1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:03,400 Speaker 1: Okay, it's some vernacular. It's a phrase of like, okay, 2 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:08,000 Speaker 1: just run with it. Well, in football, it's a real thing. 3 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:11,360 Speaker 1: You really want to run with it. This episode of 4 00:00:11,440 --> 00:00:14,360 Speaker 1: Defending the Kingdom is just that we're gonna run with 5 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:18,680 Speaker 1: it with two special guests in two different areas, but 6 00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:21,880 Speaker 1: both want to run with it. And this episode of 7 00:00:21,920 --> 00:00:23,919 Speaker 1: Defending the Kingdom, like all of them, is brought to 8 00:00:23,960 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: you by your great friends a Ticketmasters. So many awesome 9 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:30,760 Speaker 1: events going on over the next several months. Ticketmasters should 10 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:33,760 Speaker 1: be your go to. The homes in the pocket will 11 00:00:33,760 --> 00:00:40,440 Speaker 1: step up, You'll scrabble ten fors diving, touchdown, Chanzas City, 12 00:00:40,760 --> 00:00:42,920 Speaker 1: and Hi everybody. I'm Mitch Holdest, voice of the Kansas 13 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:45,599 Speaker 1: City Chiefs along with senior team reporter Matt McMullen. We're 14 00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:48,640 Speaker 1: just gonna run with it in this episode. But two 15 00:00:48,720 --> 00:00:53,159 Speaker 1: real interesting guests first to Marco Murray Ye and Sheila Sikou, 16 00:00:54,040 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 1: again from two different areas, but there is a common 17 00:00:57,360 --> 00:00:58,920 Speaker 1: theme here and just run with it. 18 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:01,840 Speaker 2: A lot of excite in the building right now for 19 00:01:01,880 --> 00:01:04,920 Speaker 2: a multitude of reasons. The draft's coming up here in 20 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:08,320 Speaker 2: about three weeks. Can you believe that it's almost time 21 00:01:08,360 --> 00:01:12,160 Speaker 2: for a draft weekend. But excited about that, excited about 22 00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:14,480 Speaker 2: DeMarco Murray and I think everyone's going to love the 23 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:16,960 Speaker 2: interview that we just did with him. We're fired up 24 00:01:16,959 --> 00:01:19,679 Speaker 2: about it, fired up about this running back Room and 25 00:01:19,720 --> 00:01:22,200 Speaker 2: the interview with Sheila is really interesting as well. Some 26 00:01:22,240 --> 00:01:24,560 Speaker 2: really exciting stuff happening in the state of Kansas. 27 00:01:24,760 --> 00:01:28,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, and not just Kansas, but Kansas right now is 28 00:01:28,720 --> 00:01:34,480 Speaker 1: the center focus of looking to add sanctioned girls flag 29 00:01:34,520 --> 00:01:38,360 Speaker 1: football as a high school sport, but it involves many 30 00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:42,480 Speaker 1: other states around the country, and especially here in the 31 00:01:42,560 --> 00:01:44,959 Speaker 1: Chiefs Kingdom. You're going to want to hang around for 32 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:47,280 Speaker 1: that part of this podcast because you will hear we're 33 00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:52,760 Speaker 1: one collegiate NAI conference which is leading the way nationally 34 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:56,600 Speaker 1: and it's right here in the center of the Chiefs Kingdom. Okay, well, 35 00:01:56,760 --> 00:01:59,160 Speaker 1: before we get into the running back Room end of 36 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:01,000 Speaker 1: Marco Murray, do we have around the world? 37 00:02:01,120 --> 00:02:04,040 Speaker 2: Got two today? I think we had two last week. 38 00:02:03,800 --> 00:02:06,280 Speaker 1: As Taekwon Thornton has a new number. Right. 39 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:09,600 Speaker 2: It looks so good too. It's perfect, perfect, absolutely perfect 40 00:02:10,560 --> 00:02:16,680 Speaker 2: running nine toy. So we have a listener in Elkton, Maryland. Elkton, Maryland, 41 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:17,520 Speaker 2: are you familiar. 42 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:18,080 Speaker 1: I'm not. 43 00:02:18,560 --> 00:02:19,919 Speaker 2: I want to check Elkton, mary. 44 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:23,480 Speaker 1: Maryland's like suburban d C. How much on Maryland? Laugh 45 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:25,400 Speaker 1: and go out to Frederick and the well. 46 00:02:25,440 --> 00:02:27,360 Speaker 2: Speaking of that, the other one I have is in 47 00:02:27,400 --> 00:02:29,560 Speaker 2: a similar area, Richmond, Virginia. 48 00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:33,400 Speaker 1: Oh go, Spiders, Go Spiders. Sean Barber Yep, my niece 49 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:36,040 Speaker 1: lives there. Prominent realator. If you're looking for something to 50 00:02:36,040 --> 00:02:39,880 Speaker 1: buy in Richmond, Virginia, look up my niece Angel, She'll 51 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:42,960 Speaker 1: get you all set up. My uncle lived there all 52 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:46,840 Speaker 1: his life. It's a fascinating area. My brother lives in Charlottesville, Virginia. 53 00:02:46,880 --> 00:02:50,399 Speaker 1: Beautiful area of course, tons of history there. But yeah, 54 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:52,040 Speaker 1: good to have cheese fans and Richmond. 55 00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:55,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, Elkton, Maryland and Richmond, Virginia. There we go for today. 56 00:02:55,080 --> 00:02:58,679 Speaker 1: Where Shaun Barber, Uh you are baby? The University of 57 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:02,520 Speaker 1: Richmond Spiders. Okay. The running back room and this has 58 00:03:02,560 --> 00:03:05,560 Speaker 1: been such a the wide receiver room and the wide 59 00:03:05,600 --> 00:03:08,799 Speaker 1: Receiver corps, so much of the discussion of the twenty 60 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:11,480 Speaker 1: five season. But not far behind and maybe in a 61 00:03:11,520 --> 00:03:15,600 Speaker 1: parallel discussion, is the running back room. We talked about 62 00:03:16,200 --> 00:03:20,600 Speaker 1: in last the last Defending the Kingdom, which was something 63 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:23,880 Speaker 1: to prove. We talked about guys like Amri deu Mercado 64 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:28,040 Speaker 1: who brings in a forty plus run threat every time 65 00:03:28,080 --> 00:03:31,919 Speaker 1: he touches the ball. The Chiefs only had the longest 66 00:03:32,040 --> 00:03:34,440 Speaker 1: rund last year is from a wide receiver in a 67 00:03:34,560 --> 00:03:37,400 Speaker 1: jet sweep. Most of the long runs have been Mahomes 68 00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:39,680 Speaker 1: on scrambles. You have to go all the way back 69 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:42,640 Speaker 1: to September of twenty twenty three where you had explosive 70 00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:45,560 Speaker 1: run of forty eight yards of more, and that was 71 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:49,720 Speaker 1: in Isaiah Pachecko's run against the Jets back on Sunday 72 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:53,480 Speaker 1: Night Football several years ago. So the running back room 73 00:03:53,560 --> 00:03:56,320 Speaker 1: is like, okay, what can we do to get that activated, 74 00:03:56,400 --> 00:03:59,520 Speaker 1: not just to make it productive but explosive. Yeah. 75 00:03:59,600 --> 00:04:02,800 Speaker 2: I think if you've been listening over the last several episodes, 76 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:05,360 Speaker 2: we could just rename our podcast the Chiefs running Backs 77 00:04:05,400 --> 00:04:07,280 Speaker 2: need to get more explosive. I think we say this 78 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:10,200 Speaker 2: like every single time, but we get on I mean 79 00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:10,760 Speaker 2: the reality. 80 00:04:12,040 --> 00:04:13,480 Speaker 1: No, no, I think about it every day. 81 00:04:13,520 --> 00:04:15,280 Speaker 2: Well, I think it's the key, I really do. I'm 82 00:04:15,320 --> 00:04:17,480 Speaker 2: with you one hundred percent because I think, like I've 83 00:04:17,480 --> 00:04:20,760 Speaker 2: said before, that being more explosive at the running back 84 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:23,960 Speaker 2: position and having an explosive running game that defenses have 85 00:04:24,080 --> 00:04:27,080 Speaker 2: to respect and respect that explosiveness. It's going to open 86 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:29,440 Speaker 2: up everything else for our offense. It's going to open 87 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:31,760 Speaker 2: up the play action passing game, kind of open up 88 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:35,000 Speaker 2: our receivers to have easier wins. I mean, I really 89 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:37,640 Speaker 2: think it changes everything. And the reality is we just 90 00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:41,240 Speaker 2: weren't explosive at running back last year. Overall we were 91 00:04:41,279 --> 00:04:44,000 Speaker 2: twenty fifth in the NFL, and rushing yards per game 92 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:47,240 Speaker 2: twentieth and rushing average twenty third and runs of ten 93 00:04:47,320 --> 00:04:49,760 Speaker 2: or more yards and you alluded to this. We had 94 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:52,760 Speaker 2: three runs of twenty or more yards last year. One 95 00:04:52,839 --> 00:04:55,680 Speaker 2: was by Patrick, one was by Xavier. So we got 96 00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:57,479 Speaker 2: to get more of those. And we're going to have 97 00:04:57,560 --> 00:04:59,760 Speaker 2: him this year. When you have Ken Walker, who we 98 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:01,960 Speaker 2: talked about a few weeks ago, I mean, he's like 99 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:06,359 Speaker 2: a walking big play Amario Demarcado didn't play a ton 100 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:08,720 Speaker 2: in Arizona, but every time he touched the football when 101 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:11,360 Speaker 2: he did play, it was a role of the dice 102 00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:13,560 Speaker 2: of having an explosive play. I think I talked about 103 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:16,159 Speaker 2: he had like an explosive run rate of like fifteen 104 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:20,240 Speaker 2: point nine percent. I mean, that'll work. So that's really exciting. 105 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:22,520 Speaker 2: And then Berchhard Smith as well, who I think showed 106 00:05:22,560 --> 00:05:24,000 Speaker 2: us a lot of things toward the end of the year. 107 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:26,800 Speaker 2: He's a young player still learning the running back position 108 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:29,680 Speaker 2: of course being a former receiver, but really did show 109 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:32,080 Speaker 2: us some things. So I'm fired up about our running 110 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:34,279 Speaker 2: back room going into next year. You got to have 111 00:05:34,320 --> 00:05:36,320 Speaker 2: a coach though, that can bring it all together, and 112 00:05:36,360 --> 00:05:38,320 Speaker 2: I think we got that into Marco Murray. 113 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:40,919 Speaker 1: Yeah, Sin Derek pal is the fourth member of the 114 00:05:40,960 --> 00:05:42,800 Speaker 1: room right now, so it's not a lot of folks 115 00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:45,720 Speaker 1: in that room. There's some room to expand in the 116 00:05:45,800 --> 00:05:48,400 Speaker 1: running back room. We're going to see that happen in 117 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:52,120 Speaker 1: the draft or with undrafted free agents, so that number 118 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:54,560 Speaker 1: will not stay at four. But you bring up Burchard 119 00:05:54,640 --> 00:05:57,240 Speaker 1: Smith and we talk about explosive runs, but it's also 120 00:05:58,279 --> 00:06:01,000 Speaker 1: the potential to be explosive in the pame and we're 121 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:03,839 Speaker 1: going to talk with DeMarco about that. And that is 122 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:07,000 Speaker 1: not just necessarily running wheel routes and trying to get 123 00:06:07,080 --> 00:06:10,320 Speaker 1: thirty yard or forty yard plays. It is a pass, 124 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:14,320 Speaker 1: a short pass or a screen and then making plays 125 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:17,640 Speaker 1: and making a play that's designed on the computer to 126 00:06:17,680 --> 00:06:20,640 Speaker 1: go for eight yards. It can go for fifty, sixty, 127 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:22,880 Speaker 1: seventy or eighty, and that's what you need in this 128 00:06:22,960 --> 00:06:24,360 Speaker 1: offense to take in another step. 129 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:27,000 Speaker 2: Well, think about early in Kareem's career. I mean that 130 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:29,560 Speaker 2: was Kareem. Go back and look at Opening night against 131 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:32,159 Speaker 2: the Patriots, the first game of Kareem's career. Looks like 132 00:06:32,160 --> 00:06:35,520 Speaker 2: a receiver out there. Jerick McKinnon was that guy for 133 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:37,840 Speaker 2: us for years. Where we talked about it a few 134 00:06:37,839 --> 00:06:40,719 Speaker 2: weeks ago, but Jeric at one point in twenty twenty 135 00:06:40,720 --> 00:06:44,360 Speaker 2: two had like nine receiving touchdowns. I mean just crazy, right, 136 00:06:44,440 --> 00:06:46,920 Speaker 2: So really didn't work out last season, but I think 137 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:48,280 Speaker 2: we had the guys to do it this year. 138 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:52,200 Speaker 1: If you're a collegiate football fan, especially here in the 139 00:06:52,360 --> 00:06:54,919 Speaker 1: geographic area of the epicenter of the Chiefs Kingdom, you 140 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:58,760 Speaker 1: know this guy. He was incredible at the University of Oklahoma. 141 00:06:58,880 --> 00:07:01,400 Speaker 1: If you're an NFL fan, you surely know this guy 142 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:04,359 Speaker 1: because he was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year 143 00:07:04,760 --> 00:07:07,719 Speaker 1: in twenty fourteen. He is now our running backs coach 144 00:07:08,160 --> 00:07:12,040 Speaker 1: DeMarco Murray. This episode of Defending the Kingdom is our 145 00:07:12,160 --> 00:07:15,120 Speaker 1: run with it episode, and what better person to bring 146 00:07:15,160 --> 00:07:17,520 Speaker 1: in than the oh, I don't know. The NFL Offensive 147 00:07:17,520 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 1: Player of the Year in twenty fourteen, who was fantastic 148 00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:24,880 Speaker 1: with the Dallas Cowboys that year and the year prior. 149 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:28,080 Speaker 1: Now he is the running backs coach of the Kansas 150 00:07:28,120 --> 00:07:30,880 Speaker 1: City Chiefs, DeMarco Murray. It's one of those if you 151 00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:33,600 Speaker 1: can't beat him, join him. It's awesome to have you here. 152 00:07:33,640 --> 00:07:36,880 Speaker 1: By the way, we were both excited when coach enticed 153 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:38,880 Speaker 1: you to come in here to handle the RB room. 154 00:07:39,240 --> 00:07:41,200 Speaker 1: How excited are you to be in the Chiefs kingdom? 155 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:44,280 Speaker 3: I'm extremely excited. You know, this is obviously a big 156 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:46,760 Speaker 3: opportunity to obviously learn from, you know, one of the 157 00:07:46,760 --> 00:07:50,240 Speaker 3: best head coaches, if not the best, and Coach Reid, 158 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:52,440 Speaker 3: and obviously I'm having coach being me back here. So 159 00:07:52,480 --> 00:07:55,480 Speaker 3: I'm extremely excited and blessed with this opportunity, and you know, 160 00:07:55,520 --> 00:07:56,560 Speaker 3: I can't wait to get the work. 161 00:07:56,960 --> 00:07:59,240 Speaker 2: You signed on in mid February, I think, and then 162 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:01,960 Speaker 2: about a month later we signed Ken Walker. How'd you 163 00:08:01,960 --> 00:08:04,200 Speaker 2: find out about that? What was your initial reaction? 164 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:06,320 Speaker 4: Excited? 165 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:08,640 Speaker 3: Just like everyone else, you know, I was extremely excited 166 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:11,360 Speaker 3: just the type of a player he is, you know, 167 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:13,280 Speaker 3: the type of caliber of a worker he is and 168 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:17,880 Speaker 3: again very dynamic and explosive. And again Beach has done 169 00:08:17,880 --> 00:08:20,320 Speaker 3: a great job and obviously the rest of that the 170 00:08:20,360 --> 00:08:22,960 Speaker 3: personnel department, they've done a really good job of getting 171 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:23,320 Speaker 3: them here. 172 00:08:23,400 --> 00:08:25,320 Speaker 4: And you know, we're excited to have him. 173 00:08:25,600 --> 00:08:29,280 Speaker 1: This offense and running back in this offense. What are 174 00:08:29,280 --> 00:08:31,520 Speaker 1: your learning about that specifically. 175 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:32,720 Speaker 3: Well, you got to be to do a lot of 176 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:35,600 Speaker 3: different things. So again, versatility is one thing that you 177 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:37,880 Speaker 3: know comes to minor off the rip, and obviously protection 178 00:08:37,960 --> 00:08:39,520 Speaker 3: is number one. You know, you want to protect the 179 00:08:39,520 --> 00:08:42,600 Speaker 3: best quarterback in the league. And you know, for us, 180 00:08:42,600 --> 00:08:44,200 Speaker 3: we want to be able to run the ball between 181 00:08:44,200 --> 00:08:46,600 Speaker 3: the tackles and again get back to being a physical 182 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:49,760 Speaker 3: running group up front. And you know it starts with 183 00:08:49,800 --> 00:08:51,959 Speaker 3: the obviously the offense line, but you know, for me, 184 00:08:53,160 --> 00:08:55,120 Speaker 3: the running back has to do a lot of things. 185 00:08:55,160 --> 00:08:57,920 Speaker 3: And again I'm excited to learn, have been learning from 186 00:08:57,920 --> 00:09:00,599 Speaker 3: the coaching staff and again just going over the he 187 00:09:00,679 --> 00:09:03,720 Speaker 3: evaluates from a year ago. Man, we're excited and again 188 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:05,320 Speaker 3: I can't wait to get to work with the guys. 189 00:09:05,320 --> 00:09:07,400 Speaker 3: But again, learning everything has been awesome. 190 00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:10,280 Speaker 2: You mentioned coach b Enemy, what was it about eb 191 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:12,440 Speaker 2: that you wanted to be here? And learn from him. 192 00:09:12,840 --> 00:09:16,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean I'm very familiar with him obviously, you know, 193 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:19,240 Speaker 3: being a former runner back, and you know, you look 194 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:21,800 Speaker 3: at a lot of the coaches and have always been 195 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:23,680 Speaker 3: a fan of him, and you know the product that 196 00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:25,520 Speaker 3: he's put out on the field at the position. So 197 00:09:26,559 --> 00:09:30,120 Speaker 3: I knew knew him, didn't know him personally before I 198 00:09:30,160 --> 00:09:32,080 Speaker 3: got the job. But again, he just incised you with 199 00:09:32,120 --> 00:09:34,840 Speaker 3: obviously his demeanor, with how he teaches, and again his 200 00:09:34,920 --> 00:09:37,320 Speaker 3: communication has been really good, you know, for us as 201 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:40,360 Speaker 3: a as a staff. But you know, and again most importantly, 202 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:43,320 Speaker 3: you know, the toughness and things of that nature. The 203 00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:45,960 Speaker 3: mindset that he brings to the table, you know, from 204 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:48,959 Speaker 3: a player's perspective, but now a coaching perspective, it's it's 205 00:09:49,040 --> 00:09:50,360 Speaker 3: it's awesome to be a part of it. 206 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:52,520 Speaker 2: I think I read somewhere that he tried recruiting you 207 00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:55,079 Speaker 2: way back in the day. You ended up going to Oklahoma. 208 00:09:55,120 --> 00:09:56,480 Speaker 2: But you give you a hard time about that. 209 00:09:56,880 --> 00:09:59,679 Speaker 3: I'm a little bit back in the days, you know, 210 00:09:59,720 --> 00:10:01,520 Speaker 3: I was. I was wanting to get out out away 211 00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:04,319 Speaker 3: from the West Coast. So I want to go to Oklahoma, 212 00:10:04,360 --> 00:10:07,160 Speaker 3: and obviously not UCLA at the time. 213 00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:09,680 Speaker 4: I want to get away from it. But he was great. 214 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:10,520 Speaker 2: That's awesome. 215 00:10:10,600 --> 00:10:15,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, good Vegas guy here, demarc I want to ask you, though, 216 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:19,000 Speaker 1: because your career interesting, phenomenal at University of Oklahoma, then 217 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:22,439 Speaker 1: you exploded in thirteen and then you went nuts in 218 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:25,600 Speaker 1: fourteen you became the best guy in the league. How 219 00:10:25,679 --> 00:10:28,920 Speaker 1: much of that climb can you use in teaching the 220 00:10:28,960 --> 00:10:32,000 Speaker 1: guys in that RB room and what it takes to 221 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:35,440 Speaker 1: be an NFL running back as supposed to be and 222 00:10:35,559 --> 00:10:38,360 Speaker 1: just give me the ball and I'll run zone reads. 223 00:10:39,240 --> 00:10:41,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think most importantly you kind of you have 224 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:44,760 Speaker 3: to learn, you know, the why about the game, about 225 00:10:44,760 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 3: the play. And for me, that's when my career, you know, 226 00:10:47,880 --> 00:10:50,839 Speaker 3: took an exponential turn to being you know, solid to 227 00:10:50,960 --> 00:10:54,000 Speaker 3: really good. And you know, because I stayed a little later, 228 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:56,800 Speaker 3: took care of my body and again, all of those 229 00:10:56,920 --> 00:10:59,280 Speaker 3: things are important for a guy who wants to be 230 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:01,560 Speaker 3: you know, their every single play, you know, not just 231 00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:04,880 Speaker 3: for first and second down. But if you're a competitor, 232 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:06,520 Speaker 3: which I know a lot of these guys are, you 233 00:11:06,559 --> 00:11:08,400 Speaker 3: want to be you know, on the field every chance 234 00:11:08,440 --> 00:11:10,320 Speaker 3: you get, every opportunity you get. So for me, I 235 00:11:10,360 --> 00:11:12,520 Speaker 3: have to take my game to another level as far 236 00:11:12,559 --> 00:11:15,320 Speaker 3: as learning the protection, learning why the offense was doing 237 00:11:15,400 --> 00:11:18,360 Speaker 3: and making certain calls, learning what the quarterback was doing, 238 00:11:18,360 --> 00:11:20,280 Speaker 3: and learning what the receivers were doing. The depths and 239 00:11:20,320 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 3: things of that nature, and everything kind of times up 240 00:11:22,360 --> 00:11:25,880 Speaker 3: and flows together. So for me, I had a you know, 241 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:29,240 Speaker 3: a really good group group of veteran players with Jason 242 00:11:29,240 --> 00:11:32,160 Speaker 3: Whitt and Tony Romo, Miles Austin, a lot of great 243 00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:34,920 Speaker 3: teammates and obviously Jason Garrett, which you know taught us 244 00:11:34,960 --> 00:11:37,280 Speaker 3: the why. You know, so I knew for me if 245 00:11:37,280 --> 00:11:39,839 Speaker 3: I want to continue to stay and you know, be productive, 246 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:42,600 Speaker 3: you know, because there's a lot of playmakers on that team. 247 00:11:42,720 --> 00:11:44,920 Speaker 3: So you know, what can I do differently and help 248 00:11:44,960 --> 00:11:47,560 Speaker 3: this team? You know, whether it's you know, bring some 249 00:11:47,600 --> 00:11:50,280 Speaker 3: great energy, protecting the quarterback, catching the ball in space, 250 00:11:50,320 --> 00:11:53,560 Speaker 3: and again using my versatility to help this team any 251 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:56,560 Speaker 3: way that I can. So ultimately that's that's the case 252 00:11:56,600 --> 00:11:58,720 Speaker 3: for me. Just want to know the why and then 253 00:11:58,800 --> 00:12:01,360 Speaker 3: what's about the bigger pitch and again help these guys 254 00:12:01,440 --> 00:12:02,080 Speaker 3: do the same thing. 255 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:05,400 Speaker 2: How did your time at Oklahoma as a coach prepare 256 00:12:05,440 --> 00:12:06,200 Speaker 2: you for this moment? 257 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:07,640 Speaker 4: Tremendously? 258 00:12:07,679 --> 00:12:10,720 Speaker 3: You know, Oklahoma is a place where I've been extremely 259 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:12,599 Speaker 3: fortunate to be the last six years as home for 260 00:12:12,720 --> 00:12:16,200 Speaker 3: me and my family. And you know, having obviously coach 261 00:12:16,320 --> 00:12:20,640 Speaker 3: Riley and then coach Venables and Jeff Leby and those 262 00:12:20,679 --> 00:12:23,800 Speaker 3: type of guys who you know, helped me prepare myself 263 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:27,520 Speaker 3: for this moment. And again I couldn't thank those guys enough. 264 00:12:27,559 --> 00:12:31,360 Speaker 3: But again mentally, physically, emotionally, you know, I wouldn't be 265 00:12:31,360 --> 00:12:33,520 Speaker 3: here without the University of Oklahoma. 266 00:12:33,800 --> 00:12:37,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, Venables, I called those games in college wired. 267 00:12:37,360 --> 00:12:39,319 Speaker 2: Like way hot, pretty intense. 268 00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:41,640 Speaker 5: Man. 269 00:12:41,760 --> 00:12:44,440 Speaker 1: This leads to a point because he was a linebacker 270 00:12:44,480 --> 00:12:48,040 Speaker 1: in college. So RB versus LB one on one, it 271 00:12:48,120 --> 00:12:50,640 Speaker 1: can't I always let tell everybody watch it. Don't go 272 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:54,480 Speaker 1: watch this, you gotta watch Rby's versus LB's because it 273 00:12:54,559 --> 00:12:57,360 Speaker 1: leads to pass protection. Yes, you already alluded to it. 274 00:12:57,679 --> 00:12:59,800 Speaker 1: But how many guys cannot make it in this league 275 00:12:59,840 --> 00:13:02,520 Speaker 1: because they cannot pass protect? And how much of that 276 00:13:02,559 --> 00:13:04,640 Speaker 1: will be your emphasis with this team? 277 00:13:05,000 --> 00:13:07,079 Speaker 3: I think that's the biggest emphasis. You know, whenever you're 278 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:10,240 Speaker 3: talking about the position running back, you got to protect 279 00:13:10,240 --> 00:13:10,760 Speaker 3: the quarterback. 280 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:11,480 Speaker 4: That is number one. 281 00:13:11,480 --> 00:13:13,200 Speaker 3: Obviously we love what you can do with the ball, 282 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:15,439 Speaker 3: but you got to protect the guy who's leading the 283 00:13:15,520 --> 00:13:18,520 Speaker 3: charge and our leader, and especially again for us, it's 284 00:13:18,520 --> 00:13:21,280 Speaker 3: the best one in the business. So that's stay one. 285 00:13:21,760 --> 00:13:24,640 Speaker 3: That's the most important thing for us. And you know, 286 00:13:24,760 --> 00:13:27,520 Speaker 3: so it's going to be emphasized extremely high. And again 287 00:13:27,600 --> 00:13:31,040 Speaker 3: it's my job to make sure that they know, you know, 288 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:33,800 Speaker 3: why that is and how to do those things. And again, 289 00:13:33,840 --> 00:13:35,560 Speaker 3: you got to build them up from the from the 290 00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:38,920 Speaker 3: ground up. So again excited to obviously teach these guys 291 00:13:38,960 --> 00:13:41,800 Speaker 3: and watch them and you know, obviously watching the film 292 00:13:41,840 --> 00:13:43,319 Speaker 3: a year ago, you know, there's some things that we 293 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:45,760 Speaker 3: got to do much better. And and it just starts 294 00:13:45,800 --> 00:13:47,960 Speaker 3: with the technique and the fundamentals of things. And again, 295 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:50,760 Speaker 3: most importantly, I think just the understanding of who's coming, 296 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 3: who's not coming, and just learning basic fundamentals in forest 297 00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:56,000 Speaker 3: protection itself. 298 00:13:56,600 --> 00:13:59,640 Speaker 2: So we're excited about Walker, obviously, I'm excited about Amori Timark. 299 00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:02,439 Speaker 2: Cardell also excited about Burchard Smith, who did some really 300 00:14:02,520 --> 00:14:04,400 Speaker 2: nice things toward the end of last year. When you 301 00:14:04,440 --> 00:14:06,679 Speaker 2: have a young player like this who I really kind 302 00:14:06,679 --> 00:14:07,880 Speaker 2: of showed what he could do toward the end of 303 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:10,160 Speaker 2: last season, how much fun is that as a coach 304 00:14:10,240 --> 00:14:12,120 Speaker 2: to kind of mold him and build him up. 305 00:14:12,400 --> 00:14:13,520 Speaker 4: Oh, it's extremely fun. 306 00:14:13,559 --> 00:14:13,679 Speaker 1: You know. 307 00:14:13,920 --> 00:14:16,160 Speaker 3: Again there's gonna be challenges, but I'm looking forward to 308 00:14:16,200 --> 00:14:17,920 Speaker 3: and I know he hadn't had a lot of time 309 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:21,640 Speaker 3: at the position. But again, everyone that I've talked in 310 00:14:21,680 --> 00:14:24,440 Speaker 3: this building, they're extremely excited about him. His work ethic, 311 00:14:24,520 --> 00:14:27,000 Speaker 3: his versatility, and again what he can do when the 312 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:28,600 Speaker 3: ball is in his hands. And I think for him 313 00:14:28,640 --> 00:14:31,160 Speaker 3: not having the background of being and running back, you know, 314 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:34,000 Speaker 3: that's where my job comes in very important to you know, 315 00:14:34,040 --> 00:14:36,600 Speaker 3: spend some extra time with him and again just develop him, 316 00:14:36,800 --> 00:14:39,880 Speaker 3: you know, from eyes to hands, to feet and things 317 00:14:39,880 --> 00:14:41,960 Speaker 3: of that nature. He's already a really good athlete, so 318 00:14:42,080 --> 00:14:44,480 Speaker 3: again there's just some things to add to his tool 319 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:47,080 Speaker 3: built to help him, you know, become a better running back. 320 00:14:48,040 --> 00:14:50,960 Speaker 1: Finally, question as a receiver, I mean you had we 321 00:14:51,160 --> 00:14:54,080 Speaker 1: look at the eighteen forty vitrel said four hundred receiving 322 00:14:54,160 --> 00:14:56,560 Speaker 1: yards that year. You had two thousand all purpose yards 323 00:14:56,760 --> 00:15:04,480 Speaker 1: in twenty fourteen. Circles, angles, wheels, chips and releases. The 324 00:15:04,560 --> 00:15:07,120 Speaker 1: ability for a running back in this offense to be 325 00:15:07,160 --> 00:15:11,000 Speaker 1: an effective or an explosive pass receiver, Well, I. 326 00:15:10,960 --> 00:15:13,720 Speaker 3: Think most importantly you got to identify pressure. You know, 327 00:15:13,880 --> 00:15:15,600 Speaker 3: when there is a chance to get out and get 328 00:15:15,680 --> 00:15:18,080 Speaker 3: into space, you want to do that fast and efficient. 329 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:20,720 Speaker 3: And again that's where teaching it comes. That's where studying 330 00:15:20,760 --> 00:15:23,440 Speaker 3: film and obviously understanding what the defense can it can't 331 00:15:23,440 --> 00:15:26,320 Speaker 3: do first and foremost. But then when you do have 332 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:29,680 Speaker 3: those opportunities on which again we want to do those 333 00:15:29,680 --> 00:15:31,360 Speaker 3: at our backs. And again our guys are more than 334 00:15:31,440 --> 00:15:34,400 Speaker 3: capable because of their athletic ability. And again having matchups 335 00:15:34,440 --> 00:15:37,240 Speaker 3: with linebackers and safeties and things of that nature. It's 336 00:15:37,280 --> 00:15:39,800 Speaker 3: all about angles, all about leverage and things of that nature. 337 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:43,200 Speaker 3: So again playing with great leverage, playing fast set and 338 00:15:43,240 --> 00:15:46,080 Speaker 3: resetting and things of that nature. But again, ultimately you 339 00:15:46,160 --> 00:15:48,360 Speaker 3: got to create space, you know, for the quarterback. 340 00:15:48,400 --> 00:15:50,680 Speaker 4: And again I believe we have some guys that can 341 00:15:50,720 --> 00:15:50,960 Speaker 4: do that. 342 00:15:51,800 --> 00:15:54,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, we're fired up about running with it with our 343 00:15:54,680 --> 00:15:59,520 Speaker 1: new running backs coach. You know him well, DeMarco Murray. Okay, 344 00:16:00,600 --> 00:16:04,760 Speaker 1: super impressive guy to Marco Murray, knew about him, didn't 345 00:16:04,800 --> 00:16:06,800 Speaker 1: really know him. He and I know a lot of 346 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:11,240 Speaker 1: same people. But that's an impressive cat. And to have 347 00:16:11,400 --> 00:16:14,680 Speaker 1: him with when you look at you know, having him 348 00:16:14,680 --> 00:16:17,680 Speaker 1: with Eric b Enemy who's got the running back background. 349 00:16:17,720 --> 00:16:20,480 Speaker 1: To Marco alluded to it, I just see great things 350 00:16:20,480 --> 00:16:22,280 Speaker 1: from the running backs in twenty twenty six. 351 00:16:22,880 --> 00:16:26,560 Speaker 2: Some people just have like an aura of leadership around them, 352 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:29,800 Speaker 2: Like when they speak, you listen and you want to 353 00:16:29,800 --> 00:16:31,320 Speaker 2: hear what they have to say, and you're going to 354 00:16:31,360 --> 00:16:34,200 Speaker 2: follow that person. In the ten minutes that we have 355 00:16:34,320 --> 00:16:36,840 Speaker 2: with the Marco Murray, I am fully on board. 356 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:37,120 Speaker 4: With that guy. 357 00:16:38,160 --> 00:16:41,320 Speaker 2: Firm handshake, looks you right in the eye, and I 358 00:16:41,520 --> 00:16:43,400 Speaker 2: believe that he is going to get this running back 359 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:47,080 Speaker 2: room going and as one of the best running back 360 00:16:47,120 --> 00:16:49,560 Speaker 2: rooms in the NFL next year because of what he 361 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:51,560 Speaker 2: can bring. I mean, when you have the talent that 362 00:16:51,600 --> 00:16:53,240 Speaker 2: we have in that room now, and you have a 363 00:16:53,320 --> 00:16:56,040 Speaker 2: leader like him who I think is going to get 364 00:16:56,040 --> 00:16:58,760 Speaker 2: the best out of every single member of a running 365 00:16:58,800 --> 00:17:02,400 Speaker 2: back room exciting. So yeah, I'm fired up. He comes 366 00:17:02,440 --> 00:17:06,040 Speaker 2: from a place in Oklahoma where there are some coaches 367 00:17:06,080 --> 00:17:08,479 Speaker 2: there that love football and they are intense and they 368 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:10,520 Speaker 2: are all football. He learned from them. He's going to 369 00:17:10,560 --> 00:17:11,320 Speaker 2: bring that here. 370 00:17:11,840 --> 00:17:17,639 Speaker 1: Yeah, and his career an intelligent, talented, humble, you know, 371 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:21,359 Speaker 1: physical presence. He's going to try to bring all that 372 00:17:21,440 --> 00:17:24,160 Speaker 1: too to the Kansas City Chiefs be fun to see 373 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:25,800 Speaker 1: what happens there. It's also going to be fun to 374 00:17:25,840 --> 00:17:29,959 Speaker 1: see what happens with an emerging sport, and it's girls 375 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:35,320 Speaker 1: flag football. We have seen it in the pro level, 376 00:17:36,200 --> 00:17:40,040 Speaker 1: we're looking at it for girls in advanced ages. Now 377 00:17:40,040 --> 00:17:44,360 Speaker 1: we're starting to see it really grow and mentioned exponentially 378 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:47,879 Speaker 1: with the high school age or middle school age girls. 379 00:17:47,960 --> 00:17:49,879 Speaker 1: And so coming up the month of April is very 380 00:17:49,880 --> 00:17:52,639 Speaker 1: important the state of Kansas because they will be voting 381 00:17:52,680 --> 00:17:57,720 Speaker 1: on sanctioning girls flag football as a varsity sport throughout 382 00:17:57,760 --> 00:18:02,840 Speaker 1: the Sunflower State. Exciting to see the growth of the sport, 383 00:18:02,960 --> 00:18:05,840 Speaker 1: but also what it could do in this region, not 384 00:18:05,960 --> 00:18:08,560 Speaker 1: just in Kansas, but let's say Kansas specifically in the 385 00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:09,479 Speaker 1: next thirty days. 386 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:12,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think it's so cool that if you think 387 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:15,800 Speaker 2: about football as a whole, the sport of football, its 388 00:18:15,840 --> 00:18:19,400 Speaker 2: growth over the last forty years, it goes from being 389 00:18:20,080 --> 00:18:23,360 Speaker 2: a sport on par with others, maybe looking up at baseball, 390 00:18:23,359 --> 00:18:27,480 Speaker 2: looking up at basketball, to being like America's game, right, 391 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:31,520 Speaker 2: and that's continuing to grow exponentially, and we're seeing it 392 00:18:31,560 --> 00:18:34,480 Speaker 2: now where everybody wants to play football and to have 393 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:39,080 Speaker 2: an opportunity for girls throughout our country that want to 394 00:18:39,080 --> 00:18:41,160 Speaker 2: play football to have a chance to go and play 395 00:18:41,160 --> 00:18:44,639 Speaker 2: it is really cool. And seventeen states have sanctioned this 396 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:48,280 Speaker 2: as a high school sport across the country. Kansas has 397 00:18:48,280 --> 00:18:50,520 Speaker 2: a chance to be the next one with his vote 398 00:18:50,520 --> 00:18:53,399 Speaker 2: coming up. And as we'll hear from Shila, it's a 399 00:18:53,440 --> 00:18:57,280 Speaker 2: really great opportunity for our region and for the thousands 400 00:18:57,320 --> 00:18:59,399 Speaker 2: of people that just want to play football to have 401 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:00,560 Speaker 2: an opportunity to do so. 402 00:19:01,119 --> 00:19:03,600 Speaker 1: And I'll say this, Kansas has a history of being 403 00:19:03,880 --> 00:19:09,040 Speaker 1: very proactive in referencing women's athletics. My wife played Division 404 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:12,600 Speaker 1: one sports in the state. Uh, and my daughter was 405 00:19:12,600 --> 00:19:15,639 Speaker 1: an athlete in this state. My granddaughter has played flag 406 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:19,560 Speaker 1: and it's great coach and so she had, you know, 407 00:19:19,600 --> 00:19:23,119 Speaker 1: their plays on the wristband with the laminated sheets, so 408 00:19:23,160 --> 00:19:26,000 Speaker 1: they're called they're calling the plays a number. And so 409 00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:28,760 Speaker 1: the fact that then when my granddaughter goes to a 410 00:19:28,840 --> 00:19:32,560 Speaker 1: Chiefs game and sees the same thing, uh, it's it's 411 00:19:32,640 --> 00:19:36,480 Speaker 1: just awesome because it is it is the ultimate kind 412 00:19:36,520 --> 00:19:40,360 Speaker 1: of teamwork game. There's no sport like football. In my opinion, 413 00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:43,359 Speaker 1: you have to work in concert. It's the same in flag. 414 00:19:43,760 --> 00:19:47,399 Speaker 1: It's not if not all of the other gals guys 415 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:49,920 Speaker 1: if they're playing it. If they don't do their job, 416 00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:52,000 Speaker 1: the play breaks down and they all have to look 417 00:19:52,040 --> 00:19:54,080 Speaker 1: at their play to go here's what I'm supposed to do. 418 00:19:54,440 --> 00:19:57,160 Speaker 1: That's why I think if girls, we know, girls flag 419 00:19:57,200 --> 00:20:01,159 Speaker 1: football is exploding. But why such a positive thing to 420 00:20:01,280 --> 00:20:05,359 Speaker 1: understand the unique and special nature of football in specific. 421 00:20:05,640 --> 00:20:07,480 Speaker 2: So when she's looking at her plays on our wrist, 422 00:20:07,560 --> 00:20:09,000 Speaker 2: are you just bursting with pride? 423 00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:09,479 Speaker 1: Pretty much? 424 00:20:09,560 --> 00:20:09,760 Speaker 4: Yeah? 425 00:20:09,800 --> 00:20:12,320 Speaker 2: Are you just combusting the thin air? That's got to 426 00:20:12,359 --> 00:20:14,200 Speaker 2: be so cool watching her love football? 427 00:20:14,359 --> 00:20:16,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's great and sorry, you know, and then see 428 00:20:16,680 --> 00:20:19,240 Speaker 1: your America play on the offense or defense. Yeah, she's 429 00:20:19,320 --> 00:20:22,760 Speaker 1: fun to watch. But I love the organization of it. 430 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:24,840 Speaker 1: I love the teamwork of it. I love the camaraderie 431 00:20:24,880 --> 00:20:27,360 Speaker 1: of it. And she has learned I have my job 432 00:20:27,440 --> 00:20:30,119 Speaker 1: to do, but it's only part of a job of 433 00:20:30,119 --> 00:20:33,000 Speaker 1: the other six girls playing flag at this point, and 434 00:20:33,119 --> 00:20:35,800 Speaker 1: it all kind of works together much like an orchestra. 435 00:20:36,560 --> 00:20:41,040 Speaker 1: So anyway, Sila Sikau is with us at the Kansas 436 00:20:41,040 --> 00:20:43,840 Speaker 1: City Chiefs and she is on point, leading the way 437 00:20:44,280 --> 00:20:47,560 Speaker 1: and trying to get girls flag football sanctioned in Kansas, Okay. 438 00:20:47,600 --> 00:20:50,480 Speaker 1: We continue with this episode of Defending the Kingdom, which 439 00:20:50,480 --> 00:20:53,879 Speaker 1: we're calling a run with It. We heard from DeMarco Murray, 440 00:20:54,520 --> 00:20:57,199 Speaker 1: the Chief's new running back coach, which most of you 441 00:20:57,320 --> 00:21:00,720 Speaker 1: remember as the great running back for the Dallas Cowboys 442 00:21:00,760 --> 00:21:03,320 Speaker 1: primarily but also at some time with the Eagles and Titans. 443 00:21:03,359 --> 00:21:06,800 Speaker 1: But now we continue with a run with it. Let 444 00:21:06,840 --> 00:21:09,959 Speaker 1: her play, so to speak. Something very exciting is happening 445 00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:12,359 Speaker 1: in my home state of Kansas, and that is the 446 00:21:12,359 --> 00:21:16,240 Speaker 1: potential for adding girls flag football as a sanchin high 447 00:21:16,280 --> 00:21:21,320 Speaker 1: school sport. And we're bringing in now Sheila Sikou, who's 448 00:21:21,359 --> 00:21:24,960 Speaker 1: been a longtime staple here with the Kansas City Chiefs 449 00:21:24,960 --> 00:21:30,880 Speaker 1: and the Chiefs Kingdom, who is leading this development as 450 00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:34,359 Speaker 1: Football Development Director director. What do we got. I'm going 451 00:21:34,400 --> 00:21:36,919 Speaker 1: to give you a promotion. We just give you so 452 00:21:37,320 --> 00:21:40,840 Speaker 1: it might as well be right, Yeah sure, the Colts 453 00:21:40,840 --> 00:21:44,439 Speaker 1: column commissioners so well, yeah no, you've worked so very 454 00:21:44,480 --> 00:21:47,240 Speaker 1: hard on this, but it's exciting to see. Let's start, 455 00:21:47,680 --> 00:21:52,719 Speaker 1: first of all, just the almost exponential growth of girls 456 00:21:52,760 --> 00:21:53,880 Speaker 1: and women's flag football. 457 00:21:54,359 --> 00:21:56,679 Speaker 5: It's insane. I don't think you can turn on the 458 00:21:56,720 --> 00:22:00,520 Speaker 5: TV without seeing commercial from the NFL, NFL Flag USA, 459 00:22:00,560 --> 00:22:04,359 Speaker 5: football come across your feed, especially with the NFL pushing 460 00:22:04,359 --> 00:22:06,919 Speaker 5: it in the recent change of Pro Bowl from it 461 00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:10,159 Speaker 5: as well. And then obviously the emphasis right now is 462 00:22:10,160 --> 00:22:12,920 Speaker 5: on girls and women getting the same opportunity to play 463 00:22:12,920 --> 00:22:15,840 Speaker 5: football that men have had growing up. 464 00:22:16,440 --> 00:22:19,720 Speaker 2: So some pretty amazing numbers here. So I think half 465 00:22:19,720 --> 00:22:22,840 Speaker 2: a million girls between the ages of six and seventeen 466 00:22:23,240 --> 00:22:25,879 Speaker 2: are participating in flag football across the country, which I 467 00:22:25,920 --> 00:22:29,080 Speaker 2: think is incredible. Participation is up one hundred and sixty 468 00:22:29,080 --> 00:22:32,639 Speaker 2: three percent in Kansas alone, and getting it sanctioned is 469 00:22:32,640 --> 00:22:34,560 Speaker 2: what we're talking about right now. But the Chiefs have 470 00:22:34,600 --> 00:22:36,600 Speaker 2: also done a lot of things behind the scenes right 471 00:22:36,680 --> 00:22:39,000 Speaker 2: over the last several years trying to create this growth. 472 00:22:39,119 --> 00:22:41,399 Speaker 5: Yes, before we kind of stepped in, it was what 473 00:22:41,480 --> 00:22:43,800 Speaker 5: everybody knows is powder puff that you would see here 474 00:22:43,880 --> 00:22:46,119 Speaker 5: and there at high school games for the juniors and 475 00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:49,440 Speaker 5: seniors to compete in. And so what kind of happened 476 00:22:49,480 --> 00:22:52,280 Speaker 5: back in twenty twenty twenty twenty one is the KCAC 477 00:22:52,440 --> 00:22:55,359 Speaker 5: and the NAI was an all rural flag football season. 478 00:22:55,920 --> 00:22:58,239 Speaker 5: I was down at Ottawa University helping out start up 479 00:22:58,240 --> 00:23:01,520 Speaker 5: that program, and we saw this missing puzzle piece that 480 00:23:01,600 --> 00:23:05,120 Speaker 5: we had youth girls flag programs and now collegian opportunities 481 00:23:05,119 --> 00:23:07,760 Speaker 5: and scholarships for these girls, but they weren't able to 482 00:23:07,760 --> 00:23:10,320 Speaker 5: play in high school. So at that moment was when 483 00:23:10,320 --> 00:23:12,280 Speaker 5: we kind of shifted the focus and saw what other 484 00:23:12,320 --> 00:23:15,440 Speaker 5: teams were doing across the country and promoting flag football. 485 00:23:15,800 --> 00:23:17,840 Speaker 5: And so my coordinator Abby Brown and I at the 486 00:23:17,880 --> 00:23:20,960 Speaker 5: time started going in and sitting with athletic directors and 487 00:23:21,160 --> 00:23:24,520 Speaker 5: principals district level and saying, this is what we can 488 00:23:24,560 --> 00:23:27,040 Speaker 5: do to bring flag football to your school and try 489 00:23:27,040 --> 00:23:28,720 Speaker 5: to making it as turnkey as possible. 490 00:23:29,520 --> 00:23:33,040 Speaker 1: It's interesting, Let's take the KCAC eleven teams now in 491 00:23:33,080 --> 00:23:37,639 Speaker 1: that league and so a leader because we're seeing some 492 00:23:37,680 --> 00:23:41,439 Speaker 1: Division one club teams and Vision two, but the KCAC 493 00:23:41,640 --> 00:23:43,359 Speaker 1: is almost the leader in the country. It's right here 494 00:23:43,359 --> 00:23:45,720 Speaker 1: in the epicenter of the Chief Kingdom. We have William 495 00:23:45,760 --> 00:23:49,240 Speaker 1: Woods in Fulton, Missouri. We've got Graceland at Lamona, Iowa. 496 00:23:49,320 --> 00:23:53,119 Speaker 1: We've got the Kansas Schools Southwestern and Kansas Westland, Heston Baker. 497 00:23:53,119 --> 00:23:56,320 Speaker 1: Don't leave anybody out here. You mentioned Ottawau, Saint Mary 498 00:23:56,359 --> 00:23:58,600 Speaker 1: and Levenworth. So it's right here in the Chief Kingdom. 499 00:23:58,960 --> 00:24:02,120 Speaker 1: So it's what about that and the fact that there's 500 00:24:02,280 --> 00:24:05,280 Speaker 1: some momentum at the collegiate level that with the Chief 501 00:24:05,359 --> 00:24:06,440 Speaker 1: Kingdom as the epicenter. 502 00:24:07,040 --> 00:24:10,000 Speaker 5: It's amazing but very unique positions. So when I was 503 00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:12,639 Speaker 5: with Ottawa starting up, we had to be recruiting girls 504 00:24:12,680 --> 00:24:15,040 Speaker 5: from outside of the state to come in that had 505 00:24:15,080 --> 00:24:17,160 Speaker 5: experienced So at that time, it was only three state 506 00:24:17,240 --> 00:24:20,919 Speaker 5: sanctioned Florida, Nevada, and ironically Alaska has been one of 507 00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:24,159 Speaker 5: the longest sanctioned sports. So we were having to go 508 00:24:24,280 --> 00:24:27,520 Speaker 5: outside to bring girls to Kansas instead of being able 509 00:24:27,520 --> 00:24:30,280 Speaker 5: to offer scholarships that girls have been playing flag football 510 00:24:30,280 --> 00:24:33,600 Speaker 5: in our backyards. So just shifting that narrative of we 511 00:24:33,680 --> 00:24:35,680 Speaker 5: have girls that want to play this in our backyard, 512 00:24:35,880 --> 00:24:37,879 Speaker 5: we have to give them the program to then be 513 00:24:37,960 --> 00:24:40,840 Speaker 5: able to fill these rosters in the colleges surrounding us. 514 00:24:41,359 --> 00:24:44,320 Speaker 2: And following up on that, why is sanctioning so important? 515 00:24:44,359 --> 00:24:46,600 Speaker 2: Why does that provide the resources to create what you're 516 00:24:46,600 --> 00:24:47,200 Speaker 2: talking about. 517 00:24:47,320 --> 00:24:51,119 Speaker 5: It's going from club level to varsity level, so the 518 00:24:51,160 --> 00:24:55,159 Speaker 5: validity recognition throughout it. It's a different saying that I 519 00:24:55,240 --> 00:24:58,000 Speaker 5: won my five a state champion at flag football to 520 00:24:58,240 --> 00:25:02,080 Speaker 5: I won the club against club football flag football, but 521 00:25:02,720 --> 00:25:05,520 Speaker 5: it gives it that validity, the same honor and empowerment 522 00:25:05,600 --> 00:25:08,000 Speaker 5: and confidence that I play for my varsity soccer team, 523 00:25:08,160 --> 00:25:10,399 Speaker 5: I play for my varsity basketball team for high school. 524 00:25:10,720 --> 00:25:14,040 Speaker 5: Imagine saying I play for varsity flag football, as well 525 00:25:14,040 --> 00:25:16,639 Speaker 5: as all the other benefits of the state recognizing it, 526 00:25:16,880 --> 00:25:21,439 Speaker 5: officials having to be certified with the state, funding with jerseys, 527 00:25:21,760 --> 00:25:24,359 Speaker 5: and then again the state championship recognition at the end 528 00:25:24,400 --> 00:25:24,879 Speaker 5: of the season. 529 00:25:25,080 --> 00:25:28,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, I don't want to leave Midland out here in Midland, Nebraska. 530 00:25:28,040 --> 00:25:28,600 Speaker 5: I know you are. 531 00:25:30,440 --> 00:25:32,480 Speaker 2: Trying to think looking at the ceiling at night, like 532 00:25:32,480 --> 00:25:33,320 Speaker 2: I forgot Midland. 533 00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:37,960 Speaker 1: Matt's probably Matt's favorite team. Katti College in Nevada, missouries them. 534 00:25:37,960 --> 00:25:42,000 Speaker 1: They're one of the Javada Invader and they're in the Cojah. Yeah. Yeah, 535 00:25:42,040 --> 00:25:45,040 Speaker 1: So it's awesome to see eleven team league right here 536 00:25:45,040 --> 00:25:49,240 Speaker 1: in our backyard. Collegiately in Kansas and growing up in 537 00:25:49,240 --> 00:25:51,880 Speaker 1: the state, I've seen them be a pioneer in women's athletics. 538 00:25:51,920 --> 00:25:55,960 Speaker 1: They've just added in twenty twenty girls wrestling and it's exploded. 539 00:25:56,600 --> 00:25:56,840 Speaker 2: Uh. 540 00:25:56,880 --> 00:25:59,320 Speaker 1: And then I was looking at the Olympians down through 541 00:25:59,320 --> 00:26:04,040 Speaker 1: the years from Kansas high schools who became Olympic golden 542 00:26:04,080 --> 00:26:07,040 Speaker 1: medalists and medal winners. So how is this the next 543 00:26:07,080 --> 00:26:10,320 Speaker 1: step maybe for Kansas to add this sport and have 544 00:26:10,440 --> 00:26:11,080 Speaker 1: it sanctioned. 545 00:26:11,359 --> 00:26:14,120 Speaker 5: It's absolutely the next step exactly what you just said 546 00:26:14,200 --> 00:26:16,560 Speaker 5: with the Olympics coming up. In flag football being a 547 00:26:16,560 --> 00:26:20,359 Speaker 5: twenty twenty eight sport. How amazing would his story be 548 00:26:20,880 --> 00:26:22,960 Speaker 5: if a girl started in our Chiefs Flight Football League, 549 00:26:23,160 --> 00:26:24,879 Speaker 5: played at her high school that we helped get off 550 00:26:24,920 --> 00:26:28,760 Speaker 5: the ground, got a scholarship to otto our Midland or 551 00:26:28,960 --> 00:26:32,600 Speaker 5: in Kansas. Wesley and Kattie and we've all kind of 552 00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:34,600 Speaker 5: seen the news of the NFL Pro League coming out, 553 00:26:34,640 --> 00:26:37,280 Speaker 5: so either going that route or then having the opportunity 554 00:26:37,560 --> 00:26:41,280 Speaker 5: to represent Kansas in the Olympics. So really just trying 555 00:26:41,320 --> 00:26:44,200 Speaker 5: to create that whole pathway for a female athlete in 556 00:26:44,280 --> 00:26:47,760 Speaker 5: Kansas to follow whatever dream she has in playing football. 557 00:26:47,960 --> 00:26:49,879 Speaker 2: So the vote is on April twenty third. It's not 558 00:26:49,920 --> 00:26:51,800 Speaker 2: a public vote. Tell us about how it works and 559 00:26:51,800 --> 00:26:53,560 Speaker 2: how people can still get involved that they want to. 560 00:26:53,760 --> 00:26:56,520 Speaker 5: Absolutely, so it is not a public vote. It'll be 561 00:26:56,640 --> 00:27:01,520 Speaker 5: seventy plus board members from the Kasia Athletic Association voting 562 00:27:01,560 --> 00:27:04,679 Speaker 5: on it. But what you can do is let your 563 00:27:04,760 --> 00:27:06,679 Speaker 5: voice be heard in support in a way that we 564 00:27:06,680 --> 00:27:09,120 Speaker 5: can bring numbers to the board by signing our position 565 00:27:09,320 --> 00:27:13,159 Speaker 5: that just dropped this morning on chiefs dot com backsplash 566 00:27:13,240 --> 00:27:15,800 Speaker 5: let her play. So we'll be compiling those numbers and 567 00:27:15,800 --> 00:27:17,639 Speaker 5: then taking them to the state board to say this 568 00:27:17,680 --> 00:27:20,800 Speaker 5: is how many people in Kansas want to see flight 569 00:27:20,800 --> 00:27:22,080 Speaker 5: football as a varsity sport. 570 00:27:22,560 --> 00:27:23,320 Speaker 2: So you can do that. 571 00:27:23,480 --> 00:27:26,240 Speaker 5: Also just talking about it, because you don't know whose 572 00:27:26,359 --> 00:27:29,000 Speaker 5: daughter doesn't know that this is available. So if I 573 00:27:29,119 --> 00:27:30,840 Speaker 5: talked to Mitch about it and then he goes talks 574 00:27:30,880 --> 00:27:33,040 Speaker 5: to his friend who has a daughter that's been wanting 575 00:27:33,080 --> 00:27:36,080 Speaker 5: to play, and just that ripple effect of conversation and 576 00:27:36,200 --> 00:27:38,520 Speaker 5: just keep it alive and growing in Kansas. 577 00:27:38,880 --> 00:27:42,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, my granddaughter's already played it, playing it no surprise, 578 00:27:42,720 --> 00:27:44,920 Speaker 1: but you know, I kept my wife was we got 579 00:27:44,960 --> 00:27:47,960 Speaker 1: to get a Division one athlete and early in the 580 00:27:48,040 --> 00:27:51,080 Speaker 1: days of case state. But I'm fascinated with the state 581 00:27:51,119 --> 00:27:53,560 Speaker 1: of Kansas. I love it, every part of it. Missouri's 582 00:27:53,560 --> 00:27:57,960 Speaker 1: same and it's already sanctioned, or at least they're considering 583 00:27:58,000 --> 00:28:01,280 Speaker 1: sanctioning in neighboring states. I'm glad you brought that up. 584 00:28:02,200 --> 00:28:04,680 Speaker 5: Missouri is the closest one, so we actually have more 585 00:28:04,720 --> 00:28:07,960 Speaker 5: schools that we are. They started a year before Kansas, 586 00:28:08,119 --> 00:28:10,720 Speaker 5: so we'remez at fifty five schools over there this spring, 587 00:28:10,880 --> 00:28:13,720 Speaker 5: having a season that we've been supporting since twenty twenty 588 00:28:13,760 --> 00:28:17,280 Speaker 5: one twenty twenty two. They are at emerging sports status, 589 00:28:17,280 --> 00:28:20,080 Speaker 5: so they have a different sanctioning process, so they also 590 00:28:20,080 --> 00:28:22,520 Speaker 5: have a timeline to it, where Kansas we just kind 591 00:28:22,520 --> 00:28:25,119 Speaker 5: of had to hit a certain number of schools, So 592 00:28:25,240 --> 00:28:28,320 Speaker 5: Missouri is well on the way to sanctioning status, and 593 00:28:28,359 --> 00:28:33,720 Speaker 5: then once Kansas hopefully votes yes, will be kind of 594 00:28:33,760 --> 00:28:36,520 Speaker 5: bumping up to Nebraska and starting up school programs up 595 00:28:36,560 --> 00:28:36,920 Speaker 5: there too. 596 00:28:37,200 --> 00:28:40,520 Speaker 2: Cool. You're obviously very passionate about this. Where's that passion 597 00:28:40,560 --> 00:28:40,960 Speaker 2: come from? 598 00:28:41,000 --> 00:28:41,200 Speaker 1: For this? 599 00:28:42,320 --> 00:28:45,400 Speaker 5: Literally living my childhood dream that I didn't even think 600 00:28:45,800 --> 00:28:47,880 Speaker 5: that I could be doing this, but from the little 601 00:28:47,880 --> 00:28:50,040 Speaker 5: girl that would ride her bike up to elementary school 602 00:28:50,040 --> 00:28:51,720 Speaker 5: to play football with all the boys and get told no. 603 00:28:52,600 --> 00:28:54,479 Speaker 5: Go into middle school and wanting to play football and 604 00:28:54,520 --> 00:28:57,080 Speaker 5: say no, you can go play soccer. I joke that 605 00:28:57,080 --> 00:29:01,480 Speaker 5: I hold very long grudges. Blessed to have the opportunity 606 00:29:02,080 --> 00:29:03,720 Speaker 5: to change that pathway in future for. 607 00:29:03,680 --> 00:29:08,840 Speaker 1: Girls participation because one of the discussions would be, gosh, 608 00:29:08,840 --> 00:29:11,160 Speaker 1: we already have a lot of women's sports now that 609 00:29:11,280 --> 00:29:14,440 Speaker 1: and the consolidation perhaps a smaller schools. We already see 610 00:29:14,480 --> 00:29:17,280 Speaker 1: it in Kansas, we see it in some of the 611 00:29:17,280 --> 00:29:20,800 Speaker 1: lower level of guys football, and Matt knows I love 612 00:29:20,840 --> 00:29:23,480 Speaker 1: it from six eight to six man and through the 613 00:29:23,520 --> 00:29:26,720 Speaker 1: whole state. But what about the potential of schools perhaps 614 00:29:26,840 --> 00:29:31,680 Speaker 1: consolidating or even weekend jam Berez where there's several schools 615 00:29:31,680 --> 00:29:34,240 Speaker 1: that get together in Hayz or Salina or Garden City 616 00:29:34,600 --> 00:29:35,960 Speaker 1: and basically have a tournament. 617 00:29:36,160 --> 00:29:37,640 Speaker 5: I love it, and you and I have talked about 618 00:29:37,640 --> 00:29:42,080 Speaker 5: this before. In Kansas was creative and fully supporting of 619 00:29:42,160 --> 00:29:45,040 Speaker 5: eight man six man. You can be creative and supportant 620 00:29:45,040 --> 00:29:47,000 Speaker 5: of like football in different ways as well of bringing 621 00:29:47,040 --> 00:29:49,400 Speaker 5: the smaller schools together to create a team. But I 622 00:29:49,440 --> 00:29:51,120 Speaker 5: think a lot of these schools would also be surprised 623 00:29:51,120 --> 00:29:53,040 Speaker 5: about the numbers that come out. I was just talking 624 00:29:53,040 --> 00:29:56,080 Speaker 5: to a coach in Missouri. The whole school has four 625 00:29:56,160 --> 00:29:58,880 Speaker 5: hundred and twenty five kids, two hundred and fifty girls. 626 00:29:59,320 --> 00:30:00,960 Speaker 5: Fifty two girls came out to try out for the 627 00:30:01,000 --> 00:30:03,400 Speaker 5: flag football team. Wow, So it was almost twenty five 628 00:30:03,440 --> 00:30:07,200 Speaker 5: percent of the female population wanting try flag. But coming 629 00:30:07,200 --> 00:30:10,480 Speaker 5: together in schools, we can problem solve in jamboree flag football. 630 00:30:10,920 --> 00:30:13,719 Speaker 5: There's a lot of misconceptions about it, and you automatically 631 00:30:13,760 --> 00:30:16,920 Speaker 5: think the commitment of a tackle football program, but it's 632 00:30:16,960 --> 00:30:20,920 Speaker 5: not at shorter games, smaller field, less girls on the 633 00:30:21,000 --> 00:30:24,000 Speaker 5: roster in itself, and less equipment. So what we've been 634 00:30:24,000 --> 00:30:27,000 Speaker 5: doing is jamboree style. So one team host and then 635 00:30:27,080 --> 00:30:29,120 Speaker 5: four other schools come in and you kind of do 636 00:30:29,160 --> 00:30:32,240 Speaker 5: two three games on one day to get that schedule in. 637 00:30:32,680 --> 00:30:34,840 Speaker 1: But how exciting is that? It's like a festival. 638 00:30:35,080 --> 00:30:37,040 Speaker 5: It is, and the vibes are always so high, and 639 00:30:37,120 --> 00:30:40,640 Speaker 5: these girls, the rivalries are starting, and especially the Kansas 640 00:30:40,680 --> 00:30:43,680 Speaker 5: City public schools going against each other. It's amazing to 641 00:30:43,680 --> 00:30:44,959 Speaker 5: see when you can come out and watch it. 642 00:30:45,560 --> 00:30:47,760 Speaker 2: So, looking back to when you first got involved with 643 00:30:47,840 --> 00:30:50,640 Speaker 2: this whole project years ago, how have you seen the 644 00:30:50,680 --> 00:30:53,080 Speaker 2: excitement and the hunger for this change over. 645 00:30:52,920 --> 00:30:56,960 Speaker 5: The years immensely. I mean, the numbers prove for themselves 646 00:30:57,040 --> 00:30:59,600 Speaker 5: one hundred and sixty three percent growth in Kansas and 647 00:30:59,680 --> 00:31:02,680 Speaker 5: one year and then it's just the numbers that keep 648 00:31:02,720 --> 00:31:04,720 Speaker 5: coming out. Like I knew if we built it, the 649 00:31:04,760 --> 00:31:07,120 Speaker 5: girls would come. It's just getting the other people to 650 00:31:07,120 --> 00:31:08,880 Speaker 5: see it and believe it. And we see it all 651 00:31:08,920 --> 00:31:11,160 Speaker 5: the time with athletic directors that they're like, I don't 652 00:31:11,160 --> 00:31:13,680 Speaker 5: think we have girls that are interested, and then sixty 653 00:31:13,680 --> 00:31:18,480 Speaker 5: girls are our tryouts. So it's the excitement, but also 654 00:31:18,560 --> 00:31:22,040 Speaker 5: having people finally saying yes to building it and allowing 655 00:31:22,080 --> 00:31:23,040 Speaker 5: it to get to that level. 656 00:31:24,080 --> 00:31:27,240 Speaker 1: So the kcac's playing it in the spring now, yes, right, 657 00:31:27,320 --> 00:31:29,400 Speaker 1: And I don't leave any school Baker, did I say? Baker? 658 00:31:29,400 --> 00:31:32,120 Speaker 1: I hope I mentioned Bethel. The Threshers they're in there 659 00:31:32,160 --> 00:31:34,360 Speaker 1: as well. So you folks from North Newton don't have 660 00:31:34,440 --> 00:31:37,280 Speaker 1: to hit me up on social media. I'm trying to 661 00:31:37,280 --> 00:31:39,200 Speaker 1: get them all here. They'd let you know, my kids 662 00:31:39,200 --> 00:31:45,200 Speaker 1: graduated from Southwestern they were athletes. So, but the to 663 00:31:45,280 --> 00:31:48,800 Speaker 1: go fall or spring, that has to be and at 664 00:31:48,800 --> 00:31:51,440 Speaker 1: some point maybe you do both. But the fact that 665 00:31:51,600 --> 00:31:55,240 Speaker 1: have in Kansas, what about there and the decision to 666 00:31:55,360 --> 00:31:56,320 Speaker 1: go one way or the other. 667 00:31:56,640 --> 00:31:58,800 Speaker 5: So it's on the ballot for this upcoming meeting to 668 00:31:58,840 --> 00:32:02,040 Speaker 5: be a fall sport. So the conversations behind that were 669 00:32:02,120 --> 00:32:05,280 Speaker 5: the other sports available for female athletes at that same 670 00:32:05,360 --> 00:32:08,840 Speaker 5: time in competition of pulling athletes away, which is a 671 00:32:08,840 --> 00:32:12,920 Speaker 5: big conversation. Missouri actually goes in the spring, and across 672 00:32:12,920 --> 00:32:16,080 Speaker 5: the country is kind of split both ways. Nevada, i think, 673 00:32:16,160 --> 00:32:17,640 Speaker 5: is the only state that does it over the winter 674 00:32:17,720 --> 00:32:21,840 Speaker 5: because they're blessed with great, great weather there. But as 675 00:32:21,840 --> 00:32:24,360 Speaker 5: far as pulling athletes away and starting a new sport, 676 00:32:24,480 --> 00:32:27,160 Speaker 5: my response to that is, yes, you could lose one 677 00:32:27,240 --> 00:32:29,800 Speaker 5: volleyball player that decides to play flag football, but then 678 00:32:29,840 --> 00:32:32,360 Speaker 5: you just opened up a spot for that volleyball player 679 00:32:32,360 --> 00:32:34,960 Speaker 5: that got cut and couldn't make the team. So it's 680 00:32:34,960 --> 00:32:38,320 Speaker 5: not pulling athletes away, it's just creating opportunities across the board. 681 00:32:38,360 --> 00:32:40,760 Speaker 5: And fifty percent of girls that we've seen have never 682 00:32:40,800 --> 00:32:43,480 Speaker 5: been on another sports team that are coming out to 683 00:32:43,480 --> 00:32:46,320 Speaker 5: play flag football. So it's really interesting and just trying 684 00:32:46,320 --> 00:32:48,720 Speaker 5: to change the narrative that people say if you start 685 00:32:48,760 --> 00:32:50,920 Speaker 5: something that you're going to lose something instead of just 686 00:32:50,960 --> 00:32:51,760 Speaker 5: building on it. 687 00:32:52,680 --> 00:32:55,200 Speaker 2: Now, we talked about how seventeen states have sanctioned this 688 00:32:55,240 --> 00:32:57,920 Speaker 2: already across the country. For some of the ones that 689 00:32:57,920 --> 00:33:00,840 Speaker 2: were really early into this, have you learned lessons from 690 00:33:01,120 --> 00:33:02,960 Speaker 2: things that went well didn't go well for them? 691 00:33:03,160 --> 00:33:03,360 Speaker 1: Yeah? 692 00:33:03,360 --> 00:33:06,200 Speaker 5: What I love about my position is once a year 693 00:33:06,200 --> 00:33:08,960 Speaker 5: we have league meetings of all of the football development 694 00:33:09,160 --> 00:33:12,080 Speaker 5: come together and kind of share best practices, and through 695 00:33:12,120 --> 00:33:15,080 Speaker 5: that we've kind of built relationships and friendships. So I 696 00:33:15,120 --> 00:33:17,440 Speaker 5: can always just text somebody. I have a very good 697 00:33:17,440 --> 00:33:19,960 Speaker 5: friend at the Browns who just got sanctioned of Hey, 698 00:33:20,000 --> 00:33:21,320 Speaker 5: what were your best practices here? 699 00:33:21,440 --> 00:33:22,000 Speaker 2: What works? 700 00:33:22,040 --> 00:33:24,120 Speaker 5: How did you handle this? And so we have that 701 00:33:24,200 --> 00:33:26,920 Speaker 5: open line of communication because it is a solid front 702 00:33:27,000 --> 00:33:29,959 Speaker 5: at the NFL of getting all fifty states sanctioned. So 703 00:33:30,000 --> 00:33:33,080 Speaker 5: it's not like a competition, although we're all competitive of 704 00:33:33,080 --> 00:33:36,360 Speaker 5: who's going to get sanctioned next, but all working together 705 00:33:36,800 --> 00:33:38,000 Speaker 5: to get the fifty for fifty. 706 00:33:38,840 --> 00:33:42,680 Speaker 1: Final question, Sheila, and it's I'm going to play the 707 00:33:42,720 --> 00:33:45,520 Speaker 1: role of administrator here or athletic grity. I got to 708 00:33:45,520 --> 00:33:48,880 Speaker 1: find coaches, I got to find facilities scheduling what he said, 709 00:33:48,880 --> 00:33:51,240 Speaker 1: the jambree could be a key part of that, although 710 00:33:51,280 --> 00:33:54,760 Speaker 1: not all of it. But now all of a sudden, 711 00:33:54,800 --> 00:33:59,120 Speaker 1: I've got all these logistical challenges. What about you helping 712 00:34:00,480 --> 00:34:03,680 Speaker 1: kind of inboard these for schools if it's passed in Kansas. 713 00:34:03,800 --> 00:34:05,880 Speaker 5: Absolutely, So there's a few different lanes there that you 714 00:34:05,920 --> 00:34:09,920 Speaker 5: brought up first one is be creative with the spaces 715 00:34:09,920 --> 00:34:11,839 Speaker 5: that you do have available. A lot of these girls 716 00:34:11,920 --> 00:34:15,120 Speaker 5: it's their first time playing flag football. You don't have 717 00:34:15,200 --> 00:34:18,240 Speaker 5: to have access to your football field to learn football, 718 00:34:19,080 --> 00:34:21,239 Speaker 5: and you're not tackling to the ground. You can go 719 00:34:21,360 --> 00:34:24,360 Speaker 5: into the gym if it's opened and run routes, do 720 00:34:24,520 --> 00:34:27,880 Speaker 5: walking flag pole drills like learning the basics of football, 721 00:34:27,920 --> 00:34:31,520 Speaker 5: or even a classroom session and doing basic IQ. So 722 00:34:31,600 --> 00:34:34,000 Speaker 5: getting it off the ground, I think a lot of 723 00:34:34,040 --> 00:34:36,560 Speaker 5: people think up here, but you can really start down 724 00:34:36,640 --> 00:34:40,160 Speaker 5: here and just build it a solid foundation before hosting 725 00:34:40,200 --> 00:34:44,200 Speaker 5: the Friday night jamboree lights of flag football. So I 726 00:34:44,200 --> 00:34:46,160 Speaker 5: think you can get creative with the field space with 727 00:34:46,239 --> 00:34:49,239 Speaker 5: flag football. And then as far as equipment and resources, 728 00:34:49,719 --> 00:34:52,240 Speaker 5: our job is to connect the schools with those outside 729 00:34:52,360 --> 00:34:56,279 Speaker 5: organizations of USA Football provide equipment kits for all the 730 00:34:56,280 --> 00:35:00,760 Speaker 5: schools to get started. Nike has been providing jerseys for grants. 731 00:35:00,840 --> 00:35:04,239 Speaker 5: We do coaches classes with twice a year for all 732 00:35:04,239 --> 00:35:06,080 Speaker 5: of them to come through. And then we also have 733 00:35:06,120 --> 00:35:08,720 Speaker 5: a great network with the colleges that have flag football. 734 00:35:08,920 --> 00:35:11,080 Speaker 5: Of these girls that are graduating now that want to 735 00:35:11,160 --> 00:35:14,759 Speaker 5: get into coaching and participate. I have two or three 736 00:35:14,840 --> 00:35:16,719 Speaker 5: that I see on the side of the sidelines. This 737 00:35:16,840 --> 00:35:21,360 Speaker 5: last fall that played at Ottawa played at Kansas Wesleyan. 738 00:35:21,600 --> 00:35:24,759 Speaker 5: It's the cycle is starting saying that we see in 739 00:35:24,760 --> 00:35:26,360 Speaker 5: tackle football if you go to college and then you 740 00:35:26,400 --> 00:35:29,680 Speaker 5: come back and coach. And as you mentioned casey AC, 741 00:35:30,280 --> 00:35:32,759 Speaker 5: we are the hot spot for that. So they're there. 742 00:35:32,840 --> 00:35:35,240 Speaker 5: We just got to find them and create the positions 743 00:35:35,239 --> 00:35:36,040 Speaker 5: for them to coach it. 744 00:35:36,360 --> 00:35:39,840 Speaker 1: Yeah. Well, it's exciting and Kansas has been a pioneer 745 00:35:40,200 --> 00:35:43,520 Speaker 1: in many ways in women's athletics at the high school level. 746 00:35:43,600 --> 00:35:46,439 Speaker 1: So this is just another big chapter. So go get them. 747 00:35:46,600 --> 00:35:47,440 Speaker 2: Thank you, let's do this. 748 00:35:47,560 --> 00:35:52,160 Speaker 1: We're looking forwards to the vote on April the twenty third, 749 00:35:52,160 --> 00:35:55,600 Speaker 1: and let's hope Kansas can sanction girls flag football as 750 00:35:55,640 --> 00:35:58,960 Speaker 1: their next big step in moving forward. Here's what I 751 00:35:59,080 --> 00:36:01,840 Speaker 1: like about what the chiefs are doing here and the 752 00:36:01,880 --> 00:36:05,680 Speaker 1: fact that they're offering support. So many things get mandated 753 00:36:05,680 --> 00:36:07,200 Speaker 1: on a school. I'm going to be a little bit 754 00:36:07,239 --> 00:36:11,880 Speaker 1: sensitive here and kind of represent the administrators and coaches 755 00:36:12,320 --> 00:36:17,040 Speaker 1: and athletic directors in these schools because they've got to 756 00:36:17,040 --> 00:36:20,520 Speaker 1: deal with budgets and officials and scheduling and facilities and 757 00:36:20,560 --> 00:36:23,640 Speaker 1: it's just it's a tough job. The Chiefs are not 758 00:36:23,680 --> 00:36:26,000 Speaker 1: only saying we want you to have flag football in 759 00:36:26,120 --> 00:36:31,640 Speaker 1: Smith Center or Liberal or Blue Valley North or El Dorado. 760 00:36:32,320 --> 00:36:35,760 Speaker 1: We're going to help facilitate and make this, help this happen. 761 00:36:36,080 --> 00:36:37,920 Speaker 1: And that is they're only just coming saying, hey, this 762 00:36:37,960 --> 00:36:40,000 Speaker 1: is a great idea, you need to do it. They're saying, 763 00:36:40,040 --> 00:36:43,120 Speaker 1: here's a way we can help you get this sport implemented. 764 00:36:43,440 --> 00:36:46,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's cool when you see something like the Chiefs, 765 00:36:46,160 --> 00:36:50,799 Speaker 2: which is a cultural institution. It's part of the framework 766 00:36:51,040 --> 00:36:54,120 Speaker 2: of our region. And for the team to use that 767 00:36:54,239 --> 00:36:57,399 Speaker 2: platform to make our region a better place to live, 768 00:36:57,760 --> 00:36:59,560 Speaker 2: I think is pretty cool. And that's what this is 769 00:36:59,600 --> 00:37:03,359 Speaker 2: all about. It's all about giving girls throughout the state 770 00:37:03,400 --> 00:37:05,879 Speaker 2: of Kansas, throughout the region because other states are trying 771 00:37:05,920 --> 00:37:07,840 Speaker 2: to sanciit. I believe Missouri is trying to sanction it 772 00:37:07,880 --> 00:37:12,400 Speaker 2: as well, giving them the opportunity to provide chances to 773 00:37:13,040 --> 00:37:15,239 Speaker 2: young girls and young women that would never have these 774 00:37:15,320 --> 00:37:19,120 Speaker 2: chances otherwise. And like Sheila was talking about, if you 775 00:37:19,200 --> 00:37:22,160 Speaker 2: are in high school and have the opportunity to play flag, well, 776 00:37:22,160 --> 00:37:24,560 Speaker 2: that might open up a whole new world to you. 777 00:37:24,600 --> 00:37:26,759 Speaker 2: Where now you can play in college, you can do 778 00:37:26,840 --> 00:37:28,480 Speaker 2: something that you never thought you'd be able to do 779 00:37:28,560 --> 00:37:30,879 Speaker 2: if it wasn't sanctioned at the high school level. Maybe 780 00:37:30,920 --> 00:37:33,960 Speaker 2: you can plan the Olympics one day, who knows. So 781 00:37:34,480 --> 00:37:37,399 Speaker 2: I just think it's very cool that the Chiefs can 782 00:37:37,560 --> 00:37:40,480 Speaker 2: use this platform to make our region a better place 783 00:37:40,480 --> 00:37:43,560 Speaker 2: and then improve the lives of potentially, I mean hundreds 784 00:37:43,600 --> 00:37:45,520 Speaker 2: of thousands of girls throughout this area. 785 00:37:46,160 --> 00:37:48,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's exciting, and we'll see what happens in the 786 00:37:48,040 --> 00:37:51,560 Speaker 1: state of Kansas in the month of April. Well. Also 787 00:37:52,239 --> 00:37:55,000 Speaker 1: look with anticipation as we attack April with so many 788 00:37:55,040 --> 00:37:58,040 Speaker 1: things going on, start a virtual lotas and of course 789 00:37:58,080 --> 00:38:02,239 Speaker 1: the draft, and we're just getting ready to run with it.