WATCH - I-80 Sports Blog

WATCH

Some of this was planned. Some of it definitely wasn’t.

Interviews, press access, weird sports moments, original footage, and assorted shit I’ve accumulated over 25+ years of being around sports.

Do A Kick Flip! #shorts

Smooth Landing @ Millard Airport 🛩️💺

"Will he CHEW the gum?" 🍬👅
Each year we go to #MLB Spring Training in either Arizona or Florida. Gum chewing is optional but encouraged.
BTW do you know what year Topps stopped issuing gum in each pack? #Topps stopped including gum in their standard baseball card packs in 1992. That same year, Topps stopped using wax packs and ultimately in 1994 went to "tamper proof" packs, wrappers that have a sealed top, back, and bottom. Topps later reintroduced gum in their Heritage Collection in 2001, but it was packaged in cellophane to prevent staining.
00:20 - Topps 1974 Pack Opening
01:03 - Brooks Robinson
01:18 - Wilbur Wood
01:54 - 1980 Topps Pack Opening
02:45 - Ray Fosse
02:57 - Johnny Bench
03:11 - Bucky Dent
03:21 - Topps 1984 Pack Opening
04:30 - Bobby Cox
04:41 - #Yankees Team Leaders Don Baylor & Ron Guidry
04:47 - Steve Carlton Highlight
04:56 - Whitey Herzog
05:23 - Lloyd Mosby
05:47 - Topps 1991 Pack Opening
06:26 - Darryl Strawberry
06:48 - Kevin Mitchell
07:00 - Dave Henderson
07:06 - Gary Sheffield
07:22 - Topps 1992 Pack Opening
08:29 - Ken Caminiti
08:43 - Barry Bonds
09:32 - Craig Biggio
10:02 - Frank Tanana

Wax Pack Memories Pack Openings - Topps 1974, 1980, 1984, 1991, 1992

This can be summed up in two words – Land O Lakes Farm Bowl. Broadcast from the Farm Bowl Jerome Bettis, Greg Jennings, Stefon Diggs, Kyle Rudolph, & Luke Kuechly were paired up with actual farmers in a skills competition and competed for a tractor trophy.
I handled the sideline reporting duties, even though I had no idea I’d be handling the sideline reporting duties. Literally showed up and they said, "How far do you wanna take this?"
Me - ALL THE WAY BABY
Me and Joe Kinsey former owner of Busted Coverage, current Content God at Outkick (that's his title frfr) were put on the spot with no prep, no idea of who we'd be interviewing, no run of show. And we absolutely crushed this. I implore you to click any spot in the video, you pick, and let it roll.
The only reason we got the spot we did (literally in the penalty box at the University of Minnesota’s ice hockey rink) was because that’s where the hardline internet connection was. Based on an incident a day earlier in the Mall of America with Joe Theismann, we knew wifi was a race w the devil. Grizzled media veterans that we were/are, it was hardline or DEATH. We scoped out the penalty box on our own volition and found and configured the hardline connection ourselves - and broadcast from the penalty box. So fitting on so many levels. But we did such a good job, the refs on the field began funneling the players to us for interviews.
Our first soundcheck was my interview with Carolina All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly and from there we rolled, thanks to our sponsor Autotrader and Joes ability to make a custom graphic.
When I woke up that morning I had no idea I’d be giving Jerome Bettis a hard time about his putrid display in the Farm Bowl a few hours later. But when it was time, I did.

most absurd live sports stream ever

A group of teenagers reacts to #TikTok ban in real-time, as the ban is progressively rolled out.

High School Girls React to TikTok Ban in Real-Time #tiktok #tiktokvideo #fyp

HUSKERS Game Day Tunnel Walk 🌽🏟 #GBR #NEBRASKA

Most of these jokes are still hilarious/timeless except Pujols didn't get $300 mil, he only got $240 mil.

The 1st time I ever did stand-up (2011)

00:00 Intro
00:40 First pack opening
02:34 Reggie Jackson
03:15 Gary Carter Rookie
06:15 Thurman Munson
10:12 Bill CALLS HIS SHOT and gets a Robin Yount!
15:50 Mike Schmidt I
17:08 Mike Schmidt II (holy Schmidt!)
20:00 Last 1975 Topps pack opening
20:58 Conclusion; Searched or Not?
1975 Topps Baseball came with a 10-card wax pack with 24 in a box, a stick of gum and no inserts per pack. Pack price was 15 cents. We had our hearts set on a 1975 Topps George Brett rookie card; would we uncover one, or 10? How many Robin Yount 1975 rookie cards would we unearth? And YES we all HAD to chew the gum and it basically just dissolved in our mouths.
Here’s a list of the top 10 Topps 1975 baseball card’s.
George Brett 228
Nolan Ryan #500
Robin Yount #223
Hank Aaron #660
Jim Rice #616
Gary Carter #620
Pete Rose #320
Mike Schmidt #70
Reggie Jackson #300
Thurman Munson # 20

1975 Topps Baseball Wax Box Opening - Real or Searched? You Be The Judge

Sean Taylor HIT on Brian Moorman ENDED the Pro Bowl Forever

I interviewed Mark Schlereth LIVE from Riverfront Stadium and predicted the entire NFL 2023 season just for YOU with the help of our good friend White Goodman

2023 NFL predictions w STINK ft. White Goodman

I saw a basketball hoop in the distance. And guess who was in charge of the free throw challenge? Jay Williams.
I immediately went up to him, introduced myself, and challenged him – forget the media idiots I was surrounded by that couldn’t even spell free throw, they were nothing to me.
I came to this damn event to beat Jay Williams – and to completely destroy my friend Joe Kinsey from BustedCoverage.com. And I got it on video – Jay Williams and Joe – here is what happened.
I made 27 shots in 60 seconds. I immediately began talking trash and continued throughout Jay’s minute.
And this jerk made 28. DAMN IT.
It was the exact opposite feeling of playing catch with TO. But honestly, Jay Williams (again, NOT the one that gunned down his limo driver in cold blood) was super cool, great personality, funny, got along with everyone.
He told me I had a great stroke and we both moved on with our lives.
The one thing sports journalists fear more than anything is to physically engage in the sports they write about in front of other people.
The only thing worse than that is engaging in those sports against other media members in front of some of the most iconic athletes in NCAA history.
And during CWS Omaha, Pizza Hut challenged me and other journalists to put up or shut up in the Pizza Hut All-American challenge.
The only hint the people we worked with from Pizza Hut gave to us prior to arrival was be “prepared to play sports.” And I cooly said to no one outside of my head, “Sports is my middle name.”
I accepted and the only thing I knew in advance is that Jason Williams would be there. And I was PRIMED to J up Jay.
As a former DII college basketball player, dare I say “sharp shooter,” that played briefly overseas, all I wanted was a shot at ESPN analyst, former Duke stud and Chicago Bulls top draft pick Jason Williams.
No, not that one that killed his limo driver. No, not White Chocolate. But “Jay” Williams, a name he presumably gave himself to carve out his own career.

Pros vs Joes: Regular Dudes vs. STUDS

Chiefs hater Stink SEZ EAGLES in Super Bowl

Game Recap: Warriors 128, Thunder 120
Led by Stephen Curry's 38 points (8-14 3pt FG), eight rebounds and 12 assists, the Warriors defeated the Thunder, 128-120. Klay Thompson added 28 points (6-14 3pt FG), seven rebounds and three assists for the Warriors in the victory, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tallied 31 points, four rebounds and seven assists for the Thunder in the losing effort. The Warriors improve to 26-24, while the Thunder fall to 24-26.
The defending NBA champions are starting to hit their stride.
Stephen Curry had 38 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds, and the Golden State Warriors defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 128-120 on Monday night for their third straight win.
Curry made 8 of 14 3-pointers and 12 of 20 shots overall. Klay Thompson added 28 points and hit six 3s for Golden State.
It was the opener of a three-game road swing for the Warriors, who are two games above .500.
''This was really a key game for us on the trip,'' coach Steve Kerr said. ''To start out with a win puts us in a good position to get some rest tomorrow, prepare for Minnesota, go attack that game and see what happens. ... So we needed this one tonight, and guys did a great job of winning and getting it. Now, we've got to get greedy and go get the next one.''
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 of his 31 points in the second half for the Thunder. Josh Giddey had 21 points and Jalen Williams added 19 for Oklahoma City, which missed out on a chance to even its season record.
The Warriors led 63-48 at halftime behind 18 points from Curry and 16 from Thompson. Golden State made 12 of 25 3-pointers and had 21 assists on 23 baskets before the break.
The Thunder said they failed to execute their defensive game plan early.
''We've kind of got to dictate terms from the jump and make teams play how we want to play,'' Giddey said. ''It's hard to beat a team like that going back and forth and trading baskets because they've got so many weapons.''
The Thunder hung tough, and a 3 by Mike Muscala as time expired in the third quarter cut Golden State's lead to 94-85.
''I thought there was a little bit of a boogeyman there in the first quarter,'' coach Mark Daigneault said. ''And then, you know, once we opened the closet and realized there's no one there, then we started playing.''
Oklahoma City trailed by just two in the fourth before Golden State responded. A 3-pointer by Curry pushed the advantage to 115-107 with 2:35 remaining, and the Warriors remained in control from there.
Warriors: Curry passed Wilt Chamberlain for most field goals in franchise history. ... The Warriors shot 62.5% in the first quarter to take a 38-20 lead. ... F Draymond Green finished with seven points, nine rebounds and 12 assists.
Thunder: G Lu Dort sat out with a strained right hamstring. ... Daigneault said F/C Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is nearing a return from a sprained right ankle, but he would start off with the G-League affiliate Oklahoma City Blue before playing for the Thunder again.

OKC #Thunder vs #Warriors - Player Intros - 1/30/23

With #Nebraska down 14 in the second half, Tomingas three-pointer cut the Purdue lead
to 4 with 12 minutes remaining. And #Huskers fans went APE!
Tominaga had 12 of his 19 points after halftime and finished with four 3s, two coming as he led the Huskers back from a 14-point deficit in the second half and his biggest tying it 56-all with 9.1 seconds left.
“It was there all night and a few didn't fall," he said, “but they kept giving it to me, my teammates kept encouraging me to keep shooting. When they're handing it to you like that, you've got to keep attacking it.”
Tominaga's lay-up with 14 seconds left in overtime pulled the Huskers to 63-62, but C.J. Wilcher was called for a foul at midcourt and Smith made two free throws to make it a three-point game.
“We knew coming off the bench he was electric,” Loyer said of Tominaga, “and we kind of let him get going. He made a few very tough shots. When they're on runs like that, you've got to contain a shooter like that.”

Exact Moment #Nebraska Took Momentum v Purdue - Keisei Tominaga

Mavericks Down No. 14 Broncos 3-1 to Secure Weekend Sweep
#EveryoneForOmaha | #OmahaHKY
The 8-6-2 #Omaha Mavericks complete a weekend sweep over the No. 14 Western Michigan Broncos with a 3-1 Saturday night victory.
Omaha's goal scoring picked up right where it left off last night as they jumped out to a 3-0 lead before WMU scored their first goal of the night at 15:36 of the 2nd period. Jake Pivonka put the Mavericks up 1-0 just 2:04 into tonight's contest after tipping a Jo Lemay shot from the point home. Early on in the 2nd period, Ty Mueller created a turnover in the defensive zone with a great stick and tapped a lead pass up to Jack Randl who would go down and uncork a snapshot bardown just 46 seconds into the frame. Nolan Sullivan's third goal of the season put the Mavericks up 3-0 at 8:14 of 3rd period. The Senior captain would not be denied after he took a puck across the front of the cage and was able to smash home a loose puck just to the side of the net. Freshman Ray fust and junior Jimmy Glynn registered the helpers.
The Mavericks lone penalty of the evening came on a faceoff violation. They killed the two-minute minor and allowed just two shots on net. For the game, Omaha outshot the Broncos 26-22. Omaha shutdown the nation's leading scoring offense tonight allowing just one goal. It's just the fourth time this season the Broncos have been held to one or less goals.
Rookie netminder Simon Latkoczy was a stonewall all night long. He turned away 21 of the 22 shots he faced tonight to secure his third career victory. The Trencin, Slovakia native hadn't seen game action since October 29 in the Mavericks 7-1 over Long Island. He repeatedly answered the bell all night long, helping lead Omaha to their 8th win of the season.
The Mavericks will jump back on the road next weekend and head to Colorado Springs for a two-game series with the Colorado College Tigers.

UNO #Hockey - Player Intros vs Western Michigan 2022

PJ Fleck = "Fleck You, Nebraska!"

no matter how bad we suck the Tunnel Walk is still cool!
IMAGINE my surprise when we were ahead of Minnesota at the end of the 3rd quarter.
#GBR #HUSKERS

Nebraska Tunnel Walk V Minnesota - 11/5/2022

Fio Rida actually put on an entertaining, family friendly show. I think I just aged myself 10 years by sending that text.
Flo Rida has way more hits than I remembered and he played them all in Omaha after the Storm Chasers final home game of 2022 at Werner Park.

The House That Flo Rida Built

Me and Mark Schlereth didn't want to waste your time because of your short attention span so we predicted the entire 2022 #NFL season in 1 minute for #Kickoff2022. READ FULL PREDICTIONS:
https://i80sportsblog.com/2022-nfl-season-predictions-w-nfl-on-fox-mark-schlereth/
Mark, Who are the best two teams in each conference and who do you expect to watch on that BEAUTIFUL LG TV behind you in the Final 4 come AFC and NFC championship time?
“Right now I’d go #Bills v Chiefs in a rematch for the AFC Championship. And then Bucs v Rams in the NFC Championship. I’d say the Packers but I think Packers gonna Packer when it comes to playoff time. That’s kind of what they do, right?”
At end of year who is the 2022 NFL MVP and who is the defensive POY?
“NFL MVP goes to a QB which I hate. Its like the Heisman Trophy – its the HYPEman. Its who gets the most hype at QB. To me the best football player in the NFL is Aaron Donald. As long as he isn’t throwing helmets at people he is unstoppable. He should win MVP but won’t. But he will win NFL DPOY.”
The odds on favorite to win the Super Bowl are the Bills. But that division is loaded. Worst case the Pats and Phins win 8-9 games, and I think the Jets w that improved defense will win more than 4 games. Are the Bills overrated?
“They’ve got a great young quarterback in Josh Allen. They’ve made some nice additions to their roster. Defensively, adding Von Miller. They have a great receiving corps with a mixture of young and experienced guys. I love Knox their tight end. Roger Saffold is probably not as well-known as he should be, but he is one of the most physical offensive linemen in football. All those things add up well.
“But here’s the deal: part of winning a championship and I can attest to this as a 3x Super Bowl winner, is being healthy at the end of the season and playing well at the end of the season. And to do that, you’ve got to have some good fortune.
I get that everyone is picking the Bills and I’d probably throw it out there too. But if you’re saying the Bills versus the rest of the field in the AFC, I’ll take the rest of the field. With all those young QBs – from Patrick Mahomes to Russell Wilson – not young but still great – to Joe Burrow. Justin Herbert in Chargerland. There’s a bunch of great young players in the AFC right now.”

1 minute 2022 NFL Predictions! Mark Schlereth NFL on FOX

Sporting Kansas City soar into U.S. Open Cup Semis with 6-0 win over Union Omaha. Sporting’s story is surprising success in the open tournament in the midst of a disappointing #MLS campaign. An Open Cup title in 2022 would be a record breaking fifth for the home side. Union Omaha’s story is of defeating two supposedly superior MLS sides on their way to the quarterfinal.
#soccer #sportingkc

Sporting KC v Union Omaha - Players Take The Field

FINAL
#Gretna 3-0 Lincoln Southwest
Makovicka, Marshall, and Witt the goal scorers. Gretna’s depth and consistency just too much for LSW.
Dragons stay unbeaten and return to the State Title game for the second year in a row.
#nebpreps #neprepsoccer

Gretna Beats Lincoln SW - State #Soccer Final Seconds

Batting practice for the Omaha Storm Chasers

Union Omaha upset the Chicago Fire of the #MLS in a U.S. Open Cup match early in the week.
Then on Saturday, the Owls received their 2021 championship rings prior to defeating Central Valley Fuego for their first #USL League One win of 2022.
presenting the USL championship rings were GM Peter Marlette and team owner Gary Green.
THE DEFENDING CHAMPS FLEX THEIR MUSCLES AGAINST THE LEAGUE NEWCOMERS WITH PAIR OF STOPPAGE TIME GOALS
Neb. – In its first home match of the season, Union Omaha (1-0-2, 2nd) earned its first league win of the season in style, taking down Central Valley Fuego FC (1-1-1, 6th) 3-0 at Werner Park. Relying on a pair of stoppage-time goals to bolster the win, the victory was a convincing one for Omaha.
Just after the halftime break, first-year Owl, Hugo Kametani opened the scoring for Omaha with a beautiful strike from the edge of the penalty area that deflected in off the far post. It wasn't until the 90th minute that Omaha would double its advantage with a counter attack executed perfectly by Kemal Malcolm. Finally, Omaha added to the scoreline with a stoppage-time penalty from John Scearce.

Union #Omaha USL Ring Ceremony

If you love #ASMR videos of rain failing mixed with baseball, this video is for YOU. Put this sucker on loop and just zone out for a while to the haunting sound of the rain, thunder and lightning as it embraces Werner Park in Papillion #Nebraska.
This video was taken during a rain delay that ultimately postponed the 2022 #Omaha Storm Chasers home opener on 4/12/22.

Slow Mo Rain Delay From Storm Chasers Dugout

FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer has the inside scoop on just about everything happening in the NFL. Unfortunately, that means his phone never stops ringing. Not even when he's on a date.
In this original September 17, 2014 interview with Paul Eide of I-80 Sports Blog, Glazer reveals what life is really like as one of the NFL's most connected insiders, how he builds relationships with coaches and executives, and why answering a phone call from an NFL source takes priority over the woman sitting across from him at dinner.
And that's just the beginning.
Glazer also shares the behind-the-scenes story of obtaining the infamous New England Patriots Spygate video, the elaborate secrecy surrounding his Richie Incognito interview, and how he survived his early years in sports journalism earning less than $10,000 annually.
Plus, we get into:
- The NFL coach who enjoys calling Glazer at 3 a.m.
- Why loyalty and relationships matter more than chasing individual NFL scoops
- His pick for the greatest NFL insider of all time
- Twitter, sports journalism, and the changing media landscape
- Why Glazer thinks MMA delivers a better experience than boxing
- His work supporting military veterans and the 2014 Captain Morgan charity campaign
Recorded during a particularly turbulent week in NFL history, this conversation captures Jay Glazer at his candid, unfiltered best.
**THE TAPE ROOM — EXHIBIT #009**
An original interview conducted by Paul Eide on September 17, 2014, preserved from the I-80 Sports Blog archives.
**Read the original article:**
https://i80sportsblog.com/jay-glazer-is-a-cool-dude/
More original sports interviews, forgotten conversations, and archival treasures at:
https://i80sportsblog.com/tag/the-tape-room/
**THE TAPE ROOM. THE TAPES ARE THE EVIDENCE.**
#JayGlazer #NFL #Spygate #FOXSports #NFLInsider #I80SportsBlog
00:00 Introduction and Captain Morgan
00:48 The NFL's Difficult Week in 2014
03:21 Life as an NFL Insider
03:44 Jay Glazer's Dating Story
04:01 How NFL Insiders Build Sources
04:18 The Coach Who Calls at 3 AM
04:48 Why NFL Sources Share Information
06:01 Jay Glazer's Biggest Scoop: Spygate
07:34 Protecting Sources and Dealing With Congress
08:42 The Greatest NFL Insider Ever
10:08 Is Jay Glazer Like James Bond?
10:29 The Secret Richie Incognito Interview
12:21 Jay Glazer's Early Career and Low Pay
13:55 Twitter and the Changing Media Business
15:50 Is Boxing Better Than MMA?
17:03 Closing Remarks

Jay Glazer Is a Cool Dude | Original 2014 NFL Insider Interview with Paul Eide

**THE TAPE ROOM — EXHIBIT #008**
**Originally recorded: January 14, 2016**
Before the next decade of his NFL career unfolded, Trent Williams was already one of football's most feared offensive tackles.
In this original January 2016 interview, journalist Paul Eide speaks with Williams about the origins of his SILVERBACK nickname, the mentality behind becoming an elite offensive lineman, and what it means to command respect in a league full of enormous, terrifying human beings.
Williams discusses:
-0:00
Introduction: Paul Eide Meets Trent Williams
0:14
Trent Williams Wishes Fiona a Happy Birthday
1:03
Gillette's Shield Move Campaign
1:57
Trent Williams on Richard Sherman
2:40
Where Did the Silverback Nickname Come From?
3:26
Leadership and Earning Respect in the NFL
4:07
His Favorite Block on the Football Field
4:35
The Pressure to Be Great
5:02
Growing Up and Developing His Edge
5:34
Does Trent Williams Ever Doubt Himself?
5:51
Why Offensive Linemen Are Underappreciated
6:36
Defensive Linemen, Sacks, and Celebrations
7:36
Being an NFL Role Model at Age 27
8:12
Should Grown Men Wear Younger Players' Jerseys?
8:58
Is Silverback Intimidating Off the Field?
9:24
Rather Lose Cell Phone or Car Keys?
9:51
Christmas Gifts for His Wife and Mom
10:23
NBA Player you KNOW You Are Better Than
We also ask the important questions: Does THE SILVERBACK intimidate customer-service representatives? Should a 35-year-old man wear a 22-year-old NFL player's jersey? And what happens when Trent Williams loses his car keys?
**This is original archival audio, not a newly recorded interview.**
Recorded: January 14, 2016
Interviewer: Paul Eide
Guest: Trent Williams
Archive: THE TAPE ROOM, Exhibit #008
Explore more original sports interviews:
https://i80sportsblog.com/tag/the-tape-room/
**THE TAPE ROOM. The tapes are the evidence.**
#TrentWilliams #Silverback #NFL #Redskins #49ers

Trent Williams on Being SILVERBACK, Richard Sherman, Verizon Billing Disputes

AN NFL KICKER ASSAULTS A JOURNALIST WITH A PASTRY. 🍩
**THE TAPE ROOM | EXHIBIT #007**
SUSPECT: Kris Brown
OCCUPATION: 12-year NFL veteran and two-time Nebraska Cornhuskers national champion
VICTIM: Journalist Paul Eide
WEAPON: Glazed donut
LOCATION: Dunkin' Donuts
EVIDENCE: You're about to watch it.
What happens when former NFL kicker Kris Brown gets his hands on a donut and sports journalist Paul Eide gets in the way?
Apparently, a pastry becomes a projectile.
But beneath the baked-goods brutality is an original, one-on-one interview with one of Nebraska football's most accomplished kickers.
Brown sits down with Eide to discuss his NFL career, life after football, and his unlikely journey into the Dunkin' Donuts business.
**INSIDE EXHIBIT #007:**
🍩 Why a childhood maple-frosted donut inspired Brown to become a Dunkin' franchisee.
🏈 The electric atmosphere of an unforgettable Sunday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys.
🌽 His legendary Nebraska Cornhuskers kicking career and the records eventually broken by Alex Henery.
💍 The whereabouts of his two Nebraska national championship rings—and why his son's youth baseball rings are stored alongside them.
🎤 The occupational hazards of sharing a name with singer Chris Brown.
And, naturally, the donut incident.
00:00 An NFL Kicker and a Glazed Donut
00:37 Kris Brown's Dunkin' Donuts Business
01:09 Why Kris Brown Chose Dunkin'
01:48 The Cowboys Sunday Night Football Game
02:29 Kris Brown vs. Chris Brown
02:53 Rapid-Fire Questions
03:23 Nebraska Kicking Records and Alex Henery
03:39 The Nebraska National Championship Rings
**ABOUT THE TAPE ROOM**
THE TAPE ROOM is an archive of original interviews, firsthand encounters, and forgotten moments in sports history, preserved and presented by journalist Paul Eide.
These aren't recycled highlights. They're original recordings.
The tapes are the evidence.
Explore the archive:
https://i80sportsblog.com/tag/the-tape-room/
Subscribe for more original interviews with NFL players, sports legends, and personalities who lived the stories.
**EXHIBIT #007 — KRIS BROWN**
Case status: CLOSED.
Pastry status: COMPROMISED.
#KrisBrown #NebraskaFootball #TheTapeRoom

NFL Kicker Kris Brown Assaults a Journalist With a Pastry 🍩

Mike Trout was already an MVP and one of the best players in baseball when I interviewed him on March 25, 2016.
He was 24 years old.
In this original interview, Trout talks with me about something that comes up again and again throughout the conversation: failure.
How do you stay confident in a game where even the best players fail most of the time? How do you handle fame, expectations, heckling fans, MVP voting, and constant comparisons to other stars? And what keeps driving you once money is no longer the goal?
Trout's answers are remarkably consistent:
Work hard. Stay positive. Have fun. And prove people wrong.
We also talk about the “Millville Meteor” nickname, the worst smack talk he hears from fans, his first Major League home run, pregame nerves, being doubted as an East Coast prospect, his desire to win a World Series, finishing second in MVP voting, what it's actually like to be Mike Trout in public, his longtime girlfriend, diet and training, the grind of MLB travel, Bryce Harper comparisons, commercials, and BODYARMOR.
One of my favorite moments comes when I ask Trout what it's like standing alone in center field while opposing fans unload on him.
His response:
“I enjoy it. You know, it just makes me—I want to prove them wrong.”
This conversation was originally conducted for AskMen and facilitated by Tim Mead of the Los Angeles Angels.
It is now preserved as Tape #006 from THE TAPE ROOM, the original interview archive of the I-80 Sports Blog.
TAPE #006 — MIKE TROUT
Interview subject: Mike Trout
Interviewer: Paul Eide
Recorded: March 25, 2016
Original runtime: 10:25
Originally conducted for: AskMen
Archive: THE TAPE ROOM | I-80 Sports Blog
🎙️ Explore the complete Tape Room exhibit, transcript, and historical context:
[INSERT TAPE #006 URL]
📼 Explore THE TAPE ROOM:
https://i80sportsblog.com/tag/the-tape-room/
THE TAPE ROOM preserves the original interviews, lost conversations, and primary-source recordings collected during my years running the I-80 Sports Blog.
These aren't recycled quotes or memories reconstructed years later.
These are the original conversations.
THE TAPES ARE THE EVIDENCE.
CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Mike Trout Interview — Tape #006
00:38 Does Anyone Still Call Him the Millville Meteor?
00:46 The Best Smack Talk Mike Trout Hears From Fans
00:50 Why Hecklers Make Trout Want to Prove Them Wrong
00:56 Mike Trout Remembers His First Home Run
01:08 Why Trout Still Gets Nervous Before Games
01:18 Confidence at the Highest Level
01:24 Mike Trout on Failure and Staying Positive
01:32 Why Mike Trout Made It When So Few Players Do
02:02 The Secret to Mike Trout's Success at 24
02:10 Money, Success, and What Still Motivated Him
02:26 “I'm Trying to Win a Ring”
02:34 Does Finishing Second in MVP Voting Bother Him?
03:12 What It's Actually Like to Be Mike Trout
03:35 Why Mike Trout Stayed Humble
04:07 How Mike Trout Deals With Women and Fame
04:16 Trout on His Nine-Year Relationship
04:25 Diet, Workouts, and Staying Healthy
05:12 The Grind of Major League Baseball Travel
05:44 Mike Trout on Constant Bryce Harper Comparisons
05:49 “As I Bring It Up Again”
06:22 The Weirdest Part of Becoming a Superstar
07:00 Mike Trout on BODYARMOR
10:25 End of Tape
#MikeTrout #Angels #MLB

I Asked 24-Year-Old Mike Trout What Made Him Great

Former NFL quarterback Jeff Blake joins me for an original I-80 Sports Blog interview about the NFL he played in—from getting absolutely leveled by John Randle to throwing deep balls to Carl Pickens and Darnay Scott in Cincinnati.
Blake remembers the hardest hit he ever took, explains what playing on the old artificial turf at Riverfront Stadium actually felt like, discusses how quarterback protection has changed the NFL, and takes us inside his years with the Cincinnati Bengals.
And then there's the deep ball.
I grew up watching Blake throw what I still consider one of the best deep balls I've ever seen from an NFL quarterback. So, naturally, I asked him how the hell he did it.
His answer?
“People usually pay me for that information.”
In this original interview, Blake also discusses:
• Deflategate from a quarterback's perspective
• How football pressure affects a quarterback's grip
• Getting knocked out by John Randle—and returning one play later
• NFL concussion culture during his playing career
• Riverfront Stadium's infamous artificial turf
• Throwing deep to Carl Pickens and Darnay Scott
• The forgotten Bengals teams of the 1990s
• His chemistry with Carl Pickens
• Why shorter quarterbacks “throw through lanes”
• His 1995 Pro Bowl season
• Reaching the Super Bowl with Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles
• Visiting the Chicago Bears as a free agent
• Adjusting from NFL starter to backup quarterback
• Training the next generation of quarterbacks
This interview is preserved as Tape #005 of THE TAPE ROOM, the I-80 Sports Blog archive of original interviews, recordings, and primary-source sports history.
🎙️ THE TAPE ROOM — TAPE #005
Interview: Jeff Blake
Interviewer: Paul Eide
Recorded: 2015
Original recording: I-80 Sports Blog
Runtime: 15:33
THE TAPES ARE THE EVIDENCE.
Read the complete Tape Room exhibit and transcript:
https://i80sportsblog.com/jeff-blake-on-the-nfl-he-played-in-john-randle-riverfronts-concrete-turf-deep-balls-and-throwing-the-best-deep-ball-in-football/
Explore THE TAPE ROOM:
https://i80sportsblog.com/tag/the-tape-room/
#JeffBlake #CincinnatiBengals #NFL
YOUTUBE CHAPTERS
00:00 — Jeff Blake Interview
00:14 — Deflategate From an NFL Quarterback's Perspective
02:07 — How NFL Quarterback Protection Changed the Game
02:54 — The Hardest Hit Jeff Blake Ever Took
03:08 — Getting Destroyed by John Randle
03:38 — NFL Concussions: “They Didn't Have the Concussion Stuff”
04:23 — What Riverfront Stadium's Turf Really Felt Like
04:34 — “Concrete With Carpet on Top of It”
04:56 — Jeff Blake and the NFL's Best Deep Ball
05:24 — “People Usually Pay Me for That Information”
06:08 — The Injury That Opened the Door for Aaron Brooks
07:52 — Playing for the 1990s Cincinnati Bengals
09:18 — Jeff Blake and Carl Pickens
11:07 — Quarterback-Receiver Chemistry
12:05 — “You Don't Throw Over People. You Throw Through Lanes.”
12:23 — Pro Bowl Season and Reaching the Super Bowl
13:26 — Jeff Blake's Visit With the Chicago Bears
14:29 — “You Don't Know How to Be a Backup”
14:52 — Training the Next Generation of Quarterbacks

Jeff Blake Interview: John Randle, Riverfront Stadium, & the NFL's Best Deep Ball

Original interview recorded: 7/24/13
Original I-80 Sports Blog interview with Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez, preserved and presented as part of THE TAPE ROOM — the I-80 Sports Blog archive of original interviews and sports media.
This is not a retrospective or a collection of old clips. This is the original interview video from the I-80 Sports Blog archive, featuring Tony Gonzalez in a 12+ minute conversation recorded during his legendary NFL career.
Gonzalez played 17 NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons, becoming one of the most accomplished tight ends in NFL history and helping redefine the position for a generation of players who followed.
The original full-HD interview file survived in the I-80 Sports Blog media archive and has been preserved as part of THE TAPE ROOM, where we're recovering and publishing original interviews, recordings, and primary-source sports media from the history of I-80 Sports Blog.
📼 THE TAPE ROOM
Original interviews. Original recordings. The stories behind the stories.
Read the full Tape Room exhibit, transcript, and archival notes:
https://i80sportsblog.com/tony-gonzalez-the-original-i-80-sports-blog-interview/
Explore THE TAPE ROOM:
https://i80sportsblog.com/tag/the-tape-room/
I-80 Sports Blog:
https://i80sportsblog.com/
Original interview: I-80 Sports Blog
Interview subject: Tony Gonzalez
Interviewer: Paul Eide
Runtime: 12:28
Archive: THE TAPE ROOM / TR-002
#TonyGonzalez #NFL #KansasCityChiefs #AtlantaFalcons #ProFootballHallOfFame #TheTapeRoom #I80SportsBlog

Tony Gonzalez: Football, Facebook, and the Voice of Self-Doubt

Ricky From Trailer Park Boys Does Dallas...I Mean Our Draft Order

YA BLACK Gives Lions Middle Finger #steelers #nfl

Josh GIDDEY is BACK #bulls #nba #shorts

FACEBALL ☹️⚾#baseball #mlb #reels

Snake Boy Sad 😭 #cubs #mlb #baseball

Anthony Richardson BLASTED, Injured 😮 #NFL

The 14th season of "OUCH, My Fucking Clavicle!" is upon us.
Yes, the league is smoking cigarettes, using swear words, MASTURBATING, and skipping days of 9th grade - regularly.
So who better to announce 2025 draft order than noted asshole John Rocker?
But how did we get here?
In the year of our Lord, 2012, Chargers running back Ryan Mathews was a "can't miss" fantasy first round pick.
Coming off a 1,500+ total yard 50+ rec, 6 TUD season in limited duty, the Mathews Hype was at peal levels entering year 3 as he took the reigns from newly departed best fantasy RB ever, LaDainian Tomlinson.
He was the "missing link" in an offense that featured Vincent Jackson, A Gates, Malcom Floyd, and Triggerman/father of ELEVENTEEN, Philip Rivers.
But then, he broke his right FUCKING CLAVICLE on his first preseason carry - for a nice 5 yard gain which would easily lead the NFL over a full season, .5 fantasy points - and sucked ass all year.
According to numerous reports, including players at field level, after the sound of his clavicle cracking subsided, Mathews reportedly screamed, "OUCH, My FUCKING CLAVICLE - I'm reasonably sure its broken!"
(https://www.nfl.com/news/ryan-mathews-of-san-diego-chargers-breaks-clavicle-0ap1000000048067)
Not only was Ryan "Raw Dog" Mathews broken, but so were innumerable fantasy teams who had selected him with their first round pick. He missed the first 2 weeks and was compromised for far more.
In week 3 he scored his first TUD of the season - and what would be his ONLY TUD of the season.
Then in Week 15, the unthinkable happened in the fantasy playoffs - he broke his LEFT FUCKING clavicle.
(https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/chargers-rb-ryan-mathews-headed-to-ir-with-broken-clavicle/)
According to numerous reports from people at field level, after the sound of his clavicle being crushed against the force of an unforgiving earth, he reportedly screamed, "OUCH, MY FUCKING CLAVICLE - THIS TIME i BROKE MY LEFT ONE!'
Per the Mayan calendar, 12/21/2012 was supposed to be the end of the world. And for many fantasy owners, their world ended with the sound of Mathews' fragile clavicles being crushed to dust.
Is this YOUR year to get completely buttfucked? Your fate awaits.
Past Champions List:
1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Your Finish
2024 Restaurant with Ted Danson logoDemardiac Arrest logoSmotherdngravy 12th
2023 Captain Insano logoCastillo Nation logoDemardiac Arrest 9th
2022 Penis Inspector 🍆🍆🍆 logoDeshaun’s Massage Envy logoCaptain Insano 1st
2021 Penis Inspector 🍆🍆🍆 logoCaptain Insano logoThe Boner Express!!! 1st
2020 Penis Inspector 🍆🍆🍆 logoSen. Ernie McCracken logoBuc Nasty 1st
2019 Da Beers logoSen. Ernie McCracken logoLit & Gay AF 10th
2018 Captain Insano logoDickface logoHernandezNeckTieCo 12th
2017 Marty Ball logoDickface logoLit & Gay AF 7th
2016 Buttfuckin' logoMarty Ball logoTom's lot lizard 1st
2015 Captain Insano logoThe Boner Express!!! logoDCarr4MVP 7th
2014 DCarr4MVP logoThe Boner Express!!! logoSacks to be Cutler 8th
2013 The Boner Express!!! logoK.C.C.O. logoCaptain Insano 8th
2012 WhoWnts2SmellMadonna logoFLF Crew logoIPG 1st

John Rocker Reveals Our Fantasy Draft Order At His Discretion

Royals pitcher Rich Hill is 45 and TIRED. 21 SEASONS TIRED

it's the 2nd inning and Rich Hill is tired

Mets Fan DEVOURS $25 HOT DOG 😍 #baseball #mlb #shorts

Kid ROBS Junior Caminero Home Run Derby 🎇 #baseball #homerunchallenge

What Does PitchCom Sound Like? #baseball #mlb

Pete Alonso Breaks Bat Over Knee 😲

Jac Caglianone 1st Omaha DONG! 😍

Great Dad Homerun Catch 🧤 #mlb #baseball

Oh JESUS 🤣#Easter #basketball

GUT SHOT 🤢 #mlb #baseball #reels

Belichick GF Jordon Hudson Runnin Thangs at UNC Practice 🤯 #football

Ja Morant Gun Decision Wheel #nba