Pass It Down

The end of Pass It Down’s unannounced hiatus starts off with a bang, as Natalie details Mike’s untimely head-bang and its chilling effect on his co-host. After commemorating this year’s relatively tame Blocktober, Mike talks about his eight-year NFL Network journey and why that unlikely partnership ended last summer. We discuss his first story for Bally Sports, which broke the news of Houston Texans chair Cal McNair’s racially insensitive comments at a charity golf tournament, and some of the other toxic forces at the highest levels of a league striving to drape itself in anti-racist symbolism. From the Dan Snyder investigation to the Jon Gruden emails to the Woody Johnson allegations, we get into all of it. Mike also talks about the importance of being part of a team and gets nostalgic about some of his sweeter moments at NFL Network and Yahoo! Sports. And for you Ted Lasso fans, Mike and Natalie have a few things to say about Trent Crimm of The Independent and why he is a blight on humanity.

Kettman retraces the emotional whirlwind that began in February, when he learned of his close friend’s sudden passing, and continued as he spearheaded and edited the book that would hit the shelves in July. We hear about Pedro’s cynical conscription of the “Berkeley Guy” into the baseball beat writers’ fraternity, their perspective-altering trip to Cuba that compelled Gomez to pen an open letter to President Clinton and the bold story he wrote about Curt Schilling that rocked the baseball world on the morning of Game 7 of the 2001 World Series. We also hear hilarious and touching stories about Gomez as a sports dad and an infamous college tale involving Steve and fellow Daily Cal alum Mike Fleiss.

After explaining his motivation for bringing Mike on as a Washington Football Team content contributor, Ron heartily endorses the ‘Clean Slate’ plan that will unblock fans of the team on Twitter (at least for now). That leads to a healthy discussion about Ted Lasso, binge-watching and which WFT player has Jamie Tartt tendencies. We learn about the role frozen yogurt played in Ron and Stephanie’s courtship during their UC Berkeley days and how ‘The Play’ wasn’t the only amazing ending Ron experienced as a Golden Bear great. Ron and Steph share the details of their secret trip to the Bahamas that jump-started his move to Washington, and he tells us why he signed Ryan Fitzpatrick to be his quarterback in 2021. Finally, we learn about the importance of family and friends as Ron battled cancer during his first season with the team, and why one ‘leak’ in the organization turned out to be a good one.

We pick up with Dr. Edwards’ recounting of the long history of athlete activism in the U.S., from baseball-playing Civil War soldiers to Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling during the anthem and beyond. He expounds upon the power--and inherent danger--of social media, and why it is an important protest tool. Dr. Edwards recalls his reaction to witnessing the black-glove salute at the 1968 Olympics that he inspired, and why he worried for the future of Australian sprinter Peter Norman. He weighs in on the recent Supreme Court decision striking down the NCAA’s ability to prevent athletes from cashing in on their name, image and likeness and on Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib coming out as the NFL’s first openly gay active player. Finally, Dr. Edwards tells Natalie why he’s optimistic about her generation’s ability to effect meaningful change during a tumultuous time.

After years of concealing evidence about the dangers of head trauma, the NFL settled a class-action lawsuit with former players… and employed “race norming” as a criteria, a practice racist in both its premise and systemic impact. Dr. Edwards, who regards race norming as part of the “medical apartheid” with which Black Americans have long been confronted, explains why its revelation could spark locker-room revolts and why the devil is not in the details, but in the delivery, as the league attempts to rectify it. In tracing his own journey, from an impoverished upbringing in East St. Louis to pronounced academic achievement and high-profile Civil Rights activism, the esteemed sociologist addresses the personal danger he has faced as a high-profile target--and a recent brush with a would-be assassin’s spray of bullets. Edwards also tells us why Donald Trump was a symptom, rather than a root cause, of the racism that fueled his presidency, and how women are imperative in the fight to conquer climate change, gun violence and other societal ills.

The San Francisco 49ers’ star tight end weighs in on his team’s wild offseason, which he likens to “a tornado after a hurricane after a thunderstorm,” explaining which teammate “sweats olive oil” and assessing the pre-draft trade that landed quarterback Trey Lance. After addressing his Panda Express obsession in very specific fashion, Kittle talks about his prodigious partying days at the University of Iowa and the dramatic behavioral change that saved his football career and catapulted him to the NFL. From that point on the episode turns fast and furious, with topics such as Kittle’s physical dominance of opponents, his love for tight ends (including new Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell), why he can’t wait for fans to flip him off in 2021 and his kinship with Kyle Shanahan’s dog among the auditory offerings.

While discussing disgruntled Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a recent appearance on ESPN’s morning show, Russini managed to cast her husband in a glaringly mediocre light, leading his friends to tell him, “Yo--your wife just trucked you on TV.” After amusingly recounting that episode, Russini tells us about her childhood, from her early journalistic aspirations (and her father’s fatefully situated job as a plumber) to her prolific and ultra-aggressive feats on the athletic field. As she and Natalie swap stories of on-the-field transgressions, Dianna relates her journey from overmatched Division 1 soccer player to starter and co-captain--including the red card she received on Parents’ Day--and tells why she preferred the throat to the crotch when it came to handing out punishment. We also learn about her father’s harrowing escape from the World Trade Center during 9/11, what provoked her tirade on the Jets’ practice field and why she questioned an NFL head coach who told her not to stay out late at the Combine.

Kid talks about growing up in The Bronx and Queens worshipping seminal rappers like Melle Mel--and later getting to hang with his idols. After landing the lead role in House Party originally intended for Will Smith (who, thanks to Kid’s regrettable business decision, ended up with a hit sitcom on NBC that vaulted him to superstardom), Kid tormented Martin Lawrence on set and put his writing touches on the 1990 film that became a surprise sensation. We hear about Kid’s friendship with Bill Maher, who he defended (and privately chastized) after the comedian dropped an N-bomb on “Real Time,” and his latest musical effort, a pandemic-inspired collaboration with rapper Bizkit called “Horizon.” Kid also shares his thoughts on the chasm between Aaron Rodgers and the Packers and tells Mike and Natalie about his epic feud with their friend (and Pass It Down intro impresario) Luke Campbell of 2 Live Crew in ‘90s.

Kid describes his early experiences as a celebrity, including the time he was asked to autograph an item that offended him on a deep level. He recalls touring with Digital Underground and then-roadie/all-purpose regulator Tupac Shakur, a future superstar who was shot on the night Kid and Mike met at Derrick Thomas’ house (and died six days later). And there’s a whole lot of reminiscing about what made Thomas special, from the Hall of Fame pass rusher’s legendary social stamina, to his impactful foundation, to his championing of a JFK conspiracy theory that traced back to his boss’s family.

Why did Natalie get cut out of the family group chat on draft night? Did Kyle Shanahan do Matt LaFleur dirty? Can the disconnect between Aaron Rodgers and the Packers be bridged? What did Mike and John Elway do on a hotel balcony a few hours after the legendary quarterback’s last NFL game? Did Kyle change his mind about drafting Matt Jones because he caved to public perception? Will Jeff Darlington’s dad kick Mike’s ass? What small request do your humble podcast hosts have for their listeners? You have questions. We have answers.

Fresh off a recent run to the Australian Open quarterfinals, Jessie Pegula details her unlikely rise to the upper echelon of the WTA Tour… and, equally impressive, her history of unwavering support for Bills quarterback Josh Allen, even as her mother grew skeptical during his first two seasons. Jessie also outs Kim as the most competitive person in the family and as a grunter on the hardcourt before getting into meatier matters, such as facing the great Serena Williams in a tournament final… and whether she and her competitors should stage WWE-like feuds to increase interest. Kim, meanwhile, explains why her quarterback will soon receive a lucrative contract extension and lays out her plan to help improve the NFL hiring cycle. Oh, and we hear about the time Kim bravely brought Mike to a meeting with the family members of a Trump Cabinet official.

A few nights before Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, Dimitroff hosted Silver and some of his NFL Network colleagues at his Buckhead home, treated them to some exquisitely selected bottles of expensive red wine and took them outside to try out the zip line he installed in his backyard. Drama ensued, all of which is recounted here. Dimitroff then welcomes a special guest who livened up a previous Pass It Down episode (with Packers coach Matt LaFleur) and solitics her thoughts on zip-line safety that trace back to a high-altitude adventure in a Costa Rican rainforest. Dimitroff ponders which quarterback his former offensive coordinator, current 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, will select with the third overall pick and weighs in on what the Falcons should do with the fourth overall selection. He leaves us with two stories about employees who smashed their cars into brick structures on his property--one of whom put the incident in his rear-view mirror and became the Jacksonville Jaguars’ general manager.

Dimitroff shares vagabond stories from his scouting days, recalling how his VW van came in handy in the wake of 9/11--and how his dying father’s advice convinced him not to get caught up in being overly conventional. He explains the aggressive mindset that fueled his 2011 draft-night trade for wide receiver Julio Jones, and he revisits quarterback Matt Ryan’s choppy first year with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and the relationship-repair efforts that fueled the Falcons’ Super Bowl LI run. Dimitroff then relives the horror of that evening in Houston during which his team blew a 28-3 lead, botched a chance to kick a game-securing field goal and watched Tom Brady lead the New England Patriots to an incredible comeback that still haunts the franchise.

After explaining why he was drawn to Michigan defensive end Kwity Paye as the subject of a pre-draft profile, Tafur breaks down the logic (or lack thereof) behind the Raiders’ offseason moves and assesses the state of the relationship between head coach Jon Gruden and quarterback Derek Carr. Vic then recalls the fateful Daily Cal sports recruitment meeting where he got his first journalism assignment--and the first of many acerbic comments from his exceptionally loud sports editor. We learn about Mike’s introduction to rap music (and the over-the-top article it provoked), how neither he nor Vic have it in them to enjoy the Pac-12’s recent run of hoops success and why Natalie’s youth soccer experiences make her a kindred spirit. Vic shares the backstory behind his exclusive story on then-Raiders receiver Nelson Agholor’s “You suck” speech to his teammates last December, and the charged phone conversation with Agholor that followed. And if you’re still with us toward the end of the episode, you’ll be treated to Vic’s recounting of his infamous Twitter feud with a veteran NFL writer, complete with the obligatory reference to a popular adult-video internet site.

Beginning with the backstory behind the infamous sangria photo--in the immediate aftermath of his firing by the Browns--Jackson shares a barrage of previously unreported details about his ill-fated stint with the franchise. Following a one-and-done, 8-8 season as the Oakland Raiders’ head coach in 2011, Jackson had worked his way back to prominence as a highly regarded offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, only to accept the Browns’ job under false pretenses. He explains how he tried to fight back against management’s aggressive-tanking plan, took extreme measures to ensure the franchise selected Myles Garrett with the first overall pick of the 2017 draft and received a secret contract extension as an acknowledgment of his raw deal. We also talk agave rashes, Andy Dalton in Chicago, how he almost got the Cal job in 2012 and why he suspects that Baker Mayfield hates him, among other scintillating subjects.

Eager to photograph the Rolling Stones in the early ‘70s, Zagaris talks his way onto a tour by impersonating an editor of English Vogue and never looks back. He also recalls getting caught in the crossfire of a violent clash between Led Zeppelin and iconic rock impresario Bill Graham and tells the story of a wild acid trip on San Francisco’s Ocean Beach with T-Rex frontman Marc Bolan, during which they “hear the universe” but tragically miss the band’s scheduled gig. Zagaris also talks about how San Francisco has gotten less weird and the toxicity of the Trump presidency and the extremism it fostered. He closes with a classic story about the origin of “The Object” on the cover of Zeppelin’s album Presence.

Featured guest Josh Elliott tells Mike, Natalie and her younger brothers--UCSB students Greg and Robbie--how he ended up playing water polo at the school in the ‘90s and why the former Good Morning America personality still feels so connected to his alma mater. With the Gauchos set to take on Creighton in a first-round game on Saturday, Josh recalls the talented UCSB team from his freshman year that defeated future national champion UNLV in the regular season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Greg describes calling the JaQuori McLaughlin buzzer beater in a packed Thunderdome in March of 2020 just before the shelter-in-place order was instituted, and how the pandemic has impacted college life in the year that followed. Josh weighs in on Creighton head coach Doug McDermott’s “plantation speech” and paints a hopeful picture of the Gauchos’ prospects for the first round and beyond. Eyebrow-raising stories featuring UCSB alums and accomplished actors Michael Douglas and Gwyneth Paltrow, and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, should have Isla Vista popping before tipoff.

For a few blissful moments shortly after midnight on June 5, 1968, young campaign staffer Michael Zagaris believed Bobby Kennedy would become President. The Senator had just won the California primary, but moments after his victory speech at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, he was assassinated--as Zagaris and others looked on in horror. In Part 1 of our wide-ranging look at his legendary career, Zagaris recounts RFK’s shooting and the impact it had on his psyche and aspirations. Ultimately, advice from guitar god Eric Clapton--after the two had shared several bowls of hashish in a Sausalito hotel room--would compel Zagaris to become a photographer, one who would make a massive impact in the rock n’ roll and sports worlds. We learn about his Baptism By Vomit (courtesy of drunken Doors frontman Jim Morrison) and much, much more.

Beginning with his hilarious recap of the notorious “Rosencopter” defeat to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, and continuing with his evocative portrayal of the tension between future Hall of Famer Brett Favre and head coach Brad Childress during the Minnesota Vikings’ 2009 season, Sage entertains us with behind-the-scenes anecdotes and insights, at one point describing “the best throw I’ve ever seen in the sport of football.” He then pivots into a political discussion that excoriates Ted Cruz, Donald Trump and other right-wing zealots--likening the ex-President’s role in the Jan. 6 insurrection to that of a coach giving a fiery pregame speech--and explores the possibility of him holding higher office. We also hear the story of Natalie’s arresting question to her father while she was in the middle of a charged protest on UC Berkeley’s Sproul Plaza and he was charging toward the Super Bowl party he was co-hosting in Houston.

Following a brief comparison of Mike’s and Sage’s inductions into respective Jewish Sports Hall of Fames, the longtime NFL quarterback talks about his unconventional upbringing in rural Iowa, his emergence as an NFL prospect and the PhD course in offense he received from future 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan that changed the course of his career. We also hear about Texans owner Cal McNair’s unlikely hobby, the organization’s current train-wreck status and why Sage believes star quarterback Deshaun Watson has every right to try to bolt. We also hear about the shrewd career advice Sage got from future Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett and the meathead culture that still permeates NFL coaching circles.