1 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:09,240 Speaker 1: Welcome in listeners. I want to mention that, hey, today 2 00:00:09,360 --> 00:00:12,559 Speaker 1: is a little different. I'm missing my compadre, so I'll 3 00:00:12,560 --> 00:00:15,680 Speaker 1: be happy to get my Oprah on solo acting it 4 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,919 Speaker 1: without my man Peanut Tillman today. He's busy doing a 5 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:21,919 Speaker 1: couple of things. But that's not a big deal. It's okay, though, 6 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:24,880 Speaker 1: But I do want to ask specifically my listeners to 7 00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:26,640 Speaker 1: go back out there and continue to spread the word 8 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:29,800 Speaker 1: about this podcast and continue to give us a rating, 9 00:00:29,880 --> 00:00:33,320 Speaker 1: a review, and a follow on Apple Podcast, to our 10 00:00:33,400 --> 00:00:37,480 Speaker 1: heart radio app or wherever else you listen to your podcast. Now, 11 00:00:38,120 --> 00:00:41,319 Speaker 1: It's been a crazy two weeks in the NFL, very 12 00:00:41,400 --> 00:00:44,879 Speaker 1: dramatic week. Eight team teams fighting for playoff positioning. The 13 00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:47,919 Speaker 1: playoffs start this weekend. Really looking forward to that. The 14 00:00:48,040 --> 00:00:50,559 Speaker 1: NFL is just now starting to heat up. We all 15 00:00:50,600 --> 00:00:53,880 Speaker 1: know once the playoffs starts, everything ratses up another level. 16 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:57,120 Speaker 1: Another thing that happened during last week, the last two 17 00:00:57,160 --> 00:00:59,680 Speaker 1: weeks is, and this is probably what's really got everybody's 18 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:03,160 Speaker 1: emotion is going his uh the NFL community really getting 19 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:07,000 Speaker 1: behind and really trying to show some love in uh 20 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:10,400 Speaker 1: To in the country as well, all rally behind Bills 21 00:01:10,440 --> 00:01:14,440 Speaker 1: player Damar Hamlet after he was injured last Monday in 22 00:01:14,440 --> 00:01:17,560 Speaker 1: the game against the Bengals. We all saw it and 23 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:20,240 Speaker 1: we will talk about Damar and much more in this 24 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:25,320 Speaker 1: episode today with our guests. Eric would now listen. If 25 00:01:25,319 --> 00:01:26,800 Speaker 1: you don't know that name Bribe as the top of 26 00:01:26,800 --> 00:01:28,920 Speaker 1: your head, you're playing with yourself. You need to pay 27 00:01:28,920 --> 00:01:31,120 Speaker 1: a little bit more attention here. Eric is a beloved 28 00:01:31,160 --> 00:01:34,200 Speaker 1: member of the Bills Mafia. He spent his entire nine 29 00:01:34,280 --> 00:01:38,040 Speaker 1: year NFL career with the Buffalo Bills. He's now in 30 00:01:38,120 --> 00:01:42,280 Speaker 1: his fourth season as calling games for the Bills Radio network. 31 00:01:42,360 --> 00:01:46,399 Speaker 1: He also has a podcast himself. He's a businessman and 32 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:48,520 Speaker 1: a man of faith, which he leads on because when 33 00:01:48,520 --> 00:01:50,840 Speaker 1: you look up his Wikipedia, that's the first thing that 34 00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:53,480 Speaker 1: says I like a man like that. He lives on it. 35 00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:58,960 Speaker 1: So welcome in, Eric, Welcome to NFL Players Second Acts 36 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:01,800 Speaker 1: Podcast for Man. How you doing this morning? I'm doing great. 37 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:04,480 Speaker 1: It's an honor beyond with you, Roman. I appreciate that 38 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:07,080 Speaker 1: intro a lot, my brother, Oh man, no doubt, man, 39 00:02:07,080 --> 00:02:09,520 Speaker 1: it's much deserve. Hey, look, bro, I see you repping 40 00:02:09,560 --> 00:02:11,640 Speaker 1: Louis in the background. Got your Pro Bowl helmet up. 41 00:02:11,639 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 1: But that's what I'm saying, we gotta give you some respect, 42 00:02:14,320 --> 00:02:17,200 Speaker 1: my brother. Come on, doc, it's all good. So we 43 00:02:17,320 --> 00:02:21,200 Speaker 1: got some more great news about Tamar Hamlin. Uh, well 44 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:24,400 Speaker 1: within the last forty eight hours. Uh, that he was 45 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:26,799 Speaker 1: released from the hospital. He's in Buffalo now, he's at 46 00:02:26,880 --> 00:02:31,040 Speaker 1: now at home. Uh, continue to rehabbing things with that nature. Uh. 47 00:02:31,080 --> 00:02:34,280 Speaker 1: That's a long way from where we were a week 48 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:36,920 Speaker 1: and a half ago when we saw him laying on 49 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:40,000 Speaker 1: that field in Cincinnati. Eric Um, how do you put 50 00:02:40,080 --> 00:02:43,160 Speaker 1: into the words the roller coast of emotions from not 51 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:46,280 Speaker 1: only yourself but also the Buffalo community and the people 52 00:02:46,320 --> 00:02:49,239 Speaker 1: that you cover with this situation over the last week 53 00:02:49,280 --> 00:02:52,359 Speaker 1: and a half, being in that stadium that Monday, and 54 00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:55,640 Speaker 1: I call in the game in Roman. We've seen injuries 55 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:58,400 Speaker 1: happen all throughout the NFL, throughout our time in the 56 00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:01,880 Speaker 1: NFL and broadcasting and media. You know what a football 57 00:03:01,919 --> 00:03:04,520 Speaker 1: injury looks like. And sometimes it's gruesome. Look, I did 58 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 1: the Joe thisman leg break my rookie year and went 59 00:03:06,440 --> 00:03:09,960 Speaker 1: straight into an ambulance. But I'm I'm with it. You 60 00:03:09,960 --> 00:03:12,880 Speaker 1: know it's not it's not something out of the realm 61 00:03:12,880 --> 00:03:16,679 Speaker 1: that football players know. You're subjected to the whore. The 62 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:19,520 Speaker 1: panic on the players, the coaches, and even a lot 63 00:03:19,520 --> 00:03:22,239 Speaker 1: of the medical staff and trainers was is an image 64 00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:24,640 Speaker 1: that will last with me forever. We were completely shaken. 65 00:03:24,639 --> 00:03:27,840 Speaker 1: The entire stadium in Cincinnati was shaking. This was I'm 66 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:31,280 Speaker 1: originally from Cincinnati. This was was electrifying. I've ever seen 67 00:03:31,320 --> 00:03:33,560 Speaker 1: that stadium. And sometimes Bill's Mafia can bring that out 68 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:35,800 Speaker 1: in the fan base too, like they kind of invade 69 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:38,640 Speaker 1: and so you get extra allowed yourself. And it truly 70 00:03:38,760 --> 00:03:41,400 Speaker 1: was an incredible atmosphere. And then less than ten minutes 71 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:43,680 Speaker 1: in the game, it is dead silent. You know, they 72 00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:45,600 Speaker 1: say there's one in every crowd, There was none in 73 00:03:45,640 --> 00:03:47,600 Speaker 1: that crowd. There was no one saying, get up off 74 00:03:47,600 --> 00:03:50,800 Speaker 1: the field, let's play this game. Anybody that was win 75 00:03:51,080 --> 00:03:53,560 Speaker 1: within an eye shot of seeing the reaction on the 76 00:03:53,560 --> 00:03:56,840 Speaker 1: field knew that this was different. And so you have 77 00:03:56,880 --> 00:03:59,920 Speaker 1: a young man who is so well respected, so well 78 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:03,520 Speaker 1: loved in Buffalo, in that community, within the team in Pittsburgh. 79 00:04:03,640 --> 00:04:05,680 Speaker 1: Here Mike Tomlin talk about him. This is a guy 80 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:08,680 Speaker 1: that has impacted so many lives. Lay on the ground 81 00:04:08,680 --> 00:04:11,440 Speaker 1: fighting for his life, others are fighting for his life 82 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:16,159 Speaker 1: essentially on the field and then you're thinking, what's best 83 00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:19,839 Speaker 1: case scenario here? What's best case scenario? What's best case scenario? 84 00:04:19,880 --> 00:04:21,719 Speaker 1: When you shock him and it doesn't work, you do 85 00:04:21,760 --> 00:04:25,640 Speaker 1: almost nine minutes of CPR and you're losing oxygen blood 86 00:04:25,640 --> 00:04:28,440 Speaker 1: flow to your brain, what's best case scenario being a vegetable? Like? 87 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:31,360 Speaker 1: Is that the best case scenario in this situation? Throughout 88 00:04:31,360 --> 00:04:34,120 Speaker 1: the week, the news got progressively better, to the point 89 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:37,120 Speaker 1: where Sunday against the Patriots in Order Park turned into 90 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:41,840 Speaker 1: a celebration. A celebration. Initially it's the celebrating the trainers 91 00:04:41,880 --> 00:04:44,640 Speaker 1: pregame Roman. You know this from all your time in 92 00:04:44,680 --> 00:04:47,080 Speaker 1: the NFL. The trainers are behind the scenes and get 93 00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:50,280 Speaker 1: no credit, but oftentimes they're they're the ones that are 94 00:04:50,279 --> 00:04:52,280 Speaker 1: helping you get to the game each week. They're doing 95 00:04:52,360 --> 00:04:57,680 Speaker 1: so much, unnoticed, unrecognized. Well, they wanted to recognize the trainers, 96 00:04:57,720 --> 00:04:59,920 Speaker 1: have them run out of the tunnel and celebrate them 97 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:02,359 Speaker 1: in stead of the team running out like individually. And 98 00:05:02,360 --> 00:05:04,080 Speaker 1: they said, well, we gotta if the players are on 99 00:05:04,120 --> 00:05:06,520 Speaker 1: the field, we gotta be working. You know, there's taping 100 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:08,880 Speaker 1: to be done, last minute, there's guys a neat stretches, 101 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:11,640 Speaker 1: shoulder mode, exacle but whatever it may be, that's the 102 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:14,599 Speaker 1: type of guys these are. And so it turns into 103 00:05:14,600 --> 00:05:17,200 Speaker 1: a celebration. First the trainers, the Naime Hans runs back 104 00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:19,880 Speaker 1: the kickoff, then he returns another kickoff for a trunchdown, 105 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:23,599 Speaker 1: and it was it was a special day, especially with 106 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:26,640 Speaker 1: all the news that was coming out that Damar was in. 107 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 1: You know the new Sunday morning was excellent neurological function, 108 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:34,200 Speaker 1: one lung function. And so to us we're like, oh 109 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:36,599 Speaker 1: my gosh, this is this is literally a miracle. I 110 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:38,440 Speaker 1: don't want to I'm a man of faith. I don't 111 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:40,880 Speaker 1: want to undermine all the work that went in and 112 00:05:41,240 --> 00:05:45,760 Speaker 1: everybody that contributed to that. But even the doctors will say, 113 00:05:45,920 --> 00:05:47,880 Speaker 1: you know, this is this is a young man that 114 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:50,440 Speaker 1: that is doing better than we thought he would be doing. 115 00:05:50,640 --> 00:05:53,719 Speaker 1: And so um, there was there was so much good 116 00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:55,800 Speaker 1: that's come out of this. You know, it's hard to 117 00:05:55,839 --> 00:06:00,760 Speaker 1: tell non Christians that, hey, you know there there will 118 00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:02,640 Speaker 1: be something good that comes from this when there's a 119 00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:05,560 Speaker 1: twenty four year old that may lose his life in 120 00:06:05,680 --> 00:06:08,440 Speaker 1: the NFL community come together, see this country come together. 121 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:13,240 Speaker 1: It was it was beautiful. Eric look man like it 122 00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:16,240 Speaker 1: has to be said, like you can be a man 123 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:18,279 Speaker 1: of faith or you can believe in whatever you want to, 124 00:06:18,400 --> 00:06:21,120 Speaker 1: but you can't tell me it's not a higher power 125 00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:24,640 Speaker 1: than what we saw when we saw Damar laying out there. 126 00:06:25,080 --> 00:06:28,360 Speaker 1: We saw everybody the emotions on that field. Not only that, 127 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:30,440 Speaker 1: but looking at so you were at the game, but 128 00:06:30,560 --> 00:06:33,960 Speaker 1: watching it from TV was probably even scarier because we 129 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:37,240 Speaker 1: had never seen anything like that before. We saw the hit. 130 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:39,360 Speaker 1: We saw him get up, we saw him go back down, 131 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:41,520 Speaker 1: and you just don't know what's up. Then you see 132 00:06:41,560 --> 00:06:44,599 Speaker 1: the CPR, you see we're literally trying to save a 133 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:47,279 Speaker 1: person's life and you don't know why. Like you said, 134 00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:49,840 Speaker 1: I've seen the most crucial injuries. I've seen achilles, I've 135 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:52,560 Speaker 1: seen a c l S. I've seen compound fractures, I've 136 00:06:52,560 --> 00:06:55,559 Speaker 1: seen and that doesn't shake you as a football player, 137 00:06:55,640 --> 00:06:57,640 Speaker 1: doesn't shake you. But when you see one of your 138 00:06:57,640 --> 00:07:01,880 Speaker 1: guys that all of a sudden, they're not moving, they're unresponsive, 139 00:07:02,160 --> 00:07:04,880 Speaker 1: they and the looks on the players face has told 140 00:07:04,920 --> 00:07:08,320 Speaker 1: you that something was different. Um. And then to see 141 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:11,600 Speaker 1: the way that America responded. The people that were calling 142 00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:14,520 Speaker 1: the game, Joe Buck and Troy they were having struggles 143 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:16,920 Speaker 1: just to try and put it into words. So it 144 00:07:16,960 --> 00:07:20,239 Speaker 1: was really tough, and so that almost that glimpse of 145 00:07:21,040 --> 00:07:24,720 Speaker 1: that like looking inside. Uh. For the American people and 146 00:07:24,720 --> 00:07:27,000 Speaker 1: for everybody else around the world watching that night, I 147 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:29,600 Speaker 1: think it was I think it was very moving. I 148 00:07:29,640 --> 00:07:31,520 Speaker 1: think for the first time in a long time, we 149 00:07:31,520 --> 00:07:33,800 Speaker 1: weren't looked at as just a football player or just 150 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:36,880 Speaker 1: a guy in New Jersey. Everybody that that pulled it 151 00:07:36,960 --> 00:07:40,000 Speaker 1: everybody's heart strings just a little bit. It did, It 152 00:07:40,040 --> 00:07:44,160 Speaker 1: truly did, and the reaction throughout the week was just special. 153 00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:46,680 Speaker 1: I mean it was just different. I mean, this is 154 00:07:46,720 --> 00:07:50,800 Speaker 1: a country that's just so divided on everything, and you know, 155 00:07:51,560 --> 00:07:55,600 Speaker 1: we we said fifty fifty on politics. We have religions, 156 00:07:55,760 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 1: race and everything that divides this country. But one thing 157 00:08:00,400 --> 00:08:04,640 Speaker 1: most Americans love is sports. And America's favorite past time 158 00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:08,720 Speaker 1: now america is definitely most popular and profitable pastime is 159 00:08:08,760 --> 00:08:12,360 Speaker 1: the NFL. And so in the biggest stage, the most 160 00:08:12,400 --> 00:08:16,080 Speaker 1: anticipated Monday night football game since I can remember, this happens. 161 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:20,480 Speaker 1: It was a stage that brought this country together and 162 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:24,000 Speaker 1: the amount of love and outpouring that came from this 163 00:08:24,160 --> 00:08:27,800 Speaker 1: and then even demors comments when he comes out and 164 00:08:27,840 --> 00:08:31,120 Speaker 1: as he's as he's putting out messages through social media. 165 00:08:31,960 --> 00:08:35,280 Speaker 1: It was just special that that young man now is saying, Hey, 166 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:38,000 Speaker 1: just tell tell three people you love them. I mean, 167 00:08:38,080 --> 00:08:40,840 Speaker 1: how cool is that? But his message wasn't you know, 168 00:08:40,920 --> 00:08:44,280 Speaker 1: I'm a fighter, I'll be back. It was man, it's 169 00:08:44,280 --> 00:08:47,559 Speaker 1: been the love and the outpouring has been incredible. Thank you, 170 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:50,640 Speaker 1: keep it going, keep it moving forward. Talking about that 171 00:08:50,640 --> 00:08:53,800 Speaker 1: that outpouring love. UM, I know a lot of people 172 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:56,880 Speaker 1: watch football, they love football, and they all want to 173 00:08:56,920 --> 00:08:59,200 Speaker 1: be a part of many different things. But um, I 174 00:08:59,200 --> 00:09:02,160 Speaker 1: don't think as many people understand just how close the 175 00:09:02,240 --> 00:09:04,920 Speaker 1: guys are inside of a locker room and how much 176 00:09:05,240 --> 00:09:08,560 Speaker 1: time we spend together. And sometimes we spend way more 177 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:10,920 Speaker 1: time with your teammates than you do your actually family. 178 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:15,600 Speaker 1: Like that, your football team becomes your family, and our 179 00:09:15,679 --> 00:09:18,360 Speaker 1: families become families with each other because of all the 180 00:09:18,400 --> 00:09:21,120 Speaker 1: time spent, especially over years. You were in Buffalo for 181 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:24,040 Speaker 1: nine years, so you have family members that we're not 182 00:09:24,120 --> 00:09:27,040 Speaker 1: your origin family members until you showed up there. Can 183 00:09:27,080 --> 00:09:29,880 Speaker 1: you maybe talk to the listeners, uh, just about the 184 00:09:29,920 --> 00:09:33,040 Speaker 1: world of the brotherhood that is the NFL or a 185 00:09:33,080 --> 00:09:35,719 Speaker 1: locker room and uh kind of share that part or 186 00:09:35,760 --> 00:09:38,120 Speaker 1: your experience with that. You know, we always talk about 187 00:09:38,120 --> 00:09:40,480 Speaker 1: the brotherhood of the NFL, but it's not always on 188 00:09:40,559 --> 00:09:43,160 Speaker 1: display for everyone to see. And and I often tell 189 00:09:43,160 --> 00:09:45,200 Speaker 1: people this, like, yes, I want to go out on 190 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:47,160 Speaker 1: Sunday and I want to whoop the person in front 191 00:09:47,200 --> 00:09:49,640 Speaker 1: of me, but I also want him to walk to 192 00:09:49,840 --> 00:09:52,360 Speaker 1: his family after the game and hug him and and 193 00:09:52,480 --> 00:09:54,920 Speaker 1: be fine. Like I never want to take someone out 194 00:09:54,960 --> 00:09:57,280 Speaker 1: on the field. I'm not gonna do anything dirty to 195 00:09:57,400 --> 00:09:59,600 Speaker 1: a player on a football field that could injure him, 196 00:09:59,720 --> 00:10:02,960 Speaker 1: like I not. We we there's a certain level of respect. 197 00:10:03,080 --> 00:10:05,440 Speaker 1: When I got to the NFL people early on in 198 00:10:05,440 --> 00:10:08,200 Speaker 1: my career, what's the biggest difference between college and the NFL? Said? 199 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:10,760 Speaker 1: In the NFL during TV time outs of the offensive 200 00:10:10,800 --> 00:10:13,199 Speaker 1: defense is out there. You have guys that trained together 201 00:10:13,200 --> 00:10:15,720 Speaker 1: in the offseason, maybe played together in college. They're dapping 202 00:10:15,720 --> 00:10:17,880 Speaker 1: each other up and asking about people's families. Well, then 203 00:10:17,880 --> 00:10:20,400 Speaker 1: you gotta flip the switch and go. But it's different, 204 00:10:20,520 --> 00:10:23,000 Speaker 1: like that didn't happen often in college. But there's just 205 00:10:23,080 --> 00:10:26,320 Speaker 1: a certain amount of respect, and when guys crossed that 206 00:10:26,360 --> 00:10:29,120 Speaker 1: line of respect, they lose their reputation quick in the 207 00:10:29,200 --> 00:10:32,199 Speaker 1: league because it truly is a brotherhood. So as of 208 00:10:32,559 --> 00:10:36,679 Speaker 1: as of this taping on Thursday, January til twelve, nearly 209 00:10:37,679 --> 00:10:40,360 Speaker 1: eight and a half, almost close to getting closer to 210 00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:43,120 Speaker 1: nine million dollars has been donated to to Mars the 211 00:10:43,280 --> 00:10:46,520 Speaker 1: Chasing M's Foundation for his annual toy drive. Like, how 212 00:10:46,559 --> 00:10:50,400 Speaker 1: amazing is that? And what does that say about the 213 00:10:50,440 --> 00:10:54,200 Speaker 1: person to Mar Is that so many people in Buffalo 214 00:10:54,240 --> 00:10:57,679 Speaker 1: and around this country and possibly the world showed him 215 00:10:57,760 --> 00:11:01,880 Speaker 1: love in that way. Yeah, it it's amazing the support 216 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:05,199 Speaker 1: because so many were just looking to do anything they 217 00:11:05,280 --> 00:11:08,959 Speaker 1: possibly could could be dollars that, in Damar's name, make 218 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:12,679 Speaker 1: an impact further than this game. And so now Damar 219 00:11:12,760 --> 00:11:14,440 Speaker 1: and his foundation they're gonna be able to do so 220 00:11:14,520 --> 00:11:16,559 Speaker 1: much more than a toy drive. They can do a 221 00:11:16,640 --> 00:11:20,240 Speaker 1: toy drop for essentially about most of the country with 222 00:11:20,360 --> 00:11:22,000 Speaker 1: this amount of money, but they're gonna be able to 223 00:11:22,080 --> 00:11:24,760 Speaker 1: do so much more with this money. When you look 224 00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:27,280 Speaker 1: at the list of people on the list, I mean, 225 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:30,840 Speaker 1: it was amazing, you know, and and so many donated anonymously, 226 00:11:31,160 --> 00:11:34,480 Speaker 1: and that's great and and I respect that as well. 227 00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:37,000 Speaker 1: I also think that there's a point in leadership that 228 00:11:37,040 --> 00:11:40,000 Speaker 1: when a Tom Brady puts Tom Brady in ten grand 229 00:11:40,040 --> 00:11:43,400 Speaker 1: immediately after. There's something to be said about leaders leading 230 00:11:43,400 --> 00:11:46,360 Speaker 1: the way. Robert Kraft, your rival who you're playing the 231 00:11:46,360 --> 00:11:49,560 Speaker 1: following week, who owns the team, does eighteen thousand and 232 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:54,000 Speaker 1: three dollars. Eighteen is a Jewish number for life. Three 233 00:11:54,040 --> 00:11:56,600 Speaker 1: for Damar Hamlin like that is a sign of respect. 234 00:11:56,679 --> 00:11:59,280 Speaker 1: And I'm fine with you getting the credit for that 235 00:11:59,320 --> 00:12:02,960 Speaker 1: donation because you're leading the way. And so to me, 236 00:12:03,120 --> 00:12:06,239 Speaker 1: it reminds me of Ephesians. God can do am measurably 237 00:12:06,280 --> 00:12:10,080 Speaker 1: more than wherever we ask or imagine, and is what 238 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:13,079 Speaker 1: we are and what tomorrow asked and imagined. And here's 239 00:12:13,120 --> 00:12:18,160 Speaker 1: God doing a measurably more well. Eric, Man, I appreciate that. Man. Um, 240 00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:21,160 Speaker 1: all right, So we're gonna take a little break right here. Um. 241 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:23,760 Speaker 1: I want to continue to tell all of our listeners 242 00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:26,600 Speaker 1: just how well DeMar is doing. It's been a huge 243 00:12:26,640 --> 00:12:29,720 Speaker 1: improvement and the fact that now he's back home doing 244 00:12:29,760 --> 00:12:32,480 Speaker 1: some rehab and really working to it better improve himself 245 00:12:32,520 --> 00:12:35,920 Speaker 1: and his and everything. That's uh, everything that's the family 246 00:12:35,960 --> 00:12:38,719 Speaker 1: and everybody is so excited about. So we'll be back. 247 00:12:38,720 --> 00:12:41,200 Speaker 1: We're gonna pay some bills and then when we come back, 248 00:12:41,200 --> 00:12:43,440 Speaker 1: We're gonna really jump into what Eric is doing next 249 00:12:43,800 --> 00:12:46,720 Speaker 1: for himself personally and how his growth is continue to 250 00:12:46,760 --> 00:12:50,320 Speaker 1: expound since his time of hanging it up. So thank you. 251 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:55,160 Speaker 1: We talked about tomorrow having good life changing injury. Eric, 252 00:12:55,800 --> 00:12:59,800 Speaker 1: you know what that's well about, um, And you're about 253 00:12:59,840 --> 00:13:01,600 Speaker 1: to to your second Pro Bowl. I see one Pro 254 00:13:01,679 --> 00:13:03,760 Speaker 1: Bowl helmet behind you right there. You're about to go 255 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:06,880 Speaker 1: to your second Pro Bowl. You just signed a contract extension, 256 00:13:07,080 --> 00:13:09,280 Speaker 1: and then all of a sudden boom, you have a 257 00:13:09,320 --> 00:13:13,280 Speaker 1: career ending injury because of your neck. At your neck, 258 00:13:13,640 --> 00:13:16,800 Speaker 1: So when did you go from Okay, this is just 259 00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:20,600 Speaker 1: a normal injury. I'm feeling a little paying too. Uh no, 260 00:13:20,920 --> 00:13:23,280 Speaker 1: you're not gonna be able to play anymore, man, Roman. 261 00:13:23,320 --> 00:13:25,840 Speaker 1: It was such a unique experience and my first four 262 00:13:25,880 --> 00:13:27,960 Speaker 1: years in the league, coming as a first round draft pick, 263 00:13:28,120 --> 00:13:30,160 Speaker 1: never been hurt in my life. Start every game at 264 00:13:30,160 --> 00:13:32,560 Speaker 1: the University of Louisville for my freshman year on get 265 00:13:32,600 --> 00:13:34,920 Speaker 1: to the NFL. So Joe Thising leg break, it's a 266 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:36,720 Speaker 1: high ankle spring. The next year, it's an a c AL. 267 00:13:36,800 --> 00:13:39,000 Speaker 1: The following, it's an m CL the following, and then 268 00:13:39,040 --> 00:13:41,959 Speaker 1: I start fifty two consecutive games, which was the most 269 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:44,080 Speaker 1: for any active center in the NFL at the time. 270 00:13:44,320 --> 00:13:48,880 Speaker 1: Break my other leg On Monday Night Football in seventeen season, 271 00:13:48,920 --> 00:13:52,920 Speaker 1: Sean mcdermotts hired, Brandon Bean's hired, and everyone thinks we're tanking. 272 00:13:53,320 --> 00:13:55,880 Speaker 1: But I can't leave Buffalo while we're still in the 273 00:13:55,880 --> 00:13:58,200 Speaker 1: longest playoff rout in all pro sports. Like, I can't 274 00:13:58,280 --> 00:14:00,559 Speaker 1: leave Buffalo and I'm heading into a con track to year. 275 00:14:00,760 --> 00:14:02,960 Speaker 1: So the Bills offered me a contract and I signed it. 276 00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:05,800 Speaker 1: They offered me a contract extension, the first one Brandon 277 00:14:05,840 --> 00:14:10,120 Speaker 1: being gave out with his tenure with the Bills. Yeah, so, 278 00:14:10,120 --> 00:14:14,080 Speaker 1: so I signed a contract extension before the season. Were 279 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:16,480 Speaker 1: the team that breaks the playoff drought when everyone thought 280 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:19,000 Speaker 1: we were tanking after we traded away our last top 281 00:14:19,080 --> 00:14:21,600 Speaker 1: three draft choices. And I'm the only player on the 282 00:14:21,600 --> 00:14:24,480 Speaker 1: team to play every single snap that season, including the 283 00:14:24,520 --> 00:14:27,120 Speaker 1: playoff game. Now, I did get stingers for the first 284 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:29,280 Speaker 1: time in my life. And for those listening, you know 285 00:14:29,320 --> 00:14:32,200 Speaker 1: a burning, numbing sensation down your arm. For me, it 286 00:14:32,280 --> 00:14:34,280 Speaker 1: was my arm. It could be other extremities for others, 287 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:37,840 Speaker 1: and I didn't think anything of it because my high 288 00:14:37,840 --> 00:14:41,120 Speaker 1: school buddies got stingers. They're fine, Like, why would this 289 00:14:41,160 --> 00:14:44,120 Speaker 1: be any differently? They came more frequently. So I go 290 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 1: to extraphysicals. My son's about to be born, and I said, hey, 291 00:14:47,280 --> 00:14:49,800 Speaker 1: I gotta get back to Louisville. I'm gonna drive home 292 00:14:50,400 --> 00:14:51,920 Speaker 1: just so I make make sure that I'm there for 293 00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:53,920 Speaker 1: the birth of my son. I played every snap. Just 294 00:14:53,920 --> 00:14:56,280 Speaker 1: clear me for the Pro Bowl. I'm good, they said, 295 00:14:56,480 --> 00:14:58,280 Speaker 1: grabbing him or on your way out of town on 296 00:14:58,360 --> 00:15:01,040 Speaker 1: your neck. Just let's just make sure everything okay, Well, 297 00:15:01,240 --> 00:15:02,920 Speaker 1: we'll just call you. You You don't even have to come 298 00:15:02,920 --> 00:15:06,040 Speaker 1: back in. I'm sure it's fine. I get the news 299 00:15:06,080 --> 00:15:08,160 Speaker 1: while I'm in the delivery room waiting on my son 300 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:11,480 Speaker 1: to be born January eleven, which was yesterday, the day 301 00:15:11,520 --> 00:15:15,720 Speaker 1: of my son's birthday birthday, appreciate it and figure out 302 00:15:15,760 --> 00:15:17,640 Speaker 1: that I have a career ending neck injury. At C 303 00:15:17,800 --> 00:15:20,840 Speaker 1: two C three. There's disc and bone sitting into my 304 00:15:20,880 --> 00:15:24,560 Speaker 1: spinal cord where they're not sure how It hasn't affected 305 00:15:24,600 --> 00:15:27,200 Speaker 1: me a lot worse, but I absolutely, even with surgery, 306 00:15:27,440 --> 00:15:30,600 Speaker 1: have no possibility for return. And so I go from 307 00:15:30,640 --> 00:15:34,040 Speaker 1: getting a contract extension, I'm avenger. You know the following year, 308 00:15:34,040 --> 00:15:36,840 Speaker 1: I'd be Josh Allen's mentor. They wanted me to be 309 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:40,040 Speaker 1: the Veterans center in front of their first round quarterback 310 00:15:40,080 --> 00:15:41,960 Speaker 1: that they were gonna take the following year, and that 311 00:15:42,040 --> 00:15:44,800 Speaker 1: was gonna be me. So for me, that would have 312 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:47,160 Speaker 1: been a as I looked at it, Okay, this is 313 00:15:47,160 --> 00:15:50,320 Speaker 1: a chance for me. Look, and I love Profobatta played 314 00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:52,720 Speaker 1: till the wheels fell off. It's a blessing God took 315 00:15:52,760 --> 00:15:54,840 Speaker 1: me out when he did, because how would I quit now? 316 00:15:55,280 --> 00:15:59,680 Speaker 1: As good as they that's so good and so But 317 00:16:00,160 --> 00:16:02,160 Speaker 1: to me, I'm thinking, Okay, I get to pour into 318 00:16:02,160 --> 00:16:04,560 Speaker 1: a young quarterback. That'll kind of be my legacy that 319 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:07,000 Speaker 1: I leave on with the Bills. You know how I 320 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:09,800 Speaker 1: can mentor the guys and all that. Well, then it's 321 00:16:09,800 --> 00:16:12,960 Speaker 1: all stripped away in an instant and I had to 322 00:16:12,960 --> 00:16:15,520 Speaker 1: figure out what was next for me. So when you 323 00:16:15,560 --> 00:16:17,880 Speaker 1: get this news, all right, you've been I mean, like 324 00:16:17,960 --> 00:16:20,400 Speaker 1: you listed off all the injuries before once you got 325 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:24,080 Speaker 1: into the league. When you get this news, um, kind 326 00:16:24,080 --> 00:16:26,680 Speaker 1: of take me through emotions of you getting this news. 327 00:16:26,920 --> 00:16:29,560 Speaker 1: You're in the late the you're in the labor room 328 00:16:29,560 --> 00:16:31,760 Speaker 1: with your with your son, the birth of your son, 329 00:16:32,040 --> 00:16:34,080 Speaker 1: and I can talk to this about a little bit 330 00:16:34,160 --> 00:16:41,680 Speaker 1: because um in my my my girlfriend, my then white, 331 00:16:41,720 --> 00:16:44,240 Speaker 1: my now wife was actually went into labor. I was 332 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:46,520 Speaker 1: playing in a playoff game. I was in San Francisco. 333 00:16:46,960 --> 00:16:48,720 Speaker 1: I get a call that morning. I missed like four 334 00:16:48,760 --> 00:16:51,160 Speaker 1: phone calls. She's like, I'm going into labor, but I'm 335 00:16:51,160 --> 00:16:53,360 Speaker 1: gonna weight on it. I'm gonna hold it. I'm like, okay, cool. 336 00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:55,640 Speaker 1: That was my first kid, so I didn't know. I'm like, yeah, cool. 337 00:16:56,080 --> 00:16:58,720 Speaker 1: And so go playing the game. We lose the game 338 00:16:58,760 --> 00:17:01,360 Speaker 1: in San Francisco, and all of a sudden, but you 339 00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:04,840 Speaker 1: get this, this this joy, I get this picture of 340 00:17:04,920 --> 00:17:09,080 Speaker 1: my daughter, and so it's this there's crazy sense of 341 00:17:09,119 --> 00:17:11,800 Speaker 1: emotions where you go from this sad to this like 342 00:17:11,880 --> 00:17:15,200 Speaker 1: relief and like it really is like somebody smiling down 343 00:17:15,240 --> 00:17:17,040 Speaker 1: on you at the end. I want you to tell 344 00:17:17,080 --> 00:17:19,679 Speaker 1: me what your emotions were like going through such a 345 00:17:19,720 --> 00:17:22,639 Speaker 1: wave of the negativity of hearing that you're not going 346 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:24,360 Speaker 1: to play able to play this game that you love. 347 00:17:24,400 --> 00:17:26,360 Speaker 1: You've been playing it since you're a little kid, I assumed, 348 00:17:26,840 --> 00:17:30,560 Speaker 1: and versus now, but you still have a little baby boy. Now, Yeah, 349 00:17:30,560 --> 00:17:32,520 Speaker 1: it sounds like your wife's a lot like my wife too, 350 00:17:32,560 --> 00:17:34,600 Speaker 1: because if we would have went on the playoffs and 351 00:17:34,600 --> 00:17:36,320 Speaker 1: I couldn't make it, she was like, don't worry about 352 00:17:36,359 --> 00:17:38,600 Speaker 1: I was like, no, I am worried, and yeah, that's 353 00:17:38,600 --> 00:17:41,920 Speaker 1: she was like, gotta go, you gotta go. Yeah, yeah, 354 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:45,120 Speaker 1: similar wise in that sense. But you know, I caught 355 00:17:45,119 --> 00:17:48,639 Speaker 1: win that morning that it was probably worse than they thought, 356 00:17:49,040 --> 00:17:51,720 Speaker 1: and this and that, and so I get the call 357 00:17:52,320 --> 00:17:55,800 Speaker 1: and we're literally in the delivery room and my wife 358 00:17:55,880 --> 00:17:58,040 Speaker 1: was like just answering. We both want to know, and 359 00:17:58,119 --> 00:18:00,000 Speaker 1: so I couldn't even speak. I gave her the thumbs 360 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:04,000 Speaker 1: down and she started crying. The nurse was like, it's baby, 361 00:18:04,040 --> 00:18:05,760 Speaker 1: It's not gonna hurt that bad, and she's like, it's 362 00:18:05,760 --> 00:18:09,520 Speaker 1: not about the baby, you know, laughing, But you know, 363 00:18:09,680 --> 00:18:12,159 Speaker 1: so that was that was There was a lot of 364 00:18:12,200 --> 00:18:15,160 Speaker 1: emotion tied to a career that you poured so much into. 365 00:18:15,240 --> 00:18:17,280 Speaker 1: And look, I love profo by my wife club Profo. 366 00:18:17,359 --> 00:18:19,840 Speaker 1: But we loved and half a hear in Buffalo and 367 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:22,040 Speaker 1: had a house up there. We had great friends up there. 368 00:18:22,080 --> 00:18:24,200 Speaker 1: You talking about the family, the people were gonna miss 369 00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:26,760 Speaker 1: I mean, it was gonna affect us. But then we 370 00:18:26,840 --> 00:18:29,960 Speaker 1: get this little boy who's truly my meny me for 371 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:32,560 Speaker 1: those out there checking out on my Instagram Attie with 372 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:35,920 Speaker 1: seven or on my Twitter, like, literally, God gave me 373 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:39,520 Speaker 1: a miniature version of myself as my career is taken away, 374 00:18:39,760 --> 00:18:42,439 Speaker 1: he gives me this son. So now I have this healthy, 375 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:44,560 Speaker 1: beautiful little girl who's two and a half years older. 376 00:18:44,560 --> 00:18:47,760 Speaker 1: And now I have literally a miniature version of myself 377 00:18:47,800 --> 00:18:49,960 Speaker 1: who now at five years old, is my best friend. 378 00:18:50,080 --> 00:18:54,480 Speaker 1: And so it's the high highs and low lows and ultimately, 379 00:18:55,359 --> 00:18:58,199 Speaker 1: no matter how much you can say, look for me, 380 00:18:58,320 --> 00:19:02,399 Speaker 1: it's faith and it's family then even friends than football. Man, 381 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:04,240 Speaker 1: When football is taken away from you and you put 382 00:19:04,280 --> 00:19:06,240 Speaker 1: so much into it, you realize that there is a 383 00:19:06,280 --> 00:19:09,840 Speaker 1: piece of your identity wrapped up in being a pro ballplayer, 384 00:19:09,840 --> 00:19:13,440 Speaker 1: and not even just the game, in in identifying as 385 00:19:13,440 --> 00:19:16,480 Speaker 1: a professional football player. Yeah, it's it's everything. It's it's 386 00:19:16,520 --> 00:19:18,439 Speaker 1: your whole life. It's none of that, but it's your 387 00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:21,040 Speaker 1: family's life. It's you know, they're used to come to 388 00:19:21,080 --> 00:19:23,359 Speaker 1: the games in room for you. They're used to traveling 389 00:19:23,400 --> 00:19:25,920 Speaker 1: and doing all these things. I don't think we realize 390 00:19:25,960 --> 00:19:29,960 Speaker 1: how much everybody else it revolves around you in your world. 391 00:19:30,280 --> 00:19:32,320 Speaker 1: When you make it to the ultimate pinnacle of what 392 00:19:32,400 --> 00:19:34,760 Speaker 1: you've been shooting for your whole life. Just real quick, 393 00:19:35,440 --> 00:19:38,879 Speaker 1: for those listening out there, you know, no matter what 394 00:19:39,080 --> 00:19:42,480 Speaker 1: profession you're in, but especially pro football, be very sensitive 395 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:44,760 Speaker 1: to your family members at that time because you think 396 00:19:44,760 --> 00:19:47,560 Speaker 1: it's all about you, but it's not. And I neglected 397 00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:49,640 Speaker 1: that for a little while. You know, it was all 398 00:19:49,680 --> 00:19:51,560 Speaker 1: about you know, how quick can I get this weight 399 00:19:51,560 --> 00:19:53,159 Speaker 1: off so my body feels good? And they told me 400 00:19:53,200 --> 00:19:55,040 Speaker 1: to lose some weight to help relieve some of the 401 00:19:55,119 --> 00:19:57,840 Speaker 1: neck tension. And then it's all me, me and me. 402 00:19:58,080 --> 00:19:59,720 Speaker 1: What am I gonna do next. I'm gonna prove that 403 00:19:59,760 --> 00:20:01,399 Speaker 1: I can be a business man. I'm gonna prove that 404 00:20:01,440 --> 00:20:03,840 Speaker 1: I can get in the broadcast booth. And I wasn't 405 00:20:03,880 --> 00:20:06,320 Speaker 1: nearly as as sensitive as I should have been to 406 00:20:06,400 --> 00:20:08,919 Speaker 1: my wife. And look, we're in a we're in a 407 00:20:09,040 --> 00:20:12,000 Speaker 1: great place now. But for those out there that are going, 408 00:20:12,160 --> 00:20:14,080 Speaker 1: you know, if you're a CEO, if you're a big 409 00:20:14,119 --> 00:20:16,800 Speaker 1: time pastor you you everybody in your family has got 410 00:20:16,800 --> 00:20:19,400 Speaker 1: to live that life too, and it's not just you 411 00:20:19,480 --> 00:20:22,760 Speaker 1: that has to transition in those moments. I'm glad you 412 00:20:22,760 --> 00:20:25,800 Speaker 1: brought up transitioning. So when you retired from the NFL 413 00:20:26,119 --> 00:20:28,160 Speaker 1: and you were transitioning to a new way of life, 414 00:20:28,200 --> 00:20:31,399 Speaker 1: what sorts of things did you do? Uh? Did you 415 00:20:31,440 --> 00:20:35,200 Speaker 1: write down to keep yourself positive, especially in the moments 416 00:20:35,240 --> 00:20:37,040 Speaker 1: when you really miss being part of the game. I 417 00:20:37,280 --> 00:20:39,000 Speaker 1: know we all kind of go through those moments, in 418 00:20:39,040 --> 00:20:42,280 Speaker 1: those times of loneliness or the sense of what are 419 00:20:42,280 --> 00:20:45,080 Speaker 1: we doing to do next? Because our path at one 420 00:20:45,080 --> 00:20:47,400 Speaker 1: point in time was just bought and it just took 421 00:20:47,480 --> 00:20:50,360 Speaker 1: us to where we are eventually. So maybe you could 422 00:20:50,359 --> 00:20:52,960 Speaker 1: share with your transition. Yeah, that's a great question. So 423 00:20:53,040 --> 00:20:54,760 Speaker 1: for me, it was a lot of conversations. It was 424 00:20:54,800 --> 00:20:57,520 Speaker 1: a lot of trying to learn from other people that 425 00:20:57,560 --> 00:21:01,040 Speaker 1: transitions successfully no matter what they were in life. You know, 426 00:21:01,240 --> 00:21:03,320 Speaker 1: what were your next steps? For me, I'm a man 427 00:21:03,320 --> 00:21:05,760 Speaker 1: of faith, so I continue to pour into my faith. 428 00:21:06,080 --> 00:21:08,600 Speaker 1: You know, I'm a gratitude journal guy. Three things in 429 00:21:08,640 --> 00:21:11,040 Speaker 1: the morning you're grateful for every day. That has been 430 00:21:11,080 --> 00:21:14,159 Speaker 1: proven to literally rewire your brain to where throughout the 431 00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:16,840 Speaker 1: day you start looking for things because your brain wants 432 00:21:16,880 --> 00:21:19,040 Speaker 1: to put his least amount of stress possible in itself 433 00:21:19,080 --> 00:21:21,040 Speaker 1: at all times. So when it knows it has to 434 00:21:21,040 --> 00:21:23,439 Speaker 1: write down three things that you're grateful for. It'll just 435 00:21:23,440 --> 00:21:26,199 Speaker 1: start looking for him and taking mental notes. As opposed 436 00:21:26,240 --> 00:21:27,840 Speaker 1: to looking for the things that are ticking you off 437 00:21:27,880 --> 00:21:30,400 Speaker 1: on a constant basis. You're looking for constant things you're 438 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:32,399 Speaker 1: grateful for so that you can write them down and 439 00:21:32,440 --> 00:21:35,000 Speaker 1: not have to rack your brain later. And so I 440 00:21:35,840 --> 00:21:38,720 Speaker 1: stayed consistent with that to kind of put myself in 441 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:42,119 Speaker 1: a great head place. But man, just surrounding yourself with 442 00:21:42,200 --> 00:21:45,000 Speaker 1: the right types of people. I started a podcast What's 443 00:21:45,040 --> 00:21:47,160 Speaker 1: Next with their We're just trying to learn from others 444 00:21:47,400 --> 00:21:51,200 Speaker 1: and how they transitioned. You know, being around football in 445 00:21:51,200 --> 00:21:53,720 Speaker 1: in a broadcast sense, not doing the coaching hours, not 446 00:21:53,760 --> 00:21:56,639 Speaker 1: doing the front office hours, but being able to still 447 00:21:56,840 --> 00:21:58,800 Speaker 1: have my foot in the door and be around the 448 00:21:58,840 --> 00:22:01,639 Speaker 1: game has been been good of my soul because there's 449 00:22:01,640 --> 00:22:03,760 Speaker 1: others that you know, they walk away on their own 450 00:22:03,840 --> 00:22:06,320 Speaker 1: terms and they can they can just roll. For me, 451 00:22:07,440 --> 00:22:09,320 Speaker 1: I wasn't done yet with the game of football, So 452 00:22:09,400 --> 00:22:12,760 Speaker 1: being around the game of football in in in a 453 00:22:12,840 --> 00:22:16,080 Speaker 1: small capacity calling the games has been good for me 454 00:22:16,119 --> 00:22:18,879 Speaker 1: as well. When did you decide that you want to 455 00:22:18,960 --> 00:22:24,320 Speaker 1: try and like dabble into this whole broadcasting deal. I 456 00:22:24,520 --> 00:22:27,119 Speaker 1: gotta know because I have my own journey. When I 457 00:22:27,160 --> 00:22:29,280 Speaker 1: thought I could do it, and now that I'm starting 458 00:22:29,280 --> 00:22:31,920 Speaker 1: to do it, um, it's been really cool to kind 459 00:22:31,920 --> 00:22:33,760 Speaker 1: of dive into. But it does give you a sense 460 00:22:33,760 --> 00:22:36,080 Speaker 1: of your around the game. You get to see this game, 461 00:22:36,480 --> 00:22:38,520 Speaker 1: what what made you say? All right, this is probably 462 00:22:38,520 --> 00:22:41,520 Speaker 1: what I like to do. So right when my career ended, 463 00:22:41,760 --> 00:22:44,159 Speaker 1: a bunch of national media members reached out and said, hey, 464 00:22:44,200 --> 00:22:45,960 Speaker 1: you were always great to me. If I can ever 465 00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:48,800 Speaker 1: do anything for you, let me know. So I utilized 466 00:22:48,840 --> 00:22:51,840 Speaker 1: them as resources. But the bills because the salary cut 467 00:22:51,880 --> 00:22:54,239 Speaker 1: purposes and me just signed that contract extension, they had 468 00:22:54,280 --> 00:22:56,560 Speaker 1: to keep me on the team until May thirty one. 469 00:22:56,640 --> 00:22:59,200 Speaker 1: If they kept me until June one, then my salary 470 00:22:59,280 --> 00:23:01,880 Speaker 1: kicks in. But they couldn't cut me before a free 471 00:23:01,880 --> 00:23:04,399 Speaker 1: agency or all my dead cat money kicks in. But 472 00:23:04,520 --> 00:23:07,440 Speaker 1: they left me on the on the roster that long. Well, 473 00:23:07,480 --> 00:23:10,200 Speaker 1: now I can't go get a job or I'm retired 474 00:23:10,200 --> 00:23:14,280 Speaker 1: and not injured, and so I literally could do nothing, 475 00:23:14,359 --> 00:23:17,000 Speaker 1: which put me, you know, for someone wired like me, 476 00:23:17,160 --> 00:23:19,440 Speaker 1: was not great at times, but it also made me 477 00:23:19,640 --> 00:23:22,320 Speaker 1: take some time off and and really has some introspection 478 00:23:22,359 --> 00:23:24,919 Speaker 1: of what I want to do next, and being around 479 00:23:24,920 --> 00:23:27,560 Speaker 1: ball was something that I wanted to do, but also 480 00:23:27,680 --> 00:23:29,760 Speaker 1: with young kids, it wasn't gonna be great if I 481 00:23:29,760 --> 00:23:34,119 Speaker 1: hopped into coaching or anything else, and so I wanted 482 00:23:34,119 --> 00:23:36,399 Speaker 1: to hop into the media world. I needed to. I'm 483 00:23:36,440 --> 00:23:39,200 Speaker 1: an offensive lineman from playing my whole career in Western 484 00:23:39,240 --> 00:23:42,120 Speaker 1: New York on a on a bad team for almost 485 00:23:42,119 --> 00:23:45,200 Speaker 1: my entire career, and so look, I get it, if 486 00:23:45,320 --> 00:23:47,760 Speaker 1: if I wait five years, people are gonna be like, 487 00:23:47,840 --> 00:23:50,440 Speaker 1: who are you again? And so I needed to hop 488 00:23:50,520 --> 00:23:53,359 Speaker 1: right in, and like anything, I didn't stop. I didn't 489 00:23:53,400 --> 00:23:56,639 Speaker 1: start on Monday night football like Jason woulden, and that's okay, 490 00:23:56,840 --> 00:23:59,240 Speaker 1: you know. I started calling. I called one game for 491 00:23:59,320 --> 00:24:02,200 Speaker 1: Fox my first year out and did two pregame shows 492 00:24:02,200 --> 00:24:05,399 Speaker 1: the next year. I called games for college games for 493 00:24:05,640 --> 00:24:08,240 Speaker 1: ESPN and a CC network and Bills Radio Broadcast for 494 00:24:08,280 --> 00:24:10,359 Speaker 1: two years so I could get double the experience and 495 00:24:10,440 --> 00:24:12,720 Speaker 1: yet see what I liked between TV and radio better. 496 00:24:12,880 --> 00:24:15,400 Speaker 1: I gotta face for radio, and the Bills are good. 497 00:24:15,440 --> 00:24:17,680 Speaker 1: It's fun, and so I stuck with the Bills Radio 498 00:24:17,720 --> 00:24:21,240 Speaker 1: Broadcast and then started doing some podcasting where I kind 499 00:24:21,240 --> 00:24:25,399 Speaker 1: of control my own hours, control my guests. I control 500 00:24:25,480 --> 00:24:28,440 Speaker 1: the conversations, and yeah, there's times where you gotta hustle 501 00:24:28,440 --> 00:24:32,080 Speaker 1: for a sponsorship or whatever it may be. But for me, 502 00:24:32,440 --> 00:24:34,119 Speaker 1: I can go play pickleball in the morning, I can 503 00:24:34,160 --> 00:24:36,040 Speaker 1: play some golf. I can pick up my kids from 504 00:24:36,080 --> 00:24:37,879 Speaker 1: school and drive them to school when I want to 505 00:24:38,480 --> 00:24:40,919 Speaker 1: and not have to get that structure because you know, 506 00:24:41,480 --> 00:24:44,520 Speaker 1: doing everyday radio, yeah that pays pretty good. But if 507 00:24:44,520 --> 00:24:50,879 Speaker 1: you're on from noon to three good? Yeah. Exactly would 508 00:24:50,880 --> 00:24:52,720 Speaker 1: you say your transition was good? And how would you 509 00:24:52,840 --> 00:24:55,600 Speaker 1: encourage other people to, like, you know, take some time 510 00:24:55,680 --> 00:25:00,240 Speaker 1: in between? Uh, would you suggest maybe taking more time off? 511 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:02,840 Speaker 1: Like will you say you didn't do that, but would 512 00:25:02,840 --> 00:25:05,080 Speaker 1: you say that that process was good for you? Or 513 00:25:05,119 --> 00:25:08,680 Speaker 1: would you maybe suggest maybe taking some time for me personally? 514 00:25:08,760 --> 00:25:11,639 Speaker 1: I took three or sixty five days and did absolutely nothing, 515 00:25:12,119 --> 00:25:14,480 Speaker 1: and then I kind of decompressed, and then I figured out, 516 00:25:14,480 --> 00:25:16,440 Speaker 1: all right, what do I truly want to do? Because 517 00:25:16,440 --> 00:25:18,719 Speaker 1: I had no idea. I didn't want to coach. My 518 00:25:18,720 --> 00:25:20,960 Speaker 1: father was a coach, and I knew he wasn't around 519 00:25:21,000 --> 00:25:22,760 Speaker 1: all the time, and the kind of the same thing 520 00:25:22,800 --> 00:25:25,000 Speaker 1: you said, well, sometimes you may still be kind of 521 00:25:25,000 --> 00:25:26,840 Speaker 1: have that pent up energy. So I don't know if 522 00:25:26,880 --> 00:25:28,239 Speaker 1: I need to go and coach, because then I may 523 00:25:28,240 --> 00:25:31,080 Speaker 1: be too intense for these kids, like or like, I 524 00:25:31,119 --> 00:25:33,480 Speaker 1: don't know, So maybe you kind of walked me through 525 00:25:33,520 --> 00:25:36,399 Speaker 1: your process or what your belief is now and what 526 00:25:36,920 --> 00:25:39,439 Speaker 1: how it should be handled. Yeah. When I when I 527 00:25:39,480 --> 00:25:41,919 Speaker 1: said I was with Fox my first year out, you know, 528 00:25:41,960 --> 00:25:44,800 Speaker 1: I literally called one game and that was on Thanksgiving 529 00:25:44,840 --> 00:25:47,640 Speaker 1: weekend because no one wanted to call games that weekend, 530 00:25:47,720 --> 00:25:49,520 Speaker 1: and so that was the one opportunity I got. And 531 00:25:49,560 --> 00:25:51,600 Speaker 1: I did two pregame shows, so it felt like I 532 00:25:51,640 --> 00:25:54,560 Speaker 1: took off three and sixty five days. You know, don't 533 00:25:54,600 --> 00:25:57,080 Speaker 1: don't get me wrong. I we went to Bills games 534 00:25:57,359 --> 00:26:00,199 Speaker 1: for the first time ever, not working, not playing. I 535 00:26:00,240 --> 00:26:02,440 Speaker 1: went to Louisville Cardinal games, which I had never done. 536 00:26:02,520 --> 00:26:05,000 Speaker 1: A detailgated. Was this your first time getting the tailgate? 537 00:26:05,000 --> 00:26:07,560 Speaker 1: Because I remember my first time tailgating. It was like 538 00:26:07,640 --> 00:26:10,080 Speaker 1: the best time in my life. Oh, no doubt, gout, 539 00:26:10,080 --> 00:26:12,520 Speaker 1: no doubt. I went down. You know, Ryan Fitzpatrick was 540 00:26:12,560 --> 00:26:15,160 Speaker 1: playing for the Buccaneers. We went and visited fits and 541 00:26:15,400 --> 00:26:17,520 Speaker 1: you know, I'd go see buddies play that I've never 542 00:26:17,640 --> 00:26:21,680 Speaker 1: got the opportunity to just go casually sit there and so, uh, 543 00:26:21,720 --> 00:26:23,679 Speaker 1: that was fun to take some time off, and you 544 00:26:23,720 --> 00:26:27,840 Speaker 1: definitely need time to decompress and appreciate what you've done, 545 00:26:27,920 --> 00:26:30,399 Speaker 1: especially if you have a long enough career in the NFL. 546 00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:33,520 Speaker 1: Actually wrote a book called Tackle What's Next? I see 547 00:26:33,520 --> 00:26:36,760 Speaker 1: it right there behind you. Let's and for me, honestly, 548 00:26:36,840 --> 00:26:40,159 Speaker 1: it's not a lot of my original opinions. It's many 549 00:26:40,200 --> 00:26:43,240 Speaker 1: podcast guests and a lot of it is fueled what 550 00:26:43,440 --> 00:26:46,479 Speaker 1: their advice to me was through this time and so 551 00:26:46,560 --> 00:26:49,600 Speaker 1: there's steps in. Hey, we gotta identify our gifts again 552 00:26:49,600 --> 00:26:51,480 Speaker 1: if we can't. You know a lot of people. As 553 00:26:51,480 --> 00:26:57,240 Speaker 1: an NFL football player, your your gifts are maybe critical thinking, communication, whatever, maybe, 554 00:26:57,240 --> 00:26:59,320 Speaker 1: but you have physical gifts that you no longer going 555 00:26:59,400 --> 00:27:01,359 Speaker 1: to be able to use is on a football field. Okay, 556 00:27:01,359 --> 00:27:04,439 Speaker 1: what other gifts do you have? And use those to 557 00:27:04,440 --> 00:27:06,679 Speaker 1: figure out how you can serve others? Because if you 558 00:27:06,680 --> 00:27:10,760 Speaker 1: can bring value to others, then you will one feel 559 00:27:10,840 --> 00:27:14,240 Speaker 1: value yourself and that's gonna be fulfillment. So bringing about 560 00:27:14,320 --> 00:27:16,919 Speaker 1: others will bring you fulfillment. So you've got to utilize 561 00:27:16,920 --> 00:27:19,159 Speaker 1: your gifts to do that. And when you bring value 562 00:27:19,240 --> 00:27:22,880 Speaker 1: to either enough people or valuable people, you will be compensated, 563 00:27:23,480 --> 00:27:26,199 Speaker 1: and it may be compensated royally for that. But I 564 00:27:26,200 --> 00:27:30,000 Speaker 1: will say this, in your time transitioning out, whether it's 565 00:27:30,000 --> 00:27:34,440 Speaker 1: an executive coach, whether it's having someone like Dr Dr 566 00:27:34,520 --> 00:27:36,600 Speaker 1: Mondo out of my podcast who has the cheet code, 567 00:27:36,600 --> 00:27:39,920 Speaker 1: who can work with you mentally, getting in the proper 568 00:27:40,760 --> 00:27:43,880 Speaker 1: mental space to hit that transition, I think is as 569 00:27:43,880 --> 00:27:46,919 Speaker 1: big as anything, because Roman, I know you have as 570 00:27:46,960 --> 00:27:50,680 Speaker 1: many buddies as me that truly struggle and that transition out. 571 00:27:50,880 --> 00:27:52,879 Speaker 1: But it's not their own fault. You know, we're not 572 00:27:53,080 --> 00:27:55,960 Speaker 1: coached through it like we've been coached our entire life. 573 00:27:56,040 --> 00:27:57,680 Speaker 1: One of the hardest things for me was creating a 574 00:27:57,720 --> 00:28:00,880 Speaker 1: schedule on my own because for the longest since I 575 00:28:00,920 --> 00:28:04,920 Speaker 1: was or you know, someone's dictating your days for you, 576 00:28:05,160 --> 00:28:07,960 Speaker 1: and now you just have this freedom. Well, we're so 577 00:28:08,080 --> 00:28:10,000 Speaker 1: we're so used to getting that schedule right, the piece 578 00:28:10,040 --> 00:28:12,720 Speaker 1: of paper, or we know our schedule, Monday's, this, Tuesday's, 579 00:28:12,720 --> 00:28:14,560 Speaker 1: this Wednesday's at all the way up to a game 580 00:28:14,600 --> 00:28:17,159 Speaker 1: and just what you do for all your life, and 581 00:28:17,200 --> 00:28:19,439 Speaker 1: then all of a sudden you no longer get that 582 00:28:19,560 --> 00:28:22,119 Speaker 1: that schedule and we all yearned for that, and we 583 00:28:22,200 --> 00:28:24,480 Speaker 1: do have a lot of friends, especially me, that have 584 00:28:24,560 --> 00:28:27,080 Speaker 1: struggled with this transition, and sometimes and I feel bad 585 00:28:27,119 --> 00:28:29,719 Speaker 1: on myself. I still have to be thankful in my 586 00:28:29,760 --> 00:28:32,480 Speaker 1: own space and just say, hey, look, it's still nine 587 00:28:32,920 --> 00:28:35,720 Speaker 1: of people I hear wish that they can handle or 588 00:28:35,720 --> 00:28:37,960 Speaker 1: be exactly where you're at right now. You found your 589 00:28:38,000 --> 00:28:41,440 Speaker 1: second act eric in the media space, and you're doing radio, 590 00:28:41,680 --> 00:28:44,360 Speaker 1: you're calling some games, you're doing your podcast, which has 591 00:28:44,400 --> 00:28:47,440 Speaker 1: been great for you, um, and you're being a father 592 00:28:47,520 --> 00:28:53,480 Speaker 1: as well. Do these things scratch the competitive bitch? Yes? 593 00:28:54,600 --> 00:28:57,959 Speaker 1: So yes, I'm trying to be the best Christian man, husband, 594 00:28:57,960 --> 00:29:00,239 Speaker 1: father I can be on a daily basis and do 595 00:29:00,320 --> 00:29:03,000 Speaker 1: get weekly grades from my wife because I wanted, you know, 596 00:29:03,000 --> 00:29:07,440 Speaker 1: I gotta have a well you know if I need this, 597 00:29:07,600 --> 00:29:09,920 Speaker 1: I need this like the grading scale in my house 598 00:29:09,960 --> 00:29:12,200 Speaker 1: and just like okay, okay, so Roman, this is one 599 00:29:12,200 --> 00:29:14,240 Speaker 1: of the best. This is one of the best means 600 00:29:14,240 --> 00:29:17,640 Speaker 1: of advice I've ever got. Was weekly. Just check in 601 00:29:17,680 --> 00:29:19,280 Speaker 1: with your wife when you know she's got some free 602 00:29:19,280 --> 00:29:21,800 Speaker 1: time and say, hey, as a husband and father, grab 603 00:29:21,880 --> 00:29:24,240 Speaker 1: me on a scale one to tend give me some feedback. 604 00:29:24,640 --> 00:29:28,800 Speaker 1: But you cannot justify anything, and you can't combat anything. 605 00:29:28,840 --> 00:29:31,200 Speaker 1: It's not Hey, you didn't help get the kids ready. 606 00:29:31,600 --> 00:29:34,360 Speaker 1: You know that that hurt my feelings or I needed 607 00:29:34,360 --> 00:29:36,200 Speaker 1: some help there and then you rush us out the door. 608 00:29:36,320 --> 00:29:40,360 Speaker 1: But you didn't help at all, and you say, thank you, baby. 609 00:29:40,520 --> 00:29:42,480 Speaker 1: I appreciate that because because we want to grow, we 610 00:29:42,520 --> 00:29:45,640 Speaker 1: need feedback. We're saying, we're so used to every six 611 00:29:45,680 --> 00:29:47,960 Speaker 1: inch sip we take on a football field being analyzed, 612 00:29:48,080 --> 00:29:49,600 Speaker 1: but then you go to be a husband and dad 613 00:29:49,840 --> 00:29:53,000 Speaker 1: and there's not a specific playbook, there's not a you know, 614 00:29:53,160 --> 00:29:55,600 Speaker 1: someone giving you constant feedback. If there's not those open 615 00:29:55,960 --> 00:29:59,400 Speaker 1: lines of communication where you're not going to justify or 616 00:29:59,720 --> 00:30:01,560 Speaker 1: come bad it. And so that's one of the best 617 00:30:01,600 --> 00:30:05,000 Speaker 1: piece of advice I've ever got. And so yeah, I mean, 618 00:30:05,440 --> 00:30:07,880 Speaker 1: like yesterday I checked in, or two days ago I 619 00:30:07,960 --> 00:30:11,760 Speaker 1: checked in, and she said, uh, you know, everything's been awesome. 620 00:30:11,920 --> 00:30:14,280 Speaker 1: I'm glad you. I was supposed to play pickleball yesterday morning, 621 00:30:14,520 --> 00:30:16,480 Speaker 1: day of my son's birthday, and I wanted to be 622 00:30:16,560 --> 00:30:18,000 Speaker 1: there in the mornings. I canceled, and she goes, and 623 00:30:18,000 --> 00:30:21,160 Speaker 1: I really appreciate you canceling that pickaball game, Like simple 624 00:30:21,520 --> 00:30:24,640 Speaker 1: built me up. You know, that built me up and 625 00:30:24,720 --> 00:30:27,840 Speaker 1: so um, you know, it's been a healthy exercise. But 626 00:30:27,840 --> 00:30:32,160 Speaker 1: you asked about competitiveness, and I'll say this. For my 627 00:30:32,320 --> 00:30:35,640 Speaker 1: like strength Finders test, competitiveness is always number one. And 628 00:30:35,720 --> 00:30:39,240 Speaker 1: so for me, I gotta find you know, whether that's golf, 629 00:30:39,280 --> 00:30:41,480 Speaker 1: for pickleball or things that I can compete out of 630 00:30:41,480 --> 00:30:45,040 Speaker 1: my life. And business can be that way podcasts and 631 00:30:45,120 --> 00:30:48,320 Speaker 1: numbers and whatnot, but for me, I just love competition, 632 00:30:48,400 --> 00:30:50,760 Speaker 1: and so getting a golf game here and there, playing 633 00:30:50,760 --> 00:30:52,640 Speaker 1: some pickleball a few mornings a week where I can 634 00:30:52,640 --> 00:30:55,200 Speaker 1: truly compete with a group of guys, it's just good 635 00:30:55,200 --> 00:30:59,160 Speaker 1: for my soul. I do think that that competitiveness, however 636 00:30:59,280 --> 00:31:02,600 Speaker 1: you find it a little healthier in sports than other things, 637 00:31:03,120 --> 00:31:06,440 Speaker 1: is great for people. So number one, my mind's blown. 638 00:31:06,920 --> 00:31:09,960 Speaker 1: The whole grading scale with the wife E. I'm definitely 639 00:31:10,040 --> 00:31:13,719 Speaker 1: taking this and putting it into my life because I 640 00:31:13,760 --> 00:31:15,800 Speaker 1: need that. I'm so used to being graded on everything. 641 00:31:15,840 --> 00:31:18,200 Speaker 1: And not only that, but I love feedback. I love 642 00:31:18,240 --> 00:31:20,840 Speaker 1: getting coached up like that's all we that's always getting 643 00:31:21,000 --> 00:31:23,719 Speaker 1: so but I cannot be combative. That's the key to this. 644 00:31:23,760 --> 00:31:26,360 Speaker 1: So I can't say anything. I just got to be thankful, 645 00:31:26,600 --> 00:31:30,200 Speaker 1: Thank you, baby, I love you all right. I'm getting 646 00:31:30,200 --> 00:31:33,480 Speaker 1: better this morning, Eric, I feel the juices flowing. Now. 647 00:31:33,600 --> 00:31:37,000 Speaker 1: Another thing, Eric, that you have been competitive with has 648 00:31:37,040 --> 00:31:38,719 Speaker 1: been your weight loss. I told you as soon as 649 00:31:38,760 --> 00:31:40,720 Speaker 1: I saw you, I said, dude, you let like a linebacker, 650 00:31:40,800 --> 00:31:42,440 Speaker 1: probably even the tight end the money. I can see 651 00:31:42,440 --> 00:31:45,680 Speaker 1: you catching some touchdowns right now. Um, how much weight 652 00:31:45,800 --> 00:31:49,200 Speaker 1: did you? How much did you weigh during your playing days? 653 00:31:49,680 --> 00:31:52,800 Speaker 1: And was there moment, either during or after you're playing 654 00:31:52,800 --> 00:31:56,640 Speaker 1: career when you decided you had to lose your playing weight? Yeah? 655 00:31:56,640 --> 00:31:58,880 Speaker 1: So I played. The heaviest I ever played was three 656 00:31:59,040 --> 00:32:02,280 Speaker 1: D sixteen hounds at six am the Friday before at 657 00:32:02,320 --> 00:32:05,280 Speaker 1: weigh ends. I consistently played between three oh eight and 658 00:32:05,320 --> 00:32:08,120 Speaker 1: three ten. I was three nine at six am before 659 00:32:08,120 --> 00:32:11,280 Speaker 1: our final playoff game. And so that was that's amazing. 660 00:32:11,320 --> 00:32:15,680 Speaker 1: You remember that exact number. Well, that's amazing you remember that. 661 00:32:16,200 --> 00:32:18,880 Speaker 1: You know? For me, I don't really do anything halfway, 662 00:32:18,920 --> 00:32:20,640 Speaker 1: and I don't really like to wait around on things. 663 00:32:20,640 --> 00:32:22,640 Speaker 1: So for me, it was how quick can I get 664 00:32:22,640 --> 00:32:24,280 Speaker 1: this off because I know it's gonna make me feel 665 00:32:24,320 --> 00:32:26,680 Speaker 1: better and I and I need to look. You know, 666 00:32:26,680 --> 00:32:28,520 Speaker 1: when I was a junior in high school, I was 667 00:32:28,560 --> 00:32:31,320 Speaker 1: six four two oh five. I wasn't naturally three ten. 668 00:32:31,600 --> 00:32:33,280 Speaker 1: I put the weight on because it wasn't that great 669 00:32:33,320 --> 00:32:36,160 Speaker 1: of an athlete and so, but then as an offensive linement, 670 00:32:36,160 --> 00:32:38,000 Speaker 1: you end up being a really good athlete to moving. 671 00:32:39,040 --> 00:32:40,880 Speaker 1: So I put the weight on for a for a 672 00:32:40,920 --> 00:32:43,160 Speaker 1: long period of time to be able to earn the 673 00:32:43,240 --> 00:32:46,080 Speaker 1: money and earn generational wealth for my family compete at 674 00:32:46,120 --> 00:32:49,520 Speaker 1: the game I love. But I got it off in 675 00:32:49,520 --> 00:32:52,120 Speaker 1: in four months. I lost fifty three pounds. Well, I'm 676 00:32:52,160 --> 00:32:55,200 Speaker 1: anywhere between two forty five and two fifty five now, 677 00:32:55,240 --> 00:32:58,000 Speaker 1: so I'm down, you know, fifty five sixty five pounds 678 00:32:58,080 --> 00:33:01,320 Speaker 1: and and feel good. Look like I said earlier in 679 00:33:01,480 --> 00:33:05,680 Speaker 1: in broadcasting, I you know, one of these great looking 680 00:33:05,760 --> 00:33:07,120 Speaker 1: dudes that you want to put on camera. But I 681 00:33:07,120 --> 00:33:10,320 Speaker 1: look like a football player still. You know, if I 682 00:33:10,360 --> 00:33:13,080 Speaker 1: go if I go too far on the light scale, 683 00:33:13,120 --> 00:33:15,200 Speaker 1: then then I'm not gonna look like a football player anymore, 684 00:33:15,280 --> 00:33:17,880 Speaker 1: and I might not look like I can kick uh 685 00:33:18,040 --> 00:33:22,680 Speaker 1: Grace's boyfriend's butts here in a few years. Hey, that's important. 686 00:33:22,800 --> 00:33:25,520 Speaker 1: We've seen Hey, we've seen bad boys too, with Will 687 00:33:25,560 --> 00:33:28,080 Speaker 1: Smith and Martin Lawrence. That's important, Bro, you gotta be 688 00:33:28,320 --> 00:33:31,200 Speaker 1: scare got a highlight you and you got a highlight reel. 689 00:33:31,320 --> 00:33:35,600 Speaker 1: You could show off. There's no doubt, Bro, no doubt. 690 00:33:36,160 --> 00:33:38,760 Speaker 1: So it is funny though, because when I see some 691 00:33:38,800 --> 00:33:40,760 Speaker 1: of my former teammates that have lost all the weight, 692 00:33:41,000 --> 00:33:44,360 Speaker 1: it goes it kind of You're right, Eric, It is 693 00:33:44,440 --> 00:33:46,160 Speaker 1: just like happy medium where you don't want to lose 694 00:33:46,200 --> 00:33:48,960 Speaker 1: too much because then it's like because you don't really 695 00:33:49,000 --> 00:33:52,360 Speaker 1: lose weight in your head and you guys get too skinny, right, 696 00:33:52,360 --> 00:33:55,360 Speaker 1: and then they look like, you know, it just looks weird, 697 00:33:55,640 --> 00:33:57,880 Speaker 1: bigger head on a small body when you used to 698 00:33:57,880 --> 00:34:00,680 Speaker 1: see it in this way, it's it's different vibe. It's 699 00:34:00,680 --> 00:34:02,440 Speaker 1: a different vibe for all my guys losing all that 700 00:34:02,440 --> 00:34:05,400 Speaker 1: weight out. It's funny though, because, like you know, people 701 00:34:05,440 --> 00:34:07,600 Speaker 1: talking about high school reunions and see who put on 702 00:34:07,640 --> 00:34:11,440 Speaker 1: the weight. For NFL ballplayers, you know, we gotta be 703 00:34:11,480 --> 00:34:13,239 Speaker 1: a certain way and you gotta stay in shape. And 704 00:34:13,280 --> 00:34:16,280 Speaker 1: even if at linemen are big, you know, we're paid 705 00:34:16,280 --> 00:34:18,440 Speaker 1: to be big. It's when you see each other five 706 00:34:18,520 --> 00:34:20,640 Speaker 1: or ten years later that you start messing with each other. 707 00:34:21,000 --> 00:34:23,640 Speaker 1: You know, the first time I saw you know, Fred 708 00:34:23,719 --> 00:34:26,040 Speaker 1: Jackson and Lashawn McCoy you know, they might have been 709 00:34:26,120 --> 00:34:28,640 Speaker 1: up five pounds. But hey, guys, you know you can 710 00:34:28,680 --> 00:34:30,960 Speaker 1: see it, but you're going the other you know, just 711 00:34:31,080 --> 00:34:33,720 Speaker 1: messing with those guys and so and so it's funny 712 00:34:33,760 --> 00:34:35,959 Speaker 1: seeing who goes one way and who goes the other. 713 00:34:36,400 --> 00:34:39,319 Speaker 1: All right, So we also mentioned you're a businessman. How 714 00:34:39,360 --> 00:34:44,560 Speaker 1: do you decide um what products you'll endorse and what 715 00:34:44,800 --> 00:34:49,560 Speaker 1: ventures fit who you are? Yeah, so that's a great question. 716 00:34:49,560 --> 00:34:53,239 Speaker 1: So I never endorse anything I don't personally use and 717 00:34:53,280 --> 00:34:56,319 Speaker 1: I don't know the people behind because man, you get 718 00:34:56,360 --> 00:35:00,239 Speaker 1: one reputation. Takes four seconds to creating a reputation should 719 00:35:00,280 --> 00:35:02,400 Speaker 1: in four years to change it back if you blow it. 720 00:35:02,960 --> 00:35:07,360 Speaker 1: And so you know stuff that I use or that 721 00:35:07,360 --> 00:35:10,000 Speaker 1: that I know that and I know the people behind it. 722 00:35:10,200 --> 00:35:13,640 Speaker 1: As far as investing this, this is way too simple 723 00:35:13,719 --> 00:35:15,319 Speaker 1: because there's a lot of that goes in on the 724 00:35:15,360 --> 00:35:17,800 Speaker 1: finance side and everything else. But I listened to Kobe 725 00:35:17,800 --> 00:35:20,920 Speaker 1: Bryant talk about one time that he chooses investments and 726 00:35:21,280 --> 00:35:24,440 Speaker 1: very successful investor when he was still a lot Kobe 727 00:35:24,440 --> 00:35:28,160 Speaker 1: Bryant said, I want people that are obsessed with a product, 728 00:35:28,280 --> 00:35:31,600 Speaker 1: like just absolutely obsessed with it. You could feel it 729 00:35:31,640 --> 00:35:35,160 Speaker 1: from him and no backup plan, Like, this isn't a 730 00:35:35,200 --> 00:35:40,400 Speaker 1: side venture, this isn't a Hey, this is my fourth startup. 731 00:35:40,520 --> 00:35:43,040 Speaker 1: I've already made it. You know, someone that has no 732 00:35:43,120 --> 00:35:46,640 Speaker 1: backup plan and obsessed whatever with whatever their product is 733 00:35:47,239 --> 00:35:50,040 Speaker 1: the shore right now? Um, and I promised this wasn't 734 00:35:50,160 --> 00:35:53,320 Speaker 1: just I didn't put it on for this. But Dano's 735 00:35:53,320 --> 00:35:55,480 Speaker 1: Seasoning is a company out of Louisville. I meet this 736 00:35:55,560 --> 00:35:58,799 Speaker 1: dude who's a straight hustler, you know. He's working at 737 00:35:58,800 --> 00:36:01,239 Speaker 1: a bar selling chick in with a seasoning on it. 738 00:36:01,719 --> 00:36:04,200 Speaker 1: And they said, man, this is so good, you should 739 00:36:04,239 --> 00:36:06,640 Speaker 1: sell it. And he's like, I don't know about selling chicken. 740 00:36:06,640 --> 00:36:08,600 Speaker 1: And he's like, wait, I should sell the seasoning. And 741 00:36:08,680 --> 00:36:13,000 Speaker 1: he goes from going around to trade shows and barbecue 742 00:36:13,000 --> 00:36:16,600 Speaker 1: festivals and whatnot. It makes about a hundred grand COVID hits. Well, 743 00:36:16,640 --> 00:36:18,640 Speaker 1: now that business model is god, what is he gonna do? 744 00:36:19,000 --> 00:36:21,680 Speaker 1: Gets on TikTok builds a huge following because he's funny 745 00:36:21,680 --> 00:36:24,719 Speaker 1: and whatnot. And now there's a lot more pieces in place. 746 00:36:24,760 --> 00:36:27,480 Speaker 1: It's a much bigger company. But they're doing eight figures 747 00:36:27,480 --> 00:36:31,520 Speaker 1: in early revenue around now in over thirteen thousand retail stores. 748 00:36:31,560 --> 00:36:35,359 Speaker 1: I mean It's incredible what he's built. And so for me, 749 00:36:35,840 --> 00:36:37,680 Speaker 1: it's fun to be a part of that Dano's team, 750 00:36:37,760 --> 00:36:40,600 Speaker 1: you know, because and there's other teams that I'm you know, 751 00:36:40,640 --> 00:36:44,240 Speaker 1: there's other investments I've made. But when you leave the NFL, 752 00:36:44,320 --> 00:36:45,640 Speaker 1: you ask people, what do you miss the most in 753 00:36:45,640 --> 00:36:48,080 Speaker 1: its locker room? Was done when you can get in 754 00:36:48,120 --> 00:36:51,000 Speaker 1: the right business group or the right broadcast career, whatever 755 00:36:51,080 --> 00:36:53,759 Speaker 1: it be, and it feels like that locker room again. Well, 756 00:36:54,000 --> 00:36:56,080 Speaker 1: I heard you use the word team. I think that's 757 00:36:56,080 --> 00:36:59,200 Speaker 1: so important. Uh, finding your own teams or or whoever 758 00:36:59,239 --> 00:37:01,319 Speaker 1: that may be. And how many teams do you say 759 00:37:01,320 --> 00:37:04,200 Speaker 1: that you're part of? Now? Cool? I got my home 760 00:37:04,239 --> 00:37:07,560 Speaker 1: team first and foremost. I got my bills team, the 761 00:37:07,600 --> 00:37:11,320 Speaker 1: broadcast team that I'm that I'm working with weekly. Um, 762 00:37:11,360 --> 00:37:14,880 Speaker 1: I have a team around me of you know, financial advisors, 763 00:37:14,960 --> 00:37:18,040 Speaker 1: c p A, people giving me advice speaking of my life. 764 00:37:18,200 --> 00:37:20,359 Speaker 1: I have a men's group that we meet weekly at 765 00:37:20,400 --> 00:37:22,800 Speaker 1: our church here in Louisa, Kentucky. The guys that speak 766 00:37:22,840 --> 00:37:25,319 Speaker 1: into me. I have an incredible friends group. And then 767 00:37:25,320 --> 00:37:28,040 Speaker 1: I would say, you know, I have these these business teams, 768 00:37:28,040 --> 00:37:31,200 Speaker 1: but first and foremost that would be the Danos team. 769 00:37:31,360 --> 00:37:35,080 Speaker 1: The tagline for your podcast is how do you make 770 00:37:36,000 --> 00:37:39,880 Speaker 1: your what's next in life? Your best? Yet? How do 771 00:37:39,920 --> 00:37:45,320 Speaker 1: you live that yourself? For me, it's just daily growth. 772 00:37:45,719 --> 00:37:49,080 Speaker 1: One of the taglines underneath my book is stack wins, 773 00:37:49,560 --> 00:37:52,160 Speaker 1: and so not every day is gonna be a home run. 774 00:37:52,560 --> 00:37:55,440 Speaker 1: There may be steps back, but are you stacking wins 775 00:37:55,440 --> 00:37:59,120 Speaker 1: on a consistent basis. Often say that wealthy people don't 776 00:37:59,120 --> 00:38:02,360 Speaker 1: play the lottery because they understand that wealth is not 777 00:38:02,520 --> 00:38:07,000 Speaker 1: created overnight. But it's just those daily steps and people 778 00:38:07,080 --> 00:38:09,680 Speaker 1: often ask and it, and it really hit me one 779 00:38:09,719 --> 00:38:11,759 Speaker 1: time that I didn't have a great answer for them. 780 00:38:11,920 --> 00:38:13,360 Speaker 1: They said, how do you go into the University of 781 00:38:13,400 --> 00:38:16,680 Speaker 1: Louisville with one scholarship offered the least heralded recruit of 782 00:38:16,680 --> 00:38:18,319 Speaker 1: your class, and you're the one that ends up the 783 00:38:18,320 --> 00:38:21,279 Speaker 1: first round draft pick? And I said, I just got 784 00:38:21,320 --> 00:38:24,239 Speaker 1: better and better, Like I just every single day I 785 00:38:24,280 --> 00:38:28,160 Speaker 1: committed to getting better. And so it's for me personally 786 00:38:28,440 --> 00:38:30,879 Speaker 1: and for anyone out there, it's identifying the areas in 787 00:38:30,920 --> 00:38:32,799 Speaker 1: your life you want to improve or you want to 788 00:38:32,840 --> 00:38:36,120 Speaker 1: dig in on, and then it's just small daily winds, 789 00:38:36,200 --> 00:38:39,520 Speaker 1: stacking those winds up, and then over time, yes, you 790 00:38:39,560 --> 00:38:42,239 Speaker 1: may see that hockey stick effect where you see that 791 00:38:42,400 --> 00:38:45,839 Speaker 1: just huge upward trajectory growth. But that's not always the case. 792 00:38:46,000 --> 00:38:49,640 Speaker 1: Sometimes it takes years. But it's that just constant stacking 793 00:38:49,640 --> 00:38:51,799 Speaker 1: of winds that I feel like we'll lead you to 794 00:38:51,840 --> 00:38:56,080 Speaker 1: make your what's next in life? Your best yet. I mean, Eric, man, 795 00:38:56,320 --> 00:38:58,799 Speaker 1: I just feel like you're just well, you might be 796 00:38:58,840 --> 00:39:01,800 Speaker 1: one of the smartest centers I've ever met. So you 797 00:39:01,800 --> 00:39:03,959 Speaker 1: you are definitely checking all the boxes. I was telling 798 00:39:04,000 --> 00:39:06,400 Speaker 1: my man Thomas earlier. He was like, centers are some 799 00:39:06,440 --> 00:39:08,560 Speaker 1: of the smartest people on the field. I might, yes, 800 00:39:08,719 --> 00:39:11,359 Speaker 1: but I don't think all centers are created equally. I 801 00:39:11,360 --> 00:39:14,400 Speaker 1: think it's most of them are really smart guys that 802 00:39:14,440 --> 00:39:17,520 Speaker 1: help check protections, they're doing all these other things. But 803 00:39:17,600 --> 00:39:19,960 Speaker 1: I think all the centers in the NFL and everywhere 804 00:39:19,960 --> 00:39:22,080 Speaker 1: else in the world get credit for the ones that 805 00:39:22,160 --> 00:39:25,200 Speaker 1: are smarter than most. And I think you check all 806 00:39:25,239 --> 00:39:28,600 Speaker 1: the categories, my brother, I appreciate that. I truly knew 807 00:39:28,640 --> 00:39:31,319 Speaker 1: that means a lot. You know, what's funny to be 808 00:39:31,480 --> 00:39:33,799 Speaker 1: a great center unless you have a quarterback like a 809 00:39:33,800 --> 00:39:36,600 Speaker 1: Payton Manning, a Drew Brees Tom that's just gonna run 810 00:39:36,680 --> 00:39:39,080 Speaker 1: run the whole show, right, a lot of the yeah yeah, 811 00:39:39,239 --> 00:39:41,680 Speaker 1: similar to a safety and middle linebacker that's gonna run 812 00:39:41,680 --> 00:39:43,319 Speaker 1: the defense. Get every on the same page. You have 813 00:39:43,360 --> 00:39:45,520 Speaker 1: to be able to think quick on your feet, and 814 00:39:45,520 --> 00:39:47,359 Speaker 1: you've gotta be able to communicate. You gotta be able 815 00:39:47,360 --> 00:39:50,319 Speaker 1: to communicate to anybody, because not everyone's gonna you hope 816 00:39:50,360 --> 00:39:52,319 Speaker 1: that everyone's speaking the same language, but they might not be. 817 00:39:52,400 --> 00:39:54,560 Speaker 1: It might just be he goo left for other people, 818 00:39:55,320 --> 00:39:58,640 Speaker 1: you know, a special term. But it's amazing, you know. 819 00:39:59,080 --> 00:40:02,120 Speaker 1: I had my pouncing from the Dolphins on my podcast recently, 820 00:40:02,160 --> 00:40:04,680 Speaker 1: and it's amazing, like how we can feed off each other. 821 00:40:04,800 --> 00:40:07,680 Speaker 1: Just two centers that are kind of the show at 822 00:40:07,680 --> 00:40:10,160 Speaker 1: the line of scrimmage and all that. So I truly 823 00:40:10,160 --> 00:40:12,560 Speaker 1: appreciate those. Not only that, but you guys run the show, 824 00:40:12,719 --> 00:40:15,919 Speaker 1: and you're usually the smallest one in the group, right, 825 00:40:16,440 --> 00:40:18,520 Speaker 1: you know what I mean. Like, but you get up there, 826 00:40:18,560 --> 00:40:20,320 Speaker 1: you command it, you do what you gotta do. I 827 00:40:20,880 --> 00:40:22,759 Speaker 1: love that for you, I mean I love that for 828 00:40:22,840 --> 00:40:25,600 Speaker 1: most centers. The great ones. Pouncies are Come on, man, 829 00:40:25,719 --> 00:40:28,880 Speaker 1: you guys are two of the best that's done it. Um, 830 00:40:28,920 --> 00:40:30,759 Speaker 1: this is a question we like to always kind of 831 00:40:30,960 --> 00:40:34,279 Speaker 1: end our show with and you know what I'm gonna 832 00:40:34,280 --> 00:40:36,560 Speaker 1: do too at one time, well not one time, but 833 00:40:36,640 --> 00:40:38,719 Speaker 1: I'm gonna throw another one in here. All right, your 834 00:40:38,760 --> 00:40:42,160 Speaker 1: Mount Rushmore of people that have influenced you or been 835 00:40:42,239 --> 00:40:44,360 Speaker 1: special and mean the most to you in your life 836 00:40:44,760 --> 00:40:49,560 Speaker 1: are who? Mm hmm. That's that's a great question. You know, 837 00:40:49,600 --> 00:40:51,520 Speaker 1: it's only like four. So yeah, I was gonna say 838 00:40:51,520 --> 00:40:58,480 Speaker 1: Mount Rushmore is four. So I will say, um, Jesus 839 00:40:58,480 --> 00:41:01,680 Speaker 1: and how he lived, you know, put him number one. 840 00:41:02,200 --> 00:41:06,360 Speaker 1: Number two, I'll say my parents together, I'll make that 841 00:41:06,480 --> 00:41:11,960 Speaker 1: a collective. Number three, i'll say my wife. And number 842 00:41:12,200 --> 00:41:18,879 Speaker 1: four i'll say, I'll say Bobby Petrino. And that may 843 00:41:18,960 --> 00:41:21,200 Speaker 1: come as as as surprise for a lot of people 844 00:41:21,360 --> 00:41:25,319 Speaker 1: understanding what he's done outside and and this is not 845 00:41:25,400 --> 00:41:28,040 Speaker 1: someone I have that closer relationship with, but this is 846 00:41:28,080 --> 00:41:30,200 Speaker 1: a guy that changed my life. You offered me my 847 00:41:30,280 --> 00:41:34,440 Speaker 1: one scholarship offer. And look, if you can get past 848 00:41:34,920 --> 00:41:37,399 Speaker 1: the colorful language with Bobby Petrino, there is some pretty 849 00:41:37,440 --> 00:41:40,239 Speaker 1: good messaging behind it. But just the constant pressure you 850 00:41:40,280 --> 00:41:41,920 Speaker 1: put you on you on a day to day basis, 851 00:41:42,760 --> 00:41:45,480 Speaker 1: when you get through it, like the game, just feel easy. 852 00:41:46,080 --> 00:41:49,880 Speaker 1: And it feels easy because it's you know, you're just 853 00:41:49,920 --> 00:41:54,080 Speaker 1: in this in this high pressure bubble at the facility. Um. 854 00:41:54,360 --> 00:41:57,479 Speaker 1: I wish I may text you a different response later, 855 00:41:57,880 --> 00:41:59,919 Speaker 1: but off the top of my head, I'll say those four. 856 00:42:00,040 --> 00:42:01,799 Speaker 1: It is all good. I can't wait to see him 857 00:42:01,840 --> 00:42:04,480 Speaker 1: and Jimbo Fisher together. I have no idea how this 858 00:42:04,560 --> 00:42:06,560 Speaker 1: marriage is gonna work. It's been Texas and him. I 859 00:42:06,840 --> 00:42:09,200 Speaker 1: just but hey, I'm here for it. I cover the 860 00:42:09,280 --> 00:42:11,959 Speaker 1: sec on a day to day basis. I can't wait. 861 00:42:12,160 --> 00:42:14,080 Speaker 1: I think it's gonna it's gonna be crazy. I think 862 00:42:14,160 --> 00:42:18,120 Speaker 1: Jimbo and his uh he has some flamboyant words and 863 00:42:18,120 --> 00:42:21,000 Speaker 1: he's really hard on quarterbacks. Now he had Bobby Petrino 864 00:42:21,120 --> 00:42:24,040 Speaker 1: coming in to call the offense. I don't even know, 865 00:42:24,239 --> 00:42:26,880 Speaker 1: but hey, I'm looking. I'm all for it, honestly, and 866 00:42:26,880 --> 00:42:29,000 Speaker 1: and A and M's got more money than anyone to 867 00:42:29,080 --> 00:42:31,880 Speaker 1: bring in skill position players. I said this, Bobby is 868 00:42:31,880 --> 00:42:35,359 Speaker 1: an incredible offensive mine. He has been humbled to a 869 00:42:35,400 --> 00:42:38,840 Speaker 1: point of no return over the past ten twelve years, 870 00:42:39,440 --> 00:42:44,880 Speaker 1: and his relationship with his kids and grandkids now he's different. 871 00:42:44,880 --> 00:42:46,600 Speaker 1: You know, I've been spoken to him on the phone 872 00:42:46,640 --> 00:42:49,080 Speaker 1: a little while. His text message is even seen different. 873 00:42:49,120 --> 00:42:52,960 Speaker 1: He just seems like, like I mean, being humbled can 874 00:42:53,000 --> 00:42:55,719 Speaker 1: do a lot of things to a person out And 875 00:42:55,760 --> 00:42:58,120 Speaker 1: I'm excited that he's got a chance because you talk 876 00:42:58,200 --> 00:43:02,920 Speaker 1: about competitiveness, needing football. This is a dude who needs football. 877 00:43:03,120 --> 00:43:05,120 Speaker 1: This is what you know. His dad was a coach. 878 00:43:05,360 --> 00:43:07,920 Speaker 1: He played, and he got right into coaching. It's what 879 00:43:07,960 --> 00:43:10,080 Speaker 1: he loves to do. And so I'm glad he got 880 00:43:10,080 --> 00:43:12,640 Speaker 1: another shot on a big stage. It's literally his whole 881 00:43:12,680 --> 00:43:15,160 Speaker 1: life is what you're telling me. All right now, Eric, 882 00:43:15,480 --> 00:43:19,839 Speaker 1: last question here fill in the blank right now. My 883 00:43:19,960 --> 00:43:26,520 Speaker 1: life is fulfilled. I love that every Uh We've heard 884 00:43:26,640 --> 00:43:30,560 Speaker 1: some different answers. Fulfilled is one that you cannot complain with, 885 00:43:31,160 --> 00:43:33,960 Speaker 1: uh complain about. And Uh it's really good to hear 886 00:43:34,000 --> 00:43:37,680 Speaker 1: that from you, especially the way your your career ended. Um, 887 00:43:37,719 --> 00:43:40,399 Speaker 1: from everything going on in Buffalo right now, you've see 888 00:43:40,440 --> 00:43:41,960 Speaker 1: him on top of the world, brother, and you're doing 889 00:43:42,000 --> 00:43:45,800 Speaker 1: some really great things, uh with your businesses, your podcasts, 890 00:43:46,280 --> 00:43:50,840 Speaker 1: um anything, uh every the TV, and especially in life. 891 00:43:50,880 --> 00:43:53,400 Speaker 1: And I'm taking things from you, just from this conversation 892 00:43:53,400 --> 00:43:56,000 Speaker 1: to day, I will start being graded in my house 893 00:43:56,600 --> 00:43:59,160 Speaker 1: on a weekly basis. So I appreciate you. Eric Wood 894 00:43:59,200 --> 00:44:01,960 Speaker 1: thank you for joining us. No, my pleasure, Roman, I 895 00:44:02,000 --> 00:44:04,759 Speaker 1: appreciate you having me on Tell Peanuts, I said, Hi, 896 00:44:05,080 --> 00:44:08,280 Speaker 1: and uh look forward to just continuing to follow you guys. 897 00:44:08,440 --> 00:44:10,399 Speaker 1: And I'll tell you what, there's a lot of men 898 00:44:10,440 --> 00:44:12,560 Speaker 1: out there that have taken that advice about the weekly 899 00:44:12,600 --> 00:44:15,760 Speaker 1: grades and love it and love it. Sometimes I cringe 900 00:44:15,800 --> 00:44:19,839 Speaker 1: for the answers, but but they love it. Dude. Hey man, 901 00:44:19,960 --> 00:44:22,600 Speaker 1: I'm I will only accept my bad grade and get better, 902 00:44:22,760 --> 00:44:26,439 Speaker 1: all right, no doubt, I love it all right man. Well, look, 903 00:44:26,480 --> 00:44:28,839 Speaker 1: thank you to all that listeners for tuning in. This 904 00:44:28,920 --> 00:44:33,480 Speaker 1: is the NFL Players Second Acts Podcast. We'll see you later. 905 00:44:33,760 --> 00:44:34,120 Speaker 1: Piece