1 00:00:08,320 --> 00:00:13,120 Speaker 1: All right, welcoming too, Yes, good in the game. 2 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:16,880 Speaker 2: It's a lot to talk about here. This one hit 3 00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:21,040 Speaker 2: right here. It hit in a very special place. Todd 4 00:00:21,160 --> 00:00:24,200 Speaker 2: black legs the Penn State legend. You see it on 5 00:00:24,239 --> 00:00:26,599 Speaker 2: the back, You see it on the back, you see. 6 00:00:26,440 --> 00:00:28,600 Speaker 1: Us up there. I'm a Penn Stater. 7 00:00:28,880 --> 00:00:32,360 Speaker 2: Now this is not a Penn State podcast, but this 8 00:00:32,400 --> 00:00:35,440 Speaker 2: one was personal. I got an opportunity to talk to 9 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:42,080 Speaker 2: the nineteen eighties quarterback eighty two national champ over Georgia. 10 00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:45,080 Speaker 2: You might remember herschel Walker. Yeah, he was on that team. 11 00:00:45,200 --> 00:00:50,440 Speaker 2: Sugar Bowl, yep, the Georgia Dome. Come on, man, y'all 12 00:00:50,440 --> 00:00:51,040 Speaker 2: know about it. 13 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:53,480 Speaker 1: Listen. We had a great conversation. 14 00:00:53,560 --> 00:00:57,160 Speaker 2: We talked about coach Paterno, we talked about the National 15 00:00:57,200 --> 00:01:02,040 Speaker 2: Football Foundation, his career in the It's a lot that 16 00:01:02,120 --> 00:01:03,960 Speaker 2: we got to And I'll tell you what. You're going 17 00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:06,319 Speaker 2: to really enjoy this one. And if you are a 18 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:09,160 Speaker 2: Penn Stater, if you are a football fan, and I 19 00:01:09,280 --> 00:01:11,520 Speaker 2: has listened to the way they call the games, you've 20 00:01:11,560 --> 00:01:14,880 Speaker 2: heard Todd black Ledge, You're going to enjoy this episode. 21 00:01:15,080 --> 00:01:17,800 Speaker 2: Sit back, kick your feet up, and enjoy this episode. 22 00:01:17,880 --> 00:01:23,160 Speaker 2: Here we go three two one. 23 00:01:23,360 --> 00:01:23,800 Speaker 1: Here we go. 24 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:28,080 Speaker 2: Well, for some of us, this guy is a hero, 25 00:01:28,400 --> 00:01:31,440 Speaker 2: all right. And to me, let me tell you something. 26 00:01:32,800 --> 00:01:38,320 Speaker 2: The black shoes and that that white jersey with no name, 27 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:43,440 Speaker 2: and the plane, just the plainness of what that Penn 28 00:01:43,440 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 2: State uniform represented. 29 00:01:45,440 --> 00:01:46,119 Speaker 1: There were a. 30 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:50,040 Speaker 2: Few names that came to mind, and I have a vivid, 31 00:01:50,360 --> 00:01:54,520 Speaker 2: vivid memory of what they look like. This next guest 32 00:01:54,520 --> 00:01:57,640 Speaker 2: of mine happens to be one of them, and that 33 00:01:57,720 --> 00:02:01,200 Speaker 2: would be one legendary black Ledge. 34 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:05,280 Speaker 1: Welcome on to good in the game. Appreciate you coming on. 35 00:02:06,240 --> 00:02:08,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, my pleasure man. Great to be with you. I 36 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:11,639 Speaker 3: got good, vivid memories of you in that same uniform. 37 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:14,080 Speaker 1: So well, I'll tell you what. 38 00:02:15,160 --> 00:02:19,560 Speaker 2: I certainly was influenced by the things that you guys 39 00:02:19,560 --> 00:02:23,160 Speaker 2: were able to do very formative. 40 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:24,400 Speaker 1: Years for me. 41 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:28,480 Speaker 2: I can remember where I was at a few times 42 00:02:28,600 --> 00:02:32,720 Speaker 2: during during your tenure at at at Penn State. I 43 00:02:32,760 --> 00:02:37,640 Speaker 2: was a little younger, but I definitely remember a few 44 00:02:37,760 --> 00:02:42,519 Speaker 2: different moments with you and Deep Doser and Blair Thomas. 45 00:02:42,600 --> 00:02:45,600 Speaker 2: I mean, just going back to Shane and all those 46 00:02:45,639 --> 00:02:50,560 Speaker 2: guys just formed me into a lot of what I 47 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:55,399 Speaker 2: ended up becoming. You know, I had been accused of 48 00:02:55,440 --> 00:03:01,760 Speaker 2: being a flamboyant player, but every reality, I just liked 49 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:05,679 Speaker 2: playing with passion. I think sometimes people may be confused 50 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:09,480 Speaker 2: passion with flamboyance and that it is what it is. 51 00:03:09,560 --> 00:03:12,200 Speaker 2: But I'll tell you what, I love doing it in 52 00:03:12,280 --> 00:03:15,440 Speaker 2: a Penn State uniform and I live that and loved. 53 00:03:15,240 --> 00:03:18,120 Speaker 1: That every day. Talk to me about your experience. 54 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:22,080 Speaker 2: I mean, this is amazing to get an opportunity to 55 00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:24,800 Speaker 2: hear this for me. This this might be more of 56 00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:28,480 Speaker 2: the most personal interviews that I do and and for 57 00:03:28,760 --> 00:03:32,960 Speaker 2: for the podcast that that that I will do, but 58 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:36,440 Speaker 2: I would love to hear you know this is called 59 00:03:36,480 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 2: good in the game. 60 00:03:38,040 --> 00:03:40,680 Speaker 1: How did it come about? You're from Ohio. 61 00:03:41,880 --> 00:03:44,320 Speaker 2: Let me let me properly set the table for everybody, 62 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:45,920 Speaker 2: because I'm fanboying out. 63 00:03:45,760 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 1: For it with the moment here right. Todd black Ledge 64 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:50,720 Speaker 1: is a quarterback. He's from Ohio. 65 00:03:52,240 --> 00:03:55,680 Speaker 2: Went to Hoover High I do believe, and that's uh, 66 00:03:55,960 --> 00:03:59,160 Speaker 2: you know, North Campton and and so you're you're an 67 00:03:59,160 --> 00:04:01,600 Speaker 2: Ohio guy, but you ended up going. 68 00:04:01,400 --> 00:04:02,720 Speaker 1: To a PA school. 69 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:07,840 Speaker 2: That has been a lifelong thing for ages where guys. 70 00:04:07,960 --> 00:04:10,880 Speaker 2: Right now, we have a guy out Ohio that's our 71 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:12,800 Speaker 2: quarterback and Drew Aler. 72 00:04:12,880 --> 00:04:13,960 Speaker 1: And he came to PA. 73 00:04:14,280 --> 00:04:21,560 Speaker 2: So you boast a thirty one and five record at 74 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:28,000 Speaker 2: the at Penn State University, amazing national championship in eighty two, 75 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:31,440 Speaker 2: and that was in the Georgia Dome, right, that was 76 00:04:31,520 --> 00:04:35,600 Speaker 2: the Sugar Bowl, I believe, And so that's correct. And 77 00:04:36,320 --> 00:04:43,040 Speaker 2: you were one of the most prolific passers and quarterbacks 78 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 2: for Penn State. So to everyone out there, yes, Todd 79 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:51,000 Speaker 2: Blackledge is a Penn Stater, a quarterback great, a national 80 00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:58,240 Speaker 2: title holder, but more importantly, you are one of the 81 00:04:58,279 --> 00:05:05,480 Speaker 2: most esteemed, most accomplished Penn Staters and media and prominence 82 00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:09,920 Speaker 2: outside of our game and outside of our sports as 83 00:05:09,960 --> 00:05:14,040 Speaker 2: a letterman. And I just wonder what was what was 84 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:18,360 Speaker 2: that journey for you to go from being the quarterback 85 00:05:18,440 --> 00:05:22,719 Speaker 2: the football player in Ohio to the football player and 86 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:26,200 Speaker 2: at Penn State. I really don't even get into like 87 00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:28,240 Speaker 2: kind of you know, I know, you are seventh pick, 88 00:05:28,320 --> 00:05:30,599 Speaker 2: you went to the Chiefs. I don't get into kind 89 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:33,080 Speaker 2: of the pro aspect of it. But we can't touch 90 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:35,839 Speaker 2: on it quite a bit, if you like. I just 91 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:40,680 Speaker 2: think that this show is more geared towards talking about 92 00:05:40,760 --> 00:05:44,400 Speaker 2: what that journey represents and why the good of the 93 00:05:44,480 --> 00:05:48,359 Speaker 2: game impacted you, or how it impacted you to be 94 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:52,080 Speaker 2: able to accomplish at such a high level. So how 95 00:05:52,080 --> 00:05:53,840 Speaker 2: did how did that come about? 96 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:56,839 Speaker 1: What? What was the starting point for Todd black Legs. 97 00:05:57,960 --> 00:05:59,520 Speaker 3: Well, you know a couple of things. 98 00:05:59,520 --> 00:06:01,560 Speaker 4: First of all, I grew up the son of a coach, 99 00:06:01,640 --> 00:06:05,239 Speaker 4: so I was always around the game. Loved the game, 100 00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:07,440 Speaker 4: but I also loved basketball and baseball. 101 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:09,880 Speaker 3: All through high school. I was a multi sport guy. 102 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:13,000 Speaker 4: My dad was a college coach at the time I 103 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:18,000 Speaker 4: was being recruited, and you know, so it came down 104 00:06:18,040 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 4: to I mean, part of the reason, you know, I 105 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:22,280 Speaker 4: was from Ohio and did go to Ohio State. They 106 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:24,920 Speaker 4: didn't really recruit me that heavily as a quarterback. They 107 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:28,080 Speaker 4: had signed Art Sleaster the year before, and he was 108 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:31,120 Speaker 4: a real prominent player in the state of Ohio. And 109 00:06:31,680 --> 00:06:34,920 Speaker 4: you know, I wanted to play quarterback, and I didn't 110 00:06:34,920 --> 00:06:36,680 Speaker 4: want to go too far away. I wanted to go 111 00:06:36,760 --> 00:06:39,359 Speaker 4: somewhere my family could get to games and be a 112 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 4: part of that. I wanted to go where we'd have 113 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:43,240 Speaker 4: a chance to win and go to bowl games and 114 00:06:43,960 --> 00:06:45,760 Speaker 4: throw the ball some because I was a throw I 115 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:49,839 Speaker 4: wasn't a running quarterback, so you know, Penn State was 116 00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 4: one of four schools that I ended up taking official 117 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:58,040 Speaker 4: visits to. Loved it, and you know, made the decision 118 00:06:58,080 --> 00:07:00,280 Speaker 4: to go there, and there were a lot of facts. 119 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:02,839 Speaker 3: I mean, you know, Joe Paterno was a big factor. 120 00:07:03,440 --> 00:07:07,440 Speaker 4: You know, I felt very comfortable with him and as 121 00:07:07,520 --> 00:07:11,200 Speaker 4: being the leader, and also comfortable that he wasn't going 122 00:07:11,280 --> 00:07:14,000 Speaker 4: to be leaving anytime soon. I was confident that he 123 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:17,320 Speaker 4: was going to be there during my whole time. You know, 124 00:07:17,400 --> 00:07:20,880 Speaker 4: academics were really important to me and my family, and so, 125 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:23,600 Speaker 4: you know, my goal all the way through college was, 126 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:25,760 Speaker 4: you know, I wanted to keep whatever I accomplished on 127 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:29,320 Speaker 4: the football field, I wanted to accomplish a similar level 128 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:32,280 Speaker 4: of success in the classroom. And I felt like Penn 129 00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:35,360 Speaker 4: State was a place that not only fostered that, but 130 00:07:35,440 --> 00:07:37,840 Speaker 4: they kind of demanded it. Uh So that part of 131 00:07:37,880 --> 00:07:39,600 Speaker 4: it was it was a great fit. It was a 132 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:43,360 Speaker 4: great balance, and you mentioned the record. I mean, I 133 00:07:43,520 --> 00:07:46,120 Speaker 4: was fortunate to play on some really, really good football 134 00:07:46,160 --> 00:07:48,480 Speaker 4: teams for the three years that I was a starter, 135 00:07:48,640 --> 00:07:50,800 Speaker 4: and we put a lot of guys in the NFL 136 00:07:52,240 --> 00:07:56,360 Speaker 4: in all positions linemen, backs, receivers, So it was a 137 00:07:56,520 --> 00:07:59,000 Speaker 4: it was a really great time to be a part 138 00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:00,160 Speaker 4: of Penn State football. 139 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:02,360 Speaker 3: We were not in the Big Ten at that time. 140 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:07,360 Speaker 4: We were independent independence, right, so we played a national schedule. 141 00:08:07,400 --> 00:08:10,160 Speaker 4: I mean, we played Nebraska, we played Texas, A and M. 142 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:13,920 Speaker 4: We played Missouri, we played Alabama. We played a lot 143 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:17,320 Speaker 4: of different people in addition to those Eastern schools that 144 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:19,360 Speaker 4: we kind of played on a consistent basis. 145 00:08:19,400 --> 00:08:22,600 Speaker 3: So it was a great experience all the way around. 146 00:08:24,480 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 4: You know, Academically, I had a lot of success there 147 00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:31,520 Speaker 4: as well, and I majored in speech communications with an 148 00:08:31,600 --> 00:08:34,840 Speaker 4: emphasis in broadcasting, and kind of what I'm doing now 149 00:08:34,960 --> 00:08:37,320 Speaker 4: is what I thought I wanted to do, but I 150 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 4: wasn't sure until I got done playing and actually tried it, 151 00:08:40,800 --> 00:08:42,679 Speaker 4: and I figured, I'm gonna do one of two things, though, 152 00:08:42,720 --> 00:08:44,599 Speaker 4: either be a broadcast or I'll be a coach. 153 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:45,040 Speaker 3: Like my dad. 154 00:08:45,559 --> 00:08:47,720 Speaker 4: And I think I could have been happy doing either one. 155 00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:51,480 Speaker 4: But the broadcasting has turned out to be even better 156 00:08:51,480 --> 00:08:53,240 Speaker 4: than I could have hoped for. You know, I've been 157 00:08:53,240 --> 00:08:56,960 Speaker 4: doing that, you know, a lot longer than a number 158 00:08:56,960 --> 00:08:58,960 Speaker 4: of years that I was able to play the game. 159 00:08:59,080 --> 00:09:00,360 Speaker 4: So it's been a lot of fun. 160 00:09:01,280 --> 00:09:05,800 Speaker 1: That's called longevity, and you learn longevity in the game. Now, 161 00:09:05,920 --> 00:09:07,240 Speaker 1: let me let me ask you this. 162 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:12,280 Speaker 2: You talked about the academics, you talked about the idea 163 00:09:12,280 --> 00:09:15,320 Speaker 2: of being able to play play quarterback, and you brought 164 00:09:15,400 --> 00:09:15,920 Speaker 2: up Joe. 165 00:09:16,960 --> 00:09:18,160 Speaker 1: It's funny, we were joking. 166 00:09:18,400 --> 00:09:21,640 Speaker 2: I came on four minutes, four minutes before it was 167 00:09:21,720 --> 00:09:25,280 Speaker 2: time to start, and I knew in my mind when 168 00:09:25,280 --> 00:09:27,760 Speaker 2: I was walking in, I knew when I clicked in, 169 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:31,280 Speaker 2: you would be here. Did you get the ten minutes 170 00:09:31,360 --> 00:09:34,400 Speaker 2: is on time speech? Was that a part of what? 171 00:09:34,440 --> 00:09:37,920 Speaker 2: Was that a part of your your h your training 172 00:09:37,960 --> 00:09:40,880 Speaker 2: as well? Ten minutes is on time? Anything beyond that 173 00:09:41,240 --> 00:09:41,760 Speaker 2: you're late? 174 00:09:42,320 --> 00:09:44,120 Speaker 3: Yeah, well I definitely knew that. 175 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:46,280 Speaker 4: But I knew that going in because again I was 176 00:09:46,360 --> 00:09:48,400 Speaker 4: raised by Yeah. 177 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:50,080 Speaker 3: I mean I knew that. I mean knew how that 178 00:09:50,160 --> 00:09:51,240 Speaker 3: kind of timing worked. 179 00:09:51,720 --> 00:09:55,760 Speaker 4: And I just know I know some teammates that that 180 00:09:55,880 --> 00:09:57,840 Speaker 4: got shut out of a team meeting. You know that 181 00:09:57,920 --> 00:10:00,760 Speaker 4: we're late, and that door was shut. I didn't ever 182 00:10:00,800 --> 00:10:04,160 Speaker 4: want to be anywhere close to experiencing that. So, yeah, 183 00:10:04,200 --> 00:10:05,120 Speaker 4: I was always. 184 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:10,720 Speaker 2: Early and learning those those life lessons, like the little lessons. 185 00:10:10,760 --> 00:10:13,760 Speaker 1: How much did that apply? You know? 186 00:10:13,960 --> 00:10:17,679 Speaker 2: Sometimes maybe it could be overstated, Sometimes it could be understated. 187 00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:21,920 Speaker 2: How much did the structure that you learned playing the game. 188 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:24,600 Speaker 2: Did it play a major part in how you were 189 00:10:24,640 --> 00:10:28,360 Speaker 2: structured and how you approach what you were doing in 190 00:10:28,400 --> 00:10:29,600 Speaker 2: the academic space. 191 00:10:30,480 --> 00:10:32,800 Speaker 4: Well, I think it goes hand in hand, you know, 192 00:10:32,840 --> 00:10:36,960 Speaker 4: in a lot of ways, and any in my career 193 00:10:37,040 --> 00:10:40,120 Speaker 4: now because I think that, you know, so often we 194 00:10:40,120 --> 00:10:42,880 Speaker 4: we get bored, you know, easily with the mundane, with 195 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:46,000 Speaker 4: the simple things, with the basic things, and yet those 196 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:48,280 Speaker 4: are the building blocks of success, you know, I mean 197 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:51,720 Speaker 4: paying attention to the little things, paying attention to the details, 198 00:10:51,960 --> 00:10:55,240 Speaker 4: the fundamentals, the basics you know, as a football player, 199 00:10:55,240 --> 00:10:58,480 Speaker 4: as a quarterback, footwork and ball handling and you know, 200 00:10:58,600 --> 00:11:02,280 Speaker 4: all the basic things those. 201 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:03,240 Speaker 3: Lead to success. 202 00:11:03,400 --> 00:11:06,079 Speaker 4: And if you allow those things to kind of deteriorate 203 00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:08,800 Speaker 4: or don't pay attention to them, sooner or later, it's 204 00:11:08,840 --> 00:11:10,640 Speaker 4: going to come back and bite you, you know, and 205 00:11:10,679 --> 00:11:13,080 Speaker 4: it's going to create a problem for you. So I 206 00:11:13,160 --> 00:11:17,280 Speaker 4: just think the carryover of you know, practicing football and 207 00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:20,200 Speaker 4: the fact that you practice way more than you play, 208 00:11:20,679 --> 00:11:23,360 Speaker 4: and you work on those basics and fundamentals, and then 209 00:11:23,679 --> 00:11:26,120 Speaker 4: you know, having that same work ethic in the classroom 210 00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:28,480 Speaker 4: and then the same work ethic out in the real 211 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:31,520 Speaker 4: world when you leave Penn State or whatever school you're in. 212 00:11:32,480 --> 00:11:33,520 Speaker 3: It pays dividends. 213 00:11:33,520 --> 00:11:36,040 Speaker 4: And I think the things that you learn as an 214 00:11:36,080 --> 00:11:40,800 Speaker 4: athlete definitely carry over in the real world in any 215 00:11:40,840 --> 00:11:42,200 Speaker 4: profession that you're in. 216 00:11:42,320 --> 00:11:44,360 Speaker 3: And I think just I mean simple things. 217 00:11:44,360 --> 00:11:49,079 Speaker 4: I mean obviously work, ethic and discipline, you know, perseverance, 218 00:11:49,360 --> 00:11:51,840 Speaker 4: learning that you know that you play for four quarters, 219 00:11:51,840 --> 00:11:54,120 Speaker 4: no matter what happened in the first half, no matter 220 00:11:54,160 --> 00:11:57,080 Speaker 4: what's happened for the first three quarters, the game is 221 00:11:57,080 --> 00:11:59,520 Speaker 4: not over till it's there's no time left, you know, 222 00:11:59,600 --> 00:12:03,359 Speaker 4: And so I think athletes have a better appreciation understanding 223 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:07,000 Speaker 4: of that and hanging in there and even in tough times, 224 00:12:07,440 --> 00:12:10,120 Speaker 4: you know, not giving in, not giving up, and then 225 00:12:10,240 --> 00:12:13,560 Speaker 4: just the whole value and necessity of teamwork, you know, 226 00:12:13,840 --> 00:12:16,840 Speaker 4: and just how important your brothers are, the guy on 227 00:12:16,880 --> 00:12:19,040 Speaker 4: your left and guy and your right, and that you 228 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:21,679 Speaker 4: know you're only going to be as good as everybody 229 00:12:21,760 --> 00:12:24,720 Speaker 4: is good together. And I think that that's one of 230 00:12:24,720 --> 00:12:27,800 Speaker 4: the great lessons, and football, maybe more than any sport, 231 00:12:28,080 --> 00:12:30,640 Speaker 4: teaches that because you got eleven guys that have to 232 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:31,960 Speaker 4: be pulling in the same direction. 233 00:12:32,840 --> 00:12:34,040 Speaker 1: Now you're in television. 234 00:12:34,080 --> 00:12:38,560 Speaker 2: You're in broadcasting and you have been a juggernaut for years. 235 00:12:39,120 --> 00:12:42,560 Speaker 2: In fact, I always say, for me when when I 236 00:12:42,600 --> 00:12:48,160 Speaker 2: went into media, my ultimate goal is to do so 237 00:12:48,440 --> 00:12:51,680 Speaker 2: well for so long at what it is that I 238 00:12:51,760 --> 00:12:54,840 Speaker 2: do that people don't even remember that I even played ball. 239 00:12:55,160 --> 00:12:59,040 Speaker 2: It's just that's the media guy. You have called some 240 00:12:59,160 --> 00:13:03,240 Speaker 2: phenomenal game. You have been a part of some phenomenal 241 00:13:03,280 --> 00:13:04,720 Speaker 2: games that have been played. 242 00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:09,440 Speaker 1: How much how much does that preparation. 243 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:12,280 Speaker 2: And that approach to how you get through the hard 244 00:13:12,360 --> 00:13:15,920 Speaker 2: times and be that good teammate to your other teammates. 245 00:13:16,160 --> 00:13:18,400 Speaker 2: How much does that play a part in what it 246 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:20,800 Speaker 2: is that you do now, because, like you said, the 247 00:13:20,840 --> 00:13:24,040 Speaker 2: longevity of doing. 248 00:13:23,600 --> 00:13:26,320 Speaker 1: Media is much further. 249 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:30,920 Speaker 2: It's a much further distance away from you know, from 250 00:13:31,080 --> 00:13:34,200 Speaker 2: just like two three years, like two three years or 251 00:13:34,280 --> 00:13:38,520 Speaker 2: four years. It can go for a really long time. 252 00:13:38,559 --> 00:13:41,800 Speaker 2: And you've been in it for it's over twenty years. 253 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:44,800 Speaker 2: It's got to be I was about to say easily 254 00:13:44,840 --> 00:13:49,520 Speaker 2: over twenty. So being in your industry for over thirty years, 255 00:13:49,520 --> 00:13:53,160 Speaker 2: first and foremost, you gotta be good to have had 256 00:13:53,320 --> 00:13:56,160 Speaker 2: to been in for over thirty years. That's one for 257 00:13:56,320 --> 00:14:01,360 Speaker 2: two to continue to elevate, you know, because you got 258 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:05,240 Speaker 2: a new opportunity just what maybe a year or so ago, 259 00:14:05,320 --> 00:14:10,800 Speaker 2: I believe you have continued to progress and elevate. How 260 00:14:10,880 --> 00:14:13,839 Speaker 2: much does that How much does that discipline and what 261 00:14:13,920 --> 00:14:17,119 Speaker 2: you've learned playing the game, if any at this point, 262 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:19,840 Speaker 2: how much does that live with you? And how you 263 00:14:19,880 --> 00:14:23,880 Speaker 2: prepare for your calls or prepare for your shows and 264 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:26,440 Speaker 2: prepare your day and map out how you're going to 265 00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:27,120 Speaker 2: live your day. 266 00:14:27,400 --> 00:14:30,920 Speaker 4: How much of that plays a part a lot, LeVar, 267 00:14:31,040 --> 00:14:33,640 Speaker 4: I mean, you know, I'll tell you I mean in 268 00:14:33,680 --> 00:14:38,360 Speaker 4: several ways. First of all, you know, my preparation for 269 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:41,320 Speaker 4: games is very similar to the way I used to 270 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:44,520 Speaker 4: prepare as a quarterback. I watch a ton of film, 271 00:14:44,840 --> 00:14:46,600 Speaker 4: you know, I watch a lot of game film, and 272 00:14:47,440 --> 00:14:49,120 Speaker 4: you know, I try to go back two or three 273 00:14:49,160 --> 00:14:52,360 Speaker 4: games and watch a lot of cutups and breakdowns of 274 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:57,240 Speaker 4: situational football and get a good feel for personnel and 275 00:14:57,320 --> 00:15:00,360 Speaker 4: matchups and those kind of things. So I I put 276 00:15:00,400 --> 00:15:03,320 Speaker 4: a lot of work into it before the game actually 277 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:08,960 Speaker 4: arrives on a Saturday. And then you know, the teamwork aspect, 278 00:15:09,240 --> 00:15:12,040 Speaker 4: I mean, I you know, I look at my broadcast 279 00:15:12,080 --> 00:15:14,560 Speaker 4: crew and we have about fifty to sixty people that 280 00:15:14,640 --> 00:15:17,880 Speaker 4: travel every week that are a part of our core group. Uh, 281 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:20,520 Speaker 4: and I'm the quarterback of that group, you know. And 282 00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:23,160 Speaker 4: that's the way I approach it, and I approach it 283 00:15:23,200 --> 00:15:25,320 Speaker 4: with you know, I want to I want to know 284 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:27,880 Speaker 4: everybody's name. I want to say hi to the camera guys, 285 00:15:27,920 --> 00:15:31,280 Speaker 4: say hi to the tape guys, because everybody's in it together, 286 00:15:31,480 --> 00:15:33,320 Speaker 4: you know, and we're only going to be as good 287 00:15:33,480 --> 00:15:37,080 Speaker 4: as a product as if everybody is good and everybody 288 00:15:37,080 --> 00:15:40,480 Speaker 4: feels valued and everybody feels significant. And so I try 289 00:15:40,520 --> 00:15:43,040 Speaker 4: to really make it a point to be that kind 290 00:15:43,040 --> 00:15:46,320 Speaker 4: of a leader of our group. And then just again, 291 00:15:46,360 --> 00:15:49,880 Speaker 4: it's the work ethic. I know what my level of 292 00:15:49,920 --> 00:15:53,640 Speaker 4: preparation needs to be to where I'm comfortable going into 293 00:15:53,680 --> 00:15:56,440 Speaker 4: a game, and I try to prepare the same no 294 00:15:56,520 --> 00:16:00,560 Speaker 4: matter if it's you know, an Oregon Ohio State like 295 00:16:00,600 --> 00:16:03,200 Speaker 4: this year was the biggest game on our schedule, or 296 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:05,480 Speaker 4: if it's just any game. You know, I'm going to 297 00:16:05,880 --> 00:16:08,840 Speaker 4: treat each game the same way because I think each 298 00:16:08,880 --> 00:16:13,640 Speaker 4: game deserves that same level of preparation. And that's fun, 299 00:16:13,760 --> 00:16:16,160 Speaker 4: you know. I mean, it's it's live TV. You're doing 300 00:16:16,160 --> 00:16:19,760 Speaker 4: it for three and a half hours. It's exciting, it's challenging, 301 00:16:20,040 --> 00:16:22,560 Speaker 4: and you know, I'm still having a lot of fun 302 00:16:22,560 --> 00:16:23,120 Speaker 4: at doing it. 303 00:16:23,960 --> 00:16:27,640 Speaker 2: I've learned a lot of lessons doing broadcasting and doing media, 304 00:16:27,800 --> 00:16:32,280 Speaker 2: especially live media, and it's. 305 00:16:32,040 --> 00:16:34,360 Speaker 1: It's much like for me. It's like the game. And 306 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:35,920 Speaker 1: you mentioned it a little earlier. 307 00:16:35,960 --> 00:16:38,520 Speaker 2: You get into the game and it's four quarters that 308 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:42,920 Speaker 2: have to be played, and I found it to be very, 309 00:16:43,080 --> 00:16:48,240 Speaker 2: very relatable. You have a game, it doesn't go as 310 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:50,600 Speaker 2: well as it could be going. At some point in 311 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:53,400 Speaker 2: the game. We can stop if you want, We could 312 00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:54,440 Speaker 2: redo it if you want. 313 00:16:54,960 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 1: Good. I got a dog too. And you learned in 314 00:16:57,000 --> 00:17:00,600 Speaker 1: the background mister sticks opened the door. He opened the 315 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:02,480 Speaker 1: door while we were doing so we could stop. 316 00:17:02,520 --> 00:17:05,680 Speaker 2: I could I could read you know, frame the question. 317 00:17:05,800 --> 00:17:08,520 Speaker 1: It's no problem. Yeah, yeah, yeah, you're good. 318 00:17:08,560 --> 00:17:13,280 Speaker 2: Okay, So all right, so I'll I'll restate it. So 319 00:17:14,520 --> 00:17:19,159 Speaker 2: and doing broadcasting and doing the games and preparing for 320 00:17:19,200 --> 00:17:21,920 Speaker 2: the games you talked about earlier being able to make 321 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:25,359 Speaker 2: it through the four quarters, and being able to make 322 00:17:25,400 --> 00:17:29,480 Speaker 2: it through the four quarters, and and knowing that everything 323 00:17:29,560 --> 00:17:33,560 Speaker 2: that you prepare for something is going to go wrong. 324 00:17:33,880 --> 00:17:35,360 Speaker 1: Something isn't going to go. 325 00:17:35,320 --> 00:17:37,000 Speaker 2: The way that you would like for it to go, 326 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:40,959 Speaker 2: but you have four quarters to continue to push through it, 327 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:46,399 Speaker 2: you know, adjust, adapt, That's happened with me and in 328 00:17:46,560 --> 00:17:48,240 Speaker 2: media and then broadcasts. 329 00:17:48,920 --> 00:17:51,240 Speaker 1: How much does it play a part in what you do? 330 00:17:51,359 --> 00:17:51,639 Speaker 1: Have you? 331 00:17:51,720 --> 00:17:55,240 Speaker 2: Is there a specific you know, time that you can 332 00:17:55,280 --> 00:17:58,480 Speaker 2: remember where it was like, man like I started off 333 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:02,159 Speaker 2: slow or you know, something caught me off guard. But 334 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:07,200 Speaker 2: my ability to adapt and adjust and understanding that adverse 335 00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:10,720 Speaker 2: situation led to me being able to call a really 336 00:18:10,960 --> 00:18:12,399 Speaker 2: you know, a really fine game. 337 00:18:12,800 --> 00:18:14,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, that happens. 338 00:18:14,520 --> 00:18:18,240 Speaker 4: I mean, you know, there are sometimes, you know, there's 339 00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:21,000 Speaker 4: sometimes where I'll feel like when the game starts, I 340 00:18:21,040 --> 00:18:23,320 Speaker 4: feel like I got a really good beat on it, 341 00:18:23,920 --> 00:18:26,760 Speaker 4: and I feel like I'm a step ahead, you know, 342 00:18:26,840 --> 00:18:29,800 Speaker 4: which is a great feeling. But there are other times 343 00:18:29,840 --> 00:18:32,640 Speaker 4: where I feel like, you know, I'm reacting too much, 344 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:34,000 Speaker 4: I'm a step behind, you know. 345 00:18:34,119 --> 00:18:36,439 Speaker 3: And so in those cases, I don't panic. 346 00:18:36,520 --> 00:18:39,199 Speaker 4: I just try to relax and kind of, you know, 347 00:18:39,320 --> 00:18:41,760 Speaker 4: get myself back to where I feel comfortable where I 348 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:44,679 Speaker 4: need to be in doing the game. But there's also 349 00:18:44,720 --> 00:18:47,960 Speaker 4: stuff that happens it's completely out of your control. I'll 350 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:51,000 Speaker 4: give you a perfect example, and this was many years ago. 351 00:18:51,080 --> 00:18:54,600 Speaker 4: But Alabama was playing Texas in a national championship game 352 00:18:55,040 --> 00:18:57,879 Speaker 4: and it was a great matchup. It was an evenly 353 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:01,560 Speaker 4: matched game and Alabama would go on to win. But 354 00:19:01,680 --> 00:19:04,560 Speaker 4: Colt McCoy, the quarterback for Texas, got hurt. 355 00:19:04,680 --> 00:19:06,360 Speaker 3: He got hurt early in the first court. 356 00:19:06,440 --> 00:19:10,080 Speaker 4: Yeah, and it changed the whole dynamic of the So 357 00:19:10,280 --> 00:19:12,800 Speaker 4: now that changes your course as a Broncat. 358 00:19:12,880 --> 00:19:16,359 Speaker 3: You got to know, you got to approach. 359 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:20,479 Speaker 4: It completely different because the game dramatically changed when he 360 00:19:20,520 --> 00:19:22,040 Speaker 4: got hurt and went out of the game, you know. 361 00:19:22,119 --> 00:19:24,679 Speaker 4: And so uh, those are things that happened that you 362 00:19:24,840 --> 00:19:27,159 Speaker 4: just have to kind of deal with and react to 363 00:19:27,280 --> 00:19:30,119 Speaker 4: and hopefully your preparation is good enough to where you 364 00:19:30,160 --> 00:19:32,560 Speaker 4: can kind of pick up the slack and keep going. 365 00:19:33,680 --> 00:19:35,920 Speaker 1: What's do you have a favorite game that you've called? 366 00:19:37,200 --> 00:19:40,399 Speaker 4: Oh man, I've had so many good ones, fun ones 367 00:19:42,359 --> 00:19:44,520 Speaker 4: up until a couple of the two two that stand 368 00:19:44,520 --> 00:19:48,600 Speaker 4: out to me the most. Now, this Oregon Ohio State 369 00:19:48,640 --> 00:19:50,320 Speaker 4: game I did this year was great. I mean it 370 00:19:50,320 --> 00:19:52,159 Speaker 4: went down to the last play and that was an 371 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:57,520 Speaker 4: incredible atmosphere and Eugene. But prior to that, the first 372 00:19:57,560 --> 00:20:01,120 Speaker 4: year of the college football Playoffs twenty fourteen, we did. 373 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:04,880 Speaker 4: We did Ohio State and Alabama, and Ohio State won 374 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:07,760 Speaker 4: on their way to a national championship. And that was 375 00:20:07,800 --> 00:20:11,760 Speaker 4: an incredible show in the Sugar Bowl. First year of 376 00:20:11,800 --> 00:20:16,040 Speaker 4: the playoff, two blue blood programs and our whole production crew. 377 00:20:16,160 --> 00:20:18,119 Speaker 4: It was just one of the best shows I was 378 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:21,480 Speaker 4: ever a part of. And then the last year, my 379 00:20:21,640 --> 00:20:22,320 Speaker 4: last game I. 380 00:20:22,280 --> 00:20:23,240 Speaker 3: Did with the ESPN. 381 00:20:23,760 --> 00:20:25,240 Speaker 4: I didn't know what the time was gonna be my 382 00:20:25,359 --> 00:20:28,600 Speaker 4: last game, but it was was the semi final game 383 00:20:29,320 --> 00:20:36,080 Speaker 4: in Arlington, Texas between TCU and Michigan, and TCU ended 384 00:20:36,160 --> 00:20:39,160 Speaker 4: up beating Michigan as a back and forth, high scoring thing, 385 00:20:39,280 --> 00:20:42,280 Speaker 4: lots of big plays, and that was a great show 386 00:20:42,320 --> 00:20:43,520 Speaker 4: as well and a really. 387 00:20:43,280 --> 00:20:44,439 Speaker 3: Fun game to be a part of. 388 00:20:44,520 --> 00:20:47,560 Speaker 4: So I've had the opportunity to call a lot of 389 00:20:47,680 --> 00:20:51,320 Speaker 4: big games, a lot of big Bowl games, semi final games, 390 00:20:51,440 --> 00:20:56,680 Speaker 4: national championship games, and I will say this probably the 391 00:20:56,720 --> 00:20:59,560 Speaker 4: most one of the most enjoyable games that I've ever 392 00:20:59,560 --> 00:21:02,280 Speaker 4: gotten to, and I did it three times, once at 393 00:21:02,320 --> 00:21:05,600 Speaker 4: ABC and twice at CBS was the Army Navy game 394 00:21:05,880 --> 00:21:08,359 Speaker 4: because it was just unlike any other game. It just 395 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:12,040 Speaker 4: was such a unique atmosphere and setting and feel and 396 00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:14,600 Speaker 4: really didn't matter if the teams were good or not. 397 00:21:14,800 --> 00:21:17,120 Speaker 4: You know this, this this past week, they were both 398 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:21,920 Speaker 4: really good. There a lot of years where neither team 399 00:21:21,960 --> 00:21:23,920 Speaker 4: had a good record, but the game was still really 400 00:21:24,040 --> 00:21:27,920 Speaker 4: meaningful to all the guys involved, so that that was 401 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:29,760 Speaker 4: a special game to be a part of as well. 402 00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:33,320 Speaker 2: Give me a fond memory of Joe Paterno, you got 403 00:21:33,320 --> 00:21:36,320 Speaker 2: a story. Everybody has a story. Everybody has at least 404 00:21:36,440 --> 00:21:39,560 Speaker 2: one story if they've played for Joe. I'm certain you 405 00:21:39,640 --> 00:21:41,920 Speaker 2: have at least one good one on Joe. 406 00:21:41,960 --> 00:21:44,280 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, yeah, I have. I had several. 407 00:21:44,359 --> 00:21:48,000 Speaker 4: I mean the first story and the first impression. I mean, 408 00:21:48,040 --> 00:21:50,639 Speaker 4: I remember when he came to my house and this 409 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:51,520 Speaker 4: was towards the end of. 410 00:21:57,560 --> 00:22:00,920 Speaker 1: You gotta come, you gotta come this, you don't play 411 00:22:00,920 --> 00:22:01,199 Speaker 1: for me. 412 00:22:01,400 --> 00:22:05,200 Speaker 4: Top he sat in the recliner, he'd had his shoes off, 413 00:22:05,240 --> 00:22:08,600 Speaker 4: he sat in a recliner, and then, you know, at 414 00:22:08,720 --> 00:22:11,280 Speaker 4: just the right moment, he kind of brought the recliner 415 00:22:11,359 --> 00:22:13,240 Speaker 4: up and he and he looked at me and said, 416 00:22:13,320 --> 00:22:15,680 Speaker 4: you know, I think you're the guy that. 417 00:22:15,640 --> 00:22:18,200 Speaker 3: Can lead us to a national championship. And I remember 418 00:22:18,280 --> 00:22:20,199 Speaker 3: him saying that to me in my living room wow. 419 00:22:20,359 --> 00:22:22,880 Speaker 3: And uh, you know, my mom. 420 00:22:22,760 --> 00:22:25,560 Speaker 4: Is Italian, her dad Warren Sacucci. I mean, there was 421 00:22:25,600 --> 00:22:27,639 Speaker 4: no way he wasn't gonna let me go to PennState. 422 00:22:28,640 --> 00:22:31,960 Speaker 3: I was locked in there, right, you know, yeah, I 423 00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:33,720 Speaker 3: was locked in with the pies on so. 424 00:22:35,440 --> 00:22:37,919 Speaker 4: But yeah, that was that was my first real memory 425 00:22:37,960 --> 00:22:40,080 Speaker 4: of him. And then he and I had kind of 426 00:22:40,080 --> 00:22:42,080 Speaker 4: a running deal. And I kind of liked my hair 427 00:22:42,119 --> 00:22:44,480 Speaker 4: a little bit long, and he was constantly on me, 428 00:22:45,040 --> 00:22:46,840 Speaker 4: you know, my hair was coming out of my helmet 429 00:22:46,920 --> 00:22:48,399 Speaker 4: or whatever, you know about. 430 00:22:48,160 --> 00:22:51,440 Speaker 3: My about that. But uh, but I had a great 431 00:22:51,480 --> 00:22:52,520 Speaker 3: relationship with him. 432 00:22:52,520 --> 00:22:54,320 Speaker 4: Again, I you know, was the son of a coach, 433 00:22:54,400 --> 00:22:56,480 Speaker 4: so you know a lot of people thought maybe he 434 00:22:56,560 --> 00:22:59,080 Speaker 4: was too hard. He was never too hard to me, 435 00:22:59,280 --> 00:23:01,720 Speaker 4: you know, or on me, and that by the time 436 00:23:01,760 --> 00:23:04,320 Speaker 4: I got to be a senior, you know, he really 437 00:23:04,320 --> 00:23:04,919 Speaker 4: trusted me. 438 00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:07,159 Speaker 3: I mean, I felt like we had a good relationship. 439 00:23:07,160 --> 00:23:09,879 Speaker 4: He trusted me, allowed me to make some checks at 440 00:23:09,880 --> 00:23:12,440 Speaker 4: the line of scrimmage, audible in and out of some things. 441 00:23:13,960 --> 00:23:17,119 Speaker 4: And then when I left Penn State, that relationship changed, 442 00:23:17,160 --> 00:23:19,560 Speaker 4: you know, I mean it became a much different than 443 00:23:19,600 --> 00:23:22,959 Speaker 4: player coach, and you know, he was very interested in 444 00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:23,760 Speaker 4: my career and. 445 00:23:23,720 --> 00:23:26,520 Speaker 3: My development and you know all of that as well, 446 00:23:26,600 --> 00:23:28,480 Speaker 3: for you know, as long as he was alive. 447 00:23:29,119 --> 00:23:33,639 Speaker 2: That was when my relationship changed with Joe. Me and 448 00:23:33,720 --> 00:23:37,199 Speaker 2: Joe didn't like each other when I played there. I 449 00:23:37,200 --> 00:23:41,359 Speaker 2: think we're both both bull hitted and and you know, 450 00:23:41,440 --> 00:23:45,600 Speaker 2: I appreciate it. I think we always respected one another, 451 00:23:46,119 --> 00:23:50,640 Speaker 2: but I think we we butted hits because at times, 452 00:23:51,280 --> 00:23:54,360 Speaker 2: you know, I wanted to be me and at times 453 00:23:54,520 --> 00:23:59,360 Speaker 2: he wanted me to not be me. And it was like, well, 454 00:23:59,440 --> 00:24:01,560 Speaker 2: I don't know, my parents told me that being me 455 00:24:01,840 --> 00:24:03,600 Speaker 2: was okay all the way up to this point. 456 00:24:03,680 --> 00:24:06,679 Speaker 1: Now you're telling me something totally different. I don't you know. 457 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:09,679 Speaker 2: I think I think I'm gonna go with my parents 458 00:24:09,720 --> 00:24:11,720 Speaker 2: on this one, but I don't know that I should. 459 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:14,159 Speaker 2: So I'm gonna try to do it your way. And 460 00:24:14,280 --> 00:24:17,280 Speaker 2: you know, we got through it. But when I left, 461 00:24:17,440 --> 00:24:18,280 Speaker 2: it was when. 462 00:24:18,160 --> 00:24:22,320 Speaker 1: I realized the value, the true value. 463 00:24:22,080 --> 00:24:25,680 Speaker 2: Of who Joe Paterno was and what he represented, I mean, 464 00:24:25,760 --> 00:24:29,080 Speaker 2: the development he was developing us all along, Like I 465 00:24:29,600 --> 00:24:32,720 Speaker 2: look at the things that I learned while I was there, 466 00:24:32,840 --> 00:24:35,200 Speaker 2: and why I'm able to do the things that I'm 467 00:24:35,200 --> 00:24:35,920 Speaker 2: able to do. 468 00:24:35,880 --> 00:24:37,200 Speaker 1: At such a high level. 469 00:24:37,720 --> 00:24:43,080 Speaker 2: My competency is always in mind, and it's always something 470 00:24:43,440 --> 00:24:47,320 Speaker 2: that I can recall, the little things always being such 471 00:24:47,480 --> 00:24:50,320 Speaker 2: big things, right, take care of the little things. The 472 00:24:50,320 --> 00:24:54,680 Speaker 2: big things take care of themselves. So Joe was pretty awesome. 473 00:24:55,560 --> 00:24:59,200 Speaker 2: I'll tell you another awesome And it's a segue that 474 00:24:59,280 --> 00:25:03,680 Speaker 2: the National for Foundation a ton of awesome people. They 475 00:25:03,720 --> 00:25:07,199 Speaker 2: do a lot of great things in the community. They 476 00:25:07,760 --> 00:25:12,440 Speaker 2: stand on education, they stand on community service. What's your 477 00:25:12,560 --> 00:25:16,159 Speaker 2: what's been your involvement, what's been your your relationship with 478 00:25:16,240 --> 00:25:17,720 Speaker 2: the National Football Foundation. 479 00:25:18,359 --> 00:25:21,880 Speaker 4: Yeah, well it's kind of personal end business. So, I mean, 480 00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:24,680 Speaker 4: I've known Steve Hassel for a long time. And then 481 00:25:24,760 --> 00:25:26,840 Speaker 4: Matt Sign is a very good friend. 482 00:25:26,560 --> 00:25:29,480 Speaker 3: Of mine, and that was a spotder for me when 483 00:25:29,480 --> 00:25:31,720 Speaker 3: I was at CBS and I did not know that. 484 00:25:31,800 --> 00:25:33,480 Speaker 4: Yeah, he was in the booth with me for a 485 00:25:33,880 --> 00:25:37,360 Speaker 4: years and nice we developed our relationship and we've been 486 00:25:37,400 --> 00:25:40,680 Speaker 4: friends ever since. And uh, and then aside from that, 487 00:25:40,840 --> 00:25:43,159 Speaker 4: you know, I've been to the dinner when I was 488 00:25:43,160 --> 00:25:45,920 Speaker 4: in New York several times. I've not been yet since 489 00:25:45,960 --> 00:25:48,280 Speaker 4: it's been in Vegas, but I got a cow. I 490 00:25:48,320 --> 00:25:50,600 Speaker 4: do look forward to going back to it because you know, 491 00:25:50,680 --> 00:25:53,359 Speaker 4: the thing I loved about that dinner. Being in the 492 00:25:53,440 --> 00:25:56,919 Speaker 4: business and being and broadcasting is that was one of 493 00:25:56,960 --> 00:26:00,320 Speaker 4: the few times where you would see coaches and could 494 00:26:00,359 --> 00:26:03,159 Speaker 4: mingle with coaches and they weren't so uptight like it 495 00:26:03,160 --> 00:26:07,800 Speaker 4: was it relaxed and having a good time and commiserating 496 00:26:07,920 --> 00:26:11,840 Speaker 4: and it's really a fun atmosphere to talk to coaches 497 00:26:12,760 --> 00:26:16,280 Speaker 4: and to mingle in that in that setting, it is. 498 00:26:16,640 --> 00:26:21,159 Speaker 2: I mean, it's it's very it's it's I don't know, 499 00:26:21,240 --> 00:26:24,200 Speaker 2: it's just super humbling. You know, I walked out this 500 00:26:24,280 --> 00:26:27,679 Speaker 2: is so before I went out, they introduced us coming 501 00:26:27,720 --> 00:26:35,600 Speaker 2: out the alumni, I would sit with Barry Switzer, Ronnie Lott, 502 00:26:35,920 --> 00:26:40,680 Speaker 2: and Marcus Allen like that's in what other setting am 503 00:26:40,800 --> 00:26:44,240 Speaker 2: I able to be an equal to guys like that? 504 00:26:44,400 --> 00:26:48,320 Speaker 2: And that's to me, the National Football Foundation has created 505 00:26:48,920 --> 00:26:53,920 Speaker 2: such a a safe environment, like what you're you're alluding 506 00:26:53,960 --> 00:26:57,000 Speaker 2: to and being able to talk to one another and 507 00:26:57,000 --> 00:26:58,640 Speaker 2: and you know, here's a good. 508 00:26:58,480 --> 00:27:00,600 Speaker 1: Here's a good story. I haven't even told this story 509 00:27:00,640 --> 00:27:01,440 Speaker 1: publicly yet. 510 00:27:02,280 --> 00:27:06,280 Speaker 2: Steve Hutchinson just got inducted into the Hall of Fame 511 00:27:07,320 --> 00:27:11,919 Speaker 2: play at Michigan Hall of Famer. At for the Seattle Seahawks, 512 00:27:12,119 --> 00:27:16,840 Speaker 2: we hated each other. Todd hate like real, real hate, 513 00:27:16,920 --> 00:27:21,840 Speaker 2: not like the fake hate, like real, real hate. And 514 00:27:21,920 --> 00:27:24,400 Speaker 2: it goes back to when we were going up. We 515 00:27:24,400 --> 00:27:27,400 Speaker 2: were we were going against each other in the game, 516 00:27:28,119 --> 00:27:31,240 Speaker 2: and I can recall, you know, the way he was 517 00:27:31,280 --> 00:27:33,399 Speaker 2: blocking me, and I can recall the things I was 518 00:27:33,400 --> 00:27:36,359 Speaker 2: doing to him. We developed and then it continued on 519 00:27:36,480 --> 00:27:39,680 Speaker 2: into the league, so i'd see him, we'd see each 520 00:27:39,680 --> 00:27:44,080 Speaker 2: other a place, never talk, never say anything, and we 521 00:27:44,119 --> 00:27:46,520 Speaker 2: gave each other a big embrace, a big hug. 522 00:27:47,119 --> 00:27:47,320 Speaker 1: Sit. 523 00:27:47,359 --> 00:27:52,000 Speaker 2: We're teammates now, and that's what's most important. The rest 524 00:27:52,040 --> 00:27:54,560 Speaker 2: of it. We can bury that and and let that. 525 00:27:54,840 --> 00:27:57,240 Speaker 2: Let that be. None of us are putting on any 526 00:27:57,280 --> 00:28:00,719 Speaker 2: pads and helmets and and cleats anymore any way. So 527 00:28:00,880 --> 00:28:03,160 Speaker 2: whatever that was going to be, it's did and gone. 528 00:28:03,320 --> 00:28:07,240 Speaker 2: But to be in a place where the environment kind 529 00:28:07,240 --> 00:28:11,440 Speaker 2: of breeds that type of energy, Todd is, it's been. 530 00:28:12,119 --> 00:28:15,280 Speaker 2: It's been something that I kind of feel like outside 531 00:28:15,280 --> 00:28:17,840 Speaker 2: of going back, which I know you're so busy, but 532 00:28:17,920 --> 00:28:19,640 Speaker 2: you're one of the guys I love to see back. 533 00:28:19,680 --> 00:28:22,360 Speaker 2: When I see you at Penn State, I love when 534 00:28:22,400 --> 00:28:25,400 Speaker 2: I see you there. But it's one of those things 535 00:28:25,400 --> 00:28:28,400 Speaker 2: that I really needed. I really needed to have an 536 00:28:28,440 --> 00:28:33,159 Speaker 2: outlet like the National Football Foundation and their dinners to 537 00:28:33,280 --> 00:28:35,560 Speaker 2: have that ability to be able to talk to people 538 00:28:35,560 --> 00:28:39,080 Speaker 2: who understand, you know, what I may be going through 539 00:28:39,080 --> 00:28:41,680 Speaker 2: and you know what I'm trying to do, so you. 540 00:28:41,680 --> 00:28:47,600 Speaker 4: Know, I also I really appreciate and applaud the the 541 00:28:47,680 --> 00:28:51,120 Speaker 4: big academic Heisman Award that they get as well, because 542 00:28:51,160 --> 00:28:55,480 Speaker 4: I think Trophy, yeah, you know, is a wonderful award 543 00:28:55,800 --> 00:29:01,000 Speaker 4: and you know, really recognizes not just the winner, but 544 00:29:01,120 --> 00:29:04,160 Speaker 4: all the people that are nominated are phenomenal stories. And 545 00:29:04,200 --> 00:29:06,800 Speaker 4: the fact that it crosses all levels of the game, 546 00:29:06,840 --> 00:29:09,520 Speaker 4: you know, not just the powerful conferences, you know, it 547 00:29:09,800 --> 00:29:12,600 Speaker 4: takes into account, you know, all levels of college football, 548 00:29:12,600 --> 00:29:14,080 Speaker 4: which I think is wonderful as well. 549 00:29:15,080 --> 00:29:19,000 Speaker 2: Before I let you go, what's your take on on 550 00:29:19,080 --> 00:29:21,840 Speaker 2: the playoff? What what you've gone through a season? 551 00:29:21,920 --> 00:29:22,120 Speaker 1: Now? 552 00:29:22,160 --> 00:29:26,000 Speaker 2: With the expanded field, I feel like it's created a 553 00:29:26,040 --> 00:29:30,280 Speaker 2: ton of excitement. It looks as though it's going to 554 00:29:30,320 --> 00:29:33,760 Speaker 2: get way more exciting. I'm hitting up the state college. 555 00:29:35,520 --> 00:29:37,840 Speaker 2: What's your take on it? Are you excited about it? 556 00:29:38,560 --> 00:29:40,520 Speaker 3: I think it's gonna be I think it's gonna be awesome. 557 00:29:40,600 --> 00:29:44,480 Speaker 4: I think the expanded to twelve teams, you know, obviously 558 00:29:44,520 --> 00:29:49,040 Speaker 4: gives more teams access, which is good. And I think 559 00:29:49,120 --> 00:29:54,959 Speaker 4: the the having home games on campus in December is phenomenal, 560 00:29:55,120 --> 00:29:58,320 Speaker 4: you know, And and that's more like what it should 561 00:29:58,360 --> 00:30:01,120 Speaker 4: be like the NFL. If you if you deserve to 562 00:30:01,320 --> 00:30:05,240 Speaker 4: host a playoff game, you should have that home field advantage, 563 00:30:05,240 --> 00:30:08,000 Speaker 4: whether it's weather, crowd, whatever, And so I think we'll 564 00:30:08,000 --> 00:30:12,040 Speaker 4: see that in this opening weekend. I'll be paying attention 565 00:30:12,120 --> 00:30:15,320 Speaker 4: to the Penn State game. Unfortunately, I'll be calling a game. 566 00:30:15,680 --> 00:30:19,120 Speaker 4: I'm doing the Chiefs Texans game in Kansas City at 567 00:30:19,120 --> 00:30:22,120 Speaker 4: the same time as the Penn State SMU game, so 568 00:30:22,200 --> 00:30:24,400 Speaker 4: I'll have to kind of keep tabs on that. But 569 00:30:24,840 --> 00:30:28,080 Speaker 4: I'm looking forward to watching the playoffs and all the 570 00:30:28,080 --> 00:30:31,360 Speaker 4: way around. And you know, as far as a Penn stater, 571 00:30:31,560 --> 00:30:34,800 Speaker 4: I mean, I kind of like like where they're sitting 572 00:30:34,880 --> 00:30:38,120 Speaker 4: right now, you know, having a home game against SMU 573 00:30:38,280 --> 00:30:41,000 Speaker 4: and then if they win, a chance to go to 574 00:30:41,040 --> 00:30:43,320 Speaker 4: the Fiesta Bowl, where Penn State has had a lot 575 00:30:43,360 --> 00:30:47,240 Speaker 4: of great success in the Fiesta Bowl historically, so it'd 576 00:30:47,240 --> 00:30:49,040 Speaker 4: be kind of fun to see him get out there 577 00:30:49,080 --> 00:30:49,480 Speaker 4: as well. 578 00:30:51,120 --> 00:30:54,480 Speaker 2: Always a pleasure, super humble when I get an opportunity 579 00:30:54,520 --> 00:30:56,920 Speaker 2: to talk to you. Man, it's like the first time 580 00:30:57,000 --> 00:31:00,280 Speaker 2: every time I see my admiration for you is so 581 00:31:00,600 --> 00:31:05,840 Speaker 2: far and beyond the realm of reasoning and being able 582 00:31:05,880 --> 00:31:08,360 Speaker 2: to even figure it out. I just I think the 583 00:31:08,400 --> 00:31:11,560 Speaker 2: world of you, man is it's guys like you that 584 00:31:11,680 --> 00:31:16,360 Speaker 2: have given guys like me a trail. You blaze the trail, 585 00:31:16,440 --> 00:31:18,760 Speaker 2: and you know, as you can see, I'm interviewing you 586 00:31:18,880 --> 00:31:22,520 Speaker 2: right now, I do media and so that impact. Believe 587 00:31:22,600 --> 00:31:25,920 Speaker 2: you me continue to live in that excellence. We are 588 00:31:26,000 --> 00:31:29,600 Speaker 2: the grand experiment and you know what, like you, you 589 00:31:29,680 --> 00:31:32,880 Speaker 2: are one of the crown jewels of what Penn State 590 00:31:33,000 --> 00:31:33,920 Speaker 2: really represents. 591 00:31:33,960 --> 00:31:34,160 Speaker 4: Man. 592 00:31:34,240 --> 00:31:36,880 Speaker 2: So I'm so happy to have had the opportunity to 593 00:31:36,880 --> 00:31:38,560 Speaker 2: get a chance to sit down and talk with you. 594 00:31:38,880 --> 00:31:39,719 Speaker 3: This was awesome, man. 595 00:31:39,760 --> 00:31:42,640 Speaker 4: I enjoyed being with you, and enjoy your time up 596 00:31:42,680 --> 00:31:44,440 Speaker 4: at State College. And good luck to your son when 597 00:31:44,480 --> 00:31:46,880 Speaker 4: he gets up there as well. Are here to have 598 00:31:46,920 --> 00:31:47,800 Speaker 4: a legacy there. 599 00:31:48,200 --> 00:31:51,920 Speaker 1: So here we go, Here we go, we are, we. 600 00:31:51,840 --> 00:31:52,600 Speaker 3: Are Penn State. 601 00:31:53,400 --> 00:31:56,000 Speaker 1: That's all I need it, That's all I need it. 602 00:31:56,480 --> 00:32:01,000 Speaker 1: Appreciate you, Appreciate you, good sir. Why blown away? 603 00:32:02,120 --> 00:32:06,880 Speaker 2: That was the man, the myth, the legend, himself, Todd 604 00:32:07,040 --> 00:32:14,200 Speaker 2: Blackledge of Penn State, now an acclaim and revered media personality, 605 00:32:14,760 --> 00:32:19,040 Speaker 2: calls games, does media for NBC now, did it for 606 00:32:19,320 --> 00:32:23,520 Speaker 2: ESPN for many, many years. What an amazing man. I 607 00:32:24,240 --> 00:32:26,960 Speaker 2: was humbled to have the opportunity to talk with him 608 00:32:27,040 --> 00:32:30,800 Speaker 2: and listen to them and share some stories on common 609 00:32:30,880 --> 00:32:34,640 Speaker 2: ground from where we came from, talking about not only 610 00:32:34,680 --> 00:32:38,520 Speaker 2: Penn State, but even our connection with the National Football Foundation. 611 00:32:39,240 --> 00:32:41,400 Speaker 1: Really enjoyed it and listen. 612 00:32:42,640 --> 00:32:46,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, these interviews are going to keep coming, So make 613 00:32:46,080 --> 00:32:48,640 Speaker 2: sure you subscribe, make sure you look us up wherever 614 00:32:48,640 --> 00:32:51,200 Speaker 2: it is that you get your podcast from. Check us 615 00:32:51,200 --> 00:32:53,880 Speaker 2: out on the YouTube channel. It's good in the game, 616 00:32:54,040 --> 00:32:56,600 Speaker 2: all right, So make sure you search for it, rate it, 617 00:32:56,840 --> 00:33:00,240 Speaker 2: review it, and subscribe to it, all right. And we 618 00:33:00,280 --> 00:33:03,000 Speaker 2: don't keep this thing going on the train continues on, 619 00:33:03,200 --> 00:33:07,479 Speaker 2: we will have more guests to talk to about good 620 00:33:07,840 --> 00:33:13,800 Speaker 2: in the game. The game is impacting lives from young 621 00:33:14,040 --> 00:33:18,160 Speaker 2: to old, and I love having the conversations about them. 622 00:33:18,200 --> 00:33:22,920 Speaker 2: And I appreciate the National Football Foundation every every single 623 00:33:23,000 --> 00:33:26,440 Speaker 2: day for me getting the opportunities to do these types 624 00:33:26,440 --> 00:33:30,080 Speaker 2: of interviews. So until next time, I'm LeVar Arrington. This 625 00:33:30,160 --> 00:33:33,960 Speaker 2: is the National Football Foundation's Good in the Game podcast 626 00:33:34,840 --> 00:33:36,520 Speaker 2: Signing Out, Talk to you soon.