1 00:00:04,400 --> 00:00:07,280 Speaker 1: Welcome to another edition of the Dave Pash Podcast. I'm 2 00:00:07,280 --> 00:00:11,600 Speaker 1: your host Dave Pash ESPN and Arizona Cardinals announcer. Our 3 00:00:11,640 --> 00:00:15,640 Speaker 1: guest this week is JJ Watt, Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman 4 00:00:15,880 --> 00:00:19,160 Speaker 1: and future Hall of Famer. We talk a ton about 5 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:22,000 Speaker 1: the twenty twenty one season as well as the twenty 6 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:25,320 Speaker 1: twenty two Arizona Cardinal season, but we also get into 7 00:00:25,400 --> 00:00:29,920 Speaker 1: JJ's background growing up an elite hockey player, being a 8 00:00:29,960 --> 00:00:34,239 Speaker 1: Milwaukee Bucks fan, what JJ would like to do after football, 9 00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:38,240 Speaker 1: also all of his philanthropy efforts, as well as a 10 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:41,760 Speaker 1: time this offseason, JJ went to a bar just to 11 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:45,760 Speaker 1: hang out with sports fans in Arizona. Boys very close 12 00:00:45,800 --> 00:00:48,880 Speaker 1: there for about two hours and just had some beer, 13 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:52,080 Speaker 1: hung out, took photos with them, sign autographs wherever they wanted, 14 00:00:52,120 --> 00:00:54,480 Speaker 1: but also got to just got to hang and just 15 00:00:54,520 --> 00:00:56,480 Speaker 1: talk with a few of them and got to play 16 00:00:56,520 --> 00:00:58,600 Speaker 1: a full round of Golden Tea, which was great. We'll 17 00:00:58,640 --> 00:01:02,000 Speaker 1: discuss what the next step is for Kyler Murray, JJ's 18 00:01:02,040 --> 00:01:04,679 Speaker 1: thoughts on some of the offseason moves by the Cardinals 19 00:01:04,720 --> 00:01:07,800 Speaker 1: as well. We are presented by bet MGM, the official 20 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:10,720 Speaker 1: sports betting partner of the Arizona Cardinals and by Hila 21 00:01:10,840 --> 00:01:14,760 Speaker 1: River Hotels and Casinos. Sign up for BETMGM today using 22 00:01:14,800 --> 00:01:17,600 Speaker 1: code cards one thousand and get your first bet risk 23 00:01:17,640 --> 00:01:20,880 Speaker 1: free up to one thousand dollars. New customer offer paid 24 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:24,360 Speaker 1: in free bets. Visit betmgm dot com for terms and conditions. 25 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:28,720 Speaker 1: Twenty one and over Arizona only. Please gamble responsibly. Gambling 26 00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:33,120 Speaker 1: problem call one eight hundred. Next step. All right, here's 27 00:01:33,160 --> 00:01:35,960 Speaker 1: our guest for this edition of the Dave Pash Podcast, 28 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 1: j J Watt. So JJ. First of all, I'm sure 29 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:44,680 Speaker 1: Cardinal fans want to know how's your health because obviously 30 00:01:44,920 --> 00:01:49,440 Speaker 1: you had an incredibly significant injury last year that remarkably 31 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:53,760 Speaker 1: you came back from the play in the postseason. You're 32 00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:56,640 Speaker 1: here now for OTAs and workouts. How do you feel? 33 00:01:56,760 --> 00:01:59,000 Speaker 1: I feel great. I feel great. Obviously I was able 34 00:01:59,000 --> 00:02:02,200 Speaker 1: to come back for that. Haven't had any issues whatsoever 35 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:07,320 Speaker 1: and fully normally functioning. How significant really was that injury 36 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:09,640 Speaker 1: because a lot of people at the time were saying 37 00:02:09,639 --> 00:02:11,440 Speaker 1: it's shoulder, and then there was reports that it's a 38 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:15,920 Speaker 1: lot more ye shoulder. No, it was pretty bad. Thankful 39 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:19,119 Speaker 1: it's behind me for sure, but it was pretty bad. 40 00:02:19,120 --> 00:02:22,320 Speaker 1: Initially they were only supposed to open up one big 41 00:02:22,360 --> 00:02:24,480 Speaker 1: scar and then do like a scope on the back, 42 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:27,920 Speaker 1: and then when I woke up, there were two huge 43 00:02:27,919 --> 00:02:31,560 Speaker 1: scars and two scope holes. So there was a little more, 44 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:34,880 Speaker 1: a little more than they expected, and it was pretty 45 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:38,080 Speaker 1: much a total loss in there. But they put it 46 00:02:38,120 --> 00:02:41,320 Speaker 1: back together extremely well, and I'm very thankful they have 47 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:43,519 Speaker 1: great doctors and great people helped me to get back, 48 00:02:43,560 --> 00:02:46,200 Speaker 1: and a little bit of luck as well. How did 49 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:49,720 Speaker 1: you stay motivated during that time because I remember you 50 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:52,040 Speaker 1: saying early on in the process that you wanted to 51 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:53,919 Speaker 1: be back for the playoffs and that was your goal, 52 00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:56,919 Speaker 1: and athletes say that all the time and sometimes it's 53 00:02:56,960 --> 00:02:58,800 Speaker 1: not realistic, and a lot of people thought it wasn't 54 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:01,560 Speaker 1: realistic for you. So how did you stay motivated and 55 00:03:01,680 --> 00:03:04,840 Speaker 1: persistent to make sure that you got back for that game? Yeah, 56 00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:06,640 Speaker 1: I mean when you're in the building every day, it's easy. 57 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:08,799 Speaker 1: I mean you see the guys, you see them work, 58 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:11,800 Speaker 1: and you watch them practice and go to meetings, and 59 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:14,000 Speaker 1: you want to be a part of it as a competitor, 60 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:16,720 Speaker 1: as an athlete, you want to be a part of that, 61 00:03:16,800 --> 00:03:18,440 Speaker 1: and you see it in front of you every day 62 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:21,320 Speaker 1: and not every day is easy. I mean it's extremely difficult. 63 00:03:21,360 --> 00:03:24,760 Speaker 1: Some days are depressing, some days are tough, some days 64 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:27,400 Speaker 1: the rehab doesn't go as well as you'd hope it would. 65 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:30,560 Speaker 1: And those guys seeing them every day and them coming 66 00:03:30,600 --> 00:03:34,080 Speaker 1: through and tapping you up and wishing you the best 67 00:03:34,120 --> 00:03:36,560 Speaker 1: every day and just chatting with your shooting the breeze, 68 00:03:37,160 --> 00:03:38,680 Speaker 1: it just makes you want to get back out there 69 00:03:38,680 --> 00:03:40,320 Speaker 1: and once it makes you want to work that much harder, 70 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 1: makes you want to do everything the right way so 71 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:44,280 Speaker 1: you can get back on that field and help them out. 72 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:46,880 Speaker 1: So all that than this podcast, which I do for 73 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:50,720 Speaker 1: the Cardinals and in the offseason, it's not regular. My 74 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:53,880 Speaker 1: season ended last week. My last game was Game six 75 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:57,480 Speaker 1: of Philly Miami, so I'm technically I don't have to 76 00:03:57,520 --> 00:04:00,800 Speaker 1: do another game until preseason. Like for me, when my 77 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:04,520 Speaker 1: season's over, I watch the NBA playoffs, but it's not 78 00:04:04,640 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 1: like I'm sitting around watching baseball. I'm kind of get 79 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:11,160 Speaker 1: away from sports and do other things. When the Cardinal 80 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:13,960 Speaker 1: season ended, what were your thoughts? What did you do? 81 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:15,480 Speaker 1: Did you want to get away from it? Did you 82 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:17,240 Speaker 1: want to go back and watch the tape and talk 83 00:04:17,279 --> 00:04:19,200 Speaker 1: to guys about it? Or did you just want to escape, 84 00:04:21,160 --> 00:04:23,400 Speaker 1: you want to work. I think, especially the way it ended, 85 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:26,680 Speaker 1: and especially for myself having been injured up until that 86 00:04:26,760 --> 00:04:30,000 Speaker 1: last game and then coming back, I mean I wanted 87 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:31,320 Speaker 1: to get right back to work. I mean I was 88 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:34,200 Speaker 1: unable to do anything for the second half of the season, 89 00:04:34,240 --> 00:04:36,080 Speaker 1: so I was ready to immediately get back to work 90 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:40,320 Speaker 1: and put that loss behind us and do whatever we 91 00:04:40,360 --> 00:04:43,680 Speaker 1: could to be ready for the next season. But then 92 00:04:43,720 --> 00:04:45,599 Speaker 1: you also, you do try and find your spaces to 93 00:04:45,600 --> 00:04:48,760 Speaker 1: get away, try and find your time to relax, reconnect 94 00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:50,880 Speaker 1: with family, get as much time with the wife as 95 00:04:50,920 --> 00:04:52,960 Speaker 1: I can. And we took a couple of trips here 96 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:54,840 Speaker 1: and there, but for the most part, I mean I 97 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:56,440 Speaker 1: was back in with Buddy the next day. We just 98 00:04:56,480 --> 00:04:58,240 Speaker 1: wanted to We just want to get back to work. 99 00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:02,360 Speaker 1: Speaking of the NBA Playoffs, the Bucks, so I did 100 00:05:02,400 --> 00:05:05,160 Speaker 1: Game three Boston Milwaukee, and I don't know if you 101 00:05:05,160 --> 00:05:06,920 Speaker 1: remember that game. That was a game Horford, who was 102 00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:09,640 Speaker 1: on his hand. Yeah, I thought after that Milwaukee's gonna 103 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:12,160 Speaker 1: win the series. Obviously they didn't win the series. It 104 00:05:12,200 --> 00:05:14,440 Speaker 1: could beat pretty baddling in Game seven. I know you're 105 00:05:14,440 --> 00:05:18,960 Speaker 1: a Bucks fan. Peewaukee, is what west of the City Milwaukee. 106 00:05:20,080 --> 00:05:23,200 Speaker 1: What was your reaction to Game seven. I mean, it 107 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:25,320 Speaker 1: was a rough weekend for me. It was a rough 108 00:05:25,360 --> 00:05:30,560 Speaker 1: weekend for me. I had Chelsea Liverpool on Saturday, Chelsea 109 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:33,560 Speaker 1: took the Allen Pek's and then I had the Bucks. Obviously. 110 00:05:35,279 --> 00:05:37,000 Speaker 1: I mean, it's tough when you got a guy like 111 00:05:37,040 --> 00:05:39,120 Speaker 1: Milton out for the whole series and Jannie is trying 112 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:41,599 Speaker 1: to do everything in his power to put the team 113 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:44,039 Speaker 1: on his back the whole series, and he was incredible, 114 00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:46,880 Speaker 1: but it's just kind of inevitable that at some point 115 00:05:46,960 --> 00:05:49,799 Speaker 1: it's he can't keep doing it the whole time. And 116 00:05:49,800 --> 00:05:53,320 Speaker 1: and then on Sunday had the Suns and it was 117 00:05:53,400 --> 00:05:56,880 Speaker 1: rough as well. So it was pretty tough sports weekend 118 00:05:56,920 --> 00:05:59,320 Speaker 1: for me overall. But at sports, I mean, that's the 119 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:01,200 Speaker 1: beauty of sport, you know, Like you go on Twitter 120 00:06:01,240 --> 00:06:03,840 Speaker 1: after the games, and I saw somebody put up this 121 00:06:03,880 --> 00:06:07,040 Speaker 1: thing of Yannis and it was saying, like the Bucks 122 00:06:07,120 --> 00:06:09,599 Speaker 1: last seven years with the honest and it was like 123 00:06:09,640 --> 00:06:13,280 Speaker 1: first round playoff exit, second round playoff exit, first round 124 00:06:13,320 --> 00:06:18,599 Speaker 1: playoff exit, Eastern Conference Finals, NBA Champions first round playoff exit, 125 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:21,839 Speaker 1: and they they were they were listing these things like 126 00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:24,880 Speaker 1: it was a bad thing. And I was thinking to myself, 127 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:28,040 Speaker 1: there's an NBA champion like you literally have in that 128 00:06:28,080 --> 00:06:32,599 Speaker 1: list NBA champion at the way I mean, and you're 129 00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:35,200 Speaker 1: just like we're just all of a sudden, just breezing 130 00:06:35,240 --> 00:06:37,479 Speaker 1: past that, Like it's like this guy's had a failure 131 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:40,080 Speaker 1: of a career, Like it's it's just funny to me 132 00:06:40,120 --> 00:06:43,400 Speaker 1: in today's world, how it's so we're just trying to 133 00:06:43,400 --> 00:06:46,640 Speaker 1: find ways on people and it's just we we we 134 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:49,160 Speaker 1: were so quick to do that and not nearly as 135 00:06:49,240 --> 00:06:51,560 Speaker 1: quick to lift people up and to give them the 136 00:06:51,600 --> 00:06:54,799 Speaker 1: praise that they deserve. And so it's just it's always 137 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:56,680 Speaker 1: funny for me to watch that type of stuff. So 138 00:06:56,800 --> 00:07:00,560 Speaker 1: more on Yannis, because I remember the first time I 139 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:02,840 Speaker 1: met you, and I'm sure you don't remember because you've 140 00:07:02,839 --> 00:07:06,080 Speaker 1: met thousands of broadcasters and reporters over the years, but 141 00:07:07,000 --> 00:07:10,160 Speaker 1: it was two thousand nine and then two thousand and ten, 142 00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:12,000 Speaker 1: which was your last year at Wisconsin. It was really 143 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:13,760 Speaker 1: when you were taken off in ten, and I was 144 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:16,200 Speaker 1: working at the time with Chris Spielman and Bob Greasy, 145 00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:19,280 Speaker 1: and I remember even Chris when I met you, looked 146 00:07:19,280 --> 00:07:23,000 Speaker 1: at you like Wow, that's a big dude. And Jannis 147 00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:24,840 Speaker 1: is one of those guys like you and you're in 148 00:07:24,880 --> 00:07:27,880 Speaker 1: that category. I don't think people realize how big you are. 149 00:07:27,920 --> 00:07:30,720 Speaker 1: And I don't think people realize like what Jannis looks 150 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:33,760 Speaker 1: like when you see him in person, it's different. Are 151 00:07:33,760 --> 00:07:36,240 Speaker 1: there any professional athletes and maybe you just stick with 152 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:38,320 Speaker 1: NFL where like when you first see a guy that 153 00:07:38,440 --> 00:07:40,840 Speaker 1: maybe you didn't know very well or you didn't see 154 00:07:40,880 --> 00:07:43,640 Speaker 1: him in pads, you when you see him, you're like, man, 155 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:47,800 Speaker 1: that dude's a lot bigger than I thought. I don't 156 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:50,160 Speaker 1: know too many in the NFL. I think of most 157 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:52,040 Speaker 1: in the NFL have been about what I thought. But 158 00:07:52,080 --> 00:07:54,640 Speaker 1: I mean I met Yeaman when I was in Houston, 159 00:07:54,640 --> 00:07:57,120 Speaker 1: and I mean that, Yeah, it just blows you away. 160 00:07:57,520 --> 00:08:01,400 Speaker 1: Like we went out to lunch and watching him sit 161 00:08:01,480 --> 00:08:05,040 Speaker 1: in a chair at a table like is mind boggling. 162 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:07,080 Speaker 1: It's you're trying the whole time we were eating, I 163 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:08,720 Speaker 1: was just trying to wrap my head around and like 164 00:08:08,840 --> 00:08:10,440 Speaker 1: his life. I was just trying to think about how 165 00:08:10,440 --> 00:08:12,320 Speaker 1: he fits into cars and how he buys clothes and 166 00:08:12,360 --> 00:08:15,800 Speaker 1: all these things. So, um, I think NBA definitely is 167 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:17,680 Speaker 1: like that as well, Like when you go sit courtside 168 00:08:17,680 --> 00:08:19,200 Speaker 1: of the game and you're truly up there and you're 169 00:08:19,240 --> 00:08:23,760 Speaker 1: seeing the guys, and it's pretty incredible even us. I mean, 170 00:08:23,960 --> 00:08:25,920 Speaker 1: I'm a pretty big guy, but you watch those guys 171 00:08:25,920 --> 00:08:30,040 Speaker 1: and they're seven foot and they're doing things that are unbelievable. 172 00:08:30,120 --> 00:08:31,680 Speaker 1: So you have a lot of respect for that. In 173 00:08:31,720 --> 00:08:35,280 Speaker 1: the NFL, I'm no, I can't. I can't really think 174 00:08:35,280 --> 00:08:36,920 Speaker 1: of one guy that I was like, Oh man, that 175 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:41,559 Speaker 1: guy's gigantic. That's because you dwarf most guys, So I 176 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:44,640 Speaker 1: get it. It's funny because y'all, what you know, he's 177 00:08:44,640 --> 00:08:47,000 Speaker 1: not just tall, he's thick, like his lower body's thick. 178 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:48,920 Speaker 1: And Jeff Van Gundy's a buddy of mine, and Jeff 179 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:51,640 Speaker 1: coach him. It's hilarious back when Jeff was coaching him. 180 00:08:51,679 --> 00:08:53,920 Speaker 1: And I assume you know Jeff from Houston because he's 181 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 1: a huge Texan fan, and it was like having and 182 00:08:56,200 --> 00:08:59,520 Speaker 1: Costello with with Jeff and yea, yeah, he's well proportioned. 183 00:08:59,600 --> 00:09:01,520 Speaker 1: He's not. It's not like he's just tall and lanky. 184 00:09:01,559 --> 00:09:04,800 Speaker 1: He is. His body looks like it fits his height, 185 00:09:04,880 --> 00:09:08,120 Speaker 1: and it's I mean, I just I can't figure out 186 00:09:08,120 --> 00:09:10,520 Speaker 1: where he buys his clothes and how he goes about 187 00:09:10,520 --> 00:09:12,920 Speaker 1: his daily life. I don't know if people realize you 188 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:15,880 Speaker 1: were a great hockey player growing up. Do you still 189 00:09:15,880 --> 00:09:20,040 Speaker 1: watch Stanley Cup playoffs? Yeah? Yeah, I admittedly don't tune 190 00:09:20,040 --> 00:09:22,640 Speaker 1: in too heavily until the playoffs, but the playoffs. I 191 00:09:22,679 --> 00:09:24,280 Speaker 1: was talking to my wife last night about it. The 192 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:26,840 Speaker 1: Stanley Cup playoffs are my favorite playoffs and all sports 193 00:09:26,840 --> 00:09:32,160 Speaker 1: to watch. Just everything about it is so intense. And 194 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:33,960 Speaker 1: obviously last night you had a couple of games and 195 00:09:33,960 --> 00:09:36,040 Speaker 1: you had the Rangers Penguins go, it's overtime, and it's 196 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:40,280 Speaker 1: game seven, overtime, winner takes all, and just those moments 197 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:42,319 Speaker 1: where it's one goal wins it, and you know that 198 00:09:42,360 --> 00:09:44,400 Speaker 1: there's gonna be the elation of winning, and there's gonna 199 00:09:44,440 --> 00:09:47,600 Speaker 1: be the devastation of losing, and it's you just you 200 00:09:47,679 --> 00:09:51,840 Speaker 1: can't beat that. Were you on a traveling team growing up? Yeah? Yeah, 201 00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:53,880 Speaker 1: I played on a team. Yeah, I played on a 202 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:58,880 Speaker 1: trip a team that played all over Wisconsin, Canada, Minnesota, Michigan. 203 00:09:59,360 --> 00:10:02,400 Speaker 1: And then I also played on another team that went 204 00:10:02,440 --> 00:10:05,560 Speaker 1: over to Germany and played in Germany and a couple 205 00:10:05,559 --> 00:10:07,680 Speaker 1: of tournaments over there. So yeah, it was it was 206 00:10:07,679 --> 00:10:11,000 Speaker 1: pretty cool. Can you stopped playing because of football? No, 207 00:10:11,120 --> 00:10:14,160 Speaker 1: I stopped playing. It was just extremely expensive. We were 208 00:10:14,200 --> 00:10:16,079 Speaker 1: a middle class family and I was fortunate to be 209 00:10:16,120 --> 00:10:17,720 Speaker 1: able to do it for a while. But three boys 210 00:10:18,440 --> 00:10:21,200 Speaker 1: playing on traveling teams are our parents kind of said, 211 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:23,679 Speaker 1: we can't afford anymore. If you want to play on 212 00:10:23,720 --> 00:10:26,400 Speaker 1: the local local team, you can, but we can't afford 213 00:10:26,400 --> 00:10:29,160 Speaker 1: to be on the travel teams anymore, and so we 214 00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:32,040 Speaker 1: kind of turned our attention to the other sports. Did 215 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:35,760 Speaker 1: you know about the tradition of Wisconsin hockey like when 216 00:10:35,760 --> 00:10:38,840 Speaker 1: you went there? Yeah, because I grew up in Madison 217 00:10:38,880 --> 00:10:41,280 Speaker 1: and I was I went to football and basketball games 218 00:10:41,280 --> 00:10:43,079 Speaker 1: growing up. I never went to hockey games. Yeah, no, 219 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:47,240 Speaker 1: I have it literally might still be somewhere in a 220 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:50,679 Speaker 1: box somewhere, but like in my childhood bedroom growing up, 221 00:10:50,679 --> 00:10:55,120 Speaker 1: I had we like when I was probably somewhere eight 222 00:10:55,160 --> 00:10:56,920 Speaker 1: to ten years old, we would go skate with the 223 00:10:56,960 --> 00:10:58,880 Speaker 1: Badgers like they have like a skate you could skate 224 00:10:58,880 --> 00:11:01,400 Speaker 1: with the Badgers, and we went with them and I 225 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:03,440 Speaker 1: got all their autographs on their team picture and it 226 00:11:03,480 --> 00:11:06,640 Speaker 1: was hanging up on my wall for shoot probably until 227 00:11:06,679 --> 00:11:10,520 Speaker 1: like five years ago. So it was yeah, no, I 228 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:13,760 Speaker 1: knew all about it. The Coal Center the interest, Like, 229 00:11:13,800 --> 00:11:16,079 Speaker 1: I think hockey has the best introductions in all of sports. 230 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:17,840 Speaker 1: I think that they do the best job with their 231 00:11:17,880 --> 00:11:22,000 Speaker 1: audio visual in terms of the intros and the music 232 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:25,160 Speaker 1: and the announcers and shutting off all the lights and everything. 233 00:11:25,160 --> 00:11:28,120 Speaker 1: I think it's incredible. So I was always attracted to that. 234 00:11:28,200 --> 00:11:29,880 Speaker 1: And the Coal Center does a really good job with 235 00:11:29,960 --> 00:11:32,600 Speaker 1: their presentation as well, so I love going to games 236 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:34,760 Speaker 1: there when I was in college. I'm sure a lot 237 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:37,880 Speaker 1: of people are enjoying this conversation, but they're they probably 238 00:11:37,880 --> 00:11:39,520 Speaker 1: feel like we're burying the lead here and not talking 239 00:11:39,559 --> 00:11:42,240 Speaker 1: about the team. So let's let's talk about First of all, 240 00:11:42,240 --> 00:11:45,040 Speaker 1: I guess your thoughts on the off season so far 241 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:47,480 Speaker 1: and what you think of the moves that the Cardinals 242 00:11:47,480 --> 00:11:50,239 Speaker 1: have made, whether it's free agency, the trade with Hollywood 243 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:54,600 Speaker 1: and the draft. Yeah, I mean I obviously paid attention 244 00:11:54,640 --> 00:11:57,080 Speaker 1: to it a little bit, but I also just control it. 245 00:11:57,080 --> 00:12:00,760 Speaker 1: I can control and do my job right to have Hollywood. 246 00:12:00,760 --> 00:12:02,280 Speaker 1: And I saw him the day that he signed and 247 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:05,400 Speaker 1: or the day that he got traded or however however, 248 00:12:05,400 --> 00:12:07,360 Speaker 1: and all went down, but he was in very quickly 249 00:12:07,559 --> 00:12:11,160 Speaker 1: after his trade and got a chance to meet with 250 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:15,079 Speaker 1: him and looking forward to him very very fast. It'll 251 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:18,320 Speaker 1: be great far offense, open things up even more. Can 252 00:12:18,400 --> 00:12:20,240 Speaker 1: never have too many weapons on that side of the ball. 253 00:12:21,120 --> 00:12:23,400 Speaker 1: And then the Draft. I mean, we'll see how it 254 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:25,720 Speaker 1: all plays out. You never know, you know, with the draft, 255 00:12:25,760 --> 00:12:29,560 Speaker 1: it's people love it, people hate it, people nobody knows, 256 00:12:29,960 --> 00:12:32,080 Speaker 1: nobody knows, and we all hope it turns out incredible. 257 00:12:32,120 --> 00:12:34,360 Speaker 1: So looking forward to seeing these guys work, looking forward 258 00:12:34,360 --> 00:12:36,679 Speaker 1: to see how they go about their business, and helping 259 00:12:36,720 --> 00:12:38,520 Speaker 1: them in any way I can. So I was doing 260 00:12:38,520 --> 00:12:40,320 Speaker 1: a lot of interviews leading up to the draft and 261 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:44,080 Speaker 1: during the offseason locally nationally, people asking about the Cardinals 262 00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:47,000 Speaker 1: and a lot of people saying, well, they're not doing anything. 263 00:12:47,640 --> 00:12:51,440 Speaker 1: And obviously a lot has changed since then, the Hollywood 264 00:12:51,440 --> 00:12:53,360 Speaker 1: Trade being one of the moves that was made. But 265 00:12:53,440 --> 00:12:56,280 Speaker 1: also just in general, you guys were seven and oh 266 00:12:56,520 --> 00:12:59,120 Speaker 1: and ten and two. It's not like there needed to 267 00:12:59,160 --> 00:13:01,760 Speaker 1: be a rebuild. So my question to you is how 268 00:13:01,800 --> 00:13:05,040 Speaker 1: close do you feel this group is? Because I'm you know, 269 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:08,920 Speaker 1: Adrian Wilson's been on this pod, Steve Cliff, Quinn, Harris, 270 00:13:08,960 --> 00:13:13,199 Speaker 1: and everybody seems to think like you guys are close. 271 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:18,040 Speaker 1: You could feel twenty two and contend for a championship. Yeah, 272 00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:20,480 Speaker 1: I mean wouldn't be much of a point in playing 273 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:22,240 Speaker 1: if we didn't think we could make it happen. You know, 274 00:13:23,280 --> 00:13:25,720 Speaker 1: I'm looking forward to the opportunity. I'm looking forward to 275 00:13:25,800 --> 00:13:27,280 Speaker 1: getting back out there with the group. I mean, we 276 00:13:27,320 --> 00:13:30,440 Speaker 1: started out seven and oh last year, and unfortunately it 277 00:13:30,480 --> 00:13:32,120 Speaker 1: didn't end the way that we wanted it too. But 278 00:13:33,160 --> 00:13:36,320 Speaker 1: that feeling and that the way that we were rolling, 279 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:39,439 Speaker 1: in the way that we were going about things, there's 280 00:13:39,440 --> 00:13:42,200 Speaker 1: no reason that that shouldn't have continued. And there's no 281 00:13:42,280 --> 00:13:45,360 Speaker 1: reason that we can't make that happen again and continue 282 00:13:45,400 --> 00:13:47,920 Speaker 1: it and sustain it. As you look at the room 283 00:13:48,360 --> 00:13:51,320 Speaker 1: and you think about the possibilities, do you see some 284 00:13:51,440 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 1: similarities to some of the teams you're on in Houston 285 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:59,359 Speaker 1: that won the division. I mean, I have bigger aspirations 286 00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:01,400 Speaker 1: than I've ever had in my own career. I mean 287 00:14:01,440 --> 00:14:04,000 Speaker 1: I've obviously won division titles and things like that, but 288 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:06,440 Speaker 1: i want to win the super Bowl. I mean that's 289 00:14:06,440 --> 00:14:11,280 Speaker 1: the goal. So I'm done with any small goals. I'm 290 00:14:11,280 --> 00:14:13,560 Speaker 1: done with any moral victories or anything like that. I 291 00:14:13,559 --> 00:14:15,480 Speaker 1: mean I'm here for one goal and one goal only, 292 00:14:15,480 --> 00:14:17,800 Speaker 1: and that's to win a trophy. So that's what I'm 293 00:14:17,800 --> 00:14:20,320 Speaker 1: working towards, and I think we have a good group 294 00:14:20,320 --> 00:14:23,240 Speaker 1: who's capable of doing that, and it's just a matter 295 00:14:23,280 --> 00:14:25,600 Speaker 1: of putting it all together and doing it consistently week 296 00:14:25,640 --> 00:14:27,800 Speaker 1: after week and making sure that we put in all 297 00:14:27,800 --> 00:14:30,720 Speaker 1: the work. And as you know, the quarterback position is 298 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:34,360 Speaker 1: the one that's most scrutinized, obviously, and you played with 299 00:14:35,280 --> 00:14:38,080 Speaker 1: some really good quarterbacks in Houston. You played with a 300 00:14:38,080 --> 00:14:41,520 Speaker 1: great quarterback, and you played with some quarterbacks that you know, frankly, 301 00:14:41,560 --> 00:14:43,480 Speaker 1: weren't very good, and you guys still were able to win. 302 00:14:44,120 --> 00:14:48,120 Speaker 1: Kyler obviously has an elite skill set and he clearly 303 00:14:48,120 --> 00:14:50,680 Speaker 1: has grown since his rookie year before you got here. 304 00:14:51,400 --> 00:14:55,000 Speaker 1: What do you think's the next step for him? I mean, 305 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:57,960 Speaker 1: I think that just playing it up. He's done it. 306 00:14:57,960 --> 00:14:59,800 Speaker 1: He's played at extremely high level. I think it's just 307 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:01,840 Speaker 1: obviously we need to finish out of season better. I 308 00:15:01,840 --> 00:15:04,280 Speaker 1: think that's but that's not just him, that's on all 309 00:15:04,280 --> 00:15:06,840 Speaker 1: of us. I think that it's being able to do 310 00:15:06,880 --> 00:15:09,120 Speaker 1: it take us to where we need to go from 311 00:15:09,160 --> 00:15:11,960 Speaker 1: a playoff standpoint, and like I said, to go win 312 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:15,600 Speaker 1: a Super Bowl. And every year in the league, you 313 00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:18,840 Speaker 1: get better, you mature, you have you learn the game, 314 00:15:18,920 --> 00:15:21,120 Speaker 1: you play differently year to year because you have more 315 00:15:21,160 --> 00:15:25,320 Speaker 1: knowledge based, you have more experience, You're you're mature and wiser. 316 00:15:25,440 --> 00:15:28,160 Speaker 1: So I'm looking forward to seeing his progress and looking 317 00:15:28,160 --> 00:15:31,240 Speaker 1: forward to seeing the step that he takes this season. 318 00:15:31,480 --> 00:15:34,840 Speaker 1: How involved are you in his life in terms of 319 00:15:35,040 --> 00:15:38,640 Speaker 1: having conversations, whether it's in person or via text, you know, 320 00:15:38,680 --> 00:15:41,720 Speaker 1: because a lot of times you have, you know, the 321 00:15:41,800 --> 00:15:43,880 Speaker 1: offenses on one side of locker and the defense on 322 00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:46,480 Speaker 1: the other end, there's not much conversation going on even 323 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:49,080 Speaker 1: you know, a way from football. But I know, just 324 00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:51,240 Speaker 1: based on your history, you're a guy that you know 325 00:15:51,360 --> 00:15:53,720 Speaker 1: you're invested in your teammates. So I'm just curious that 326 00:15:53,760 --> 00:15:56,800 Speaker 1: relationship with Kyler. Yeah, I mean, it's it's it's there. 327 00:15:56,840 --> 00:15:59,400 Speaker 1: I mean we tex text message and FaceTime and things 328 00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:02,560 Speaker 1: like that. I mean we're not we're not having dinner 329 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:05,640 Speaker 1: every single night, but we're definitely talking all the time. 330 00:16:05,640 --> 00:16:07,840 Speaker 1: I mean, that's the nature of the team. You understand 331 00:16:07,840 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 1: the leadership of the team, and you understand that the 332 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:12,000 Speaker 1: quarterback is such a vital role to the team, and 333 00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:14,720 Speaker 1: any way that I can support, any way that I 334 00:16:14,800 --> 00:16:18,800 Speaker 1: can help and try and make his job easier is 335 00:16:18,840 --> 00:16:20,920 Speaker 1: what I'm here to do. I know it's maybe a 336 00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:23,400 Speaker 1: hard question answer because you were hurt for a good 337 00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:25,600 Speaker 1: part of the year, so you weren't out there every 338 00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:28,760 Speaker 1: week with a lot of the guys. But who were 339 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:31,080 Speaker 1: some of the young guys on defense that stood out 340 00:16:31,080 --> 00:16:33,440 Speaker 1: to you last year that you're really high on here 341 00:16:33,480 --> 00:16:36,800 Speaker 1: going forward? Yeah, I'm I'm I'm just I'm looking forward 342 00:16:36,800 --> 00:16:38,200 Speaker 1: to seeing them all. I mean, I think that we've 343 00:16:38,240 --> 00:16:39,960 Speaker 1: got a lot of a lot of guys. I think 344 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:42,160 Speaker 1: Marco's got a lot of potential. I think Byron obviously 345 00:16:42,200 --> 00:16:45,280 Speaker 1: played extremely well. I mean when I look around, I 346 00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:48,960 Speaker 1: try and when you say young guys, they're most of 347 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:52,480 Speaker 1: the room is young in my eyes, so I look 348 00:16:52,520 --> 00:16:54,600 Speaker 1: at everybody. I'm looking forward to seeing the progress. I mean, 349 00:16:54,640 --> 00:16:57,040 Speaker 1: you look forward to seeing what's Avin is able to 350 00:16:57,080 --> 00:16:59,960 Speaker 1: do with the bigger role and with a full off season, 351 00:17:00,520 --> 00:17:03,880 Speaker 1: an actual offseason program, and Isaiah having a chance to 352 00:17:03,920 --> 00:17:05,879 Speaker 1: have an off season program and being able to have 353 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:09,840 Speaker 1: that year to grow and mature and learn. And then 354 00:17:09,840 --> 00:17:11,240 Speaker 1: on the D line, you got a bunch of young 355 00:17:11,280 --> 00:17:15,360 Speaker 1: guys who you're looking to flourish and take that next 356 00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:19,560 Speaker 1: step and see what they can do. So it's exciting. 357 00:17:19,600 --> 00:17:21,800 Speaker 1: I'm looking forward to it, and then obviously the draft 358 00:17:21,800 --> 00:17:24,080 Speaker 1: picks and we'll see what they can do. You're rare 359 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:27,119 Speaker 1: and that I mean you were a hit right away. 360 00:17:27,240 --> 00:17:29,399 Speaker 1: Not many guys come in and have the kind of 361 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:33,760 Speaker 1: impact that you did, winning multiple Defensive Player of the 362 00:17:33,800 --> 00:17:37,520 Speaker 1: Year awards early on in your career. I'm curious, what's 363 00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:41,920 Speaker 1: the key for guys like Xavin Isaiah, the younger guys 364 00:17:41,960 --> 00:17:45,440 Speaker 1: that you know have flashes moments where things are great, 365 00:17:45,480 --> 00:17:49,520 Speaker 1: but getting consistently good. What's the key for those guys, 366 00:17:49,560 --> 00:17:52,159 Speaker 1: do you think? I think it's all about time you 367 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:57,080 Speaker 1: put in, and I think it's about repetition and just consistency. 368 00:17:57,240 --> 00:17:59,159 Speaker 1: I think that the more time that you're able to 369 00:17:59,160 --> 00:18:01,280 Speaker 1: commit to the job and that you're able to learn 370 00:18:01,320 --> 00:18:03,040 Speaker 1: and grow, and the more time that you have to 371 00:18:03,840 --> 00:18:06,040 Speaker 1: learn the playbook and the plays and see as many 372 00:18:06,800 --> 00:18:09,320 Speaker 1: looks as possible, whether it's walk throughs, whether it's practice, 373 00:18:09,320 --> 00:18:11,879 Speaker 1: whether it's offseason program, training camp, whatever it may be, 374 00:18:11,960 --> 00:18:14,040 Speaker 1: and being able to do those things over and over 375 00:18:14,080 --> 00:18:16,840 Speaker 1: and over again. That's when you really get good. I 376 00:18:16,880 --> 00:18:19,679 Speaker 1: think that having an offseason program is going to help 377 00:18:19,760 --> 00:18:22,400 Speaker 1: him a lot, because we haven't had one true offseason 378 00:18:22,400 --> 00:18:24,320 Speaker 1: program for a few years, especially since they've been in 379 00:18:24,400 --> 00:18:26,760 Speaker 1: the league. And then it's just going out there and 380 00:18:26,760 --> 00:18:29,080 Speaker 1: flying around and playing football. You know, at some point, 381 00:18:29,600 --> 00:18:32,480 Speaker 1: this game comes down to making plays. It comes down 382 00:18:32,520 --> 00:18:35,119 Speaker 1: to being on the field and just making plays. And 383 00:18:35,200 --> 00:18:38,320 Speaker 1: I think that you're gonna make mistakes. Guys are gonna 384 00:18:38,320 --> 00:18:40,959 Speaker 1: make mistakes. I make mistakes all the time, but I 385 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:43,119 Speaker 1: think that you have to make those mistakes one hundred 386 00:18:43,119 --> 00:18:45,040 Speaker 1: miles an hour, and you have to make them with 387 00:18:45,119 --> 00:18:49,040 Speaker 1: an intent and a focus to be trying to make plays. 388 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:51,840 Speaker 1: I'd rather a guy be doing everything in his power 389 00:18:51,880 --> 00:18:54,520 Speaker 1: to make a play and screw up that way than 390 00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:56,879 Speaker 1: be thinking and inside of his head and screw up 391 00:18:56,880 --> 00:18:59,800 Speaker 1: because he's too slow. So they got to go out 392 00:18:59,800 --> 00:19:02,200 Speaker 1: there play and when you do make those mistakes, you 393 00:19:02,240 --> 00:19:05,320 Speaker 1: got to learn from them. But it's all about repetition 394 00:19:05,359 --> 00:19:08,879 Speaker 1: and consistency and work. When the schedule came out, was 395 00:19:08,920 --> 00:19:11,200 Speaker 1: there anything that stood out to you? I know for me, 396 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:15,679 Speaker 1: the bye week being in December. Now, as a player, 397 00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:18,080 Speaker 1: maybe you don't care you want to go every week. 398 00:19:18,119 --> 00:19:20,960 Speaker 1: I don't know, um. I mean, the first couple of 399 00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:22,760 Speaker 1: things you look at as a player is obviously who 400 00:19:22,760 --> 00:19:25,679 Speaker 1: you're playing first, and then you look at the Thursday 401 00:19:25,760 --> 00:19:27,320 Speaker 1: night game and the bye week. Those are the two, 402 00:19:27,600 --> 00:19:29,240 Speaker 1: the two big ones that you do look at, and 403 00:19:29,760 --> 00:19:32,879 Speaker 1: it is a little bit later, but I mean you 404 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:34,959 Speaker 1: also can't control it, so there's not much you can 405 00:19:34,960 --> 00:19:37,879 Speaker 1: do about it. The Thursday night game being at home 406 00:19:38,119 --> 00:19:41,400 Speaker 1: is definitely better than being on the road. I mean, 407 00:19:41,440 --> 00:19:43,720 Speaker 1: Thursday night games are what they are, but when you 408 00:19:43,720 --> 00:19:45,560 Speaker 1: don't have to travel, it does make it easier on 409 00:19:45,640 --> 00:19:49,320 Speaker 1: the body for sure. But other than that, I mean, 410 00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:52,360 Speaker 1: we knew who's we knew all seventeen teams we're gonna play, 411 00:19:52,359 --> 00:19:54,879 Speaker 1: and we're gonna play them and I look forward to 412 00:19:55,160 --> 00:19:58,720 Speaker 1: kicking it off. How often do you talk with your brothers? 413 00:19:59,160 --> 00:20:01,840 Speaker 1: How often did you talked to t J at the 414 00:20:02,040 --> 00:20:04,760 Speaker 1: end of the season when he was going for the record? 415 00:20:05,359 --> 00:20:08,919 Speaker 1: We talked to each other many times throughout the day. 416 00:20:08,960 --> 00:20:11,920 Speaker 1: I mean, we have a group chat that has probably 417 00:20:12,520 --> 00:20:14,600 Speaker 1: I don't know, fifty to one hundred text messages per 418 00:20:14,680 --> 00:20:18,400 Speaker 1: day in it, and FaceTime with him multiple times a week. 419 00:20:18,440 --> 00:20:22,239 Speaker 1: Both of them, and we're extremely close, extremely close, and 420 00:20:22,920 --> 00:20:25,919 Speaker 1: so I talked to him at length and during that 421 00:20:26,040 --> 00:20:28,760 Speaker 1: run and during the end of the season and everything, 422 00:20:28,800 --> 00:20:31,520 Speaker 1: and it was especially it was special to watch, and 423 00:20:32,440 --> 00:20:34,719 Speaker 1: I still think that he got it. I think that 424 00:20:34,760 --> 00:20:38,000 Speaker 1: there was a I still don't understand why he didn't 425 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:40,600 Speaker 1: get credit for that second sack in that game. But 426 00:20:41,680 --> 00:20:44,040 Speaker 1: hell of are unbelievable. You know. One of the things 427 00:20:44,080 --> 00:20:46,040 Speaker 1: that I love about you and what you bring to 428 00:20:46,080 --> 00:20:48,840 Speaker 1: a team is you you immediately become an ambassador for 429 00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:51,520 Speaker 1: the team and for the city that you're living in. 430 00:20:52,040 --> 00:20:55,520 Speaker 1: And one of the things this offseason that I don't 431 00:20:55,520 --> 00:20:58,200 Speaker 1: know that I've ever seen a professional athlete do before 432 00:20:58,440 --> 00:21:01,040 Speaker 1: is just decide, Hey, I'm going to go to a 433 00:21:01,080 --> 00:21:03,520 Speaker 1: bar and just hang out with the fans and have 434 00:21:03,680 --> 00:21:07,160 Speaker 1: some beers. Like how did that come about? And what 435 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:10,800 Speaker 1: was the turnout? Like how long did you stay? It 436 00:21:10,840 --> 00:21:14,440 Speaker 1: was good? It was great. Came about on Twitter. I 437 00:21:14,440 --> 00:21:17,600 Speaker 1: don't even remember exactly how it started, but somehow we 438 00:21:17,640 --> 00:21:20,639 Speaker 1: got on the topic of dive bars and I started 439 00:21:20,640 --> 00:21:23,080 Speaker 1: thinking that I've been in Arizona for a year but 440 00:21:23,160 --> 00:21:24,639 Speaker 1: didn't really get a chance to hang out with the 441 00:21:24,640 --> 00:21:27,160 Speaker 1: fans because of COVID and we had all the rules 442 00:21:27,160 --> 00:21:29,360 Speaker 1: in place, so I couldn't It wasn't much you could 443 00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:31,560 Speaker 1: do last offseason in terms of meeting the fans, so 444 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:33,160 Speaker 1: I wanted to do something where I could at least 445 00:21:33,160 --> 00:21:36,199 Speaker 1: get out there and see the fans. And so we 446 00:21:36,240 --> 00:21:37,920 Speaker 1: went to a dive bar and it was great. It 447 00:21:37,960 --> 00:21:39,560 Speaker 1: was actually great. You know. The one thing that I 448 00:21:39,560 --> 00:21:41,880 Speaker 1: asked that the fans was if they just be cool, 449 00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:44,240 Speaker 1: like just I mean, I want to do this, I 450 00:21:44,280 --> 00:21:45,920 Speaker 1: want it to be great, but just if you're cool, 451 00:21:46,119 --> 00:21:49,080 Speaker 1: it's going to be great. And to their credit, everybody 452 00:21:49,160 --> 00:21:50,680 Speaker 1: was cool. Everybody was very cool. I was there for 453 00:21:50,720 --> 00:21:54,560 Speaker 1: about two hours and just had some beer, hung out, 454 00:21:54,600 --> 00:21:56,919 Speaker 1: took photos with them, sign autographs whatever they wanted, but 455 00:21:57,000 --> 00:21:59,199 Speaker 1: also got to just hang got to hang and just 456 00:21:59,240 --> 00:22:01,240 Speaker 1: talk with a few of them, and got to play 457 00:22:01,240 --> 00:22:03,840 Speaker 1: a full round of Golden Tea, which was great. And 458 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:06,640 Speaker 1: the people were they were really cool. They just kind 459 00:22:06,640 --> 00:22:09,160 Speaker 1: of let me hang and chill, but they also got 460 00:22:09,200 --> 00:22:11,920 Speaker 1: their chances they interact and say hello and hear stories, 461 00:22:11,960 --> 00:22:14,360 Speaker 1: and it was a it was a great experience. It's 462 00:22:14,400 --> 00:22:17,680 Speaker 1: it's something that I would do again. You're very philanthropic. 463 00:22:17,720 --> 00:22:19,760 Speaker 1: You've always been what are some of the things you 464 00:22:19,760 --> 00:22:22,720 Speaker 1: have going on right now? I assume you've got things 465 00:22:22,760 --> 00:22:25,800 Speaker 1: going on in multiple states. Yeah, well, I was just 466 00:22:25,840 --> 00:22:27,640 Speaker 1: talking to my mom about the other day. We're trying 467 00:22:27,640 --> 00:22:30,600 Speaker 1: to find because we've already donated to I believe it's 468 00:22:30,600 --> 00:22:32,800 Speaker 1: either eight or ten states here or in Arizona, and 469 00:22:32,960 --> 00:22:35,760 Speaker 1: we're we're looking at other schools in the area to 470 00:22:35,800 --> 00:22:38,880 Speaker 1: try and continue to work with now that that I'm 471 00:22:38,880 --> 00:22:40,240 Speaker 1: here on the ground, and I also want to go 472 00:22:40,240 --> 00:22:42,240 Speaker 1: out and visit some of those schools and things like that. 473 00:22:43,359 --> 00:22:46,040 Speaker 1: When I left Houston, we did a half million dollar 474 00:22:46,560 --> 00:22:48,679 Speaker 1: project with the Boys and Girls Club where we created 475 00:22:49,560 --> 00:22:52,199 Speaker 1: basically digital labs for the kids to work in so 476 00:22:52,240 --> 00:22:55,560 Speaker 1: that they could keep up with the technology of today's 477 00:22:55,600 --> 00:22:57,800 Speaker 1: world and trying to make sure that they have all 478 00:22:57,800 --> 00:23:01,240 Speaker 1: the tools necessary to stay up with today's society. And 479 00:23:02,760 --> 00:23:04,919 Speaker 1: we're also working on a fundraiser for this fall, just 480 00:23:04,960 --> 00:23:07,639 Speaker 1: trying to trying to continue. We've wanted to do my 481 00:23:07,720 --> 00:23:09,679 Speaker 1: charity softball game for the last couple of years, but 482 00:23:09,720 --> 00:23:11,679 Speaker 1: with COVID and the uncertainty of it, we haven't been 483 00:23:11,720 --> 00:23:14,920 Speaker 1: able to plan it because it takes almost a full 484 00:23:14,960 --> 00:23:16,800 Speaker 1: year to plan every time and with the uncertainty, we 485 00:23:16,800 --> 00:23:18,199 Speaker 1: haven't been able to, but I'd like to do that, 486 00:23:18,359 --> 00:23:21,199 Speaker 1: especially with how many great minor league stadiums are down here. 487 00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:24,800 Speaker 1: It's a great opportunity. But yeah, just trying to find 488 00:23:24,800 --> 00:23:26,520 Speaker 1: other ways that down the community and try and help. 489 00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:29,600 Speaker 1: Was that DK's camp the other day and got a 490 00:23:29,680 --> 00:23:31,160 Speaker 1: chance to meet some of the kids in the area. 491 00:23:31,240 --> 00:23:33,200 Speaker 1: So I'm enjoying it. I love it out here that 492 00:23:33,240 --> 00:23:35,720 Speaker 1: people have been great. I'm very fortunate and my wife 493 00:23:35,720 --> 00:23:37,800 Speaker 1: and I are really really enjoying it down here. I 494 00:23:37,880 --> 00:23:40,919 Speaker 1: know you're focused on playing football, You're very good in 495 00:23:40,960 --> 00:23:45,040 Speaker 1: the setting, and you've always been good with the media. 496 00:23:45,160 --> 00:23:48,760 Speaker 1: I'm curious as you look at Tom Brady getting four 497 00:23:48,840 --> 00:23:53,800 Speaker 1: hundred million dollars Romo Akeman, who now is a colleague 498 00:23:53,800 --> 00:23:57,000 Speaker 1: of mine at ESPN, Like, what do you think about 499 00:23:57,000 --> 00:23:59,800 Speaker 1: television as a future for you when you've done playing football. 500 00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:02,080 Speaker 1: If offered four hundred million dollars, I would take it. 501 00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:04,879 Speaker 1: I would take it. I'd talk about whatever they wanted 502 00:24:04,880 --> 00:24:06,760 Speaker 1: me to talk about, and I would do it with 503 00:24:06,760 --> 00:24:11,800 Speaker 1: a large smile on my face. So that's that's I've 504 00:24:11,800 --> 00:24:13,720 Speaker 1: always said, you know, early in my career, I always 505 00:24:13,760 --> 00:24:15,520 Speaker 1: said I didn't want to be on I didn't want 506 00:24:15,520 --> 00:24:17,920 Speaker 1: to be an analyst. I didn't want to be on 507 00:24:18,960 --> 00:24:23,720 Speaker 1: NFL shows because I there's an aspect to it where 508 00:24:23,720 --> 00:24:26,000 Speaker 1: you have to speak on other people's jobs when you 509 00:24:26,080 --> 00:24:29,879 Speaker 1: don't know exactly what their assignment was. And I've always 510 00:24:30,680 --> 00:24:32,920 Speaker 1: that was one of my biggest caveats, was that you know, 511 00:24:33,160 --> 00:24:34,879 Speaker 1: whether it was me playing game and a guy was 512 00:24:35,440 --> 00:24:37,119 Speaker 1: ripping on me for going in the wrong gap, and 513 00:24:37,160 --> 00:24:38,840 Speaker 1: I'm like, well, you don't know that's that was the 514 00:24:38,840 --> 00:24:40,520 Speaker 1: gap I was supposed to be in, and things like that. 515 00:24:40,560 --> 00:24:43,560 Speaker 1: I'd never liked that aspect of it, because you're at 516 00:24:43,600 --> 00:24:45,280 Speaker 1: some point you are going to have to guess and 517 00:24:45,320 --> 00:24:47,520 Speaker 1: assume that you know what that person's supposed to do. 518 00:24:48,480 --> 00:24:50,359 Speaker 1: But the further along I've gotten into it, and the 519 00:24:50,400 --> 00:24:53,479 Speaker 1: more that obviously someday it's going to come to an end, 520 00:24:53,800 --> 00:24:55,640 Speaker 1: you realize that you love the game and you want 521 00:24:55,640 --> 00:24:57,800 Speaker 1: to be around the game, and you do want to 522 00:24:57,800 --> 00:24:59,679 Speaker 1: to have that aspect of it, so you try and 523 00:25:00,680 --> 00:25:02,840 Speaker 1: try and find ways to do it in a more 524 00:25:02,840 --> 00:25:05,880 Speaker 1: positive light. And it's definitely a consideration that it's come 525 00:25:05,920 --> 00:25:08,679 Speaker 1: to the forefront more for me than it did earlier 526 00:25:08,680 --> 00:25:10,560 Speaker 1: in my career, and I think it's something that I 527 00:25:10,560 --> 00:25:14,360 Speaker 1: could be successful at and have have fun with. So 528 00:25:14,480 --> 00:25:16,440 Speaker 1: we'll see. I mean, it's it's still down the road 529 00:25:16,480 --> 00:25:19,000 Speaker 1: a bit, but I'm it's a possibility. Who knows. What 530 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:21,240 Speaker 1: about college football? Do you still like college football? Do 531 00:25:21,240 --> 00:25:24,199 Speaker 1: you watch much college football or no? I enjoy watching it. 532 00:25:24,640 --> 00:25:27,520 Speaker 1: I do enjoy college football. I love the atmosphere. I 533 00:25:27,560 --> 00:25:30,159 Speaker 1: think college football for me is much more about the 534 00:25:31,240 --> 00:25:35,240 Speaker 1: fan base. It's about the culture. It's about the traditions 535 00:25:35,280 --> 00:25:37,280 Speaker 1: in the history. I mean one of my like, when 536 00:25:37,280 --> 00:25:40,000 Speaker 1: I'm done, I definitely want to go to different college 537 00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:43,400 Speaker 1: football towns and experience a game day atmosphere there. I mean, 538 00:25:43,800 --> 00:25:45,120 Speaker 1: I don't know if I'm gonna be able to live 539 00:25:45,119 --> 00:25:47,840 Speaker 1: the dream that I once had to just RV a 540 00:25:47,880 --> 00:25:50,960 Speaker 1: full season from game day to game day the best cities, 541 00:25:52,320 --> 00:25:55,000 Speaker 1: but I do want to go experience in the swamp 542 00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:57,280 Speaker 1: in Florida, see what that's like, Death Valley and LSU. 543 00:25:57,400 --> 00:25:59,679 Speaker 1: I've been to Kyle Field at Texas A and M Obviously, 544 00:25:59,720 --> 00:26:02,680 Speaker 1: I've been to Wisconsin, ohiuse state some of these places 545 00:26:02,680 --> 00:26:04,359 Speaker 1: I would like to go in Nebraska. Haven't been to 546 00:26:04,400 --> 00:26:07,400 Speaker 1: a game in Nebraska. My brothers said, it's an unbelievable atmosphere. 547 00:26:08,160 --> 00:26:11,760 Speaker 1: Haven't been up to Penn State to see what that's like, 548 00:26:11,880 --> 00:26:14,879 Speaker 1: and there's there's just so many different atmospheres that I 549 00:26:14,920 --> 00:26:17,719 Speaker 1: would love to experience in the tailgating and the food 550 00:26:17,760 --> 00:26:21,200 Speaker 1: and just everything about it. Obviously, college football has changed 551 00:26:21,800 --> 00:26:25,040 Speaker 1: recently here with the landscape and the way that it 552 00:26:25,200 --> 00:26:28,480 Speaker 1: is going about its business, but I still I still 553 00:26:28,480 --> 00:26:30,760 Speaker 1: think there's a real special aspect to it. I like 554 00:26:30,880 --> 00:26:33,280 Speaker 1: the road trip with JJ. You could probably do like 555 00:26:33,359 --> 00:26:36,640 Speaker 1: an ESPN plus like four hundred million. That's the price. 556 00:26:36,680 --> 00:26:39,840 Speaker 1: Take four hundred million, will make it happen. ESPN. Just 557 00:26:39,920 --> 00:26:42,159 Speaker 1: give me a call. You gotta go to a night 558 00:26:42,160 --> 00:26:44,360 Speaker 1: game at LSU. There is nothing better than a night 559 00:26:44,359 --> 00:26:48,240 Speaker 1: game at LAS. So I had back it was shoot, 560 00:26:48,280 --> 00:26:51,400 Speaker 1: it must have been seven or eight years ago now, 561 00:26:51,880 --> 00:26:54,600 Speaker 1: when I was down in Houston. This one of the 562 00:26:54,680 --> 00:26:57,720 Speaker 1: people I was working with endorsement wise. It was our 563 00:26:57,760 --> 00:26:59,840 Speaker 1: bye week and they said, Hey, we're going to take 564 00:26:59,840 --> 00:27:02,320 Speaker 1: a I have a jet over to LSU. It's a 565 00:27:02,440 --> 00:27:04,840 Speaker 1: night game LSU Alabama. And they were like one two 566 00:27:04,880 --> 00:27:07,240 Speaker 1: at the time, and it was our bye week and 567 00:27:07,280 --> 00:27:09,240 Speaker 1: I was dead, and I was like I'm so tired. 568 00:27:09,280 --> 00:27:11,000 Speaker 1: I just want to relax and like hang out here 569 00:27:11,040 --> 00:27:14,280 Speaker 1: with my family. But LSU Alabama, how do I pass 570 00:27:14,359 --> 00:27:17,359 Speaker 1: this up? And I ultimately decide to pass it up 571 00:27:17,400 --> 00:27:19,879 Speaker 1: just because like season, I wasn't going to mess up 572 00:27:19,920 --> 00:27:21,879 Speaker 1: my season and I just wanted that rest time. But 573 00:27:21,960 --> 00:27:24,520 Speaker 1: that's the one time where I look back and I'm like, 574 00:27:24,960 --> 00:27:26,760 Speaker 1: maybe I should have just gone, because I hear those 575 00:27:26,760 --> 00:27:29,439 Speaker 1: of briefs pecial amazing and Nebraska is interesting. And I 576 00:27:29,440 --> 00:27:31,000 Speaker 1: know at that time when you were at Wisconsin, they 577 00:27:31,000 --> 00:27:32,920 Speaker 1: were still in the Big twelve, so you didn't play there. 578 00:27:33,040 --> 00:27:36,239 Speaker 1: But if you play Nebraska as a visiting player, they 579 00:27:36,280 --> 00:27:38,439 Speaker 1: will cheer, and some of my brothers they will applaud you. 580 00:27:38,480 --> 00:27:41,320 Speaker 1: They're very nice. Yeah, that's that's what I hear. It. 581 00:27:41,240 --> 00:27:43,280 Speaker 1: It sounds like they show up for warmups, like it's 582 00:27:43,280 --> 00:27:46,440 Speaker 1: a pack stadium for warmups. And when I grew up, 583 00:27:46,440 --> 00:27:48,440 Speaker 1: I was watching I always used to watch our tunnel walk, 584 00:27:48,480 --> 00:27:50,919 Speaker 1: like I always going back. I would watch the YouTube 585 00:27:50,960 --> 00:27:52,639 Speaker 1: videos of their tunnel walk, and I thought it was 586 00:27:52,680 --> 00:27:54,800 Speaker 1: the coolest tunnel walk ever, and like that was one 587 00:27:54,800 --> 00:27:57,200 Speaker 1: of those things that as an athlete, as a high 588 00:27:57,200 --> 00:27:59,199 Speaker 1: school kid, I was like Can you imagine that feeling 589 00:27:59,200 --> 00:28:02,320 Speaker 1: of just walking out underneath the stadium of one hundred 590 00:28:02,320 --> 00:28:04,879 Speaker 1: thousand people in their place. You're just they're just waiting 591 00:28:04,920 --> 00:28:07,000 Speaker 1: for you to enter the arena. I just I thought 592 00:28:07,040 --> 00:28:08,639 Speaker 1: that was so cool. We got to get at you 593 00:28:08,640 --> 00:28:11,200 Speaker 1: out here in a couple minutes, so too quick questions 594 00:28:11,240 --> 00:28:14,880 Speaker 1: on this year's team, based on the start last year 595 00:28:14,920 --> 00:28:18,040 Speaker 1: and even the start two years ago, how important is 596 00:28:18,080 --> 00:28:20,560 Speaker 1: training camp and early in the season for you guys 597 00:28:20,640 --> 00:28:24,359 Speaker 1: in terms of building what you want to build and 598 00:28:24,359 --> 00:28:27,120 Speaker 1: then also carrying it over throughout the year and being 599 00:28:27,160 --> 00:28:29,040 Speaker 1: consistent so we don't have that fall off at the 600 00:28:29,080 --> 00:28:31,400 Speaker 1: end of the season. Yeah, I mean I think that obviously, 601 00:28:31,400 --> 00:28:35,640 Speaker 1: the consistency and the carrying it through to the late 602 00:28:35,720 --> 00:28:38,840 Speaker 1: half of the season is the important aspect right now. 603 00:28:38,840 --> 00:28:41,240 Speaker 1: Where you have to start fast. I mean, you want 604 00:28:41,280 --> 00:28:43,040 Speaker 1: to do exactly what we did last year. You want 605 00:28:43,040 --> 00:28:44,920 Speaker 1: to start seven to O and you want to but 606 00:28:45,040 --> 00:28:47,800 Speaker 1: we need to keep it rolling. So it's extremely important 607 00:28:47,800 --> 00:28:49,480 Speaker 1: to us to get off to that good start to 608 00:28:49,600 --> 00:28:52,800 Speaker 1: do well early in the season. But just as important 609 00:28:53,040 --> 00:28:57,120 Speaker 1: is our health and our ability to maintain as we go, 610 00:28:57,240 --> 00:29:01,080 Speaker 1: And I think that's obviously what we're trying to improve. Lastly, 611 00:29:01,280 --> 00:29:04,160 Speaker 1: for you, between now and the start of training camp, 612 00:29:04,720 --> 00:29:06,760 Speaker 1: what's your schedule, like, what do you do to get 613 00:29:06,800 --> 00:29:11,880 Speaker 1: ready for the season? Training? I mean training every day. 614 00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:14,719 Speaker 1: We've got six day a week training schedule, and um, 615 00:29:14,800 --> 00:29:17,360 Speaker 1: we're an OTAs obviously right now. We're starting up the 616 00:29:17,400 --> 00:29:20,840 Speaker 1: actual practices next week. But we've been together doing our 617 00:29:21,520 --> 00:29:23,760 Speaker 1: what we're allowed to do right now, and then we'll 618 00:29:23,800 --> 00:29:25,520 Speaker 1: go through the Ota pase where we actually get to 619 00:29:25,520 --> 00:29:28,600 Speaker 1: play a little football, which is nice. And then after 620 00:29:28,680 --> 00:29:32,000 Speaker 1: that it's about a month of training. My brother's getting married, 621 00:29:32,160 --> 00:29:34,600 Speaker 1: so I'm looking forward to that. Um, we'll have that 622 00:29:34,680 --> 00:29:38,600 Speaker 1: wedding to attend, but other than that, it's really just training, 623 00:29:38,640 --> 00:29:41,440 Speaker 1: trying to get a couple more weekends in here there, 624 00:29:41,600 --> 00:29:44,320 Speaker 1: spend time with my wife and go see my brothers 625 00:29:44,360 --> 00:29:46,200 Speaker 1: and see my family and try and make sure that 626 00:29:47,440 --> 00:29:50,400 Speaker 1: I get a chance to see everybody and hang out 627 00:29:50,440 --> 00:29:52,200 Speaker 1: as much as I can, because once the season comes 628 00:29:52,200 --> 00:29:55,719 Speaker 1: it becomes much more difficult. Get some more golf rounds in, 629 00:29:55,920 --> 00:29:58,280 Speaker 1: try and improve the golf game before that goes for 630 00:29:58,320 --> 00:30:01,280 Speaker 1: six months, you know, even though it's already so it 631 00:30:01,280 --> 00:30:04,920 Speaker 1: doesn't matter. But yeah, it's really just all about training. 632 00:30:04,960 --> 00:30:08,880 Speaker 1: I mean, my entire offseason scope is to create the 633 00:30:08,920 --> 00:30:15,280 Speaker 1: best athlete I possibly can speed, strength, flexibility, stability, and 634 00:30:15,320 --> 00:30:17,240 Speaker 1: then hand it to the coaching staff and say here, 635 00:30:17,400 --> 00:30:20,400 Speaker 1: you use it how you want to and go out 636 00:30:20,400 --> 00:30:23,000 Speaker 1: there and play good football. Well. As somebody who was 637 00:30:23,120 --> 00:30:27,120 Speaker 1: part of the nineteen ninety Wisconsin State championship golf team, 638 00:30:27,240 --> 00:30:30,080 Speaker 1: I can tell you that the golf game always goes 639 00:30:30,120 --> 00:30:33,000 Speaker 1: to crap no matter what I shot it to us all, 640 00:30:33,040 --> 00:30:35,280 Speaker 1: I shot sub ninety for the third time in my 641 00:30:35,320 --> 00:30:38,479 Speaker 1: life yesterday, and I was extremely pleased with it. So 642 00:30:38,520 --> 00:30:41,040 Speaker 1: I'm riding a high right now and I'm considering retirement 643 00:30:41,080 --> 00:30:43,960 Speaker 1: from golf. I don't play anymore. So I just I 644 00:30:44,000 --> 00:30:46,160 Speaker 1: couldn't do it. It got too stressful. Man. It's hard 645 00:30:46,200 --> 00:30:48,400 Speaker 1: to get it's hard to be good and get bad. Yeah, 646 00:30:48,440 --> 00:30:50,280 Speaker 1: I know I could. I could, I could understand. I 647 00:30:50,320 --> 00:30:54,040 Speaker 1: look forward to hopefully experiencing that someday. Well, thanks man 648 00:30:54,080 --> 00:30:55,480 Speaker 1: for the time. I really appreciate it. Thank you, I 649 00:30:55,520 --> 00:31:02,240 Speaker 1: appreciate it. Great to catch up with JJ, as you 650 00:31:02,240 --> 00:31:04,959 Speaker 1: can tell, just a great guy, so easy to talk to. 651 00:31:05,560 --> 00:31:08,640 Speaker 1: Whether it's about the Cardinals and what happened last year, 652 00:31:09,520 --> 00:31:12,600 Speaker 1: what to look forward to in twenty twenty two. Also 653 00:31:12,760 --> 00:31:17,880 Speaker 1: JJ's philanthropy efforts, what possibly could be his career post 654 00:31:18,120 --> 00:31:21,400 Speaker 1: playing football for the Arizona Cardinals, what he thinks about 655 00:31:21,400 --> 00:31:24,560 Speaker 1: the next step for Kyler Murray and the defense. What 656 00:31:24,720 --> 00:31:28,200 Speaker 1: JJ did growing up playing hockey, and also his days 657 00:31:28,240 --> 00:31:31,160 Speaker 1: at Wisconsin as well as his time as a Bucks 658 00:31:31,160 --> 00:31:34,040 Speaker 1: fan and his thoughts on Janis and what happened with 659 00:31:34,040 --> 00:31:35,960 Speaker 1: the Bucks here in the playoffs, as well as the Suns. 660 00:31:36,160 --> 00:31:38,960 Speaker 1: Always enjoyed talking with JJ. Hopefully Cardinal fans got a 661 00:31:38,960 --> 00:31:41,959 Speaker 1: great kick out of that conversation. We're presented by bet MGM, 662 00:31:42,040 --> 00:31:44,800 Speaker 1: the official sports betting partner of the Arizona Cardinals, and 663 00:31:44,920 --> 00:31:48,200 Speaker 1: by Hila River Hotels and Casinos. You can also follow 664 00:31:48,240 --> 00:31:52,440 Speaker 1: us on Twitter at pash pot. I'm Dave Pash. Thanks 665 00:31:52,440 --> 00:31:54,960 Speaker 1: again to JJ Watt. You've been listening to another edition 666 00:31:55,000 --> 00:32:01,760 Speaker 1: of the Dave Pash Podcast. Four four