Russell Wilson: Grateful To Play For The Steelers

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I thought we could have done a lot to not put ourselves in the situation that we were in. Earlier on the show, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson. Coming up, second gentleman of the United States, Doug Emhoff.

And now, it's Rich Eisen. Alright, our number three of our program. Russell Wilson's about to zoom in at this program from Western PA where the New York Giants, it's the Rooney Mara game on Monday night. Dexter Lawrence will be our guest on our YouTube feed over the weekend. I'll be interviewing Dexter Lawrence, the Giants, for that Monday night game as part of my work for Westwood One's coverage of Monday Night Football. Russ will be zooming in in a matter of moments live right here on our program.

So we're fair and balanced. We'll have Dexter Lawrence, the Giants on. And he's having a terrific season for that side of the football for them. And meanwhile, across the state, the Eagles are taking on the Cincinnati Bengals in my top five list that I just gave you that I do every single Friday of the top five most intriguing matchups of the week. I have that listed as at number two with the Bengals having started 0-3.

And thanks to that throw that we talked about at the top of our week with our guest, Terry McLaurin, who zoomed into the show on Monday, when the commanders went up top from Jayden Daniels to Terry McLaurin. And they ended that game in Cincinnati that put the Bengals there at 0-3 staring that right in the face. They can dig out of 500 out of that hole to 500 at the halfway point of the season by beating the Eagles.

So that's an intriguing game. And if Derrick Henry wasn't doing what he's doing, which is, by the way, off to the best start of his career and on pace to have the most rushing yards of any running back in a single season in the history of the National Football League. Go ahead, Chris. I know you were saying that was an overreaction. Can I get a shout out for that?

I mean, mid-March after free agency, we did a post wrap up overreaction Monday podcast, and I threw it out there. He's going to break the rushing record this year. After seven weeks, he's on the pace. He's on the pace.

Very impressive. He's been awesome. And obviously we'd be talking more about Saquon, I think. If he wasn't on a pace? I think we'd be talking about Saquon a heck of a lot more.

Yeah, maybe. You know, Saquon's third in the league. Jordan Mason has been terrific as well. But the reason why I'm bringing this up is I saw two NFL filmed wired for sound clips from the Eagles 28 to 3 win over the Giants that just once again illustrates that Saquon does more than just run it and catch it. There was one clip that I saw where they ran the tush push on the goal line and it didn't work against the Giants and Saquon's wired for sound screaming to the sideline or run it again.

Run it again. Now again, he is back in MetLife, right? He is having a day. I would imagine he wants to score as much as possible. And I do believe at one point they were going to hand it to him and they tush pushed it. And here he is after it didn't work saying run it again, run it again.

And they did run it again. And he's talking smack during the second tush push. Because he's the one who's helping push Jalen Hurts across the goal line. And he's talking smack to the Giants while he's doing it.

You know? And then one of the Giants comes up to him and says they should, you know, like basically taunting Saquon for not getting the ball on the goal line. And he says back to the Giant, he says, I've already got mine. And he started saying, you know, you're a rookie still and you know, you're, you're no good. And then there was also another clip of NFL Films footage of Nick Sirianni going up to Saquon on the sideline. I mean, on the bench asking, you know, letting him know that he's within, I think, 13 yards of his career best mark and asking if he wanted to go back in to get it.

And Saquon turned it down saying that he wants to see the young guys get their shot. He's like, I proved my point. Or just like, you know, it makes him, he was just like, now I got it. I saw that and I'm like, oh man.

That's why I'm picking the Eagles this week. You think, huh? I think he's been kind of the shift that they've needed. There was obviously something up. I mean, we've talked about all the time.

They're 10 and 1 last year and they're walking around the locker room miserable because they lost the Super Bowl. Right. But the game was clearly going on, you know, the weird stuff with the head coach and the quarterback. And now they bring this guy in and you can see kind of the difference it's made when he's cooking.

I know that. And A.J. Brown is back. They're throwing bombs to him. And they got to feel good about themselves coming off the Giants. And then you saw again what Saquon said and what he did and where he could have gotten in there and he's just like, no, I got mine.

And he's and he was clapping back and he's talking smack and he's leading and he's leading by example. And he's just I love it. I do. Listen, man, I'm partial to some people.

I make no bones about it. He's one of them that I'm partial about. You know. Kind of same thing about our next guest as well right here. It's about to zoom in from Pittsburgh, PA.

Looking good. And I just like, you know. I like telling the same stories over and over again here. Have we gotten to that age? You know what? Having been married for 20.

Let me get this right now. One years. Susie and I have known each other for like 25.

She hears the same stories over and over again. But if regular viewers and listeners of the show, they know, Chris, back in 2012. When we were doing this show as a. Once in a blue moon, tent poles, NFL events show right for kickoff and combine and draft and Super Bowl. We were doing this in a podcast version, but we do it on TV. Yeah, we do like our special hour long specials. Right.

Five guests. And so we only had, you know, a limited amount of space. And we had a kickoff special with 2012 that was basically locked.

We were done. And they we get a call from the Seattle Seahawks saying our our new rookie quarterback is available. And, you know, I'm like, OK, we need to make the space because he came off of, you know, out of Wisconsin. He's drafted in the middle of the draft.

The Seahawks had just gotten Matt Matt Flynn and he got the gig. And I'm like, I want to talk to him. Always. Let's do it. And we made the space. And here we are now. Let me get this right. It's been 13 seasons later.

Oh, my gosh. And he's joining us now as the. Starting quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Russ Wilson, back here on the Rich Eisen show. How are you, Russell? Good to see you, Rich.

Rich, what's up, man? Good to see you. Yeah, I was just telling a story here about, you know, our lengthy history. The decade and a half almost, man. We do have a long history, man. I remember that time where I got named starting quarterback in Seattle. I had that first call with you, I think it was. Yeah, it was. And we were like, you know, when can we when can we get him?

And they're like, well, there's only a 10 minute window because he's in the film room nonstop. And we got you like that's basically what it was. And now, you know, here you are. You're dead, by the way. Happy birthday to your to your better half as well. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Yes. She she just had a birthday today. So it's exciting time.

I'll tell her you I'll tell her you wish her happy birthday. I saw that. And now and now you're an OG, Russ. And so what's going through your mind right now, now that you're in Pittsburgh? We got that first win under your belt, Russell.

Man, what's going through my mind? Obviously, we played Monday night as the exciting time. This this the man this this stadium rocks. I mean, I obviously I got to play in Seattle. That stadium rocks as well. But this stadium with the towels and on the road, I mean, I'm just grateful I can play another great organization.

Obviously, the Pittsburgh Steelers, you know, and to be around great, great teammates and players. You know, it's a special place. And, you know, we're loving it.

Coach Tomlin is unbelievable. These guys that we get to, you know, you know, be around and it's just it's a really tight knit group. We go to dinners every Thursday, every Thursday night, watch the Thursday night games and just the conversations, the laughs, the time that we have, the bond.

It's a special place. And, you know, I'm just grateful I get to play with these guys. Can you give me an example of Mike Tomlin being incredible again, just in your first few months with him and his way of talking with you to you? Expectations levels set in a very unique situation.

Russell? Well, I think I think the first thing is, is that, you know, every day, you know, Coach Tomlin comes in, he gives his monologue speech, I call it. You know, it's just this guy is a tremendous motivator, you know, and, you know, the reality is, you know, nothing happens by accident. You know, his ability to communicate, his ability to lead, inspire, his ability to you know, we have a meeting. You know, us quarterbacks, we have a meeting with him, you know, every week, you know, every Wednesday, Thursday, you know. And then also we have guys like, you know, Pat Fryermuth, Naj come in and we meet with him too and Coach Tomlin. We spend an hour every Wednesday and Thursday with Coach and just spend that quality time with him and talking about the vision of what this week's going to look like, who we're playing, what they do, what they do well, what we want to attack. And it's a closed room meeting and just his ability to communicate that and to, you know, really paint a picture of what's going to happen in the game and what's going to look like and it does. I think that's fascinating. I think also too, you know, Coach, you know, I got to spend a lot of time with Coach.

While I was dinged up and injured in the Trove, I got to sit on the back porch with a lot of players and everything else and also playing UNO games and all that. Also sitting down with Coach one-on-one and just getting to know him and his story and his relationship with Tony Dungy and how that came about and his relationship growing up and some of the similarities that he had growing up to some of the things that I've gone through, whatever it may be. And also being a dad and just this guy is an unbelievable mentor, but he's also he's a great leader of men. And there's a reason why he's won 17 years in a row. I think that it doesn't happen by accident. I think also to, you know, his demeanor on the field, you know, just how he could be in the middle of the second quarter, third quarter, fourth quarter and give you a little wink and laugh.

And you know that you're right where you want them and, you know, right where you want to be. And I think that's a real thing with Coach is he eases the nerves of young men. And I think that he gives confidence and belief into us. And then obviously, you know, the way he's been navigating the quarterback room, you and Justin Fields being brought in within weeks of each other. And then obviously the question we've been having in the media, who's going to start and who's not and why and things of that nature. What has he told you throughout the months that you've arrived about your starting job, Russell?

How does he handle that? I think the biggest thing with Coach is, you know, first of all, is, you know, the dialogue that we've had has been very open and very clear with Justin and I. And also, too, a big part of it has also been, you know, us just being our best every day.

I think for me, this is my 13th year in the National Football League. And for me, you know, Justin and I have always had a really good relationship, even though he's an Ohio State guy. You know, being in Wisconsin and all that, you know. I'm with you on that, Russell.

You know I'm with you on that from Ann Arbor. I know, I know. But I've always admired Justin from afar. And we've always stayed in touch when he was in college and in the pros and, you know, playing quarterback in the National Football League and also being a young black quarterback. I know what that looks like and feels like and the ups and downs and the great moments, too. And so over the years, you know, Justin and I have always been close.

You know, I know his family well and everything else. And so the dialogue between Justin and I has always been great and also, too, between Coach and us as well. And so I think the best part is that we're just focused on getting better every day and playing and all that.

And, you know, I think everything that Coach has said to you guys is, you know, being clear to us, too, and everything else. But, you know, the reality, I think, you know, unfortunately, I had that cabinetry pushing a sled, which was devastating. You know, I've almost played 200 games.

I think I've only missed five or so my whole career. And that was hard on me. That was different.

That was challenging. Just because I love practice. I love the games.

I've never really missed much over all these years. And so for me, it was really important for me just to, you know, focus on, number one, getting healthy again. You know, being fully who I want to be. And, you know, obviously I want to be able to play.

I've told you all these years, Rich, that I want to play past 40 and be as healthy and be as great as I possibly can be over the years. And I think that a big part is just making sure nothing devastating happened, where I couldn't play, you know, the whole season or something. So being smart there, I think the second thing was this, you know, it's easy to lead when you're at the front and everything's going great, you know, all-time high. But can you lead in the valley? Can you lead when you're in a dark place in a way? Can you lead in those moments as well? And so I think that was a blessing in disguise is to be able to, you know, not look into myself, but really just being able to focus on others and servitude.

And just sitting on the back porch of La Trobe and those late, you know, nights in the summertime when, you know, the dormitories and just laughing with guys and hearing their stories and going back and forth and just, you know, having great dialogue about that. And I think that's been the part, one of my greatest joys so far in my football career, to be honest with you, is having those conversations and those relationships with guys. And I think the last part of it is just understanding that you've got to have a little bit of patience sometimes. You know, I struggle with patience.

I'm not a patient guy. You know, I love being out there every moment, but I hadn't been through that moment before. But, you know, any to anybody's career, especially as long as I want to play and I almost have played, I've been very fortunate and blessed to be able to play all those games. But to be able to go through the valley and come out on the other end of it, I think is really important.

And Russell Wilson here on The Rich Eisen Show for a few minutes left here. When you've been at it, as long as you've been at it, you know there's questions as to whether you still have it. Right. When you've been at it a long time, whether you still have it. And then there's the questions that folks have when they see it again, if you feel like you're back to where you were, even though you might feel like you were always in the same place. So I ask you, coming off of that debut performance, were you cooking like the old days, Russ?

Were you filling it out there? Do you feel that? You know, I think that what happens is as you get older in any sport, you know, you see this with guys even like LeBron James in basketball, guys who've played basketball. Guys like Steph Curry, guys saw it with Tom at one point in the NFL.

Just guys, people always question, do people still have it? And I think that at the end of the day, you know, you have to continue to get better and stay mentally focused and ignore the noise in the midst of it all. For me, you know, obviously, you know, my first year in Denver, I got through that. I was playing injured.

I had torn lat and was battling through that. And just, it was kind of a challenging year, but coming back from my second year, I felt like I was myself again. You know, and, you know, I felt like I played really well. I felt we had, you know, you know, attacked the moment we didn't win all the games we wanted to. But just in the sense of, you know, you know, the touchdowns and all that, just being me again. I felt like I was me last year. And so when I was released and all that, I was like, you know what?

Wherever I go, I want to be in a place that we can go win it and win it all. And, you know, I know if I can, you know, be healthy and be myself, you know, I'll be able to do all the things that I've always aspired to do. And so that was a big thing for me. You know, I think that there's always going to be questions.

I think my whole career people have questioned, you know, is he this or is he that? You know, you get used to it. You're able to, you know, ignore the noise and just focus on the next moment, the next play. And being in there the first time, man, I'm not going to lie to you, man. The first, we had a great first drive, the second, third, fourth drive. We struggled a little bit, obviously. I think I threw a ball, you know, man, I was supposed to hand it off. I threw a bubble and it wasn't there and I threw it in the dirt.

Ah, shoot. And everybody started booing. I was like, all right, that woke me up a little bit.

Here we go. Now it's time to play some ball. And, you know, you just you realize that it's always about the next pitch. You know, I think Hank Aaron once said he was he was 0 for 4.

He felt like he was still 4 for 4. That's the mastery of the mind that you got to be able to have to be able to stay neutral in the midst of the storm and understand that it just focus on the next pitch, the next play. And, you know, Rich, as you know, I love baseball.

I love playoff baseball and Yankees versus the Dodgers. You know, I just think it's it's you got to be in those zones. You got to be in those moments and just be able to understand who you are, you know, and where you're going and what you're doing right now and be where your feet are. Yeah. Make and make the guys around you better. And we saw, you know, George Pickens have quite a game. And you've you've been you've been around some receivers, some big, tall physical receivers.

Now you got Pickens. What's your your relationship with him and how are you whispering in his ear a little bit? Well, George and George and I, man, he's first of all, this guy is an absolute rock star superstar on the field.

All the things he can do. And, you know, he's just got such amazing talent. You know, I saw him playing at Georgia. I was like, man, who is this guy?

And so I got to turn on the film watching the Pittsburgh Steelers. I realized how special he is. And, you know, there's only so many guys in the world that can catch a slant route and take it to the house, you know, 80 yards like he did last year.

A couple of times was only so many guys that can catch it one handed easily in the world. And he's one of those guys. And I've been fortunate to play some amazing talents and guys like DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett and guys, you know, you know, guys like Corbin Sutton, special players, you know, and GP is definitely one of those guys. You know, I think that the best thing about George, though, is, is that he loves this game. He loves playing. You know, he's a he's a light in the room. You know, when he puts that big old smile on, he gets on the field and he gets that first down, the whole place goes crazy. And so I've had a lot of really great conversations with George.

You know, I think that, you know, the scrutiny on him is always going to be real because when everybody knows you're a star, they're always looking for something to knock you down. And I had some really cool conversations with George along the way, you know, and just he's a guy that. What'd you tell him?

What'd you tell him? Well, some of those are some of those are private conversations, but I think I think, Rich, you know, the summing up is, is that, you know, man, God's giving you amazing talent. Use it all. Use it all, man. Like, don't don't hold back on anything. Use it all. And also to understanding that, you know, not focus on, you know, anything else outside.

Just be focused on the moment, you know, and just be able to do that. And so the biggest thing that I know and I understand is that I really have really been, you know, you know, harping with George and hard on him. And he's been great with it is and he handles it well.

He handles it all well. Is that, hey, let's get this extra work, man. We got to get extra work before practice and after practice. We got to spend time on it. But I watch this film. We got to talk about it.

We got to have conversation. He's been unbelievable about that. The past couple of weeks has been remarkable. Just watching his, his maturity, his growth, his mentality, how he prime. He had an unbelievable practice today.

Just his how he goes about it and everybody feeds off of him, too, as well. And his energy. And that's a good thing for us. And we got a lot of great receivers. You know, I really like Ben Jefferson is a great player. He's a pro guy who's won a Super Bowl. Calvin Austin.

He's he's as fast as lightning, man. This guy's unbelievable talent. Scotty Miller's done some great things. We've got some really good guys, you know, and a guy I'm familiar with, Brandon Johnson, who was with me and in Denver and cost some touchdowns last year.

I think four of them last year for us. So, you know, so, you know, there's some familiar faces. And then you've got a guy like Pat Frymer playing tight and big Darnell's six, eight.

And, you know, and all the other guys, you know, you know, Kim Heyward's brother, Connor. We've got some guys that can make some plays and we've got some great backs, Anaj and Jaylen Warren. So I think the confidence is there for us. And we've got to keep building. We've got to keep working. There's a lot more to do. We haven't done anything yet. That's the reality. We've got to get we've got to get better.

We've got to have a great game this week against a really good pass rush and everything else. And so that's where our focus is in the moment right now. Yeah, I noticed you still have your wits about you. You found the six, eight guy for your first completion.

I saw that it's hard not to find a hard not to find. You found a big guy to start. Hey, man, listen, it's great to see you in your new spot, smiling and happy and successful. And I but I knew that you were committed to the craft, but I particularly knew it, that you were committed to making your new future opportunity, no matter where it would be work. When I saw you flew commercial through Newark, Russ, I keep talking about there you are. I mean, that that's commitment. I mean, I'm a New York, New Jersey guy.

I can say these things. That's commitment when you fly through Newark. You know what, whatever, whatever it takes. I think I was on a visit and going to Pittsburgh next and that was, you know, it was. Yeah, it's good. You know, whatever it takes, baby.

That's right. I saw there you were in the golden light there. And now here you are, black and gold. Russ, thanks for the time. Really appreciate it.

You always say yes when when I come knocking. Thanks. Yeah, man.

Rich, any time, man. It's always an honor and it's always great being a show and congrats on the success you've had. Thank you. So I appreciate it.

I'll see you. There you go. That's Russell Wilson, everybody, for the Pittsburgh Steelers in advance of Monday night football against the Giants. There you go, man.

All right. He's smelting. Let Russ smelt.

That's the way you work it in Pittsburgh. Let's take a break. We come back. The second gentleman of the United States from the from the road wants to talk about his Rams. And we go way back to that's coming up next.

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Learn more at American Express dot com slash Amex Business. Whenever they have a shot of a head coat, the cutaway, the cutaway, we like to guess what that individual is like as a stepfather. Brockman, who's up first? Who do we have up first? First up, Alabama head coach Nick Saban.

What is it? What would taking a look at Nick Saban? Nick Saban is the kind of stepfather that regardless of how different he may seem to you in every single Christmas card photo. His hair has been the exact same since the since he married your mother. He's also the kind of stepfather that wears dress pants and then a, you know, a white tank top undershirt all the time unless he leaves the house and then he puts on the dress shirt.

Former 49er head coach, current Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh. Be gentle here. You be having a conversation with him. You think it's going really great. And then he just all of a sudden gets a look on his face and he goes, what was that?

And your heart just goes into your throat and you think you've you've said something horribly wrong and you instantly start thinking about all the things that you could possibly be getting in trouble for. Sure. Do we have Tom Sula? Yeah, we have a bonus one. You got Tom Sula? Yeah, I've got this one.

I got your current head coach. He is the kind of guy that we will be having a conversation with you and he'll never be looking at you and he'll be going, how's your day? You got a good day and you start telling me how you do.

And then he'll always go, hey, honey, what's for dinner? No matter what you're talking about. So let me can we try. Can we try?

Yeah, you'd be bearing your soul. Yeah. So hold on a minute. So I'll be I'll be your stepson. OK. Richie, how was the day? That was great.

Dad, let me tell you about what was going on. Hey, honey, have you seen the clicker? Where's the clicker? Back on the Rich Eisen Show radio network, I'm sitting at the Rich Eisen Show desk furnished by Grainger with supplies and solutions for every industry. Grainger has the right product for you.

Call click ranger dot com or just stop by. All right, TJ, I'm looking over at you and I'm like looking at those flowers and I'm thinking this is the final half hour. This is the final curtain. We've got a week and a half with these babies. Very impressive. Shout out to Carl Anthony Towns.

Very good. While we're waiting for the second gentleman, some NBA action that happened last night. How good are the Oklahoma City Thunder?

Everybody keeps talking about everybody else but the Oklahoma City Thunder. How good are they? What do you think? Like the best in the West, don't you think?

I do. Chet Holmgren. Very good. Gumby's all groaned up.

Mm hmm. He looks he looks bigger. Stouter. Chet looks like an MVP.

He does. Nobody talks about them. Nobody. And they just they spanked the Nuggets. They just took care of business there. Luca and the Mavs came up with a win last night. So we got that. Defending West Champ. Right.

Anything else that stands out to anybody else? Timberwolves played last night. Yep.

That one was always. Kings just play highly entertaining basketball games. They don't win them all.

Right. But they they play highly entertaining basketball games. Julius Randall had a very nice night. They bounce back.

They're eating they're eating the cat's fantasy basketball. Oh, you have Randall? Yes. Nice.

Yeah. You have Dajonte Murray. I do. But that's all that happened to NBA Rich. I have Chet.

I have Jalen Brown. Oh, how is Tatum going to win MVP if he doesn't play in the fourth quarter? Can't can't do it because we're up by 40 every game.

Or maybe his coaches is treating him like Steve Kerr. Yeah. Right.

It's not giving him the playing time again. You know, it's funny. I see other other people on other shows have the you know, it's all the chips on the store.

The chips on the store. I started that. Well, I was at top of the it's all Steve Kerr's fault. Everyone knew where the father is to blame when we go 74 and eight. You're the father. You're the George Washington of nonsense.

Is that even worth writing down? George Washington of nonsense. The father of nonsense. You're the George Washington of nonsense. Rushmore of nonsense.

I'm the first face you are that carved into that. I mean, you were that you were saying it during the Olympics. It was just obvious what was happening. What was happening, Chris?

What was happening? That Steve Kerr was looking at Jason Tatum and saying, I'm going to screw you over here. Out of here is not a good coach. He's overrated as a coach. Thank every day that he coached Steph Curry. OK. And look, obviously, Steve Kerr can see what's coming down the pike. My hottest of hottest takes.

TJ, if you remember from the spring, was that what the Celtics are about to do is going to make what the Warriors, quote unquote, dynasty was child. That was like, oh, I can't have that. I got to put little dents in their armor. Let me just we're just going to sit. Let me just ask this. Let me just finish this conversation because our next guest is ready. And we need to have we need to put our best foot forward here. Don't don't. Is that if Jason Tatum is pissed off about not being played enough in the Olympics and you believe that, then how come it's not an offense to teammate Derek White that Jalen Brown is pissed that Derek White went instead of him?

Also, Rich, why couldn't why couldn't all four have played, been on the team and played a lot of minutes? All right. That's just that's been the conversation. As you know, I like telling stories here on this program.

That's what you do. I like telling stories here on this program. And we just celebrated our 10 year anniversary while I was in London. And coming up in six weeks is the five year anniversary that I got a phone call two days before Christmas. So that's who knows? That's that's six weeks away from now, seven weeks away by the man.

And it's five years ago. I got a call from our parent that birthed this show and DirecTV that we were done. And, you know, I was going to get ownership of the show, which I didn't know what to do with it all at all. And but there were some also some thorny issues about separating. And I was lost. I mean, my agent was terrific, but I needed some help on how to negotiate through all of the legal ramifications.

You could ask me. I had a. Dear friend who I had gotten to meet, like most of my friends out here in Los Angeles, thanks to Susie through my wife, because she was friends with his wife. And I got to meet him through social situations, dinner with wives.

Yes, that actually did happen. And I got to meet I'm like and he always said to me, if you ever need any help on the legal front or whatever, call me. And so I called him. And he's like, come in. Let's talk about it. Let's help out.

Quite frankly, to be very honest, didn't know if I could afford him. But he's like, don't worry about it. Come on in. We'll hash it out. And his calmness and just awesomeness at his job, as well as just talking and communicating and figuring out everything for me to handle. And giving me some heads up about what could be coming next. He handled all of it. So we have him the thing for this very much so. And he was a huge part in helping me get through all this.

And he just, you know, I lost him to the United States. He's now the second gentleman in the United States joining us here in the Rich Eisen Show. My buddy, Doug Amhoff. How are you, Doug?

Oh, man. Keep going on how good a lawyer I am. I'm just sitting here looking at my team saying, see, I told you. And they're looking at me like, wow.

No, I'm serious. That's that's, you know, that's the introduction I have for you here, man. You know, because you and I know each other for for a long time. So I also know that of everything else you really want to talk. What do you want to talk about more? The Rams or the Dodgers, Doug?

I mean, what do you say? I overheard you talking about basketball and I was actually at the closing ceremonies of the Olympics. So I got to see those last couple of games. So I'm listening to your whole thing about all that stuff.

I was I was like, play the guy. What's going on? Championship.

What's happening here? Right. He didn't. He wasn't. Well, hold on.

He did play the first quarter of the gold medal game, but nothing much. It was it was interesting being there because I was there as a representative of the United States as the head of a presidential delegation. But I'm just geeking out as a fan, like just looking at all the ins and outs and watching the game and the players and knowing them all.

And literally having those same conversations you're having now my team, like what's happening? So anyway, I was interesting. Right. I know. Right. But were you having it with Macron? Were you because I know you were sitting next to him. Right.

You were chopping it up with Macron. Yeah. I'm going to watch the game in my ear. And I'm like, excuse me, Mr. President, I would like to watch LeBron and my team. You need to lock in.

Yeah. And unfortunately, it was a little hard when we were winning the title game against France and I was watching it sitting next to. Was it awkward? Two of them. Was it awkward?

I couldn't cheer too hard, but I had to by the end. Diplomatically awkward. International NCC. Yes. Exactly. You know, and obviously you're you're you're you're a little busy, so you won't be here for for game one, I imagine, or two. Right.

For Dodger Jax. I was I got a lot of incoming of just come to the game with me. I'm like, you realize I'm out on the campaign trail every single day.

Right. And they literally know where I am. And I say, hey, I see you're in Wisconsin. You want to just fly out and see game one?

I say I would love to, but trying to get my wife elected president. I think that has a little more meaning right now, but we're trying to watch as many of the games as I can. And it's funny seeing like who I know in the stands. I'm like, hey, there's so and so. So that's been fun.

That's really my only way. I feel like I'm at the game. Yeah. People you probably represented, too. You know what I mean?

Like back in the day. Oh, I know that guy. I know that lady.

I know I know their business and things of that nature. Another happy client. That's as I said to you last time when I walked into your studio.

Yeah, you're welcome. That's right. And by the way, when you were last time you were here, you predicted the Rams to go. Well, no, hold on a second.

Well, hold on. You predicted them to go four and one. They went one and four. Listen, you can't get them all right. Not bad. But the last two games, you did predict that they would win those as well.

They're now three and four. I don't know how much you were able to catch last night again. I'm trying. Like I said, it's I'm literally watching on my phone when I can, but I am just traveling the country every single day. And so I'm trying to watch as I can. But last night I missed it because I was flying back from Wisconsin. And by the time I landed, the game was over.

But I was so happy when as soon as I could turn my phone on and I saw that they got the W. And I think it stayed. That was like a playoff game. It was like an early playoff game for them.

Now, but then that said, though, you are you are, in fact, locked in, though, on your fantasy team. I imagine fantasy is going well. And we're five and two. And I don't want to sound like a bitter fantasy owner. We lost one game by half a point. No one reception, one reception and garbage time at the end of the game. So we should be six and one. But unfortunately, we just lost Chris Godwin on a garbage time.

Right. Reception last week and a devastating injury. You know, when he's on your team and he's doing so well, you just feel so horrible and it looked terrible. Hope he gets better. Hope he comes back.

But it's you know, that was a tough break for the Bucks. And obviously for him. What's the name of your fantasy team, Doug? What is it? Nirvana. That's right. Nirvana. I just made it into my DNC speech.

It's highly negotiated every word. And I just wanted to make sure. Can I talk about my fantasy team and named after the band and this league? I think I've told you many times founded in 1989. It was a merger of my law school friends and the first firm.

I was at. So it's been around since 89, 90 and same same group of folks. And a lot of us have our now adult children on our teams as well. So it's been really fun. The smack talk is massive. And now that I'm in this position, it's even worse for me.

Five and two. You are on your son Cole is being the general manager of the year of this operation while you're out doing your thing. Or you know, I, I gave him the task early on because the draft was in the middle of the campaign. Yes. I actually went out to L.A. just special to to be with him that night to watch him drop the team.

And I just did the, you know, uninformed dad. Hey, why don't we pick so-and-so? Why don't we pick so-and-so? Right. One of them was Marvin Harrison Jr. Because I had seen him because I went to the draft and I said, this guy looks unbelievable.

It's off to an oak. You know, he's had some good games. But, you know, I also was pushing for Jayden Daniels. Because, again, I saw him at the draft and that this guy is going to be great. But we got our Jalen Hurts, which has been our quarterback probably four years in a row. Very solid.

You know, you know, you can bank those 25, 30 points every week. And he's we have a lot kind of a hodgepodge now. And we've had to do some waiver wire pickups. And but everyone's been fine.

So we're feeling good. Jalen Hurts and Marvin Harrison Jr. Did you draft your team based on swing states, Doug? Did that actually happen?

Or is that just a coincidence? There were a couple of players. I said, you better not pick this person for certain things that person may or may not have said publicly. I'm not having that guy on my team after what he may or may not have said.

That is not going to happen. And you're five and two, though. You're five and two. And it keeps us bonded. Like it's it's so you know, this campaign is so much. It's so surreal.

It's a 15 week campaign where we get into week 14. And so I just really wanted to make sure I stay connected with the kids. And with fantasy, it's an automatic way of staying in touch with Cole no matter what.

And once I get him on the phone to talk about the lineup, we can talk about all kinds of other things. So it's just it's a beautiful thing. I love it, man. Before I let you go, what are you seeing out there on the campaign trail?

What are you seeing? A lot of enthusiasm for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz all over the country. And, you know, the polls are tight. But I think people go out and vote. There's early voting everywhere. Go to Iwillvote.com if you need more information and whoever you vote for. Obviously, I'm supporting Kamala Harris, as I think everyone should. But look, do your do your duty in this democracy. It's this is what's so great about our country. Go out and register and vote. And if you're interested in the campaign, go to these campaign offices and these swing states.

Knock on doors, you know, send out those notes. It's it's it's a great way to participate. And everywhere we go, it's just in Wisconsin. Yesterday, Doc Rivers and Terry Porter were out at an event with me in Milwaukee. And just to hear someone like Doc talk about our country and how important democracy is to him and what this election means means to us and all Americans. It's just been very meaningful. Coach Kerr did an event.

Pop did something. So a lot of folks in the NBA are, again, just get out no matter what folks just get out and vote. Doug Amhoff, you were again, no telling tales out of school, one of my favorite humans that I've come across. And I just, you know, I will be thinking of you tonight. Game one of the World Series, because I know you know who you root for. I got my Trojans playing to their Big Ten. It's been a little tough on my Trojans so far. I know I'm a little shell shocked at this transition.

You know, it's three and four and it's it's been a rough ride so far. But I have faith in the Trojans, faith in the Dodgers. Lakers are back. I got to see Bron and Bronnie walk on the court together.

I did. I was able to catch that was it was a great moment. And, you know, sports brings us together. It puts a smile on your face. And you put a smile on my face when I say when you call those games in London and you look down and you get a text from me saying, man, it's so good to hear your voice, my friend. I know.

And those those mean the world when I get that. And part of that's part of the reason why I stayed out of your text chain on that Michigan USC day, Doug, because I respect you so much and I love you too much. You know, welcome to the Big Ten. I get it. I got it.

We're here, man. All right. Well, it'll work out. I know that. All right. Well, you know, stay strong, obviously, over the last 10, 11 days. And and thanks for doing this, brother. You be well. All right. You got it. But you got to write back at you and say hi to the VP. That's Doug Emhoff right here on the Rich Eisen Show. Everybody go out and register to vote, as he said. Doesn't matter. Got to go use your Democratic voice. Eight, four, four, two or four rich number to dial.

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Do it now, says the learning tree. Thanks, guys. We had Jerry on the show just a couple of weeks ago, Larry, and I asked him how come Steinbrenner himself never appeared on Seinfeld? And he said Steinbrenner shot a scene, but it was so bad you cut it. Is that a true story? True story.

Yeah. What was so bad about it? He flew out on his private jet to do the show and flew back that day. And OK, he did it.

And then I go into editing and I'm watching the show. And oh, my God, he was so awful. He was so bad. It was you couldn't use it. It was much better from behind with my voice than actually seeing the real the real guy doing it.

Right. So that was a scene where he was with Costanza with he was with Elaine in a restaurant, I think. OK. And I had to call him up and tell him he was cut. How did that go? I called Yankee Stadium. I said, I want to talk to Mr Steinbrenner, Larry David.

You got the phone? I said, Mr Steinbrenner, it's Larry David calling from the Seinfeld show. Yes, yes, Larry.

What is it? I said, I said, I'm sorry to tell you this. He said, come on, you can tell me I'm a big boy. I can take it by you slip back in that voice. Yeah, right. Right back in. Right. And I said, I'm seeing I've been cut from the show.

And I said, it's not your fault, but it's just the end of the scene wasn't working. And that was it. How do you take it? He was a big boy. He took it. Well, he told you how he was going to take it. And he actually took it.

Yeah. George Steinbrenner in lane. I would never have guessed. I would have thought that there would have to have been a Costanza George moment. I know there was an Elaine scene. I don't know. There may have been a George scene. I'm not sure.

I don't remember. That's the way we're rolling into our final segment of the week. Back here on the Rich Eisen Show, 844-204.

Rich is the number to dial here on the show. As always, getting set for the weekend. One way for you to spend any of your downtime is to listen to any of our podcasts. Overreaction Monday has been out there for days. It's still it's still last. Your takes last, Chris.

We also had Susie and Amy have Kurt Warner getting ready for week number eight. The no contest wrestling pod. You and O'Shea Jackson Jr. T.J. are killing it.

Appreciate you doing that. You are. And then, of course, there is the Jim Jackson show on Thursdays. His guest this past week, you taped it yesterday, Jamal Mashburn. They have not chopped up the subject matters.

They chopped up on this pod publicly ever. Is this the the subject matter? He talked to Jim. Jim talked about the Tony Braxton situation when he was on this program. When he guest hosted, I had to pull that information out of him.

Yes, you did. Well, the false rumors that kind of messed with the big three. I don't care what Jim says. I believe what I want to believe. Well, two of the big three chopped it up on the Jim Jackson show.

Hit it. Every year it goes to this. The Tony Braxton stuff. I was like, man, I don't care how many times I tell the story. It ain't happened, but it's so sensational. But then you get caught up into it when you had nothing to do with it whatsoever. It's like when the three J's got broken up by Tony. I'm like, first of all, it didn't happen. Second of all, Jamal had nowhere, nothing to do with it.

How do you deal with it? How did you see that at that time, too? You know what? It was I would say that was the first time that I've ever dealt with a semblance of social media. You know, people have to understand this is that back in the day, probably the 1990s, early 90s, mid 90s, you had still had them. After that, you had beat writers and you had beat writers for each club. And when you came into a city, they couldn't talk about the Dallas Mavericks winning.

They wanted to talk about the rumor of Tony Braxton and what all that was. And I remember Jimmy being in New York and when all this started to kind of shake out a little bit. And you went to dinner with a sponsor in New York and I'm dealing with my family. I'm like, I'm a New York cat.

You know, I'm just going to hang with my people in New York. And there was some other teammates that participate. I think it was George McCloud.

No, no, it was. But George and Tony Dumas, George. George is the one that said that I left him and went to the studio after I invited him. I said, if you don't want to go.

So nobody went. I end up going to the sponsorship dinner with Scotty Brooks. I remember that. So, you know, what that tells me is. I tell people that's how you know, we had a losing team because your backup really wanted your spot all day long.

He wanted he tried to do everything except win the spot on the court and tried to win it by doing some other mischievous stuff, you know, and difficult stuff to kind of lose the situation or poison the situation. Fun stuff. Just hearing two guys chop it up.

Right. It's pretty good. It was pretty cool.

Yes. Jim Jackson pod where every Jim Jackson show, pardon me, wherever you get your podcasts through the Cumulus Podcast Network and the Rich Eisen Show Podcast Network. I love Jim Jackson, man. He's a cool guy. It's been really cool getting to know Jim.

Last couple of years coming in and now doing the pod with us. Yeah. Oh, good.

See, Michigan Ohio State guys can get along after all. Right. Well, you tend to leave right when he gets here. So I'm not sure if you're really that two ships. No, I, I, I don't.

I'm not a micromanager. I'm just saying Ohio State thing. I think that's not it. That's not it. That's not it. It's me just saying everybody's doing their gigs and I can give my two cents and walk out.

I walk out when you start talking to with O'Shea Jackson. Doesn't that feel good for you? Of course it does. The second gentleman kept us afloat and now we got this ship running and now you can just peace out.

That's got to feel great. That's the idea. Richard Seth. I need to leave now because first pitch is in five hours and five minutes.

It's going to take you forever to get there. Yeah. And I don't have the Ashton helicopter to help. Guess who else doesn't have a helicopter? You. No, Ashton. I bet he has easy access to a chopper.

I don't know. Yeah. I mean, the the the barn doesn't just shift on its ground to the left and out comes a helicopter. Out comes the big H in the lair.

I mean, you could land a helicopter there. That'll wrap it up for this program. We'll be chatting with you on the radio on Monday, but on Roku in a second to wrap it.

Bingo. All right, Phil, we're recording now. And please put your phone on silent. Oh, where is my phone? Let's go, man. Get it together over there, player. Go ahead. Pick on me the way that you want to. I would say that to my son. Just go.

All right. Why would people want to listen to the Sims Complete podcast? Father, son, dynamic duo talking about the game of football. We do a lot of quarterback and coach talks. It's fun. I love doing this. It's been awesome. Sims Complete. Check us out on the Believe Network. Appreciate it. Just search Believe BLEAV wherever you listen.