From Thirty for Thirty Podcasts. Brian Patter, senior defensive lineman from Miami. Gun down. The key to this case, it's Brian. An hour before he died, he was on the phone arguing with Tabaki.
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Now, on with the show. I'm a Jew champion. Go blue is the mantra. This is the Rich Eisen Show. Michigan with men's basketball champion.
From the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Earlier on the show. Michigan head coach Dusty May. ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Billis. Coming up.
UCLA head coach Corey Close. Actor Emmanuel Shrike. And now it's Rich Eisen. Hour number three of the Rich Hisen Show is on the air, and I have some breaking news. I just read during the commercial break that One Shining Moment's lyrics were written by an Ann Arbor resident, and it first played during the 1989 Michigan's basketball tournament when I now love the song.
You can't do that. I totally reversed course. I had no idea. But you've already stated your disdain for it. You do not get to join our team now.
I guess I can as one shining moment truthers. I enter the portal. Yeah. Wow. That is.
No, I am not allowing that. I'm entering the portal. No chance. No, come on, man. You're on that side.
I have no idea. It's written by a guy from Ann Arbor. And the first time they actually used it was in 89 when Michigan last won it all on the men's side of things. But you wouldn't have known because you were putting the school newspaper together so you wouldn't have to. You were hard work.
I didn't know that. No, I love the song. No. Uh-uh. And Luther Vandro sings it?
Stop it. That was the worst part about it. How are you going to disrespect Luther like that? All right. Let's all come together as one.
All right. Certainly, since the coach of the team that came together on behalf of those in Westwood, California, wanting to see a trophy. For the UCLA women's basketball team. Ladies and gentlemen, Corey Close is here after Coach.
Now, eight rats now. In Phoenix, Arizona. What's up, coach? How are you? I'm doing great.
How are you doing today? Not as well. I mean, I'm doing great. My alma mater's men's team won it all. You know?
I texted you that last night. I said, You're a happy guy today. And what did you say? Last two days. I said, Last two days.
You made me happy too. My whole household, Susie, my daughter, Taylor, my boys. Because honestly, the way you go about your business and the way that your team plays, I mean, Things took off the minute Um, you hit the final four in a way, like you found a new gear, it looked like a whole different level. I'm wondering if. If you felt the same way.
Yeah, I actually, you are exactly right. You know, I thought it was really important. We've not been challenged that much this year. And I thought actually the real pivotal piece was how we came out and went down in our Elite Eight game versus Duke. And it was like, okay, y'all, we got to fight for this.
We got a claw. We got to decide who we're going to be and we got to go make this thing happen. And I really saw a different team from the halftime of that Elite Eight game all the way through the final four. Culminating the morning of the national championship game, I got our entire team. And when I say team, I mean our support staff, our managers, our everybody, our scout guys together in this massive circle.
And I talked about that the superpower of our team was really our connectivity and our mission-mindedness. And that three strands woven together just cannot easily be broken. And how important it was for us to see ourselves as this interdependent, interwoven group. And I could just see in their eyes, Rich, that I turned to my director of basketball operations after that and just said, We're going to win this thing. They were just dialed in and they had found that other gear that you're referring to.
No doubt about it. And then you avenge your only loss of the season against Texas on Friday night. What was that like Friday night? Into Sunday for you and your staff and your team. What was that like?
Well, it was, it was, it was a huge, you could tell it was just a breakthrough mentally. I think, you know, can we, you know, we've in our minds all year, we're like, we've, we can do this. We have the roster, we have the chemistry, we have the skill set to make this happen. But we had to overcome a hard thing, and we had to overcome an opponent that was probably playing the best basketball going into the final four was Texas. And I just, I was so proud at what we, how tough we were in that game.
I wasn't very proud that we turned the ball over 23 times, but I was really proud. I mean, it was a rugby match. And I thought that we just stayed the course. Actually, our team, I think, was a little more level about it than I was. I was just like, you know, we got to be able to go from point A to point B here.
And, you know, and they just did such a good job of going, hey, this is what it takes. This is what the game is telling us is required. And we're going to find a way to be the tougher, more together team. But that was a big deal. That was a big hurdle for us.
But I really knew we were ready to go win it because I went into the locker room after the game, and it was like any other game. It was like, job's not done. What are we even talking about? Let's go. We came here very strictly on a business trip.
We know what the mission is. And uh w wins the next film session to prep for the next game. That's where they were. Yeah, and just seeing your players. And just how loose they were.
You know, uh but but how present they are. Yeah. After Lauren Betts was done with her postgame uh interview on the live broadcast after the Texas uh win. She turned to her teammates and she goes, We're playing in the national championship game. She might have also had a word in there that I picked up, you know, earmuffs, earmuffs for Taylor, but nothing she hasn't heard at home.
But in all seriousness, though, and seeing that and then seeing your team kind of dancing while also going through the workouts on Saturday, I texted the group here and everyone, like, you know, UCLA by 100, which you almost pulled off. But, you know, I'm wondering. Where that comes from. Yeah, you know, I think it comes rich from genuine relationships because you have to know what the what the vibe needs to be.
Some people's, I would call it their warrior dial.
Some of their warrior dials need to be turned up. And we're always telling Lenna Billett, she needs to play mad. She needs to play, like, let's go, you know. But some of our players need to turn down. And part of that is just dance it out.
Like, have fun. This has got to have joy. This has got to have a lightness because they're already putting so much pressure on themselves. And so I think you have to know your team and know how each individual is at their best and trust that though it may look different in style, player by player, the standard doesn't change about what's expected to be able to come out and perform. And, you know, they have a great balance of that.
And I think we realized early on the expectations that we're going to follow this team. And last year, I don't think I handled it as well as I needed to as a leader. And they, you know, I don't think we, bottom line, my biggest job is to get our team to play its best basketball when needed and at the highest levels. And we got spanked in the semifinals last year. And so.
So I needed to go, okay, what needs to change? And I do think the way we handled having the target on our back, we actually needed more joy and lightness, not more intensity, because the intensity was there. And so I just think that was fun. And in the in-between practice on Saturday, I actually had no idea how to handle it. I was like, what do I do?
And I asked Holly Rowe, like, you've seen a million of these. How do coaches handle it? Or I called Muffet McGraw at Notre Dame, who'd been there. And I was like, okay, how does this work? You know?
And so we just decided that that open practice was going to be our connecting. Fun practice, and then we were going to have a closed practice after that was going to be about our business. And they handled that with great maturity, and it paid off. Corey Close, champion head coach from UCLA here on the Rich Eisen Show. Let's Let's talk about some of your players, if you don't mind.
Lauren Betts. the most outstanding player uh of the final four in the tournament. And her story, Holly Rowe, you mentioned, made reference to it when she was on the podium with you and the rest of the team. And her Players' Tribune piece that um that was published in in March was raw. and really was out there.
What are you willing to share about When she checked herself into UCLA, Care at the hospital there based on her depression moving from Stanford to UCLA. And you had her in your care. And this was happening. What can you share? with us here, Corey.
Yeah, you know, as much as I am proud of our staff, the what we accomplished as a national champion and all those things, I'm actually more proud of how we show up for our players on the hard days. Uh I'm at that is probably my I have a group of staff. It's not just me. It's every single person in our program that has chosen to sacrificially adopt the mission of our program, which really has more to do with who they're becoming as people than it does about who they're becoming as basketball players. And that was one of my proudest moments as a coach to see our entire program just come alongside Lauren in such a genuine way in her toughest moments.
I remember my dad used to say that the greatest honor is when someone else invites you into their greatest time of need. And it's my honor to come alongside her. But I also have to give Lauren her props. When she played for me in the USA basketball under U-19 World Cup team, she was actually on her way to Stanford. And on that trip, when I was the head coach of that World Cup team, my father passed away.
And when we were in Spain, and I'm telling you, she is so empathic. And Lauren gave more to me than I did to her. And so, then, you know, fast forward two years later to be in that room with her. I mean, it's scary. You know, Izzy Anstee was on that team and was probably Lauren's closest friend.
And this gets me choked up. When there's a picture that she flew across the world from Australia to be there. And at that moment, and that day was Izzy Anstee. That was, she goes, that was maybe one of the hardest days of my life. I thought I was going to lose Lauren.
And then Cam Brown. Mm. Has also had her own mental health struggle that she has really invested in Lauren and shared her journey with Lauren. And there's this picture after the national championship game where they all three of their foreheads are together and they're just their arms are clenched so tight. And the layers of that bond was about showing up for each other on the hard days and on the things that really matter most.
And as proud as I am about the championship, I'm even more proud of that. It's beautiful. Thank you for sharing that. I really appreciate that. Um wow.
And then, you know, Gabriela Jakez, whose brother Okay, did what he did for the men's side of things and She is as decorated as they come now in the history of the whole program. And just seeing her do everything. I mean, absolutely everything, running the floor, blocking shots, getting on the floor, shooting threes, you know, setting screens. I'll give you the floor on her development and how You know, she wanted to go nowhere else. She wanted you to offer her more than anything in the world, and you did.
And and boy, di now now now you got a banner. Yeah, I looked like an idiot, Rich. Like, it took me, she had one other power four offer going into her senior year of high school. Like, it's just craziness. Right.
Um, you know, and it's so interesting. Her AAU coach, uh, Kelly Sopak, who's now the head coach at University of Nevada, um, he told a great story when she joined his club program, his AAU team, the Cal Stars. Um, he said to somebody, you know what? If I was having, you know, just a three-point shooting contest and you know, I had to pick my players, um, I bet, you know, of 10 people, I would pick Gabriella Jawkez last. But if you had a one-shot to one three-pointer to win the game, even at that point, I would choose Gabriella Jaquez first.
And I thought that encapsulates her warrior spirit, her confidence. She knows how to show up in the most pressurized moments. When you look back at our postseason runs from her freshman year to her senior year, the biggest games, the most pressurized games, when they're most on the line, the most consistent player was Gabriella Jaquez. And I think it just shows her mentality. She's just got this warrior spirit.
And I think she can be an inspiration to so many people that it doesn't have to look like everybody else. Like Gabs' game doesn't look like most other people. And she's going to be a top, you know, 10 draft pick. And so, you know, I think that if you're a kid growing up and you're looking for role models, like she has been a self-made person. I mean, she has found her own niche.
Of how to impact the game, and her plus minus has been our leading plus minus person all year long in terms of her offensive and defensive leverage of when she's on the floor. And so, I just think, you know, if you can have a warrior spirit and if you can intentionally build your growth, I mean, she shot in the teens in the three-pointers her freshman year, and she made herself a 50-40-90 player. That's just unheard of. That just does not happen. And if you're someone willing to put in the work and compete.
Fiercely, but with joy in your heart, like Gabrielle Jakez, anything is possible. Yeah, you may hear your program called three times in the top 10 a week from tonight at the WNBA draft. You may have three top 10 picks, and I think you will, Corey. I think we'll have four.
Okay, I don't mean come tell us short. Come on now. I think all six are going to be drafted and at least four in the first round. There you go. Before I let you go, let's talk about you a little bit, if you don't mind.
You were here last year for two shows. You were the first guest of Women's Sports Now last year. There's season two information coming up very, very shortly.
So be on the lookout for that text and invitation from Susie and the rest of us here coming up. But then you sat here in my guest chair, told an incredible story about meeting John Wooden. About being there and being alongside him. There, you guys are, and your relationship with the wizard. And, you know, I I'm I'm getting choked up, so I know how you're going to feel about this.
You're going to be able to. Coach. in that vaunted pavilion and look up. And one of your banners is going to be next to all of his. What's that moment going to be like for you?
Do you think it's a mix, and I am getting joked up? It's a mix, Rich, because one, on the one hand, I could care less. Like. Um, you know, I walk down the hallway of the men's side because of where our bench is in Poly Pavilion before every game, yeah, and um, I sort of touch each banner, but it isn't about achieving the banner, it's about the flood of memories, lessons. Shared experiences, principled-centered leadership that Coach Wooden taught me, and the time he spent.
And so I, you know, and so it's this amazing bond.
So to even have one of those, to be next to him, is like this. It's like this pay-it-forward kind of moment to say, I listened, you know, and I don't know, it doesn't always transpire with banners, it just doesn't. But I think the big thing that's most meaningful in that way is that I can say, I listened, and you did that. Thank you. Just made me able to say thank you.
You know, his great-granddaughter Corey sent me a picture yesterday, and she and her daughter wore all their UCLA gear to school that day on Monday because they were proud. And I just was like, that's what it's all about. And his son, Jim, texts me after the game. And, you know, I just, I'm just really grateful for all of those things. And then on the other side of this coin, and sorry to be long-winded.
No, go for it, please. But. Um And I said this on the Scott Van Pelt show, but I really mean it, is that Banners really do just hang in gems. Rings really do just collect dust. And the only two things that get to stay with you for the rest of your life from these four years is who you become and who you impact.
And in the end, I know that Coach Wooden would also only care about that. And he also said, he used to always tell me, who cares about the four years that they're with you? It's what they do in the next 40 years that you're responsible for. And that. That's really what it's all about.
That is so cool. Wow. For sure. Yeah, you know, for sure. And couldn't be happier for you.
And because all of us here on this show, and as I mentioned, women's sports now, to use the wizard phrase, got to pull back the curtain and see who you are as a person. You are as genuine as they come, and you're all about it. You're all about making sure that the next generation of girls, I see it with my daughter and the way that you've interacted with her in the short periods of time that you've. You know, we've been lucky to have her around you. You're really all about it.
I couldn't be happier for you. Thank you, Rich. But you know, my biggest moment is that I got to teach your wife what a slob was, run out of bounds, and that she wants to put that out of bounds play in for Taylor's team.
So, hey, that's my mountaintop moment right there. On behalf of my two boys, and yours truly, who are called slobs at home because we leave everything on the floor. We appreciate you giving Susie a different way to use that word on behalf of my daughter and their hopefully championship basketball team like yours.
So thank you. There you go. I appreciate it. Thank you so much. Can't wait to see you in person.
Can't wait to see you in person. Go hit that portal and go keep it going. Thanks again, Coach. All right. Thanks so much.
Thank you, everybody. Corey Close, champion head coach of UCLA basketball. Putting a trophy in the case. That's awesome. That's what's happening.
All right. That was cool. That was awesome. I remember she came in here last year, Chris, and remember we were joking with her because she had on those Travis Scotts. And I was like, you're stunting, coach.
You just go to any recruits' house wearing those. They're going to sign with you. That's right. I wonder if the shoes help. Maybe they do.
Isn't that the phrase? It's got to be the shoes. It's got to be the shoes, Rich. Come on. Was that Mars Blackman?
It's got to be the shoes? Got to be the shoes. Money. It's got to be the shoes. Money.
Well, that was awesome. Yeah. That's cool. Isn't it kind of wild that UCLA, that school is synonymous with basketball, right? Indeed.
First time the women have ever won. That's well, again, they won one before it was. Correct. Yeah. Before it was recognized.
Recognized, yeah. Correct. That was Ann Myers and that UCLA team. But neat stuff. All right, let's take a break.
The actress Emmanuel Shrieky is in our green room. Time to end that. She's coming on out. We'll talk about her new movie, and of course, back in the day, a little fun entourage. That's next.
This is the Rich Isid Show. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. In a world in need of a hero, one man rises to the challenge in style. He is just driving the kids to soccer practice. Make every day feel epic in an all-new Hyundai Palisade hybrid with up to an EPA estimated 619 miles of range on select trims, advanced tech, and class-leading interior space.
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Oh, oh, oh, cancer! Oh, oh, right, leave. Auto parts. Called A Love Like This. Our radio audience just rejoined.
We just saw a trailer for it available now to buy or rent on all digital platforms starring Emmanuel Shrieky, who's here. Hayes MacArthur as well. Everybody should go check that out. Where did you come up with the idea for this? Who came up with the idea for this?
Film. It was a script written by Jeffrey Ruggles, and it kind of, you know, one of the producers had it and was trying to put it together, and then it made its way to me. John Asher, the director, was attached. I met with John and I was like, I'm in. I would love to do this.
And then. I attached myself also to be a producer just because the story, I just, there was something, it was such a gut punch when I read it. I was like, this would be a really interesting and confronting story to tell.
Well, our radio audience just returned, didn't see the trailer. You want to just fill out everyone on what the story is? Yeah, it's these high school sweethearts that find themselves in Malibu for a weekend, and we come to see that they've been having an affair for many years. And this is their last weekend together. Definitely.
Last weekend. Definitely. Well, we'll see. That's the plan. Right.
And yeah, and so then John Asher and I, we were, you know, thinking about the guys and He had mentioned Hayes MacArthur, and I was just like, Yes, it's gotta be Hayes. Hayes and I had done Super Troopers 2 together. And we had such a great time. And I just knew, you know, it's such a. It's a piece that We both had to get really raw and vulnerable.
So there was this feeling of like, who am I going to feel comfortable and safe with to do this? And yeah, Hayes was a no-brainer and he just brought such levity to it. It was great.
Okay. And so if Shota Malibu, and it's interesting, you say that this is prior to the fire.
So people who live here in Southern California can see the town the way it was. Exactly. That's cool. In all its beauty. That's cool.
Well, we're sorry that our friend Mike Del Tufo was here the last time you were here, who creaked you out by offering you a flight to Catalina's. I wasn't creeped out. No, I mean, you're too nice. You're too Canadian. You're too nice.
But he's not here today. You got to send my regards. How did that go down again where we just brought that up?
Well, you're talking about first dates or something.
Something like that. It's like, you know, what we would all do. And Mike was like, oh, I got it. Helicopter guy, Catalina. And then you thought it was a great idea.
Sleepover. It really is an amazing idea. I don't know. Is that the inspiration of a love like this? Who knows?
You know, Catalina, Malibu. Oh, my God. One thing or another. You're right. We definitely have to give Mike grief for that, that he's not here to miss out on that sort of thing.
I'll pass the law. But you're taken now. I mean, back, I think 10 years ago when you were not here, when you were here last, I think Mike was. Doing his best. You could tell Mike, I'm going to suggest that idea to my boyfriend.
Okay. Okay. The helicopter ride to Catalina. But that was the first aid. That wasn't a good idea.
That sounds like one of those movies that takes place in a basement. No, hold on a minute.
So you guys go, like, you sat at a wedding together? You were going to go back. Way back. I mean, like, way back. I've known her through years.
She doesn't really. She's sitting right here, you know. Yeah, she's not. But we were at a wedding together once. One of my friends, two of my friends got married, and I sat next to her.
Who I'm seeing in a week. Oh, yeah. Both of them.
Okay. Yeah. How's TJ at a wedding? Fantastic. Really?
You have no response to that, TJ? No? I mean, I made people cry. I remember that, giving the speech. Did you really?
Yeah. Yeah. Huh. He just he never you don't bring that to this equation here today or ever. You don't make any of us cry here.
He's an old softy. Who is the friend that you guys knew? Mila and Ashton.
Okay. Okay. Now I get it. Here we go. Here we go.
You won't mention Ashton's name like ever. You won't ever mention it. Like, that's the wedding. Wait, was that taboo? No, no, no.
Ashton has been here on this program. Oh, he's the vet. Yeah. We know that he's. You know, godfather to Bear, correct?
Are you not? To Wyatt. Wyatt, pardon me, oh, Bear's the one who you jumped in front of on the WWE broadcast to like actually mac his time.
Well, I needed that time too, right? No, but we know they're friends, you know? Like, it shouldn't be, it's not like Fight Club or anything. Right. You know?
Right. But it's like, one of my friends is what I'm saying. The wedding of the century.
Okay. It was fun. It was a fun wedding. Emmanuel Shrieke here on the Rich Eisen Show. Back in the day on Entourage, who did you, who did you, what athletes did you come across or meet or have a show with or anything like that that kind of jumps out at you from memory?
Were you around on any of those? Oh my God. 100%. I mean, on the show, there was, of course, when LeBron James came on, and that was insane. In fact, my nephew was, it was his bar mitzvah.
And I got LeBron to do a video. Video. I mean, I was aunt of the year. The year, the lifetime, the second. It's a lifetime achievement award.
Oh, yeah, 100%. And he was so gracious and so cool, and he did it. It was awesome.
So you had him shoot a video? Like a little video, yeah. Just say, you know, muzzle tub. You have LeBron James saying the words muzzle tub on the video? I think I do, yeah.
I'm sure he's been asked to do that many times. It's cool that he was gracious for that sort of thing.
So LeBron was there. Was Brady Brady was on the set at one point? Yeah, but I wasn't there for that. You were not there for that. For that.
Okay. Who else? During the movie, oh, I wasn't there for that either. I know. Where was I?
During the movie, there was a, oh my God. Oh my god. Who is that? Married to This is great. This is like a dinner party game.
Russell Wilson. Russell Wilson. Yes, Russell Wilson.
Sorry, Russell Wilson.
So I just got to say married to. Yeah, yeah. We all get that. Did you toast him at his wedding, and you just won't mention it either? I just want to find out.
Yeah, that one that was not. Very good.
So I don't mean to interrupt you. You're as you're saying. But outside, I don't know if you remember this. Outside of Entourage, you know, I did. The voice for Call of Duty.
I was the numbers lady in one of the Call of Duties. You did not know this. Oh, you didn't know this? No, no, okay. Oh, so this is epic.
This is like the best story. Please. And God rest his soul. Kobe Bryant was also in this video game, and we met, and he then. Was like whenever you want to come.
To a game, just let me know. You know, switched information and I would like to go sit courtside for the Lakers. Just like. That. Were you ever in a voiceover session with you just did it on your own?
I did it on my own. I had like a, it was a separate part of the video game. Do you get recognized with your voice of people saying your Call of Duty? Do you get that recognition or no? I have like maybe twice, but I think that's for like real video game heads.
Right. Because it's, yeah, it's like the numbers lady.
So if you know the video game, she literally just is like. Fifteen, thirty-six, forty-five, eighteen. You're the Call of Duty lady. Wait a minute.
Okay. That's pretty cool. Yeah, it's cool. What's your favorite Adam Sandler story that you can tell? from working with him.
Who is the is the prince of all princes? He is the prince of all princes. I would say, you know, he was so hilarious. I mean, the whole cast was. I would just say that Sort of the thing after all these years that strikes me the most about Adam Sandler is that on the set, As funny as he was.
And they're always like fine-tuning the jokes. Um He was also like very serious about what the shot was going to be. Like, I guess what I'm trying to say is that it was never jokes at the expense. of the movie. It was like time and place.
And you know, and he just he was so cool and human and relaxed and non-movie star-like that it was weird. Because you're like, you're Adam Sandler. You could be the biggest Idiot. Yeah, no, I know. I met him when I was on ESPN many, many, many moons ago, and he did a piece for ESPN and I helped put it together.
And I was hosting it a little bit at Yankee Stadium for World Series. And I walked around Yankee Stadium with him. And it was like Elvis was in the building. And the number of people that would come up to him, now this is back in the day, so they would say, Can you leave my friend a voice message like on their answering machine? Oh my God.
Or can you record the outgoing message for someone's answer? Right. Can you take this picture? And with real cameras, like not, people weren't just like selfish because everyone had either Blackberries or a Pager. That's how long ago it was.
He said yes to everybody. It's unbelievable. I've never seen his patience and his genuineness. It's the real thing. It is so real.
It's like it is, it's so real. I feel so lucky that I had that experience. Right. You know, did you know that speaking of the Zohan? Yes.
You know, whenever I come on here, I'm like, what sports things can I bring into the world? All right. So not. I appreciate that.
So, do you know that I threw out the first pitch? Two. Dodgers.
Okay. And I don't know who they were playing. I can't remember. And I did really well. How well?
I got it past the like I did it. You threw a strike? Like, if it would have been called a strike in an actual Major League Baseball game, a strike? Yeah. Like, what is it?
Did you throw it accurately? Yes. Okay. I threw it. But wait, I thought a strike was when you did this and you missed the ball.
Well, that is one way. That is one way. Yeah. But if you did. Yeah.
By the way, this is awesome. That's playing baseball to Emmanuel Shrieky right now, which is great. It's awesome. Rich, this is what Jane Kaiseric was like. How is it a no-hitter when they.
Yeah, how do you call something a no-hitter when they actually make contact with June 08 Cubs Dodgers? Yes. And how are we looking? I don't know. Oh, you don't see that?
I just got the information. Oh, okay. I'm seeing the pictures, but no.
Well, here's how I know. Here's how I know you did well. Yeah. Is that. It's not, you're not YouTube famous for the alternative.
Right. That's bad. That's the 1 million percent. Heart thumping picture one feels when standing on the mound of Dodger Stadium. 100%.
Okay. And you know, it's funny. I think on the internet, there's probably a picture of me that's like, yeah, like, hands up. Yeah, yeah. I'm going to score a touchdown.
Why not? Do you need me to explain to you what it touched on? No, I didn't. But thanks. I was just going to.
I mean, Canada has been involved in some of these major hockey and all this, you know, the Olympics and all that sort of stuff. Are you locked in on any of that stuff, or not really? I watched the Olympics.
Okay. Actually, all of the Olympics.
Okay, great. But, you know, I was really zeroed in on the figure skating and skiing and I do love watching the Olympics and everything like that. The only thing I didn't understand is when they gave out the silver medals in the Olympics, they gave they also gave out a stuffed animal to the athletes as well. Yeah. Wait, what?
Yes. I don't know who came up with that idea.
Some Italian, I don't know what it was, or somebody in the Influx of the Show. There it is. This is one of Canada's most decorated hockey players ever. After losing to the United States in the gold medal game with his silver medal, looking at his stuffed animal. I mean, wow.
That's hilarious. It's like if you're nominated for an Emmy and not only you didn't win, but here's a stuffed animal. Here you go. What a delight to have you back on this program and chat with you. It's so great to see you.
Thank you. And see you after all these years. Your film that you've produced, you act in as well with Hayes MacArthur. A love like this is available now to buy or rent on all digital platforms. I do believe we have one more photograph to show you here because we've got a lightning quick active outstanding form.
Good form. Hey, okay. That's outstanding. I'm watching the pitch right now. I mean, we found it.
Nice. I mean, you know, to quote Bob Euchre, it's a little bit outside. It's a little bit outside. Yes. When I, no, no, it doesn't matter.
When I threw, when I wasn't bad. I did it once myself. Yeah. It was nerve-wracking. Oh, my God.
Beyond nerve-wracking. Yes. And unlike you, I think people were rooting against me. How can anybody root against you? I love you for saying that.
Well, they go to Ohio State. There are some people who are just like, I want to see him dirted. I want to see him, you know. And and um and I would have um I think fooled a left-handed hitter with my slow stuff. But a right-handed hitter, I would have hit with the baseball.
That's how it was not great. It was not great.
Well, apparently mine wasn't either. Oh, no. TJ, it was. Let me ask you again: how was her first pitch? It was like watching Nolan Ryan.
There you go. There you go. I could see it. Get light.
Okay. Get light.
Very good.
Great to see you. Great to see you. Come on back anytime. Thank you. Emmanuel Shrieky, right here on the Rich Eisen Show.
Don't go anywhere. We've got breaking news involving the NFL draft. That's coming up. This is our program. The Rich Heisen Show, the podcast.
Rich Eisen here. I've traveled all over for some of the biggest NFL moments you can imagine. Conference championships, Super Bowls, draft weekends, and everywhere I go, the city just feels different. buzzing, packed, electric.
Now take that energy. and multiply it by the entire world. That's what's coming this summer with the FIFA World Cup. Fans from every corner of the globe are going to be traveling to experience it live. And when that many people come to town, they're all looking for a place to stay.
And that got me thinking. If you live in or near a host city, this is one of those rare moments. You already have a space. This summer, you could list your space on Airbnb while fans are in town for the FIFA World Cup, not as a full-time thing. Not as some huge lifestyle change, just during an event when demand is naturally high.
When I travel for big games, I just want a comfortable place in a real neighborhood, and that's exactly what so many visiting fans will be looking for. If you've ever thought about listing your space, this summer is a great time as we welcome FIFA World Cup fans. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.com/slash host. Rich Eisen here.
The April 15th tax deadline is coming fast, but don't worry. Hand off your taxes to a TurboTax expert today. You know how April feels. Everything speeds up. Games matter more.
Hoops and hockey schedules tighten. Your phone won't stop buzzing. And somewhere in the middle of it all, there's that quiet little reminder. Taxes. You'll get to it tonight or tomorrow or after the weekend.
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The all-new Hyundai Palisade hybrid, visit HyundaiUSA.com or call 562-314-4603 for details. All right, some quick hitters here. Adam Schefter was the first to report. That Fernando Mendoza has told the NFL draft he's not going to be there. He's going to stay at home to be with his family in Miami.
Um Okay, not great for the draft. Yeah, not great. It's not great for the draft, not great for the broadcast. But, you know, his mother has MS. Dude, might not be safer.
Dude, it is 100% his decision and in his purview, and 1 million percent. Fine. Would love to have him there. Of course, it makes things more special, but what's more special than being with his family and accommodating his mom, if that's what it is, or the rest of his family by being there? Yep.
And it could be just like, hey, NFL is like, how many do you need? And his answer could be 150? Yeah. You know? I mean, this happens all the time.
It just doesn't really happen too often with the first overall draft journey. Right. But we'll see video of him and in his home and. And he'll be in his new home the next day, I'm sure. Last number one overall pick to not attend the draft, Trevor Lawrence, 2021.
How's that worked out for him? Yeah. Okay. I shouldn't ask that. But he's an upstanding pillar of community and a great face of the Jaguars if you're at the NFL.
True.
Okay. What? You know, it's all good. Like, if this makes him happy and his family happy, and plenty of guys will be at the same time. Enjoy the moment.
And I do believe there's a. A direct flight from Miami to Las Vegas. I believe that's true. Yes, I believe it's a private aviation. I don't know.
One guy famously flew from one guy famously had to fly from Vegas to Washington, DC and then drive to Baltimore. Oh, yeah, that's true. That did not go over well. I didn't understand. That might be the most bizarre part of the entire Max Crosby story: he flew commercial to Washington, D.C., and drove up to Baltimore.
Yeah, because that's like an hour plus two. I think he said it was two. How is it? I don't know. Weird.
BWI is at any rate. And didn't he have bad knees too?
So you're going to crunch him up in commercial and then put him in a white van with no not everybody has your problems. You're in a bad situation. Listen. Mr. Receipt 1A up here.
Ah. I don't like sitting in seat one A. You like 1B? It's a bulkhead problem. Bulkhead, not great.
I don't need bulkheads. Nah, I don't need bulkheads. But at any rate, that's my favorite part of this coverage of Fernando Mendoza saying he's not going to the draft. Speaking of Baltimore, their former head coach, John Armaugh, has got a holdout on his hands. What?
Dexter Lawrence, sexy Dexi, right in the middle of that defensive line. Makes it all go for the Giants. Says he's not showing up. Doesn't want to play for the Giants anymore. His contract's not to his liking.
So he's not at the Uh first Opportunity to be with his teammates because the rest of the league is going to start. up with their OTAs, their April OTAs, pre-draft OTAs.
Next couple of weeks, but the teams with new head coaches have the opportunity to start it this week. John Harbaugh speaking about the Dexter Lawrence, as we always say in the Media parlance situation hit it.
Well, I don't know if granting a request is really the right way to say it because it doesn't really work that way. You know, it's not like a Christmas gift. You know, it just doesn't work like that. It's business, you know.
So, the business is to be the best football team that we can be, and the business for him, I'm sure, is to be the best player he can be, and then there's financial. Um Obligations, restraints, opportunities, all those things that go around that because it's pro football. I guess there is in college football now too. It's just it's it's different a little bit. Uh and the way it works through the contracts in this league.
That's that's really what it boils down to. We'll see what happens. We'll see what happens. I also got another. He also says that I'm not surprised by it.
We'll try and work through it about the possibility of him returning to the Giants. I think the prospects are high. We want Dexter here and I believe Dexter wants oh, we have that too? Oh my bad.
Okay, get it. Yeah. I think the prospects are going to be high because the Giants, speaking for the Giants, we want Dexter here. I believe Dexter wants to be here. That's a good formula.
But uh there's business involved. It's a business proposition. We know it's pro football. And these things happen every year, pretty much on every team.
So, not surprised by it. Saw it coming a few weeks back, probably. Good conversations with Dexter's agent, Joel Siegel. and understood uh what they were thinking and um This is where we're at, so we'll just try to work through it and see where we can get down.
Okay. Okay. John's been through this. Yep. He's probably like, you know, if you do what were they really thinking, but don't have to hit the drop, it'd be just like.
Did you see that one time I sat down? At the NFL owners meeting. Just at the moment Lamar Jackson hit send on a tweet saying he never wants to play for the Baltimore Ravens again. Him with his buddy and the shake weights and all that stuff that was going on. The shake weight guy.
Did you see the memo? You know what I mean? Like, did you, did you, did you, you know, I dealt with that? You know, who's still, you know, got paid and is still the quarterback there?
Okay. I've been around. Jeff in Detroit. Got to speak to him on a day like today. Jeff, I got about 30 seconds.
What's going on, Jeffrey? What's up, G? Is great. to beat a Michigan Wolverine. Listen, that game had me as nervous as a cat swimming through a Florida swamp with pork chop drawers on.
But I am so happy. Thirty seven years, we can finally put it to rest. That was the best Michigan team ever. The defense is what won the game. And I mean, in a game like that, grinding it out, and it looked like they were getting ready to pull a a UConn that they did to Duke on us.
It looked like they were coming back, rolling downhill. Couldn't get the ball in. And finally. Oh, those guys clamped down and did their thing. Man, it is Bethlam here.
Everybody is so happy rocking the Michigan Gear Unk. And yes, we did that. Thank you. Thank you, Jeffrey. Thank you for chiming in, giving us a little bit of what's going on there in Detroit.
Go blue to all of my fellow Wolverines out there. It is a great day to be a Michigan Wolverine. Can confirm. Thanks for listening to the Rich Eisen Show Podcast. You can watch and listen to The Rich Eisen Show live weekdays from noon to 3 Eastern on ESPN Radio, Disney Plus, and on the ESPN app, The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast.
