Welcome to Skulls Stories, presented by three M, the official science partner in the Minnesota Vikings. Tonight we're joined by one of the fifty greatest Vikings, a Madrashot.

Welcome to Skulls Stories, presented by three M, the official science partner in the Minnesota Vikings. Tonight we're joined by one of the fifty greatest Vikings, a Madrashot.

Thanks again for tuning in to another episode of school Stories. Tonight's guest is one of our favorite Viking legends. He's the wide receiver with the knack for the big play. He was a four time pro bowler, a Ring of Honor member, and my old co host on Rosen Sports Sunday. Please enjoy tonight's conversation with the one and only A Madrashod. Well, mom, thanks so much for joining the show. How in the world are we both in our early seventies When it was just yesterday we were hanging out at the Loon Cafe and Sunday nights after doing we shot a Rosen Report and we were in our early thirties. When did that happen? My god?

Thanks again for tuning in to another episode of school Stories. Tonight's guest is one of our favorite Viking legends. He's the wide receiver with the knack for the big play. He was a four time pro bowler, a Ring of Honor member, and my old co host on Rosen Sports Sunday. Please enjoy tonight's conversation with the one and only A Madrashod. Well, mom, thanks so much for joining the show. How in the world are we both in our early seventies When it was just yesterday we were hanging out at the Loon Cafe and Sunday nights after doing we shot a Rosen Report and we were in our early thirties. When did that happen? My god?

Well, I stopped counting up to thirty nine. Okay, here in your seventies. I'm thirty nine.

Well, I stopped counting up to thirty nine. Okay, here in your seventies. I'm thirty nine.

I'd like to hear that. So it's all attitude.

I'd like to hear that. So it's all attitude.

That's right, that's right.

That's right, that's right.

But man, that the years half flown by, haven't they? They? Feel is it to feel that way to you?

But man, that the years half flown by, haven't they? They? Feel is it to feel that way to you?

Well, you know, but you know, Mark, you and I it was the beginning, you know, it was the beginning of something else. I mean, we we really, I really when I look back on and I appreciate the time that you took with me to try to get me into the same broadcasting thing and a chance to do all the things that we did every single week. And when I look back at we had a lot of fun, man, a lot.

Well, you know, but you know, Mark, you and I it was the beginning, you know, it was the beginning of something else. I mean, we we really, I really when I look back on and I appreciate the time that you took with me to try to get me into the same broadcasting thing and a chance to do all the things that we did every single week. And when I look back at we had a lot of fun, man, a lot.

Of fun, did we. Ever? You didn't know how to type though, either, so that was always a challenge.

Of fun, did we. Ever? You didn't know how to type though, either, so that was always a challenge.

That's right, that's right. You had to type the type of script that I couldn't type at all. And then we went on the air.

That's right, that's right. You had to type the type of script that I couldn't type at all. And then we went on the air.

We never used it, no, of course, not didn't even have printers back.

We never used it, no, of course, not didn't even have printers back.

Then, all god, no, no, it was all manual typewriters basically.

Then, all god, no, no, it was all manual typewriters basically.

Yeah, we had we had a printer. It was him.

Yeah, we had we had a printer. It was him.

It was rosy. Oh my god.

It was rosy. Oh my god.

So, mide, is that kind of the what's the kind of the secret to daying young?

So, mide, is that kind of the what's the kind of the secret to daying young?

Then? Right?

Then? Right?

I mean with you had career in the football and then you know going in the media, what's kept you what's kept you young over this time? Or what do you think to see.

I mean with you had career in the football and then you know going in the media, what's kept you what's kept you young over this time? Or what do you think to see.

I think the way you approach life, you know, I don't feel any change, and it's not like it's like yeah, back then down a change and then it went through this. Every day is a wonderful day, and every day was a wonderful day. And I try to just live every day. And you know, it's about living today and tomorrow and not yesterday. But you know, when I look back, what a wonderful, blessed time that I had, just with the chance of playing in Minnesota, because Minnesota is where everything came together for me.

I think the way you approach life, you know, I don't feel any change, and it's not like it's like yeah, back then down a change and then it went through this. Every day is a wonderful day, and every day was a wonderful day. And I try to just live every day. And you know, it's about living today and tomorrow and not yesterday. But you know, when I look back, what a wonderful, blessed time that I had, just with the chance of playing in Minnesota, because Minnesota is where everything came together for me.

Well how did that happen? It just refresh the fans' memory about coming to the Vikings in seventy six. You were with the Seattle Seahawks. Was Bob Lertzima involved in that trade?

Well how did that happen? It just refresh the fans' memory about coming to the Vikings in seventy six. You were with the Seattle Seahawks. Was Bob Lertzima involved in that trade?

He likes to say that, but I didn't know.

He likes to say that, but I didn't know.

Didn't either.

Didn't either.

Yeah, he likes to say that, But I don't think that it.

Yeah, he likes to say that, But I don't think that it.

Was a trick the trade.

Was a trick the trade.

No. No, I didn't even know who he was. First of all.

No. No, I didn't even know who he was. First of all.

Most people still don't know. You remind you, Yeah, what were your first impressions of coming to the Vikings.

Most people still don't know. You remind you, Yeah, what were your first impressions of coming to the Vikings.

Well, you know, I remember it, I remember very very well. I had I had torn up my knee in Minnesota, my I mean in Buffalo my second year and then signed with Seattle. And when I got to Seattle, I never got to play. I never you know, they didn't really put me in or anything. And it was also during the name change when I had changed my name, and it was all kind of weird kind of stuff like that. And I remember they had a preseason game and I remember the coach came over and told me that I wasn't going to the game. You know, I could stay at training camp or wherever it was, but I wasn't going to the game. So when he came back, he called me in and he goes, I got some good news and some bad news. So I said, so give me the bad news. He said, well, the bad news is that we just traded you to Minnesota. And I said, Minnesota with Fran talking and the Minnesota Vikings. You're trading me from Seattle to Minnesota with Fran Tarking and the quarterback and the Minnesota Vikings that win all the time. So I said, so, then, what the hell is the bad news? Like, I'll never forget that, and I just got up and walked out. I was so excited. I was so excited about going to Minnesota because I had Frand and I had become friend. We were at some sort of event when I was playing for Buffalo and we ended up sitting outside of it for a couple of hours just talking back and forth about all kinds of stuff, you know, a different kinds of thing. We really had a wonderful relationship that we built. And then I think that when I played for Saint Louis, we played Minnesota and I had a really good game up there. Ed Mayer and Narrow was a good friend of mine coming out of college, and you know, when he went to Minnesota, which was great because he went to straight the Super Bowls, you know, and I went to Saint Louis. But now I had played against him at that time in Minnesota. And then as it kept going around, is when Fran and I were talking and it was just kind of like, yeah, one day, I hope maybe we'll get a chance to play with each other. And then that just went on and the biggest day in my whole football career was when I got traded to Minnesota, and Bud Grant was happy to have me. Uh you know, uh, Fran was just but you know, what so, so wait a minute, here's the other part. So I go to Minnesota and it was, uh, it was my first day there and I got lost driving to the practice field and so I was late coming there. So now all that stuff about here's the guy, he's this, he traded, changed his name and all this stuff. We trade for him and he comes to practice about an hour later. I was you know what it did because Bud didn't even care. He just came and said, hey, why are you late? I said, I got lost. He goes, all right, you'll figure out you and that was it. That means, say anything else, buy that. And then as we went to practice, targeting threw me every single pass you know, when we're practicing everything. I remember Bobby Bryant tried to beat me up. It was it was just really some kind of thing like that. So then I come in after practice and they called me into the training room and I'm in a training room and they tell me that the trade did not go through. I didn't pass the physical. I didn't even take a physical. We didn't pass the physical and they were going to send me back. So as I was sitting in the in the in the training room, Fran Tarkeeting walked in. He goes, what are you doing in here? I said, well, they just traded me back, and they told me to come in here and wait and then they'll clean my locker out and do this stuff. He said, don't go anywhere, just stay right there. Now. As Fran went back and told Bud and the and the general manager I ever forgot his name, he told the general manager that if they sent me back, he was quitting. Wow. Wow, that was it. He said, you send him out here, I'm quitting. I'm done. So so next thing I know, Fran walks into the train and goes, hey, man, go put your stuff back in the in the locker room. You're not going anywhere. And that's where that started off. Now, no more negativity at that at all. And Bud was absolutely wonderful. Him and I hit it off, like you know, we hit it off really really well, to the point where you know, guys would would would make fun of me I by calling me Bud Junior because Bud never said anything to me. And where do you remember that, Mark? Oh? Yeah, but was Bud was? Yeah, Bud was my guy and I was his guide. I don't know how that went, but that we just hit it off, really hit it off.

Well, you know, I remember it, I remember very very well. I had I had torn up my knee in Minnesota, my I mean in Buffalo my second year and then signed with Seattle. And when I got to Seattle, I never got to play. I never you know, they didn't really put me in or anything. And it was also during the name change when I had changed my name, and it was all kind of weird kind of stuff like that. And I remember they had a preseason game and I remember the coach came over and told me that I wasn't going to the game. You know, I could stay at training camp or wherever it was, but I wasn't going to the game. So when he came back, he called me in and he goes, I got some good news and some bad news. So I said, so give me the bad news. He said, well, the bad news is that we just traded you to Minnesota. And I said, Minnesota with Fran talking and the Minnesota Vikings. You're trading me from Seattle to Minnesota with Fran Tarking and the quarterback and the Minnesota Vikings that win all the time. So I said, so, then, what the hell is the bad news? Like, I'll never forget that, and I just got up and walked out. I was so excited. I was so excited about going to Minnesota because I had Frand and I had become friend. We were at some sort of event when I was playing for Buffalo and we ended up sitting outside of it for a couple of hours just talking back and forth about all kinds of stuff, you know, a different kinds of thing. We really had a wonderful relationship that we built. And then I think that when I played for Saint Louis, we played Minnesota and I had a really good game up there. Ed Mayer and Narrow was a good friend of mine coming out of college, and you know, when he went to Minnesota, which was great because he went to straight the Super Bowls, you know, and I went to Saint Louis. But now I had played against him at that time in Minnesota. And then as it kept going around, is when Fran and I were talking and it was just kind of like, yeah, one day, I hope maybe we'll get a chance to play with each other. And then that just went on and the biggest day in my whole football career was when I got traded to Minnesota, and Bud Grant was happy to have me. Uh you know, uh, Fran was just but you know, what so, so wait a minute, here's the other part. So I go to Minnesota and it was, uh, it was my first day there and I got lost driving to the practice field and so I was late coming there. So now all that stuff about here's the guy, he's this, he traded, changed his name and all this stuff. We trade for him and he comes to practice about an hour later. I was you know what it did because Bud didn't even care. He just came and said, hey, why are you late? I said, I got lost. He goes, all right, you'll figure out you and that was it. That means, say anything else, buy that. And then as we went to practice, targeting threw me every single pass you know, when we're practicing everything. I remember Bobby Bryant tried to beat me up. It was it was just really some kind of thing like that. So then I come in after practice and they called me into the training room and I'm in a training room and they tell me that the trade did not go through. I didn't pass the physical. I didn't even take a physical. We didn't pass the physical and they were going to send me back. So as I was sitting in the in the in the training room, Fran Tarkeeting walked in. He goes, what are you doing in here? I said, well, they just traded me back, and they told me to come in here and wait and then they'll clean my locker out and do this stuff. He said, don't go anywhere, just stay right there. Now. As Fran went back and told Bud and the and the general manager I ever forgot his name, he told the general manager that if they sent me back, he was quitting. Wow. Wow, that was it. He said, you send him out here, I'm quitting. I'm done. So so next thing I know, Fran walks into the train and goes, hey, man, go put your stuff back in the in the locker room. You're not going anywhere. And that's where that started off. Now, no more negativity at that at all. And Bud was absolutely wonderful. Him and I hit it off, like you know, we hit it off really really well, to the point where you know, guys would would would make fun of me I by calling me Bud Junior because Bud never said anything to me. And where do you remember that, Mark? Oh? Yeah, but was Bud was? Yeah, Bud was my guy and I was his guide. I don't know how that went, but that we just hit it off, really hit it off.

You know.

You know.

Bud wasn't the man with a lot of words, but he would always every day a practice he called me over in the corner and he just start talking about something like hunting, you know, like, hey, I was hunting and I did this duck hunting or whatever that else. Meanwhile everybody's practicing, but he was keeping me. He was keeping me out of it because it was freezing cold outside. So it was it was just a wonderful thing. And Fran I can't you know, I can't say enough about him, how wonderful he was. So it was all it was was Fran. It was uh, you know, but Grant. And it was the fan. The Minnesota Vikings have the great fan back in any place that I've ever fand it's the best. I enjoyed myself there for all the years that I was there. It was you know, it was right at the top of my list, I really And it was about the people, about the fans and about the people. It's a really special place to mind.

Bud wasn't the man with a lot of words, but he would always every day a practice he called me over in the corner and he just start talking about something like hunting, you know, like, hey, I was hunting and I did this duck hunting or whatever that else. Meanwhile everybody's practicing, but he was keeping me. He was keeping me out of it because it was freezing cold outside. So it was it was just a wonderful thing. And Fran I can't you know, I can't say enough about him, how wonderful he was. So it was all it was was Fran. It was uh, you know, but Grant. And it was the fan. The Minnesota Vikings have the great fan back in any place that I've ever fand it's the best. I enjoyed myself there for all the years that I was there. It was you know, it was right at the top of my list, I really And it was about the people, about the fans and about the people. It's a really special place to mind.

What was it that you guys did from a from a act as an OL standpoint football wise that was so different You and Fran. You mentioned that relationship, but that carried over into what you did on the field, did it not, because the running back was utilized and it just a different way.

What was it that you guys did from a from a act as an OL standpoint football wise that was so different You and Fran. You mentioned that relationship, but that carried over into what you did on the field, did it not, because the running back was utilized and it just a different way.

Well, it was different because Fran and I, you know, we would practice different things during the course of the week, you know, we're all watching. He would say, you know, what do you think you can run on these guys? Or what can you do? This and that and the other and then whatever it was. His whole thing was if you were saying this is what you could do, then the inspiration came because you already said you could do this, so let's see you do it, you know. So he was one of those guys that would call on you and it would be all you. And it worked, it absolutely work. And he'd say things to you know, he'd call a play and it'd be like, you know, fifty two seventy two and them on, give me something on the backside. And no matter what I got on the ball, you know, I can run an in or out or up or whatever. It was, all I do when I turn around or here it comes the ball.

Well, it was different because Fran and I, you know, we would practice different things during the course of the week, you know, we're all watching. He would say, you know, what do you think you can run on these guys? Or what can you do? This and that and the other and then whatever it was. His whole thing was if you were saying this is what you could do, then the inspiration came because you already said you could do this, so let's see you do it, you know. So he was one of those guys that would call on you and it would be all you. And it worked, it absolutely work. And he'd say things to you know, he'd call a play and it'd be like, you know, fifty two seventy two and them on, give me something on the backside. And no matter what I got on the ball, you know, I can run an in or out or up or whatever. It was, all I do when I turn around or here it comes the ball.

Well, in the midst of all that, Jerry Burns was the offensive coordinator too, and that must have been quite the the comedy routine, but a very very bright, offensive mind that Burnsy was.

Well, in the midst of all that, Jerry Burns was the offensive coordinator too, and that must have been quite the the comedy routine, but a very very bright, offensive mind that Burnsy was.

He was the absolute best and he got the best out of all of us. We got a chance to do the things that you know that he knew we could do, and he would all you know. I remember coming coming off the field sometimes and I'd go, you know, I have a word with Burns. I said, Burns, if these guys is doing such and such and that he's gonna wait, just stop, just get open. And that was the end of it. Yeah, that was that was just get open, like okay, Well he was you know, he was great man. He was. It was such a great Uh. You don't have budd Dreant. They had Buddy Ryan, Betty Ryan. Buddy Ryan was my inspiration because no matter what I did in the game, he'd always kept up with me and see if you can do that next week, because you could do it this week. Hey, that guy you beat up last week on he's gone. But the guy coming this week he's really good. Let's see what you're gonna do. He did this every every game, and it was one of these things where I made a point to sit next to him on the bus on the way to the game so that we can I could get really fired up for him, tell me what I couldn't do. And he knew it too. You know he was doing it on further. He would just poke me everything with time, like he ain't even catch no passes this week, you know that that was That was Buddy, that was Buddy running. He didn't even coach offense. He was a defensive coach.

He was the absolute best and he got the best out of all of us. We got a chance to do the things that you know that he knew we could do, and he would all you know. I remember coming coming off the field sometimes and I'd go, you know, I have a word with Burns. I said, Burns, if these guys is doing such and such and that he's gonna wait, just stop, just get open. And that was the end of it. Yeah, that was that was just get open, like okay, Well he was you know, he was great man. He was. It was such a great Uh. You don't have budd Dreant. They had Buddy Ryan, Betty Ryan. Buddy Ryan was my inspiration because no matter what I did in the game, he'd always kept up with me and see if you can do that next week, because you could do it this week. Hey, that guy you beat up last week on he's gone. But the guy coming this week he's really good. Let's see what you're gonna do. He did this every every game, and it was one of these things where I made a point to sit next to him on the bus on the way to the game so that we can I could get really fired up for him, tell me what I couldn't do. And he knew it too. You know he was doing it on further. He would just poke me everything with time, like he ain't even catch no passes this week, you know that that was That was Buddy, that was Buddy running. He didn't even coach offense. He was a defensive coach.

It's it's very h interesting way to motivate doesn't work much anymore. I don't think, yeah, you did some you you were involved in some playoff games. As the Vikings reached the playoffs. You got a quarterback never played in a playoff game. What advice would you give or did you give to younger guys when they were just starting or just getting into their first playoff game.

It's it's very h interesting way to motivate doesn't work much anymore. I don't think, yeah, you did some you you were involved in some playoff games. As the Vikings reached the playoffs. You got a quarterback never played in a playoff game. What advice would you give or did you give to younger guys when they were just starting or just getting into their first playoff game.

The game can't be bigger than you. You know, it's just another game. You'd play the best you can play in those games. It's not like, you know, it's not like one of those things where you know you're not You didn't surprise yourself that you made it to the playoffs. You're getting ready to show everybody why you make it made it to the playoffs. So it was more of a you know, getting yourself prepared. And like I said, in Minnesota, they had been to the team had been to the playoffs so many years, you know, in advance of the time I got there, that they were used to all that. You know, they had gone to three Super Bowls, you know, So it was one of those things that it became a norm to get ready to play during that time, as opposed to had become.

The game can't be bigger than you. You know, it's just another game. You'd play the best you can play in those games. It's not like, you know, it's not like one of those things where you know you're not You didn't surprise yourself that you made it to the playoffs. You're getting ready to show everybody why you make it made it to the playoffs. So it was more of a you know, getting yourself prepared. And like I said, in Minnesota, they had been to the team had been to the playoffs so many years, you know, in advance of the time I got there, that they were used to all that. You know, they had gone to three Super Bowls, you know, So it was one of those things that it became a norm to get ready to play during that time, as opposed to had become.

Overwhelming in the meantime as your career progressed, and I know you continue to work with us a Channel four and doing other things besides our sports show and Sunday nights, But you always had it in your mind. I always tell people this that you were it was a means to an end that you had. You know, you knew what there was going to be life after football and hardly as lucrative as it is today. But when did the national kind of broadcasting bug hit you and you knew you wanted to kind of move on not just covering football, but to be involved in a different level.

Overwhelming in the meantime as your career progressed, and I know you continue to work with us a Channel four and doing other things besides our sports show and Sunday nights, But you always had it in your mind. I always tell people this that you were it was a means to an end that you had. You know, you knew what there was going to be life after football and hardly as lucrative as it is today. But when did the national kind of broadcasting bug hit you and you knew you wanted to kind of move on not just covering football, but to be involved in a different level.

I think that it was, you know, I think the way I always looked at football is something I really loved to do, but it didn't control my whole life, you know, and also playing it. I knew that what's going to happen at the end of six seven years, you know, you're still thirty two years old. You got the rest of your life to go. So it was, you know, when we started doing the things that we were doing on the football thing, and you remember that I went on and did everything I did high school basketball or you know, or track and field or whatever those things were, because I wanted to be a broadcaster to do all sports. And then and then having done that and getting used to doing things like that, and also having that foundation that you helped me build, you know, I was pretty much confident coming out of there because I got all the networks came and wanted to hire me. And it was at a time where I could have played five more years probably, but the fact of the matter, I had everybody giving me an offer, and the only team, the only network that gave me a chance to do everything every sport was NBC. ABC asked me if I would just do football, and CBS wanted me to just do football, and all these ones that were just doing football. I knew that that wasn't a career. You know. The career is to be able to do every single sport and also sit in that other chair right, you know, to where you're hosting the thing and they bring in different athletes and different people to come in, but it's it's a show that you're putting all the energy in and making it go past. And you could do that for a long time. And that's where that came in, you know, and I, you know, having having worked with with you, Marky was one of those things where I watched you. You know, you did every sport, You did whatever you want to do. So those are the kind of things that I wanted to do, and NBC gave me an opportunity to do them immediately. And I think everybody was shocked when I said I quit, I'm retiring, because Bud was. Budd just came up and said, hey, look, you don't even have to come to practice next year, come back next year, and I just want you to play in the games. He did all that stuff, and then one day I came in there and he took my whole uniform in a bag and handed it to me, said I just want to give this to you now. You can put it in a trophy room with something whatever that.

I think that it was, you know, I think the way I always looked at football is something I really loved to do, but it didn't control my whole life, you know, and also playing it. I knew that what's going to happen at the end of six seven years, you know, you're still thirty two years old. You got the rest of your life to go. So it was, you know, when we started doing the things that we were doing on the football thing, and you remember that I went on and did everything I did high school basketball or you know, or track and field or whatever those things were, because I wanted to be a broadcaster to do all sports. And then and then having done that and getting used to doing things like that, and also having that foundation that you helped me build, you know, I was pretty much confident coming out of there because I got all the networks came and wanted to hire me. And it was at a time where I could have played five more years probably, but the fact of the matter, I had everybody giving me an offer, and the only team, the only network that gave me a chance to do everything every sport was NBC. ABC asked me if I would just do football, and CBS wanted me to just do football, and all these ones that were just doing football. I knew that that wasn't a career. You know. The career is to be able to do every single sport and also sit in that other chair right, you know, to where you're hosting the thing and they bring in different athletes and different people to come in, but it's it's a show that you're putting all the energy in and making it go past. And you could do that for a long time. And that's where that came in, you know, and I, you know, having having worked with with you, Marky was one of those things where I watched you. You know, you did every sport, You did whatever you want to do. So those are the kind of things that I wanted to do, and NBC gave me an opportunity to do them immediately. And I think everybody was shocked when I said I quit, I'm retiring, because Bud was. Budd just came up and said, hey, look, you don't even have to come to practice next year, come back next year, and I just want you to play in the games. He did all that stuff, and then one day I came in there and he took my whole uniform in a bag and handed it to me, said I just want to give this to you now. You can put it in a trophy room with something whatever that.

Hell, yeah, that's special. That is special. It's gotta be hard to walk away from that. Stick around for more from a mad for shot right here on school Stories presented by three M. From the field to the roof and everywhere in between. Three M, the official science partner of the Minnesota Vikings, is here. Visit Vikings dot com slash school Science to learn more.

Hell, yeah, that's special. That is special. It's gotta be hard to walk away from that. Stick around for more from a mad for shot right here on school Stories presented by three M. From the field to the roof and everywhere in between. Three M, the official science partner of the Minnesota Vikings, is here. Visit Vikings dot com slash school Science to learn more.

Unreal is back with their limited edition Vikings Shop at the u NRL dot com for more details. Welcome back to tonight's edition of school Stories presented by three M. Now let's get back into our conversation with Vikings legend a madrashot so mott outside of out with all the sports that you've covered, outside of outside of football, which one's your favorite?

Unreal is back with their limited edition Vikings Shop at the u NRL dot com for more details. Welcome back to tonight's edition of school Stories presented by three M. Now let's get back into our conversation with Vikings legend a madrashot so mott outside of out with all the sports that you've covered, outside of outside of football, which one's your favorite?

And why you.

And why you.

Know they're all my favorite? Back? You know, well, you know basketball, I really enjoyed basketball. I always enjoyed basketball. But you know, when I look back at the whole career, I enjoyed the Olympics. Yeah, the Olympics was really something. I was a big track guy too, you know during that time, So it was I was very fortunate to be able to be at NBC where I ended up doing four Olympics, and then also you know the fact of just going to the NBA and which I really liked. I had a bunch of friends that were already playing at during that time, and so to do the NBA and to be able to cover all their stars that they have there, and it was a sport that I really liked. I really enjoyed it. It was indoors and warm for one, Yeah, very nice. It was just something that you know, that's the kind of way. That's the way it went. I've always loved football, you know, but during the basketball then we had a chance to you know what, and it was it wasn't so much I had the when when we did our show, we did our football show there. That's sort of the stuff that I took to this show that I created at the NBA called Inside Stuff. Was just by the way winning the Hall of Fame this past year, I got a lot of those ideas and the way those things work from when you and I worked together, you know, because we we had such a great time and it was all about our personalities.

Know they're all my favorite? Back? You know, well, you know basketball, I really enjoyed basketball. I always enjoyed basketball. But you know, when I look back at the whole career, I enjoyed the Olympics. Yeah, the Olympics was really something. I was a big track guy too, you know during that time, So it was I was very fortunate to be able to be at NBC where I ended up doing four Olympics, and then also you know the fact of just going to the NBA and which I really liked. I had a bunch of friends that were already playing at during that time, and so to do the NBA and to be able to cover all their stars that they have there, and it was a sport that I really liked. I really enjoyed it. It was indoors and warm for one, Yeah, very nice. It was just something that you know, that's the kind of way. That's the way it went. I've always loved football, you know, but during the basketball then we had a chance to you know what, and it was it wasn't so much I had the when when we did our show, we did our football show there. That's sort of the stuff that I took to this show that I created at the NBA called Inside Stuff. Was just by the way winning the Hall of Fame this past year, I got a lot of those ideas and the way those things work from when you and I worked together, you know, because we we had such a great time and it was all about our personalities.

You know.

You know.

It was like, you know, we'd laugh at stuff, we'd come up with stuff, we have nice stories, you know, and we were like, I think people just like watching it because it was kind of a tough thing. That's the same sort of attitude that I took to inside stuff. But it was on basketball and then that really went. I mean it was right when basketball was turning around and becoming a world sport. We were right on that train.

It was like, you know, we'd laugh at stuff, we'd come up with stuff, we have nice stories, you know, and we were like, I think people just like watching it because it was kind of a tough thing. That's the same sort of attitude that I took to inside stuff. But it was on basketball and then that really went. I mean it was right when basketball was turning around and becoming a world sport. We were right on that train.

Well in your relationship with Michael Jordan obviously became very special, and your insight into Michael and after all these years, still arguably the greatest player of all time, and you got to know him quite well and still are very very good friends with him, right, And.

Well in your relationship with Michael Jordan obviously became very special, and your insight into Michael and after all these years, still arguably the greatest player of all time, and you got to know him quite well and still are very very good friends with him, right, And.

It was I mean not always, but there was a bunch of It wasn't only Michael Garnett, I mean Charles bar I mean it was they had a bunch of stars. If you look on a dream team, right, your dream team, well all those guys were. I mean anytime I do is call an you them, they come on the show or we and we had a chance to show who they really were. It wasn't just about basketball. It's like how do you go to the store, how do you go to the mall, how do you drive? How do you do these times? So you got to learn who these guys were. As real people as opposed to just basketball players. And it was a big group, you know, when I look at you know, Larry Bird, it was all these guys that were dying, you know, to get on that show inside stuff, because everybody was watching that show. So if I went to a game and somebody went down the court and made a dunk or something like that, they would run back by me and go put that on inside stuff. Every game it was the guys were playing Tom Hey man, I put that dunk on inside stuff, you know. So it was it was a lot of fun. And and he also, you know what David Stern gave me. I could do whatever I wanted to do on that show, you know, And it was just a lot of lot of fun. So Michael and I and I had access, Like you said, to Michaels, he was just becoming the greatest player, you know, with the first of the six championships, well that was we were there for every single one of those, and it just turned out that that was like my best friend at that point, you know. So it was it was it was all those things. But there were all these other guys too, you know, Larry Bird, you know, all all oh goodness.

It was I mean not always, but there was a bunch of It wasn't only Michael Garnett, I mean Charles bar I mean it was they had a bunch of stars. If you look on a dream team, right, your dream team, well all those guys were. I mean anytime I do is call an you them, they come on the show or we and we had a chance to show who they really were. It wasn't just about basketball. It's like how do you go to the store, how do you go to the mall, how do you drive? How do you do these times? So you got to learn who these guys were. As real people as opposed to just basketball players. And it was a big group, you know, when I look at you know, Larry Bird, it was all these guys that were dying, you know, to get on that show inside stuff, because everybody was watching that show. So if I went to a game and somebody went down the court and made a dunk or something like that, they would run back by me and go put that on inside stuff. Every game it was the guys were playing Tom Hey man, I put that dunk on inside stuff, you know. So it was it was a lot of fun. And and he also, you know what David Stern gave me. I could do whatever I wanted to do on that show, you know, And it was just a lot of lot of fun. So Michael and I and I had access, Like you said, to Michaels, he was just becoming the greatest player, you know, with the first of the six championships, well that was we were there for every single one of those, and it just turned out that that was like my best friend at that point, you know. So it was it was it was all those things. But there were all these other guys too, you know, Larry Bird, you know, all all oh goodness.

Yeah great, I mean great players, but unbelievable personalities and people as well, right, I mean I don't think you know, it's like the media still he can't get enough of Barkley and people from that era who not just played their rear ends off, but just the personality hard. I can't even imagine how much fun y'all had sitting around just talking about that driving to work stuff, like you know stuff.

Yeah great, I mean great players, but unbelievable personalities and people as well, right, I mean I don't think you know, it's like the media still he can't get enough of Barkley and people from that era who not just played their rear ends off, but just the personality hard. I can't even imagine how much fun y'all had sitting around just talking about that driving to work stuff, like you know stuff.

The other part is those guys respected me because they knew how good I was at my sport.

The other part is those guys respected me because they knew how good I was at my sport.

Of course, it wasn't like.

Of course, it wasn't like.

I just popped up. It's like, well, you know, I've been at this level before in my whole career. Was that just so? So it was more of a you know, they all knew about my career, I knew about their career. So it was a wonderful thing for all of us to sort of get along.

I just popped up. It's like, well, you know, I've been at this level before in my whole career. Was that just so? So it was more of a you know, they all knew about my career, I knew about their career. So it was a wonderful thing for all of us to sort of get along.

Again, we're talking with a modelor shot. And because of the ever changing landscape of sports and whether it's the youth, collegiate, professional level, would you have wanted to be involved with the you know, the world of social media and everything that it happens is is somehow recorded or put out there, and uh, it's it's a different, much different world than you you grew up in in sports and the sports landscape.

Again, we're talking with a modelor shot. And because of the ever changing landscape of sports and whether it's the youth, collegiate, professional level, would you have wanted to be involved with the you know, the world of social media and everything that it happens is is somehow recorded or put out there, and uh, it's it's a different, much different world than you you grew up in in sports and the sports landscape.

There was the worst thing about it is you can make up a bunch of stuff and put it on there or whatever your attitude. You can please. You have a chance to uh say something that you might want to say, and you don't have any sort of uh intelligence about what you're talking about, you know, because you all you got to do is put it on the internet, right, you know, I think isn't that and the other? But where do you think that from? You have a background that you sort of went through. It is just your it's just what you're thinking. So you have to sort of cut yourself between that. And it's also changed things by the players. Players don't have to get interviewed anymore. They can interview themselves or say what they want to say, and so it sort of gets out of whack a little bit. You just have to keep going. I mean, that's when I realized that I'm not thirty.

There was the worst thing about it is you can make up a bunch of stuff and put it on there or whatever your attitude. You can please. You have a chance to uh say something that you might want to say, and you don't have any sort of uh intelligence about what you're talking about, you know, because you all you got to do is put it on the internet, right, you know, I think isn't that and the other? But where do you think that from? You have a background that you sort of went through. It is just your it's just what you're thinking. So you have to sort of cut yourself between that. And it's also changed things by the players. Players don't have to get interviewed anymore. They can interview themselves or say what they want to say, and so it sort of gets out of whack a little bit. You just have to keep going. I mean, that's when I realized that I'm not thirty.

Nine, that is for sure.

Nine, that is for sure.

Yeah, you remember that, because everybody care write their own story or how well they played, or how good they are, how good looking there they can put that on to themselves.

Yeah, you remember that, because everybody care write their own story or how well they played, or how good they are, how good looking there they can put that on to themselves.

Sure, And what do you think of the What do you think of today's NFL? I mean we have, obviously, justin Jefferson Jordan Addison, wide receiver positions changed a little bit. You know, you're not gonna get your head taken off running across the middle.

Sure, And what do you think of the What do you think of today's NFL? I mean we have, obviously, justin Jefferson Jordan Addison, wide receiver positions changed a little bit. You know, you're not gonna get your head taken off running across the middle.

Of the field.

Of the field.

So, uh yeah, what is your What do you think about today's game in the wide receiver position in particular, Well.

So, uh yeah, what is your What do you think about today's game in the wide receiver position in particular, Well.

Jefferson could have played at any at any at any level. I mean, he's that good that it wouldn't have mattered. He had been great no matter when he played. But they have changed the rules to the point where they're not even They don't even go with the rules of a long time ago. It should be like new stuff, you know, because if you change the rules where you can't touch anybody. I think I led the league in receiving one time when like eighty passes or sixty passes, and then one time with eighty passes, which back then was like a thousand. But you look now, the fourth string receiver catches eighty passes. Yeah, it's like and you can't touch them. You know, you can't touch them. But I just I look at it from when you start talking like that. You come off like, once again, I'm not thirty nine, I'm old. No, you know you talk about oh man, when I played, when I played, and then it reminds me of times when I was playing and I'd run into some guy that played like thirty years before me, and he'd be talking like I'm talking now. Man, when you played, they didn't even have helmets.

Jefferson could have played at any at any at any level. I mean, he's that good that it wouldn't have mattered. He had been great no matter when he played. But they have changed the rules to the point where they're not even They don't even go with the rules of a long time ago. It should be like new stuff, you know, because if you change the rules where you can't touch anybody. I think I led the league in receiving one time when like eighty passes or sixty passes, and then one time with eighty passes, which back then was like a thousand. But you look now, the fourth string receiver catches eighty passes. Yeah, it's like and you can't touch them. You know, you can't touch them. But I just I look at it from when you start talking like that. You come off like, once again, I'm not thirty nine, I'm old. No, you know you talk about oh man, when I played, when I played, and then it reminds me of times when I was playing and I'd run into some guy that played like thirty years before me, and he'd be talking like I'm talking now. Man, when you played, they didn't even have helmets.

Leather helmets. Yeah exactly. Well, it's yeah, Lily, exactly, it's it's a pleasure catching up with you. We really appreciate your time, but more importantly, I so appreciate your friendship over the years. It means the world to me. And uh, you sell them as youthful as ever, and it inspires me to keep doing what I'm doing at my young age and hang your on youngsters like Pete Pursage. So all the best to you, my friend.

Leather helmets. Yeah exactly. Well, it's yeah, Lily, exactly, it's it's a pleasure catching up with you. We really appreciate your time, but more importantly, I so appreciate your friendship over the years. It means the world to me. And uh, you sell them as youthful as ever, and it inspires me to keep doing what I'm doing at my young age and hang your on youngsters like Pete Pursage. So all the best to you, my friend.

Hey, I really, I really appreciate that so much. You know that Minnesota has always been my home. I love the place. I love everybody there, and they did such a wonderful I had such a great career being there, just with the people that I've met, the people that I met, and how we sort of interacted through him. It's my favorite place in the world and it's so nice to talk to you guys. This more ya.

Hey, I really, I really appreciate that so much. You know that Minnesota has always been my home. I love the place. I love everybody there, and they did such a wonderful I had such a great career being there, just with the people that I've met, the people that I met, and how we sort of interacted through him. It's my favorite place in the world and it's so nice to talk to you guys. This more ya.

Thanks you man, thank you AMU time well, thanks again to a mod for Shot for joining the show tonight. It has been an incredible season of Skull Stories talking to some of our favorite Viking legends. We would like to say thanks to a couple of people for helping make this show happen in twenty twenty four. Legends coordinator Tom West for booking such great guests, Audio editor Eric Davidson, producer Jay Nelson, my co host of course, Pete Bursich, and most certainly you the fans. This has always been a lot of fun doing each year, and remember if you missed any of our previous episodes, be sure to check out our podcast feed on your favorite podcast app or the podcastab on the Vikings app for our entire catalog. For one last time this football season, thanks again for tuning into another edition of Skull Stories presented by three M the official science partner of the Minnesota Vikings, and we will see you all again next year.

Thanks you man, thank you AMU time well, thanks again to a mod for Shot for joining the show tonight. It has been an incredible season of Skull Stories talking to some of our favorite Viking legends. We would like to say thanks to a couple of people for helping make this show happen in twenty twenty four. Legends coordinator Tom West for booking such great guests, Audio editor Eric Davidson, producer Jay Nelson, my co host of course, Pete Bursich, and most certainly you the fans. This has always been a lot of fun doing each year, and remember if you missed any of our previous episodes, be sure to check out our podcast feed on your favorite podcast app or the podcastab on the Vikings app for our entire catalog. For one last time this football season, thanks again for tuning into another edition of Skull Stories presented by three M the official science partner of the Minnesota Vikings, and we will see you all again next year.