The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Richard Sherman Podcast - 49ers safety Ji'Ayir Brown on Niners D & Brock Purdy's elite play

Episode Date: December 14, 2023

Richard Sherman interviews San Francisco 49ers rookie safety Ji'Ayir Brown. Ji'Ayir walks Richard through his journey from getting zero offers out of high school to becoming the starting safety for the stalwart 49ers defense and hearing Fred Warner sing his praises. Richard asks him about stepping in for the injured Talanoa Hufanga, his interceptions vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks, the 49ers offense, and his "welcome to the NFL" moment. Ji'Ayir laughs about the first time he met Nick Bosa and the coaching genius of Kyle Shanahan. 2:40 - Journey to the NFL 15:00 - First career interception vs. Bucs 23:30 - Seahawks game 29:00 - Steve Wilks & 49ers defense 37:00 - "Welcome to the NFL" moment (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements.) #volume #herdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Championship. That should always be the expectation. All right, man. That's going on here. Welcome back to the Richard Sherman

podcast. I got one of the, I mean, up and coming. I mean, he had to replace an all pro coming in playing

at an all pro level. Jair Brown, man. I appreciate you joining me. Man, thanks for having me on, Sherman. It's been a blessing,

you know, appreciate the shout out. man, let's go. Come on now. You step right in. Your first game, you know, you didn't, you didn't bat an eyelash out. Sometimes the moment is too big.

Walk me through when you first got your opportunity. You know, I never, you know, believe in you just rise to the occasion. You know, I always believe in you fall back to your trainer. I like that. I've been waiting for my shot, you know, since game, since mini camp, rookie minicamp. and just keeping my head in the books, you know, being patient, working with DB, getting extra hours in with the coaches,

and just waiting on my shot on a great defense, man. And unfortunately, you know, her funger got hurt, you know, prayers to him. But, you know, my name was called, you know, I was ready to go out there and show the coaches what I had. And I get out there, man, moment's not too big for me. I don't played in big games coming from Penn State, you know, played in front of 107,000 people. Talk about it.

Just wanted to let my game show, you know. No fear, you know, all gas, no breaks. Hey, it looked like that. And it looked like that when you're coming out of the middle of the field, when you're in the hook, when you're getting picks, you got drafted in the third round. You know, I'm sure everybody feels like they got slided and wanted to go a little higher.

Talk me through your draft process. Yeah, I was one of those guys, man. I felt like I should have been drafted a lot higher. just on what I put on tape, you know, the way my interviews went with the coaches. I felt like I got short in the draft, but, you know, all that is behind me now. You know, I'm on the one of the arguably the best team in the league. And I just want to, you know, be appreciative of that, you know. Guys go first early and get drafted to the teams.

They don't want to get drafted to. I got drafted to a team that, you know, I was fortunate enough to be a part of. No question. I mean, you talk about one of the best teams in a league, but one of the best defenses in the league, one of the best fronts, one of the best secondaries with you, Gip, don't get enough credit,

Tala Noah, Ballin, Charverius, Demo, and then you talk about all pro-fried and Drey. I mean, you couldn't have been surrounded by much more talent than you are. Tell me about, you know, how it is, because you, for the first couple games this season, you've got a chance to watch them work and watch them on tape and be in the meetings, and then you've got a chance to be out there with them.

Tell me how, different that is. Man, these guys are some dogs, man. Man, I got an excellent group of guys, man. When your best players, you know, is also your hardest workers, you know, your most detailed guys, you know, this, this is crazy, you know, watching Fred after every practice in a wave room, kiddle along with him, Nick along with him, and how can you not be a part of that? You know, they're literally laying a blueprint out for you right in front of. of you every day with the consistent work that they do behind the scenes. I just want to follow on those guys' footsteps. I believe I have the talent and skill set to be one of the greatest

players to play my position, and I have those guys, you know, who are one of the greatest players of their position right in front of me, how can I not follow in their footsteps, man? Man, I love that answer. And I want to give you a chance to tell your story and your journey, because it wasn't the easiest journey. You know, sometimes people see the ain't. And they're like, it was all sunshine and rainbows. But you didn't have no offers coming out of high school. You went to Lackawanna? Tell me about it.

Yeah, man, went to Lackawanna. No office out of high school, like you said. I had one school that was interesting. That was Montclair. That was Division III schooled out in New Jersey. You know, no offers was an excellent player in high school, played both sides of the ball. Still no offers.

Went to a small school. I think that's what it was. After that, went junior college, Lackawanna Community College, spent two years dear. First year, I played corner. I have like five interceptions, 40 tackles at corner. Next year, I went back to safety, had an All-American season at safety.

From there, you know, I was so frustrated on why didn't the schools come recruit me? Why was I falling under the radar when I was, you know, this plan, you know, the kind of school. skillsets that I was just playing out there every, every game. So I was on, I was on the type of time where I was going to pick the first school that came and got me. And it was Coach Franklin, you know, he came down to see me, came to one of my games, flew in on the helicopter, made it a real big deal for me. And he gave me the offer.

And I was like, you know, I'm going there, man. That's, that's where I'm going. You know, the first school would ever fall in love with me. I'm falling in love with that school. got to Penn State, COVID season, probably one of the worst seasons for everybody all around. No question. Wasn't too much going on COVID season, no fans.

You know, everybody was dealing with family issues and, you know, things that COVID brought along with it. You know, just kept my head down, you know, kept working, you know, waiting for the season to start back up again in 2021. And I got my first start, you know, led to country. It was six interceptions. safety. I had about 73 tackles, I think, that season as well. Wanted to come back and show more.

I could have left out that year. I was projected to go around three to five that year. Could have left out that year. Wanted more for myself. I felt like I left something out there. Wanted to show a little bit more versatility on the field. And came back my senior season and did a lot more in a defense with Mandy Diaz. You know, I was blitzing off the edge. I was covering in the slide. I was in a post. You know, I just wanted to show a lot of different things I can do on a field.

And I believe I did that in that 22 season and finished the year out strong, man. And got drafted by the Niners and the rest, you know, it's history. Right, bro. You didn't have me emotional over here because I'm looking at you. And, you know, I see so much of myself in you. The shorter dress, when my dress was your life when I first came in. even the nostrils. We both got to eat wide nostrils,

breathing up all the air. But it's the underdog story how convicted you are and how hurt you are by the lack of respect. Bro, and I tell you, that, bro, that resonates with me in a way you cannot imagine.

Because you're like, bro, I'm putting it on tape. Like, I'm showing y'all, I'm doing it. I'm doing everything y'all asked me to do and y'all still don't give me the respect. I did it at college. You know, I did it in high school.

school, now I'm doing it in college. Now you're doing it in the league. One thing I, one advice from an old man who don't, who don't do nothing, I don't make no decisions, I don't make no call. But let it fuel you. Let it, let it be gassing your tank. I promise you in the end, in 15 years when you've done, you're going to appreciate the fuel that it gave you because that fire, that frustration, that hurt, it's never going away. It's never. You can be an eight-time all-pro, And you still going to be like, bro, this is what I told you I could have done if y'all would have believed in me. But y'all didn't.

So I'm going to keep proving it and keep proving and step on y'all next until you all understand, until it's done. And I can't do it no more. Every day. Every single day. Every day. That's exactly what it is, Shire, man. Just, you know, like you said, the lack of respect, you know, I put so much into this game,

you know, as a player, you know, the countless hours in the gym, you know, the lift. And all my coaches from college can tell you I was there. Last one there. First one there. You know, just putting in so much work, you know, just for the respect of it. You know, and never felt like I got that, man. And I'm going to keep pushing for that. Has there ever been a time you've been injured in an accident?

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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. Promise you. You don't always get what you deserve. You get what you work for. And sometimes, like, it should don't shake out how you wanted to, but it shake out how it's supposed to. It don't shake out how it's supposed to.

Maybe you could have went first round to the... to the Browns or you could have went first round to Carolina and felt good and been like, man, I went first round, but it's a bad situation. It's bad defense. You're frustrated every week. But, hey, you went, you went top 20, you know, but now you're sitting there. Your career can be totally different. You're on a defense where you're going to get to shine.

You've been playing. You started three games and I already got two books. And we're going to talk about them in a second because I need you to walk me through because both of them look good. You came in the moment wasn't too big. The first one you got was one of them that, hey, had to have it. Uh-huh. Yeah.

And the second one was a heck of a play. Demo pushed him. Hi, you came in. You got a great feel. But I promise you, like the team you own, the organization you're on, the habits that you're learning. Because sometimes you come in as a young dude with so much expectation in the first round or second round, you got to start. You got no vets in front of you. You got no good vets around you.

You learn bad habits. You don't know how to be a pro. You've got the ultimate pros around you. Now, I'm sorry. so old in this game. See, all them was babies when I came in. I came in, Fred's rookie year. We went to the Super Bowl when Bolsa was a rookie, when Greenlaw was a rookie, when, you know, I'm sure, well, I don't know if they talk about me anymore, but I mean, DB, I've been in the DB room, but now they are mature pros. They know how to approach the game. They know how to prepare,

they know how to focus. They know how to not get distracted. And when it, you know, I'm not going to knock on wood and jinx anything, but later on down the line, when it gets late in those playoffs, They understand what it takes to get it done. And we had those talks going into the Super Bowl that we went into my years there where they were so young. You know, young guys, they don't know how to really handle this kind of success. We went to Miami. They did a little more than they probably should have.

But I guarantee you the next time around, they're going to be some conversations had in that locker room where it's like, hey, locked in. We got a week, two weeks to be remembered for all time. So I would say you're in a perfect spot. You thriving. But tell me about how that first pick felt. Oh, my God, man. Probably my favorite pick, you know, of my career, you know,

through all the years playing football. You know, number one, because my mom was in that end zone. You know, my mom's been, she's been my biggest fan since, you know, I was six years old since I started playing the game of football. And she's been there, you know, with me through those trials and tribulations of, you know, people undermining my talent and not putting the amount of respect, you know, on my name. And she's been there with me through it all. She'd take it a little harder than I do.

You know, I'm more, you know, it is what it is, more work to do kind of guy. You know, she, it's a personal thing with Mom Dukes, you know. She's, like, don't nobody play with Mom Duke's baby. And for her to see that, you know, at this level, you know, it beats any accolades. any, you know, accomplishment I ever, you know, accomplished in my life, just to make my mother proud, you know, and I was one of the things I set out on as a kid, you know, that I wanted to accomplish him in my life was to put that smile on her face.

So that was another, that was the biggest reason why, you know, and then just to be there for the guys when they needed me, man, I feel like, you know, as a rookie and getting your first start, you know, against a good team, Tampa Bay, and coming in, you know, guys think of rookies, you know, he's young, you know, he's going to mess up, you're going to do this. You know, just to come in ready when your name is called, I think is one of the most honorable things, you know,

you can have as a rookie. And I didn't want to let Fred down. I didn't want to let Nick down. I didn't want to let the D.Bs down. I didn't want to let nobody in that organization down, you know, when Huff went down and, you know, people started to defend. feel like, you know, who's next and feel like we're for the stuff is going to change, you know. So just to come in and make that play was a great film.

It was a fantastic play. It was a huge play in the ball game. Really kind of sealed it up for you guys. But the greatest compliment I think I could give you is that you don't notice you out there. And you don't notice you a rookie. You don't notice you in the best possible way. When you lose it all pro player on any, at any position, at any level of any defense, offense, anything, you notice it.

notice it. Like you lose an all pro tackle. The next dude coming in ain't going to be an all pro. You lose an all pro corner. The next dude ain't going to be on the same level. You have come in and played at a very high level. I mean, arguably equal to what Taloa was doing. And that's no slight to Tala Noah because he's been playing at an all pro level. So talk about your mentality because your mentality is obviously I deserve to be here and I deserve to be in this position. I'm approved to you why. But did you feel you, you played in some big games coming in. Like you played in that game and then you got the big Philly game.

And I know you felt the energy in the building going into that Philly game. Everybody going to say the right stuff. But you and I both know, God say this was different. Yes, sir. If it was. Oh, man, just, you know, my mentality always been the same, man. I never want to let guys down, man, you know, when I'm out there. you know, I never want to be that guy, you know, to miss the game winning tackle, to, you know, miss the game won an interception.

And as you know, as a DB, you know, you might not get, you might not get targeted all game, but that one time you do, you know, you know, and I'm always preparing for those situations, you know, and I believe the way you prepare for those situations is you prepare every, if you take every snap as if they are those situations. So that's a big, you know, big thing for me, man. That's my mentality going into the game. And when I put that helmet on, man, it's just a different guy under there, man. I play with so much passion, man, because I love a game. And I feel like I just understand the game at a different level. So, you know, one of my favorite players coming up was Camp Chancellor, man.

You know, you was just to watch him, you know, when he put that helmet on to see the kind of guy he turned into. It struck some of me and motivated me to, you know, had that kind of mentality. I mean, I know you love Cam, but you do look more like E out there the way you'd be running around. You'll be flying, boy, throwing your body around. And then you get up talking crazy to everybody. I said, they're going to be thankful.

They ain't got no mic on that, man. I need no mic. I don't need no mic. Oh, man. Tell me how cool it is because DB, you talked about DB earlier, Daniel Bullitt, and how great of a coach. he is and how great of a mentor that man prepares like nobody else.

Man, this guy, man, he, man, he is a film junkie, man. When I say this guy watched so much film, man, he, he understands the game at a high level. He's able to coach it to you. He's able to teach it to you. You know, he's able to have you see it the same way he see it. And he cares. He truly cares about the players. He cares about winning.

and, you know, the game means everything to him. When you got a coach like that, man, and like you said, he's so detailed. You know, if you need to be at 10 yards, you need to be at 10 yards. If you need to step with that right foot first, you step with the right foot first. And just him holding us accountable to that kind of standard,

that kind of detail in the game, it allows us, you know, to go out there and play just, you know, light, sound and confident in our game, you know, because we feel like we're prepared, you know, for every situation that can come our way. No question. I mean, he's one of the best coaches I've been around, and I've been around Chris Richard, who's obviously,

he's the number one in my books. DB came in, his mentality, his preparation, his work, how he relates to players. It's freaking fantastic, and I got a ton of respect for DB and the work he puts in because that's what it's about. You, like, practice is just, you are what you consistently do. You're out there BS and in practice. You're out there making mistakes in practice.

You're going to make them in the game. you consistently detailed in practice on your assignment, in your gap, running through your teammates trust you, then the machine just keeps rolling. And that's why I know you've got the right mentality and those guys are coaching the right mentality because you came in there and you fit right in the engine. It's like, hey, we need a new, we need a new part for the engine. Bang, plug him in. And now we keep going. It didn't turn from a V12 to a V6. It was still a B12 when you got in there. And so talk about the play with D.K. Badcalfe on that course. corner route that banana cut where Diomador pushed him up. What was going through your mind?

Because you looked like you were in the middle field safety, if I'm not mistaken. Yeah, I was in middle field safety. You know, I pride myself in as a safety and having that roof over my corners. You know, I want them guys to trust me just as much as I trust them. And I'm sitting in the middle third, you know, just reading the QB. You know, he's looking over at DK, staring a little too long. Get over there, you know, see the ball, see the flight of the ball. And, you know, another thing I pride myself in is my ball skills, you know, and I believe, you know, every ball that goes up in the air should be mine. And if I don't get it, I feel some type of way about it. So, you know, that mentality, you're having that approach, you know, when the ball goes in the air is tremendous, you know, it's a tremendous help.

Because most guys on the ball go in the air, they panic, you know. I'm not one of those guys, you know, I have a lot of confidence, you know, and myself and my ability to catch the ball. So when he threw the ball over there, the DK, you know, I took a peek over there, ran up under, seen a flight of the ball, wanted to high point as much as I can, and I secure the catch, man, and get the turnover for the guys. Yeah, I mean, and you did it. You did it. And it looks like you got great ball skills. You got a great judgment of the ball and the flight of the ball. And I feel like you had to learn some things from Tachan. I know you were great in college and you got your picks, but he's one of the best middle field safeties in the league. And he doesn't get any credit. Nobody ever give gift. No credit. That boy balls every week, every day, open field tackling, and you don't hear nobody saying nothing about him. So I'm going to say something.

Gibb is one of the best middle field safeties in the national football. Absolutely, man. And I talked to him about this all the time, man. I say, when I first got in here, man, I told him, I said, I see so much of me and you. You know, and he said it back to me. He was like, man, that's crazy. You say that because I see so much of you and me, you know, just two guys, you know, that felt like, you know, they're not appreciated, you know,

the way that they should. And don't mind being, we don't mind being the underdogs, you know, because the end of the day, you got to go out on that grass and prove it. You know, me and Gip, you know,

have a great relationship when it comes to, you know, football and, you know, on the field, off the field things. He has a, people, a lot of people don't know,

is Gip has a knack for the ball, man. He probably one of the best, you know, bar skills, safeties in the NFL. And, Like you said, it doesn't get recognized enough, man.

And I wanted to give him his flowers on here because he definitely deserves that. And he's been a great help to me, you know, just being an older guy for me, man, showing me how to watch film, showing me how to, you know, break down routes, what kind of routes we get in this week, always talking to me about what I see. And it's still in that confidence in me to go out there and just be me, man. So he's been a great help to me, man. Okay, football season is finally here. And here's one thing every fan should know.

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See app for details. 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 superiors. 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. When Jimmy Ward got hurt and he came into the fold, I think he had five or six picks, he just brought like a stability to the defense. And I knew once he came in and Tyler Noah were playing well, Jimmy came back into the phone.

I knew they weren't putting them back in because they just had too good of chemistry. And he just, he knows he's too smart of a player. He's in good position. He just fits too well with what they want him to do. But talk about Steve Wilkes because you all had that three games skid where, you know, things just weren't going well. You know, I'm a fan of the team, fan of the defense. And I just saw, you know, it just, it was a tough game against Joe. Joe just had answers.

But, you know, and that's why he gets paid to. big bucks. That's why they talk about him the way they do, because sometimes he get hot, and hey, all you do is put your hands up and hope you weather the storm. But ever since Steve Wilkes has come out of the boot and come to the sideline, this defense has been, I mean, number one in the league. Scorn, yards, more sacks, more turnovers. Talk about how much different that's been to see that. Obviously, you weren't there for some of the earlier games, but I mean, you You were on the field, but you weren't playing necessarily. But tell me how that's been different for this unit.

Man, I remember once Coach Wilkes first came down on the sideline, man, and I told him, I said, Coach, I'm glad you down here. His presence on the sideline, you know, he's such a great motivator. He's such a great mentor, you know, to all the guys, all the position groups. And he never let us forget, you know, our DNA as a defense. when you constantly got that familiar face right there on the sideline who's constantly talking and constantly giving his feedback on the game and what's going on, it helps the players, you know. It helps us go out there and play with so much confidence, you know, and it helps us not only go out there and play with confidence,

but remember who we are as a defense, which is we one of the most toughest defense in the lead as far as, you know, physicality, running to the ball, effort, you know. We pride ourselves and all of that, man. And he has been, you know, a great help on helping us realize that, you know, we win our game when we're playing like that. So his presence on the sideline has been a tremendous help for us, man. No question. I mean, this defense, I mean, regardless of who been coordinated, has been prideful and great at the things that take no talent. The effort and the attitude and assignment.

Those are things that take. I'm sure DB is repeated to you constantly. The things that take no talent. Like, you run to the ball. You hit everything moving. Until it's not moving no more, we hitting it. But you know what had to be an adjustment for you? And I know because Kyle is just an adjustment for everybody.

How was it dealing with him in a team meetings when he's sitting there giving you a dissertation on outside zone and how this play worked and how that play worked? Man, he is a sharp mind, man. Man, I was so amazed by how well he can break down, not only just the offensive side of the ball, but the defensive side of the ball. Man, he's one of the sharpest minds I've ever been around, man. And when I'm into me, as I'm sitting up and I'm watching, I'm like, man, like, how does he understand, you know, the defense just as well as he understands the offense? That just shows you what kind of time he puts in the game, man, what kind of film study he does, man. And he watched the littlest things on film, stuff that, you know, a lot of people may not see on film,

but Kyle's seen it, you know, and Kyle seen everything on film. If you know, Cal, you know. So just that's one thing, you know, I definitely had to adjust to, you know, just having a head coach, you know, who sees both sides of the ball like that. No question.

And, you know, in training. Well, you're young, so maybe he gets your little break and didn't bother you like that. But he always got a little something for you in training camp. He always got a little something like, hey, I saw this on thing. You better be careful. farm.

He always sneaked in there. Yeah, he always sneaked in there. He just actually that last game. Right, bro. He got his figure on the pulse of everything. Yeah, yes, he do. You definitely, it definitely has to give you

confidence, just knowing how prepared he is, knowing how brilliant of a mind is. And then you talk, we talked about all the weapons on defense. We ain't even started to talk about that offense and Brock Purdy and Debo and VA and training. and CMC, talk about this offense and how it feels to know, hey, we get stops and we do what we're supposed to do. We know they're going to do what they're supposed to.

Man, I went against these guys every day in training camp. You know, I went against these guys every day when I was on a scout decart, you know. And these are the best guys at their positions, you know. I'm playing against the best guys, you know. So when I'm competing against George Kittle in practice and one-on-wans and I got a guard I you and I got a guard Edebo, you know, I see you know, the kind of work that they put in

throughout the week, you know, every day. And Brock, you know, amazing, amazing guy, you know, hell of a football player. These guys, you know, are so tied in together, you know. It's going to be so hard

to stop them because there's so many of them, man. And they're just a great, you know, well injured, you know, often. When you first came into the locker room, you know, you look, don't try to be all high and mighty with me. How, like, not starstruck, but how kind of taking it back? Because everybody's super cool in that locker room. But when you're coming in as a rookie and you know, you got all these superstars in here, like, what was that experience like?

Oh, my God, man. I think when I seen Nick the first time. Freaking machine. I said she, boy. Look at the legs on that boy, man. Everybody got some cast, man. He looked, he looked crazy, man. Like he built in a lab.

Man, he's like he built in a lab for real. Then you see Fred, you know, Fred standing next to kiddle, man. And I'm just like, man, these some dudes in here, man. How can I fit in? You know, how can I, you know, be a part of that, that elite group, you know, Trent Williams, man. I had a rep against Trent Williams before. and the vet move he pulled on me, you know, I'm just like, man, this is crazy.

So I definitely, you know, was starstruck. I'll write them all down too. I definitely was star struck by how, you know, how many players we got that's the future Hall of Famers on the team, you know, and how not only how good they are as players, but how great of people they are off the field, you know, like you said, they're some of the coolest dudes, you know, to hang around. So it was definitely experience. And that's what I mean by like, I know it's frustrating being like, man, I wish I would

have to win higher. But I guarantee like your career being affected by these dudes, they all going to come and be here and you learn from them. You will tell stories when you are all pro and Hall of Famer and doing your thing about how much you learned from being around these guys and listening to them and watching them work and working with them and communicating and learning how to communicate with each other, how to play for each other, how to respect one another, how to respect one another, study the game, it's going to be fun.

And Fred already seemed like he got a ton of respect for you. Everybody I talked to got a ton of respect for you in that locker room, at least the old dudes that I deal with. But Fred call you the young vet. What does it mean to hear that coming from a dude like that? Man, it means everything, man, because that's one of the guys, you know, as a leader of our defense, you know, that's one of the guys I set out to, you know, impress, you know, just to show him, you know, that I belong here, you know,

on this field with you. And I got your back just as much as you got my back. That's, that was one of the things, you know, I set out to do early, you know, it was to earn the respect to Fred Warner. And also, you know, a lot of the other guys on the defense. But, you know, that means a lot to me, man, coming from Fred, you know, a guy who's been in the league, who's a great leader, man, by the way, the best leader I've been around, you know, and I pride myself on leadership as well, but he's the best leader. I've been around, you know, so it means a lot coming from Fred, man. That's awesome. That's awesome. Well, I want to hear about your welcome to the NFL moment. I know you had to have one during training cap. Somebody had to get you, whether it was purdy or

Kittled and got you on some nonsense or somebody had to welcome. It was Kittle, man. It was kidding. It was definitely Kittled, man. He's so crafty, man. His speed, a lot of people. It's deceptive. He can run, man. He can run. So it was definitely kiddle, man. I think he beat me on one of his favorite routes, that little stock wheel route.

Well, he acts off block you. Then he just get up. I knew it was coming. But, man, the burst that he has, man. And he took off up that sideline, man. I'm chasing him. I'm like, you fashioning what people think, man. Yeah, so it was that.

That was my welcome to the NFL moment, man, right there. And he'd do all that laugh at it. It's smiling, but he mean, he's aggressive, and he's strong. Yeah, yeah, yeah. He is, great player. I would be remiss if we didn't talk about Chase Young and his addition because he looks like he's brought a different element to that team. He looks like he's come in humble with humility

and just tried to fit in as best he can, and he's made a cool impact. Talk about him. Man, Chase, I had a pleasure watching Chase coming up in college, man. and they used to call him a predator back then. And when he first got here, I was like, man, they still call you the predator, man. He's like, yeah, they still know. I'm like, man, that's what we need right there.

We need that guy that predator, man. And I think when he first came in and he realized the kind of, you know, determination that this team has, you know, the will of wanting to win, you know. So I think that he just fell in love with that, man. And he's been a part of some winning organizations coming up in college, man. But I don't think he's ever been a part of something like this, you know, this kind of brotherhood, this kind of bond on the field, you know, as a defense. And he fit right in, man.

He's hungry, man. He got Nick with him. He's having a ball out there, man. I think he's playing some of his best football. No question. And it looks like it. I mean, and he's helping everybody else play the best football. He's taking on chips sometimes.

Eric is freeing up, getting more sacks, eating more. Javon Hargrave was sitting there eating more. My boy Kenlaw getting in on the action. You know what I mean? It's just been cool to watch. And people don't understand there's a selflessness to great defense. There's a selflessness. Everybody's like, man, you got all these superstars.

How do you keep them happy? Because everybody just sacrificing for one another. Because a rising tide lifts all ships. Everybody going to eat. If everybody out there for each other, if you're out there for yourself, it's going to be hard to eat. Don't stick out for the sore thumb. No question.

But if you're out there playing for one another, you're like, whatever it takes to help the team win, then you're going to shine. And it's cool to watch, man. Yeah, definitely, man, definitely. Well, if you got you, do you got any questions for me? I don't want to take up your whole off day. I know you got things to do.

Oh, man, no questions for you, Sherm. Just, you know, appreciation, man. Thank you. A hell of a player, man. Watched you growing up. You're in the Legion of Boom, man. Yeah, it's been a pleasure watching you guys, you know, and what y'all have done for the game of football.

from a DB perspective, you know, and definitely are great, you know, role models on what you guys do, and I appreciate that. I appreciate you, man. It's fun to watch you play. I look forward to following the rest of your career. You got my number. Hit me up whenever you need me.

Keep bawling out. I look forward to you getting everything you deserve. Yes, sir. I appreciate you, Sean. Thank you. Appreciate you. Have a great day. Love.

The volume. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy. 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 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. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not.

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. On the Look Back at a podcast. That was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam Jay. 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. 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. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.