Rookie Year

On the season finale, WNBA superstar Sue Bird breaks down her blockbuster rookie year, her time playing in Russia, and her 16 seasons with the Seattle Storm. Sue Bird got her start playing ball at Christ of King High School in New York then for the Uconn Huskies, where she ranked first in three-point field goal percentage and free throw percentage, and named the top College point guard in the country three times. After leading Uconn to a record of 114–4 and clinching two NCAA Championships, Sue was drafted by the Seattle Storm as the first overall pick in the 2002 WNBA Draft. Since then, she’s won three WNBA championships, four Olympic gold medals, and four FIBA World Cups. She currently holds a front office position for the NBA's Denver Nuggets as their Basketball Operations Associate. Host: Jared Jeffries Executive Producers: Eric Pankowski, Chris Colbert, & Adell Coleman Producer: Ryan Woodhall Talent Booking Team: Lori Teig Distribution: DCP Entertainment Special Thanks: TNS Production Studios See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Basketball legend Danny Manning joins Jared Jeffries to chat about growing up around the game, the injury that cut his rookie year short, and the art of coaching. Danny Manning has been on and around the court his entire life - His father, Ed Manning, was a seasoned player and coach in his own right. Danny attended the University of Kansas, where he led the Jayhawks to the 1988 NCAA title, earning him the Most Outstanding Player and the Big Eight Player of the Decade awards. Danny entered the NBA as the 1st overall draft pick by the Clippers in 1988, only to have his rookie year cut short by an ACL tear during the 26th game of the season. Despite all odds, Danny bounced back from what could of been a career-ending injury, celebrating a 14-year career before retiring in 2003 and turning his focus to coaching. Danny is currently the men’s head coach for Wake Forest University. Host: Jared Jeffries Executive Producers: Eric Pankowski, Chris Colbert, & Adell Coleman Producer: Ryan Woodhall Talent Booking Team: Lori Teig Distribution: DCP Entertainment Special Thanks: TNS Production Studios See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MMA Fighter Chael Sonnen joins Jared Jeffries to look back at the bumps and bruises that paved the way to greatness. An accomplished wrestler in high school and college, Chael Sonnen moved into MMA in 1997, competing in the UFC, the WEC, Pancrase, and Bellator before retiring from the sport in 2019 with an impressive record of 30-17-1. Chael is also an entrepreneur, expert analyst, and host of his own podcast, You’re Welcome! with Chael Sonnen. Host: Jared Jeffries Executive Producers: Eric Pankowski, Chris Colbert, & Adell Coleman Producer: Ryan Woodhall Talent Booking Team: Lori Teig Distribution: DCP Entertainment Special Thanks: TNS Production Studios See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Isaac Bruce traces his journey from playing backyard ball with his 14 brothers and sisters to catching the winning ball at Super Bowl XXXIV. Isaac Bruce was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in 1994 after becoming the first wide receiver in Memphis State University history to post a 1,000-yard receiving season. During his 14-year pro career, Isaac Bruce became synonymous with The Greatest Show on Turf, amassing over 15,000 receiving yards, 91 receiving touchdowns, and 4 Pro Bowl selections before retiring in 2009. Make sure to check out Isaac Bruce and Doc Holliday’s incredible podcast series Run Pass Option. Host: Jared Jeffries Executive Producers: Eric Pankowski, Chris Colbert, & Adell Coleman Producer: Ryan Woodhall Talent Booking Team: Lori Teig Distribution: DCP Entertainment Special Thanks: TNS Production Studios See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Jared Jeffries is joined by NFL great Willie “Nasty” Roaf to discuss his formative years as a Louisiana All-American, his 13-year NFL Career, and the magic of game day in New Orleans. Willie is a American football offensive tackle who played in the NFL from 1993-2005. He got his start playing for Louisiana Tech University, where he earned All-American honors. Willie was a first-round pick for the New Orleans Saints during the 1993 NFL Draft, spending a total of 8 years with them before joining the Kansas City Chiefs, eventually retiring in 2005. As one of the most accomplished offensive tackles in NFL history, Willie’s accolades include 11 Pro Bowl and 9 All-Pro selections, as well as spots in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. Host: Jared Jeffries Executive Producers: Eric Pankowski, Chris Colbert, & Adell Coleman Producer: Ryan Woodhall Talent Booking Team: Lori Teig Distribution: DCP Entertainment Special Thanks: TNS Production Studios See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jared Jeffries sits down with Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield to discuss his 22-year career and all of the growing pains of the game. Born and raised in Minnesota, Dave is a former American Baseball player who crushed records everywhere during his 22-year career, becoming a twelve-time MLB All-Star, a seven-time Gold Glove Award winner, and a six-time Silver Slugger Award winner. Dave earned his spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame, and has been named the third-best all-around athlete of all time in any sport by ESPN. Well known off-the-field for his philanthropist work, Dave founded the David M. Winfield Foundation and The Dave Winfield Nutrition Center at Hackensack University Medical Center. Now, Dave spends his days as the special assistant to the executive director of the MLB Players Association. Host: Jared Jeffries Executive Producers: Eric Pankowski, Chris Colbert, & Adell Coleman Producer: Ryan Woodhall Talent Booking Team: Lori Teig Distribution: DCP Entertainment Special Thanks: TNS Production Studios See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Basketball legend Corey Brewer joins Jared Jeffries to trace his trajectory from a small farm in Tennessee to the bright lights of the NBA. But it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows when Corey arrived in Minnesota for his Rookie Year - In fact, he calls it one of the worst years of his life. Corey grew up playing ball in rural Tennessee before dominating the court at the University of Florida. There, he gained national recognition after leading the Gators to win back-to-back NCAA national championships, securing him the 2007 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player award. Brewer was then drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the seventh overall pick for the 2007 season, gaining a reputation for his versatility on the court as a formidable guard and skilled shooter. Since then, Corey has stacked accolades including scoring 51 points in a single game and winning the 2011 NBA Championship with the Mavericks. Host: Jared Jeffries Executive Producers: Eric Pankowski, Chris Colbert, & Adell Coleman Producer: Ryan Woodhall Talent Booking Team: Lori Teig Distribution: DCP Entertainment Special Thanks: TNS Production Studios See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Jared Jeffries is joined by Volleyball icon & supermodel Gabrielle Reece to discuss her early sports career, the challenges of parenting, and the keys to aging gracefully. Gabrielle was a pioneer of fitness and fashion in the early 90’s, spiking her way through numerous Volleyball records while gracing the covers of nearly every sports & lifestyle magazine on the planet, not to mention becoming Nike’s first female athlete spokesperson and shoe designer. Since then, Gabrielle’s entrepreneurial spirit has led her to write two books, host several shows, and establish renowned training programs with her husband Laird Hamilton. Host: Jared Jeffries Executive Producers: Eric Pankowski, Chris Colbert, & Adell Coleman Producer: Ryan Woodhall Talent Booking Team: Lori Teig Distribution: DCP Entertainment Special Thanks: TNS Production Studios See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Super Bowl time, and on this week’s episode former Chief tight end and NFL great Tony Gonzalez sits down with Jared to discuss his journey and lifelong passion for the game. Born and raised in Southern California, Tony’s natural athleticism and unrivaled work ethic won him the Orange County High School Athlete of the Year award, an honor he shared with classmate Tiger Woods. After dominating both football and basketball at the University of California, Tony was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft. In the 17 years Tony spent on the field, he racked up 14 Pro Bowl selections and numerous NFL records, including being the leader in total receiving yards by a tight-end and 3rd in all-time receptions. Tony is now a FOX Sports analyst and the host of his own podcast, Wide Open with Tony Gonzalez. Host: Jared Jeffries Executive Producers: Eric Pankowski, Chris Colbert, & Adell Coleman Producer: Ryan Woodhall Talent Booking Team: Lori Teig Distribution: DCP Entertainment Special Thanks: TNS Production Studios See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the A’s prepare to retire his jersey, pitcher Dave “Smoke” Stewart takes Jared on a trip back to the start of his illustrious career. Stewart spent years in the minors tweaking his pitch before the Dodgers promoted him to the big leagues in 1981. His accolades include 3 World Series championships, 3 MVP awards, and the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, which he received in 1990 after pitching a no-hitter - the first black player to do so since Jim Bibby in 1973. Stewart’s name is synonymous with Oakland - Both as an as an athlete who spent the bulk of his tenure with the A’s, and as a humanitarian who is passionate about the city he was born and raised in. Host: Jared Jeffries Executive Producers: Eric Pankowski, Chris Colbert, & Adell Coleman Producer: Ryan Woodhall Talent Booking Team: Lori Teig Distribution: DCP Entertainment Special Thanks: TNS Production Studios See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Washington Wizard and host Jared Jeffries sits down with longtime friend Al Harrington. In 1998, Al was drafted straight out of High School by the Indiana Pacers, only to have his Rookie Year brought to a standstill by the longest lockout in NBA history. On this week’s episode Al takes a trip down memory lane, discussing what it was like to be mentored by Larry Bird, living with Antonio Davis, and why Jared was the most annoying defender in the NBA. Host: Jared Jeffries Executive Producers: Eric Pankowski, Chris Colbert, & Adell Coleman Producer: Ryan Woodhall Talent Booking Team: Lori Teig Distribution: DCP Entertainment Special thanks : TNS Production Studios See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every Hall of Famer has experienced it. Every MVP has gone through it. Every All-Star has endured it. It is a unifying experience amongst all professional athletes. The perennial superstars and the ones that never were. For some, it is a memory they hold dear and remember with great nostalgia. For others, it was a horror show they would love to forget. But for every single professional athlete, it is the one thing they all have in common...ROOKIE YEAR! The rookie year is the great equalizer in professional sports. The NBA lottery pick is still sitting in the worst seat on the plane and bus. The #1 pick in the NFL draft still has to deal with veterans hazing the hell out of them. And the superstar wunderkind in baseball still has to carry a shit-ton of equipment. In this focused, funny, insightful and revealing podcast, the listener gets to take a trip down memory lane to that formative experience of a professional athlete’s rookie season. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices