1 00:00:10,320 --> 00:00:13,840 Speaker 1: What's up everyone, and welcome to the Playmaker's podcast. I'm 2 00:00:13,880 --> 00:00:16,239 Speaker 1: your host Haley Ellwood and joining me on today's show 3 00:00:16,400 --> 00:00:19,479 Speaker 1: is Michelle bisner But Michelle works for ESPN as an 4 00:00:19,560 --> 00:00:23,080 Speaker 1: NFL features reporter, with her stories airing on Monday Night Countdown. 5 00:00:23,200 --> 00:00:26,680 Speaker 1: She prides herself on getting big interviews and doing memorable storytelling, 6 00:00:26,880 --> 00:00:29,480 Speaker 1: and has worked on notable pieces like the Seattle Seahawks 7 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:31,840 Speaker 1: touchdown dances a couple weeks ago, as well as her 8 00:00:31,840 --> 00:00:35,120 Speaker 1: emotional story in twenty seventeen on Bill Johnston, who was 9 00:00:35,159 --> 00:00:38,519 Speaker 1: the Charger's former director of public relations and his wife Ramona, 10 00:00:38,880 --> 00:00:42,239 Speaker 1: battled Huntington's disease before passing earlier this year. I'll talk 11 00:00:42,280 --> 00:00:44,519 Speaker 1: with Michelle about what the key to good storytelling is, 12 00:00:44,720 --> 00:00:47,480 Speaker 1: her career path, and how she balances her personal life 13 00:00:47,479 --> 00:00:49,599 Speaker 1: of being married to Fox Sports as Joe Buck while 14 00:00:49,720 --> 00:00:52,920 Speaker 1: raising twin boys with her professional life. So now let's 15 00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:59,200 Speaker 1: welcome in Michelle Bisner Buck presented by Mercury Insurance. Okay, 16 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:01,960 Speaker 1: let's say hello to Michelle Bisner Buck. Michelle, how are 17 00:01:01,960 --> 00:01:05,640 Speaker 1: you doing today? I am fantastic. How are you? I 18 00:01:05,680 --> 00:01:08,000 Speaker 1: am good? Thank you, Thank you so much for joining me. 19 00:01:08,880 --> 00:01:12,560 Speaker 1: Absolutely so you currently work for ESPN doing features for 20 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:15,160 Speaker 1: Monday Night Countdown, But take us a little bit behind 21 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:17,760 Speaker 1: the curtain. How do those feature stories kind of come 22 00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:23,520 Speaker 1: to life? Well, it's We've got a really good features 23 00:01:23,560 --> 00:01:27,320 Speaker 1: department and features team, and it's really a year round 24 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:31,440 Speaker 1: effort by everyone. I mean, we are constantly pitching stories. 25 00:01:32,240 --> 00:01:34,760 Speaker 1: The problem the trick was the trick with this said, 26 00:01:34,880 --> 00:01:38,280 Speaker 1: we try to find as many evergreen stories as we can, 27 00:01:38,600 --> 00:01:41,679 Speaker 1: but you know that becomes tricky because you find a 28 00:01:41,680 --> 00:01:44,200 Speaker 1: great story. Let's say about JJ Wat's a great example. 29 00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:47,080 Speaker 1: We did an incredible story on JJ Watt a couple 30 00:01:47,120 --> 00:01:51,919 Speaker 1: of years ago and his involvement with a softball player 31 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:55,280 Speaker 1: and how he impacted her life, and then JJ got 32 00:01:55,360 --> 00:01:58,760 Speaker 1: hurt right before it was going to air. We still 33 00:01:58,800 --> 00:02:02,160 Speaker 1: aired it, But there situations like that. This is actually 34 00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:06,080 Speaker 1: even a better example. I am in Minnesota right now 35 00:02:06,120 --> 00:02:08,640 Speaker 1: as we speak, and today I was supposed to be 36 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:12,360 Speaker 1: ice fishing with Vikings running back Dalvin Cook. But Dalvin 37 00:02:12,840 --> 00:02:15,359 Speaker 1: went out of the game with a shoulder injury on Sunday, 38 00:02:15,440 --> 00:02:19,960 Speaker 1: and so our shoot was canceled. And on Sunday night, myself, 39 00:02:20,080 --> 00:02:22,960 Speaker 1: my producer, we were scrambling trying to find a way 40 00:02:22,960 --> 00:02:26,080 Speaker 1: to pivot into another story with the Vikings or with 41 00:02:26,280 --> 00:02:29,800 Speaker 1: Green Bay on now. It is a very short week 42 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:33,160 Speaker 1: from you know, kind of the initial stages of a 43 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:37,000 Speaker 1: future process to execution. So we luckily we found a 44 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:39,799 Speaker 1: good pivot. I'm in Minnesota. We're doing a different future 45 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:43,839 Speaker 1: story tomorrow. But it's things like that where we're constantly 46 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:49,760 Speaker 1: reading you know, daily clips or national publications. We're constantly 47 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:52,880 Speaker 1: talking to pr departments just to kind of get different 48 00:02:52,919 --> 00:02:55,680 Speaker 1: stories in the locker room, but those things, I mean, 49 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:58,919 Speaker 1: it becomes very fluid due to injury, due to trades, etc. 50 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:01,800 Speaker 1: I think that's one thing too that's so interesting because 51 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:05,360 Speaker 1: you obviously think of live reporting, take a sideline reporter 52 00:03:05,400 --> 00:03:08,080 Speaker 1: for instance, of having to be fluid within a game situation. 53 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:10,399 Speaker 1: But even with something like features, I don't think off 54 00:03:10,400 --> 00:03:12,720 Speaker 1: the top of your head you think, oh, hello, things 55 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:15,600 Speaker 1: might actually arise with how much planning that you guys 56 00:03:15,639 --> 00:03:18,360 Speaker 1: have to do so far in advance for those yeah, 57 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:20,760 Speaker 1: it really you know, And I think I mean, for me, 58 00:03:20,919 --> 00:03:24,160 Speaker 1: I really want ownership of my pieces to start to finish, 59 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:30,200 Speaker 1: so from initial conceptual ideas to pitching them, to booking 60 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:34,079 Speaker 1: interviews to peeling back layers and doing the storyboards, to 61 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:38,480 Speaker 1: researching and writing questions the interviews obviously, then and then 62 00:03:38,680 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 1: going through coming through the transcript and condensing them into 63 00:03:43,080 --> 00:03:46,680 Speaker 1: what what's kind of the best of soundbites in these 64 00:03:46,760 --> 00:03:50,600 Speaker 1: interviews that I mean sometimes we'll sit with players or 65 00:03:50,640 --> 00:03:53,760 Speaker 1: the subject matter of whatever story we're doing for hours. 66 00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 1: I mean literally, we can sit with someone for three 67 00:03:57,080 --> 00:04:00,400 Speaker 1: hours and we have to condense that down to five 68 00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:03,960 Speaker 1: minute feature. That's it's a tough task to turn around. 69 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:07,520 Speaker 1: But we've got an incredible, like I said, an incredible 70 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:11,400 Speaker 1: features apartment. We have great people that I collaborate with, 71 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:15,600 Speaker 1: and you know, I'm really lucky that way. But I 72 00:04:15,720 --> 00:04:17,600 Speaker 1: really want to have my hands in all of it. 73 00:04:17,680 --> 00:04:20,400 Speaker 1: I want to be part of the editing process. And 74 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:21,800 Speaker 1: then I want to be at the game and I 75 00:04:21,800 --> 00:04:23,400 Speaker 1: want to lead into it and I want to come 76 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:25,279 Speaker 1: out of it and I want to tag out of it. 77 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:28,280 Speaker 1: It's important to me because I really care about my work. 78 00:04:28,760 --> 00:04:31,920 Speaker 1: What makes for good storytelling? I've been asked this question 79 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:34,640 Speaker 1: a lot, and I really think for me to tell 80 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:37,240 Speaker 1: a good story, first and foremost, it starts with me. 81 00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:41,880 Speaker 1: I have to be accountable and responsible and completely invested 82 00:04:42,160 --> 00:04:45,120 Speaker 1: in my work and the person that I'm sitting with, 83 00:04:45,520 --> 00:04:49,960 Speaker 1: and whether it is be a lighthearted, feel good story 84 00:04:50,200 --> 00:04:54,680 Speaker 1: or a very kind of you know, teared jerking, grab 85 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:57,280 Speaker 1: some tissues of box of tissues and you're crying through 86 00:04:57,279 --> 00:05:01,880 Speaker 1: this story kind of a feature. You have to have 87 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:05,120 Speaker 1: that person that you're interviewing have to be the most 88 00:05:04,720 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 1: important person you've ever sat with. You have to make 89 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:10,080 Speaker 1: them feel that way. You have to be committed from 90 00:05:10,120 --> 00:05:13,200 Speaker 1: start to finish to making sure that you are invested 91 00:05:13,320 --> 00:05:17,719 Speaker 1: in allowing them to tell their best story. And if 92 00:05:17,760 --> 00:05:21,920 Speaker 1: you if I'm doing that one at my end, you know, 93 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:23,880 Speaker 1: nine times out of ten we're going to get a 94 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:26,919 Speaker 1: good product at the end of it. It doesn't always 95 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:29,839 Speaker 1: work that way, but you know, I mean, sometimes you 96 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:33,560 Speaker 1: get people that are a bit introverted and shy and 97 00:05:33,640 --> 00:05:35,480 Speaker 1: just don't have a lot to say. They may have 98 00:05:35,520 --> 00:05:38,400 Speaker 1: a great story, but it's hard for them to articulate 99 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:41,839 Speaker 1: it or to really emote those feelings, and so you 100 00:05:41,880 --> 00:05:44,400 Speaker 1: have to kind of work your way around that situation 101 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:47,400 Speaker 1: and get creative. But I really think it starts with 102 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:51,159 Speaker 1: mate and really the investment that I make into these people. 103 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:53,640 Speaker 1: So when you mentioned those kind of grab your tissues 104 00:05:53,800 --> 00:05:56,520 Speaker 1: types of stories. Back in twenty seventeen, you did a 105 00:05:56,600 --> 00:05:59,560 Speaker 1: really emotional piece on Bill Johnston, who is the Charger's 106 00:05:59,600 --> 00:06:02,120 Speaker 1: former he our director, and his wife Ramona, who is 107 00:06:02,160 --> 00:06:05,839 Speaker 1: battling Huntington's disease. When you have a piece like that, 108 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:10,120 Speaker 1: what's the key sort of to conveying it to viewers. 109 00:06:10,240 --> 00:06:13,920 Speaker 1: I have the utmost respect for Bill Johnson and his 110 00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:19,200 Speaker 1: family and everything that they have gone through and how 111 00:06:19,360 --> 00:06:22,600 Speaker 1: selfless of a human being he is in the way 112 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:24,800 Speaker 1: that he is taking care of his wife over the 113 00:06:24,880 --> 00:06:29,440 Speaker 1: years and made his family the priority over everything. And 114 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:34,560 Speaker 1: you know, I think there's it's a level of trust. 115 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:38,560 Speaker 1: Bill is not the kind of person that wants to 116 00:06:39,960 --> 00:06:42,120 Speaker 1: He doesn't want to be in the spotlight. That's not 117 00:06:42,440 --> 00:06:45,039 Speaker 1: what his goal is. And you know him, well, that's 118 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:48,640 Speaker 1: not the kind of person he is. But if he 119 00:06:49,440 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 1: trusted me enough to know that we were telling this 120 00:06:52,560 --> 00:06:55,680 Speaker 1: story to help another family who's going through the same thing, 121 00:06:56,720 --> 00:07:00,080 Speaker 1: and once that trust is built with a person and 122 00:07:00,120 --> 00:07:03,800 Speaker 1: the purpose is laid out so that everyone is on 123 00:07:03,839 --> 00:07:06,960 Speaker 1: the same page, then you get the kind of access 124 00:07:07,000 --> 00:07:10,080 Speaker 1: that you need to tell a really personal piece like 125 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:14,160 Speaker 1: we did with Ramona and Bill Johnson. And it was 126 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:17,360 Speaker 1: I mean, we got access. We had cameras in in 127 00:07:17,440 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 1: the hospital room where where she stayed, in the in 128 00:07:22,080 --> 00:07:24,240 Speaker 1: the in the wee hours of the morning, and the 129 00:07:24,240 --> 00:07:26,960 Speaker 1: most intimate and private moments that he shares with her. 130 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:30,000 Speaker 1: He allowed us to be a part of that. That 131 00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:36,320 Speaker 1: doesn't happen unless you've got a good rapport and established trust. 132 00:07:36,960 --> 00:07:40,200 Speaker 1: And that's why we were able to tell a good 133 00:07:40,200 --> 00:07:42,880 Speaker 1: story there. That's why we're able to do it with 134 00:07:42,920 --> 00:07:45,400 Speaker 1: so many other people. You've got to people have to 135 00:07:45,400 --> 00:07:47,560 Speaker 1: be able to trust you. That's also one of those 136 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:50,960 Speaker 1: amazing things about sports that you think about sort of 137 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:52,840 Speaker 1: just what happens on the field, but there's so much 138 00:07:52,880 --> 00:07:55,360 Speaker 1: life off of it, and really you can tell those 139 00:07:55,360 --> 00:08:00,440 Speaker 1: stories that honestly just transcend topics. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, 140 00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:04,720 Speaker 1: I think that's the greatest thing everybody. What I love 141 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:06,720 Speaker 1: so much. I mean, I love so many things about 142 00:08:06,760 --> 00:08:09,040 Speaker 1: my job and my career and this path that I've 143 00:08:09,040 --> 00:08:12,760 Speaker 1: been on, but I think it's really great to be 144 00:08:12,880 --> 00:08:17,360 Speaker 1: able to take the helmet off, get rid of the uniform, 145 00:08:17,480 --> 00:08:21,600 Speaker 1: and see a person standing in front of you, and 146 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:27,120 Speaker 1: you get to humanize this kind of this layer that 147 00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:31,600 Speaker 1: seems very untouchable, right, and you get to you get 148 00:08:31,600 --> 00:08:35,760 Speaker 1: to actually humanize and make this person's struggles and his 149 00:08:35,920 --> 00:08:39,680 Speaker 1: triumphs and his adversity real. And that becomes when you 150 00:08:39,679 --> 00:08:42,640 Speaker 1: can do that successfully, then it's relatable and all of 151 00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:47,200 Speaker 1: a sudden, you know, Bill Johnson or Tyler Lockett or 152 00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:50,839 Speaker 1: Jay Jay Watt or whoever it may be, has a 153 00:08:50,840 --> 00:08:53,440 Speaker 1: fan base that he never had before because now he's 154 00:08:53,520 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 1: just he's just a human that is going through something 155 00:08:57,880 --> 00:09:01,280 Speaker 1: that is dedicated to something that a passion for, something 156 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:04,760 Speaker 1: that has been affected by someone. And so that's what's 157 00:09:04,760 --> 00:09:07,040 Speaker 1: really cool, you know. I mean, these guys, to a 158 00:09:07,040 --> 00:09:10,640 Speaker 1: lot of people aren't reachable, and we make it. We 159 00:09:10,760 --> 00:09:13,400 Speaker 1: make it possible for the viewer to get to know 160 00:09:13,520 --> 00:09:16,200 Speaker 1: them on a different level. So you've worked as a 161 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:18,760 Speaker 1: field reporter, You've done and still do hosting work. But 162 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:21,000 Speaker 1: when you kind of look back at your whole career, 163 00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:24,240 Speaker 1: how has each job sort of worked off one another 164 00:09:24,320 --> 00:09:27,880 Speaker 1: to make you such a well rounded reporter. Well, when 165 00:09:27,920 --> 00:09:30,720 Speaker 1: I was at NFL Network before I came to ESPN, 166 00:09:30,760 --> 00:09:33,719 Speaker 1: I mean I was a utility player, and I am 167 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:36,679 Speaker 1: so as scary as it was for me at times 168 00:09:36,760 --> 00:09:39,280 Speaker 1: because sometimes but you know, it was like sink or slam, right, 169 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:42,680 Speaker 1: I mean, it was survival. You just you figured it 170 00:09:42,720 --> 00:09:45,719 Speaker 1: out or you didn't. They would throw me into situations 171 00:09:45,760 --> 00:09:47,760 Speaker 1: that I really wasn't familiar with, you know when I 172 00:09:48,080 --> 00:09:49,760 Speaker 1: remember the first time that I had to rip through 173 00:09:49,960 --> 00:09:54,400 Speaker 1: highlights and I was terrible, and it was on live television. 174 00:09:54,840 --> 00:09:57,160 Speaker 1: But you have to do it, and then you do 175 00:09:57,200 --> 00:10:00,400 Speaker 1: it again. I mean, repetition is key. I'm so grateful. 176 00:10:00,440 --> 00:10:03,080 Speaker 1: I think that part of that, you know, it's just 177 00:10:03,120 --> 00:10:06,320 Speaker 1: like being fearless and just going, Okay, I'm just I'm 178 00:10:06,360 --> 00:10:08,000 Speaker 1: gonna do it. I'm gonna try it. I'm gonna figure 179 00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:12,680 Speaker 1: it out. And you know, from studio hosting to being 180 00:10:12,679 --> 00:10:16,959 Speaker 1: a field reporter and just being on camera every hour 181 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:19,559 Speaker 1: at the top of the hour and giving sixty second 182 00:10:19,640 --> 00:10:24,480 Speaker 1: live reports and now transitioning into this long format, say 183 00:10:24,559 --> 00:10:28,400 Speaker 1: style feature reporting. I mean, I I don't know that one. 184 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 1: I think that it's all just helped me because you know, 185 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:35,839 Speaker 1: each skill, each skill has a way of creeping into 186 00:10:35,920 --> 00:10:38,800 Speaker 1: the other, to the other role, you know, and so 187 00:10:40,040 --> 00:10:44,720 Speaker 1: I'm I feel I feel lucky. I feel really blessed 188 00:10:44,720 --> 00:10:47,240 Speaker 1: that I was sometimes in a position where I felt 189 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:50,360 Speaker 1: like I was going to think instead of swim, and 190 00:10:50,440 --> 00:10:56,880 Speaker 1: I somehow always say above water. We'll get back to 191 00:10:56,880 --> 00:10:59,319 Speaker 1: our conversation with Michelle in a few but we wanted 192 00:10:59,360 --> 00:11:01,400 Speaker 1: to remind you that you won't miss a minute of 193 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:04,439 Speaker 1: the action with the official Los Angeles Chargers App. Follow 194 00:11:04,520 --> 00:11:07,240 Speaker 1: real time stats, watch your favorite Bolts programming, and live 195 00:11:07,280 --> 00:11:10,720 Speaker 1: local Chargers games all season long. Download today at Chargers 196 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:14,160 Speaker 1: dot com. Slash app geographic and device restrictions that apply 197 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:18,400 Speaker 1: local and primetime games only data chargers may apply. Chargers fans, 198 00:11:18,440 --> 00:11:20,680 Speaker 1: we know you love the Bolts, but you probably also 199 00:11:20,720 --> 00:11:23,680 Speaker 1: love saving money too, and Mercury Insurance can help with that. 200 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:26,079 Speaker 1: Because Chargers fans save an average of seven hundred and 201 00:11:26,080 --> 00:11:28,920 Speaker 1: sixty nine dollars with Mercury. That'll get you great seats 202 00:11:28,920 --> 00:11:31,160 Speaker 1: for the next game and jerseys for the whole family. 203 00:11:31,360 --> 00:11:33,200 Speaker 1: So what are you waiting for? Get a quote today 204 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:35,360 Speaker 1: at Mercury Insurance dot com to see how much you 205 00:11:35,400 --> 00:11:37,560 Speaker 1: could save. It only takes a few minutes to switch, 206 00:11:37,559 --> 00:11:40,200 Speaker 1: and it could save you a lot of money. Don't wait. 207 00:11:40,280 --> 00:11:42,800 Speaker 1: Get a quote today at Mercury Insurance dot com and go. 208 00:11:43,040 --> 00:11:46,840 Speaker 1: Chargers savings info based on twenty nineteen California Department of 209 00:11:46,840 --> 00:11:50,480 Speaker 1: Insurance Rate Comparison Profile thirty eight A. Individual savings may vary. 210 00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:53,240 Speaker 1: Now let's get back to the interview with Michelle bisner Buck, 211 00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:58,319 Speaker 1: presented by Mercury Insurance. So I love this next topic 212 00:11:58,360 --> 00:12:00,800 Speaker 1: because I grew up dancing. I worked a dance studio 213 00:12:00,840 --> 00:12:03,960 Speaker 1: for eleven years. But you were a former NFL cheerleader 214 00:12:04,160 --> 00:12:07,920 Speaker 1: with the Broncos for six seasons. Were you always into 215 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:11,480 Speaker 1: football or how did maybe literally just being on the 216 00:12:11,520 --> 00:12:14,640 Speaker 1: sidelines every Sunday sort of cultivate that passion and knowledge 217 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:18,960 Speaker 1: for the game. So I was. I was a dancer 218 00:12:19,120 --> 00:12:22,200 Speaker 1: from the time I could put shoes on three years old. 219 00:12:22,200 --> 00:12:25,200 Speaker 1: I had ballet shoes on or cap shoes on, and 220 00:12:25,280 --> 00:12:29,680 Speaker 1: that was my life, cap Dad's la, I mean all 221 00:12:29,720 --> 00:12:32,040 Speaker 1: of it, you know, modern hip hop lyric or whatever. 222 00:12:32,080 --> 00:12:34,520 Speaker 1: I mean, that was my life. My passion, my family's 223 00:12:34,559 --> 00:12:38,120 Speaker 1: passion was the Denver Broncos, and so we were at 224 00:12:38,480 --> 00:12:41,120 Speaker 1: I mean, I was a huge Bronco's brand from the 225 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:43,480 Speaker 1: time that I was a very very young girl, and 226 00:12:43,559 --> 00:12:46,920 Speaker 1: we went to games and Sundays were a big deal 227 00:12:46,960 --> 00:12:51,640 Speaker 1: in our house. So when I turned eighteen, at that point, 228 00:12:51,720 --> 00:12:53,480 Speaker 1: now you have to be twenty one years old to 229 00:12:53,679 --> 00:12:56,400 Speaker 1: audition to be an NFL cheerleader. And I think, I 230 00:12:56,480 --> 00:12:58,760 Speaker 1: think that the league rule now, but when I was 231 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:04,360 Speaker 1: back in nineteen ninety seven, back in the day, you 232 00:13:04,440 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 1: only had to be eighteen years old. So I auditioned. Actually, 233 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:09,280 Speaker 1: the first year that I auditioned, I did not make 234 00:13:09,320 --> 00:13:11,280 Speaker 1: the team. I made the finals, but I did not 235 00:13:11,360 --> 00:13:14,640 Speaker 1: make the team. And then I went back the next 236 00:13:14,679 --> 00:13:17,280 Speaker 1: year and I did, and I had an incredible ride. 237 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:20,640 Speaker 1: My first year with the team was when the Broncos 238 00:13:20,679 --> 00:13:23,000 Speaker 1: went too and won Super Bowl thirty two, and then 239 00:13:23,080 --> 00:13:26,480 Speaker 1: they went back and they won back to back Super Bowls, 240 00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:28,240 Speaker 1: and it was just an incredible ride. It was a 241 00:13:28,280 --> 00:13:32,120 Speaker 1: Pro Bowl representative in nineteen ninety nine and a captain 242 00:13:32,240 --> 00:13:33,880 Speaker 1: for five of the six years that I was with 243 00:13:33,920 --> 00:13:36,480 Speaker 1: the team. It was just I mean, I could not 244 00:13:36,600 --> 00:13:39,600 Speaker 1: have had a better experience as an NFL cheerleader. And 245 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:42,600 Speaker 1: I knew so while I was so I was nineteen 246 00:13:42,679 --> 00:13:46,800 Speaker 1: years old, nineteen and then twenty when I in my 247 00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:49,040 Speaker 1: first season with the Broncos cheerleaders, and I was going 248 00:13:49,080 --> 00:13:50,880 Speaker 1: to school. I was in college. I was going to 249 00:13:50,880 --> 00:13:53,680 Speaker 1: school for mass communications, the college that I went to 250 00:13:54,360 --> 00:13:57,439 Speaker 1: Metro State, and see you Denver. They didn't have a 251 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:00,800 Speaker 1: journalism degree, so I was majoring in mass communications with 252 00:14:00,840 --> 00:14:03,720 Speaker 1: an emphasis in journalism and a minor in speater. I 253 00:14:03,800 --> 00:14:06,720 Speaker 1: knew that I wanted to do something in sports and entertainment. 254 00:14:06,760 --> 00:14:08,480 Speaker 1: I always knew that from the time I was a 255 00:14:08,480 --> 00:14:11,320 Speaker 1: little girl, I was either going to be dancing on 256 00:14:11,400 --> 00:14:14,720 Speaker 1: Broadway or acting, or I was going to be on 257 00:14:14,760 --> 00:14:18,120 Speaker 1: the sidelines. And at that I remember when I was 258 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:24,440 Speaker 1: when I was hearing Melissa Stark was the sideline reporter 259 00:14:24,600 --> 00:14:29,440 Speaker 1: for Monday Night and I just remember looking at her, going, 260 00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:32,960 Speaker 1: that is my gig, like that, that is what I 261 00:14:33,040 --> 00:14:35,960 Speaker 1: want to do. And it was always you know, and 262 00:14:36,040 --> 00:14:43,040 Speaker 1: I just really started to take advantage of my resources 263 00:14:43,080 --> 00:14:47,000 Speaker 1: around me. I started talking to as many people as 264 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:49,480 Speaker 1: I could within the organization. I wanted to learn more 265 00:14:49,560 --> 00:14:53,840 Speaker 1: about in house TV production. I wanted to interview players, 266 00:14:53,920 --> 00:14:58,720 Speaker 1: and my determination, my curiosity and my commitment and dedication 267 00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:01,080 Speaker 1: to what I knew that I want to do led me. 268 00:15:01,400 --> 00:15:05,120 Speaker 1: I think my first gig was at Fox Sports Net 269 00:15:05,240 --> 00:15:09,520 Speaker 1: Rocky Mountain Region as a Broncos feature reporter, like tiny 270 00:15:09,560 --> 00:15:14,320 Speaker 1: little mini features on the Broncos Show. And it just 271 00:15:14,440 --> 00:15:17,400 Speaker 1: kind of, you know, like everything I was never a 272 00:15:17,480 --> 00:15:22,160 Speaker 1: no person. Never. I took advantage of every opportunity that 273 00:15:22,560 --> 00:15:26,640 Speaker 1: came my way. Um from like you know I did. 274 00:15:26,760 --> 00:15:29,720 Speaker 1: I was a hit reporter for the Champ Car World Series, 275 00:15:29,760 --> 00:15:32,480 Speaker 1: which I never thought I would have done, which I 276 00:15:32,680 --> 00:15:38,080 Speaker 1: really literally just fell into. Um I've literally like fall 277 00:15:38,120 --> 00:15:44,200 Speaker 1: into a car or anything, but right, right, right exactly, 278 00:15:44,320 --> 00:15:48,120 Speaker 1: you got me. But it was I seized every opportunity 279 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:51,800 Speaker 1: and one thing led to another, and I moved out 280 00:15:51,800 --> 00:15:53,880 Speaker 1: to LA. I knew I was either going to be 281 00:15:54,480 --> 00:15:58,880 Speaker 1: the local sports reporter or I was going to aim 282 00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:02,440 Speaker 1: bigger and higher, and so I moved to LA and 283 00:16:03,320 --> 00:16:06,920 Speaker 1: I was able to get a meeting at NFL Network, 284 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:10,920 Speaker 1: and you know, that was that was it. It's pretty amazing. 285 00:16:10,960 --> 00:16:12,800 Speaker 1: And I think you know, we hear all the time 286 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:15,960 Speaker 1: as reporters. You know, it's very important to be yourself. 287 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:18,440 Speaker 1: But would you say that there is still like a 288 00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:21,000 Speaker 1: performance aspect to it, that maybe the kind of dance 289 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:23,440 Speaker 1: side of you kicks in before your hits on Monday 290 00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:25,080 Speaker 1: night of when you have to, you know, turn it 291 00:16:25,120 --> 00:16:29,760 Speaker 1: on for the camera right then and there. One million percent, 292 00:16:30,400 --> 00:16:34,920 Speaker 1: I am so thankful for my dance background, for being 293 00:16:34,960 --> 00:16:38,200 Speaker 1: able to stand on a stage and perform in front 294 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:40,960 Speaker 1: of people. For being able to be an NFL cree 295 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:43,920 Speaker 1: leader and be on the sidelines and dance and perform 296 00:16:44,080 --> 00:16:48,520 Speaker 1: in front of seventy five thousand screaming Broncos fans. There is. 297 00:16:48,640 --> 00:16:51,560 Speaker 1: I'm so incredibly thankful for all the acting classes that 298 00:16:51,600 --> 00:16:56,200 Speaker 1: I took. It is there is definitely a performance aspect 299 00:16:56,320 --> 00:17:00,160 Speaker 1: in what we do. And there is a cadence, a 300 00:17:00,200 --> 00:17:04,360 Speaker 1: tone and a rhythm and a choreography to the way 301 00:17:04,400 --> 00:17:07,040 Speaker 1: that you deliver a lead in a tag, the way 302 00:17:07,080 --> 00:17:09,720 Speaker 1: you sit with someone, the way you interact, the way 303 00:17:09,760 --> 00:17:13,800 Speaker 1: you ask your questions, the way you kind of navigate 304 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:18,760 Speaker 1: and dance through a feature. And you know, variety is 305 00:17:19,080 --> 00:17:23,160 Speaker 1: I really think that this year especially, we are trying 306 00:17:23,280 --> 00:17:26,800 Speaker 1: to get more of a variety of features that we do, 307 00:17:26,960 --> 00:17:31,400 Speaker 1: from lighthearted and funds to more serious features. And you've 308 00:17:31,440 --> 00:17:35,199 Speaker 1: got to be able to know how to deliver and 309 00:17:35,320 --> 00:17:39,720 Speaker 1: navigate through both of those. And for sure, I mean 310 00:17:39,880 --> 00:17:44,200 Speaker 1: you just there is an aspect of being a performer 311 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:47,560 Speaker 1: in this job. Yeah, so you're also married to Fox 312 00:17:47,560 --> 00:17:51,280 Speaker 1: Sports as Joe Buck. What is it like though? Yeah? Guy, 313 00:17:53,000 --> 00:17:57,200 Speaker 1: who's that? Who is that? But what is it like 314 00:17:57,320 --> 00:17:59,639 Speaker 1: being part of a multi network family. You guys are 315 00:17:59,640 --> 00:18:02,280 Speaker 1: like the first family here. Going on to sports broadcasting, 316 00:18:03,040 --> 00:18:05,159 Speaker 1: I know it's kind of fun. I mean it's you know, 317 00:18:05,240 --> 00:18:08,800 Speaker 1: I never thought as a woman in sports, I just 318 00:18:08,840 --> 00:18:13,399 Speaker 1: feel like you have got a spotlight on you, a microscope, 319 00:18:14,680 --> 00:18:17,760 Speaker 1: especially being an NFL a former NFL scheerleader. In sports, 320 00:18:17,760 --> 00:18:21,320 Speaker 1: there's a stereotype that follows you around, so you're constantly 321 00:18:21,400 --> 00:18:24,200 Speaker 1: You've got to really watch the way that you conduct 322 00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:27,399 Speaker 1: yourself and how you what you know and what you 323 00:18:27,480 --> 00:18:30,040 Speaker 1: say and how you do it, and who you're around, 324 00:18:30,119 --> 00:18:32,760 Speaker 1: and you've got to be mindful of all of that. 325 00:18:32,840 --> 00:18:35,600 Speaker 1: So I always said to myself, I will never date 326 00:18:35,720 --> 00:18:39,080 Speaker 1: anyone in the same business. I just felt like it 327 00:18:39,080 --> 00:18:41,960 Speaker 1: it looked bad. I felt like it made me feel 328 00:18:41,960 --> 00:18:45,359 Speaker 1: like I'm gonna look like a climber, you know, et cetera. 329 00:18:45,600 --> 00:18:48,399 Speaker 1: And Joe will tell you if you were on the 330 00:18:48,480 --> 00:18:50,520 Speaker 1: phone called right now, he would agree with me. If 331 00:18:50,520 --> 00:18:52,159 Speaker 1: he were in this room, he would agree. He'd be 332 00:18:52,160 --> 00:18:56,560 Speaker 1: screaming right now, she's right, she's right. He stocked me, 333 00:18:57,320 --> 00:19:02,359 Speaker 1: and successfully in the nicest possible way. He stocked me. 334 00:19:02,760 --> 00:19:06,439 Speaker 1: But if it had not been for his persistence and 335 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:09,960 Speaker 1: just the Dutch feeling that he had that there was 336 00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:13,520 Speaker 1: something there that he could not walk away from. I 337 00:19:13,560 --> 00:19:16,040 Speaker 1: don't know that we well, I don't know. I mean, 338 00:19:16,160 --> 00:19:18,920 Speaker 1: we probably would have ended up together because we really 339 00:19:18,960 --> 00:19:22,000 Speaker 1: are soulmates and that is my person and I just 340 00:19:22,320 --> 00:19:24,440 Speaker 1: it's you know, we've been together for five and a 341 00:19:24,480 --> 00:19:27,119 Speaker 1: half six years. It feels like lifetime. It feels like 342 00:19:27,160 --> 00:19:30,600 Speaker 1: I've known for my entire life and a million years 343 00:19:30,600 --> 00:19:33,320 Speaker 1: beyond that. I love it so much. Even though you 344 00:19:33,359 --> 00:19:35,199 Speaker 1: are in the same industry, it has to make it 345 00:19:35,240 --> 00:19:37,000 Speaker 1: like a little easier in that sense to have that 346 00:19:37,040 --> 00:19:40,160 Speaker 1: other person understand what you're going through and vice versa. Right, 347 00:19:41,359 --> 00:19:43,439 Speaker 1: no doubt, we get it, you know. I mean, I 348 00:19:43,440 --> 00:19:49,800 Speaker 1: think that's probably one of the greatest benefits to our 349 00:19:50,040 --> 00:19:53,880 Speaker 1: relationship is that he comes home at two am and 350 00:19:54,560 --> 00:19:58,720 Speaker 1: from a game, and you know, I know that he 351 00:19:58,760 --> 00:20:02,160 Speaker 1: needs to sleep the next morning until whatever. If I'm 352 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:04,840 Speaker 1: frustrated about the way the piece is turning out and 353 00:20:04,920 --> 00:20:08,760 Speaker 1: I've got, you know, complaints, he gets it. I mean, 354 00:20:08,760 --> 00:20:12,520 Speaker 1: it's just it is a sounding board that it's a 355 00:20:12,600 --> 00:20:15,080 Speaker 1: gift that keeps I'm giving, you know, And and he's 356 00:20:15,240 --> 00:20:19,680 Speaker 1: always He's always there. We are very supportive. You know, 357 00:20:20,320 --> 00:20:24,640 Speaker 1: Joe Joe Buck the broadcaster really doesn't make mistakes, but 358 00:20:24,720 --> 00:20:28,959 Speaker 1: he is very hard on himself, and he will call me. 359 00:20:29,040 --> 00:20:33,800 Speaker 1: We'll discuss after every game, after every lead in and 360 00:20:33,960 --> 00:20:37,080 Speaker 1: feature that airs on Monday night football. You know, I'll 361 00:20:37,119 --> 00:20:39,320 Speaker 1: call and go, uh, I could have done this better? 362 00:20:39,480 --> 00:20:41,560 Speaker 1: Or he'll call and go, uh, did you hear? Like 363 00:20:42,119 --> 00:20:44,639 Speaker 1: did you hear what I called that that one play? 364 00:20:44,800 --> 00:20:49,520 Speaker 1: And I mean, it's it's amazing for as much as 365 00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:54,080 Speaker 1: he's in the spotlight, especially just how you know he's 366 00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:57,040 Speaker 1: I think that people think he is just so confident 367 00:20:57,440 --> 00:21:02,119 Speaker 1: and is so sure himself, and nobody really is in 368 00:21:02,160 --> 00:21:05,000 Speaker 1: this business right Like it's because it's also subjective. We're 369 00:21:05,040 --> 00:21:09,280 Speaker 1: all like, we're all insecure about it. We're all we're 370 00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:11,760 Speaker 1: all wondering if we're doing the right saying at the 371 00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:14,640 Speaker 1: right time, and how it's going to affect our job 372 00:21:14,640 --> 00:21:17,080 Speaker 1: and if we screw up, as our contract is going 373 00:21:17,119 --> 00:21:19,840 Speaker 1: to get renewed. And it's just nice to have that 374 00:21:20,040 --> 00:21:24,720 Speaker 1: person with you that gets it and really understands and 375 00:21:24,760 --> 00:21:26,919 Speaker 1: can talk you through it. So you guys also have 376 00:21:26,960 --> 00:21:30,840 Speaker 1: two young sons. How have you found that balance between 377 00:21:30,880 --> 00:21:34,440 Speaker 1: motherhood and your career. Oh, we have not found it. 378 00:21:34,600 --> 00:21:38,680 Speaker 1: There is more balance in that. It's crazy, girl, it 379 00:21:38,800 --> 00:21:42,760 Speaker 1: just is. And you know, Joe is not a spring sticken, 380 00:21:42,840 --> 00:21:46,640 Speaker 1: and neither am I. But he has two grown daughters. 381 00:21:46,680 --> 00:21:48,600 Speaker 1: He has a twenty three year old Natalie who lives 382 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:51,000 Speaker 1: in New York and a twenty year old Trubi, who 383 00:21:51,119 --> 00:21:54,200 Speaker 1: is a sophomore at usc Film School. So for him 384 00:21:54,200 --> 00:21:58,520 Speaker 1: to now start all over again at age fifty to 385 00:21:58,680 --> 00:22:00,520 Speaker 1: have year and a half old twin boys, I mean, 386 00:22:00,560 --> 00:22:04,840 Speaker 1: that's that's a lot. And you know, I mean, you've 387 00:22:04,840 --> 00:22:07,000 Speaker 1: got to have you have to have a great supporting 388 00:22:07,040 --> 00:22:09,320 Speaker 1: cast around you. You've got to have family and people 389 00:22:09,320 --> 00:22:13,240 Speaker 1: that you trust, that really love your babies and your 390 00:22:13,320 --> 00:22:15,960 Speaker 1: little humans as much as you do, that are there 391 00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:18,720 Speaker 1: to help you get through it. Because our jobs are 392 00:22:19,280 --> 00:22:22,600 Speaker 1: demanding and you know, I mean just not normal if 393 00:22:22,600 --> 00:22:24,560 Speaker 1: it's not a nine to five gigs. So you've got 394 00:22:24,560 --> 00:22:27,560 Speaker 1: to have people that are flexible. And especially with my 395 00:22:27,680 --> 00:22:31,960 Speaker 1: job during this season, I don't know when I'm coming 396 00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:35,919 Speaker 1: or going right. So Joe's schedule is laid out. He 397 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:38,040 Speaker 1: knows what games he's going to, and he knows that 398 00:22:38,160 --> 00:22:40,760 Speaker 1: he's leaving on a Saturday for a Sunday game or 399 00:22:40,800 --> 00:22:44,280 Speaker 1: a Wednesday for a Thursday game. For me, I know 400 00:22:44,480 --> 00:22:46,280 Speaker 1: what the money and I match ups are, but I 401 00:22:46,280 --> 00:22:49,560 Speaker 1: don't know what my story is and when we're shooting. 402 00:22:49,960 --> 00:22:52,879 Speaker 1: So it's you've got to have really good people around 403 00:22:52,920 --> 00:22:55,080 Speaker 1: it will help you get through it. And thank god, 404 00:22:55,080 --> 00:22:58,120 Speaker 1: we do. Yeah, we really do. We've got a very 405 00:22:58,320 --> 00:23:03,920 Speaker 1: very fabulous little village of of people that help. And 406 00:23:04,200 --> 00:23:07,199 Speaker 1: but I'm gonna have to tell you it's there is 407 00:23:07,440 --> 00:23:11,440 Speaker 1: no better feeling in the world than being a mother 408 00:23:11,560 --> 00:23:15,960 Speaker 1: and being a parent with your person. And I am 409 00:23:16,240 --> 00:23:18,960 Speaker 1: so so deeply in love with my children and with 410 00:23:18,960 --> 00:23:22,480 Speaker 1: our family, and the time that we get together, when 411 00:23:22,560 --> 00:23:26,160 Speaker 1: Joe and I are home, when I'm home and he's gone, 412 00:23:26,200 --> 00:23:29,159 Speaker 1: when he's home and I'm and I'm gone, When or 413 00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:31,720 Speaker 1: when we're home together, we are home. We are with 414 00:23:32,080 --> 00:23:35,320 Speaker 1: We are like galued to our children, and that's the 415 00:23:35,359 --> 00:23:37,080 Speaker 1: only place that we want to be. That's all we 416 00:23:37,080 --> 00:23:39,720 Speaker 1: want to do is just be with them. So, Rachel, 417 00:23:39,800 --> 00:23:43,159 Speaker 1: and speaking of women's roles in sports media, how have 418 00:23:43,320 --> 00:23:48,880 Speaker 1: you seen those evolved since you started out? Um? Gosh, 419 00:23:48,920 --> 00:23:53,040 Speaker 1: so I guess I've been doing this for a long time. 420 00:23:53,040 --> 00:23:55,280 Speaker 1: I just I was trying to calculate how many years 421 00:23:55,359 --> 00:23:58,400 Speaker 1: I've I've been doing this. Um, you know, you see 422 00:23:58,440 --> 00:24:05,280 Speaker 1: a lot more women, you see I think, I don't 423 00:24:05,320 --> 00:24:11,439 Speaker 1: think you see the same kind of criticism as you 424 00:24:11,560 --> 00:24:15,080 Speaker 1: used to. I think that it's it's much more accepted, 425 00:24:15,720 --> 00:24:19,560 Speaker 1: it's much more you know, there there's more opportunity, and 426 00:24:20,800 --> 00:24:23,680 Speaker 1: you know, I also think that the emphasis is on 427 00:24:24,040 --> 00:24:27,160 Speaker 1: the total package. You know, I think that now more 428 00:24:27,200 --> 00:24:31,560 Speaker 1: than ever, women are getting the credit that they deserve 429 00:24:31,920 --> 00:24:36,560 Speaker 1: for being in that role. So that that's refreshing, That's 430 00:24:36,640 --> 00:24:39,240 Speaker 1: that's good to see. And then lastly, I've asked guests 431 00:24:39,280 --> 00:24:41,920 Speaker 1: this throughout the season. You mentioned a little bit being 432 00:24:41,960 --> 00:24:45,159 Speaker 1: a utility player, not being a no person, But what 433 00:24:45,280 --> 00:24:47,440 Speaker 1: sort of your biggest piece of advice for those who 434 00:24:47,480 --> 00:24:49,720 Speaker 1: want to get into this business. I think the best 435 00:24:49,760 --> 00:24:53,040 Speaker 1: thing that any person, man or woman can do is 436 00:24:53,119 --> 00:24:57,040 Speaker 1: be focused and be versatile and make sure that you 437 00:24:57,119 --> 00:25:02,000 Speaker 1: are learning everything that you can um producing to editing, 438 00:25:02,160 --> 00:25:05,240 Speaker 1: just sound mixing. I mean, I think being kind of 439 00:25:05,840 --> 00:25:08,680 Speaker 1: having a lot of those tools in your tool belt 440 00:25:08,880 --> 00:25:12,520 Speaker 1: is the way to sell yourself to a network. Now, 441 00:25:13,560 --> 00:25:16,240 Speaker 1: being very self sufficient, you know, I can do it all. 442 00:25:16,280 --> 00:25:19,640 Speaker 1: I can I can write I can't edit, I can produce, 443 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:22,840 Speaker 1: I can be on my TV. It doesn't freak me out. 444 00:25:22,880 --> 00:25:26,679 Speaker 1: You know, those kind of people are That's what everyone 445 00:25:26,800 --> 00:25:29,400 Speaker 1: is looking for, um. And you've got to just got 446 00:25:29,400 --> 00:25:31,640 Speaker 1: to be committed to your craft. You have to be 447 00:25:31,760 --> 00:25:37,000 Speaker 1: willing to constantly learn, constantly better yourself along the way. 448 00:25:37,040 --> 00:25:39,360 Speaker 1: You know, you can't ever be complacent. I'm never going 449 00:25:39,400 --> 00:25:42,520 Speaker 1: to be complacent in where I am. There is all 450 00:25:42,640 --> 00:25:45,040 Speaker 1: I can always be better, there will always be room 451 00:25:45,080 --> 00:25:47,560 Speaker 1: for improvement, and so you have to make sure that 452 00:25:47,600 --> 00:25:50,240 Speaker 1: you are always a student of your of your skill. 453 00:25:50,359 --> 00:25:52,840 Speaker 1: Well that is all really great, really sound advice. We 454 00:25:52,920 --> 00:25:55,879 Speaker 1: are so looking forward to your feature next Monday on 455 00:25:56,160 --> 00:25:59,400 Speaker 1: ESPN ahead final Monday Night game of the season, right, 456 00:26:00,400 --> 00:26:03,399 Speaker 1: it is, Yeah, that's it. That's easy. We don't we 457 00:26:03,440 --> 00:26:06,240 Speaker 1: don't have I know, you know, I start the season 458 00:26:06,320 --> 00:26:09,960 Speaker 1: and it's exactly we start the season and go, oh 459 00:26:10,000 --> 00:26:11,800 Speaker 1: my gosh. You know, you kind of hit a point 460 00:26:11,840 --> 00:26:14,120 Speaker 1: during the season where you're just exhausted and you can 461 00:26:14,200 --> 00:26:15,760 Speaker 1: see the end of the day, you can see the 462 00:26:15,760 --> 00:26:18,000 Speaker 1: finish line, but it's still kind of it's so far 463 00:26:18,840 --> 00:26:21,280 Speaker 1: you can't really you know, get a squint to see it. Now, 464 00:26:21,320 --> 00:26:25,520 Speaker 1: we're here. It's crazy. Um, so yeah, it'll be fun. 465 00:26:25,600 --> 00:26:27,639 Speaker 1: It'll be it'll be a good game. I mean that 466 00:26:27,760 --> 00:26:30,360 Speaker 1: package of the vikings and then that's just a classic matchup. 467 00:26:30,920 --> 00:26:32,879 Speaker 1: It'll be, it'll be fun. The future will be a 468 00:26:32,920 --> 00:26:36,000 Speaker 1: good one. Tune in, tune in, there we go. There's 469 00:26:36,040 --> 00:26:38,199 Speaker 1: that tease. Well, thank you so much for joining me, Michelle. 470 00:26:38,200 --> 00:26:40,960 Speaker 1: We so appreciate it. Thank you. I appreciate you having 471 00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:46,359 Speaker 1: me on anytime. And that's a wrap on this week's 472 00:26:46,400 --> 00:26:49,840 Speaker 1: episode of Playmakers. So many things to Michelle buyser Buck 473 00:26:49,880 --> 00:26:52,639 Speaker 1: for joining me. One final reminder, as always, is too 474 00:26:52,680 --> 00:26:56,040 Speaker 1: subscribe to the Chargers Podcast Network wherever you listen to podcasts, 475 00:26:56,040 --> 00:26:59,639 Speaker 1: because we're now also on SoundCloud and Spotify. The Chargers 476 00:26:59,680 --> 00:27:02,320 Speaker 1: Podcast Network is your one stop shop for all things 477 00:27:02,359 --> 00:27:05,399 Speaker 1: Bolts directly from the team, including in depth conversations and 478 00:27:05,440 --> 00:27:09,879 Speaker 1: analysis with players, coaches, executives, national reporters and broadcasters, and 479 00:27:10,119 --> 00:27:12,280 Speaker 1: much more. Be sure to rate and review and thanks 480 00:27:12,320 --> 00:27:13,800 Speaker 1: for listening. Catch you guys next time.