This message is brought to you by AppleCard. Shave ice by the beach. A trip to the state fair. and a throwback flick at the local drive-in. They're more than just items to check off the summer bucket list.
They're also opportunities to earn 2% daily cash back when you use your Apple Card with Apple Pay. Apply for Apple Card now and use InMinutes with Apple Pay. Subject to credit approval, Apple Card is issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Salt Lake City Branch, Terms and More at AppleCard.com. Hear that? That's now Crispier McCrispy Strips meeting creamy Caesar sauce.
Sounds Extra crispy. Caesar sauce at McDonald's for a limited time. Ba-da-ba-ba-ba. Watch us weekdays on Disney Plus from noon to 3 Eastern. Miss the show.
We've got a podcast, so you can listen any time. But here's the best part: our YouTube channel. Subscribe at youtube.com slash virtison show, and you'll never miss a moment.
Now, on with the show. One quarterback competition is settled. This is the Rich Eisen Show. And then in Cleveland. I'm just named Foot of Bracton.
Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. I just love the way Shador Sanders handles himself. Earlier on the show. NFL Network Insider Ian Rappaport. Coming up.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas. Emmy-nominated actor Carolina Weidra. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Hour number two of the Rich Eisen Show is on the air. Thurman Thomas Hall of Famer is going to join us this hour.
Great chat with you in Rapperport last hour. If you're a fan of the show, Pluribus, stay tuned for hour number three: the Emmy-nominated actor, Carolina Widra, who plays. The role of Zoja is going to be joining us in studio in hour number three. If you're not a fan of Pluribus, please do that anyway. I promise you it'll be a terrific conversation.
Our four downs on the Pittsburgh Steelers is coming up in the third hour as well. Your phone calls throughout all phone lines are lit. Love that conversations that we have right here on Disney Plus, the ESPN app, ESPN Radio, or SiriusXM, however you're listening to us or watching us. It's all good in the hood. Suze will be here at the end of hour number three in advance of Women's Sports Now, which is coming up at 6 Eastern time.
And don't worry, there's absolutely nothing to talk about from the WNBA world at all. Wait a minute. It's off the rails.
So that's coming up at 6 Eastern time with the squad. I think it's 4-Wide. They're all back again. Suze, Sarah Tiana, Renee Montgomery, Colleen Wilf. Oh, Sarah's not on today.
Sarah's at Universal right now. Where is she right now? She's at Universal. You can confirm that Sarah Tiana is not on the show. Not on Women's Sports Now.
She's on the new roller coaster, there, friends. Also, Rich, we can experience her. She should be at Disney. What's going on? Yeah.
Hold on. Rich, we can ask Suze who else she invited to the wedding that wasn't able to make it. What other dignitary? I mean. Kobe almost showed.
That's wild. I know. But not wild. When you know Susie and you know her relationship with Kobe, I guess it really isn't. I know.
But I was on the street. We were walking on Central Park South together, like two days before the wedding. Ran into him and she. She's just like, oh, you got to come. But the fact that Justin did a curve the day before, you know.
You said he contemplated it. He did. He thought about his schedule. Can I do it? Can I not?
Susie is with the Lakers like every day. Yeah. Back then. Yeah, yeah. That's when I was working with her.
Phil was giving her books to read and stuff like that. Oh, she got a book from Phil? I thought. You can ask her that an hour three. I believe she did.
Well, then and then she was just like right back at you, pal. Here's a book for you to read. Like I said, I almost said surprising, but if you know Susie, no, it's not surprising. 844204 Rich, number to dial right here on the show. Listen, some stories are uh absurd and ridiculous.
And we have to talk about them just because of that. But when they involve very famous people in a very famous football program. Um Yeah. I'll talk about them. It all started when I got that alert on the phone yesterday.
Um that Jaden Daniels had sued LSU to say, you can't use my name, image, or likeness anymore. I don't know what to see it. I don't want to see it anymore. Chef to pop this one out, and I'm like, what happened? She's like, all right, I will, I'll click.
And I clicked on it. And each passing word and paragraph made me go, this is insane. And then I'm like, this is obscene. Insane. It's absurd.
And it w I went from what is Jaden Daniels' malfunction to Kind of blame 'em. And then I'm like Doesn't he have bigger fish to fry? And then I'm like What's the matter with LSU? I'm like going back and forth.
So let's chop it up. We enjoy the pen. And with everybody as well at 844-204-H number to dial.
So, you know, Jaden Daniels played most of his college career in Arizona State. He transfers to LSU and he has a remarkable season. not in the win-loss column, but certainly in his statistical column doing his best to get more wins. and fewer losses, but His three-lost seasons still wound up with, by the way, great photograph because what he's doing to the Florida State defender here is, in fact, the Heisman pose. Which?
Um And he won it. And was a deserving winner of the Heisman Trophy. And I had no idea. What the You know Protocol is at LSU for retiring numbers or not retiring numbers, but not giving them out or anything like that. And Jaden Daniels, number five, based on his knowledge, was not going to be given out to anybody else.
And Sure enough, number five winds up on the back of a cornerback. named DJ Pickett. One of the top Great name. Corners that signed with LSU in December of 2024. You were number three coming in because.
I guess he wasn't issued number five, but now he's wearing five. Interestingly enough, the photographs he's taking of it are in front of. Jaden Daniels are at number five. That LSU popped out there. And um Here comes the cease and desist letter.
From me uh Attorney involved the Daniels. Spokesperson? Quote: The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU's decision to give Jaden's number to another player. Jaden and his family had every reason to believe that his number would remain a meaningful part of his LSU legacy. and would be honored and protected in recognition of his extraordinary contributions.
to the university. Pickett wore number three last year in his first season with the Tigers. Three picks, thirty-seven tackles. And a sack? There he is wearing three.
Now he's wearing five. Jaden Daniels is not happy about it. You read further down in the article. Guess who's number nine has not been worn by anybody after he won the Heisman Trophy and winning a championship as well with 60 touchdowns. Joe Burrow.
That hasn't been worn by anybody else. Since he's done that. Then you take a look and see Their protocol on retiring jerseys They weren't retired too many of them. Only four jerseys have been retired by LSU football. Billy Cannon, number 20.
Tommy Casanova, great name. Yeah, that is a good name. Halfback Jerry Stovall, running back Charles Alexander, and they're going to retire. Burt Jones is number seven on. November 14th.
Colts fans know that name, right? Burt Jones. Um Bob Pettit, Shaq's number has been retired. Pete Maravich, a baseball coach and former athletic director, Skip Bertman's number has been retired. LSU's policy states that in I'm unpacking everything before we unpack our thoughts.
Uh the LSU policy States that an athlete must have completed competition for five years before being nominated for Jersey retirement. And he or she must have, quote, demonstrated. Truly unusual and outstanding accomplishments, such as winning a Heisman Trophy or National Player of the Year Award, should be based on the total. LSU career. on the website of the Athletic Department.
Their policy regarding jerseys being retired states that any number retired after January 1st, 2007. Quote, does not preclude a current student athlete in that sport from wearing the jersey number in that or any other sport subject to the discretion. of the head coach. One last Nugget here. From this portion of the conversation.
The number 20 Jersey. Canon's number 20. He's the first Heisman Trophy winner in the history of the program. It's the only number that can't be worn by anybody else. That's it.
Now then, Brian Kelly, who was the coach when Pickett was. Um signed. Said, yeah, this is this is my this could be my favorite part of the whole thing here. Brian Kelly was reached out to by ESPN on Wednesday that he believed number five was promised to Pickett during his recruitment, but Kelly chose not to issue it to him because Daniels wasn't on board with Pickett wearing his number. Kelly got the gate.
Lane Kiffin comes in and he's just like... Yeah, I think I heard that he was promised the number, so I'm giving it to him. And you know Lane? Do you think Lane is gonna sit here and go, oh, um Kid, I never coached and has absolutely nothing to do with me winning or losing in my first year at LSU, doesn't want me to give out this number. But he was promised it, so...
If this kid was promised it and didn't get it, he probably wasn't very happy about it. And Lane's now got him in. In his corner big time. Not just physically on the field, but figuratively by saying, I got your back. I'm giving you the number.
And You know, let the chips fall where they may with the Cease and desist And then Did Brian Kelly promise to recruit something and then not deliver on it? Is that what happened? The whole thing, soup to nuts, is nuts. They're a family now. Family.
Hmm. I've unpacked it all. And I'm sitting here thinking. The way I look at it is this. I understand that Jaden Daniels wants his five to be Never worn again.
But the kid wants it. And if you want the school your school to keep winning, that's helpful. But then They haven't given out Burroughs nine. Would they give Burroughs nine to some kid who's like, I'm coming to LSU, I want nine? Would they do that?
Would Burrow have a problem with that? I don't think. Burrow and Daniels are the same. Burrow has maybe the greatest college season of all time by a quarterback. Undefeated, national champion, immortalized.
Jaden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy. But they went nine and three. Joe Burrow had 55 first-round draft picks on that team, too. I'm just saying, whereas Jaden Daniels did. That seems like a lot.
It is a lot. Is that a real number? Did you 55 first rounders? No, that, but obviously, we know the talent. He had Jefferson and Chase as his wide receivers.
He said, 5 every Thaddeus Moss. He had a greater team, but Daniels, I mean. You think he's the only guy to. Look, I did see this stat I was telling you about this morning, Chris. Single season.
First LSU quarterback to rush for a thousand yards. Highest single season passer rating. I don't think most total yards in a single game. It doesn't matter. Jaden Daniels did what he did for the school, and he won the Heisman Trophy, and he was under the impression that his number is not to be given to somebody else.
The previous coach. Actually, ruled in favor of Jaden Daniels over the kid who he promised the number to. The new coach is coming in saying that's I don't particularly care about that. We're going to do it because our rules allow us to do it. Yeah Apparently Jaden Daniels is even more pissed off now.
We're learning just how pissed off he is. Um Sources have confirmed Let me get the name of this individual, Matt Moscona. Pardon me for not knowing your bona fides, Matt. But uh covering this story Um Sources confirmed Daniels' camp wants LSU to return its copy of the Heisman Trophy. To who?
Something LSU has no intention of doing. Daniels contacted LSU leadership before fall camp and Lane Kiffen has spoken personally to Daniels. Yeah. This is so weird and unnecessarily petty. Shouldn't you worry about staying healthy and leading the commanders?
First of all, we love petty around here. Listen, listen, we love the petty scale. I know we have a different color-coded chart, which we'll get to in a second. When these things happen, It makes it seem like Oh, he's not fully engaged with what he's doing as a regular job. Shouldn't he be focused on the Washington Commanders and getting on the same page?
It shouldn't have anything to do with what you're doing. But the bottom line is: this is a few seconds of his day where. Hey Jaden, did you hear this? What do you want to do? We'll do it.
We'll do it on your behalf. Sue him. Exactly. I guess. I don't know.
Also, or. I don't know. His family may be pissed off and handling all this. We got this, Jaden. You just do your thing.
We'll take care of it for you. I would lean towards that right there. Right, exactly. It's not like he's taking one fewer rep, getting on the same page with Stephon Diggs because this is what's happening. I think that comes from the team.
Well, shouldn't the family and lawyers and everybody else know how bad this is going to make him look? Or here's the one thing bad though, bro. Or he's just like, I. I was under this impression. Brian Kelly basically ruled in his favor.
The new coach is coming in. He's just like, what? You know? And I understand, like, it doesn't look good for him. And the one thing I would say to Jaden Daniels.
is the following. Michael Irvin. who I invoked or in hour number one, and I will always invoke him. Do you ever hear his stance on Telling CD Lamb it's final we're 88. Yeah, every time someone mentions 88.
They'll mention Mike Orville.
Well, he says that if my number was retired and they go to the stadium. Long after he's gone. And they look up and go, oh, yeah, I remember Michael Irvin. Then he looks down. Or she looks down and Watches the game.
to have an actual actual Active player. Wearing his jersey number. Lends more to keeping his legacy going if the player is excellent. I've heard him say that. And then he's also like, if CeeDee Lamb in particular.
Hazabal thrown him, and And he drops it.
Somebody's going to go, Michael Irvin would never have got that. That's a truth. No, that's petty. That's Linda Petty's.
Okay, that's Irv's, that's Irv's mindset, right? Right. And Jaden Daniels' mindset. Could be like Oh, if this kid picks off a pass and it's number five, I've started a club like there's a great club of fives now at LSU. But if he's also under the impression they're not going to give it out.
And they didn't give it out for Burrow. Who I understand is kind of Heisman plus, because he won the champion. Or he's Heisman Plus. I get it.
So I could kind of see both sides of it. Normally, I know I take one side over another. But it is it is something like, hey, if we sue, like we're Don't use my name anymore like Don't use it. Take my photos down and don't display a replica of my Heisman. But we also don't know what he was told.
Like, there may have been promises made to him. There may have been things said to him that would allow him to now have this reaction. We all know that. The statement went on, just to finish it all up. Jaden made it clear that he did not want his number given to another player, and he believed his wishes would be respected.
His Heisman Trophy winning season and everything he accomplished on and off the field cemented his place in LSU history. To see his number given to another player is incredibly disappointed and feels like a failure to honor the significance of what Jaden accomplished at LSU. Michigan gives out the number one. To a wide receiver of particular note. And I think Braylon Edwards is helping decide who gets one.
There's 44 in Syracuse. Doesn't give out 45 without C, right? They do give it out, yeah. Cool. Could the way now forward be Hey, let's start a five club for you.
Right. Or he's just like, no one should wear it anymore. And I don't know how Seeing the number on the shoulders of another kid who's like, I want to wear it because that's what I've worn. And I want to continue a tradition of winning at LSU is a slight to Jaden Daniels. Yeah, what if he balls out?
Kid who wants to wear it, Jaden Daniels was their favorite player growing up, and they chose LSU because of him. You know, think of that. I don't know. This just seems so unnecessary to me. I don't know.
There's. I can understand, but it's just nuts. Every word of this article is crazy. Yeah. Just, you know.
At the end of the day, Del Tufo, I don't want anyone using this microphone. I was just going to say, Belly can use my console. I'm fine. Thank Irvin. I don't want anyone using your microphone.
No one can use that candle. Oh, definitely not. I got another one they can use, but not this. Belly can use it. I'm letting them do it.
And no one could be more of a masshole than that guy.
Well, he gets mad when people touch his power cord. Oh, is that right? And I'm with him. And I'm with him. Don't you touch your power cord?
And I'm with him. That's not a metaphor for anything, is it? And I'm with him. Because I know he's doing it now. We caught 'em.
Eight four four two oh four rich number today. Thanks, Mike. Get into the Hyundai Getaway Sales event and get away with the deal so right it almost feels wrong. Right now you can get your great deals on our most popular models. Including our adventure-ready SUVs, the Hyundai Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Tucson or Tucson hybrid.
You want Something loaded with the latest tech. There's the bold and stylish Elantra. The Ionic 5 or Ionic 9 are for people who want to go all electric.
So, get down to your local Hyundai dealer and get away with a deal you love during the Hyundai Getaway Sales Event. Visit HyundaiUSA.com for details. The great Thurman Thomas when we come back on the Rich Eisen Show. Uh The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. Right now, O'Reilly Auto Parts gets you back to savings.
Pick up, select Royal Purple Fuel System Additives, buy one, get one free. Plus, receive four times O rewards points. Stop by your local O'Reilly Auto Parts store or shop online at O'ReillyAuto.com. Rich Eisen here. Running a small business means every hire matters.
A bad hire costs time and money, but the right one helps your business grow. The challenge? Finding that person without sorting through resumes. That's where LinkedIn Hiring Pro comes in. It screens candidates so you can focus on conversations with qualified talent.
With Hiring Pro, you can hire with confidence and build the team you need. Join the 2.7 million small businesses using LinkedIn to hire. Get started by posting your job for free at linkedin.com/slash Eisen. Terms and conditions apply. Rich Eisen here for Gusto.
On my shows, we talk a lot about what happens in the spotlight, the games, the highlights, and the moments that get replayed and debated. But in any successful operation, what happens behind the scenes matters just as much. Small businesses are no different. Payroll, hiring, onboarding, benefits, and all the details that keep things moving may not be the most visible part of the job, but they still have to be handled right. That's where Gusto comes in.
Gusto is online payroll and benefits software built for small businesses. It's all-in-one, remote-friendly, and incredibly easy to use.
So you can pay, hire, onboard, and support your team from anywhere. Automatic payroll tax filing, simple direct deposits, health benefits, commuter benefits, workers' comp, 401k, you name it. Gusto makes it simple and has options for nearly every budget. And it's all built to save you time with built-in automated tools for offer letters, onboarding docs, direct deposit, and more. Plus, you get unlimited payroll runs for one monthly price.
No hidden fees, no surprises. Tried Gusto today. At gusto.com slash rich and get three months free when you run your first payroll. That's three months of free payroll at gusto.com/slash rich. One more time, gusto.com slash rich.
And so I saw this man at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and I showed him the text on my phone. Hey. You know? Veron Thomas for Thursday, and I'm like, thumbs up it. And I showed it to him.
He's just like, Am I doing your show? I'm like, yes, you are. And here he is, ladies and gentlemen, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Thurman Thomas on the show. How are you, Thurman? Doing great.
How you guys doing? Better for seeing you. I told you we were doing this. See? Yeah, you did.
Yeah. I listen to you like I listen to my wife. Which means you give it the highest importance, correct? Yes, absolutely. Come on, Rich.
You're my guy, man. I know. The way Vinatieri referred to his wife in his speech, I don't know where things are going. Yeah, we're not going there. How about his speech, though, huh?
How about that? I mean, I was not expecting that from a kicker. I was not expecting that from a kicker, but I'm thinking to myself, well, you know what? He was a New England patriot.
So, I mean, and lately, they've been throwing a lot of jabs at a lot of people.
So, so, so now I'm just also waiting to like, man, what is Grinkowski going to say when he gives his speech next year? That's right. Vinatieri has certainly set the stage. Yes, he has. There's no doubt about that.
What's it like for you to go back to Canton? Thurman, what is it like when you go back there? Oh man, I absolutely love it. You know, I feel like I'm still playing again. I'm back on a football team with a bunch of players that.
I grew up watching that. I grew up. idolizing. Idol was Earl Campbell being from Houston and to see him every single year, to get a picture with him every single year. And just see, like Bobby Bell, been going to the Hall of Fame for 43 years now in a row.
And just seeing some of the old timers, man, just to help them walk around, help them get around to make sure everything is. Coordinated for them. It's the best four or five days of my life, really. And what about when Jim Brown was alive? I imagine you've had conversations with him.
What were you make me a fly on that wall? What was that conversation like? Oh, I mean, when I was, if I was talking to someone, And Jim Brown came into the room. I would automatically leave that person and go straight over to Jim Brown. Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah. I'll leave them, I'll leave them in mid-sentence and just walk over to Jim Brown because when you think about Jim, you know, he played nine years, rushed over 12,000 yards and in his career and did something That most athletes didn't think about doing, which was going into movies, going into something else. And yeah, that relationship means a lot. And he is like, you know, when I first met him, it was like, You played the game the right way.
You were tough, you were physical. And even though you were small, you played the game the right way. And the one thing that I loved about you is that even though you were a smaller back, you never ran out of bounds. You were always looking for contact. And I was like, oh my God.
So he actually has watched me play football. I'm like, oh man, just coming from him, man, was just amazing. And obviously, with Monique, his wife coming back every single year, it's going to bring back a lot of memories. Yeah. I mean, the first time I ever met him, Thurman, was when he was on NFL Network, NFL Total Access, our first year, our first year.
So we were new.
Okay, we were just a new outfit and we were so excited he was going to grace us, right? Right. Record an interview. With us after our live show, and they placed him in what was then a very small, de facto green room. Again, we were so young.
And during a commercial break. He comes out of the green room and onto the set. Of a live show during a break. And he finds me and he starts complaining to me about being in the back room and when are we doing this thing? And I'm like, I was just stunned to be in front of Jim Brown and then be on the business end of having to answer something that is upsetting him.
You know what I mean? I didn't want any of that contact. You know what I mean? But it was just jarring to me. And his greatness, his greatness and what he stood for.
Marshall's the same way, or was the same way about him. Yeah, the same way about him. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, just see. just a an an enormous figure.
In our life, that we all remember the great Jim Brown and what he meant. Um You know, for the game on the field and really for the game off the field. I mean, because he did a lot. He did a lot to help people in his program. What was it?
American. American, yeah. I mean, just the absolute best, you know, program when you talk about. you know The games and everything that were in LA. And I mean, he went straight forward.
He went straight in to try to correct all that and has done a fabulous job really of educating young teenagers and getting them going and involved in the right way. Thurman Thomas here on the Rich Eisen Show. Let's talk about the here and now. Certainly, since you're. In business with James Cook, which is part of the reason why you're here to talk about Carhartt's Made Possible campaign.
You and James Cook together to honor the tradespeople who made football possible in the new stadium there in western New York. Um and so many other places too. Uh What do you think James Cook's year this year What's the expectation level from this year after? leading the league in rushing last year. Thurman.
Well, you know what? When I took James out on the football field for the first time at the new High Mark Stadium, and you know, he was impressed with. The building, the architecture of it, and how everything. But the thing that surprised me when we got out on the football field, and he was right there on the grass, and he was like, you know i'm a little bit faster when i'm on grass i'm like oh really are you and i said and i said well what type of view should i expect out of you And he said, even a better year than I had last year.
So I'm like, well, you led the league in rushing. I mean, you had over 10 plus touchdowns, 12 plus touchdowns, and you said that you can get better. And he said, yeah, I can get better. I think I'm going to catch the ball a little bit more this year. I'm saying, oh, well, that's something that we haven't seen out of James Cook, you know, over the past three or four years.
We've seen him catch some passes downfield, but you know, he's looking for more crossing patterns. He's looking for more, you know, screens, maybe.
So he's trying to become a All three down back, which was, I was very impressed to hear him say that. He was like, I got a little stronger during the offseason. And so now you'll probably see me out there a little bit more on third down. I know Ty Johnson is our third down back, but and Ray Davis, but James Cook said that he wants to be out on the football field a little bit more.
So I said, you know, to him, that's going to mean picking up the blitzers when they come from the defensive back or linebackers. And he flat out said, I'm ready for it.
So I'm expecting another big year from James Cook.
Well, I mean, and then Joe Brady's now the HC. He was the OC. And again, I. Um Okay. Fans don't really know the way the mechanics work about who goes in and who doesn't go in.
But if the plan is for Cook to say, I want this. Yeah. Give it to him, or he just takes it. Like, how does that work? I think the coaching staff listens to him if he wants to be out there on the football field, because there's a lot of times in the last couple of years where.
You know, we might have had that winning drive going, trying to get that winning drive to get a foot, uh, get a field goal or a touchdown. And James Cook was not on the football field. Right. And the last time I remember that was an AFC championship game, that last drive. James Cook was not on the football field.
And James Cook, to me, in my opinion, was the best player on the field. In that AOC championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead.
So I'm looking more for him to be out there. And hey, look, you know, he's an all-pro, pro bowler. Had an outstanding year. They know what he can do. You know what?
Go and demand it. Going to minute. I want to do more. I want to catch the ball a little bit more. If I can't beat that linebacker or that defensive back, then I don't need to be out here.
That would be a decision that you guys make. But I want to give me that opportunity to show you guys what I can do on third down against a linebacker or a defensive back. And so I'm really looking forward for him. I mean, I don't know if he's going to have over 160 yards rushing again like he did last year, but he wants to be more involved with the offense. And I think that's a great thing for the Buffalo Bills.
Well, I mean, and in terms of scoring touchdowns back in your day when you were doing the running and the catching and the protecting. Like James says he wants to do, your touchdowns weren't basically taken away by your quarterback running it in. No, it wasn't. Jim wasn't doing that. But I mean, Josh Allen adds a totally different dimension to all of this, right?
So the conventional way of saying, I want to be out three downs, I want to get this, I want to get that, kind of goes by the wayside sometimes because 17 is a unicorn. Yeah, he is a unicorn, right? Yeah, so I mean, I hey, look, and actually, we actually had this conversation while we were on the football field. I was showing up at the stadium, like, yeah, I do all that work and getting down to the one-year-old line. They let Josh run it in.
I was like, you know what? You got to say something, man. You can't just sit back and just take that, you know. And that was kind of the way it was when I was playing, because I would, you know, catch the ball and run the field, run the ball down the field, and all of a sudden, you know. Here comes Kenny Davis running in, you know, when we get inside the five, because that was Mark Blevy's decision.
I never questioned Marv, but I think James Cook can question Joe Brady because he's a young head coach and. He's in that spot. I was not going to question Marv Levy, not at all, for taking me out in the five. I mean, I could have had at least 20 more touchdowns, and I would still have the record, and Josh wouldn't have it right now.
So, um, yeah, so it's a lot going into that retreat, but I think those guys, I think those guys are figuring it out. Thurman Thomas here on the Rich Isaac Show. Any similarities between Josh and Jim Kelly that you've noticed? At all? No, I I I think the only thing that's Comparable to those guys is that they want to win.
They want to win so bad. And when you look at, The way that Jim played, it was always going against Dan Murray. And now you look at the way Josh is playing, it's always going against Patrick Mahomes, right? Or Joe Burrow, two of those guys.
So, you know, their will to win or toughness. And, you know, you see Josh out there, you know, talking a little smack to just about anybody that wants to talk smack to him. And, you know, he's the guy. And he knows that he's a man. And I know that he's a man.
I mean, he's. I mean, I'm looking at this guy's career and I'm like, wow. Up until this point, he's had, I think I just saw a statement where he has the most touchdowns combined out of anybody. in the National Football League after like nine years. And man, he's a unicorn.
He wants to win. And Jim had that fiery look in his eye all the time.
Now, you know, it was a little bit different, you know, back when we played when Jim would throw Jim would release the football and Greg Lord or somebody would take three, four, five steps and still hit him. It wouldn't be a flag.
So I think that's the kind of the difference. But they're two tough individuals that just want to help this football team win. And they're down to earth and beloved in town in the town, right? I mean, they don't, yeah, like Western New York. In love, in like head over heels in love with Josh Allen, similar similar to the way they did with Jim Kelly.
Back. It's Josh's town. I was just with Jim, and he said the same thing. It's Josh's town now. And we're just kind of living in his town right now.
Yeah, we're, you know, I'm buying 17 jerseys for all, you know, all nine of my kids. And plus my five grandkids, they all got 17. We don't even wear 34 jerseys around here anymore. It's all about 17.
So yeah, it's his town, man. He's done a remarkable job. Really, I mean, because he cares about this community, cares about this football team. And yeah, Josh is Josh is a man. And you know what?
To be honest with you, it's not just around there. I think it's across the country, too. Yeah, he is. He's just awesome people. He really is.
On the screen, one of the things for our radio audience that we popped up. You were the 91 MVP of the National Football League, and we just had Marshall on last week. He was the 2000. MVP of the NFL. Adrian Peterson next year is going in.
Um last MVP to be a running back.
So Let's just say this. But there's going to be a running back who's MVP of the season this year. This year. This year? This year.
Okay. Who do you think it's going to be? Thurman Thomas. Do I think MVP the running back group? Obviously, you know, if you want, you could throw James out there.
But you got Bijan, you got Jameer Gibbs, who's going to get the ball more than ever. There's always McCaffrey in this mix. Every now and then. Um, you know, Saquon could be in that mix. Who do you think?
Yeah, this is a tough one, man. But I tell you what, if the Atlanta Falcons have a winning record, I think Bajan Robinson could get the MVP. I think he's one of those guys who, I mean, obviously he does everything for that football team. He might even play defense this year. I have no idea, but he, I mean, he is a guy that absolutely does everything.
And, you know, he's going into what is fourth year. And it doesn't look like he's slowing down at all.
So if Atlanta can give him some help, because he's going to touch the ball anywhere from 25 to 35 times a game per game. I mean, that's how much they use that guy. And so if I had to pick one, it would probably be John Robinson be the MVP. Tell me about this made possible campaign from Carhartt and your role, Thurman. What do you have for him?
Oh, well, yeah, I've been now with Carhartt now for the last couple of years. You know, and they've been a great company to be involved with. And, you know, I wear their stuff. All the time. All of my employees at my construction company and my wife's construction company wear it all the time.
You know, we had James Cook out there on the football field. And, you know, it's all about the tradespeople that really make this thing go, right? All the stadiums that are always built. You know, we had a part in putting in all 60,000, I think it's 60,129 seats. And we did that with a company called Irwin.
And we put in all the seats. We did some stuff for the grass, some of the sod and stuff. But it's the people that, you know, that wake up every single day, that go to that stadium and build that stadium. It's not the 34 group. It's not Turner.
It's not Gilbain. It's the people that are inside of that stadium building it to be the best stadium in the National Football League. And I tell you what, it is. And so I think for this first preseason game, they're going to have the first 20,000 fans that go into the stadium are going to receive a towel. And the towel has every single worker That was on, that had a part in building this stadium, their name is on this towel.
So, hats off to them, man. They've done an outstanding job. You know, there's still a little work to be done, but man, it is an awesome stadium, but it is built by the people, you know, the tradespeople who come in and work every single day, every single week. Yeah, the Panthers for the past three years, too. The Panthers and the Bills' preseason game is this Saturday night.
Um you can check out a whole long-form documentary type um Of video at carhart with two tees.com/slash join the trades. All about the people who build stadiums rather than design them, which has been a lot of the conversation throughout the week. Yes. Hey, man, you just put the seats in where they tell you to put the seats in. I just went to seats in where they told me to.
That was it. I have nothing else to do with it. Yeah. Last one for you, Thurman. Who should be in the hall with you from your teams that's not in there yet?
Oh boy. I got about three guys, man. I'd probably say Ken Hull, our center. Um Carnice Bennett, our linebacker and Daryl Tally, but I'll probably say. First of all, it would probably be Steve Casker.
When people say that you are the greatest special team ever. Why are you not in the Hall of Fame? I think the guy changes the game, the way it puts play on special teams. Mark Levy used to always say, You can score a touchdown on offense. You can score a touchdown on defense.
It would never fuel the excitement of having a touchdown Made on a special teams play. It's a different type of play. And Tasker, even with Blocking punts. You know Tackling Dion when he was a pump returner, the guy came up with big plays. Throughout his entire career.
So, for me, it's definitely Steve Tasker. Yeah, and our coordinator producer, a fellow named Mike Hoskins, is a diehard Bills fan from New York. Which is why a Steve Tasker photograph was ready instantly when you mentioned it.
Okay. Oh. Yeah, he's got them all. He's got them all. And I'm going to tell you something too.
You know, it was great to see the fans for the Saints show up. Really? But let me tell you something. Bill's mafia will take control of that place if another bill goes in. Thurman, the reason why the ceremonies in the stadium.
It's because of Jeremy. Excuse me, Jim Cuff. Yeah, because they could not fit.
Well, again, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, right down to Ohio. It's a straight line. It's a straight line. So he's from Pittsburgh.
So Buffalo hit Pittsburgh, picked up some people, and brought them all down by bus, you know, when it was time. I liked that. You know, yeah. The mafia picked up the Pittsburghers. And then look at that picture right there.
It's so cool, man. It's so great to see you guys all together when it's time. uh to celebrate each other um and football immortality. Thermon, good to see you. Good to see you.
Good to see you too, Rich. Yeah, let's do this more often. I'll reach out to you during the season. We'll see if we'll see if James Cook lives up to it. Yeah, let's do it.
All right, that's Thurman Thomas, everybody. Courtesy of Carhartt's made possible campaign right here on the Rich Isen Show. All right, let's beat it on down the line. We're back with your phone calls, and hour number three beckons right here on the program. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast.
Rich Eisen here with some advice. If high-interest credit card debt is grinding you down, it might be time to call an Audible with a SoFi personal loan. It consolidates your debt into one low monthly payment with no fees required. And with as soon as the same day funding, you can make the right play fast. Call an Audible on your debt today at SoFi.com/slash debt play.
Loans originated by SoFi Bank NA, member FDIC. Terms and Conditions Apply, NMLS 696891. FastFunds terms apply at SoFi.com slash debt play. As you know, managing maintenance, repair, and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Granger has your back.
From professional-grade products you can count on to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly. Plus their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Granger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-GRANGER, clickgranger.com, or just stop by. The Hyundai Getaway sales event and getaway with a deal so right it almost feels wrong.
Driving all-electric, awesome, no emissions. Ionic 5, IONIC 9, bold and stylish Elantra, loaded with the latest tech. That's for you, unless you want an adventure-ready SUV. The Hyundai Santa Fe or Santa Fe hybrid, Tucson or Tucson hybrid. All great deals on our most popular models available right now.
When you get down to your local Hyundai dealer and get away with a deal you'll love during the Hyundai Getaway Sales Event, visit hyundaiusa.com. for details. I just love our relationship, guys. And I'll just say that out loud. I don't care who knows it.
I don't care who anybody sees it. And this is, of course, a setup for what's to come next. Uh-oh. Oh, boy. Oh, God.
Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Who did what? We're involved in a fantasy league where it's eight hours. It's absurd.
Not me. It's absurd. Okay. You're involved in the fantasy league. What are you talking about?
Well, I'm saying this isn't particularly directed at me because it's directed at you. It's about to be directed at me. Can actually be directed at you. Chris Brockman picks you're on the clock. He texts you, you're on the clock.
You thumbs up it. Yeah. 45 minutes later, you haven't picked it. He's thinking. About what?
It's like you should see the pickings right now, how slim they are right now. It's slim.
Okay? Yeah. Like, I've got four running backs. I don't even. I just need to know which second stringer.
That has no shot to start, might actually get some run, literally and figuratively. I have no idea. What round are you in at this point? 12, 13, out of 12. These are the guys that don't even play.
We're in day nine. We're in day nine of this draft. We're in day nine of this draft. These are the bye week guys. It was two Wednesday.
TJ McCauley. Letrulio came on. These are the bye week guys. Make a pick, TJ. Come on.
You don't play, so hush. I have played. See, you can't say I'm up. He texts you, you're up. You're up.
You thumbs up it. Yeah, I thumbs up. Yeah, you did. 45 minutes later, you have him picked. And then he texts, and the reason why I know.
Then if it's been 45 minutes, he texts and goes, come on, TJ, I got to go to sleep. This guy has a six-year-old at home. It was 9:30. I was ready for bed. And the thing is, I didn't want to just like wake up and then have 15 minutes left because you picked in the middle of the night.
Yeah, you put him on the clock at 1:30 in the morning on Monday night because you went to O'Shea's after-party where you couldn't pick because you were too busy being a social butterfly. I was talking to folks. I was talking to you. Talking to folks. All right.
I mean, you said that again. Did you not pick on purpose? No, I absolutely not. I was on the phone. I was sending texts, emails.
I was doing stuff. It was up on my laptop. I'm like, yeah, I got you. I was on the phone with O'Shea. Then I was on the phone with another friend of mine.
That's all I was saying. And when you are on the phone every morning, what do you do? She was a player. No, no. You walk around and pace.
So I was just walking around the player in the queue. You were just like, doing dishes. I have a player in the queue. I'm hosting the Rich Eisen Show. I am ready to pick.
But in the middle of an interview, except for. But the fact is, you're taking more umbrage to this than the guy who's picking behind me. That's the crazy part. That's what's wild about you. Except for him.
Why? It had nothing to do with you, though. Thanks, Rich. It had literally nothing to do with you. Absolutely, it does.
It's a ripple effect because if he doesn't go, because you don't go, then it takes longer to finally get to me. What's it matter when you know you have people who are going to take all eight hours? It's infuriating me.
Well, we're waiting. You're more mad than Chris was, and he was trying to go to sleep. I was just trying to go to bed. I was mad for you, Chris. Thanks.
I appreciate that. Like I said, I just didn't want to wake. Like the other day, we woke up and John Hamm had 30 minutes left. And you're like, he's been on the clock for seven hours? I just didn't want to have that situation.
And then he sent an email to the group saying, Does anybody know how to be on a new site, how to set up an autograph, which is a very nice clip? It was very nice. And I, of course, responded that I have hinge-watched Mad Men season five and Friends and Neighbors Season 2 while waiting for his last two picks.
So it was good to know. Which I think is a proper response. Which is good to know. He's not just a jerk to us for this, he's a jerk to John Hammond. He's a jerk to John friggin' ham.
I mean, look, if John Hamm can get it, I can't get it. It's as popular as it gets. You can't get mad that you're getting it. If John Hammond is inconsistent. And this is what a change should be like for a fantasy league.
Thanks for listening to the Rich Eyes and 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. Daydreaming about Fiore's soft dreamnet fabric? Meet the Halo Essential wide-legged pant designed with Fiori's softest premium stretch dreamknit fabric. Invest in your happiness with some of the most comfortable clothes on the planet.
Get 20% off your first purchase at Viori.com/slash halo20. That's vuori.com/slash h-a-l-o-20. Exclusions apply. Visit the website for full terms and conditions. Yeah.
