1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,000 Speaker 1: Hello Texans, Welcome to the program that gets you inside 2 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:06,280 Speaker 1: at RG Stadium. Mark VanderMeer with you, and we've got 3 00:00:06,320 --> 00:00:09,160 Speaker 1: a fun show for you tonight. Look, we're taking a 4 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:12,600 Speaker 1: little time off of normal programming this week, so let's 5 00:00:12,640 --> 00:00:15,480 Speaker 1: dive into some other things, including but not limited to, 6 00:00:15,520 --> 00:00:18,920 Speaker 1: a visit with John Lopez, my former morning show partner 7 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:21,320 Speaker 1: on Sports Radio six to ten. That's coming up, and 8 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:24,560 Speaker 1: we'll kick off the show with Texans President Greg Grissom. 9 00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:26,520 Speaker 2: From a recent podcast, a. 10 00:00:26,520 --> 00:00:30,400 Speaker 1: Reminder that Tuesday, John and I, along with Chester Pitts, 11 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:34,000 Speaker 1: will be at BMW of the Woodlands giving away Texans tickets. 12 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:38,200 Speaker 1: The Texans cheerleaders will be there HGB gift cards, training 13 00:00:38,200 --> 00:00:42,440 Speaker 1: camp tickets. That's Tuesday at BMW of the Woodlands at 14 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:44,960 Speaker 1: six o'clock. Be there and we'll look forward to seeing 15 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:47,720 Speaker 1: you out there. Let's get into this now with Texans 16 00:00:47,800 --> 00:00:50,559 Speaker 1: President Greg Grissom. I had a recent visit with him 17 00:00:50,560 --> 00:00:55,080 Speaker 1: in the Hyundai Texans Radio studio. Greg Grissom joining us 18 00:00:55,160 --> 00:00:59,240 Speaker 1: Okay Craig off season. It's the desert, as I call it, 19 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:02,440 Speaker 1: between many care and training camp, but there's always something 20 00:01:02,480 --> 00:01:03,280 Speaker 1: going on with the Texans. 21 00:01:03,320 --> 00:01:03,760 Speaker 3: How you doing there? 22 00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:06,880 Speaker 4: I'm doing great, Mark, great to be with you. Yeah, 23 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 4: it's always an exciting time. I think if you'd go 24 00:01:09,160 --> 00:01:11,880 Speaker 4: up to our staff upstairs and talk to them, there's 25 00:01:11,880 --> 00:01:13,800 Speaker 4: no desert. There's a lot of hard work going on 26 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:17,399 Speaker 4: and a tremendous amount of excitement as we prepare for 27 00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:18,600 Speaker 4: the twenty twenty three season. 28 00:01:18,959 --> 00:01:21,600 Speaker 1: So when we left the twenty twenty two season, the 29 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:24,160 Speaker 1: Texans beat the Colts, which was a weird kind of 30 00:01:24,200 --> 00:01:27,600 Speaker 1: thing because the number one pick they didn't get it 31 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:30,160 Speaker 1: that day. But so what it all turned out great 32 00:01:30,160 --> 00:01:30,560 Speaker 1: with c J. 33 00:01:30,720 --> 00:01:31,080 Speaker 2: Stroud. 34 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:34,040 Speaker 1: We'll get into that in a moment. But what about 35 00:01:34,120 --> 00:01:36,960 Speaker 1: hiring tomko Ryans and what it's meant to the organization 36 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:40,440 Speaker 1: reaching back in the history, getting the former player and everything. 37 00:01:41,080 --> 00:01:43,960 Speaker 1: The effect that that's had on the organization as a whole. 38 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:47,000 Speaker 4: Great, Yeah, I think you The process that Nick Cassario 39 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:50,160 Speaker 4: and cayl and Hannah McNair led to identify to Miko 40 00:01:50,320 --> 00:01:54,680 Speaker 4: and and to ensure that that he came home was spectacular. 41 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:57,760 Speaker 4: And since the moment you know he arrived, the day 42 00:01:57,800 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 4: that he was here, you know that we had to 43 00:02:00,720 --> 00:02:03,000 Speaker 4: introduce him to the staff even before I think that 44 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:05,440 Speaker 4: the day his contract was signed before the press conference. 45 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:09,000 Speaker 4: I mean, the energy has just been off the charts 46 00:02:09,160 --> 00:02:12,679 Speaker 4: and the way it's engaged all of our teammates internally, 47 00:02:12,800 --> 00:02:17,160 Speaker 4: our former players, you know, the all our fans and 48 00:02:17,200 --> 00:02:20,800 Speaker 4: season ticket members as a whole. You could feel it. 49 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:24,239 Speaker 4: You could feel it from the very beginning. And his leadership, 50 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:26,400 Speaker 4: you know, as I've had a chance to interact with 51 00:02:26,440 --> 00:02:31,560 Speaker 4: him here and there, is amazing and just really looking 52 00:02:31,639 --> 00:02:33,720 Speaker 4: forward to the to the impact he can make on 53 00:02:33,760 --> 00:02:35,800 Speaker 4: our organization and our city as a whole. 54 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:40,919 Speaker 1: I think with him and that combined with the draft, Greg, 55 00:02:40,960 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 1: you've been here every year. I can't think of an 56 00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:48,000 Speaker 1: off season with more of a boost, more anticipation. There 57 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:49,840 Speaker 1: have been some off seasons where you feel like the 58 00:02:49,880 --> 00:02:51,919 Speaker 1: team's good, you're going to go into a good campaign 59 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:53,360 Speaker 1: and we don't know what the record's going to be. 60 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:55,800 Speaker 1: But just as far as the off season itself, are 61 00:02:55,840 --> 00:02:57,880 Speaker 1: you with me that this might be the biggest ever? 62 00:02:58,160 --> 00:02:58,400 Speaker 5: Well? 63 00:02:58,480 --> 00:02:59,240 Speaker 3: I think it could be. 64 00:02:59,480 --> 00:03:02,360 Speaker 4: You know, I don't like to make predictions, but just 65 00:03:03,440 --> 00:03:06,480 Speaker 4: the feeling of it is I will just say there's 66 00:03:06,800 --> 00:03:11,120 Speaker 4: a tremendous energy and excitement to what could be coming. 67 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:14,919 Speaker 4: And and you know, uh, you know, you know, and 68 00:03:14,919 --> 00:03:17,160 Speaker 4: I've talked about some different off seasons in the past. 69 00:03:17,840 --> 00:03:20,280 Speaker 4: I think it's equal to, if not greater, you know, 70 00:03:20,480 --> 00:03:23,200 Speaker 4: some of those off seasons. And you know, time will tell, 71 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:26,680 Speaker 4: but but I think, you know, watching Nick and Demico 72 00:03:26,760 --> 00:03:30,679 Speaker 4: work together around the draft and how they they navigated 73 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:33,040 Speaker 4: that to get the outcome that we did, and the 74 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:36,200 Speaker 4: excitement that that generated across the city and our fan base, 75 00:03:36,720 --> 00:03:38,920 Speaker 4: and then you know, every step of the way forward, 76 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:41,560 Speaker 4: you know, the free agencies, which I really think, you know, 77 00:03:41,640 --> 00:03:43,720 Speaker 4: some of the decisions and the players we brought in, 78 00:03:44,200 --> 00:03:46,840 Speaker 4: you know, are going to be fun to watch and 79 00:03:47,040 --> 00:03:48,960 Speaker 4: to see the impact that some of these guys can 80 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:51,480 Speaker 4: have on our team as a whole. So, you know, 81 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:54,160 Speaker 4: I have seen some of the media who aren't always 82 00:03:54,440 --> 00:03:57,360 Speaker 4: uh you know, is kind. You know, I've seen it 83 00:03:57,400 --> 00:03:59,960 Speaker 4: referenced in some places, even the perfect offseason. I don't 84 00:04:00,160 --> 00:04:02,200 Speaker 4: know about that, you know, I don't. I don't I 85 00:04:02,240 --> 00:04:04,000 Speaker 4: don't want to ever put that pressure on it. But 86 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:07,680 Speaker 4: I know that that we're really excited about where we're 87 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:11,000 Speaker 4: going and and and can't wait to get it get 88 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:12,440 Speaker 4: it started here in a month or two. 89 00:04:12,960 --> 00:04:13,560 Speaker 2: Draft night. 90 00:04:13,880 --> 00:04:16,880 Speaker 1: It still blows me away the level of excitement. It 91 00:04:16,880 --> 00:04:19,359 Speaker 1: felt like a playoff win or something like that. The 92 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:21,400 Speaker 1: way everything went down with the number two pick and 93 00:04:21,440 --> 00:04:25,320 Speaker 1: then trading up and the fans and uh Cal McNair, 94 00:04:25,360 --> 00:04:28,320 Speaker 1: Hannah McNair there, you were there. Obviously, it was a 95 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:29,480 Speaker 1: tremendous experience. 96 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:31,000 Speaker 4: It was a great event and the first and foremost 97 00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:32,560 Speaker 4: I want to give a lot of credit to our 98 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:35,640 Speaker 4: event experienced team and all the folks who helped put 99 00:04:35,640 --> 00:04:38,400 Speaker 4: that event together at Miller Outdoor Theater, working in partnership 100 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:41,120 Speaker 4: with the folks at Miller Outdoor Theater Houston first to 101 00:04:41,160 --> 00:04:42,080 Speaker 4: allow that to happen. 102 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:44,120 Speaker 3: It was. It was packed to the gills. 103 00:04:44,120 --> 00:04:46,159 Speaker 4: I think we we we had found every spot for 104 00:04:46,240 --> 00:04:49,440 Speaker 4: a fan to be and obviously when we drafted CJ, 105 00:04:49,640 --> 00:04:53,480 Speaker 4: the place went crazy and excitement. And then right behind 106 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:56,560 Speaker 4: it to announce the trade and I was actually standing 107 00:04:56,760 --> 00:04:59,680 Speaker 4: very close to Andre Johnson and just seeing him going, 108 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:02,120 Speaker 4: you know what we did what and just the excitement 109 00:05:02,120 --> 00:05:04,839 Speaker 4: of how that all went. It was a great night 110 00:05:05,080 --> 00:05:09,400 Speaker 4: and to celebrate it with our fans. I know the 111 00:05:09,440 --> 00:05:12,840 Speaker 4: McNair's enjoyed, you know, being there and being present both 112 00:05:12,920 --> 00:05:14,919 Speaker 4: at the beginning of the draft and coming back later 113 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:18,720 Speaker 4: and just to be around our fan base and just 114 00:05:18,760 --> 00:05:21,520 Speaker 4: to be hopeful about what's to come. It was a 115 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:22,479 Speaker 4: great night, all right. 116 00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:24,599 Speaker 1: You brought up Andre Johnson, so I'm going to fast forward. 117 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:28,240 Speaker 1: We'll get into everything else, but JJ Watt and having. 118 00:05:28,040 --> 00:05:29,360 Speaker 2: What night announced. 119 00:05:29,400 --> 00:05:31,840 Speaker 1: It's not a night, it's a game with the Pittsburgh Steelers, 120 00:05:31,880 --> 00:05:34,279 Speaker 1: but going into the Ring of Honor. But it's just 121 00:05:34,320 --> 00:05:38,640 Speaker 1: tremendous to have these former players, these Texans legends in 122 00:05:38,680 --> 00:05:41,840 Speaker 1: the fold with the Demico higher and I was going 123 00:05:41,880 --> 00:05:44,640 Speaker 1: over some stats today writing articles for various things, and 124 00:05:44,680 --> 00:05:47,120 Speaker 1: Demiko is still so high up on all these lists 125 00:05:47,279 --> 00:05:51,280 Speaker 1: tackles and solo tackles and consecutive starts and that kind 126 00:05:51,320 --> 00:05:53,480 Speaker 1: of thing. And then to see what go into the 127 00:05:53,560 --> 00:05:55,799 Speaker 1: Ring of Honor along with Andrey Johnson and mister McNair, 128 00:05:55,839 --> 00:05:56,760 Speaker 1: that's tremendous stuff. 129 00:05:56,920 --> 00:05:59,719 Speaker 4: What is in all of our former players, we call 130 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:02,760 Speaker 4: them legends. The NFL calls them legends. That's you know, 131 00:06:02,920 --> 00:06:05,000 Speaker 4: if you made it to the NFL, it's pretty legendary. 132 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:06,320 Speaker 4: In my book, I don't think you and I made 133 00:06:06,320 --> 00:06:09,120 Speaker 4: it there, so uh, we we give them that respect. 134 00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:12,920 Speaker 4: And all of our legends are really important to the organization. 135 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:15,680 Speaker 4: The history of the organization and where we've come from 136 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:18,560 Speaker 4: and and how we continue to recognize that. And then 137 00:06:18,880 --> 00:06:20,839 Speaker 4: when you think of a player like JJ, I mean, 138 00:06:21,320 --> 00:06:24,600 Speaker 4: we we you know, you know, he left here, went 139 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:26,920 Speaker 4: to Arizona, you know, had finished out his career, but 140 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:30,240 Speaker 4: he's a Texan and and you know, we wanted to 141 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:32,719 Speaker 4: make sure that that we did everything we could to 142 00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:36,400 Speaker 4: engage with him, and he obviously it was really excited 143 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:39,000 Speaker 4: about the opportunity to come home and and and to 144 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:42,640 Speaker 4: be part of Houston and what we're what we're what 145 00:06:42,640 --> 00:06:45,680 Speaker 4: we're building moving forward. I know he's extremely supportive of 146 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:48,680 Speaker 4: Demico and and and his staff, so it all kind 147 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:52,880 Speaker 4: of fit. But uh, you know, really excited and about 148 00:06:53,120 --> 00:06:56,040 Speaker 4: making sure that that JJ takes his rightful place in 149 00:06:56,120 --> 00:06:58,080 Speaker 4: the history of our organization in the Ring of honor 150 00:06:58,120 --> 00:06:59,799 Speaker 4: against the Steelers on October first. 151 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:02,000 Speaker 1: So that's going to be a tough ticket. There are 152 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:04,480 Speaker 1: a lot of tough tickets though. So what's going on 153 00:07:04,520 --> 00:07:06,920 Speaker 1: with tickets? Greg, I know you've commented publicly a bit, 154 00:07:07,000 --> 00:07:08,920 Speaker 1: but what's the latest you can share with us on 155 00:07:09,080 --> 00:07:11,440 Speaker 1: how season ticket sales are going in the crowd at 156 00:07:11,520 --> 00:07:12,200 Speaker 1: NRG Stadium. 157 00:07:12,280 --> 00:07:15,320 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think, I mean There's nothing better than a 158 00:07:15,440 --> 00:07:21,160 Speaker 4: sold out, energetic, you know, full on crazy NRG stadium. 159 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:24,200 Speaker 4: And that's our goal every game for for the that 160 00:07:24,280 --> 00:07:27,640 Speaker 4: we play here in Houston, and I think we're getting 161 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:29,480 Speaker 4: back to that, you know. The last couple of years 162 00:07:29,880 --> 00:07:32,200 Speaker 4: we've actually, you know, without getting too far in the weeds, 163 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:34,280 Speaker 4: we've sold a lot of tickets just we needed everybody 164 00:07:34,320 --> 00:07:36,239 Speaker 4: to come and support, you know, come to the games. 165 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:37,040 Speaker 3: But I think. 166 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:40,440 Speaker 4: The answer to your question is it's going very well. 167 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:42,920 Speaker 4: There is still some opportunity, I think here over the 168 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:45,440 Speaker 4: next thirty to sixty days for folks to jump on 169 00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:48,560 Speaker 4: board and get season tickets. There's a very limited availability 170 00:07:49,440 --> 00:07:51,920 Speaker 4: of that and then and there, but there is group 171 00:07:51,920 --> 00:07:55,080 Speaker 4: tickets and single game tickets available kind of just adapting 172 00:07:55,120 --> 00:07:57,400 Speaker 4: the way that we structure some of access to tickets. 173 00:07:57,440 --> 00:07:59,720 Speaker 4: But the goal is to sell out every game. We 174 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:01,800 Speaker 4: want to start, you know, with the regular season with 175 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:04,640 Speaker 4: the Colts game, to get that sold out. Pretty sure, 176 00:08:04,640 --> 00:08:06,440 Speaker 4: the Steelers game will be sold out with a bunch 177 00:08:06,480 --> 00:08:08,960 Speaker 4: of Texans fans. We may have some visitors from Pittsburgh 178 00:08:09,040 --> 00:08:13,040 Speaker 4: to but all celebrate. JJ got the Saints following after that, 179 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:16,000 Speaker 4: So get off to a great start. And really we 180 00:08:16,120 --> 00:08:18,760 Speaker 4: just want the energy and in our Jeep Stadium is 181 00:08:18,880 --> 00:08:22,400 Speaker 4: loud and is possible to support these players. I know 182 00:08:22,440 --> 00:08:24,720 Speaker 4: they feed off that energy and we want to create 183 00:08:24,760 --> 00:08:26,400 Speaker 4: that home field advantage for them. 184 00:08:26,440 --> 00:08:28,480 Speaker 1: I think, no matter what, when the Steelers are on offense, 185 00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:31,280 Speaker 1: showed JJ on the video board, We're good. Yeah, lots 186 00:08:31,280 --> 00:08:33,800 Speaker 1: of noise, no matter what, there would be noise anyway. 187 00:08:33,840 --> 00:08:34,280 Speaker 3: But that's right. 188 00:08:34,320 --> 00:08:37,880 Speaker 1: Stru fan counsel, Greg, people have been hearing about this 189 00:08:38,080 --> 00:08:40,960 Speaker 1: fan counsel. What can you tell us about what they do, 190 00:08:41,040 --> 00:08:42,880 Speaker 1: what happens on a fan council meeting? 191 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:43,160 Speaker 5: Well? 192 00:08:43,160 --> 00:08:47,120 Speaker 4: Sure, So the fan council first and foremost, We've always 193 00:08:47,240 --> 00:08:50,559 Speaker 4: you know, since inception of the organization, since I've been 194 00:08:50,559 --> 00:08:52,600 Speaker 4: here and we've been here, we always want to listen 195 00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:55,080 Speaker 4: to our fans. But with you know, some of the 196 00:08:55,080 --> 00:08:56,959 Speaker 4: things that we're trying to do really with Cal and 197 00:08:57,040 --> 00:08:59,760 Speaker 4: Hannah just challenging us to think differently and to make 198 00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:03,360 Speaker 4: sure we're reaching out and really listening to our fans 199 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:07,560 Speaker 4: and getting as much feedback as we possibly can. We 200 00:09:07,679 --> 00:09:11,200 Speaker 4: established this fan council, you know, I guess in the spring, 201 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:16,080 Speaker 4: and the real purpose is to to just share share 202 00:09:16,120 --> 00:09:18,520 Speaker 4: where we're going or in a different topic, whether it's 203 00:09:18,520 --> 00:09:22,200 Speaker 4: our marketing campaign or our concession offerings or the music 204 00:09:22,280 --> 00:09:25,600 Speaker 4: we play in the stadium, we're not really talking. We're 205 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:27,920 Speaker 4: not you know, we're not giving them folks have opinions 206 00:09:27,920 --> 00:09:30,600 Speaker 4: on who should maybe start a running back or left 207 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:32,920 Speaker 4: tackle or whatever that may be. I think those are 208 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:35,320 Speaker 4: two pretty good spots, but it's not football. But we 209 00:09:35,360 --> 00:09:38,600 Speaker 4: really want them to give us input on things that 210 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:40,720 Speaker 4: we can do different or better. And so I'll give 211 00:09:40,760 --> 00:09:43,280 Speaker 4: you an example. The first fan council we are our 212 00:09:43,360 --> 00:09:45,960 Speaker 4: marketing campaign which will be launched here in the in 213 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:49,080 Speaker 4: the not too distant future. Around training camp, we shared 214 00:09:49,120 --> 00:09:52,800 Speaker 4: that with the fan council and we were going a 215 00:09:52,840 --> 00:09:55,640 Speaker 4: certain direction just in slight word choices, and one of 216 00:09:55,679 --> 00:09:58,400 Speaker 4: the fan council members said, hey, I think I think 217 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:00,280 Speaker 4: you might want to think about this differently. It was 218 00:10:00,280 --> 00:10:02,600 Speaker 4: really the same message, just the phrasing was a little 219 00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:05,559 Speaker 4: different and we changed it just based off based off 220 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:09,240 Speaker 4: of that fan council feedback. So we've got another meeting 221 00:10:09,320 --> 00:10:12,320 Speaker 4: set up here, I think in later in July, you know, 222 00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:14,080 Speaker 4: to talk about some of the game days things. So 223 00:10:14,120 --> 00:10:17,200 Speaker 4: we'll each meeting will and I think we're planning on 224 00:10:17,280 --> 00:10:20,079 Speaker 4: four or so a year. We'll provide different topics and 225 00:10:20,120 --> 00:10:23,560 Speaker 4: where we present information and then allow the fan council 226 00:10:23,600 --> 00:10:26,079 Speaker 4: to give us feedback and then really listen to it 227 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:28,240 Speaker 4: and see how we can adapt to and be better 228 00:10:28,280 --> 00:10:28,920 Speaker 4: for all. 229 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:31,559 Speaker 1: Do they have opinions on uniforms. 230 00:10:31,280 --> 00:10:34,040 Speaker 4: Well, yes, they do have opinions on uniforms, and we will. 231 00:10:34,080 --> 00:10:36,120 Speaker 4: I mean, we've been doing focus groups on uniforms for 232 00:10:36,120 --> 00:10:39,280 Speaker 4: the last six months, you know, weekly in different ways, 233 00:10:39,360 --> 00:10:42,720 Speaker 4: and we've did a huge survey that we took information on. 234 00:10:42,800 --> 00:10:46,160 Speaker 4: It's on our website for people to provide feedback, and 235 00:10:46,200 --> 00:10:49,040 Speaker 4: so we've listened to everybody. I you know, we're in 236 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:52,640 Speaker 4: the final stages of kind of putting that together again. 237 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:54,679 Speaker 4: All launching in April twenty four. I see a lot 238 00:10:54,679 --> 00:10:56,920 Speaker 4: of questions out there about hey, what about the new 239 00:10:57,000 --> 00:10:59,560 Speaker 4: uniforms of this year? Just to be clear, it's April 240 00:10:59,559 --> 00:11:02,160 Speaker 4: twenty four. It's about a two year process with the 241 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:04,440 Speaker 4: league that we've to be honest with you, we've cramped 242 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:06,920 Speaker 4: into about a year and a half, so we're going 243 00:11:06,960 --> 00:11:09,120 Speaker 4: as fast as we can. So if anybody has questions, 244 00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:11,640 Speaker 4: it's not this year, it's for the twenty twenty four 245 00:11:11,720 --> 00:11:15,760 Speaker 4: season but wanted to. So there's been a lot of 246 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:17,800 Speaker 4: feedback and we've adjusted to that and I think where 247 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:20,560 Speaker 4: we'll end up is we're you know, based on the 248 00:11:20,559 --> 00:11:23,280 Speaker 4: feedback we've gotten, it's not all the same, right, people 249 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:25,560 Speaker 4: have different opinions, and what we hope is we end 250 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:28,120 Speaker 4: up with something that kind of gives a little bit 251 00:11:28,160 --> 00:11:29,920 Speaker 4: for all based on the feedback we received. 252 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:32,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, people don't understand how long it takes. 253 00:11:32,400 --> 00:11:34,959 Speaker 1: I mean, you would think I just make some new uniforms, 254 00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:36,200 Speaker 1: throw them on, You're good to go. 255 00:11:36,280 --> 00:11:36,960 Speaker 2: It takes a month. 256 00:11:37,080 --> 00:11:37,840 Speaker 3: No, it doesn't. 257 00:11:37,960 --> 00:11:40,880 Speaker 4: No, I mean it's a minimum of two year process 258 00:11:40,920 --> 00:11:43,520 Speaker 4: with the NFL, and you know, there's guidelines that we 259 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:46,160 Speaker 4: have to follow. It's a little different than the college 260 00:11:46,240 --> 00:11:50,000 Speaker 4: rules where the uniform flexibility, let's just say Oregon is 261 00:11:50,720 --> 00:11:54,679 Speaker 4: significantly more flexible than what we have at the NFL level. 262 00:11:54,720 --> 00:11:57,040 Speaker 3: But that's what makes the league great. 263 00:11:57,120 --> 00:12:00,839 Speaker 4: And there's there's a whole process with license cs and 264 00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:03,520 Speaker 4: you know, Nike and everybody else. It's it's we've learned 265 00:12:03,520 --> 00:12:07,320 Speaker 4: a lot. It's been a very productive process and excited 266 00:12:07,360 --> 00:12:09,400 Speaker 4: to see the outcome next April. 267 00:12:09,440 --> 00:12:11,400 Speaker 1: Well, you worked on that red helmet for a while 268 00:12:11,559 --> 00:12:14,640 Speaker 1: we did. People don't understand. I remember I did a 269 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:16,560 Speaker 1: social media post because we had a mannequin in the 270 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:18,640 Speaker 1: lobby and it got some attention. 271 00:12:18,760 --> 00:12:19,719 Speaker 2: You said, well. 272 00:12:19,800 --> 00:12:22,840 Speaker 1: Interesting, yeah, yeah, I said, it's in the lobby. 273 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:24,000 Speaker 3: Yeah. 274 00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:26,320 Speaker 4: Yeah, we were testing some things on the mannequin, but 275 00:12:26,679 --> 00:12:29,120 Speaker 4: just to get see with some input. But yeah, there's 276 00:12:29,160 --> 00:12:33,440 Speaker 4: this is all very well thought out strategic approach. You 277 00:12:33,480 --> 00:12:35,640 Speaker 4: know that we want to have very good data and 278 00:12:36,080 --> 00:12:37,760 Speaker 4: just at the end of the day make the best 279 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:40,600 Speaker 4: decision for the organization and for our fans. 280 00:12:41,120 --> 00:12:44,360 Speaker 1: Okay, so training camp is going to start soon enough, 281 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:47,560 Speaker 1: and everybody wants to know how Tamiko Ryans is going 282 00:12:47,640 --> 00:12:49,520 Speaker 1: to handle training camp and how the Texans are going 283 00:12:49,520 --> 00:12:53,120 Speaker 1: to handle training camp with open practices, and training camp 284 00:12:53,120 --> 00:12:56,719 Speaker 1: has really evolved over the years because you and I 285 00:12:56,760 --> 00:13:00,719 Speaker 1: remember people sitting on bleachers and getting a lot of sun, right, 286 00:13:00,960 --> 00:13:03,680 Speaker 1: and sometimes you want that, but maybe in August you don't. 287 00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:06,560 Speaker 1: So it's going to be a similar setup. Very nice 288 00:13:06,559 --> 00:13:06,880 Speaker 1: that way. 289 00:13:06,960 --> 00:13:09,240 Speaker 4: Yeah, well, we've as you know, we've invested in the 290 00:13:09,280 --> 00:13:12,080 Speaker 4: training experience over the last couple of years with shade 291 00:13:12,080 --> 00:13:15,680 Speaker 4: coverings for all fans to watch practices. We've done some 292 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:18,960 Speaker 4: different things with some structures for some of our vip 293 00:13:19,120 --> 00:13:22,080 Speaker 4: guests than others, but but no training camp. Will have 294 00:13:22,120 --> 00:13:25,240 Speaker 4: eight open practices, which is pretty consistent with what we've 295 00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:27,040 Speaker 4: done the last few years, and they feel like it's 296 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:29,720 Speaker 4: the right number spread out kind of over about a 297 00:13:29,880 --> 00:13:33,600 Speaker 4: two to three week period. Probably the headlines are night 298 00:13:33,679 --> 00:13:37,520 Speaker 4: practice that we'll have that working with Demiko so that 299 00:13:37,600 --> 00:13:40,040 Speaker 4: our fans will be a Saturday night practice and then 300 00:13:40,440 --> 00:13:43,960 Speaker 4: have open practices for both the joint practices that we're 301 00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:47,160 Speaker 4: having with the Miami Dolphins leading into our first home 302 00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:51,120 Speaker 4: preseason game. So should be you know, a great time 303 00:13:51,280 --> 00:13:53,600 Speaker 4: just for fans just to come out see the team. 304 00:13:53,880 --> 00:13:56,880 Speaker 4: You know, see these guys in action. They work tremendously 305 00:13:56,960 --> 00:14:02,640 Speaker 4: hard in in you know, pretty hot weather, and I 306 00:14:02,720 --> 00:14:05,600 Speaker 4: know the energy that the fans provide, you know, the 307 00:14:05,640 --> 00:14:08,240 Speaker 4: team for those open practices is something that they all, 308 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:10,679 Speaker 4: you know, thrive on and the and the fans get 309 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:12,760 Speaker 4: a great chance to see see where we're headed. And 310 00:14:12,840 --> 00:14:14,600 Speaker 4: so should be a great couple of weeks. 311 00:14:14,720 --> 00:14:17,400 Speaker 1: I feel like with the shade every seats of VIP Seed. 312 00:14:17,200 --> 00:14:19,040 Speaker 3: That's correct, no question, you know. 313 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:21,760 Speaker 4: And and well we'll continue I think we're going to 314 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:24,960 Speaker 4: do some fun things with some merchandise this year related 315 00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:27,280 Speaker 4: to some team, the shirts that the team's wearing, the 316 00:14:27,440 --> 00:14:29,880 Speaker 4: kind of some messages that the Demico's providing for the 317 00:14:29,920 --> 00:14:33,200 Speaker 4: team that our fans can get behind, and you know, 318 00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:36,880 Speaker 4: it'll always be a fun time, but we'll do everything 319 00:14:36,920 --> 00:14:39,480 Speaker 4: we can to enjoy some good football and stay as 320 00:14:39,520 --> 00:14:40,760 Speaker 4: cool as possible together. 321 00:14:41,200 --> 00:14:46,080 Speaker 1: More memorable night practice hard Knocks in twenty fifteen or 322 00:14:46,160 --> 00:14:49,320 Speaker 1: the time Gary Kubiak I think he himself ordered up 323 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:52,080 Speaker 1: a Zydaco band to sort of liven things up at 324 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:52,800 Speaker 1: a night practice. 325 00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:55,480 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think I think that's correct. I might go 326 00:14:55,520 --> 00:14:57,960 Speaker 4: with a hard Knocks practice because we had, if I recall, 327 00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:01,040 Speaker 4: we had a big tailgating competition for that game or 328 00:15:01,080 --> 00:15:03,040 Speaker 4: that for that practice, which made that a lot of fun. 329 00:15:03,400 --> 00:15:05,520 Speaker 4: But you're right, I think coach Koob did order up 330 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:07,320 Speaker 4: the Zydaco band. He wanted to live in it up 331 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:09,960 Speaker 4: for the players that night, and so that was a 332 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:12,280 Speaker 4: Now we have music in every practice, but I think 333 00:15:12,320 --> 00:15:14,200 Speaker 4: that was the first time we had ever had music 334 00:15:14,320 --> 00:15:17,640 Speaker 4: like that, and so it was it was a game changer. 335 00:15:17,720 --> 00:15:19,080 Speaker 4: It was a lot of fun that night. 336 00:15:19,520 --> 00:15:22,480 Speaker 1: So we see a lot of h Town branding with 337 00:15:22,560 --> 00:15:26,560 Speaker 1: the Texans leaning into Houston. Houston's team, and it's always 338 00:15:26,560 --> 00:15:29,160 Speaker 1: been Houston's team. But can you tell us about that 339 00:15:29,240 --> 00:15:31,600 Speaker 1: a little bit greg that direction, because we see the age, 340 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:34,000 Speaker 1: we see the shirts, the merch is so cool. 341 00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:34,440 Speaker 3: Yeah. 342 00:15:34,520 --> 00:15:39,320 Speaker 4: Well, Houston is such an amazing place, and it's evolved 343 00:15:39,320 --> 00:15:42,520 Speaker 4: a lot over the last obviously one hundred plus years, 344 00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:45,360 Speaker 4: but I think in specifically in the last ten or so, 345 00:15:45,520 --> 00:15:47,720 Speaker 4: and I don't want to put a specific timeline, but 346 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:50,960 Speaker 4: it's the most diverse city in America, and it's what 347 00:15:51,080 --> 00:15:55,600 Speaker 4: makes Houston great, and from all different walks of life, 348 00:15:55,680 --> 00:15:59,120 Speaker 4: all different demographics. And really what we're trying to do 349 00:15:59,280 --> 00:16:02,560 Speaker 4: is to reflect and celebrate our city and all that 350 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:06,960 Speaker 4: we do, and to make sure that that we are supportive, 351 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:08,840 Speaker 4: we're showing up for our city and then we want 352 00:16:08,840 --> 00:16:12,320 Speaker 4: our fans to show up for us and and and so, uh, 353 00:16:12,920 --> 00:16:16,760 Speaker 4: very intentionally just trying to celebrate what makes Houston great. 354 00:16:17,040 --> 00:16:19,680 Speaker 4: And and you know the phrasing of h Town, which 355 00:16:19,720 --> 00:16:21,800 Speaker 4: is I think a moniker that the whole city's kind 356 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:26,360 Speaker 4: of gotten gotten behind. And so it's very intentional. We're 357 00:16:26,360 --> 00:16:29,040 Speaker 4: trying to to do it in all different ways, whether 358 00:16:29,080 --> 00:16:31,640 Speaker 4: that's the music that we play, the folks that we 359 00:16:31,720 --> 00:16:36,240 Speaker 4: engage with, the images that we that we put forth. 360 00:16:36,520 --> 00:16:37,160 Speaker 3: How we talk. 361 00:16:37,760 --> 00:16:42,720 Speaker 4: Houston's a very resilient, passionate, diverse place and and so 362 00:16:42,840 --> 00:16:45,160 Speaker 4: that really messes well with some of the things where 363 00:16:45,160 --> 00:16:47,760 Speaker 4: we are as an organization and what we're trying to 364 00:16:47,800 --> 00:16:50,840 Speaker 4: build and and so really excited to see how that evolves. 365 00:16:50,880 --> 00:16:52,600 Speaker 4: I think that will continue to evolve over the next 366 00:16:52,640 --> 00:16:55,320 Speaker 4: couple of years. But it's it's very purposeful and it 367 00:16:55,560 --> 00:16:57,760 Speaker 4: really is just about celebrating the great place that we 368 00:16:57,840 --> 00:16:58,520 Speaker 4: all get to live. 369 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:02,200 Speaker 1: Last year you changed the way you did the Draft party, 370 00:17:02,360 --> 00:17:06,119 Speaker 1: huge success, this year even bigger. Also last year you 371 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:10,199 Speaker 1: change the kickoff lunch into a season premiere night event. 372 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:14,440 Speaker 1: So this year season Premiere Part two or whatever you 373 00:17:14,480 --> 00:17:16,960 Speaker 1: want to call it, it's gonna be awesome, even different 374 00:17:17,040 --> 00:17:20,800 Speaker 1: and during the week now, but Casino Night experience along 375 00:17:20,840 --> 00:17:23,000 Speaker 1: with everything else to raise money for the Houston Texans Foundation. 376 00:17:23,160 --> 00:17:23,480 Speaker 3: Correct. 377 00:17:23,640 --> 00:17:27,520 Speaker 4: Last year, you know, with Hannah McNair's leadership the Lady 378 00:17:27,560 --> 00:17:31,359 Speaker 4: Texans support, we raised over eight hundred thousand dollars for 379 00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:34,080 Speaker 4: the Texans Foundation. All of our players were there, were 380 00:17:34,119 --> 00:17:38,200 Speaker 4: so generous with their time, you know, Nick and our 381 00:17:38,240 --> 00:17:41,600 Speaker 4: coaches and this year it will be similar. The headline 382 00:17:41,600 --> 00:17:43,879 Speaker 4: this year is it's moved from the Houston Training Houston 383 00:17:43,920 --> 00:17:47,800 Speaker 4: Texans or Houston Methodist Training Center to the floor of 384 00:17:47,920 --> 00:17:52,200 Speaker 4: NRG Stadium and so actually get to enjoy the evening 385 00:17:52,280 --> 00:17:54,200 Speaker 4: on the floor of the stadium where the players play 386 00:17:54,480 --> 00:17:57,680 Speaker 4: as we kind of unveil the premiere of the team, 387 00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:00,040 Speaker 4: if you will, for the twenty twenty three season, and 388 00:18:00,720 --> 00:18:04,240 Speaker 4: really just allows us to give back to our community 389 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:06,320 Speaker 4: and inspire hope where it's needed the most. 390 00:18:06,560 --> 00:18:09,200 Speaker 1: All Right, Houston Texans dot com for information on that. 391 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:13,479 Speaker 1: Also on the stadium floor the season ticket members town hall, 392 00:18:13,920 --> 00:18:16,040 Speaker 1: which was a really cool event. I mean people were 393 00:18:16,040 --> 00:18:20,640 Speaker 1: going wild for Demiko Ryans and Nick Cassario, real raucous atmosphere. 394 00:18:20,880 --> 00:18:23,960 Speaker 4: No, and it's again it's about being as transparent as 395 00:18:23,960 --> 00:18:26,119 Speaker 4: we can with our season ticket members and all of 396 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:28,640 Speaker 4: our fans and just letting them know where we're heading. 397 00:18:28,720 --> 00:18:31,160 Speaker 4: I think we had over fifteen hundred people there that night. 398 00:18:31,960 --> 00:18:35,480 Speaker 4: As you know, there were no filtered questions and and 399 00:18:35,760 --> 00:18:38,520 Speaker 4: and they were able to just ask ask coaching Dimiko, 400 00:18:39,160 --> 00:18:43,919 Speaker 4: you know, or coaching and Nick what you know what. 401 00:18:43,800 --> 00:18:44,760 Speaker 3: That was on their mind. 402 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:47,080 Speaker 4: But I think what was most just exciting was the energy. 403 00:18:47,119 --> 00:18:49,199 Speaker 4: I mean, when Dimico came out, you get a standing ovation, 404 00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:52,560 Speaker 4: and yeah, and and I think the fans felt that, 405 00:18:52,600 --> 00:18:54,400 Speaker 4: I know we felt that. I know I know Demiko 406 00:18:54,560 --> 00:18:57,199 Speaker 4: enjoyed it and really just man that that was a 407 00:18:57,200 --> 00:19:01,200 Speaker 4: lot of fun. And and so look forward to having 408 00:19:01,240 --> 00:19:03,520 Speaker 4: that with seventy thousand plus on a Sunday. 409 00:19:03,640 --> 00:19:05,119 Speaker 1: All right, I need a couple of things from you 410 00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:08,159 Speaker 1: quick before we exit here. What game other than the 411 00:19:08,200 --> 00:19:10,840 Speaker 1: Pittsburgh game where JJ Watt goes into the Ring of honor, 412 00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:14,119 Speaker 1: what game do you personally have sort of circled on 413 00:19:14,160 --> 00:19:14,840 Speaker 1: your calendar. 414 00:19:14,840 --> 00:19:16,400 Speaker 3: I'm really looking forward to that, this. 415 00:19:16,280 --> 00:19:19,760 Speaker 4: One, I would say the first one, so I mean 416 00:19:19,760 --> 00:19:20,400 Speaker 4: the Colts game. 417 00:19:20,440 --> 00:19:20,800 Speaker 5: I just. 418 00:19:22,240 --> 00:19:24,240 Speaker 4: Mean, there's so many, but you know, I want to 419 00:19:24,280 --> 00:19:27,639 Speaker 4: get started, and I'm really excited about, you know, the 420 00:19:27,680 --> 00:19:29,680 Speaker 4: team and where we're headed. I'm excited about some of 421 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:33,000 Speaker 4: the changes that we're we're going to unveil, you know, 422 00:19:33,280 --> 00:19:36,440 Speaker 4: probably unveil some of them at the preseason game against Miami, 423 00:19:36,480 --> 00:19:39,320 Speaker 4: but to really do that for a regular season game, 424 00:19:39,359 --> 00:19:41,840 Speaker 4: the home opener, and get this era and this season 425 00:19:41,920 --> 00:19:43,760 Speaker 4: kicked off the right way in front of our home 426 00:19:43,800 --> 00:19:47,359 Speaker 4: crowd sold out in RG Stadium and get going. So 427 00:19:47,480 --> 00:19:49,960 Speaker 4: I mean, you can't get to the second one until 428 00:19:49,960 --> 00:19:50,800 Speaker 4: you get to the first one. 429 00:19:50,800 --> 00:19:51,760 Speaker 3: So I'm focused right. 430 00:19:51,680 --> 00:19:55,359 Speaker 1: There, all right, road game other than the first one? 431 00:19:55,600 --> 00:19:59,280 Speaker 1: Do you have anything here? Because the Jets in December, 432 00:19:59,760 --> 00:20:02,800 Speaker 1: I've see the division games are very cool. Cincinnati on 433 00:20:02,840 --> 00:20:04,240 Speaker 1: the road, we got a lot of good ones. 434 00:20:04,560 --> 00:20:07,080 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think the Jet game in December might be 435 00:20:07,119 --> 00:20:08,919 Speaker 4: a lot of fun because I think they're you know, 436 00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:10,840 Speaker 4: they're gonna have a good team, and I'm hoping we're 437 00:20:10,880 --> 00:20:13,560 Speaker 4: in a position to be playing for something in the 438 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:16,200 Speaker 4: month of December. I know that's the goal and and 439 00:20:16,280 --> 00:20:18,480 Speaker 4: so you know, I think that would be a lot 440 00:20:18,520 --> 00:20:20,679 Speaker 4: of fun. You know, Robert Sala, there's a lot of 441 00:20:20,720 --> 00:20:23,720 Speaker 4: connections to Dimiico there as a former you know, coach 442 00:20:23,760 --> 00:20:26,840 Speaker 4: together in San Francisco, work together here, you know, when 443 00:20:26,960 --> 00:20:32,520 Speaker 4: Sala was a coach as a defensive assistant quality control 444 00:20:32,600 --> 00:20:35,480 Speaker 4: guy here when Demiko was playing. So uh, I think 445 00:20:35,480 --> 00:20:37,200 Speaker 4: that'll be an interesting week with a lot of fun 446 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:40,040 Speaker 4: storylines and looking forward to that. New York and December 447 00:20:40,080 --> 00:20:40,720 Speaker 4: is always a lot of. 448 00:20:40,640 --> 00:20:42,639 Speaker 1: Fun, all right, Greg, thanks a lot for being with us. 449 00:20:42,640 --> 00:20:44,320 Speaker 3: Thanks Mark, appreciate it. Go Texans. 450 00:20:44,560 --> 00:20:47,640 Speaker 1: There is the president of the Houston Texans, Greg Grissom, 451 00:20:47,680 --> 00:20:51,280 Speaker 1: coming up my former morning show partner at sports Radio 452 00:20:51,320 --> 00:20:53,480 Speaker 1: six ' ten, John Lopez. Get to know him well. 453 00:20:53,520 --> 00:20:56,040 Speaker 1: We'll get into his past working with the Spurs, flying 454 00:20:56,080 --> 00:20:58,520 Speaker 1: with the Spurs when he covered them, along with a 455 00:20:58,520 --> 00:21:00,800 Speaker 1: whole bunch of other stuff, the Kerries drug story. 456 00:21:00,960 --> 00:21:03,000 Speaker 2: It's all coming up here on Texans Radio. 457 00:21:03,440 --> 00:21:06,400 Speaker 1: Let's jump right back to it in this special episode 458 00:21:06,400 --> 00:21:09,520 Speaker 1: of Texans All Access with my good buddy John Lopez, 459 00:21:09,560 --> 00:21:12,199 Speaker 1: who's on in the loop Middays on Sports Radio six ten. 460 00:21:12,320 --> 00:21:15,280 Speaker 1: I used to do mornings with him back in the day, 461 00:21:15,400 --> 00:21:17,960 Speaker 1: as we say, and I had a nice lengthy visit 462 00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:20,160 Speaker 1: with him that you can catch on our podcast section 463 00:21:20,280 --> 00:21:22,560 Speaker 1: on the app and on iTunes and Spotify and all 464 00:21:22,600 --> 00:21:25,520 Speaker 1: of that. But listen to this right now, some best 465 00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:28,680 Speaker 1: of from that visit. As I start off saying what 466 00:21:28,840 --> 00:21:31,040 Speaker 1: kind of interview it's going to be, it's such a 467 00:21:31,080 --> 00:21:34,800 Speaker 1: special one today. I really mean that because normally I'm lying, 468 00:21:34,880 --> 00:21:35,359 Speaker 1: no I'm not. 469 00:21:36,600 --> 00:21:38,480 Speaker 2: But I've got John Lopez. 470 00:21:38,080 --> 00:21:41,840 Speaker 1: Here, it's studio and it's really bringing back a lot 471 00:21:41,880 --> 00:21:44,119 Speaker 1: of memories because you and I did shows together for 472 00:21:44,160 --> 00:21:46,520 Speaker 1: a long time, and actually we used to do these 473 00:21:46,560 --> 00:21:48,240 Speaker 1: reunion shows once a year we did. 474 00:21:48,320 --> 00:21:49,960 Speaker 2: We have to get back to that when he goes 475 00:21:49,960 --> 00:21:52,760 Speaker 2: on vacation. Anyway, It's great to see you. How's it going. 476 00:21:52,760 --> 00:21:54,960 Speaker 2: How does it feel to be here at at RG Stadio. 477 00:21:55,119 --> 00:21:56,479 Speaker 5: We got the band back together. 478 00:21:56,960 --> 00:21:58,920 Speaker 6: It's all man, I know we're gonna end up talking 479 00:21:58,920 --> 00:22:02,879 Speaker 6: about the Texans, but I'm just excited. Man, I'm just 480 00:22:02,920 --> 00:22:06,280 Speaker 6: so excited. I'm not obviously to get back with you. 481 00:22:06,359 --> 00:22:08,800 Speaker 6: We had a run maybe, I mean, we had a 482 00:22:08,880 --> 00:22:12,480 Speaker 6: really good run, and it was fun and it was compatible, 483 00:22:12,600 --> 00:22:17,240 Speaker 6: and it was I think well received. We went from 484 00:22:17,920 --> 00:22:19,920 Speaker 6: SOSO ratings to the top of the world. 485 00:22:20,040 --> 00:22:20,520 Speaker 2: Yes we did. 486 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:21,639 Speaker 5: We ended. 487 00:22:22,240 --> 00:22:23,119 Speaker 2: We ended on top. 488 00:22:23,440 --> 00:22:25,719 Speaker 1: We did, which I'm very proud of because our last 489 00:22:25,760 --> 00:22:29,920 Speaker 1: shows together morning shows were May of twenty twelve, which 490 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:33,920 Speaker 1: was last Tuesday to me. But those were kicking butt. 491 00:22:34,000 --> 00:22:35,880 Speaker 1: And then I came here and did all the Texans 492 00:22:35,960 --> 00:22:38,959 Speaker 1: radio stuff and you worked with Nick Wright after that. 493 00:22:39,560 --> 00:22:40,640 Speaker 5: Am I the most. 494 00:22:40,359 --> 00:22:43,600 Speaker 1: Normal of your co hosts? And that's I don't know, 495 00:22:43,720 --> 00:22:44,960 Speaker 1: maybe you are. 496 00:22:49,200 --> 00:22:55,080 Speaker 5: I've been I've been really, really, really lucky to fall 497 00:22:55,119 --> 00:22:56,159 Speaker 5: in with you. 498 00:22:57,920 --> 00:23:03,480 Speaker 6: Keep in mind, I'd been doing radio since full time, Luca, Yeah, yeah, yeah, 499 00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:08,119 Speaker 6: and then nine we we get together kind of sneakily 500 00:23:09,119 --> 00:23:10,280 Speaker 6: doing auditions and. 501 00:23:10,280 --> 00:23:11,200 Speaker 5: Stuff on the load. 502 00:23:11,560 --> 00:23:15,840 Speaker 2: Yes we did. I think the Cloak of Darkness was awesome. 503 00:23:16,520 --> 00:23:16,840 Speaker 5: I was. 504 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:21,840 Speaker 6: I was like, I was full time at the other 505 00:23:21,920 --> 00:23:27,199 Speaker 6: station for I want to say, four months, knowing I 506 00:23:27,240 --> 00:23:29,320 Speaker 6: already had the job at six ' ten. They were 507 00:23:29,359 --> 00:23:30,960 Speaker 6: waiting for my contract to run out. 508 00:23:31,119 --> 00:23:31,560 Speaker 2: Oh wow. 509 00:23:31,960 --> 00:23:32,920 Speaker 5: Yeah. Yeah. 510 00:23:32,960 --> 00:23:35,760 Speaker 6: So like, don't ever tell anyone that John Lopez can't 511 00:23:35,840 --> 00:23:38,000 Speaker 6: keep a secret. Like I was doing the show over 512 00:23:38,040 --> 00:23:39,200 Speaker 6: there like for four months. 513 00:23:39,320 --> 00:23:41,760 Speaker 1: I remember that because I was working within a ray 514 00:23:41,920 --> 00:23:45,080 Speaker 1: co host after Andre left. You know, some of the 515 00:23:45,080 --> 00:23:46,760 Speaker 1: guys did a really nice job, and some of the 516 00:23:46,800 --> 00:23:50,359 Speaker 1: guys are over at iHeart right now, but not everybody. 517 00:23:50,880 --> 00:23:53,159 Speaker 1: They had me with John Westling for a few days. 518 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:57,119 Speaker 1: It was weird. Gavin Spittel, who's now in Dallas, he 519 00:23:57,280 --> 00:23:59,199 Speaker 1: was just trying to hold it together. And then you 520 00:23:59,280 --> 00:24:02,080 Speaker 1: came over and I think we got along right away. 521 00:24:02,720 --> 00:24:05,000 Speaker 1: I think the chemistry really kicked in. It takes a 522 00:24:05,040 --> 00:24:07,080 Speaker 1: couple of months to really keep it going. 523 00:24:06,960 --> 00:24:09,400 Speaker 6: Sure, but but you are the most normal I've ever 524 00:24:09,400 --> 00:24:15,159 Speaker 6: worked with Nick, and Nick is awesome. But boy, you know, 525 00:24:15,280 --> 00:24:18,119 Speaker 6: he and I, I mean, obviously he came to my 526 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:21,760 Speaker 6: kid's wedding this past November. I mean, we're still very, 527 00:24:21,800 --> 00:24:24,160 Speaker 6: very tired of consider him a great friend. But it's 528 00:24:24,320 --> 00:24:27,480 Speaker 6: it's high intensity. You and I brought the intensity when 529 00:24:27,480 --> 00:24:30,359 Speaker 6: it needed to be bringing brought. But but we were 530 00:24:30,359 --> 00:24:32,640 Speaker 6: also I think, just sort of like we are now 531 00:24:32,800 --> 00:24:35,679 Speaker 6: and have been since then. It's like just friends talking, 532 00:24:35,920 --> 00:24:40,080 Speaker 6: you know, talking on the radio and obviously mixing it up, 533 00:24:40,160 --> 00:24:42,560 Speaker 6: you know if we disagreed, but that there's that. 534 00:24:42,760 --> 00:24:45,119 Speaker 5: So yeah, no, I think you get the medal. 535 00:24:45,560 --> 00:24:48,360 Speaker 2: Okay, So you were with the Houston Chronicle. 536 00:24:48,400 --> 00:24:49,120 Speaker 5: We all know that. 537 00:24:49,720 --> 00:24:52,200 Speaker 1: And one thing I really liked about working with you 538 00:24:52,480 --> 00:24:55,720 Speaker 1: and just the prospect of working with you, was that 539 00:24:55,880 --> 00:25:00,560 Speaker 1: you've covered everything on the planet, World Cups, Olympics, super Bulls, 540 00:25:01,080 --> 00:25:03,000 Speaker 1: all the biggest events you can think of. You're a 541 00:25:03,080 --> 00:25:08,800 Speaker 1: columnist with the Chronicle, and you left the Chronicle, voluntarily 542 00:25:09,119 --> 00:25:11,160 Speaker 1: left the Chronicle and said I'm gonna do the radio thing. 543 00:25:11,320 --> 00:25:13,480 Speaker 1: It was and that was at a time when people 544 00:25:13,480 --> 00:25:17,800 Speaker 1: weren't really doing that yet, and most of them leave involuntarily. 545 00:25:17,880 --> 00:25:22,240 Speaker 6: Now, yeah, I remember the day very vividly. 546 00:25:23,280 --> 00:25:25,239 Speaker 5: I was happy. I loved working there. 547 00:25:25,240 --> 00:25:28,160 Speaker 6: I was there seventeen years. I was there seventeen years. 548 00:25:28,200 --> 00:25:31,119 Speaker 6: I was a columnist, you know, which is the top 549 00:25:31,240 --> 00:25:33,440 Speaker 6: rung on the ladder over there in the sports department. 550 00:25:33,920 --> 00:25:36,480 Speaker 6: But I just remember very vividly talking with Jan, my wife, 551 00:25:36,560 --> 00:25:39,240 Speaker 6: and saying, you know, I had been doing some radio 552 00:25:39,320 --> 00:25:42,000 Speaker 6: part time. I had done some oilers games, a pregame 553 00:25:42,040 --> 00:25:45,679 Speaker 6: in halftime in Spanish, and kind of liked the instant 554 00:25:45,680 --> 00:25:47,800 Speaker 6: reaction there. And then I started doing some part time 555 00:25:47,840 --> 00:25:50,240 Speaker 6: and then they hired me full time. They wanted to 556 00:25:50,280 --> 00:25:52,879 Speaker 6: hire me full time over there for not nearly the 557 00:25:52,920 --> 00:25:54,639 Speaker 6: money I was making at the Chronicle. I mean, I 558 00:25:54,720 --> 00:25:57,199 Speaker 6: left a six figure job. And I remember sitting with 559 00:25:57,280 --> 00:25:59,920 Speaker 6: Jan and just kind of looking at her and she agreed. 560 00:26:00,160 --> 00:26:02,320 Speaker 6: I said, let's just bet on ourselves because I really 561 00:26:02,320 --> 00:26:07,159 Speaker 6: think this internet thing is going to take off. Prospects 562 00:26:07,160 --> 00:26:10,480 Speaker 6: are I really think it's going to take off, and 563 00:26:10,520 --> 00:26:13,280 Speaker 6: newspapers might be in trouble. So it was a classic 564 00:26:13,480 --> 00:26:16,200 Speaker 6: bet on yourself and we did and it worked out. 565 00:26:16,560 --> 00:26:18,600 Speaker 1: Wow, that's amazing, all right. So I want to get 566 00:26:18,640 --> 00:26:21,240 Speaker 1: into the early days here, the early days of John Lopez, 567 00:26:21,280 --> 00:26:24,840 Speaker 1: who you know, people don't hear about this enough, San Antonio. 568 00:26:25,000 --> 00:26:26,600 Speaker 1: How did you get into the business. I know you 569 00:26:26,640 --> 00:26:29,000 Speaker 1: went to Texas A and M. But did it start 570 00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:31,520 Speaker 1: out in high school covering sports? When did you begin? 571 00:26:31,920 --> 00:26:37,320 Speaker 6: Missus Foley? Seventh grade English class. I was playing football, basketball, track, 572 00:26:37,359 --> 00:26:40,439 Speaker 6: all that stuff, and just chatting her up, you know, 573 00:26:40,720 --> 00:26:45,000 Speaker 6: as you did about everything. And I'll never forget it. 574 00:26:45,040 --> 00:26:49,119 Speaker 6: And she's still with us. She's still a Facebook friends 575 00:26:49,119 --> 00:26:53,320 Speaker 6: of mine, Brenda Foley. She said, you need to combine 576 00:26:53,320 --> 00:26:56,000 Speaker 6: your two loves. She says, you love to write, because 577 00:26:56,000 --> 00:26:59,200 Speaker 6: I did. I always love to write, even in fifth, fourth, 578 00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:02,159 Speaker 6: fifth grade. But in seventh grade, she goes, we have 579 00:27:02,200 --> 00:27:04,720 Speaker 6: a school paper. Would you want to write for it? 580 00:27:04,760 --> 00:27:10,399 Speaker 6: And I said, yeah, I guess. So that was let's see, 581 00:27:10,440 --> 00:27:16,600 Speaker 6: that was nineteen seventy five. I believe I've been working 582 00:27:17,240 --> 00:27:22,000 Speaker 6: in the business ever since high school newspaper. Nobody in 583 00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:24,399 Speaker 6: my family had ever gone to college, like ever, not 584 00:27:24,440 --> 00:27:28,240 Speaker 6: even uncles, cousins. It was like, you go to high school, 585 00:27:28,280 --> 00:27:30,280 Speaker 6: then you go work at Kelly Air Force Base or 586 00:27:30,440 --> 00:27:33,120 Speaker 6: construction or something. My dad worked at Kelly Air Force 587 00:27:33,119 --> 00:27:36,119 Speaker 6: Base in San Antonio civil service and I went to 588 00:27:36,160 --> 00:27:37,280 Speaker 6: them and I said, I want to go to college. 589 00:27:37,280 --> 00:27:39,600 Speaker 6: I want to get a journalism degree. And without blinking 590 00:27:39,640 --> 00:27:42,199 Speaker 6: and I and we didn't have very much money. Without 591 00:27:42,280 --> 00:27:44,640 Speaker 6: blinking and I my dad said, whatever we have to do, 592 00:27:45,000 --> 00:27:47,639 Speaker 6: we'll do it. So I took out two loans, I 593 00:27:47,640 --> 00:27:50,680 Speaker 6: got a small scholarship, and then I got a grant. 594 00:27:51,119 --> 00:27:55,240 Speaker 6: And I worked usually usually two jobs the whole time. 595 00:27:55,240 --> 00:27:56,840 Speaker 5: I was at A and M. And I got the degree. 596 00:27:57,280 --> 00:28:00,160 Speaker 2: You got the degree, So what are you writing during 597 00:28:00,240 --> 00:28:02,560 Speaker 2: your school years? But do you have time to do it? 598 00:28:02,640 --> 00:28:02,920 Speaker 5: I did. 599 00:28:02,960 --> 00:28:04,960 Speaker 6: I worked at the Battalion That was one of the 600 00:28:04,960 --> 00:28:07,480 Speaker 6: two jobs I got there my freshman year. And I 601 00:28:07,520 --> 00:28:10,800 Speaker 6: applied to work at the Battalion school newspaper and that was, 602 00:28:10,880 --> 00:28:12,520 Speaker 6: like I want to say, it was like one hundred 603 00:28:12,520 --> 00:28:13,600 Speaker 6: and sixty dollars a month. 604 00:28:15,480 --> 00:28:18,480 Speaker 5: And then and then I had a bunch of other jobs. 605 00:28:18,520 --> 00:28:20,400 Speaker 6: I was a stringer for the Dallas Morning News, which 606 00:28:20,480 --> 00:28:24,000 Speaker 6: those who don't know, it's basically freelance. If like you 607 00:28:24,040 --> 00:28:26,720 Speaker 6: go to every practice in every sport and send them 608 00:28:26,720 --> 00:28:30,000 Speaker 6: the notes because they can't bring a writer down from Dallas. 609 00:28:30,000 --> 00:28:30,960 Speaker 2: It's a great gig though. 610 00:28:31,080 --> 00:28:32,600 Speaker 5: Yeah, and so I did that. 611 00:28:32,680 --> 00:28:35,520 Speaker 6: I was a bouncer at a club once for about 612 00:28:35,560 --> 00:28:36,119 Speaker 6: six months. 613 00:28:36,520 --> 00:28:39,200 Speaker 5: Hold up that did not end up well? 614 00:28:40,080 --> 00:28:41,240 Speaker 2: Was there a work incident? 615 00:28:42,640 --> 00:28:45,240 Speaker 5: So let I'll tell you one story. So most drunks, 616 00:28:45,280 --> 00:28:47,720 Speaker 5: when you tell them to leave, they leave. Really, I 617 00:28:47,760 --> 00:28:49,920 Speaker 5: found that out when I was there, and I as. 618 00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:52,680 Speaker 2: Youtily know something. Yeah, and you're a big dude. You 619 00:28:52,680 --> 00:28:54,280 Speaker 2: played high school football and I. 620 00:28:54,280 --> 00:28:57,880 Speaker 6: Was on the weightlifting team at ain't m the weightlifting team. 621 00:28:58,080 --> 00:29:00,760 Speaker 2: We have a lot to get We might need some 622 00:29:00,800 --> 00:29:01,640 Speaker 2: more time here. 623 00:29:01,960 --> 00:29:03,800 Speaker 6: I did a little weightlifting and wrestling at A and 624 00:29:03,840 --> 00:29:06,840 Speaker 6: a M and so I wasn't little, but I wasn't enormous. 625 00:29:07,800 --> 00:29:10,800 Speaker 6: And so most drunks when you throw them out, they 626 00:29:10,800 --> 00:29:12,920 Speaker 6: just leave because they're drunk and they get it or 627 00:29:12,920 --> 00:29:16,440 Speaker 6: their girlfriend or their boyfriend or whatever. Like two weeks 628 00:29:16,480 --> 00:29:20,040 Speaker 6: before I decided, well two weeks before I left, because 629 00:29:20,040 --> 00:29:22,080 Speaker 6: I decided to quit right away, there was this big 630 00:29:22,120 --> 00:29:24,200 Speaker 6: cowboy dude that came in with some of his friends 631 00:29:24,520 --> 00:29:28,280 Speaker 6: and he was messing around with, you know, just being 632 00:29:28,320 --> 00:29:33,080 Speaker 6: belligerent with a couple of guys and their dates. And 633 00:29:33,120 --> 00:29:35,000 Speaker 6: it was like straight out of you know, do you 634 00:29:35,040 --> 00:29:36,360 Speaker 6: mind if we dance with your dates? 635 00:29:36,640 --> 00:29:39,440 Speaker 2: You know, we do mine, But what are we gonna 636 00:29:39,480 --> 00:29:39,959 Speaker 2: do about it? 637 00:29:40,040 --> 00:29:40,560 Speaker 5: Exactly. 638 00:29:40,680 --> 00:29:42,480 Speaker 6: So the guy, one of them guys, got brave and 639 00:29:42,520 --> 00:29:45,640 Speaker 6: started kind of shoving him around. Well, this cowboy went 640 00:29:45,680 --> 00:29:49,000 Speaker 6: to his truck, got a lasso, threw the lasso in 641 00:29:49,120 --> 00:29:51,520 Speaker 6: the club, roped the guy, dragged him out and beat 642 00:29:51,560 --> 00:29:53,880 Speaker 6: him up. And I'm calling the cops and I'm trying 643 00:29:53,880 --> 00:29:56,640 Speaker 6: to break him up and all this other stuff. And 644 00:29:57,120 --> 00:29:59,080 Speaker 6: I never really got hurting. It was kind of roughed 645 00:29:59,160 --> 00:30:02,640 Speaker 6: up a little bit, but the cops came arrested him, 646 00:30:02,640 --> 00:30:04,720 Speaker 6: et cetera, et cetera, and I'm like, yeah, I think 647 00:30:04,760 --> 00:30:06,760 Speaker 6: this writing thing or the radio thing is going to 648 00:30:06,760 --> 00:30:07,640 Speaker 6: be a little better for me. 649 00:30:08,160 --> 00:30:14,600 Speaker 1: And being Dalton from Roadhouse see Wade Garrett showing on 650 00:30:14,640 --> 00:30:16,000 Speaker 1: my criate was what else did I do? 651 00:30:17,120 --> 00:30:19,160 Speaker 6: I mowed some lawns when I was at A and M. 652 00:30:19,160 --> 00:30:21,080 Speaker 6: So anyway, just made our way through college and then 653 00:30:21,560 --> 00:30:24,600 Speaker 6: right out of A and M, I got hired at 654 00:30:24,640 --> 00:30:26,280 Speaker 6: The Brian Eagle. I was only there for about three 655 00:30:26,280 --> 00:30:29,560 Speaker 6: months before Dan Cunningham, who ended up being the editor 656 00:30:29,600 --> 00:30:32,040 Speaker 6: at the Houston Chronicle, Sports edit of the Houston Chronicle 657 00:30:32,280 --> 00:30:37,640 Speaker 6: and managing editor, ultimately called me and said he wanted 658 00:30:37,640 --> 00:30:42,120 Speaker 6: me to cover the San Antonio Spurs, and so I 659 00:30:42,200 --> 00:30:46,680 Speaker 6: covered the Spurs from the time I was twenty four 660 00:30:46,840 --> 00:30:49,760 Speaker 6: twenty three, twenty four years old until I got hired 661 00:30:49,760 --> 00:30:52,400 Speaker 6: at the Chronicle in nineteen ninety and so I had 662 00:30:52,520 --> 00:30:55,320 Speaker 6: Larry Brown. This was the coaching staff that I covered 663 00:30:55,840 --> 00:30:59,160 Speaker 6: in San Antonio. The head coach was Larry Brown. The 664 00:30:59,240 --> 00:31:03,240 Speaker 6: first assistant was Greg Popovich, The second assistant was RC Buford, 665 00:31:03,880 --> 00:31:07,600 Speaker 6: The third assistant was Alvin Gentry. Oh my gosh. That 666 00:31:07,720 --> 00:31:10,120 Speaker 6: was the staff, the same staff. They're all ultimately head 667 00:31:10,160 --> 00:31:11,240 Speaker 6: coaches or general managers. 668 00:31:11,680 --> 00:31:14,080 Speaker 1: And were you flying on the team plane or something 669 00:31:14,200 --> 00:31:15,800 Speaker 1: or occasionally would take it that. 670 00:31:16,160 --> 00:31:18,880 Speaker 6: That was the glory days of And there's a whole 671 00:31:18,960 --> 00:31:22,160 Speaker 6: other discussion to be had about how media relationships are 672 00:31:22,200 --> 00:31:25,520 Speaker 6: and stuff now uh and and media because they would 673 00:31:25,520 --> 00:31:26,920 Speaker 6: always put the media and it was just me and 674 00:31:26,920 --> 00:31:30,640 Speaker 6: another writer, Glenn Glenn Rodgers from the Express News, and 675 00:31:30,680 --> 00:31:33,240 Speaker 6: I was at the light. We would get on the 676 00:31:33,240 --> 00:31:36,200 Speaker 6: plane and right right in the back right the team 677 00:31:36,240 --> 00:31:38,600 Speaker 6: would get on or and then on the buses. I 678 00:31:38,600 --> 00:31:42,360 Speaker 6: sat behind the coaches and so I was behind R. C. Buford, 679 00:31:42,440 --> 00:31:46,040 Speaker 6: R Rcy and I got really tight R. C. Buford 680 00:31:46,080 --> 00:31:48,920 Speaker 6: and Greg Popovitch most days on the bus was my spot, 681 00:31:49,480 --> 00:31:52,600 Speaker 6: and I learned more basketball. I mean, it's it's why 682 00:31:52,600 --> 00:31:55,280 Speaker 6: I because I've always loved basketball. It's why I started 683 00:31:55,280 --> 00:31:58,360 Speaker 6: coaching at a relatively high level because I knew I 684 00:31:58,720 --> 00:32:02,600 Speaker 6: was using Spurs in bounds plays and Kansas plays and 685 00:32:03,160 --> 00:32:07,480 Speaker 6: Pomona Pitzer were Popovich coached and picking their brains. But 686 00:32:07,600 --> 00:32:09,920 Speaker 6: on planes, I would ride in the back and that 687 00:32:10,040 --> 00:32:12,520 Speaker 6: was the smoking section. And you've heard this story, but 688 00:32:12,600 --> 00:32:18,520 Speaker 6: maybe some listeners haven't. So Frank Berkowski was I was 689 00:32:18,560 --> 00:32:19,640 Speaker 6: pretty tight with him too. 690 00:32:19,680 --> 00:32:20,600 Speaker 5: On the team. He was a forward. 691 00:32:20,600 --> 00:32:22,200 Speaker 6: He played for the Lakers, played for the Spurs, I 692 00:32:22,240 --> 00:32:26,240 Speaker 6: think Milwaukee also, and I got to be really tight 693 00:32:26,280 --> 00:32:28,360 Speaker 6: with him. Frank Burkowski is one of his best friends 694 00:32:28,360 --> 00:32:32,240 Speaker 6: in Manhattan Beach in LA where he lived was Charlie Sheen. 695 00:32:33,360 --> 00:32:35,760 Speaker 6: And so the smoking section was the back of the 696 00:32:35,800 --> 00:32:38,240 Speaker 6: plane and the media section. So it was me, Glenn, 697 00:32:38,320 --> 00:32:40,920 Speaker 6: a couple of other guys and Charlie Sheen went on 698 00:32:41,080 --> 00:32:43,160 Speaker 6: three or four trips with us. So he would sit 699 00:32:43,240 --> 00:32:45,920 Speaker 6: right across from me the whole time. Keep in mind, 700 00:32:46,040 --> 00:32:51,840 Speaker 6: this is prime Ptoon Wall Street. Yeah, I mean this 701 00:32:51,960 --> 00:32:55,240 Speaker 6: was late eighties. Like he was the guy. He was 702 00:32:55,320 --> 00:32:56,640 Speaker 6: Leonardo DiCaprio right. 703 00:32:56,560 --> 00:32:57,840 Speaker 2: Now, Like he's a good point. 704 00:32:58,040 --> 00:32:58,320 Speaker 5: He was. 705 00:32:58,360 --> 00:33:02,200 Speaker 6: He was the top of Hollywood comparison. And so I 706 00:33:02,240 --> 00:33:04,239 Speaker 6: got to know Charlie pretty well. I don't know if 707 00:33:04,240 --> 00:33:06,720 Speaker 6: he'd even recognize me now, but we would hang out, 708 00:33:06,920 --> 00:33:10,239 Speaker 6: talk long plane trips, and uh. 709 00:33:10,840 --> 00:33:11,120 Speaker 5: It was. 710 00:33:11,200 --> 00:33:13,080 Speaker 6: It was one of the most bizarre things for because 711 00:33:13,080 --> 00:33:15,280 Speaker 6: I was still young. I was in my twenties, yeah, 712 00:33:15,320 --> 00:33:19,360 Speaker 6: and getting to know him was great. So we're in 713 00:33:19,520 --> 00:33:22,360 Speaker 6: LA and we have an off day and it was 714 00:33:22,480 --> 00:33:25,360 Speaker 6: Clippers and then Lakers and then off day. In between, 715 00:33:25,880 --> 00:33:27,960 Speaker 6: usually I'd go to the horse track or watch a 716 00:33:27,960 --> 00:33:31,240 Speaker 6: hockey game or whatever. Charlie comes up to me after 717 00:33:31,280 --> 00:33:35,800 Speaker 6: the game. There's two great Charlie Sheen stories. Charlie comes 718 00:33:35,880 --> 00:33:37,960 Speaker 6: up to me after the game and says, hey, hey, 719 00:33:39,000 --> 00:33:42,280 Speaker 6: we're having a little get together after the game this 720 00:33:42,320 --> 00:33:44,680 Speaker 6: place or that place. You want to come. I'm like, 721 00:33:45,280 --> 00:33:49,800 Speaker 6: heck yeah, you're your twenty yeah, heck yeah. 722 00:33:50,000 --> 00:33:50,840 Speaker 5: So we walk in. 723 00:33:51,000 --> 00:33:54,400 Speaker 6: They rope off this whole back end of this restaurant, 724 00:33:55,120 --> 00:34:02,280 Speaker 6: and everything you could imagine is there. I mean, like 725 00:34:03,080 --> 00:34:06,880 Speaker 6: from everything, let's just say it's. 726 00:34:06,880 --> 00:34:08,160 Speaker 2: Charlie she in the eighties. 727 00:34:08,360 --> 00:34:09,040 Speaker 5: We got it. 728 00:34:09,680 --> 00:34:13,279 Speaker 6: Everything you can imagine, So we kind of like, you know, 729 00:34:13,520 --> 00:34:15,839 Speaker 6: I had a great time. Obviously, we did another trip 730 00:34:15,880 --> 00:34:18,760 Speaker 6: to Las Vegas. Larry Brown was such a gambling addict. 731 00:34:19,400 --> 00:34:22,200 Speaker 6: We actually held San Antonio Spurs training camp in Las 732 00:34:22,320 --> 00:34:23,080 Speaker 6: Vegas one year. 733 00:34:26,080 --> 00:34:28,480 Speaker 5: Where are you going to? Training camp? Was in Las Vegas? 734 00:34:28,560 --> 00:34:30,000 Speaker 2: What could possibly go wrong? 735 00:34:30,239 --> 00:34:32,520 Speaker 6: And so Brick and Alvin Robertson he had his own 736 00:34:32,560 --> 00:34:35,480 Speaker 6: issues and I were gambling and stuff, and Charlie shows 737 00:34:35,560 --> 00:34:39,479 Speaker 6: up and another more debauchery. But he tells me over 738 00:34:39,520 --> 00:34:42,359 Speaker 6: the course of the day, Hey, we're going to play 739 00:34:42,360 --> 00:34:45,319 Speaker 6: a preseason game in LA And I had told him 740 00:34:45,320 --> 00:34:47,520 Speaker 6: previously that I was a huge, huge, huge fan of 741 00:34:47,520 --> 00:34:50,560 Speaker 6: his dad, Martin Sheen, And he goes, my dad's going 742 00:34:50,600 --> 00:34:53,160 Speaker 6: to be there. I want to introduce you to him. 743 00:34:53,200 --> 00:34:56,799 Speaker 6: I said, he thank you very much. So we're going 744 00:34:56,800 --> 00:34:59,000 Speaker 6: and we're playing the Lakers. The game's over. Keep in mind, 745 00:34:59,040 --> 00:35:02,080 Speaker 6: this is a seventh Aready start in La nine thirty 746 00:35:02,080 --> 00:35:06,080 Speaker 6: start back home. That means you are on tight, tight, 747 00:35:06,200 --> 00:35:09,200 Speaker 6: tight dead. This was before every day you had to 748 00:35:09,239 --> 00:35:12,120 Speaker 6: type your story, send it like boom or else they 749 00:35:12,160 --> 00:35:14,680 Speaker 6: would they would print the paper without the Spurs store. 750 00:35:14,719 --> 00:35:16,160 Speaker 6: And the Spurs are the biggest thing in you know, 751 00:35:16,239 --> 00:35:20,359 Speaker 6: in San Antonio. So I'm like outside the Laker's locker room, 752 00:35:20,440 --> 00:35:23,799 Speaker 6: like just shriek, shaking, nervous. You're gonna try to get 753 00:35:23,800 --> 00:35:26,200 Speaker 6: a couple of quotes from Kareem and Magic and you 754 00:35:26,280 --> 00:35:28,520 Speaker 6: gotta put them in the story and then and then 755 00:35:28,840 --> 00:35:31,719 Speaker 6: book it back upstairs and or back courtside and file 756 00:35:31,800 --> 00:35:34,160 Speaker 6: my story. So I'm like waiting to get into the 757 00:35:34,160 --> 00:35:37,040 Speaker 6: locker room and I feel a tap on my shoulder 758 00:35:37,360 --> 00:35:40,439 Speaker 6: and it's Charlie Sheen and I'm you lose your head 759 00:35:40,480 --> 00:35:43,840 Speaker 6: when you're on deadline. And I turned around I went, Charlie, 760 00:35:43,880 --> 00:35:46,680 Speaker 6: I can't right now. Oh, And then the doors opened 761 00:35:46,960 --> 00:35:49,560 Speaker 6: and I walked in. First of all, I told that 762 00:35:49,760 --> 00:35:52,680 Speaker 6: I did that to Charlie. She like, Charlie, I can't 763 00:35:52,719 --> 00:35:55,880 Speaker 6: right now. As I'm walking in the door, I realize 764 00:35:56,480 --> 00:35:59,600 Speaker 6: Martin Sheen was sitting behind was standing behind him with 765 00:35:59,680 --> 00:36:02,200 Speaker 6: his hands clasped in front of him, waiting to meet me. 766 00:36:03,120 --> 00:36:05,400 Speaker 6: Charlie brought him down from the Forum Club the Sweet 767 00:36:05,480 --> 00:36:07,000 Speaker 6: Level to meet me. 768 00:36:07,440 --> 00:36:09,200 Speaker 2: I feel horrible just listening to. 769 00:36:09,200 --> 00:36:12,759 Speaker 6: This, and I'm walking in and I'm like, oh my god, 770 00:36:12,800 --> 00:36:15,759 Speaker 6: what did I just do? And so I filed my 771 00:36:15,800 --> 00:36:19,080 Speaker 6: story go up to the Forum Club and I'm like, Charlie, 772 00:36:19,840 --> 00:36:22,960 Speaker 6: I am so sorry, blah blah blah. And he was like, 773 00:36:23,320 --> 00:36:25,480 Speaker 6: I no, sweaty man, I get it. And Martin Sheen 774 00:36:25,560 --> 00:36:26,399 Speaker 6: was there and I met him. 775 00:36:26,280 --> 00:36:29,360 Speaker 5: But oh good. But I was like, I can't right now. 776 00:36:29,400 --> 00:36:30,239 Speaker 2: I was sweating that one. 777 00:36:30,560 --> 00:36:33,760 Speaker 5: Marten was sitting back there just like this. 778 00:36:33,640 --> 00:36:36,640 Speaker 2: Is this is like watching that Lakers show on HBO. 779 00:36:36,920 --> 00:36:38,719 Speaker 1: Just imagine to you in that scene, I gotta go 780 00:36:38,719 --> 00:36:41,520 Speaker 1: get closees from Kareem and I got Martin Sheen right here. 781 00:36:41,719 --> 00:36:44,760 Speaker 5: Unbelievable, it was. Those are my two favorite Charlie stories. 782 00:36:45,040 --> 00:36:47,160 Speaker 1: I've got a lot more coming up with John Lopez 783 00:36:47,200 --> 00:36:49,480 Speaker 1: to Kerry strug story so much more. 784 00:36:49,520 --> 00:36:50,919 Speaker 2: He wrote a book about her. It's going to become 785 00:36:50,920 --> 00:36:51,200 Speaker 2: a movie. 786 00:36:51,280 --> 00:36:53,560 Speaker 1: Let's get into that and other stuff next here on 787 00:36:53,640 --> 00:36:58,120 Speaker 1: Texans Radio, rolling along with this special edition of Texans 788 00:36:58,200 --> 00:37:01,240 Speaker 1: All Access with my good buddy John Lopez, a recent 789 00:37:01,360 --> 00:37:04,120 Speaker 1: vander Pod podcast I did with him. We used to 790 00:37:04,120 --> 00:37:06,360 Speaker 1: do morning shows together back at the day on Sports 791 00:37:06,440 --> 00:37:07,040 Speaker 1: Radio six ten. 792 00:37:07,080 --> 00:37:08,040 Speaker 2: He's still on middays. 793 00:37:08,360 --> 00:37:11,360 Speaker 1: Carrie Strug, you've heard of her nineteen ninety six Olympics, 794 00:37:11,360 --> 00:37:15,000 Speaker 1: the Big dramatic moment with the injured foot, and John 795 00:37:15,040 --> 00:37:17,000 Speaker 1: wrote a book about her. It's going to be made 796 00:37:17,000 --> 00:37:19,719 Speaker 1: into a movie. We got the latest update on this. 797 00:37:19,719 --> 00:37:23,680 Speaker 1: This is long before the Simone Biles era of US gymnastics. 798 00:37:23,920 --> 00:37:26,399 Speaker 6: Well, first of all, I wrote the book after ninety six. Right, 799 00:37:26,440 --> 00:37:27,400 Speaker 6: that's a great story. 800 00:37:27,440 --> 00:37:28,240 Speaker 2: Tremendous story. 801 00:37:28,360 --> 00:37:29,600 Speaker 5: Uh no, how I got the book? 802 00:37:29,680 --> 00:37:30,759 Speaker 2: Okay, how'd you get the book? 803 00:37:30,880 --> 00:37:34,480 Speaker 6: So I had I always got a soft spot for 804 00:37:34,560 --> 00:37:36,000 Speaker 6: the underdogs, as a lot of people do. 805 00:37:36,080 --> 00:37:37,480 Speaker 5: But I really did for Carrie. 806 00:37:37,600 --> 00:37:40,399 Speaker 6: Something about her. I just love that little girl. She's 807 00:37:40,400 --> 00:37:43,120 Speaker 6: forty something now. But anyway, I hit it off with 808 00:37:43,160 --> 00:37:46,239 Speaker 6: her dad, who was a heart surgeon and still with us. 809 00:37:46,280 --> 00:37:48,480 Speaker 6: You're covering the Olympics at the time, and Arizon, No, 810 00:37:48,520 --> 00:37:51,320 Speaker 6: I'm going up to the Olympics. When she was fourteen 811 00:37:51,400 --> 00:37:54,279 Speaker 6: years old, when she was at Bella Curly's ranch right 812 00:37:54,400 --> 00:37:56,680 Speaker 6: up in So he had the ranch already. Yeah, he 813 00:37:56,719 --> 00:37:59,799 Speaker 6: had the ranch already, And so I was like going 814 00:37:59,840 --> 00:38:02,160 Speaker 6: out there occasionally to do some stories, maybe three or 815 00:38:02,160 --> 00:38:05,120 Speaker 6: four times a year. And Kim Zemescal was there, Dominique 816 00:38:05,120 --> 00:38:07,480 Speaker 6: Mociano was there, and all these superstars were there, and 817 00:38:07,480 --> 00:38:09,120 Speaker 6: then there was Carrie Strugg, who was a superstar on 818 00:38:09,120 --> 00:38:11,960 Speaker 6: her own right, but very very shy, very very kind 819 00:38:11,960 --> 00:38:16,240 Speaker 6: of second on the pecking order from all them, dominiqu Dawes, 820 00:38:16,320 --> 00:38:18,520 Speaker 6: all those. And I did a couple of stories on 821 00:38:18,560 --> 00:38:20,440 Speaker 6: her because I just liked her, and she was really powerful, 822 00:38:20,520 --> 00:38:23,719 Speaker 6: like really really powerful. She very very Simone Biles like 823 00:38:23,760 --> 00:38:26,760 Speaker 6: on the vaults, you know. And I loved her dad. 824 00:38:27,160 --> 00:38:31,360 Speaker 6: I knew her mom like I loved her mom. So anyway, 825 00:38:31,520 --> 00:38:33,120 Speaker 6: fast forward and I'm covering her for two or three 826 00:38:33,160 --> 00:38:35,440 Speaker 6: years leading up the Olympics, including the Olympic Trials which 827 00:38:35,480 --> 00:38:40,040 Speaker 6: were in Annapolis, and so we get to Barcelona. This 828 00:38:40,120 --> 00:38:43,279 Speaker 6: is the first one, not ninety six. She misses the 829 00:38:43,320 --> 00:38:45,520 Speaker 6: all around finals by I think it was like point 830 00:38:45,640 --> 00:38:48,279 Speaker 6: zero zero two points. And she's in the back of 831 00:38:48,280 --> 00:38:50,960 Speaker 6: the room and I'm in the press conference because only 832 00:38:51,040 --> 00:38:52,520 Speaker 6: they only had the people that made it on the 833 00:38:52,800 --> 00:38:58,800 Speaker 6: dais and I just kind of hear, oh, yeah, completely 834 00:38:58,800 --> 00:39:02,480 Speaker 6: by herself, and I did something that maybe not I mean, 835 00:39:02,520 --> 00:39:05,399 Speaker 6: it was just instinctive, but maybe not some people would 836 00:39:05,440 --> 00:39:07,360 Speaker 6: would would frown upon it and put it that way. 837 00:39:07,719 --> 00:39:10,080 Speaker 6: I got up, I walked to the back row and 838 00:39:10,160 --> 00:39:11,799 Speaker 6: I just kind of tapped her on the shoulder and 839 00:39:11,840 --> 00:39:14,880 Speaker 6: kind of consoled her and all that stuff, and and 840 00:39:14,960 --> 00:39:17,200 Speaker 6: so then fast forward again and I'm still covering her 841 00:39:17,600 --> 00:39:20,520 Speaker 6: to ninety six and she hits this vault. For those 842 00:39:20,520 --> 00:39:23,239 Speaker 6: who don't know that clinched the first ever Golden Team 843 00:39:23,239 --> 00:39:28,440 Speaker 6: gold medal for the United States in gymnastics overnight, Like overnight, 844 00:39:28,800 --> 00:39:32,200 Speaker 6: she's like this sensation, Today's Show, Once, They're Good Morning America, 845 00:39:32,800 --> 00:39:36,240 Speaker 6: Time Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Saturday Night Live, all this other stuff. 846 00:39:36,400 --> 00:39:39,040 Speaker 6: So the next day after that that I wrote that story, 847 00:39:39,680 --> 00:39:42,799 Speaker 6: I get a This was early cell phone days, so 848 00:39:42,840 --> 00:39:45,560 Speaker 6: I didn't have a cell phone, but the lady in 849 00:39:45,760 --> 00:39:47,880 Speaker 6: I was at the track venue and I was covering 850 00:39:47,920 --> 00:39:49,640 Speaker 6: I think it was Randy Barnes and the shot put 851 00:39:50,560 --> 00:39:54,080 Speaker 6: and is there a John Lopez, John Lopez, johnsh She's 852 00:39:54,120 --> 00:39:55,799 Speaker 6: carrying a phone, you know how they used to do that, 853 00:39:56,000 --> 00:39:58,040 Speaker 6: like at a restaurant, John Love. And I raise my 854 00:39:58,040 --> 00:40:00,000 Speaker 6: hand and say, I'm right here, bring me the phone. 855 00:40:00,080 --> 00:40:03,160 Speaker 6: It's Carrie's mom, like in a panic. I thought something happened, 856 00:40:03,520 --> 00:40:06,160 Speaker 6: and she's like, John, we don't know what to do. 857 00:40:06,239 --> 00:40:07,800 Speaker 6: We have two hundred and sixty two messages on the 858 00:40:07,840 --> 00:40:09,120 Speaker 6: hotel phone, and we don't know what to do with 859 00:40:09,160 --> 00:40:11,000 Speaker 6: the agents and this and that and all these other 860 00:40:11,040 --> 00:40:13,680 Speaker 6: people and good Morning America and all this. I was like, 861 00:40:14,560 --> 00:40:17,200 Speaker 6: don't worry, I'll make a call and I'll see what 862 00:40:17,239 --> 00:40:19,680 Speaker 6: I can do. So the only agent I really knew 863 00:40:19,719 --> 00:40:24,520 Speaker 6: well was Lee Steinberg from my football Yeah. I got 864 00:40:24,520 --> 00:40:26,320 Speaker 6: a hold of Lee Steinberg. 865 00:40:26,320 --> 00:40:31,320 Speaker 5: Classic classic agent stuff like Jerry McGuire. 866 00:40:31,800 --> 00:40:35,320 Speaker 6: I'm telling the whole story. I'll be there tomorrow, like 867 00:40:36,120 --> 00:40:38,919 Speaker 6: out of a movie. And he was there the next day. 868 00:40:38,960 --> 00:40:41,279 Speaker 6: So Lee Steinberg picked me up. We went to the 869 00:40:41,280 --> 00:40:45,880 Speaker 6: house where the group was staying. He basically booked Carrie 870 00:40:45,920 --> 00:40:48,240 Speaker 6: Strugg with one of his other agents that's more familiar 871 00:40:48,239 --> 00:40:51,000 Speaker 6: with that type of stuff. Fast forward another six months. 872 00:40:51,000 --> 00:40:53,120 Speaker 6: I'm sitting in my office in Kingwood at the time 873 00:40:53,719 --> 00:40:56,719 Speaker 6: phone rings, pick it up John Lee Steinberg. I'm like, 874 00:40:56,800 --> 00:40:58,399 Speaker 6: what's going on? He goes, I got some good news 875 00:40:58,400 --> 00:40:59,880 Speaker 6: and some bad news. I said, all right, what's going on? 876 00:41:00,080 --> 00:41:00,200 Speaker 2: Goes? 877 00:41:00,239 --> 00:41:04,479 Speaker 6: The good news is they want to uh give Carrie Strug. 878 00:41:04,719 --> 00:41:07,120 Speaker 6: They want Carry Struck to write a book, so that's awesome. 879 00:41:07,880 --> 00:41:10,360 Speaker 6: The bad news is she said she's only going to 880 00:41:10,400 --> 00:41:11,920 Speaker 6: write it. She's only going to do it if you 881 00:41:11,960 --> 00:41:14,800 Speaker 6: write it. And I was like, how is that bad news? 882 00:41:15,239 --> 00:41:17,920 Speaker 6: And so that was my first ever book. So now 883 00:41:18,840 --> 00:41:23,800 Speaker 6: it's right before COVID, I get a couple of emails 884 00:41:23,840 --> 00:41:27,680 Speaker 6: from this production company in London. Hey, we want to 885 00:41:27,960 --> 00:41:29,799 Speaker 6: talk to you about doing a movie, blah blah blah. 886 00:41:29,800 --> 00:41:31,160 Speaker 6: And I thought it was spam because you get that 887 00:41:31,280 --> 00:41:32,960 Speaker 6: a lot when you write a book. I want to 888 00:41:33,000 --> 00:41:34,319 Speaker 6: market your book, I want to do this, I want 889 00:41:34,320 --> 00:41:36,239 Speaker 6: to do that, and it's really just they want your 890 00:41:36,280 --> 00:41:40,840 Speaker 6: money to whatever. Deleted both of them. No, I deleted 891 00:41:40,880 --> 00:41:44,960 Speaker 6: both emails. So then I get another email from the 892 00:41:45,000 --> 00:41:46,920 Speaker 6: same one. I'm like, all right, So I opened it 893 00:41:47,000 --> 00:41:51,120 Speaker 6: up and it was Riverstone Pictures and search Light, which 894 00:41:51,120 --> 00:41:55,840 Speaker 6: are like the two monsters. Like the two monsters. I'm like, okay, 895 00:41:56,360 --> 00:42:00,000 Speaker 6: get on a conference call. They have they want to 896 00:42:00,160 --> 00:42:01,839 Speaker 6: have to get the rights to the book so they 897 00:42:01,840 --> 00:42:03,080 Speaker 6: can write a script. 898 00:42:03,239 --> 00:42:04,360 Speaker 5: And do a movie. 899 00:42:04,920 --> 00:42:08,960 Speaker 6: And we're absolutely, you know, getting ready to do this. 900 00:42:09,520 --> 00:42:13,840 Speaker 6: Olivia Wilde is going to direct it. Whoa McKenna Grace, 901 00:42:14,040 --> 00:42:16,160 Speaker 6: who is in Young Sheldon and all this other stuff 902 00:42:16,239 --> 00:42:18,320 Speaker 6: is going to be in it and all this stuff. 903 00:42:18,600 --> 00:42:22,520 Speaker 6: So then COVID hits postponed. Then she gets divorced from 904 00:42:22,840 --> 00:42:26,719 Speaker 6: Ted Lasso or whatever postponed agains because she wants to 905 00:42:26,719 --> 00:42:29,640 Speaker 6: spend more time with their family. But as of today, 906 00:42:30,120 --> 00:42:32,319 Speaker 6: they're still going to do the movie. It's just been 907 00:42:32,520 --> 00:42:34,000 Speaker 6: in pre production and been delayed. 908 00:42:34,000 --> 00:42:34,960 Speaker 2: All right, that's going to do it. 909 00:42:34,960 --> 00:42:37,279 Speaker 1: With our John Lopez interview, there's plenty more of that 910 00:42:37,640 --> 00:42:40,040 Speaker 1: on the vander Pod podcast, which is available on the 911 00:42:40,040 --> 00:42:43,840 Speaker 1: Texans app, iTunes, Spotify, all of it. A reminder Tuesday, 912 00:42:43,960 --> 00:42:47,800 Speaker 1: we will be at BMW in the Woodlands. John Harris 913 00:42:47,840 --> 00:42:50,600 Speaker 1: and I welcome Chester Pitts will give away Texans tickets. 914 00:42:50,800 --> 00:42:54,399 Speaker 1: Texans cheerleaders will be there and also Texans training camp 915 00:42:54,400 --> 00:42:57,239 Speaker 1: tickets will be given away. You must be present to enter, 916 00:42:57,520 --> 00:42:59,960 Speaker 1: unless I change my mind. It'll be Tuesday at six 917 00:43:00,160 --> 00:43:01,520 Speaker 1: BMW of the Woodlands. 918 00:43:01,680 --> 00:43:02,160 Speaker 3: Be there. 919 00:43:02,400 --> 00:43:04,160 Speaker 1: We look forward to seeing you out there. Thanks so 920 00:43:04,239 --> 00:43:07,319 Speaker 1: much to all who participated in the program. Tonight, have 921 00:43:07,400 --> 00:43:09,239 Speaker 1: a great evening, Go Texans.