Tales from the Vault: Al Davis (1989) Part Two

Host Andrea Kremer takes us back to 1989 for Part Two of NFL Films Steve Sabol interviewing Al Davis.  The Raiders owner discussed his childhood and his love of sports despite initially not having a television.  Davis says following sports wasn't a way of life for him, it was his life.  Sabol explores Davis always being a leader and the rare times that he needed to step away from football, including his wife Carol's illness and amazing recovery in 1979.  Back to football, Al explains his intuition and foresight with players, execs and the direction of the game.  The Raiders had their own rules and regulations, but the 'Commitment to Excellence' and the goal to win always came first.  We hear thoughts on John Madden and the direction of the NFL, before closing with Davis defining what he hopes his legacy in the NFL will be.

The Tales from the Vault podcast is part of the NFL Podcast Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Andrea Kremer takes us back to 1989 when NFL Films Steve Sabol interviewed the Legend Al Davis.  The Raiders owner discussed his philosophies on offense and defense and how Davis always wanted to know what the Raiders were about.  Steve highlights the great pride Davis took in Bill Walsh's first job being with the Raiders.  Davis was proud of the loyalty and code his organization had along with the fear and mystique his teams had on the field. The team looked for specific kind of players and often took chances that other teams wouldn't take.  You'll also hear one of the most famous quotes in NFL Films history and the origin story for 'Just win, baby!'.  Stay tuned for next week when Davis discusses his upbringing and what he wanted his legacy to be.

The Tales from the Vault podcast is part of the NFL Podcast Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Andrea Kremer takes us back to 2000 when NFL Films Steve Sabol interviewed Hall of Famer Michael Irvin just months after the 3x Super Bowl Champion retired.  Irvin started with the difficulty of playing in the NFC East every year and how one of his conversations with John Madden resulted in several rule changes.  Steve asks about Irvin's relationship with his teammates and the several coaches that he played for in the tough years when the Cowboys struggled. Irvin doesn't shy away from some of the low points of his career discussing brushes with the law and his 1996 arrest and trial. Steve wraps up with the many life lessons that Irvin learned from playing the game of football.

The Tales from the Vault podcast is part of the NFL Podcast Network.

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Host Andrea Kremer takes us back to 1995 when NFL Films Steve Sabol interviewed QB Jim McMahon.  The Super Bowl Champion looked back on the 1985 season and his relationship with Head Coach Mike Ditka.  Jim recalls his contentious relationship with Ditka, who called the plays but often saw them changed at the line by McMahon.  Steve asks about the sole loss that season, as Chicago had started the season 12-0 before losing to the Dolphins.  Jim looks at his experiences during Super Week which included being wrongly quoted, mooning a helicopter, the Super Bowl Shuffle, the cover of Rolling Stone magazine and his infamous headband.  Steve wraps up with the amazing talent surrounding Jim on those Chicago teams and how the players off the field personalities were so different than their gridiron personas.

The Tales from the Vault podcast is part of the NFL Podcast Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Andrea Kremer takes us back to 2007 when NFL Films Steve Sabol interviewed Broadcast legend Al Michaels. Steve starts by asking Al about his start in broadcasting and the advice he was given by those around him. Al talks about the art of doing play by play and emulating the voices that he grew up with while looking to avoid tired cliches. In the booth, Al explains what he wants from an analyst and the ability to explain everything you're seeing in a way that the audience can understand. Steve recalls some of the biggest moments of Al's football career such his Super Bowl call of Scott Norwood's 'wide right' FG. Al also walks us through joining Monday Night Football and even being 'traded' from ABC to NBC.

The Tales from the Vault podcast is part of the NFL Podcast Network.

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Host Andrea Kremer takes us back to 2007 when NFL Films Steve Sabol interviewed Head Coach Sean Payton. Sean starts with what he learned from mentor Bill Parcells including his motto of 'Don't Eat the Cheese'. Sean mirrored Parcells as a tough but fair head coach that doesn't mind confrontation. Having just taken the Saints job, Payton lists some of the things he'll be changing off the field, like the pregame music and the locker rooms. Steve explores Payton's decision to accept the job in New Orleans despite first interviewing in Green Bay. Sean looks back to his first coaching job at San Diego State and the moment he realized he wasn't going to succeed as a player. Speaking of playing, Payton was a replacement player for the Bears in 1987 and recalls being interviewed by Larry King about the strike. Now in New Orleans, Sean looks at his amazing first season and building momentum with the team and the city.

The Tales from the Vault podcast is part of the NFL Podcast Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Andrea Kremer takes us back to 2002 when NFL Films Steve Sabol interviewed Tom Brady. The QB had just won the first of his seven Super Bowl Championships and discussed his start in high school football. Brady chose football over baseball and explained why he decided to attend Michigan University, which leads to a funny story about his first visit to Notre Dame. Steve moved onto Brady's Draft report and how it motivated him while improving in the NFL. Brady gives insight into the Tuck Rule game against the Raiders and how he kept the football from his first rushing TD. Now after the Super Bowl, Brady talks about his relationship with Drew Bledsoe and how much the two helped each other through the season. Steve wraps up ironically questioning Brady about the possibility of never playing in another Super Bowl.

The Tales from the Vault podcast is part of the NFL Podcast Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Andrea Kremer takes us back to 1997 when NFL Films Steve Sabol interviewed Hall of Famer Bill Parcells. Bill discusses his decision at the time to leave the New England Patriots for the New York Jets. Steve explores Parcell's philosophy of having total control as a head coach and GM of a franchise and why there are only so many people that can handle the responsibility. Bill looks back to some of his fondest memories with the Giants and digs even deeper to when he coached against Steve Sabol's college team. Bill refutes tales of not wanting to draft certain players and counter's Steve quoting Winston Churchill with a Churchill quote of his own. Steve and Bill exchange some good natured ribbing at each other while we also learn that Parcell's real name....actually isn't Bill.

The Tales from the Vault podcast is part of the NFL Podcast Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Andrea Kremer takes us back to 1997 when NFL Films Steve Sabol interviewed Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and his father, Archie Manning. Peyton talks about growing up with his brothers while their Dad was playing in the NFL. The interview highlights the interesting dynamic between a football father and son and examines how Archie put more value in his relationship with his sons rather than trying to be their coach. Peyton gives insight to his decision to finish his college career before heading to the NFL, even after consulting several NFL QB's who often told him that they would leave school. Steve also asks Peyton what he learned from watching Archie as a professional football player and what were some of the favorite plays he watched his Dad make in the NFL.

The Tales from the Vault podcast is part of the NFL Podcast Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Andrea Kremer takes us back to 1986 when NFL Films Steve Sabol interviewed Hall of Famer John Madden. Steve starts off with John talking about his philosophy on what it takes to be a football player. We hear John's perspective on being part of several famous plays the Raiders took part in like The Immaculate Reception, The Holy Roller, and The Ghost to the Post. After talking games with names, Steve moved onto Madden's stories with Raiders greats Ken Stabler and Al Davis. The Coach always thought it was difficult to understand the complex Raiders owner when most articles and TV pieces tried to simplify him. We also hear some special moments Andrea shared with Madden during her interviews with the Coach.

The Tales from the Vault podcast is part of the NFL Podcast Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.