1 00:00:09,562 --> 00:00:10,202 Speaker 1: Originals. 2 00:00:10,322 --> 00:00:15,842 Speaker 2: This is an iHeart original. 3 00:00:19,842 --> 00:00:24,202 Speaker 3: It's twenty twelve and players at Culver Stockton College in Canton, 4 00:00:24,242 --> 00:00:29,002 Speaker 3: Missouri are gearing up for football practice. Canton is a 5 00:00:29,042 --> 00:00:32,762 Speaker 3: college town, but not a big one. Nestled near the 6 00:00:32,762 --> 00:00:37,562 Speaker 3: Mississippi River, the population is less than three thousand. Their 7 00:00:37,682 --> 00:00:42,922 Speaker 3: source of athletic pride is the Culver Stockton Wildcats, but 8 00:00:43,042 --> 00:00:46,722 Speaker 3: times have been tough. During the previous season, they went 9 00:00:47,042 --> 00:00:51,162 Speaker 3: just one and ten. It wasn't so much sport as 10 00:00:51,402 --> 00:00:55,722 Speaker 3: human sacrifice. But there's a sense their fortunes can be 11 00:00:55,842 --> 00:01:00,882 Speaker 3: turned around, maybe with some new blood. At practice, a 12 00:01:00,922 --> 00:01:05,762 Speaker 3: freshman named Mike Davis looks around and spots an older man, 13 00:01:06,242 --> 00:01:10,682 Speaker 3: a very very big man six foot five and two 14 00:01:10,762 --> 00:01:15,242 Speaker 3: hundred and ninety five pounds, And Mike starts to wonder 15 00:01:15,282 --> 00:01:18,362 Speaker 3: if maybe this giant has a son who's going to 16 00:01:18,402 --> 00:01:21,402 Speaker 3: be playing here, hopefully a kid who has the same 17 00:01:21,562 --> 00:01:23,122 Speaker 3: oversized proportions. 18 00:01:23,922 --> 00:01:26,282 Speaker 2: And I'm looking around the wave room, you know, just like, 19 00:01:26,442 --> 00:01:28,362 Speaker 2: who's this guy's got a kid here? 20 00:01:28,442 --> 00:01:31,122 Speaker 1: Like, who's kid is this guy's. 21 00:01:31,162 --> 00:01:34,482 Speaker 3: Mike's head coach looks at the guy, then back. 22 00:01:34,282 --> 00:01:36,802 Speaker 4: At Mike, and he goes, oh, no, that's that's Andy 23 00:01:36,842 --> 00:01:40,282 Speaker 4: he's actually gonna be playing for us, And at that 24 00:01:40,442 --> 00:01:42,882 Speaker 4: point my mind blew a little bit and I was like, well, 25 00:01:43,402 --> 00:01:44,642 Speaker 4: that's that's a grown man. 26 00:01:44,762 --> 00:01:47,442 Speaker 1: I was like, you know, I asked him, like, how 27 00:01:47,442 --> 00:01:48,922 Speaker 1: old is he goes he's thirty eight. 28 00:01:49,842 --> 00:01:54,082 Speaker 3: Thirty eight is older than the coach, older than the trainers, 29 00:01:54,562 --> 00:01:59,722 Speaker 3: older than almost everyone in and around the team. That's 30 00:01:59,762 --> 00:02:04,162 Speaker 3: how Mike and every other player learns about Andy Staton. 31 00:02:04,802 --> 00:02:09,282 Speaker 3: Andy is the newest nostown for the Wildcats and a 32 00:02:09,322 --> 00:02:12,522 Speaker 3: man who's about to get a second lease on life 33 00:02:12,962 --> 00:02:16,322 Speaker 3: by returning to a game he walked away from almost 34 00:02:16,482 --> 00:02:20,882 Speaker 3: twenty years prior. It's an opportunity to provide a better 35 00:02:20,962 --> 00:02:25,242 Speaker 3: life for himself and his kids and close a chapter 36 00:02:25,362 --> 00:02:29,282 Speaker 3: on a story he never quite finished. But as a 37 00:02:29,402 --> 00:02:33,362 Speaker 3: midlife crisis goes, this one is going. 38 00:02:33,082 --> 00:02:34,802 Speaker 5: To hurt a lot. 39 00:02:36,682 --> 00:02:42,402 Speaker 3: This is very special episodes and iHeart original podcast. I'm 40 00:02:42,442 --> 00:02:52,402 Speaker 3: your host, Danash Schwartz and this is Old Man on Campus. 41 00:02:52,642 --> 00:02:53,642 Speaker 6: Welcome everybody. 42 00:02:54,202 --> 00:02:56,562 Speaker 7: This is a little different episode this week because we 43 00:02:56,602 --> 00:02:58,922 Speaker 7: are in the same room. The three of us have 44 00:02:59,002 --> 00:03:01,762 Speaker 7: never been in the same time zone before, and now 45 00:03:01,762 --> 00:03:02,842 Speaker 7: we're sitting. 46 00:03:02,802 --> 00:03:04,802 Speaker 6: For breathing the same air. Breathing the same. 47 00:03:04,642 --> 00:03:06,882 Speaker 7: Air, and it's the air at the Super Bowl. 48 00:03:07,282 --> 00:03:09,482 Speaker 8: I know everyone I told that I was going to 49 00:03:09,562 --> 00:03:12,242 Speaker 8: Vegas this week looked at me like like I told 50 00:03:12,282 --> 00:03:14,322 Speaker 8: them I was going to Mars. Because I am the 51 00:03:14,402 --> 00:03:18,002 Speaker 8: least likely person to be involved with anything related to sports. 52 00:03:18,682 --> 00:03:20,162 Speaker 6: So you're not a football fan, Dana. 53 00:03:20,802 --> 00:03:23,802 Speaker 8: No, I'm a fan of getting together with a group 54 00:03:23,802 --> 00:03:26,682 Speaker 8: of friends, and I loved ones and eating snacks. Yes, 55 00:03:26,922 --> 00:03:29,042 Speaker 8: I'm like, I like a communal activity, like I like 56 00:03:29,082 --> 00:03:30,882 Speaker 8: the idea of watching football together. 57 00:03:31,482 --> 00:03:32,482 Speaker 5: I don't. 58 00:03:32,602 --> 00:03:35,882 Speaker 8: I don't really care about sports in general. But I'm 59 00:03:35,922 --> 00:03:38,322 Speaker 8: not like one of those infuriating like sports ball people like. 60 00:03:38,362 --> 00:03:41,442 Speaker 8: I get why people like it, it's just not I'm 61 00:03:41,842 --> 00:03:44,202 Speaker 8: so focused usually on history that I don't have room 62 00:03:44,242 --> 00:03:45,922 Speaker 8: in my brain for football rules. 63 00:03:45,802 --> 00:03:49,042 Speaker 6: Makes perfect stense? How is the Taylor Swift and Travis 64 00:03:49,122 --> 00:03:49,962 Speaker 6: Kelcey made it to you? 65 00:03:51,162 --> 00:03:53,922 Speaker 5: That is actually my only interest in football now? 66 00:03:54,162 --> 00:03:57,242 Speaker 8: And I have asked my husband when Travis Kelsey plays 67 00:03:57,722 --> 00:03:59,762 Speaker 8: because I like to see if she's there, I like 68 00:03:59,802 --> 00:04:02,202 Speaker 8: to see what she's wearing. Look, I'm a thirty one 69 00:04:02,282 --> 00:04:05,122 Speaker 8: year old white woman. Is this That is my super Bowl? 70 00:04:07,042 --> 00:04:07,962 Speaker 6: For you guys? Thank you? 71 00:04:08,362 --> 00:04:12,282 Speaker 7: Last year on this set. We were in Arizona. But 72 00:04:12,722 --> 00:04:17,922 Speaker 7: iheart's NFL partnership is why we're out here. And Travis 73 00:04:17,962 --> 00:04:20,962 Speaker 7: and Jason Kelsey recorded on our set. And this is 74 00:04:21,002 --> 00:04:25,162 Speaker 7: before Taylor Swift, before the podcast was you know, the 75 00:04:25,642 --> 00:04:27,842 Speaker 7: as huge a deal as it is. So there's some 76 00:04:27,882 --> 00:04:33,242 Speaker 7: people here today who thought maybe the Kelsey's and Taylor 77 00:04:33,282 --> 00:04:35,642 Speaker 7: Swift were going to come and it said they got 78 00:04:35,722 --> 00:04:37,962 Speaker 7: us so disappointed. 79 00:04:38,082 --> 00:04:41,002 Speaker 6: Views from the super fans walking through. I can take 80 00:04:41,002 --> 00:04:42,762 Speaker 6: my shirt off like Jason Kelsey. If it helps you, 81 00:04:42,922 --> 00:04:44,002 Speaker 6: just let's try it. 82 00:04:45,202 --> 00:04:47,762 Speaker 5: I can try to sing. We'll see how that goes. 83 00:04:48,002 --> 00:04:48,362 Speaker 1: Well. 84 00:04:48,842 --> 00:04:52,162 Speaker 7: Today's story is not about Taylor Swift or it is 85 00:04:52,202 --> 00:04:52,882 Speaker 7: about football. 86 00:04:53,002 --> 00:04:56,242 Speaker 6: It is about football and a big guy much like 87 00:04:56,282 --> 00:04:56,962 Speaker 6: Travis Kelsey. 88 00:04:57,162 --> 00:04:59,842 Speaker 5: Remind me what position did Andrew Stayton play. 89 00:05:00,722 --> 00:05:04,802 Speaker 7: He was a defensive lineman, a big, hulking guy stopping 90 00:05:04,922 --> 00:05:07,802 Speaker 7: the run. He'd be lined up across from Jason kelcey. 91 00:05:07,802 --> 00:05:09,122 Speaker 7: I don't know if that helps. 92 00:05:09,162 --> 00:05:11,402 Speaker 8: All I know the only two positions in football that 93 00:05:11,442 --> 00:05:14,282 Speaker 8: I know is tight end because that's Travis Kelsey and 94 00:05:14,322 --> 00:05:16,722 Speaker 8: my husband used to be a defensive tackle. 95 00:05:16,882 --> 00:05:19,002 Speaker 6: Oh okay, well that's exactly what he played. He played 96 00:05:19,002 --> 00:05:21,162 Speaker 6: the same exact same position as your husband. 97 00:05:21,842 --> 00:05:22,962 Speaker 5: Great, I'm sure I would like him. 98 00:05:22,962 --> 00:05:25,362 Speaker 7: Alway, does your husband have any college eligibility left? 99 00:05:26,282 --> 00:05:28,522 Speaker 5: Get him out you might be he can be part 100 00:05:28,602 --> 00:05:30,522 Speaker 5: season two. We can focus on him. 101 00:05:30,442 --> 00:05:32,362 Speaker 6: The Howard's niece because we can get him out here. 102 00:05:32,402 --> 00:05:33,642 Speaker 5: Yes, so far, so good. Equin. 103 00:05:34,322 --> 00:05:36,562 Speaker 7: And while we're here, just want to thank everyone for 104 00:05:36,602 --> 00:05:39,842 Speaker 7: the incredible response that the show has gotten. 105 00:05:40,162 --> 00:05:40,562 Speaker 6: Iday. 106 00:05:41,402 --> 00:05:44,002 Speaker 5: Oh my god, thank you so much to everyone who's listened. 107 00:05:43,722 --> 00:05:47,962 Speaker 7: Everyone who's listened, everyone who's watched danis TikTok's about the show. 108 00:05:49,242 --> 00:05:52,122 Speaker 7: All the different iHeart shows that have let us run 109 00:05:52,162 --> 00:05:56,122 Speaker 7: our promos on their show, all the radio stations, the 110 00:05:56,242 --> 00:05:57,962 Speaker 7: kind of feedback it's all been a great. 111 00:05:58,082 --> 00:06:01,282 Speaker 8: iHeart for letting us come to last Day. Yes, stay 112 00:06:01,282 --> 00:06:02,522 Speaker 8: here and get a fancy dinner. 113 00:06:02,722 --> 00:06:06,482 Speaker 7: Yes, yes, we'll have to do extended credits here to 114 00:06:06,562 --> 00:06:11,642 Speaker 7: thank Josh and Kurt and Aaron for letting us sit 115 00:06:11,722 --> 00:06:13,962 Speaker 7: here on the set and do our little banter. 116 00:06:14,802 --> 00:06:16,002 Speaker 5: Let's get into the episode. 117 00:06:18,642 --> 00:06:21,242 Speaker 1: I was so small coming into high school. 118 00:06:21,362 --> 00:06:24,682 Speaker 9: My brother was graduated at six seven about two forty, 119 00:06:25,682 --> 00:06:28,402 Speaker 9: and coming in my freshman year, I was about five six, 120 00:06:28,522 --> 00:06:31,722 Speaker 9: one fifty and the wrestling coach told me. 121 00:06:31,722 --> 00:06:34,522 Speaker 1: He said, why to try? You know, one's sixty next year. 122 00:06:35,162 --> 00:06:39,562 Speaker 3: That's Andy Staton. He's describing his formative years as an 123 00:06:39,602 --> 00:06:44,682 Speaker 3: athlete in Duajack, Michigan. There was wrestling, running track, tennis, 124 00:06:44,722 --> 00:06:50,242 Speaker 3: and of course, suiting up for football. Duwajack is football country, 125 00:06:50,602 --> 00:06:53,762 Speaker 3: the type of place where babies get tiny footballs to 126 00:06:53,802 --> 00:06:58,002 Speaker 3: play with instead of rattles. But the size and strength 127 00:06:58,242 --> 00:06:59,362 Speaker 3: he needed had. 128 00:06:59,202 --> 00:06:59,842 Speaker 5: To be earned. 129 00:07:00,642 --> 00:07:02,962 Speaker 9: I had Mike, now I'm wrestling heavyweight. He goes, how 130 00:07:03,002 --> 00:07:04,842 Speaker 9: can you wrestle heavyweight? You weight one hundred and fifty 131 00:07:04,842 --> 00:07:07,962 Speaker 9: two pounds. I said, well, I'm gonna make it. That's 132 00:07:08,002 --> 00:07:09,482 Speaker 9: the time you had to weigh one hundred and eighty 133 00:07:09,482 --> 00:07:11,762 Speaker 9: eight miles to wrestle, while my sophomore year I came 134 00:07:11,802 --> 00:07:14,642 Speaker 9: out one hundred and eighty and had to drink a 135 00:07:14,682 --> 00:07:16,002 Speaker 9: gallon of water to make weight. 136 00:07:16,962 --> 00:07:21,522 Speaker 3: That's Andy determined, stubborn. Tell him he can't and he'll 137 00:07:21,522 --> 00:07:24,082 Speaker 3: find a way around you, or if it's on the field, 138 00:07:24,562 --> 00:07:30,642 Speaker 3: through you. The grit the tenacity was probably genetic. Andy's father, 139 00:07:30,962 --> 00:07:36,602 Speaker 3: Jerry Staden, was recruited by the legendary bo Schembeckler at 140 00:07:36,602 --> 00:07:41,482 Speaker 3: Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, before turning to high school coaching. 141 00:07:42,242 --> 00:07:46,082 Speaker 3: Andy's brother Mark played two seasons in the NFL and 142 00:07:46,162 --> 00:07:50,002 Speaker 3: wound up coaching for Michigan State. The Stadens are a 143 00:07:50,042 --> 00:07:51,362 Speaker 3: football family. 144 00:07:51,962 --> 00:07:55,082 Speaker 9: My dad was a small snows tackle in the sixties 145 00:07:55,082 --> 00:07:58,082 Speaker 9: and my brother was the largest in the nineties. Dad 146 00:07:58,122 --> 00:08:00,642 Speaker 9: played at about two o five, my brother played at 147 00:08:00,682 --> 00:08:02,002 Speaker 9: about three twenty. 148 00:08:02,442 --> 00:08:05,522 Speaker 3: And when it was time, Andy strapped on the cleats 149 00:08:05,562 --> 00:08:09,802 Speaker 3: and the pads too, parlaying his physical presence as a 150 00:08:09,882 --> 00:08:13,962 Speaker 3: defensive player for Duajack Union High School and for a 151 00:08:14,002 --> 00:08:18,802 Speaker 3: while his life followed a predictable path. Football came easily, 152 00:08:19,002 --> 00:08:22,642 Speaker 3: but class work didn't. He wound up at Farris State 153 00:08:22,802 --> 00:08:26,322 Speaker 3: University in Big Rapids, Michigan, and became a bulldog. 154 00:08:26,802 --> 00:08:29,602 Speaker 9: The D one schools they all called me up and 155 00:08:29,922 --> 00:08:32,522 Speaker 9: the last day before signing said we can't trust your 156 00:08:32,522 --> 00:08:36,602 Speaker 9: grade points. So they all had eighteen calls and one 157 00:08:36,722 --> 00:08:38,922 Speaker 9: night nose back then on rotary fall, and that was 158 00:08:38,922 --> 00:08:41,762 Speaker 9: pretty depressing. The next day D two schools. 159 00:08:41,402 --> 00:08:43,882 Speaker 1: Started calling me and I ended up going on a 160 00:08:43,882 --> 00:08:44,562 Speaker 1: couple of visits. 161 00:08:44,562 --> 00:08:49,922 Speaker 9: I ended up taking Farris State's offer and went up. 162 00:08:49,842 --> 00:08:53,242 Speaker 5: Redshirted there, but that's really the last time. 163 00:08:53,322 --> 00:08:57,282 Speaker 3: Andy's story plays out like every other football story you've heard. 164 00:08:58,042 --> 00:09:02,402 Speaker 3: For starters, Andy didn't care for college at Ferris. For 165 00:09:02,522 --> 00:09:06,522 Speaker 3: his first semester, he kept having problems with people stealing 166 00:09:06,562 --> 00:09:11,082 Speaker 3: his up, not just electronic equipment like his television, but 167 00:09:11,162 --> 00:09:15,002 Speaker 3: swiping a check and other things. This continued on a 168 00:09:15,122 --> 00:09:16,682 Speaker 3: near weekly basis. 169 00:09:17,322 --> 00:09:18,242 Speaker 1: People are robbing me. 170 00:09:18,682 --> 00:09:22,322 Speaker 9: So I ended up moving off campus lived with some 171 00:09:22,482 --> 00:09:25,802 Speaker 9: offensive lineman, which hated me because I was a D lineman, 172 00:09:25,842 --> 00:09:29,442 Speaker 9: and typically O line and D lineman, I'm not saying 173 00:09:29,482 --> 00:09:32,482 Speaker 9: that they're a little more relaxed, and then I guess 174 00:09:32,562 --> 00:09:35,442 Speaker 9: I was a little more of the aggressive one hundred 175 00:09:35,482 --> 00:09:38,522 Speaker 9: mile an hour would up like a you know, a 176 00:09:38,602 --> 00:09:42,042 Speaker 9: rubber band that we were ready to snap at any time. 177 00:09:42,562 --> 00:09:46,082 Speaker 9: So I kind of had issues with these older O linemen, 178 00:09:46,762 --> 00:09:49,602 Speaker 9: which you know, I look back on it now as 179 00:09:49,642 --> 00:09:51,722 Speaker 9: I am at sure of course, so you know, I 180 00:09:51,762 --> 00:09:52,842 Speaker 9: was nineteen and. 181 00:09:53,042 --> 00:09:56,442 Speaker 1: Crazy, but I wasn't ready for as myself. 182 00:09:56,602 --> 00:10:01,842 Speaker 3: He was still struggling academically. College became a perfect storm 183 00:10:01,922 --> 00:10:05,122 Speaker 3: of problems. So at the end of the year, Andy 184 00:10:05,242 --> 00:10:05,842 Speaker 3: came to a. 185 00:10:05,842 --> 00:10:09,522 Speaker 1: Decision suck it out. Played the spring game, and after 186 00:10:09,562 --> 00:10:10,202 Speaker 1: the spring game. 187 00:10:10,242 --> 00:10:12,082 Speaker 9: About a week or two after I went to the 188 00:10:12,122 --> 00:10:13,842 Speaker 9: head coach and said I was done. 189 00:10:14,282 --> 00:10:17,682 Speaker 3: He dropped out after the spring semester. He wanted to 190 00:10:17,722 --> 00:10:21,122 Speaker 3: see what else was out there. Call it a temporary 191 00:10:21,242 --> 00:10:25,322 Speaker 3: lapse in maturity. At twenty, most of us have them. 192 00:10:25,762 --> 00:10:29,682 Speaker 3: He started going to Southwestern Michigan College, but not for football. 193 00:10:30,122 --> 00:10:32,762 Speaker 3: He took time to think about what he really wanted 194 00:10:32,802 --> 00:10:36,522 Speaker 3: to do with his life. Then, one night in nineteen 195 00:10:36,602 --> 00:10:41,282 Speaker 3: ninety five, while out with his girlfriend, a stranger's split 196 00:10:41,402 --> 00:10:45,322 Speaker 3: second decision almost ended it. Andy was out in his 197 00:10:45,402 --> 00:10:48,882 Speaker 3: Pontiac with his girlfriend behind the wheel. Another car, a 198 00:10:49,002 --> 00:10:53,362 Speaker 3: Honda Accord, tried to pass a tractor trailer. The driver 199 00:10:53,682 --> 00:10:54,962 Speaker 3: didn't see Andy's car. 200 00:10:55,522 --> 00:10:57,722 Speaker 9: We were in an eighty six Pontiac and we were 201 00:10:57,762 --> 00:11:01,402 Speaker 9: out some country road, semi coming up over a hill 202 00:11:01,442 --> 00:11:03,562 Speaker 9: and we're in the bottom of a dip. And as 203 00:11:03,602 --> 00:11:05,882 Speaker 9: soon as we come up, pressed it over the hill. 204 00:11:07,042 --> 00:11:11,882 Speaker 9: Students from a local university here in southwest Michigan pulled 205 00:11:11,882 --> 00:11:14,842 Speaker 9: out hit his head on. I pulled my arm out 206 00:11:14,882 --> 00:11:17,362 Speaker 9: around her. I went through the windshield, my hip caught 207 00:11:17,402 --> 00:11:19,042 Speaker 9: the dash. 208 00:11:18,802 --> 00:11:22,362 Speaker 1: Came back through. There was a bench seat broke the 209 00:11:22,402 --> 00:11:23,522 Speaker 1: seat back. 210 00:11:24,442 --> 00:11:26,802 Speaker 9: Of course, when I went through, I can remember the 211 00:11:26,882 --> 00:11:30,202 Speaker 9: lights of the semi and the glass fly. 212 00:11:30,202 --> 00:11:33,202 Speaker 1: Him and come back through. You know, I was instantaneous, 213 00:11:33,242 --> 00:11:34,162 Speaker 1: instant backwards. 214 00:11:34,522 --> 00:11:39,922 Speaker 3: The cars collided head on. Andy, all six to five 215 00:11:40,002 --> 00:11:44,082 Speaker 3: of him, was almost tossed clear of the Pontiac. The 216 00:11:44,202 --> 00:11:47,682 Speaker 3: damage was substantial. It was the kind of thing where 217 00:11:47,722 --> 00:11:51,762 Speaker 3: doctors say you're lucky to be alive. It's possible being 218 00:11:51,842 --> 00:11:55,922 Speaker 3: in great shape saved his life, but Andy didn't quite 219 00:11:56,122 --> 00:11:58,002 Speaker 3: know the extent of the damage. 220 00:11:58,042 --> 00:11:58,642 Speaker 5: At first. 221 00:11:59,082 --> 00:12:02,842 Speaker 3: He was more concerned for his girlfriend, who was seriously injured. 222 00:12:03,242 --> 00:12:07,922 Speaker 3: She wound up being okay. Once the adrenalin wore off, 223 00:12:08,002 --> 00:12:10,802 Speaker 3: Andy spent three weeks in the ICU. 224 00:12:11,762 --> 00:12:15,682 Speaker 9: Broke my back, crushed all my ribs, nerve damage, whatnot. 225 00:12:15,802 --> 00:12:17,722 Speaker 1: Didn't think I was going to do football anymore. 226 00:12:18,362 --> 00:12:23,642 Speaker 3: He spent months recuperating. His enthusiasm for returning to college. 227 00:12:23,762 --> 00:12:28,802 Speaker 3: Returning to football waaned, and no wonder a broken back 228 00:12:29,122 --> 00:12:33,482 Speaker 3: tends to dampen your appetite for a full contact sport, 229 00:12:34,242 --> 00:12:37,242 Speaker 3: so Andy dropped out of school, this time for good. 230 00:12:37,882 --> 00:12:41,402 Speaker 3: He diverged from the family business of football and opted 231 00:12:41,442 --> 00:12:45,042 Speaker 3: for a more conventional means of earning a living. Labor 232 00:12:49,802 --> 00:12:53,642 Speaker 3: he worked as a paver, He poured asphalt for roads. 233 00:12:54,082 --> 00:12:58,242 Speaker 3: He got into the construction business and farming. He used 234 00:12:58,282 --> 00:13:01,282 Speaker 3: the physicality that had served him so well on the 235 00:13:01,322 --> 00:13:04,562 Speaker 3: field and made a life for him and his wife, 236 00:13:04,842 --> 00:13:07,722 Speaker 3: who he married in nineteen ninety five, and later for 237 00:13:07,802 --> 00:13:12,442 Speaker 3: their two sons, Clay and Luke. With every passing year, 238 00:13:12,882 --> 00:13:16,562 Speaker 3: football kept getting further and further in the rear view, 239 00:13:17,202 --> 00:13:20,402 Speaker 3: and so was a life that made sense. By two 240 00:13:20,402 --> 00:13:23,202 Speaker 3: thousand and nine, Andy was in the midst of a 241 00:13:23,362 --> 00:13:27,962 Speaker 3: divorce and the possibility his sons would be relocated to Florida. 242 00:13:28,762 --> 00:13:33,602 Speaker 3: Things were looking well grim. At the age of thirty seven, 243 00:13:34,082 --> 00:13:37,602 Speaker 3: Andy took stock and realized that this wasn't the way 244 00:13:37,722 --> 00:13:43,522 Speaker 3: he had envisioned things working out. But unexpected turns work 245 00:13:43,762 --> 00:13:49,762 Speaker 3: both ways. Sometimes life blindsides you with tragedy or a honda, 246 00:13:50,402 --> 00:13:52,842 Speaker 3: and sometimes it surprises. 247 00:13:52,242 --> 00:13:54,002 Speaker 5: You with a little bit of a break. 248 00:13:54,802 --> 00:13:58,162 Speaker 3: Andy's break came in the form of a phone call, 249 00:13:58,802 --> 00:14:11,042 Speaker 3: one that would turn his world upside down. One day 250 00:14:11,122 --> 00:14:15,042 Speaker 3: in twenty eleven, Andy's phone ring on the other end 251 00:14:15,202 --> 00:14:19,482 Speaker 3: was Jeff duven Deck, coach for the Culver Stockton Wildcats. 252 00:14:19,962 --> 00:14:22,962 Speaker 9: So I was living in a farmhouse out in another 253 00:14:23,042 --> 00:14:25,322 Speaker 9: towel and came to see my dad after I was 254 00:14:25,362 --> 00:14:28,642 Speaker 9: cutting trees down and my fall rings and talking to 255 00:14:28,722 --> 00:14:30,842 Speaker 9: my dad and I answer it and he he goes. 256 00:14:30,682 --> 00:14:32,482 Speaker 1: Hey, is Jeff Dubin Deck. How you doing Andy? 257 00:14:32,482 --> 00:14:35,042 Speaker 9: And I'm like good, good, just getting off work and 258 00:14:35,082 --> 00:14:37,362 Speaker 9: he's like, well, I'm looking for a nose tackle that 259 00:14:37,402 --> 00:14:40,282 Speaker 9: could play this fall. Like, Jeff, I don't know any 260 00:14:40,402 --> 00:14:42,722 Speaker 9: kids right now that could play collegiate ball. I haven't 261 00:14:42,722 --> 00:14:46,282 Speaker 9: been following high school football. And he's like, well, I 262 00:14:46,282 --> 00:14:49,722 Speaker 9: want you. And Jeff at the time, I was thirty seven, 263 00:14:49,802 --> 00:14:53,762 Speaker 9: and I said I can't play football at thirty seven 264 00:14:53,842 --> 00:14:56,882 Speaker 9: years old, and he goes, well, your brother said you're 265 00:14:56,922 --> 00:14:58,322 Speaker 9: the mean of son of a gun to ever walk 266 00:14:58,322 --> 00:15:00,842 Speaker 9: down a football field, and I want the meana son 267 00:15:00,882 --> 00:15:01,482 Speaker 9: of a gun to. 268 00:15:01,402 --> 00:15:02,002 Speaker 1: Play for me. 269 00:15:02,722 --> 00:15:06,442 Speaker 3: Jeff duven Deck's back was up against a wall. Newly 270 00:15:06,522 --> 00:15:10,122 Speaker 3: install as the coach for the Wildcats, they had posted 271 00:15:10,202 --> 00:15:15,162 Speaker 3: a dreadful one and ten record in his first season there. 272 00:15:15,682 --> 00:15:20,562 Speaker 3: He needed more muscle a defensive tackle, and he happened 273 00:15:20,562 --> 00:15:24,922 Speaker 3: to mention this to Mark Stayton, and he's brother, Mark, remember, 274 00:15:25,082 --> 00:15:28,882 Speaker 3: is a fellow coach. It was Mark who told Jeff, Well, 275 00:15:29,122 --> 00:15:32,162 Speaker 3: what about Andy. Here's coach Jeff. 276 00:15:32,762 --> 00:15:34,642 Speaker 1: We got one win in our first year. 277 00:15:35,202 --> 00:15:38,842 Speaker 10: You know, we struggled. I remember coming back to visit 278 00:15:38,962 --> 00:15:41,522 Speaker 10: Michigan State to work one of their camps and do 279 00:15:41,602 --> 00:15:45,922 Speaker 10: some recruiting, and I stopped in to see Mark, Andy's brother, 280 00:15:46,042 --> 00:15:48,562 Speaker 10: and just said, hey, you know, he's asking how it 281 00:15:48,642 --> 00:15:51,962 Speaker 10: was going. I said it's going, but we, uh, you know, 282 00:15:52,002 --> 00:15:54,482 Speaker 10: we just don't have any size. I mean, some bigger guys, 283 00:15:54,522 --> 00:15:56,882 Speaker 10: we don't have any He's like, well, you remember my brother, 284 00:15:57,322 --> 00:16:00,962 Speaker 10: he's going through divorce and looking to finish his college 285 00:16:01,002 --> 00:16:02,282 Speaker 10: degree and all that stuff. 286 00:16:02,882 --> 00:16:07,842 Speaker 3: So Jeff looked into it. Logistically, nothing was stopping him 287 00:16:07,882 --> 00:16:11,762 Speaker 3: from recruiting Andy, who had the size he needed. Even 288 00:16:11,802 --> 00:16:14,842 Speaker 3: though he hadn't played the game in years or was 289 00:16:14,882 --> 00:16:18,882 Speaker 3: it decades, A lifetime of physical labor had kept him strong. 290 00:16:20,002 --> 00:16:23,042 Speaker 3: Andy weighed his options. He didn't want to be away 291 00:16:23,042 --> 00:16:26,202 Speaker 3: from his kids, but on the other hand, a degree 292 00:16:26,402 --> 00:16:31,402 Speaker 3: could open up new job opportunities. Tuition to Culver Stockton, 293 00:16:31,562 --> 00:16:35,362 Speaker 3: which today costs forty thousand dollars a year, would be 294 00:16:35,482 --> 00:16:40,722 Speaker 3: fully paid, and well, wait, wasn't this all kind of crazy? 295 00:16:41,402 --> 00:16:45,722 Speaker 3: Andy was thirty seven, soon to be thirty eight. Football 296 00:16:45,802 --> 00:16:49,522 Speaker 3: is hard, even on young bodies. This was a Rocky 297 00:16:49,682 --> 00:16:53,082 Speaker 3: type scenario, but not the Rocky of that first movie, 298 00:16:53,562 --> 00:16:57,162 Speaker 3: The Rocky of Rocky Balboa, where Rocky is in his 299 00:16:57,322 --> 00:17:01,482 Speaker 3: fifties and stages a comeback in football years. Andy wasn't 300 00:17:01,522 --> 00:17:02,642 Speaker 3: too far off. 301 00:17:03,122 --> 00:17:05,082 Speaker 9: So I'd like, olider you, Jeff. I think he was 302 00:17:05,122 --> 00:17:07,082 Speaker 9: thirty two or thirty three. I said, could you strap 303 00:17:07,202 --> 00:17:09,002 Speaker 9: up again? He goes, well, no, but I'm not built 304 00:17:09,082 --> 00:17:11,522 Speaker 9: like you. My dad's looking at me, and of course 305 00:17:11,642 --> 00:17:16,162 Speaker 9: my dad, being a you know, ex coach slash collegiate ballplayer, 306 00:17:16,282 --> 00:17:17,962 Speaker 9: he was what was that about last? So I just 307 00:17:17,962 --> 00:17:21,322 Speaker 9: got offered to go back plack out football. And you 308 00:17:21,402 --> 00:17:23,242 Speaker 9: can't play football, you're too old. 309 00:17:23,242 --> 00:17:25,562 Speaker 1: You're thirty seven. So I started doing a while he's 310 00:17:25,642 --> 00:17:28,522 Speaker 1: kind of saying this to me. I say, well, challenge accepted. 311 00:17:28,602 --> 00:17:33,322 Speaker 3: Pop pros outweighed the cons A degree meant a better 312 00:17:33,402 --> 00:17:37,362 Speaker 3: financial future, So off you went to become a Culver 313 00:17:37,562 --> 00:17:45,482 Speaker 3: Stockton Wildcat. Culver Stockton is an NAIA school that stands 314 00:17:45,602 --> 00:17:50,242 Speaker 3: for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. It's a governing 315 00:17:50,282 --> 00:17:54,522 Speaker 3: body like the NCAA. The NCAA is much bigger with 316 00:17:54,642 --> 00:17:58,602 Speaker 3: over one thousand schools compared to the NAIA is two 317 00:17:58,722 --> 00:18:01,842 Speaker 3: hundred and fifty or so, but the best of the 318 00:18:02,002 --> 00:18:07,122 Speaker 3: NAIA can often match certain divisions of the NCAA. So 319 00:18:07,162 --> 00:18:12,242 Speaker 3: while this was a liberal arts school, there wasn't anything already. 320 00:18:11,962 --> 00:18:15,242 Speaker 5: About the football. It was the real thing. 321 00:18:15,762 --> 00:18:20,842 Speaker 3: Something Andy discovered in his first practice. 322 00:18:21,482 --> 00:18:23,762 Speaker 9: I get hit by I don't remember. It was like 323 00:18:23,762 --> 00:18:27,482 Speaker 9: an offensive guard pulled and I can remember. 324 00:18:27,082 --> 00:18:30,482 Speaker 1: Big blue and red balls and I'm like, did I 325 00:18:30,522 --> 00:18:31,202 Speaker 1: make a mistake? 326 00:18:31,282 --> 00:18:33,882 Speaker 9: And it was like the second snap of the practice 327 00:18:33,962 --> 00:18:34,642 Speaker 9: that will you. 328 00:18:34,602 --> 00:18:37,082 Speaker 1: Know as far as hitting part of it. 329 00:18:37,122 --> 00:18:41,602 Speaker 9: But I do remember that first practice going, man, did 330 00:18:41,722 --> 00:18:43,122 Speaker 9: I make a mistake doing this? 331 00:18:43,322 --> 00:18:46,042 Speaker 1: And once I got my feet underneath me and I 332 00:18:46,162 --> 00:18:48,882 Speaker 1: was all right. Meeting all the guys, of course they're questioning, 333 00:18:48,962 --> 00:18:49,882 Speaker 1: who's this old guy. 334 00:18:51,602 --> 00:18:56,082 Speaker 3: Andy's first appearance was, as Mike Davis explained, a bit 335 00:18:56,122 --> 00:18:59,762 Speaker 3: of a surprise to the team, but that amusement gave 336 00:18:59,802 --> 00:19:02,522 Speaker 3: way to something else when Andy suited up. 337 00:19:03,002 --> 00:19:07,282 Speaker 1: Here's Mike, huge, huge guy, very hard to move. 338 00:19:07,562 --> 00:19:09,522 Speaker 2: But yeah, I just first time I seen him at pads, 339 00:19:09,562 --> 00:19:11,642 Speaker 2: it was like, holy crap, you looked even bigger. 340 00:19:11,802 --> 00:19:15,242 Speaker 9: Because he's a pretty large, deemed so well if you 341 00:19:15,362 --> 00:19:19,482 Speaker 9: were to basically get into a car and drive it 342 00:19:19,562 --> 00:19:21,682 Speaker 9: into a. 343 00:19:21,042 --> 00:19:23,362 Speaker 1: Brick wall, like that's pretty much what it was. 344 00:19:23,442 --> 00:19:25,242 Speaker 2: Every time I would jump on him as soon as 345 00:19:25,242 --> 00:19:28,002 Speaker 2: we you know, the ball was snaffed, I'd be on 346 00:19:28,082 --> 00:19:29,842 Speaker 2: top of them all over. But he was just so 347 00:19:30,002 --> 00:19:32,842 Speaker 2: strong that it wouldn't matter. It could be, you know, 348 00:19:32,962 --> 00:19:34,682 Speaker 2: first of the punch. Every time he would just take 349 00:19:34,682 --> 00:19:36,722 Speaker 2: me over and move me back like it was nothing. 350 00:19:36,802 --> 00:19:40,402 Speaker 2: So there was no driving three man because he was 351 00:19:40,482 --> 00:19:41,842 Speaker 2: just so strong. 352 00:19:42,082 --> 00:19:45,642 Speaker 1: And made it very difficult. But yeah, being heads with 353 00:19:45,682 --> 00:19:46,202 Speaker 1: the wall man. 354 00:19:47,322 --> 00:19:51,362 Speaker 3: Even at thirty eight, Andy had exactly what coach Jeff 355 00:19:51,522 --> 00:19:55,402 Speaker 3: was looking for, what Rocky balboas trainer, was looking for 356 00:19:55,922 --> 00:20:00,802 Speaker 3: blunt force trump. He was the team's resident brick wall 357 00:20:01,202 --> 00:20:05,562 Speaker 3: immobile and highly resistant to attack. The idea of Andy 358 00:20:05,642 --> 00:20:09,962 Speaker 3: playing at his age was funny until it wasn't until 359 00:20:10,042 --> 00:20:14,242 Speaker 3: you had to face off with him. But once practice 360 00:20:14,442 --> 00:20:19,522 Speaker 3: was over, the aches began. Andy's body was a throbbing 361 00:20:19,762 --> 00:20:23,642 Speaker 3: nerve ending. It wasn't just the car accident that could 362 00:20:23,642 --> 00:20:27,602 Speaker 3: have led to lasting effects. No one's really sure. It 363 00:20:27,722 --> 00:20:31,922 Speaker 3: was the cumulative effects of spending decades in manual labor, 364 00:20:32,282 --> 00:20:35,602 Speaker 3: and years before that, playing football as a young man, 365 00:20:36,282 --> 00:20:40,242 Speaker 3: there were ice baths and massages and a trainer who 366 00:20:40,322 --> 00:20:43,322 Speaker 3: was tasked with putting andy back together. 367 00:20:43,722 --> 00:20:47,082 Speaker 1: Hips, knees back. That was probably the most. 368 00:20:47,442 --> 00:20:50,002 Speaker 9: I mean I was constantly taking ice baths, get the 369 00:20:50,082 --> 00:20:53,882 Speaker 9: lactic acid obviously out of my muscles, going in, getting 370 00:20:53,882 --> 00:20:58,642 Speaker 9: hooked up to those electrobes stimulating the muscles in every area, 371 00:20:59,482 --> 00:21:04,202 Speaker 9: and being older, you know, had just you don't recover 372 00:21:04,482 --> 00:21:08,562 Speaker 9: like young people do. You know when you're a kid thirteen, fourteen, 373 00:21:08,642 --> 00:21:11,122 Speaker 9: you'd go do something and you'd be sore that night 374 00:21:11,202 --> 00:21:14,802 Speaker 9: and then next day you're fine. Well, when you're four, 375 00:21:15,202 --> 00:21:18,562 Speaker 9: did you go out give it one hundred percent on Saturday? 376 00:21:19,202 --> 00:21:22,722 Speaker 3: Going to practice and showing up thirty minutes early just 377 00:21:22,802 --> 00:21:23,402 Speaker 3: to stretch. 378 00:21:23,962 --> 00:21:27,402 Speaker 9: I was fine even, you know, It's just until I 379 00:21:27,402 --> 00:21:28,842 Speaker 9: went to bed and woke up the next day and 380 00:21:28,882 --> 00:21:31,402 Speaker 9: go ooh, and it was like literally being. 381 00:21:31,282 --> 00:21:32,722 Speaker 1: In a car accident train. 382 00:21:33,402 --> 00:21:37,002 Speaker 9: It just felt like I got this frap kicked out 383 00:21:37,042 --> 00:21:39,482 Speaker 9: of me. I mean, I've got pictures on my phone 384 00:21:39,482 --> 00:21:42,842 Speaker 9: of bruises I'd have and they were just grotesque. 385 00:21:42,962 --> 00:21:45,482 Speaker 1: You're talking to my whole. 386 00:21:45,322 --> 00:21:48,802 Speaker 9: Quad, just completely green and black and blue, you know, 387 00:21:49,162 --> 00:21:52,922 Speaker 9: purple armed drums from my top of my bicep to 388 00:21:52,962 --> 00:21:56,402 Speaker 9: my wrists and it would swell up and oh yeah, 389 00:21:56,882 --> 00:21:59,322 Speaker 9: I mean it was that daily grind. 390 00:21:59,642 --> 00:22:03,042 Speaker 3: On the field. Well, that was different. The field was 391 00:22:03,122 --> 00:22:07,682 Speaker 3: a painkiller. Adrenaline shaved a lot of years off and 392 00:22:07,682 --> 00:22:11,882 Speaker 3: Andy was able to do what Andy does. Number ninety 393 00:22:11,922 --> 00:22:14,242 Speaker 3: three was a human bulldozer. 394 00:22:16,682 --> 00:22:20,002 Speaker 9: On Saturdays, I felt young again. It was a transition. 395 00:22:20,282 --> 00:22:22,082 Speaker 9: You know, I might be limping like a son of 396 00:22:22,082 --> 00:22:25,762 Speaker 9: a gun from Monday to Friday, but then on Saturday, 397 00:22:25,802 --> 00:22:28,202 Speaker 9: I'd get a pep in my step and fly around, 398 00:22:28,442 --> 00:22:30,442 Speaker 9: you know, head out of swivel. 399 00:22:32,162 --> 00:22:33,402 Speaker 5: Here's coach Jeff again. 400 00:22:34,242 --> 00:22:39,122 Speaker 10: There was one play that I remember specifically where they 401 00:22:39,162 --> 00:22:41,762 Speaker 10: were double teaming open. He kind of took one hand 402 00:22:41,762 --> 00:22:43,602 Speaker 10: on one guy in one hand on the other and 403 00:22:44,162 --> 00:22:46,482 Speaker 10: pushed him both apart, and he was standing right in 404 00:22:46,522 --> 00:22:48,282 Speaker 10: the running backs a way as he. 405 00:22:48,282 --> 00:22:49,242 Speaker 1: Tried to go through. 406 00:22:49,842 --> 00:22:53,042 Speaker 10: That area just stuck out to me just because of 407 00:22:53,082 --> 00:22:56,242 Speaker 10: the strength and power shown in that play. I don't 408 00:22:56,242 --> 00:22:59,202 Speaker 10: know if that's necessarily his best play, but it's just 409 00:22:59,442 --> 00:23:01,442 Speaker 10: one that is ringing in my head still. 410 00:23:01,562 --> 00:23:04,962 Speaker 3: Ten years later, Andy was trying to fit in another 411 00:23:05,042 --> 00:23:05,922 Speaker 3: way too. 412 00:23:06,162 --> 00:23:07,682 Speaker 5: The rules Culver. 413 00:23:07,482 --> 00:23:11,042 Speaker 3: Stockton mandated that you had to reside within the state 414 00:23:11,202 --> 00:23:16,322 Speaker 3: to attend on campus, so that first year he did 415 00:23:16,402 --> 00:23:17,442 Speaker 3: as freshmen do. 416 00:23:18,562 --> 00:23:21,242 Speaker 9: Yeah, I didn't have much. I lost pretty much everything 417 00:23:21,282 --> 00:23:24,682 Speaker 9: in the divorce, so as far as material items. 418 00:23:24,962 --> 00:23:25,842 Speaker 1: Didn't have much. 419 00:23:25,922 --> 00:23:29,522 Speaker 9: But I went down there lived in a fraternity house 420 00:23:29,562 --> 00:23:32,442 Speaker 9: on campus for the first semester because they. 421 00:23:32,402 --> 00:23:36,202 Speaker 1: Couldn't find a room mate for me. And yeah, I 422 00:23:36,242 --> 00:23:40,522 Speaker 1: went down there with just basically close a couple suitcases, TV. 423 00:23:40,642 --> 00:23:43,722 Speaker 9: And that was about it, and ended up living in 424 00:23:43,722 --> 00:23:46,362 Speaker 9: a frat house first semester, which was interesting. 425 00:23:48,122 --> 00:23:51,802 Speaker 3: College is college, even if you're twice as old as 426 00:23:51,842 --> 00:23:52,682 Speaker 3: everyone else. 427 00:23:53,482 --> 00:23:55,682 Speaker 1: It was loud, you know. 428 00:23:55,802 --> 00:23:58,842 Speaker 9: I was thirty eight years old and familied up for 429 00:23:58,922 --> 00:24:01,402 Speaker 9: all those years, and here I moved in and they're 430 00:24:01,402 --> 00:24:04,562 Speaker 9: throwing parties every night. I had to heal up so 431 00:24:04,682 --> 00:24:08,362 Speaker 9: much because I was so exhausted. I got no rest. 432 00:24:08,722 --> 00:24:11,362 Speaker 1: It was just so loud. And luckily I was on 433 00:24:11,402 --> 00:24:12,522 Speaker 1: the top floor of the. 434 00:24:12,442 --> 00:24:15,122 Speaker 9: House and kind of in the corner, so it was 435 00:24:15,202 --> 00:24:17,562 Speaker 9: a little quieter where I was at, but you could 436 00:24:17,602 --> 00:24:19,882 Speaker 9: still hear him from the basement going And they were 437 00:24:20,002 --> 00:24:23,242 Speaker 9: typical young guys. You know they're having fun. I would 438 00:24:23,242 --> 00:24:25,322 Speaker 9: lie to say I didn't join them on Saturday night, 439 00:24:25,522 --> 00:24:28,802 Speaker 9: so I had fun. I was gonna do my thing 440 00:24:28,882 --> 00:24:31,682 Speaker 9: and feel accepted amongst the young guys. 441 00:24:32,522 --> 00:24:36,002 Speaker 3: Andy stayed in the frat. Just one year after that 442 00:24:36,082 --> 00:24:39,882 Speaker 3: he moved into a dorm with Mike and some other teammates. 443 00:24:39,922 --> 00:24:43,682 Speaker 3: But wherever he was, Andy had seniority and a group 444 00:24:43,802 --> 00:24:47,082 Speaker 3: of twenty year olds looking up to him. Maybe Andy 445 00:24:47,162 --> 00:24:50,802 Speaker 3: had some answers, not just for football, but in life. 446 00:24:51,242 --> 00:24:53,602 Speaker 9: It was an interesting time and then you hear you 447 00:24:53,882 --> 00:24:56,282 Speaker 9: what these young guys think of and their way of 448 00:24:56,322 --> 00:24:58,922 Speaker 9: thinking compared to my way of thinking at the time, 449 00:24:59,082 --> 00:25:01,842 Speaker 9: and I would question it in my own mind. I 450 00:25:01,882 --> 00:25:05,562 Speaker 9: would try to figure out their understanding of what they 451 00:25:05,602 --> 00:25:08,482 Speaker 9: were talking about, just be able to communicate with us, 452 00:25:08,522 --> 00:25:11,922 Speaker 9: and luckily, having a teenage son at the time, kind 453 00:25:11,922 --> 00:25:14,682 Speaker 9: of knew what they're going through, what they're. 454 00:25:14,602 --> 00:25:16,402 Speaker 1: Likes, and what they didn't like. 455 00:25:16,682 --> 00:25:19,322 Speaker 9: It was an interesting time to go and be amongst 456 00:25:19,602 --> 00:25:22,562 Speaker 9: yup adults when here I was old enough to be 457 00:25:22,602 --> 00:25:23,002 Speaker 9: their dad. 458 00:25:24,242 --> 00:25:25,562 Speaker 5: Here's Mike Davis again. 459 00:25:26,162 --> 00:25:27,082 Speaker 1: Yeah, one hundred percent. 460 00:25:27,202 --> 00:25:29,082 Speaker 2: A lot of guys would go to him with life 461 00:25:29,162 --> 00:25:32,282 Speaker 2: problems and things that he had experienced or been through. 462 00:25:32,482 --> 00:25:33,762 Speaker 2: Like I said, he's been my best friend for a 463 00:25:33,802 --> 00:25:35,842 Speaker 2: long time and I still reach out to him to 464 00:25:35,842 --> 00:25:36,242 Speaker 2: this day. 465 00:25:36,402 --> 00:25:37,522 Speaker 1: You know, my father ended. 466 00:25:37,402 --> 00:25:39,722 Speaker 2: Up passing away in twenty nineteen, and he was a 467 00:25:39,762 --> 00:25:42,322 Speaker 2: big supporter for me, and you know, he drove all 468 00:25:42,362 --> 00:25:44,882 Speaker 2: the way off from Dwajack and we hung out with 469 00:25:44,962 --> 00:25:46,762 Speaker 2: us for like a week. And he's a great guy, 470 00:25:46,882 --> 00:25:49,402 Speaker 2: and he's just that type of person. He's very giving 471 00:25:49,442 --> 00:25:52,322 Speaker 2: of himself, but he also shoots you straight. So if 472 00:25:52,362 --> 00:25:54,642 Speaker 2: it's something that you ask him a piece of advice, 473 00:25:54,642 --> 00:25:55,402 Speaker 2: he's going to give it to you. 474 00:25:55,442 --> 00:25:57,122 Speaker 1: It's going to be out of sunest. You know. 475 00:25:57,162 --> 00:25:59,802 Speaker 2: I think that resonated a lot with some of the 476 00:25:59,842 --> 00:26:02,562 Speaker 2: younger guys, especially, you know, he's twice. 477 00:26:02,322 --> 00:26:02,882 Speaker 1: In each. 478 00:26:04,802 --> 00:26:08,762 Speaker 3: The Wildcats were definitely because a team on and off 479 00:26:08,882 --> 00:26:12,522 Speaker 3: the field, but that first season wasn't a whole lot 480 00:26:12,562 --> 00:26:16,002 Speaker 3: better than the season prior. They went three and eight, 481 00:26:16,402 --> 00:26:19,762 Speaker 3: with two of those victories coming after the opposing teams 482 00:26:19,802 --> 00:26:24,122 Speaker 3: had to forfeit after using ineligible players in their games, 483 00:26:24,722 --> 00:26:29,282 Speaker 3: but their lone victory outside of logistics was a memorable one. 484 00:26:29,682 --> 00:26:34,882 Speaker 3: That October they played Lindenwood University Belleville, at home behind 485 00:26:35,002 --> 00:26:38,962 Speaker 3: fourteen seven. With just under three minutes left, the team 486 00:26:39,042 --> 00:26:44,762 Speaker 3: scored two late touchdowns. Andy contributed ten tackles in the 487 00:26:44,762 --> 00:26:50,842 Speaker 3: game and forty five for the season, fourteen of them solo. 488 00:26:51,002 --> 00:26:53,762 Speaker 3: At the end of the spring semester, Andy traveled back 489 00:26:53,802 --> 00:26:56,762 Speaker 3: to Michigan, where he had custody of his two sons 490 00:26:57,282 --> 00:27:00,522 Speaker 3: and where he was able to earn some money selling cars. 491 00:27:00,922 --> 00:27:04,162 Speaker 3: You could call this an active recovery time, since his 492 00:27:04,202 --> 00:27:08,882 Speaker 3: body needed to heal from the eleven game and countless practices. 493 00:27:08,922 --> 00:27:09,842 Speaker 5: He had put it through. 494 00:27:10,562 --> 00:27:13,922 Speaker 9: Buddy of mine's dad owned both the Ford and Chevy 495 00:27:13,922 --> 00:27:16,682 Speaker 9: dealerships in our town, and I would go and sell 496 00:27:16,722 --> 00:27:19,962 Speaker 9: cars in the day and then come home my boys 497 00:27:20,082 --> 00:27:22,882 Speaker 9: and work out, you know, just kind of the normal. 498 00:27:23,242 --> 00:27:25,642 Speaker 9: I didn't stay down and train like my roommates stayed 499 00:27:25,682 --> 00:27:28,442 Speaker 9: down in at Culver and train, but I had my 500 00:27:28,522 --> 00:27:31,082 Speaker 9: son's full time in the summer show. 501 00:27:31,602 --> 00:27:32,602 Speaker 1: I needed that time. 502 00:27:33,362 --> 00:27:36,722 Speaker 3: Andy returned to Missouri for his sophomore year, his second 503 00:27:36,842 --> 00:27:40,962 Speaker 3: as a Wildcat. This time, the team posted a two 504 00:27:41,122 --> 00:27:44,842 Speaker 3: and nine record, but there was again a sense Andy 505 00:27:45,002 --> 00:27:47,122 Speaker 3: was able to turn the clock back a bit. 506 00:27:47,762 --> 00:27:49,842 Speaker 1: Of course, I was a run stopper. 507 00:27:49,882 --> 00:27:52,642 Speaker 9: I wasn't much of a pass rusher, playing at three 508 00:27:52,682 --> 00:27:55,842 Speaker 9: hundred average, but between three ten and three hundred and 509 00:27:55,882 --> 00:27:59,482 Speaker 9: forty pounds, I could hold two three guys. I was 510 00:27:59,642 --> 00:28:02,002 Speaker 9: double on triple team almost eighty five percent. 511 00:28:03,202 --> 00:28:04,722 Speaker 1: Yeah, it was. It was great. 512 00:28:06,202 --> 00:28:09,202 Speaker 3: During that and Andy's father was able to see him 513 00:28:09,202 --> 00:28:13,162 Speaker 3: play for the first time since he was at Farris State. Well, 514 00:28:13,242 --> 00:28:17,402 Speaker 3: it seems like a simple thing. It wasn't a foregone conclusion. 515 00:28:18,082 --> 00:28:21,802 Speaker 3: Jerry Stayton, then in his seventies, had been through open 516 00:28:21,842 --> 00:28:26,482 Speaker 3: heart surgery. He'd been battling cancer, so seeing him at 517 00:28:26,522 --> 00:28:28,122 Speaker 3: a game was a big deal. 518 00:28:29,122 --> 00:28:30,282 Speaker 1: I think we're in Iowa. 519 00:28:30,802 --> 00:28:33,802 Speaker 9: My dad came down to watch, and my brother's closest 520 00:28:33,802 --> 00:28:36,522 Speaker 9: friend in high school was living out there, so he 521 00:28:36,602 --> 00:28:39,202 Speaker 9: came to and I was having a heck of a 522 00:28:39,242 --> 00:28:42,362 Speaker 9: game I can remember. And then the old line on 523 00:28:42,442 --> 00:28:45,482 Speaker 9: that particular team. Back then they could do the chop 524 00:28:45,562 --> 00:28:49,322 Speaker 9: block before they made it illegal. And this one kid, 525 00:28:49,362 --> 00:28:51,482 Speaker 9: he just he kept chopping and then he would leg 526 00:28:51,482 --> 00:28:55,042 Speaker 9: with me. He hyper extended my knee and of course 527 00:28:55,522 --> 00:28:58,242 Speaker 9: I could still run, so I run off the field. 528 00:28:58,322 --> 00:29:03,522 Speaker 9: My trainer, Robbie Carmichael, He's like, you're done, and I'm 529 00:29:03,522 --> 00:29:07,762 Speaker 9: like Mount Dapa Dapa, and he's like, he goes, there's 530 00:29:07,802 --> 00:29:10,962 Speaker 9: only you know whatever, not even half of the fourth 531 00:29:11,002 --> 00:29:14,722 Speaker 9: quarter left, and my dad, you know, standing by the 532 00:29:14,762 --> 00:29:16,722 Speaker 9: fence now looking at me. I'm on the you know, 533 00:29:16,802 --> 00:29:19,402 Speaker 9: the gurney, and I'm just I made him take me 534 00:29:19,522 --> 00:29:22,842 Speaker 9: up and I went back out and finished the game. 535 00:29:24,882 --> 00:29:29,122 Speaker 3: Still the damage was adding up. Every game can be 536 00:29:29,282 --> 00:29:33,042 Speaker 3: like a minor car accident with the same kind of injuries. 537 00:29:33,802 --> 00:29:36,922 Speaker 9: I had a staff and affection in my knee and 538 00:29:37,002 --> 00:29:39,962 Speaker 9: I did miss two games from that, and then I 539 00:29:40,082 --> 00:29:44,442 Speaker 9: broke my ribs my second year and I missed two 540 00:29:44,482 --> 00:29:47,402 Speaker 9: games with that. It was a home game and guy 541 00:29:47,522 --> 00:29:50,322 Speaker 9: Crack blocked me and put his helmet my ribs, broke 542 00:29:50,362 --> 00:29:53,322 Speaker 9: my bottom. I wouldn't let the doctor test him anymore. 543 00:29:53,402 --> 00:29:56,202 Speaker 9: He used the tuning fork style as where he takes 544 00:29:56,202 --> 00:29:58,162 Speaker 9: a tuning fork and he hits it. 545 00:29:58,282 --> 00:30:01,602 Speaker 1: Vibrates and if you scream, it's broken. 546 00:30:01,682 --> 00:30:04,242 Speaker 9: And he did the bottom two and I told you 547 00:30:04,242 --> 00:30:05,922 Speaker 9: to do another one, dog, you're going to have broken 548 00:30:05,962 --> 00:30:09,242 Speaker 9: ribs because I I could take it bore. 549 00:30:09,722 --> 00:30:13,162 Speaker 3: There was another summer resting, and then his junior year 550 00:30:13,442 --> 00:30:17,842 Speaker 3: where the Wildcats finally found their rhythm. They went five 551 00:30:17,962 --> 00:30:21,762 Speaker 3: and five for the season, but four and two at home. 552 00:30:22,042 --> 00:30:24,402 Speaker 9: It was an experience as far as growing together, having 553 00:30:24,442 --> 00:30:26,402 Speaker 9: a winning season on our third year. 554 00:30:26,522 --> 00:30:30,442 Speaker 3: But that winning effort would come at a very steep price. 555 00:30:37,842 --> 00:30:42,522 Speaker 3: At Culver Stockton, everything was largely falling into place. Andy 556 00:30:42,642 --> 00:30:46,282 Speaker 3: was doing well academically, managing to make it home to 557 00:30:46,362 --> 00:30:49,482 Speaker 3: Michigan to see his sons, and not partying too hard. 558 00:30:50,162 --> 00:30:54,322 Speaker 3: But football is unlike a lot of sports, It's virtually 559 00:30:54,442 --> 00:30:56,202 Speaker 3: a form of combat. 560 00:30:56,362 --> 00:30:59,322 Speaker 9: I didn't move as well my third year just because 561 00:30:59,402 --> 00:31:02,362 Speaker 9: I was hurting so much. But my first year, I 562 00:31:02,402 --> 00:31:05,882 Speaker 9: would say my first season was my most dominating season. 563 00:31:06,002 --> 00:31:09,322 Speaker 1: I was a little fresher, I wasn't so beat up, 564 00:31:09,402 --> 00:31:11,722 Speaker 1: but I came in every game. You know, I gave 565 00:31:11,882 --> 00:31:14,002 Speaker 1: everything I said I always did. 566 00:31:15,002 --> 00:31:17,602 Speaker 3: By the time he was nearing his senior year and 567 00:31:17,762 --> 00:31:22,282 Speaker 3: crossing forty years old, Andy's body had finally had enough. 568 00:31:22,962 --> 00:31:26,842 Speaker 3: Just getting to the field became an exercise in determination. 569 00:31:27,842 --> 00:31:30,682 Speaker 1: There were there were times that I'd have to have help. 570 00:31:30,762 --> 00:31:32,882 Speaker 9: Guys would get me down because everything It's called the 571 00:31:32,922 --> 00:31:35,042 Speaker 9: College on the Hill for a reason. Every there's hills 572 00:31:35,042 --> 00:31:38,642 Speaker 9: everywhere in Culver, and to get down to the stadium, 573 00:31:38,682 --> 00:31:41,202 Speaker 9: you had to walk down about seven flights of stairs. 574 00:31:41,802 --> 00:31:42,722 Speaker 1: I'd have to have help. 575 00:31:43,882 --> 00:31:46,162 Speaker 9: Either's somebody on one side, me holding both hands on 576 00:31:46,202 --> 00:31:47,642 Speaker 9: the guardrail, walking slope. 577 00:31:48,242 --> 00:31:52,122 Speaker 1: I can remember Sundays not being fun, that's for sure. 578 00:31:52,562 --> 00:31:56,522 Speaker 9: My body was completely My knees were so loose. 579 00:31:57,762 --> 00:31:57,962 Speaker 7: You know. 580 00:31:58,042 --> 00:32:00,922 Speaker 1: The trainer he do tests on them and you could 581 00:32:01,082 --> 00:32:01,802 Speaker 1: separate them. 582 00:32:02,122 --> 00:32:07,882 Speaker 9: They were so the elasticity in my ligaments or they're 583 00:32:08,042 --> 00:32:09,402 Speaker 9: dog It. 584 00:32:09,282 --> 00:32:10,282 Speaker 5: Was decision time. 585 00:32:10,842 --> 00:32:14,322 Speaker 3: Football had given Andy a new lease on life, but 586 00:32:14,362 --> 00:32:17,082 Speaker 3: if you went on too long, it might wind up 587 00:32:17,202 --> 00:32:21,442 Speaker 3: being too much on his body. 588 00:32:21,642 --> 00:32:24,682 Speaker 9: So I just knew I didn't have another season. I 589 00:32:24,802 --> 00:32:25,722 Speaker 9: physically couldn't. 590 00:32:26,202 --> 00:32:28,362 Speaker 1: Did I want to? Of course I did, But. 591 00:32:28,362 --> 00:32:30,962 Speaker 9: I miss also missed my boys, and I was ready 592 00:32:31,002 --> 00:32:33,282 Speaker 9: to be around them, you know, full time. 593 00:32:33,362 --> 00:32:35,242 Speaker 1: And that was the other thing I had to get back. 594 00:32:36,002 --> 00:32:39,362 Speaker 9: I'd gotten my degree, I'd gotten my education done, and yes, 595 00:32:39,522 --> 00:32:41,322 Speaker 9: I could have stayed around for another season. 596 00:32:41,482 --> 00:32:43,322 Speaker 1: I was ready to come home. 597 00:32:43,842 --> 00:32:47,202 Speaker 3: As they say, he wanted to play four years, but 598 00:32:47,322 --> 00:32:50,682 Speaker 3: the pain and recovery was too much of a burden. 599 00:32:51,162 --> 00:32:54,722 Speaker 3: Well that was a goal, It wasn't the goal. The 600 00:32:54,882 --> 00:32:58,202 Speaker 3: goal was to earn a business degree, and thanks to 601 00:32:58,282 --> 00:33:01,442 Speaker 3: his credits carrying over from Faris State all the way 602 00:33:01,482 --> 00:33:05,242 Speaker 3: back in nineteen ninety three, Andy was able to graduate 603 00:33:05,362 --> 00:33:08,802 Speaker 3: in three years. He hadn't just gone back to fix 604 00:33:08,842 --> 00:33:13,402 Speaker 3: a football career. He had also turned back the clock academically. 605 00:33:13,722 --> 00:33:15,762 Speaker 9: I ended up graduating with like a three five. I 606 00:33:15,802 --> 00:33:19,762 Speaker 9: think it was culver where when you know, when I 607 00:33:19,802 --> 00:33:22,162 Speaker 9: was at Faris, I left there like a two seven. 608 00:33:22,522 --> 00:33:23,802 Speaker 9: I made it just two six. 609 00:33:23,842 --> 00:33:26,842 Speaker 1: I can't something like that. I didn't care, you know. 610 00:33:26,922 --> 00:33:30,442 Speaker 9: On this second time, I knew that the education was 611 00:33:30,482 --> 00:33:33,202 Speaker 9: the main factor. But it was also the time to 612 00:33:33,242 --> 00:33:35,642 Speaker 9: finish what I'd started at such a young age. 613 00:33:36,522 --> 00:33:38,882 Speaker 1: I had that opportunity. I was passively. 614 00:33:39,682 --> 00:33:43,802 Speaker 3: His final game came against Benedictine, a twenty nine to 615 00:33:44,122 --> 00:33:46,642 Speaker 3: nineteen loss for the Wildcats. 616 00:33:47,082 --> 00:33:49,162 Speaker 5: Fittingly, it was senior day. 617 00:33:49,762 --> 00:33:51,162 Speaker 1: It was time to hang athletes up. 618 00:33:51,202 --> 00:33:53,842 Speaker 9: Once I turned forty and played that last season, it 619 00:33:53,922 --> 00:33:55,282 Speaker 9: was definitely time to hang him up. 620 00:33:56,402 --> 00:33:59,842 Speaker 3: By now, it was twenty fifteen and Andy returned to 621 00:33:59,962 --> 00:34:04,002 Speaker 3: Dewagik with a degree. He kept selling cars for a while, 622 00:34:04,082 --> 00:34:08,242 Speaker 3: but eventually turned his attention to another mode of transportation. 623 00:34:10,642 --> 00:34:10,842 Speaker 6: Well. 624 00:34:11,202 --> 00:34:14,002 Speaker 9: I stayed with the car industry for all about a 625 00:34:14,082 --> 00:34:15,722 Speaker 9: year and a half two years. 626 00:34:15,362 --> 00:34:17,882 Speaker 1: And just wasn't making the money I needed to. 627 00:34:18,282 --> 00:34:23,482 Speaker 9: And a friend the family had this diesel company selling 628 00:34:23,522 --> 00:34:26,442 Speaker 9: diesel engines and diesel engine parts and asked me if 629 00:34:26,482 --> 00:34:29,922 Speaker 9: I wanted to try it out, and I said, well, yeah, 630 00:34:29,922 --> 00:34:33,362 Speaker 9: I see what happened, and ended up working for him 631 00:34:33,402 --> 00:34:35,922 Speaker 9: and he ended up selling it about two years ago. 632 00:34:36,042 --> 00:34:38,682 Speaker 9: But I'm still a family owned company, so I'm still 633 00:34:38,802 --> 00:34:42,402 Speaker 9: still here buying and selling diesel engines in du Wagic. 634 00:34:42,602 --> 00:34:45,482 Speaker 3: Andy is a bit of a local legend. If you 635 00:34:45,562 --> 00:34:49,682 Speaker 3: know football, you know his story. There's the comeback sports 636 00:34:49,722 --> 00:34:52,322 Speaker 3: tale of it all, of course, but there was more 637 00:34:52,362 --> 00:34:55,562 Speaker 3: to it than that. For Andy, football was a way 638 00:34:55,602 --> 00:34:59,042 Speaker 3: to moderate his emotions, a kind of stress reliever. 639 00:35:00,002 --> 00:35:02,402 Speaker 9: My dad always told me, he said, you know, you're 640 00:35:02,442 --> 00:35:04,562 Speaker 9: so aggressive. The sports things. 641 00:35:04,282 --> 00:35:06,402 Speaker 1: What keeps you out of trouble. And he was right. 642 00:35:06,962 --> 00:35:09,762 Speaker 9: A switch that I couldn't turn off unless I was 643 00:35:09,802 --> 00:35:12,882 Speaker 9: playing the game or wrestling or lifting or whatnot. 644 00:35:13,002 --> 00:35:14,362 Speaker 1: But playing down. 645 00:35:14,202 --> 00:35:17,602 Speaker 9: There it helped turn that switch off that I had 646 00:35:17,642 --> 00:35:21,002 Speaker 9: been carrying on for nineteen years after and I mean 647 00:35:21,042 --> 00:35:22,922 Speaker 9: it was an experience of a lifetime. 648 00:35:23,562 --> 00:35:26,562 Speaker 3: Being a Wildcat was also the end of the what 649 00:35:26,682 --> 00:35:30,522 Speaker 3: if game? What if he had stayed at Ferris, What 650 00:35:30,602 --> 00:35:34,322 Speaker 3: if he had followed his father and brother further into football. 651 00:35:34,882 --> 00:35:37,962 Speaker 3: There are questions that can haunt the mind for years, 652 00:35:38,362 --> 00:35:39,202 Speaker 3: maybe forever. 653 00:35:40,082 --> 00:35:43,042 Speaker 9: It was closing a chapter in my life that never 654 00:35:43,242 --> 00:35:46,722 Speaker 9: got closed after my first year or you know at Farris. 655 00:35:46,802 --> 00:35:50,482 Speaker 9: So when you work so hard for something throughout your 656 00:35:50,562 --> 00:35:51,682 Speaker 9: younger years. 657 00:35:51,402 --> 00:35:54,002 Speaker 1: And then you give up on it, I mean I quit. 658 00:35:54,122 --> 00:35:57,482 Speaker 1: I was a quitter. My family didn't raise quitters. That 659 00:35:57,642 --> 00:36:01,282 Speaker 1: was the hardest thing for me. So finishing the game, finishing. 660 00:36:00,802 --> 00:36:04,642 Speaker 9: The school, it just closed that chapter that needed to 661 00:36:04,682 --> 00:36:05,282 Speaker 9: be closed. 662 00:36:05,682 --> 00:36:09,122 Speaker 1: It's over now. Memory, it's a great memory. 663 00:36:09,722 --> 00:36:13,842 Speaker 9: I'd really have no complaints of that period in my life. 664 00:36:14,122 --> 00:36:16,242 Speaker 9: I mean other than not being around my son's on 665 00:36:16,282 --> 00:36:22,042 Speaker 9: a more regular basis. But God intended that happen without 666 00:36:22,082 --> 00:36:23,002 Speaker 9: anyone knowing. 667 00:36:24,122 --> 00:36:27,602 Speaker 3: For Mike and other members of the team, Andy's presence 668 00:36:27,762 --> 00:36:31,162 Speaker 3: was something special. It's hard to go through life thinking 669 00:36:31,242 --> 00:36:35,282 Speaker 3: something isn't possible when your teammate returned to college football 670 00:36:35,362 --> 00:36:38,722 Speaker 3: at an age most guys are thinking about their prostate health. 671 00:36:39,442 --> 00:36:40,042 Speaker 3: Here's Mike. 672 00:36:40,962 --> 00:36:42,522 Speaker 1: He was He was an all conference player. 673 00:36:42,562 --> 00:36:45,322 Speaker 2: I mean, it wasn't like he was some you know, kicker, 674 00:36:45,522 --> 00:36:47,002 Speaker 2: a bench guy or anything like that. 675 00:36:47,082 --> 00:36:49,362 Speaker 1: He played, and he played a lot. I guess it 676 00:36:49,402 --> 00:36:51,402 Speaker 1: just goes to show you me and you just never know, 677 00:36:51,442 --> 00:36:53,402 Speaker 1: and you can be done doing something or not. But 678 00:36:54,042 --> 00:36:54,402 Speaker 1: I don't know. 679 00:36:54,642 --> 00:36:58,722 Speaker 2: I just one of those things that it's impressive and 680 00:36:59,242 --> 00:37:01,402 Speaker 2: to know that if he could do it, somebody else 681 00:37:01,562 --> 00:37:02,682 Speaker 2: do And. 682 00:37:02,682 --> 00:37:06,162 Speaker 1: I think that resilience is unbelievable. 683 00:37:07,002 --> 00:37:10,962 Speaker 3: Today Andy doesn't really need to be reminded of his accomplishment. 684 00:37:11,522 --> 00:37:15,322 Speaker 3: His body does that every day. He probably needs knee 685 00:37:15,362 --> 00:37:16,802 Speaker 3: surgery for starters. 686 00:37:17,482 --> 00:37:20,482 Speaker 1: I don't recommend guys going to doing it paying for it. 687 00:37:20,482 --> 00:37:23,922 Speaker 9: Now I can barely walk. The pain is ten times full. 688 00:37:24,002 --> 00:37:26,802 Speaker 9: I was in pain doing it, but now it's with me. 689 00:37:27,322 --> 00:37:31,322 Speaker 9: Twenty four to seven. I sell diesel engines, sit behind 690 00:37:31,322 --> 00:37:34,002 Speaker 9: the desk, so I'm not really moving too much anymore. 691 00:37:34,322 --> 00:37:37,562 Speaker 9: But I definitely wouldn't recommend it to any other thirty 692 00:37:37,562 --> 00:37:38,842 Speaker 9: eight thirty nine year old. 693 00:37:38,642 --> 00:37:40,362 Speaker 1: Boys to go play nose tackle. 694 00:37:41,722 --> 00:37:44,402 Speaker 3: And while there's no chance Andy is going to become 695 00:37:44,482 --> 00:37:48,482 Speaker 3: a forty eight year old sensation on any field, it's 696 00:37:48,522 --> 00:37:51,042 Speaker 3: not because he wouldn't want to try. 697 00:37:51,202 --> 00:37:52,522 Speaker 1: You know, if I can still play to this day, 698 00:37:52,562 --> 00:37:54,602 Speaker 1: I'd play every single day in my life. I love 699 00:37:54,762 --> 00:37:57,282 Speaker 1: stepping on that field. There's no other feeling in the. 700 00:37:57,282 --> 00:38:01,682 Speaker 3: World except, of course, the feeling that comes with finishing 701 00:38:01,802 --> 00:38:05,922 Speaker 3: what you started on a field near the Mississippi, or 702 00:38:05,962 --> 00:38:09,482 Speaker 3: maybe the feeling you have watching your son step onto 703 00:38:09,482 --> 00:38:14,922 Speaker 3: the field today. Luke Andy's youngest son plays college ball 704 00:38:15,002 --> 00:38:18,722 Speaker 3: at Northern Michigan, where he's also a Wildcat. 705 00:38:19,442 --> 00:38:21,882 Speaker 1: He's enjoying it. He's a good sized kid. 706 00:38:21,962 --> 00:38:24,562 Speaker 9: He's six ' four about two fifty two fifty five, 707 00:38:25,082 --> 00:38:27,082 Speaker 9: just continuing the family tradition. 708 00:38:27,362 --> 00:38:29,242 Speaker 1: He's playing d lion. 709 00:38:29,402 --> 00:38:33,642 Speaker 9: He's starting long snaper on punk. He's got an unbelievable snap. 710 00:38:34,242 --> 00:38:35,882 Speaker 9: It's rare to see him. 711 00:38:35,762 --> 00:38:37,842 Speaker 1: Make a mistake when it comes to the snap. 712 00:38:38,242 --> 00:38:40,282 Speaker 9: And I told him that's healthier anyway, I said, your 713 00:38:40,282 --> 00:38:44,522 Speaker 9: body doesn't get beat up being a lot of snap. So, 714 00:38:44,682 --> 00:38:46,802 Speaker 9: like I said, there's no other feeling in the world 715 00:38:46,842 --> 00:38:50,842 Speaker 9: but that hell. I mean, it's something that not many 716 00:38:50,882 --> 00:38:53,442 Speaker 9: men get to experience, especially at the collegiate level. 717 00:38:53,562 --> 00:38:57,202 Speaker 1: And just play every game like at your last This. 718 00:38:57,282 --> 00:39:01,962 Speaker 3: Time, Andy finally is what those Culver Stockton players originally 719 00:39:02,002 --> 00:39:03,002 Speaker 3: imagine him to be. 720 00:39:03,202 --> 00:39:05,002 Speaker 5: On his first day of training. 721 00:39:05,522 --> 00:39:09,322 Speaker 3: Someone's proud cheering from the sidelines. 722 00:39:17,242 --> 00:39:20,522 Speaker 6: I cannot believe that story. I mean, okay, you have 723 00:39:20,522 --> 00:39:23,122 Speaker 6: to understand I'm kind of like an accident Maven, Like 724 00:39:23,162 --> 00:39:25,642 Speaker 6: I'm down to go forty miles an hour and hit pavement. 725 00:39:25,882 --> 00:39:27,962 Speaker 6: There's no way you could get me. And I'm a 726 00:39:28,002 --> 00:39:29,442 Speaker 6: little older than this guy. There's no way you get 727 00:39:29,442 --> 00:39:31,122 Speaker 6: me on a football field and have three hundred pound 728 00:39:31,162 --> 00:39:32,962 Speaker 6: men hit me over and over again and be like, yeah, 729 00:39:33,002 --> 00:39:34,562 Speaker 6: I can do this, I can take it. And I'm 730 00:39:34,562 --> 00:39:36,042 Speaker 6: not even afraid of getting hit by a car. 731 00:39:36,482 --> 00:39:39,642 Speaker 8: I'm afraid of everything, and football scares me so much. 732 00:39:40,162 --> 00:39:42,322 Speaker 8: Even now, I can barely touch my toes. I don't 733 00:39:42,362 --> 00:39:45,202 Speaker 8: know how someone his age was doing the physical feats 734 00:39:45,202 --> 00:39:45,522 Speaker 8: he was. 735 00:39:45,602 --> 00:39:47,202 Speaker 6: Do you feel like you understand your husband a little 736 00:39:47,242 --> 00:39:47,922 Speaker 6: bit better now though? 737 00:39:48,402 --> 00:39:48,602 Speaker 5: Oh? 738 00:39:48,682 --> 00:39:52,522 Speaker 8: Absolutely, Although he has told me stories about playing football 739 00:39:52,562 --> 00:39:55,802 Speaker 8: in high school and getting like multiple concussions, and I'm like, 740 00:39:56,042 --> 00:39:58,922 Speaker 8: I do not know why people do this on purpose, 741 00:39:59,842 --> 00:40:01,922 Speaker 8: but they do, and they love it, and it's important 742 00:40:02,042 --> 00:40:03,522 Speaker 8: to America as. 743 00:40:03,442 --> 00:40:05,762 Speaker 6: A culture completely, and all of my doctors, there are 744 00:40:05,762 --> 00:40:08,082 Speaker 6: parts of my body I can't even feel anymore, like 745 00:40:08,322 --> 00:40:09,722 Speaker 6: one of my knees, like I can put in a 746 00:40:09,762 --> 00:40:11,322 Speaker 6: position you can just put fire on it. 747 00:40:11,562 --> 00:40:16,362 Speaker 7: I feel that so very special character. Yes, I have 748 00:40:16,402 --> 00:40:20,242 Speaker 7: one who's yours. I'm gonna go with the coach because 749 00:40:20,282 --> 00:40:23,202 Speaker 7: here's what I what I like about the coach. Everyone 750 00:40:23,242 --> 00:40:27,282 Speaker 7: in college football he's competing against, like they are recruiting 751 00:40:28,282 --> 00:40:33,042 Speaker 7: their kids, yes playing football, and he decided to go, 752 00:40:34,002 --> 00:40:36,562 Speaker 7: you know, a little, a little outside the box, way 753 00:40:36,562 --> 00:40:41,842 Speaker 7: outside and just find an older man who was physically 754 00:40:42,042 --> 00:40:44,122 Speaker 7: much larger than everybody. 755 00:40:43,682 --> 00:40:46,002 Speaker 6: And could be the father of most of the other teammates. 756 00:40:46,402 --> 00:40:50,162 Speaker 8: My very special character is an implied character. Oh, he 757 00:40:50,242 --> 00:40:52,682 Speaker 8: or she is not actually in the episode, but it 758 00:40:52,802 --> 00:40:57,682 Speaker 8: is Andrew's orthopedist, and I just want to give respect 759 00:40:57,722 --> 00:40:58,562 Speaker 8: where respect is do? 760 00:40:59,082 --> 00:41:01,522 Speaker 6: I like that? Good call. My very special character is 761 00:41:01,562 --> 00:41:04,042 Speaker 6: also somebody who is not actually featured in the episode, 762 00:41:04,082 --> 00:41:06,762 Speaker 6: But I want to know who was it who robbed 763 00:41:06,762 --> 00:41:09,642 Speaker 6: the six foot five defensive taxi when he was in 764 00:41:09,682 --> 00:41:13,042 Speaker 6: the repeat college Yeah, repeat, He's like, I kept getting robbed. 765 00:41:13,042 --> 00:41:14,082 Speaker 6: I'm like, who's robbing this? 766 00:41:14,242 --> 00:41:17,842 Speaker 5: It's a real Like was it like a trickster? Because 767 00:41:17,842 --> 00:41:19,282 Speaker 5: I couldn't have been through brute force? 768 00:41:20,322 --> 00:41:21,762 Speaker 7: Zaren have you cast this one? 769 00:41:21,922 --> 00:41:24,002 Speaker 6: I did? I'm glad you asked Jason. I thought a 770 00:41:24,042 --> 00:41:25,722 Speaker 6: lot about this because there's a lot of big guys, 771 00:41:25,722 --> 00:41:27,922 Speaker 6: you know, You're like, oh, maybe a young Vincentinofrio, maybe 772 00:41:27,922 --> 00:41:29,522 Speaker 6: that guy from like you know, their new Reach, your 773 00:41:29,642 --> 00:41:33,042 Speaker 6: TV show. Oh yeah, a little more muscle and weight 774 00:41:33,082 --> 00:41:34,322 Speaker 6: on him. But I was like, you know what, no, 775 00:41:34,522 --> 00:41:37,362 Speaker 6: I've got it, and a lot of people they they 776 00:41:37,402 --> 00:41:39,722 Speaker 6: may not see this and may not agree, but hear 777 00:41:39,802 --> 00:41:42,202 Speaker 6: me out. Put a little extra weight on him. Maybe 778 00:41:42,202 --> 00:41:44,642 Speaker 6: go send him over to Italy on a eating tour. Yeah, 779 00:41:44,722 --> 00:41:47,922 Speaker 6: Adam Driver, he's got the height and also he's got 780 00:41:47,962 --> 00:41:50,082 Speaker 6: the intensity. You don't think about it, but he's got 781 00:41:50,122 --> 00:41:50,722 Speaker 6: the intensity. 782 00:41:50,802 --> 00:41:53,402 Speaker 5: He played an older man in Ferrari. 783 00:41:53,642 --> 00:41:54,322 Speaker 6: Yes, there you go. 784 00:41:54,722 --> 00:41:55,722 Speaker 5: He can pull that off. 785 00:41:56,282 --> 00:41:58,802 Speaker 8: I think I don't think he's tall enough, but I 786 00:41:58,802 --> 00:42:02,402 Speaker 8: would love a role that brings chubby Chris Pratt back. 787 00:42:02,522 --> 00:42:05,522 Speaker 8: Oh yeah, I would love if he got back into 788 00:42:05,602 --> 00:42:06,722 Speaker 8: that that physique. 789 00:42:07,282 --> 00:42:07,602 Speaker 4: Like it. 790 00:42:07,842 --> 00:42:09,762 Speaker 7: Here's who I would cast and bring it back to 791 00:42:09,802 --> 00:42:12,722 Speaker 7: our conversation at the top, But I think we put 792 00:42:13,122 --> 00:42:17,602 Speaker 7: Jason Kelcey and Travis Kelcey in this together. I don't 793 00:42:17,602 --> 00:42:21,122 Speaker 7: know which one plays Andy, which one plays his brother, 794 00:42:21,362 --> 00:42:23,522 Speaker 7: but I think they're going to be looking for something 795 00:42:23,562 --> 00:42:27,522 Speaker 7: after this whole football thing and movies about football is 796 00:42:27,122 --> 00:42:28,762 Speaker 7: a nice podcast. 797 00:42:28,802 --> 00:42:29,602 Speaker 5: Don't Last Forever? 798 00:42:29,922 --> 00:42:33,722 Speaker 6: Yeah that's right. Where are they? Where are they? Where 799 00:42:33,722 --> 00:42:34,282 Speaker 6: are they now? 800 00:42:34,442 --> 00:42:34,682 Speaker 1: You know? 801 00:42:34,882 --> 00:42:38,842 Speaker 6: Oh, they rented a building. That makes sense. I liked 802 00:42:38,882 --> 00:42:41,082 Speaker 6: also the story because it had a kind of like 803 00:42:41,082 --> 00:42:43,762 Speaker 6: a Paul Newman in Slapshot feel. I'm not sure if 804 00:42:43,762 --> 00:42:46,602 Speaker 6: you know that movie, but it's just like this chaotic 805 00:42:46,682 --> 00:42:49,282 Speaker 6: sports energy and you're just like, I love this. It 806 00:42:49,322 --> 00:42:50,722 Speaker 6: makes you all of a sudden feel like in that 807 00:42:50,762 --> 00:42:52,482 Speaker 6: case it's hockey, but this case was football because I 808 00:42:52,522 --> 00:42:54,362 Speaker 6: played football, and listening to the guy, I'm like, I 809 00:42:54,402 --> 00:42:56,482 Speaker 6: could feel the hits. I was like, oh man, this 810 00:42:56,602 --> 00:42:57,482 Speaker 6: is authentico. 811 00:42:57,762 --> 00:42:58,522 Speaker 1: Yeah yeah. 812 00:42:58,562 --> 00:43:02,482 Speaker 7: And also a very special behind the scenes character producer 813 00:43:02,602 --> 00:43:05,722 Speaker 7: Josh Fisher over there for sound designing those hits and 814 00:43:05,802 --> 00:43:09,642 Speaker 7: making me feel like I'm concussed, which is great. That's 815 00:43:09,642 --> 00:43:14,002 Speaker 7: what you want to put people in the story. Well, well, Zaron, Dana, 816 00:43:14,722 --> 00:43:18,762 Speaker 7: thank you for schlepping out here to Vegas, and we're 817 00:43:18,762 --> 00:43:21,242 Speaker 7: gonna go to a nice team dinner tonight. I don't 818 00:43:21,242 --> 00:43:25,002 Speaker 7: think there'll be tiktoks, but if there are, follow Dana's TikTok. 819 00:43:25,842 --> 00:43:26,882 Speaker 5: I can't wait, thank you. 820 00:43:27,402 --> 00:43:29,842 Speaker 8: This was such a delight to finally get to hang 821 00:43:29,842 --> 00:43:30,882 Speaker 8: out with you guys in person. 822 00:43:31,202 --> 00:43:32,762 Speaker 6: I'm so glad to be here with you guys. 823 00:43:33,002 --> 00:43:35,562 Speaker 7: Yeahs Aaron, We've probably been on hundreds of hours of 824 00:43:35,642 --> 00:43:39,842 Speaker 7: Zoom together. The first time we have physically met in person, Dana, 825 00:43:39,842 --> 00:43:42,762 Speaker 7: it's been a couple of years since, uh, since I've seen. 826 00:43:42,562 --> 00:43:45,842 Speaker 5: You, and you knew me back in my post grad days. 827 00:43:45,922 --> 00:43:46,242 Speaker 7: Yeah. 828 00:43:46,322 --> 00:43:47,722 Speaker 6: Yeah, And can I be real with you guys, You 829 00:43:47,762 --> 00:43:49,242 Speaker 6: guys were way cooler than I thought you were be 830 00:43:49,282 --> 00:43:49,722 Speaker 6: in person. 831 00:43:49,962 --> 00:43:52,682 Speaker 5: Yeah, I'll take it. 832 00:43:53,562 --> 00:43:56,642 Speaker 8: I don't play football, but I do try to be 833 00:43:56,882 --> 00:43:59,042 Speaker 8: slightly cooler than people expect in person. 834 00:44:00,402 --> 00:44:02,562 Speaker 6: See, I don't do that. I'm the exact opposite. So 835 00:44:02,562 --> 00:44:04,242 Speaker 6: that's why I can say that. I'm like, oh, well, 836 00:44:04,282 --> 00:44:07,082 Speaker 6: you know, I tried. Sorry, Well, thank you for listening. 837 00:44:07,082 --> 00:44:12,642 Speaker 6: We'll be back with another one of these next Wednesday. Yeah, 838 00:44:13,682 --> 00:44:16,642 Speaker 6: very special episodes is made by some very special people. 839 00:44:16,922 --> 00:44:21,242 Speaker 7: This episode was written by Jake Rawson. Our producer, editor 840 00:44:21,322 --> 00:44:26,322 Speaker 7: and sound designer is Josh Fisher. Additional editing by Jonathan Washington, 841 00:44:27,162 --> 00:44:30,802 Speaker 7: mixing and mastering by Beheid Fraser. Original music by Alice 842 00:44:30,882 --> 00:44:36,042 Speaker 7: McCoy Our researchers are Austin Thompson and Marsa Brown. Show 843 00:44:36,082 --> 00:44:39,882 Speaker 7: logo by Lucy Kintonia, and again, just want to thank 844 00:44:40,162 --> 00:44:43,842 Speaker 7: Aaron Kaufman and Kurt Garren from the iHeart team for 845 00:44:44,282 --> 00:44:47,122 Speaker 7: letting us come hang out here. And you know, I'm 846 00:44:47,162 --> 00:44:49,442 Speaker 7: sure they got eight hundred other things they'd rather be doing. 847 00:44:49,722 --> 00:44:51,442 Speaker 6: Great sports. Thank you very much. 848 00:44:52,082 --> 00:44:54,922 Speaker 7: Very Special Episodes is a production of iHeart Podcasts.