1 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:13,480 Speaker 1: What's up everyone, and welcome to the Playmaker's Podcast. I'm 2 00:00:13,520 --> 00:00:15,800 Speaker 1: your host Kyley Elwen and joining me today is NFL 3 00:00:15,840 --> 00:00:18,599 Speaker 1: Networks MJ Acosta. This is a fun one because I've 4 00:00:18,600 --> 00:00:20,600 Speaker 1: known MJ for a few years, but to see her 5 00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:23,119 Speaker 1: have the success she's had with NFL Network recently is 6 00:00:23,160 --> 00:00:26,200 Speaker 1: really awesome. MJ works as a Bay Area reporter covering 7 00:00:26,239 --> 00:00:28,720 Speaker 1: the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco forty nine Ers, and 8 00:00:28,840 --> 00:00:32,080 Speaker 1: also contributes to a number of NFL Network programs. Additionally, 9 00:00:32,320 --> 00:00:34,720 Speaker 1: she's bilingual, and we'll be heading to Mexico City this 10 00:00:34,800 --> 00:00:37,400 Speaker 1: coming Monday for the game between the Chiefs and the Chargers. 11 00:00:37,560 --> 00:00:40,400 Speaker 1: I'll talk to MJ about how she balances covering multiple beats, 12 00:00:40,600 --> 00:00:43,760 Speaker 1: working three primetime games on eleven days, and what she's 13 00:00:43,760 --> 00:00:46,760 Speaker 1: expecting from that AFC West clash in Mexico. So now 14 00:00:46,840 --> 00:00:53,400 Speaker 1: let's welcome in MGA Acosta presented by Mercury Insurance. Okay, 15 00:00:53,440 --> 00:00:55,480 Speaker 1: let's say hello to mg Acosta. MJ. How are you 16 00:00:55,480 --> 00:00:59,760 Speaker 1: doing today? I'm good, just up the gym, so feeling good. 17 00:01:00,040 --> 00:01:01,760 Speaker 1: I get it in because you know what, you know 18 00:01:01,800 --> 00:01:03,840 Speaker 1: what our schedules. You never know when it's going to 19 00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:05,520 Speaker 1: be able to work out. Yeah, right, and I know 20 00:01:05,560 --> 00:01:07,240 Speaker 1: you're about to hop on a plane in like a 21 00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:09,600 Speaker 1: couple hours here and head out for the week. So 22 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:11,640 Speaker 1: I know it's it's crazy, but good for you, proud 23 00:01:11,680 --> 00:01:15,920 Speaker 1: of you. So usually when I do these, I'm having 24 00:01:15,920 --> 00:01:18,880 Speaker 1: conversations with women for really kind of the first time 25 00:01:18,920 --> 00:01:20,280 Speaker 1: with a lot of them. But this is a good 26 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:22,040 Speaker 1: one because you and I go back a few years. 27 00:01:22,200 --> 00:01:24,280 Speaker 1: So this is fun for me because it's like it's 28 00:01:24,280 --> 00:01:27,320 Speaker 1: like talking to a friend basically. But I know a 29 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:29,520 Speaker 1: bit about your path. But for those who don't, just 30 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:31,520 Speaker 1: give us a little breakdown on how you started out. 31 00:01:33,120 --> 00:01:35,640 Speaker 1: You know, it's been such a long journey, almost just 32 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:39,600 Speaker 1: specifically in broadcast for about a decade now. I started 33 00:01:39,600 --> 00:01:44,000 Speaker 1: in Miami at a locally own, just independent Spanish language station, 34 00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:46,560 Speaker 1: so you know, my Latin our roots really helped me 35 00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:49,400 Speaker 1: out and being able to stay home to start my career, which, 36 00:01:49,440 --> 00:01:52,880 Speaker 1: as Uno Haley, is unheard of, ye though, I really 37 00:01:53,160 --> 00:01:55,880 Speaker 1: kind of grabbed that opportunity and ran with it and 38 00:01:56,440 --> 00:01:59,760 Speaker 1: sort of not sort of what literally helped my way 39 00:02:00,240 --> 00:02:02,680 Speaker 1: um through the Miami market. Did a two stations there, 40 00:02:02,720 --> 00:02:05,600 Speaker 1: the last one being UM the ABC stations there where 41 00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:08,120 Speaker 1: I really felt like I found a home UM. But 42 00:02:08,320 --> 00:02:11,240 Speaker 1: it was a situation where I really wanted to spread 43 00:02:11,280 --> 00:02:13,920 Speaker 1: my wings UM and really take hold of being able 44 00:02:13,919 --> 00:02:16,600 Speaker 1: to cover sports one hundred percent. I was almost like 45 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:19,600 Speaker 1: the jack of all trades there, covering everything from entertainment 46 00:02:19,639 --> 00:02:23,200 Speaker 1: to traffic, hard news anchoring UM. But I knew that 47 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:26,200 Speaker 1: this was what I wanted to pursue. So that's when 48 00:02:26,240 --> 00:02:29,240 Speaker 1: I headed to San Diego where we met and I 49 00:02:29,280 --> 00:02:33,240 Speaker 1: was able to to fulfill a role at lead anchor there, 50 00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:35,080 Speaker 1: which was another thing that I would I would not 51 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:37,040 Speaker 1: have fathoms right to be in a market like that 52 00:02:37,720 --> 00:02:40,240 Speaker 1: UM and to be the lead anchor and then ultimately 53 00:02:40,320 --> 00:02:42,600 Speaker 1: ended up being the anchor for both the NBC and 54 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:46,840 Speaker 1: the IMO stations there. So I was doing two UM 55 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:49,800 Speaker 1: sportscasts every night, UM. Well actually it was more like 56 00:02:49,880 --> 00:02:53,240 Speaker 1: four to six sportscasts depending on the day part of 57 00:02:53,240 --> 00:02:56,239 Speaker 1: the newscast UM in two languages, and you know, but 58 00:02:56,360 --> 00:02:59,240 Speaker 1: the writing my own stuff had some help from producers, 59 00:02:59,240 --> 00:03:01,080 Speaker 1: but you know, we were such a small team that 60 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:03,480 Speaker 1: everybody had to had to pull their own weight and 61 00:03:03,639 --> 00:03:08,519 Speaker 1: then some, and it without question prepared me as best 62 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:11,160 Speaker 1: it could for this next step, which is now with 63 00:03:11,240 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 1: the NFL network, you know, covering the league in large. 64 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:17,680 Speaker 1: I mean I'm based in the Bay Area now, so 65 00:03:17,720 --> 00:03:23,400 Speaker 1: I mainly do chargers rather greater than miners, but I 66 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:25,520 Speaker 1: do right, but I do all of the West Coast 67 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:27,840 Speaker 1: teams and truly anywhere that they want to send me. 68 00:03:27,880 --> 00:03:29,799 Speaker 1: I'm sort of like, put me in coach, I don't 69 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:31,840 Speaker 1: care where. When you talk about kind of being a 70 00:03:31,919 --> 00:03:34,440 Speaker 1: jack of all trades, sort of starting out, how did 71 00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 1: that help you to where you are now? Well, it is. 72 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 1: I think a lot of people forget how much you 73 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:41,480 Speaker 1: need to know and how multifacts they need to be 74 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:45,480 Speaker 1: to do any kind of journalism, especially with US it's 75 00:03:45,480 --> 00:03:49,240 Speaker 1: so multimedia platform base, so you have to be able 76 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:51,720 Speaker 1: to understand the concepts of shooting your own video, of 77 00:03:51,800 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 1: edding your own stuff, what producers are thinking when they're 78 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:56,960 Speaker 1: putting together a show, as well as the basic tenants 79 00:03:57,000 --> 00:04:00,000 Speaker 1: of being a reporter and news gathering and being out there. 80 00:04:00,200 --> 00:04:03,000 Speaker 1: So when you've been able to do it across several 81 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:07,320 Speaker 1: genres like like I have, it's really helpful because you 82 00:04:07,360 --> 00:04:09,880 Speaker 1: have the ability to be a chameleon and to jump 83 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:12,320 Speaker 1: from one thing to the next, and in my current 84 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:14,200 Speaker 1: role now, at the NFL. I'm able to jump from 85 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:16,000 Speaker 1: one team to the next because I know how to 86 00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:17,479 Speaker 1: prep and I know how to study, and I know 87 00:04:17,520 --> 00:04:20,120 Speaker 1: how to be able to kind of switch the gears 88 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:23,280 Speaker 1: as quickly as they require me too. Yeah, talk about 89 00:04:23,279 --> 00:04:25,520 Speaker 1: a Leadin. That was literally my next question because we 90 00:04:25,520 --> 00:04:27,640 Speaker 1: were in the press box in Oakland and you were 91 00:04:27,680 --> 00:04:29,400 Speaker 1: telling me how you had to go from that game 92 00:04:29,720 --> 00:04:31,719 Speaker 1: to covering the forty nine ers the next day in 93 00:04:31,720 --> 00:04:33,440 Speaker 1: advance at their Monday night game, which was going to 94 00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:37,160 Speaker 1: be your third primetime game in eleven days. So when 95 00:04:37,160 --> 00:04:39,560 Speaker 1: you talk about being able to switch, how do you 96 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:41,400 Speaker 1: do that? Like, how do you prepare? How do you 97 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:43,200 Speaker 1: study so you can just kind of at the drop 98 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:46,720 Speaker 1: of a hat switch gears so quickly. Well, coffee is 99 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:50,839 Speaker 1: really important in this full equation because yes, it requires 100 00:04:50,880 --> 00:04:53,360 Speaker 1: a lot of late nights. So the bulk of my job. 101 00:04:53,400 --> 00:04:55,000 Speaker 1: I know, folks see what we do on TV and 102 00:04:55,040 --> 00:04:56,760 Speaker 1: what we post on social media, but the bulk of 103 00:04:56,839 --> 00:04:59,760 Speaker 1: my work is me hunker down at home studying. So 104 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:03,480 Speaker 1: I have you know, our NFL research department is incredible. 105 00:05:03,520 --> 00:05:05,719 Speaker 1: I don't know how how this team comes up with 106 00:05:05,720 --> 00:05:08,120 Speaker 1: all of these things and any questions that we have. Um, 107 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:09,920 Speaker 1: you know, they're able to answer it and provide so 108 00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:14,279 Speaker 1: much contact with statistics that it's really really helpful. I mean, 109 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:16,480 Speaker 1: I think that's the biggest difference, coming from a local 110 00:05:16,520 --> 00:05:19,359 Speaker 1: news background to now being at a network levels of 111 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:22,640 Speaker 1: resources that we have. I am forever grateful, like we 112 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:26,279 Speaker 1: are not worthy. It's so great. So I dive into 113 00:05:26,320 --> 00:05:29,320 Speaker 1: these these research tackts, these statistics, and then I cross 114 00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:32,560 Speaker 1: referenced that. But listening to press conferences, what I've gathered, 115 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:35,280 Speaker 1: talking to the players in the locker rooms during availabilities, 116 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:38,160 Speaker 1: my conversations with the coaches, Um, it's a lot. So 117 00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:40,839 Speaker 1: it's a lot of content to disseminate, and then I 118 00:05:40,920 --> 00:05:43,200 Speaker 1: have to break it down into you know, the two 119 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:45,560 Speaker 1: minutes that everyone sees on TV and what I feel 120 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:48,280 Speaker 1: it is the most relevant to the viewers, to the fans. 121 00:05:48,360 --> 00:05:50,840 Speaker 1: So it's it's a loss to take hand. Thank God. 122 00:05:50,839 --> 00:05:54,000 Speaker 1: I've always been sort of a studious person, a bit 123 00:05:54,040 --> 00:05:56,960 Speaker 1: of a nerd. I love tabs and highlighters, and you know, 124 00:05:57,400 --> 00:05:59,120 Speaker 1: I can dive deep into the stuff. Does I mean, 125 00:05:59,120 --> 00:06:01,640 Speaker 1: it doesn't give me a headache. Um, but it's football 126 00:06:01,680 --> 00:06:03,320 Speaker 1: at the end of the day. So it's stuff that 127 00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:05,359 Speaker 1: we love. That makes it so much easier for me 128 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:07,479 Speaker 1: to be able to stake here for hours, um a 129 00:06:07,520 --> 00:06:09,960 Speaker 1: lot of times watching a game on television and then 130 00:06:10,200 --> 00:06:13,240 Speaker 1: um still breaking down, you know, my prep for the 131 00:06:13,320 --> 00:06:15,400 Speaker 1: next game day. And it's not this game day for us, 132 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:17,839 Speaker 1: as you know, Hayley, We're doing the lead up to 133 00:06:17,839 --> 00:06:19,960 Speaker 1: the game then what the big storylines are and the 134 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:22,159 Speaker 1: injuries and what these players are going through, and the 135 00:06:22,200 --> 00:06:26,520 Speaker 1: franchises and you know, the divisional aspects of each matchup. 136 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:29,640 Speaker 1: So it is a lot of work, but I love it. 137 00:06:29,640 --> 00:06:31,280 Speaker 1: It's it's a challenge for me, like, all right, how 138 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:34,240 Speaker 1: deep can I go here and really bring content that's 139 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:37,559 Speaker 1: that's relevant to everybody who's watching. I had asked Colleen 140 00:06:37,560 --> 00:06:39,400 Speaker 1: wolf this last week, but what do you love about 141 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:41,719 Speaker 1: working at NFL Network? Now? I kind of you know, 142 00:06:41,760 --> 00:06:43,440 Speaker 1: it's so funny you mention call me because she's probably 143 00:06:43,440 --> 00:06:46,360 Speaker 1: one of my favorite people there, And truly, it's it's 144 00:06:46,640 --> 00:06:49,520 Speaker 1: it's the group that we have starting with you know, 145 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:51,520 Speaker 1: the women that I get to work with. These are 146 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:53,880 Speaker 1: women that I've followed, you know, for several years throughout 147 00:06:53,920 --> 00:06:55,960 Speaker 1: their careers and now to be able to like text 148 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:59,440 Speaker 1: Colleen or Kay or Cynthia or Lindsay. You know it's 149 00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:02,000 Speaker 1: the same. You know, before it'd be like, well, Lindsay 150 00:07:02,120 --> 00:07:04,400 Speaker 1: Rhodes just said on Total Access, and now it's like 151 00:07:04,760 --> 00:07:06,520 Speaker 1: is my co word or she's my friend? But you know, 152 00:07:06,920 --> 00:07:09,560 Speaker 1: women that I've admired for so long to call them 153 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:13,320 Speaker 1: my colleagues, common my friends is it's truly just it 154 00:07:13,400 --> 00:07:15,680 Speaker 1: motivates you so much more because they've said such a 155 00:07:15,760 --> 00:07:19,200 Speaker 1: standard that for me, I need to minimum match it, right. 156 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:22,320 Speaker 1: So and that's that's a small order because they're so amazing. 157 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:24,920 Speaker 1: So that's going a gush vest here, but it truly 158 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:27,520 Speaker 1: is that way, um, and they're so supportive. I mean, 159 00:07:27,720 --> 00:07:29,720 Speaker 1: you've seen how how we all meet up whenever we 160 00:07:29,840 --> 00:07:33,320 Speaker 1: can be as a combine or super Bowl or wherever, um, 161 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:35,520 Speaker 1: when the planets align and all of us can be 162 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:38,360 Speaker 1: in the same space. It truly is such such a 163 00:07:38,440 --> 00:07:41,880 Speaker 1: great motivator to see that. Listen, we're out here like, yeah, 164 00:07:42,120 --> 00:07:45,680 Speaker 1: there were maybe small in numbers, but we're strong, strong together. 165 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:48,760 Speaker 1: So that's definitely one of my biggest, biggest kind of perks, 166 00:07:48,880 --> 00:07:51,119 Speaker 1: for lack of a better word, of working with the NFL. 167 00:07:51,360 --> 00:07:53,000 Speaker 1: And it's so cool, like you said, just to have 168 00:07:53,160 --> 00:07:56,040 Speaker 1: women supporting women, because I think sometimes you did in 169 00:07:56,200 --> 00:07:58,720 Speaker 1: that you think of it being in such a caddy industry, 170 00:07:58,840 --> 00:08:01,440 Speaker 1: but really, oh my god, when you meet these women 171 00:08:01,480 --> 00:08:03,680 Speaker 1: who you know, I would say, like, like you to me, 172 00:08:03,920 --> 00:08:06,160 Speaker 1: like we were in San Diego together, and when I 173 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:08,040 Speaker 1: see you, it's like we pick up where we left off, 174 00:08:08,080 --> 00:08:09,840 Speaker 1: and it's so cool. And then to pick your brain 175 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 1: and just have that kind of that support system like 176 00:08:12,560 --> 00:08:15,440 Speaker 1: you mentioned, it's just so awesome. Absolutely, And I mean, 177 00:08:15,520 --> 00:08:16,960 Speaker 1: you know, when we were in a locker room, we're 178 00:08:17,040 --> 00:08:19,800 Speaker 1: usually the only or like one of two if we're 179 00:08:19,840 --> 00:08:21,520 Speaker 1: lucky women there. So I remember the first time I 180 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:24,800 Speaker 1: saw you got chargers, I was like, hey girl, hey, exactly, 181 00:08:24,920 --> 00:08:28,600 Speaker 1: we're friends. We're gonna be friends right like by de fault. 182 00:08:28,640 --> 00:08:30,760 Speaker 1: But it's just been such a great experience. And like 183 00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:33,240 Speaker 1: when I first started, like when we first announced that 184 00:08:33,240 --> 00:08:35,319 Speaker 1: I go to the NFL network, Jinks later at Disney 185 00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:37,439 Speaker 1: Blackman and a DDP quality, I mean, the other the 186 00:08:37,520 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 1: fellow reporters, Kim Joe and Stacey Dale's they all reached 187 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:42,560 Speaker 1: out to me like, hey girl, welcome to the fam. 188 00:08:43,080 --> 00:08:45,040 Speaker 1: What do you need. Let me break it down for 189 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:47,240 Speaker 1: you and Similarly the women behind the scenes too. We 190 00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:50,640 Speaker 1: have such amazing producers and women at the assignments asks 191 00:08:50,720 --> 00:08:53,800 Speaker 1: like there aren't gals holding it down behind the scenes, 192 00:08:53,840 --> 00:08:56,959 Speaker 1: and y'all have new idea, the stuff that they go 193 00:08:57,080 --> 00:08:59,120 Speaker 1: through and the support that they provide for us too. 194 00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:02,480 Speaker 1: So it's such a well rounded village. And equally, I 195 00:09:02,559 --> 00:09:04,520 Speaker 1: got to shout out the guys too, because Jim Trotter, 196 00:09:04,559 --> 00:09:07,319 Speaker 1: who you know from San Diego, sees why you know 197 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:10,240 Speaker 1: all of those guys are they're feminists too, so they're 198 00:09:10,320 --> 00:09:12,599 Speaker 1: right there with us and they're posting up to be 199 00:09:12,720 --> 00:09:15,360 Speaker 1: better and helping us to grow in our roles and 200 00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:18,040 Speaker 1: to make sure that we have the same opportunities and 201 00:09:18,400 --> 00:09:20,959 Speaker 1: that we're out there with all of the resources that 202 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:23,280 Speaker 1: we need and the connections that we need to succeed. 203 00:09:23,880 --> 00:09:25,920 Speaker 1: So I always ask for the biggest piece of advice 204 00:09:26,040 --> 00:09:27,640 Speaker 1: that my guests can share for those who want to 205 00:09:27,640 --> 00:09:30,360 Speaker 1: get into this industry. So from your standpoint, what's yours 206 00:09:30,800 --> 00:09:33,120 Speaker 1: biggest space of advice is don't get in your own way, 207 00:09:33,880 --> 00:09:37,200 Speaker 1: And that has changed for me like the advice would 208 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:39,040 Speaker 1: have been something else, right, like make sure you know 209 00:09:39,160 --> 00:09:41,280 Speaker 1: every aspect of the industry, which is of course still 210 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:43,520 Speaker 1: super valid and very relevant, and you should absolutely do that. 211 00:09:44,520 --> 00:09:47,079 Speaker 1: But I think what I've come to realize, even over 212 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:50,839 Speaker 1: the past few months, is that we tend to put 213 00:09:50,920 --> 00:09:53,120 Speaker 1: and you know what, lett me not generalize it. I'll 214 00:09:53,120 --> 00:09:56,280 Speaker 1: only speak for myself. I've tend to put self imposed 215 00:09:56,480 --> 00:10:01,040 Speaker 1: barriers on myself, either if it's self doubt or worthiness, 216 00:10:01,240 --> 00:10:02,719 Speaker 1: like should I be here? Do I belong to he? 217 00:10:02,760 --> 00:10:05,280 Speaker 1: Or do I deserve this? And the answer is yes, 218 00:10:05,400 --> 00:10:09,400 Speaker 1: you do. Like occupy the space. You absolutely have. You've 219 00:10:09,440 --> 00:10:11,439 Speaker 1: worked for every single bit that you can, and you'll 220 00:10:11,440 --> 00:10:13,560 Speaker 1: continue to do so, because that's just a bit. Nobody 221 00:10:13,679 --> 00:10:16,280 Speaker 1: is getting like a free ride here. Everyone is paying 222 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:20,040 Speaker 1: your ticket of entry and but that but along those 223 00:10:20,160 --> 00:10:22,719 Speaker 1: those same lines, like you deserve to be there, you 224 00:10:22,800 --> 00:10:26,840 Speaker 1: deserve to oscopy that space, and don't don't block yourself 225 00:10:26,920 --> 00:10:29,760 Speaker 1: from potential opportunities because you're scared or you think you're 226 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:31,920 Speaker 1: not ready or you're not worthy enough to do so, 227 00:10:32,120 --> 00:10:34,720 Speaker 1: because all of that is just in your head um. 228 00:10:34,880 --> 00:10:38,920 Speaker 1: And I think we're sort of conditions to think that way, right, 229 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:40,959 Speaker 1: to kind of keep us in a little bubble in 230 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:44,720 Speaker 1: a little box. And so I don't want the women 231 00:10:44,800 --> 00:10:48,760 Speaker 1: that come next the next wave of journalists to feel 232 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:52,599 Speaker 1: that way. Ever, like you, you belong here, so own it. 233 00:10:56,080 --> 00:10:57,959 Speaker 1: We'll get back to our convo with MJ and a few, 234 00:10:58,040 --> 00:10:59,920 Speaker 1: but we wanted to remind you that you won't miss 235 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:01,960 Speaker 1: a minute of the action with the official Los Angeles 236 00:11:02,080 --> 00:11:05,440 Speaker 1: Chargers App. Follow real time stats, watch your favorite Bolts programming, 237 00:11:05,480 --> 00:11:08,720 Speaker 1: and live local Chargers games all season long. Download today 238 00:11:08,800 --> 00:11:12,120 Speaker 1: at Chargers dot com slash app. Geographic and device restrictions 239 00:11:12,240 --> 00:11:15,040 Speaker 1: apply local and primetime games only. 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Get a quote today at Mercury 250 00:11:38,920 --> 00:11:42,160 Speaker 1: Insurance dot com and go. Chargers Savings info based on 251 00:11:42,200 --> 00:11:45,760 Speaker 1: twenty nineteen, California Department of Insurance Rate Comparison Profile thirty 252 00:11:45,800 --> 00:11:48,480 Speaker 1: eight eight. Individual savings may vary. Now let's get back 253 00:11:48,480 --> 00:11:54,319 Speaker 1: to the interview with Mgacosta, presented by Mercury Insurance. So 254 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:57,720 Speaker 1: you mentioned you're bilingual, you're a Latina. You mentioned working 255 00:11:57,760 --> 00:12:00,920 Speaker 1: at Telemundo also while doing NBC even in San Diego. 256 00:12:01,280 --> 00:12:04,920 Speaker 1: But ultimately, what does your culture mean to you, especially 257 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:08,120 Speaker 1: now being in this industry. It's huge because I think 258 00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:10,719 Speaker 1: a big misconception is that Latinos are sort of just 259 00:12:10,880 --> 00:12:14,080 Speaker 1: taching onto American football and that Latinos don't really understand 260 00:12:14,160 --> 00:12:18,040 Speaker 1: or that they occupied such a small percentage of what 261 00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:21,040 Speaker 1: is the NFL fan base that I think coming from 262 00:12:21,080 --> 00:12:23,520 Speaker 1: a place like Miami, And before I lived in Miami, 263 00:12:23,559 --> 00:12:26,480 Speaker 1: I lived in New York, where you know, Latino's an 264 00:12:26,559 --> 00:12:30,560 Speaker 1: overwhelming majority. I you know, I have a different perspective 265 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:32,480 Speaker 1: in that sense. You know, my uncle's and my father 266 00:12:32,840 --> 00:12:34,880 Speaker 1: were the ones who taught me about sports and who 267 00:12:34,920 --> 00:12:37,240 Speaker 1: taught me about football and to this day or the 268 00:12:37,320 --> 00:12:39,560 Speaker 1: ones that called just yesterday, my uncle was like, all right, 269 00:12:40,120 --> 00:12:42,720 Speaker 1: you said that homeboy is improving on the defensive line. 270 00:12:42,800 --> 00:12:44,800 Speaker 1: Is that true? Like, and I'm like, yes, listen what 271 00:12:44,880 --> 00:12:46,599 Speaker 1: I want. So like we go back and forth, and 272 00:12:46,679 --> 00:12:51,000 Speaker 1: I think it's it's especially as a woman because the 273 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:53,400 Speaker 1: Latino culture can be from times so full of of 274 00:12:53,559 --> 00:12:56,440 Speaker 1: like Matiso. I think it's huge to see that shift 275 00:12:56,800 --> 00:12:59,800 Speaker 1: and that more women are are taking this who role 276 00:13:00,040 --> 00:13:02,319 Speaker 1: in sports and really owning it and showing that we 277 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:04,640 Speaker 1: can go toe to toe, not just like as broadcasted, 278 00:13:04,679 --> 00:13:08,319 Speaker 1: but women and semale athletes are kicking butt across the board. 279 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:10,160 Speaker 1: So to be able to bring that and for other 280 00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:12,000 Speaker 1: Latinas to reach out to me and say, oh my god, 281 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:13,840 Speaker 1: I haven't seen someone who looks like me, who speaks 282 00:13:13,880 --> 00:13:17,240 Speaker 1: my language, who understands how I grew up and how 283 00:13:17,320 --> 00:13:22,040 Speaker 1: I was watching sports, it means a lot. I think 284 00:13:22,120 --> 00:13:24,400 Speaker 1: a lot of the women that are covering sports, and 285 00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:27,280 Speaker 1: there are many Latinas doing it, but not so many 286 00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:31,240 Speaker 1: on you know, the American English side and the mainstream, 287 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:33,520 Speaker 1: if you will, for lack of a better phrase. And 288 00:13:33,679 --> 00:13:36,360 Speaker 1: so I take a big responsibility and that to be 289 00:13:36,440 --> 00:13:38,679 Speaker 1: able to guide other girls who are trying to do 290 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:41,320 Speaker 1: this now. And I say girls because I have young 291 00:13:41,480 --> 00:13:43,559 Speaker 1: women you know, reaching out to me on social media 292 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:45,439 Speaker 1: who are still in high school and I'm like, oh 293 00:13:45,480 --> 00:13:46,880 Speaker 1: my god, in high school, I had no idea that 294 00:13:46,960 --> 00:13:49,000 Speaker 1: this is what I wanted to do. So because so 295 00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:51,559 Speaker 1: that they have the fore side and the wherewithal to 296 00:13:51,720 --> 00:13:54,120 Speaker 1: know that and you know, to be baldly enough to 297 00:13:54,600 --> 00:13:56,079 Speaker 1: say no, this is what I want and I know 298 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:58,559 Speaker 1: it now even though I'm fifteen, sixteen years old, I'm 299 00:13:58,559 --> 00:14:04,679 Speaker 1: like contantly inspired by them. So it's it's it's a huge, huge, um, 300 00:14:05,080 --> 00:14:07,240 Speaker 1: not burden, but it's like the responsibility on my shoulders, 301 00:14:07,280 --> 00:14:09,640 Speaker 1: but it's the one that I take um very seriously 302 00:14:09,720 --> 00:14:12,280 Speaker 1: and holdheartedly. It makes me really happy. So going up 303 00:14:12,360 --> 00:14:15,800 Speaker 1: to Mexico and being able to reach out to other Latinos, um, 304 00:14:16,040 --> 00:14:18,599 Speaker 1: it's going to be huge. Yeah, how special is it 305 00:14:18,720 --> 00:14:20,840 Speaker 1: going to be to cover a game in Mexico City. 306 00:14:21,320 --> 00:14:24,240 Speaker 1: It's insane. Like I know, last year I was slated. 307 00:14:24,520 --> 00:14:28,240 Speaker 1: We're almost there, cover that game, almost there, literally about 308 00:14:28,280 --> 00:14:30,760 Speaker 1: the boards played and it was it didn't happen. So um, 309 00:14:31,240 --> 00:14:33,680 Speaker 1: there's been all of this anticipation going there. And when 310 00:14:33,680 --> 00:14:36,400 Speaker 1: I meet other broadcasters, you know, the people are always 311 00:14:36,400 --> 00:14:38,560 Speaker 1: sort of shocked that I am Latina and that I 312 00:14:38,640 --> 00:14:40,960 Speaker 1: speak Spanish and that it's my native song. It's with 313 00:14:41,080 --> 00:14:43,240 Speaker 1: my first life, which is where I learned English. Um, 314 00:14:43,360 --> 00:14:45,520 Speaker 1: and so I think that's the other side of it 315 00:14:45,640 --> 00:14:48,480 Speaker 1: for me, is it showing a different group of of 316 00:14:48,680 --> 00:14:51,800 Speaker 1: Latinos that you know, we're out here and we're representing 317 00:14:51,840 --> 00:14:55,280 Speaker 1: all Latinos that come in all shades, all shapes, all sizes, 318 00:14:55,360 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 1: that you know, speak different dialects, that have different accents, 319 00:14:58,320 --> 00:15:01,960 Speaker 1: that look different, and they have different backgrounds. You know. 320 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:04,880 Speaker 1: I've you seen my social media identify as an Afro 321 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:07,800 Speaker 1: Latina because from the Caribbean, so we're mixed with so 322 00:15:08,080 --> 00:15:11,280 Speaker 1: many different things, you know, and I take that on 323 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:13,280 Speaker 1: as much as I take my Latino culture on. And 324 00:15:13,360 --> 00:15:15,960 Speaker 1: so I'm trying to break a little bit of a 325 00:15:16,040 --> 00:15:18,880 Speaker 1: stigma here and show people that I may not look 326 00:15:18,960 --> 00:15:22,280 Speaker 1: like what you would imagine a Latina should look like 327 00:15:22,880 --> 00:15:25,120 Speaker 1: based on much we've seen on mainstream, but I'm just 328 00:15:25,480 --> 00:15:28,520 Speaker 1: as much of it. Like listen, my grandmother, so they 329 00:15:28,560 --> 00:15:30,360 Speaker 1: she died, did not speak a look of English, and 330 00:15:31,640 --> 00:15:34,680 Speaker 1: you know, we grew up listening to Sara and that's 331 00:15:34,720 --> 00:15:37,840 Speaker 1: such a huge part of me. And but I'm discovering 332 00:15:37,920 --> 00:15:40,680 Speaker 1: new parts of my ancestry and where I came from. 333 00:15:40,720 --> 00:15:44,040 Speaker 1: And so this is a really big step in helping 334 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:46,000 Speaker 1: other Latinos do that as well. So you were at 335 00:15:46,000 --> 00:15:47,880 Speaker 1: the game between the Chargers and the Raiders. You've seen 336 00:15:47,960 --> 00:15:50,840 Speaker 1: the Bolts recently. You're going to be in casey leading 337 00:15:50,920 --> 00:15:52,560 Speaker 1: up to this game. But what are you expecting just 338 00:15:52,680 --> 00:15:55,280 Speaker 1: kind of overall in this one? You know this, This 339 00:15:55,520 --> 00:15:58,880 Speaker 1: AFC West Division has been such an anomaly this year, right, 340 00:15:58,880 --> 00:16:01,760 Speaker 1: I think everyone pretty hard send on, like the Chiefs 341 00:16:01,840 --> 00:16:03,760 Speaker 1: are the ones that everybody's going to be chasing in 342 00:16:03,840 --> 00:16:07,000 Speaker 1: the AFC West, and it hasn't turned out that way. Well, 343 00:16:07,040 --> 00:16:09,760 Speaker 1: they still are in first place. I think we're still 344 00:16:09,800 --> 00:16:12,240 Speaker 1: at a point in the season, and with how these 345 00:16:12,280 --> 00:16:15,680 Speaker 1: teams have been playing across the board that it's pretty 346 00:16:15,720 --> 00:16:17,840 Speaker 1: open for anyone to kind of switch it up here. 347 00:16:17,880 --> 00:16:21,360 Speaker 1: And having lost last week the Chiefs meetings, having lost 348 00:16:21,440 --> 00:16:25,080 Speaker 1: last week, it creates a different dynamic in the AFC West. 349 00:16:25,160 --> 00:16:29,040 Speaker 1: So I think that a lot of the states that 350 00:16:29,240 --> 00:16:31,600 Speaker 1: happens on the Charger side against the Raiders game where 351 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:33,840 Speaker 1: I think that can be applied this week going up 352 00:16:33,840 --> 00:16:37,520 Speaker 1: against like Patrick Mahomes of this kind of offense. It's 353 00:16:37,560 --> 00:16:40,000 Speaker 1: going to be a battle. Like I mean, I love 354 00:16:40,080 --> 00:16:43,520 Speaker 1: these divisional games because it's so intense. It's so hardcore, 355 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:47,080 Speaker 1: especially when the divide is so minimal at this point, right, 356 00:16:47,160 --> 00:16:49,040 Speaker 1: like anybody could kind of switch it up and switch 357 00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:52,000 Speaker 1: up the order. So I'm really looking forward to this. 358 00:16:52,120 --> 00:16:54,320 Speaker 1: I love that it's an international crowd. I think that 359 00:16:54,440 --> 00:16:57,560 Speaker 1: adds just another layer. The elevation scares me a bit 360 00:16:57,720 --> 00:17:01,560 Speaker 1: more so for myself the player a modesty um, but 361 00:17:02,040 --> 00:17:04,720 Speaker 1: I think that's just like one more wrinkle in this 362 00:17:04,960 --> 00:17:08,240 Speaker 1: whole scene. Right, So if nothing else, I think this 363 00:17:08,400 --> 00:17:09,600 Speaker 1: is going to come down to one of those like 364 00:17:09,880 --> 00:17:12,960 Speaker 1: late fourth quarter battles for sure. What's the key to 365 00:17:13,040 --> 00:17:17,160 Speaker 1: containing Patrick Mahomes? Oh? Man? I mean can he because 366 00:17:17,240 --> 00:17:19,399 Speaker 1: I don't know that you can contain a quarterback like 367 00:17:19,440 --> 00:17:21,399 Speaker 1: I mean he's up there as a rant to me 368 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:25,399 Speaker 1: with Russell Wilson and with Lamar Jackson where you know 369 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:28,480 Speaker 1: he can run it. He can do some ridiculous acrobatic 370 00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:30,879 Speaker 1: tricks even though he just came off of an injury, 371 00:17:30,960 --> 00:17:34,000 Speaker 1: like what who are you? What are you? You're not human? Um? 372 00:17:34,080 --> 00:17:36,440 Speaker 1: So I think it's it's more so about Frontadie the 373 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:40,600 Speaker 1: pieces around him, um. And this chief offense is very 374 00:17:40,680 --> 00:17:43,399 Speaker 1: high powered, as you know, he has weapons all the 375 00:17:43,440 --> 00:17:45,000 Speaker 1: way up and down in the ground, in the air, 376 00:17:45,119 --> 00:17:47,399 Speaker 1: on the ground. So it's it's gonna have to be 377 00:17:47,640 --> 00:17:50,639 Speaker 1: kind of through through. The defense is going to have 378 00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:52,440 Speaker 1: their work cut up in them, from the secondary to 379 00:17:52,480 --> 00:17:54,520 Speaker 1: the defensive line. I mean, everybody's going to really have 380 00:17:54,720 --> 00:17:58,040 Speaker 1: to step up and contain these guys. The turnover battle 381 00:17:58,080 --> 00:17:59,880 Speaker 1: I think will be huge in this one as well. 382 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:01,840 Speaker 1: We talked about this earlier, but you would cover the 383 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:04,560 Speaker 1: Chargers for a few years, even though now you've sort 384 00:18:04,600 --> 00:18:07,359 Speaker 1: of shifted to the league level. But when you have 385 00:18:07,520 --> 00:18:09,440 Speaker 1: games like this, what's it like getting a chance to 386 00:18:09,480 --> 00:18:11,280 Speaker 1: see some of the players that you knew back then 387 00:18:11,720 --> 00:18:15,280 Speaker 1: kind of grow into who they are today. It's incredible 388 00:18:15,320 --> 00:18:17,919 Speaker 1: and it's so funny. It's because like Tyra Willens, who 389 00:18:17,960 --> 00:18:19,639 Speaker 1: is now with the Raiders, of course, it's like I 390 00:18:19,760 --> 00:18:21,800 Speaker 1: have the context of him back, you know, in twenty 391 00:18:21,880 --> 00:18:25,040 Speaker 1: sixteen and he was still just starting out. So it's 392 00:18:25,119 --> 00:18:27,080 Speaker 1: new in the league with the Chargers, and you see 393 00:18:27,160 --> 00:18:30,080 Speaker 1: the evolution of these guys and I forget sometimes you 394 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:32,959 Speaker 1: know that they are so much younger than I am. 395 00:18:33,119 --> 00:18:34,920 Speaker 1: I'm not gonna aige myself, but they aren't much younger 396 00:18:34,960 --> 00:18:38,120 Speaker 1: than I am by a lot so you see them 397 00:18:38,160 --> 00:18:41,000 Speaker 1: not only grow as players, but you grow as men. 398 00:18:41,040 --> 00:18:43,000 Speaker 1: A lot of them have families now, and it's like, 399 00:18:43,080 --> 00:18:44,760 Speaker 1: you know, I've seen for wives and I see their kids, 400 00:18:44,800 --> 00:18:47,800 Speaker 1: and it's awesome to see the kind of like the 401 00:18:48,040 --> 00:18:51,280 Speaker 1: total aspects of it, not just the xs and os 402 00:18:51,359 --> 00:18:55,680 Speaker 1: and the statuetes on these guys, and that's definitely one 403 00:18:55,720 --> 00:18:57,800 Speaker 1: of the most refreshing parts of these I think people 404 00:18:57,840 --> 00:19:01,200 Speaker 1: forget that they are human. They just you know, have 405 00:19:01,520 --> 00:19:04,960 Speaker 1: happened to play a really hardcore sport bit millions and 406 00:19:05,080 --> 00:19:08,480 Speaker 1: millions of people watch every single week. But to see 407 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:11,119 Speaker 1: these guys involved, to see guys that like Hunter Henry 408 00:19:11,160 --> 00:19:13,040 Speaker 1: I was never really got rafted, you know, and it's 409 00:19:13,080 --> 00:19:15,159 Speaker 1: like he's gone through injuries and he's come back and 410 00:19:15,280 --> 00:19:17,639 Speaker 1: he's becomes such a pivotal role when he's healthy and 411 00:19:17,720 --> 00:19:21,520 Speaker 1: this Charger's offense, Um, it's it's hard not to root 412 00:19:21,560 --> 00:19:23,320 Speaker 1: for these guys. Like people always asking like, oh, well, 413 00:19:23,440 --> 00:19:25,119 Speaker 1: who's your team, I'm Dan. It's like, well, you know, 414 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:27,480 Speaker 1: as as a journalist, I just like I root for 415 00:19:27,680 --> 00:19:30,960 Speaker 1: good football, but I do root for these guys individually, 416 00:19:31,040 --> 00:19:33,480 Speaker 1: regardless of what teams they are on, because I've seen 417 00:19:33,880 --> 00:19:37,320 Speaker 1: their trajectory. And then lastly, you mentioned the international crowd, 418 00:19:37,359 --> 00:19:39,600 Speaker 1: but just kind of overall, what sort of environment are 419 00:19:39,640 --> 00:19:43,440 Speaker 1: you expecting it a studio is Teca on Monday. The 420 00:19:43,600 --> 00:19:45,640 Speaker 1: thing is, I have no idea, right, Like, I've never 421 00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:51,280 Speaker 1: been to an international NFL American football game. Like even 422 00:19:51,359 --> 00:19:54,399 Speaker 1: that phrase sounds weird, Like I've been to I've been 423 00:19:54,440 --> 00:19:56,960 Speaker 1: to Siquana where, um where I've been to a soccer 424 00:19:57,080 --> 00:20:00,480 Speaker 1: game for for Lega MX with the with the Sholos, 425 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:04,520 Speaker 1: But that's totally different. That's soccer, Like it's different than 426 00:20:04,560 --> 00:20:07,400 Speaker 1: American football. So I'm really curious to see like how 427 00:20:07,520 --> 00:20:10,719 Speaker 1: the fans, like which team do they attach themselves too? 428 00:20:10,760 --> 00:20:13,480 Speaker 1: I know, like you see like a myriad of jerseys 429 00:20:13,520 --> 00:20:16,280 Speaker 1: when I watch it on television. So I'm really curious 430 00:20:16,320 --> 00:20:18,360 Speaker 1: to see just how hard if they're just as hard 431 00:20:18,440 --> 00:20:22,480 Speaker 1: core in American football as they are with people, That's 432 00:20:22,560 --> 00:20:24,800 Speaker 1: what I'm looking forward to. But no matter what, it's 433 00:20:24,840 --> 00:20:28,120 Speaker 1: gonna be so hype, Well, we are excited. We're looking 434 00:20:28,160 --> 00:20:31,200 Speaker 1: forward to. We will see you there. Stay hydrated. Yeah, 435 00:20:31,480 --> 00:20:34,480 Speaker 1: we'll channel the altitude together. But thank you so much, 436 00:20:34,760 --> 00:20:37,840 Speaker 1: jameson coming on. We so appreciate it. Thank you, Hayley's 437 00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:43,480 Speaker 1: I was from an Amadu And that's a wrap on 438 00:20:43,600 --> 00:20:46,880 Speaker 1: this week's episode of Playmakers. Many things to mja Acosta 439 00:20:46,960 --> 00:20:49,760 Speaker 1: for joining me now. One final reminder is to subscribe 440 00:20:49,760 --> 00:20:52,480 Speaker 1: to the All New Chargers podcast Network. Wherever you listen 441 00:20:52,480 --> 00:20:55,200 Speaker 1: to podcasts and good news, we are now on SoundCloud 442 00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:57,960 Speaker 1: and Spotify. It is your one stop shop for all 443 00:20:58,000 --> 00:21:00,960 Speaker 1: things Chargers directly from the team, including in depth conversations 444 00:21:01,000 --> 00:21:04,760 Speaker 1: and analysis with players, coaches, executives, national reporters and broadcasters, 445 00:21:04,840 --> 00:21:06,960 Speaker 1: and much more. Be sure to write and review, and 446 00:21:07,040 --> 00:21:08,720 Speaker 1: thanks for listening. Catch you guys next time.