to do they've got more guys that can put the ball in the basket than Milwaukee and they have more guys that can put the ball in the basket than Boston. I've said this. If Jason Tatum has an off night, you kind of become Jalen Brown and everything else. This team

has pool now averages over 20. Steph will come back. Clay scored 54. Wiggins. This team has such and they're so smart. They've played in so many big games. They have such an experience advantage over everybody, even Boston that's been in the playoffs. How many finals they've been in? These guys have been around the block. They're not going anywhere.

But Colin, if you look at the scores of some of these NBA games, there is, I know there was no defense in college football over the weekend, right? Yeah. I mean, those games are incredible. The NBA right now is playing zero defense. Nobody's even trying. Some historic, I mean, there was a night recently where eight guys, I think, scored 40 or more points. Like it's gotten a little out of hand Well, it's the most talented

The league's ever been The depth is incredible Everybody can shoot 7 foot guy I mean this kid this number one pick 7 foot 4 Have you watched him play He looks like a wing

He looks like a 6 3 wing 6 5 wing That kid's gonna be unstot He'll score 30 a game as a rookie It's really incredible The depth of talent You know we got a global game now in the NBA Back in the 90s with Jordan There was no global game

There was like seven international players go look at the leading scores. It's like Yokic, Luka, I mean, a lot of international talent. The league is as good as it's ever been. This kid, this Victor, if you watch it, how do you stop that? There's nobody in the lead that can stop that. He puts the ball in the day.

He looks like Kevin Durant, but five inches taller. One of the most fun topics you can have. I had it on my podcast is how many players would you not trade for the number one pick? Oh, I think if you... You look at the age of, like, Steph Curry, 34 years old. Are you trading him for the number one pick? Outside of Steph Curry, I would trade anybody on the roster for that player. I mean, almost anyone in the league.

There's like a handful of guys. Luca Donchitz, you're probably not giving up. That kid's the best prospect. Luca? No, I'm just saying. They're not going to. Right, right, right. 7-4, he's Kevin Durant with five inches.

But this is basically your, would you pick up a call for Aaron Rogers? Like that kind of thing. Would you pick up a call for Yokic if it was for Wembe Nama? I would trade Yokic in a heartbeat for this kid. Oh, Yonkich? In two seconds. He's won a couple MVP awards. Like, Yonis is the real tough one.

No, I'm not giving up Yonis. No, no. Yonis never gets hurt. How about this, Jason Tatum? Yes. I like Tatum a lot. So do I. I know.

I don't know that I can part with him. Wembe Nama, though, looks ridiculously down. That is the classic can't miss. LeBronombeon Mast. Andrew Luck There's certainly like John Elway they say But it's like

There's not many About once a decade You get a can't miss Yeah That's about it Bryce Harper they said was a can't miss Tiger Woods when he was 12 Years old are like that's can't miss

This feels like a tiger That's a good good one yeah Yeah Jay Mack with the news Well that's the news And thanks for stopping by The Herd Line news Back in the second live in L.A

It's The Herd Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays at noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, it's Ben, host of the fifth hour with Ben Mallor, and would mean a lot to have you join us on our weekly auditory journey. You're asking what in God's name is the fifth hour?

I'll tell you, it's a spinoff of the Ben Mallor show a cult hit overnights on FSR. Why should you listen? Picture, if you will, a world when we chat with captains of industry, in media, sports and more every week, explore some amazing facts about human nature and more. Listen to the fifth hour with Ben Mallor

on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcast. 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, 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 Clivert Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. 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 blow your mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your

podcasts. Welcome back. Various guests today, different perspectives. Peter King stopped by our show. Mark Schlerath, the player's perspective. My friend for a long time, Nick Wright, joined us earlier today to talk about Damar Hamlin. And I want to bring you a couple of minutes of that. I asked him about his thoughts on the NFL's decision to cancel the game.

It would appear that the timely nature of the first responders on the field is why this, at the moment, Damar Hamlin is in critical condition and not in worse condition. I think what they did was remarkable. I mean, what the medical experts are saying is this young man's heart stopped, and they gave him CPR and the defibrillation live on the field, which is what is giving him a chance, as his family said, to fight right now. It's a remarkable job by them. And then I think what we saw in the aftermath was kind of the best and the worst of us societally,

which is like the best of us was people were so sad and so distraught and wanted to do something that they have now given more than $3 million to DeMars charity of choice. Yes. That is the best of us. That is the hopeless. We all feel hopeless. What can we do? Let's do something.

And that's the best. And then when I say the worst, I feel like we have a bad tendency, Colin. When something tragic happens, we want to find a boogeyman. Yeah. And sometimes it's just terrible things happen. Like the volume of people that were like,

the NFL wanted them to play, shame on the, The NFL did not want them to play five minutes later. What I am certain is true is that somewhere written on a piece of paper is, hey, if there's a horrific injury, you can give the players up to five minutes, and they were just going down the list. You know what I mean? I guess that's what we're doing.

But there was no chance Roger Goodell or Troy Vincent were like, yeah, get them back out there, and then the players vetoed it. But people wanted someone to be mad at. They wanted to be mad at a tweet, or they wanted to be mad at the league, or Charlottons wanted to be mad at VATTS, vaccines, because it's hard for us to reconcile that sometimes horrible things happen, and there's nothing anyone could have done about it. And so I, you know, it's a hard thing to deal with. And I, and I think the people involved did the best they possibly could in a brutal situation.

You know, I was saying this earlier, Nick, is that, you know, let's, like a natural disaster, the president calls a governor who calls the mayor, who calls the mayor, who calls it. the National Guard who talks to the men and women on the ground. And it takes a long time. There's miscommunication. To your point is, you're right. I mean, Roger Goodell's greatest fear is last night. The idea that it's easy to have seven different phone calls. And then eventually we see the Buffalo trainers coming out and wrapping up all their stuff. To your point, let's just be sympathetic and less judgmental. I don't think they were ever playing. I don't think there was football players have been

and athletes, but football players in particular, have been conditioned that if someone suffers a football injury, you have to compartmentalize and move on. And we have seen guys, you know, be carted off, and it's good news that they have movement in their toes, and the game goes on. We as fans, players, everyone acknowledges that is part of playing this game.

This was so clearly different. As soon as I heard Joe Buck say the word CPR, I felt like everyone knew, okay, this is unprecedented territory for everyone. No one in the NFL has dealt with this. And because of that, I thought it was unfortunate that folks that have previously always wanted to use, you know, the NFL as a punching bag at times, said, Ah, look, another instance they don't care about.

That's not what this was. This was moment by moment scary a situation for everyone. And I don't think there was ever a plan to have that game resumed once it was clear. This young man's life was in danger. Nick Wright, joining us first things first. I suggested this this morning out of respect for the family. It's a tie. You don't replay the game.

It's a tie. whatever the seed is. The reality is, I've heard this from a couple coaches, since technology has improved the ability for a quarterback to hear a coach on the road, home field just doesn't mean what it used to four or five years ago. And, you know, if the chiefs gets the one seed, I don't think anybody argues. This is a tie. Let the chips fall where they may.

Cincinnati played road games to the Super Bowl last year. My takeaway is, don't play this thing. If they meet later, that's great. What do you do, although it's obviously secondary today? What do you do with the game? Sure. What do we do with it? I think that I don't think it's something that can be decreed. I think it has to be a discussion, and I think the bills get to take lead on it.

I think that the bills get to, you know, have the loudest voice in the room. Do you want this? It obviously can't be a loss for either team. That would be an absurdity. Do you guys want it to be a tie, or do you want to try to play it, recognizing it's going to be condensed weeks going into the most, you know, the playoff part of your season. I think you're right that I think what they will do is call this a tie. And I don't know, there is no fair way to go about this.

I think that would be the fairest way if that is what Buffalo wants to do. And I, yeah, I mean, I don't, you're right. That is obviously not the focal point today. that is something that the NFL is going to have to decide upon at some point and probably some point relatively soon. And I would let the bills, coaches and players have the loudest voice in that room in deciding that. So I have spent a lot of time on the internet with a lot of the medical professionals, just kind of following them. That's where I'm getting the most accurate information. So if I could encourage you to do that, you're going to get some pretty accurate stuff

from the people in the medical field. Mike Tomlin, by the way, this young man, DeMarne Hamlin from Pittsburgh. Mike Tomlin knew him, watched his journey and talked about what he saw last night. I'll say this about DeMarer Hamlin. Man, it's a really personal thing for me, being a Pittsburgher,

and that young man being a Pittsburgh, I've known that guy probably since he was about 12. Just got a lot of respect and love for him as a human being, his commitment to the pursuit of his, goals and dreams of doing what it is he's doing right now, which is playing in the NFL, and to watch him make personal decisions and make that a realization. It's just an honor to get to know young people like that. Demar Hamlin's toy drive, which was, I forget the early number, it was at like $30 or $40,000 or $50,000

is now at $3.5 million. So people in Cincinnati, Buffalo, obviously, and around the country are donating at pretty high levels. They're up to $3.5 million on the Damar Hamlin Toy Drive. That is the best of us. For Ryan and Jason McIntyre today, first things first is around the corner. You'll want to check that out.

Live in Los Angeles on a somber day, it's the hurt. 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, S&L'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. 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 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 IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 taun-tons 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.

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