You are listening to the Dan Patrick Show on Fox Sports Radio.

You are listening to the Dan Patrick Show on Fox Sports Radio.

Watching the Jets last night primetime games. It's you know, we do over react to primetime because we all collectively are watching a game, then we all collectively have an opinion. And with the Jets last night, Aaron Rodgers didn't look good, never got settled in. He threw for under one hundred and seventy yards. Breece Hall averaged less than three and a half yards per Garrett Kerry. Garrett Wilson looked good in the first half, shut down on the second half, and then all of a sudden, a guy named Jordan Mason comes in for Christian McCaffrey and look like Christian McCaffrey. It's one game. Yes, it's Aaron Rodgers coming back. He's forty years of age. I expect that defense to be formidable. And you have Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson, who are you know they can change a game? And do I still think that they're going to be a playoff team? Yes?

Watching the Jets last night primetime games. It's you know, we do over react to primetime because we all collectively are watching a game, then we all collectively have an opinion. And with the Jets last night, Aaron Rodgers didn't look good, never got settled in. He threw for under one hundred and seventy yards. Breece Hall averaged less than three and a half yards per Garrett Kerry. Garrett Wilson looked good in the first half, shut down on the second half, and then all of a sudden, a guy named Jordan Mason comes in for Christian McCaffrey and look like Christian McCaffrey. It's one game. Yes, it's Aaron Rodgers coming back. He's forty years of age. I expect that defense to be formidable. And you have Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson, who are you know they can change a game? And do I still think that they're going to be a playoff team? Yes?

I do.

I do.

By the way, the over under with wins after the loss by the Jets to DraftKings, the over under for the Jets wins is nine and a half, but I will say this, odds to win Comeback Player of the Year, Aaron Rodgers is the big winner so far, followed by Joe Burrow, Anthony Richardson, Sam Darnold, and Kirk Cousins. What did Sam Darnold come back from obscurity? Average n that's weird. And Jim Harbaugh. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to know that. Odds to win Coach of the Year, He's the favorite right now, followed closely by Matt Eberflus, Mike McDonald of Seattle, and then Gerrod Mayo after the Patriots had their big win, and Kevin O'Connell after the Vikings had their big win.

By the way, the over under with wins after the loss by the Jets to DraftKings, the over under for the Jets wins is nine and a half, but I will say this, odds to win Comeback Player of the Year, Aaron Rodgers is the big winner so far, followed by Joe Burrow, Anthony Richardson, Sam Darnold, and Kirk Cousins. What did Sam Darnold come back from obscurity? Average n that's weird. And Jim Harbaugh. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to know that. Odds to win Coach of the Year, He's the favorite right now, followed closely by Matt Eberflus, Mike McDonald of Seattle, and then Gerrod Mayo after the Patriots had their big win, and Kevin O'Connell after the Vikings had their big win.

Seaton.

Seaton.

What's the Paul question we're going to go with today at least the first hour.

What's the Paul question we're going to go with today at least the first hour.

Yeah, if we started going with biggest overreaction right now, Sam Darnold might win because he's on his way to becoming a Hall of Famer, well maybe a Pro Bowl quarterback.

Yeah, if we started going with biggest overreaction right now, Sam Darnold might win because he's on his way to becoming a Hall of Famer, well maybe a Pro Bowl quarterback.

I think Marvin said that he would be the starter and the Pro Bowl. That is our hot take, and I meant that, yeah, of course you did.

I think Marvin said that he would be the starter and the Pro Bowl. That is our hot take, and I meant that, yeah, of course you did.

They played the Giants.

They played the Giants.

Every week, Yeah, yeah, every week? All right, So what's pull question? First down.

Every week, Yeah, yeah, every week? All right, So what's pull question? First down.

Well, we could start off with one here from Todd Aaron Rodgers and the Jets are gonna be just fine. It's one game on the road versus a great team or in big trouble.

Well, we could start off with one here from Todd Aaron Rodgers and the Jets are gonna be just fine. It's one game on the road versus a great team or in big trouble.

They didn't have the ball enough. But give credit to San Francisco. Their offensive and defensive lines were wonderful. And you know, Rock Perty didn't do much, didn't have to do much. Jordan Mason undrafted there, a third year player, but free agent. So you have the highest paid running back not playing, and then you have the cheapest running back in the NFL. And once again, you don't want to say players like Christian McCaffrey are interchangeable, just saying with a really good offensive line and a few other weapons to focus on, he was able to have a game. Now here's the thing that was tricky for me last night. If I'm a gambler, when is Christian McCaffrey ruled out of this game? So right before kickoff, thirty minutes before, all of a sudden, Mothership comes on the air and it was in Oh, by the way, Like, I was really surprised at how Joe and Troy came on the air and then it was they got around to Christian McCaffrey isn't playing. That should have been the first thing we saw was Jordan Mason. And you even say to your audience, why are we showing you Jordan Mason. He's starting for Christian McCaffrey. That should have been the first thing. Not It's a glorious night in the bay And now I don't care. This is about news that was breaking. Now that's also the tricky part. Did we know should we have known Friday or maybe Saturday Christian McCaffrey wasn't playing. When did the Niners know that Christian McCaffery was not going to play?

They didn't have the ball enough. But give credit to San Francisco. Their offensive and defensive lines were wonderful. And you know, Rock Perty didn't do much, didn't have to do much. Jordan Mason undrafted there, a third year player, but free agent. So you have the highest paid running back not playing, and then you have the cheapest running back in the NFL. And once again, you don't want to say players like Christian McCaffrey are interchangeable, just saying with a really good offensive line and a few other weapons to focus on, he was able to have a game. Now here's the thing that was tricky for me last night. If I'm a gambler, when is Christian McCaffrey ruled out of this game? So right before kickoff, thirty minutes before, all of a sudden, Mothership comes on the air and it was in Oh, by the way, Like, I was really surprised at how Joe and Troy came on the air and then it was they got around to Christian McCaffrey isn't playing. That should have been the first thing we saw was Jordan Mason. And you even say to your audience, why are we showing you Jordan Mason. He's starting for Christian McCaffrey. That should have been the first thing. Not It's a glorious night in the bay And now I don't care. This is about news that was breaking. Now that's also the tricky part. Did we know should we have known Friday or maybe Saturday Christian McCaffrey wasn't playing. When did the Niners know that Christian McCaffery was not going to play?

Now?

Now?

I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but fantasy owners also gamblers, you need to know this is full transparency. And that became a little tricky because Kyle Shanahan, the Niners head coach, was asked this question.

I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but fantasy owners also gamblers, you need to know this is full transparency. And that became a little tricky because Kyle Shanahan, the Niners head coach, was asked this question.

Jordan said, have to give me his hold.

Jordan said, have to give me his hold.

On Friday night, he was gonna start.

On Friday night, he was gonna start.

When did Christian start feeling cry?

When did Christian start feeling cry?

I never told Jordan was going to start. Told me he had to be ready a bunch.

I never told Jordan was going to start. Told me he had to be ready a bunch.

But I might have been Bobby or somebody trying to pump him up, but I knew he was gonna have to play a lot. I told him that he was going to have to wasn't going to be like usual. He's going to be a number two back that was splitting a lot of the time.

But I might have been Bobby or somebody trying to pump him up, but I knew he was gonna have to play a lot. I told him that he was going to have to wasn't going to be like usual. He's going to be a number two back that was splitting a lot of the time.

For now. He didn't know he for sure was doing that till the day. Okay, Jordan Mason rushed for one hundred and forty seven yards in the win, the most rushing yards by an undrafted player since Austin Eckler a couple of years ago had one hundred and seven three yarns. But you know, you're watching this happen right in front of you, and then all of a sudden, we're You're like, who's Jordan Mason? And how long is Christian McCaffrey going to be out? You know, there were I'd seen an update on Friday that McCaffrey was still bothered, you know, that calf injury, and it'd been lingering in I guess preseason, and all of a sudden, you're just going, wait a minute, what's going on here? And then they eventually get into the story and then you realize, Okay, he's going to be out of the game. This guy is going to play, and this is the season opener for the NFC Chams, and it's the best running back, one of the best players in the NFL. It was treated a little too casually for me. It should have that should have led the broadcast that it was that important. It's that important, and if I'm a gambler, I want to know. I don't know what that did to the betting line. I don't know if people all of a sudden said, you know what, I'm going to take the four and a half with the Jet because of that. But it's tricky and you have to have that information available to gamblers and fantasy. Now, in some fantasy leagues, you can replace one of your players if another player is playing on either one of those teams, at least I've been told that. So if you had somebody on the Jets, you had somebody on the Niners, you could replace Christian McCaffrey with them because they were playing in the game or their teams were playing in that game. Yes, Pauline, it's different at different betting sites.

For now. He didn't know he for sure was doing that till the day. Okay, Jordan Mason rushed for one hundred and forty seven yards in the win, the most rushing yards by an undrafted player since Austin Eckler a couple of years ago had one hundred and seven three yarns. But you know, you're watching this happen right in front of you, and then all of a sudden, we're You're like, who's Jordan Mason? And how long is Christian McCaffrey going to be out? You know, there were I'd seen an update on Friday that McCaffrey was still bothered, you know, that calf injury, and it'd been lingering in I guess preseason, and all of a sudden, you're just going, wait a minute, what's going on here? And then they eventually get into the story and then you realize, Okay, he's going to be out of the game. This guy is going to play, and this is the season opener for the NFC Chams, and it's the best running back, one of the best players in the NFL. It was treated a little too casually for me. It should have that should have led the broadcast that it was that important. It's that important, and if I'm a gambler, I want to know. I don't know what that did to the betting line. I don't know if people all of a sudden said, you know what, I'm going to take the four and a half with the Jet because of that. But it's tricky and you have to have that information available to gamblers and fantasy. Now, in some fantasy leagues, you can replace one of your players if another player is playing on either one of those teams, at least I've been told that. So if you had somebody on the Jets, you had somebody on the Niners, you could replace Christian McCaffrey with them because they were playing in the game or their teams were playing in that game. Yes, Pauline, it's different at different betting sites.

But when the McCaffrey news was announced, the forty nineers went from four point favorites to three point favorites and the over under went from forty one and a half forty two and a half to forty one and a half.

But when the McCaffrey news was announced, the forty nineers went from four point favorites to three point favorites and the over under went from forty one and a half forty two and a half to forty one and a half.

Yeah, so it did have an impact here, and it sounds like somebody knew something on Friday. Now, Kyle Shanahan is never going to admit that he told Jordan Mason, you're going to get the start, Christian's not playing, because then the NFL would probably be dialing up Kyle's hand hand to say, Kyle, we can't do that. We can't even give the perception that something was a little aire Haywire, a wall something. Yeah, Seeden, So.

Yeah, so it did have an impact here, and it sounds like somebody knew something on Friday. Now, Kyle Shanahan is never going to admit that he told Jordan Mason, you're going to get the start, Christian's not playing, because then the NFL would probably be dialing up Kyle's hand hand to say, Kyle, we can't do that. We can't even give the perception that something was a little aire Haywire, a wall something. Yeah, Seeden, So.

Not to go all tinfoil hat on you, but it's just a coincidence that then they told the kid on Friday, even though nobody was supposed to know that he was starting, and then ESPN completely downplayed the news that Christian McCaffrey wasn't starting.

Not to go all tinfoil hat on you, but it's just a coincidence that then they told the kid on Friday, even though nobody was supposed to know that he was starting, and then ESPN completely downplayed the news that Christian McCaffrey wasn't starting.

Well. Watching the broadcast last night, right, I mean, that's the first thing. I don't care what the weather, and it's a sunset and a beautiful night and electricity in the air. It's you got breaking news. Christian McCaffrey is not playing in the game. That's I mean, you get a pregame show that actually has some news to it. I was just shocked that they didn't treat that like it was something more important than what it was. And you got this guy who was an undrafted free agent, third year player. You have no idea who he is. We found out who he was watching the game, and he played an integral part in them winning this game. So I was just surprised. But I don't know if the NFL is going to follow up on this. But if you tell me I'm starting my first game, I think I'm going to remember that conversation. I don't know if it was a hey, get ready, you're going to play a little bit now. That's not starting. That's called be ready. Like my college coach would always say to me, hey, be ready as I continue to sit on the bench. He didn't say you're starting. I would remember that. So it was a little surprising last night from a couple of different angles there. All right, let me see, here's Aaron Rodgers on what went wrong.

Well. Watching the broadcast last night, right, I mean, that's the first thing. I don't care what the weather, and it's a sunset and a beautiful night and electricity in the air. It's you got breaking news. Christian McCaffrey is not playing in the game. That's I mean, you get a pregame show that actually has some news to it. I was just shocked that they didn't treat that like it was something more important than what it was. And you got this guy who was an undrafted free agent, third year player. You have no idea who he is. We found out who he was watching the game, and he played an integral part in them winning this game. So I was just surprised. But I don't know if the NFL is going to follow up on this. But if you tell me I'm starting my first game, I think I'm going to remember that conversation. I don't know if it was a hey, get ready, you're going to play a little bit now. That's not starting. That's called be ready. Like my college coach would always say to me, hey, be ready as I continue to sit on the bench. He didn't say you're starting. I would remember that. So it was a little surprising last night from a couple of different angles there. All right, let me see, here's Aaron Rodgers on what went wrong.

Yeah, you know, we're just bad one first and second down, I think for a lot of the game, and then you know, we had a couple of drives, we converted third downs, but overall, you know, we we we I feel like we didn't have any third and ten pluses tonight, so that's always a good thing. We look in the stat sheet, but we didn't convert those third mediums. You know, we had a drop, we had a couple penalties, had a bad throw, so not the correct but overall, I feel, you know, I feel good about our guys that the protection was really good tonight. We just would a little bit off in the in the run game, couldn't give brist coh and couldn't give them enough space. But a lot to build on.

Yeah, you know, we're just bad one first and second down, I think for a lot of the game, and then you know, we had a couple of drives, we converted third downs, but overall, you know, we we we I feel like we didn't have any third and ten pluses tonight, so that's always a good thing. We look in the stat sheet, but we didn't convert those third mediums. You know, we had a drop, we had a couple penalties, had a bad throw, so not the correct but overall, I feel, you know, I feel good about our guys that the protection was really good tonight. We just would a little bit off in the in the run game, couldn't give brist coh and couldn't give them enough space. But a lot to build on.

Yeah, it's not time to panic yet. I mean, this is what we want to do. We want to overreact to it. It's the Niners. The Niners were supposed to win. I was surprised the betting line wasn't a little more closer to six points, but it was four and a half, then went down to three. McCaffrey's not playing, and you know, Rogers had some weapons looked good early, but the defense got man handled last night. That was the big surprise for me. Panic not yet. Now. I think they have the Titans next week. Does that sound right?

Yeah, it's not time to panic yet. I mean, this is what we want to do. We want to overreact to it. It's the Niners. The Niners were supposed to win. I was surprised the betting line wasn't a little more closer to six points, but it was four and a half, then went down to three. McCaffrey's not playing, and you know, Rogers had some weapons looked good early, but the defense got man handled last night. That was the big surprise for me. Panic not yet. Now. I think they have the Titans next week. Does that sound right?

Yes?

Yes?

Todd at the Titans host the Patriots and then host the Broncos.

Todd at the Titans host the Patriots and then host the Broncos.

Is it an okay? They could easily be three and one, and then we're gonna move on to another topic here, by the way, Jordan Mason salary this year nine hundred and eighty five thousand dollars. All right, that's a good, good, good salary. Christian McCaffrey's game check for last night, forty thousand dollars. Stat of the day, Sat of the day, that past stat of the day, stat of the day. Here comes that what stat of the day? Stop stat of the day. Brought to you by Panini America, the official Trading cards. Alex Smith will join us. Coming up, former NFL quarterback Jim Harball once again top of next hour. I didn't know much about Jordan Mason, and was he Georgia Tech? Nice? Okay, I was gonna give you a hint.

Is it an okay? They could easily be three and one, and then we're gonna move on to another topic here, by the way, Jordan Mason salary this year nine hundred and eighty five thousand dollars. All right, that's a good, good, good salary. Christian McCaffrey's game check for last night, forty thousand dollars. Stat of the day, Sat of the day, that past stat of the day, stat of the day. Here comes that what stat of the day? Stop stat of the day. Brought to you by Panini America, the official Trading cards. Alex Smith will join us. Coming up, former NFL quarterback Jim Harball once again top of next hour. I didn't know much about Jordan Mason, and was he Georgia Tech? Nice? Okay, I was gonna give you a hint.

Fantastic uniforms, a good running back.

Fantastic uniforms, a good running back.

Oh yeah, yeah, Jordan Mason. So was he there before Jamiir Gibbs?

Oh yeah, yeah, Jordan Mason. So was he there before Jamiir Gibbs?

He was?

He was?

He overlapped with the Gibbs era lightly. Actually, he took over after Gibbs went to Alabama. He was eighteen nineteen twenty twenty one. He started off great and had some injuries his last few year.

He overlapped with the Gibbs era lightly. Actually, he took over after Gibbs went to Alabama. He was eighteen nineteen twenty twenty one. He started off great and had some injuries his last few year.

Fritzy wants to change the spelling I guess of Christian McCaffrey's last name, So it was being kicked.

Fritzy wants to change the spelling I guess of Christian McCaffrey's last name, So it was being kicked.

Around the room.

Around the room.

McCaffrey made with a name like that, we should have known that he might run into problem.

McCaffrey made with a name like that, we should have known that he might run into problem.

Thank you, calv mcalf mcaffe.

Thank you, calv mcalf mcaffe.

And if you played with the yellow jacket, shouldn't there be some buzz around Jordan Mason before?

And if you played with the yellow jacket, shouldn't there be some buzz around Jordan Mason before?

Already here all night. Probably would have held off on the last one.

Already here all night. Probably would have held off on the last one.

Get your waitresses.

Get your waitresses.

Yeah, ten dollar cover trick. Pretty good game by Brock, wasn't.

Yeah, ten dollar cover trick. Pretty good game by Brock, wasn't.

It Dan.

It Dan.

McCaffrey than calf? Uh? Okay, So what's the pole question? We're going to go with hour one? Then we'll take a break.

McCaffrey than calf? Uh? Okay, So what's the pole question? We're going to go with hour one? Then we'll take a break.

I think we're gonna go with Aaron Rodgers and the Jets.

I think we're gonna go with Aaron Rodgers and the Jets.

Actually, what about Can I put up something.

Actually, what about Can I put up something.

Along the lines of the timing of the announcement of Christian McCaffrey's injury story or not a story?

Along the lines of the timing of the announcement of Christian McCaffrey's injury story or not a story?

Yeah, but I'm looking at this from a TV perspective of this is breaking news. It should have been played up larger than what it was. But you know, for the league and betting, and I don't know, maybe I'm making too big a deal of it, but it was breaking news and it wasn't treated that way. It was we're going to get around to. Hey, let's go down to Laura Rutledge, Laura Christian McCaffrey not playing. Okay, yeah see, let's see.

Yeah, but I'm looking at this from a TV perspective of this is breaking news. It should have been played up larger than what it was. But you know, for the league and betting, and I don't know, maybe I'm making too big a deal of it, but it was breaking news and it wasn't treated that way. It was we're going to get around to. Hey, let's go down to Laura Rutledge, Laura Christian McCaffrey not playing. Okay, yeah see, let's see.

I find it more interesting the discrepancy between the player and the coach. Well, the players like, yeah, they told me on Friday, And then all of a sudden, the player has to go back up onto the front and be.

I find it more interesting the discrepancy between the player and the coach. Well, the players like, yeah, they told me on Friday, And then all of a sudden, the player has to go back up onto the front and be.

Like wow, well, I mean and I don't.

Like wow, well, I mean and I don't.

Because he just got everybody in trouble.

Because he just got everybody in trouble.

I felt bad for him because, well, he has his moment. Now he's going up saying this is why I don't like the media anyway. Dude, you just had your moment. It's not our fault. They're just asking the right question. When did he know? When? Did you know Friday?

I felt bad for him because, well, he has his moment. Now he's going up saying this is why I don't like the media anyway. Dude, you just had your moment. It's not our fault. They're just asking the right question. When did he know? When? Did you know Friday?

Yes?

Yes?

Mark?

Mark?

Is that going to be awkward because in that postgame pressor, Kyle Shanahan mentions Bobby that's Bobby Turner, the running backs code for the forty nine ers, Like wait, wait, did you tell him that he was going to be starting with Friday?

Is that going to be awkward because in that postgame pressor, Kyle Shanahan mentions Bobby that's Bobby Turner, the running backs code for the forty nine ers, Like wait, wait, did you tell him that he was going to be starting with Friday?

But Bobby's not interviewed. You don't talk to the assistant coaches. So I'm going to have to take Kyle's word for it that he wasn't told on Friday that he was going to be starting Okay, maybe nothing to see here. I uh's it Friday? Did I say start?

But Bobby's not interviewed. You don't talk to the assistant coaches. So I'm going to have to take Kyle's word for it that he wasn't told on Friday that he was going to be starting Okay, maybe nothing to see here. I uh's it Friday? Did I say start?

No?

No?

It's Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our show at foxsports Radio dot com and within the iHeartRadio app. Search FSR to listen.

It's Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our show at foxsports Radio dot com and within the iHeartRadio app. Search FSR to listen.

Live, Hey gang, listen. Is Jay Glazer, host of Unbreakable, a mental Wealth.

Live, Hey gang, listen. Is Jay Glazer, host of Unbreakable, a mental Wealth.

Podcast, and every week we will have on leaders from sports entertainment like Sean McVay, Lindsay Vaughn, Michael phelf, David Spade, Guy Fiemi, and also those who can help us in between the ears, anyone from a therapist to someone like Ed Milett for John Gordon. We've all been through some sort of adversity to get to the top. We've all used different tools.

Podcast, and every week we will have on leaders from sports entertainment like Sean McVay, Lindsay Vaughn, Michael phelf, David Spade, Guy Fiemi, and also those who can help us in between the ears, anyone from a therapist to someone like Ed Milett for John Gordon. We've all been through some sort of adversity to get to the top. We've all used different tools.

Listen to Unbreakable with Jay Glazer and Mental Wealth podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get podcasts.

Listen to Unbreakable with Jay Glazer and Mental Wealth podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get podcasts.

Former NFL quarterback number one overall pick by the Niners back in five He's Alex Smith, co host of a new podcast, Glue Guys with former NBA player Shane Battier, and they take a deep dive into sports, great teams across sports, to and business. You can tune in on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or your preferred podcast player. Look at you, business sman, Alex Smith, how'd you get partnered up with Shane Battier?

Former NFL quarterback number one overall pick by the Niners back in five He's Alex Smith, co host of a new podcast, Glue Guys with former NBA player Shane Battier, and they take a deep dive into sports, great teams across sports, to and business. You can tune in on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or your preferred podcast player. Look at you, business sman, Alex Smith, how'd you get partnered up with Shane Battier?

Shane and I have a mutual friend, you know, good buddy of mine, Robie Gupta, who I live in the same small town here in the Bay Area, and he just happens to be a fellow doochie and went to school with Shane, and so I've gotten to know Shane through him and we just kind of hit it off and you know, somehow stumbled into this. It's a great question, Dan, you know, I think it, to be honest, it's all Shane's fault. I'm gonna I'm gonna blame it on him. You know, he's been known as the no stat All Star. You know, Michael Lewis wrote this famous article about him that did why why does every team that he's on win? You know, and necessarily a guy that doesn't necessarily have the stats that go with it, at least the stats that we think of, and what goes behind that, right, Like, what's behind being a great teammate and a great leader and these winning cultures, and I think sometimes there's these fallacies around all those things, and so we kind of have fun digging into it and chopping it up. And I'm unfortunate enough. Listen, I get asked to talk a lot about my journey, my career, mentoring, you know, coming back from my injury, and I think the same thing, like, there's these sometimes people think they're they're disney Ish, you know, this is this idea of like resiliency, and it's, uh, it's not. You know, I've been fortunate enough to be a part of great teams. I never would have done any of the things that I was able to do without being a part of a great team. And certainly my comeback was a part of that, you know, an amazing medical team that helped me get back out on the field.

Shane and I have a mutual friend, you know, good buddy of mine, Robie Gupta, who I live in the same small town here in the Bay Area, and he just happens to be a fellow doochie and went to school with Shane, and so I've gotten to know Shane through him and we just kind of hit it off and you know, somehow stumbled into this. It's a great question, Dan, you know, I think it, to be honest, it's all Shane's fault. I'm gonna I'm gonna blame it on him. You know, he's been known as the no stat All Star. You know, Michael Lewis wrote this famous article about him that did why why does every team that he's on win? You know, and necessarily a guy that doesn't necessarily have the stats that go with it, at least the stats that we think of, and what goes behind that, right, Like, what's behind being a great teammate and a great leader and these winning cultures, and I think sometimes there's these fallacies around all those things, and so we kind of have fun digging into it and chopping it up. And I'm unfortunate enough. Listen, I get asked to talk a lot about my journey, my career, mentoring, you know, coming back from my injury, and I think the same thing, like, there's these sometimes people think they're they're disney Ish, you know, this is this idea of like resiliency, and it's, uh, it's not. You know, I've been fortunate enough to be a part of great teams. I never would have done any of the things that I was able to do without being a part of a great team. And certainly my comeback was a part of that, you know, an amazing medical team that helped me get back out on the field.

So the two people come up to you randomly and say, can I see your scars?

So the two people come up to you randomly and say, can I see your scars?

Yeah, oh yeah, that's not especially if I have shorts on. If I got shorts on, yeah, I get I get very curious minds coming up to being inspecting my leg. Well it's gnarly looking. I mean, I don't blame them. It is it's much prettier than it used to be though. It's come a long way. But I don't blame them, Listen, it's uh. I actually appreciate the questions.

Yeah, oh yeah, that's not especially if I have shorts on. If I got shorts on, yeah, I get I get very curious minds coming up to being inspecting my leg. Well it's gnarly looking. I mean, I don't blame them. It is it's much prettier than it used to be though. It's come a long way. But I don't blame them, Listen, it's uh. I actually appreciate the questions.

Sometimes kids don't bring you to show and tell.

Sometimes kids don't bring you to show and tell.

And oh, I think my kids are numb to it. They saw it when it was really crazy. So yeah, I think they and I hope they don't think that like that's just what a broken leg looks like. You know, I think that they think that that's normal. No, I think they're pretty numb to it. It's just dad's leg at this point, that's how he walks.

And oh, I think my kids are numb to it. They saw it when it was really crazy. So yeah, I think they and I hope they don't think that like that's just what a broken leg looks like. You know, I think that they think that that's normal. No, I think they're pretty numb to it. It's just dad's leg at this point, that's how he walks.

Yeah, but if they skin their knees, they can't really complain to you after what you went through, you know.

Yeah, but if they skin their knees, they can't really complain to you after what you went through, you know.

Well, I think they do.

Well, I think they do.

You know.

You know.

That's certainly a part of what we even talk about on the pod is like, I mean, parenting is a team too, right, It's a great big team and we all have different roles in it. And how does that work?

That's certainly a part of what we even talk about on the pod is like, I mean, parenting is a team too, right, It's a great big team and we all have different roles in it. And how does that work?

And so.

And so.

Yeah, I mean I think there's things I constantly, the things I've gone through, I find myself pulling, you know, harbiisms out on my kids occasionally, you know, which is is just funny.

Yeah, I mean I think there's things I constantly, the things I've gone through, I find myself pulling, you know, harbiisms out on my kids occasionally, you know, which is is just funny.

So do you have a fall story. We got him coming up top of next hour? Is there one do you? Yeah?

So do you have a fall story. We got him coming up top of next hour? Is there one do you? Yeah?

Oh?

Oh?

I got yeah, I got plenty. I got harboss stories for.

I got yeah, I got plenty. I got harboss stories for.

Days, Dan one, I haven't heard that, would I can I can bring back to Jim.

Days, Dan one, I haven't heard that, would I can I can bring back to Jim.

To Jim all right, Yeah, I mean I got a few men. First off, Like I'll never forget when I first met him, you know, like I was we were in the building. It was actually right before the lockout was going on. I was getting ready to have my first child. So I'm kind of sneaking in. I'm getting ready to be a free agent.

To Jim all right, Yeah, I mean I got a few men. First off, Like I'll never forget when I first met him, you know, like I was we were in the building. It was actually right before the lockout was going on. I was getting ready to have my first child. So I'm kind of sneaking in. I'm getting ready to be a free agent.

Dan.

Dan.

There's no way that the Niners are going to keep me, and I'm not sure I really want to be back with them either, you know, and so but I meanwhile, they still let me in the building to work out. So I'm coming in the building. I'm kind of sneaking in the ground floor and working out and getting out of there. And Jim comes down one day and you see, I've been doing this for a couple of weeks, and I think he maybe caught when he catches me down there, and he like he immediately comes up and introduces himself, but he starts he's sizing me up immediately like just I mean like literally not even being very discreet about it, literally sizing me up. I can tell he's like looking at my body, how tall I am? Oh, you're bigger than I thought, like kind of taller than I thought. And then he's like, hey, put your hand up. I'm like what, So I put my hand up and he puts his hand up next to mine. So we're hand to hand, right, and he's measuring my hand. I mean, I haven't met him this, it hasn't been two minutes. And so he's looking at my hand. He's like all right, like this, it's I mean, this full inspection. He's like, hey, you want to go play catch? Sure, sure, let's go. So he goes in and he tap. You know, he's got this gnarly looking pinky on his throwing hands, so he tapes up his pinky and just Jim and I go out on the practice field at the at the Niners and we play catch and we start, you know, he start just normal throwing right, so like we're ten yards away and tossing the ball to each other, and after a few dan he starts like I can tell, he's like humming them at me right, like so it's like okay, and he's kind of like, come on, bringing on, and so I start humming. I'm back at him. Right here we are again, like I swear it hasn't been ten minutes since I met the guy, and we're playing like Pepper ten yards apart out in the practice, just humming balls at each other as hard as we can, kind of who can catch them, who can throw harder. Then he's like okay. Then we go walk over and we start throwing. Were playing these games, these throwing games at goalposts, and he's like moving me around, and he was obviously a lot younger. I mean, this was a long time ago. He's you know, he can still throw it. And so we're playing all these throwing games at goalposts and trying to do all these contests. Hey do this now, see if you can do this. This lasts about twenty minutes, twenty five minutes, and he's like all right, okay, you know, we walk in. That's enough. Doesn't say anything. I got no feedback at all on like how this went. I mean, I remember coming home to my wife and I'm like telling her about what happened, and she said, well, what did you think I'm like, I had no idea, no idea. Luckily, a couple of days later, you know, I go back into work out, you know, Jim pops back down again and says, hey, you want to go play catch again? So this repeated. He and I go play catch for several weeks, just Jim and I playing catch and playing stupid games and Pepper out on the field, you know, And all of a sudden this kind of led to like, hey, what do you think about coming back? And that's just the way Jim is. And he's one of a kind and he's all ball, all ball. I say this on the podcast, Like Jim, he would tell the team this. He's like, damn, his life aspirations were to play football as long as he could and then coach football as long as he could and then die.

There's no way that the Niners are going to keep me, and I'm not sure I really want to be back with them either, you know, and so but I meanwhile, they still let me in the building to work out. So I'm coming in the building. I'm kind of sneaking in the ground floor and working out and getting out of there. And Jim comes down one day and you see, I've been doing this for a couple of weeks, and I think he maybe caught when he catches me down there, and he like he immediately comes up and introduces himself, but he starts he's sizing me up immediately like just I mean like literally not even being very discreet about it, literally sizing me up. I can tell he's like looking at my body, how tall I am? Oh, you're bigger than I thought, like kind of taller than I thought. And then he's like, hey, put your hand up. I'm like what, So I put my hand up and he puts his hand up next to mine. So we're hand to hand, right, and he's measuring my hand. I mean, I haven't met him this, it hasn't been two minutes. And so he's looking at my hand. He's like all right, like this, it's I mean, this full inspection. He's like, hey, you want to go play catch? Sure, sure, let's go. So he goes in and he tap. You know, he's got this gnarly looking pinky on his throwing hands, so he tapes up his pinky and just Jim and I go out on the practice field at the at the Niners and we play catch and we start, you know, he start just normal throwing right, so like we're ten yards away and tossing the ball to each other, and after a few dan he starts like I can tell, he's like humming them at me right, like so it's like okay, and he's kind of like, come on, bringing on, and so I start humming. I'm back at him. Right here we are again, like I swear it hasn't been ten minutes since I met the guy, and we're playing like Pepper ten yards apart out in the practice, just humming balls at each other as hard as we can, kind of who can catch them, who can throw harder. Then he's like okay. Then we go walk over and we start throwing. Were playing these games, these throwing games at goalposts, and he's like moving me around, and he was obviously a lot younger. I mean, this was a long time ago. He's you know, he can still throw it. And so we're playing all these throwing games at goalposts and trying to do all these contests. Hey do this now, see if you can do this. This lasts about twenty minutes, twenty five minutes, and he's like all right, okay, you know, we walk in. That's enough. Doesn't say anything. I got no feedback at all on like how this went. I mean, I remember coming home to my wife and I'm like telling her about what happened, and she said, well, what did you think I'm like, I had no idea, no idea. Luckily, a couple of days later, you know, I go back into work out, you know, Jim pops back down again and says, hey, you want to go play catch again? So this repeated. He and I go play catch for several weeks, just Jim and I playing catch and playing stupid games and Pepper out on the field, you know, And all of a sudden this kind of led to like, hey, what do you think about coming back? And that's just the way Jim is. And he's one of a kind and he's all ball, all ball. I say this on the podcast, Like Jim, he would tell the team this. He's like, damn, his life aspirations were to play football as long as he could and then coach football as long as he could and then die.

You now, that's Jim Jim, and it's real, you know. So But you know what I was wondering about this. I don't know if you'll get the analogy. He's like ted Lasso, Like he just has kind of corny sayings, he's his own pert, he's unique, you know, positivity, all of those things. It just feels like if there's a ted Lasso in the NFL, It's Jim Harriball now.

You now, that's Jim Jim, and it's real, you know. So But you know what I was wondering about this. I don't know if you'll get the analogy. He's like ted Lasso, Like he just has kind of corny sayings, he's his own pert, he's unique, you know, positivity, all of those things. It just feels like if there's a ted Lasso in the NFL, It's Jim Harriball now.

There is there is and I think that's It's kind of the one thing I think people ask about leadership all the time, you know what makes a leader, and certainly in the NFL world where it's a bunch of his alpha dogs, right, like the biggest, bad biggest, baddest dudes on the planet. But at the core of being a leader, like, you got to be authentic, right, You can't, you can't be s anybody. And Jim it's authentic, Like he just loves football. He genuinely he is doing what he's meant to do. And as quirky as it is, like I think, I know, I always just appreciated the honesty in it, like he just is who he is. It's different, yeah, but like again, he loves what he's doing, he's grateful for it, and I think that it really sets a tone for the building and the team.

There is there is and I think that's It's kind of the one thing I think people ask about leadership all the time, you know what makes a leader, and certainly in the NFL world where it's a bunch of his alpha dogs, right, like the biggest, bad biggest, baddest dudes on the planet. But at the core of being a leader, like, you got to be authentic, right, You can't, you can't be s anybody. And Jim it's authentic, Like he just loves football. He genuinely he is doing what he's meant to do. And as quirky as it is, like I think, I know, I always just appreciated the honesty in it, like he just is who he is. It's different, yeah, but like again, he loves what he's doing, he's grateful for it, and I think that it really sets a tone for the building and the team.

I'm talking to Alex Smith, the three time Pro Bowler, Comeback Player of the Year and co host of the new podcast Glue Guys with former NBA player Shane Battier. What did you see with the Jets offense last night that would concern you?

I'm talking to Alex Smith, the three time Pro Bowler, Comeback Player of the Year and co host of the new podcast Glue Guys with former NBA player Shane Battier. What did you see with the Jets offense last night that would concern you?

Oh, to be honest, I wasn't real concerned about the offense. I mean, listen, Aaron hasn't played a whole lot of football in the last year and a half. Right, four plays, It's to be expected that they were going to It wasn't gonna be smooth. They're going on the road on Monday night and playing one of the best teams in football. Like, I thought, it was just such a ridiculous task, to be honest, I thought their defense didn't show up. I mean, this is supposed to be their calling card, is this defense and no Christian McCaffery. And you know, I thought maybe they'd have a chance to keep him in this game, and they did for the first two drives, and then that and that went away. I thought Aaron looked good. I mean, there's processes in your comeback, right, Like, this guy hasn't he hasn't played in the preseason. He hadn't been tackled again four plays in the last year and a half. I thought he moved around well. I thought he threw the ball well. I think they're gonna be okay again. The defense was probably my bigger concern. Really kind of out outplayed in this game by by that Niner offense and Kyle Shanahan, and so I mean, I think they'll have a chance to write the ship here this week against Tennessee. But a little bit I thought it was an overwhelming task to put him back on Monday night a year after what happened again on the road at the defending NFC champions.

Oh, to be honest, I wasn't real concerned about the offense. I mean, listen, Aaron hasn't played a whole lot of football in the last year and a half. Right, four plays, It's to be expected that they were going to It wasn't gonna be smooth. They're going on the road on Monday night and playing one of the best teams in football. Like, I thought, it was just such a ridiculous task, to be honest, I thought their defense didn't show up. I mean, this is supposed to be their calling card, is this defense and no Christian McCaffery. And you know, I thought maybe they'd have a chance to keep him in this game, and they did for the first two drives, and then that and that went away. I thought Aaron looked good. I mean, there's processes in your comeback, right, Like, this guy hasn't he hasn't played in the preseason. He hadn't been tackled again four plays in the last year and a half. I thought he moved around well. I thought he threw the ball well. I think they're gonna be okay again. The defense was probably my bigger concern. Really kind of out outplayed in this game by by that Niner offense and Kyle Shanahan, and so I mean, I think they'll have a chance to write the ship here this week against Tennessee. But a little bit I thought it was an overwhelming task to put him back on Monday night a year after what happened again on the road at the defending NFC champions.

Tom Brady, you talked about these rookie quarterbacks and he used the word I think tragedy that they're being ushered in to start, and you know, you got a dumb down offenses, And I disagreed with because it feels like these rookie quarterbacks, most of them have played for two different universities, two different offenses. They've gotten money with nil. These offenses in college are so much more intricate than they used to be. Now you're gonna struggle. Bo Nick struggled, Caleb struggled. Jaden Daniels had moments where he looked pretty electric there. So what's your reaction to what Brady had to say and then base that off what you saw week one with these rookie quarterbacks.

Tom Brady, you talked about these rookie quarterbacks and he used the word I think tragedy that they're being ushered in to start, and you know, you got a dumb down offenses, And I disagreed with because it feels like these rookie quarterbacks, most of them have played for two different universities, two different offenses. They've gotten money with nil. These offenses in college are so much more intricate than they used to be. Now you're gonna struggle. Bo Nick struggled, Caleb struggled. Jaden Daniels had moments where he looked pretty electric there. So what's your reaction to what Brady had to say and then base that off what you saw week one with these rookie quarterbacks.

Yeah, generally speaking, you know, I aligned with Tom, like I think if you're taking a quarterback in the first round. I think you should do everything in your power to make sure that when they take the field, like they are ready to roll. I mean, I just think I've heard coach Saban talk about it, and I lived at the expectations on a first round quarterback. It's so much, it's so heavy, the game is so different, and that it's like the worst success rate in the NFL if you look at a position basis, like of drafting positions, the lowest hit rate in the NFL for first round picks is quarterback, And so I I generally think that, like, why not have them over prepared? Listen, if you waited a little too long, could Patrick Mahomes have played earlier? Sure? Absolutely right, But like, what's the what was the fault of him waiting you know, almost all the season and then you hitting, Like, what's the what's the what's the worry about? You know, Jordan Love waiting a couple of years. The important thing is to hit on it. And I think you're making such a big investment in these guys. I think you want to again ensure that they have the best chance to succeed. With that all being said, Dan, I completely agree with you. This year's class. This year's class is an exception to the rule.

Yeah, generally speaking, you know, I aligned with Tom, like I think if you're taking a quarterback in the first round. I think you should do everything in your power to make sure that when they take the field, like they are ready to roll. I mean, I just think I've heard coach Saban talk about it, and I lived at the expectations on a first round quarterback. It's so much, it's so heavy, the game is so different, and that it's like the worst success rate in the NFL if you look at a position basis, like of drafting positions, the lowest hit rate in the NFL for first round picks is quarterback, And so I I generally think that, like, why not have them over prepared? Listen, if you waited a little too long, could Patrick Mahomes have played earlier? Sure? Absolutely right, But like, what's the what was the fault of him waiting you know, almost all the season and then you hitting, Like, what's the what's the what's the worry about? You know, Jordan Love waiting a couple of years. The important thing is to hit on it. And I think you're making such a big investment in these guys. I think you want to again ensure that they have the best chance to succeed. With that all being said, Dan, I completely agree with you. This year's class. This year's class is an exception to the rule.

True.

True.

I mean, these guys have played more football and are more prepared as a class that I can ever remember. I mean, Bo Nicks has literally played more football than any college football than anybody Jane Daniel's five year starter. I mean, these guys are very, very accomplished. Even Caleb Williams, Like, listen, we've known he's going to be the number one pick for a couple of years now. I mean, this guy's been dealing with XP dictations since high school. He's played college football at the hight level. Even he's he's I think, really well prepared for this. And I don't think we can judge this off of one week, right, I mean, it's the opening week. This game's a blur there. They're not even gonna remember this game several years from now. Dan, So like, I kind of tend to agree with you in this, in this instinct and not. I think the other thing, too, is one rule, doesn't you know once you doesn't fit everybody in this thing. You know, you look at CJ. Stroud and what he did last year, obviously overly prepared and ready to take that over. I think you have to look at that, you know, the other ten guys in the huddle, the entire team as a whole, and then obviously the individual like what system have they been in? What kind of football are they playing? What are we asking them to do? And then go off of that. But yeah, this is an interesting year and interesting class and I think they are ready to go.

I mean, these guys have played more football and are more prepared as a class that I can ever remember. I mean, Bo Nicks has literally played more football than any college football than anybody Jane Daniel's five year starter. I mean, these guys are very, very accomplished. Even Caleb Williams, Like, listen, we've known he's going to be the number one pick for a couple of years now. I mean, this guy's been dealing with XP dictations since high school. He's played college football at the hight level. Even he's he's I think, really well prepared for this. And I don't think we can judge this off of one week, right, I mean, it's the opening week. This game's a blur there. They're not even gonna remember this game several years from now. Dan, So like, I kind of tend to agree with you in this, in this instinct and not. I think the other thing, too, is one rule, doesn't you know once you doesn't fit everybody in this thing. You know, you look at CJ. Stroud and what he did last year, obviously overly prepared and ready to take that over. I think you have to look at that, you know, the other ten guys in the huddle, the entire team as a whole, and then obviously the individual like what system have they been in? What kind of football are they playing? What are we asking them to do? And then go off of that. But yeah, this is an interesting year and interesting class and I think they are ready to go.

Do you remember a specific time when you realize that Patrick Mahomes was going to be Patrick Mahomes, whether practice game, did you have that kind of oh where you go home and you tell your wife, uh, oh.

Do you remember a specific time when you realize that Patrick Mahomes was going to be Patrick Mahomes, whether practice game, did you have that kind of oh where you go home and you tell your wife, uh, oh.

You know, I think the thing list. I mean about halfway through the year he started to make some plays on the scout team, like some of the you know, the throws that we see on Sundays. You know then you know, no looking like a twenty yard dig route. I mean, you know, as a rookie, like who's doing that? Who even has that? Like the guts to do it and they let alone pull it off? But I think more so than that, and what gets lost with Patrick a lot of times is like I mean, Patrick beat me into the building almost every day that entire year, right, you know, and it wasn't he didn't do it for a week. He didn't do it for the first month of the season. It was just all year and incredibly curious. He's just a grinder, like a guy loves ball. He's obsessed about it. He you know, it is again he's doing what he's meant to be doing. And yes, he has these spectacular talent, but like, more so than that, like this guy I got. I got the opportunity to be in camp with them this this last training camp, and I sat in meetings again for days, and I'm been in that kind of environment with Patrick. You know, I've seen him. I played golf with him, you know, over the last few years, but I haven't sat in a meeting with him since his rookie year. And to watch him operate in the meeting room, Dan, I can't tell you how blown away I was, like leaving there, like how detailed he was, like we want we went through protections. I mean, this guy's on every aspect of his game, and I think sometimes that gets lost with the wold plays that he makes, you know, and again how obsessed he is about his craft, being the best quarterback in the NFL. And and so I think if there was a thing that entire year It was also that like again that he he beat me in every single morning, right all the way till the end. The guy just loves football, loves competing. You know, he wants the ball in his hand. He's not afraid of the moment. So I think all those things kind of over the year showed, you know, showed their head. And then certainly when he started the last game against Denver, very very apparent that he was ready to go.

You know, I think the thing list. I mean about halfway through the year he started to make some plays on the scout team, like some of the you know, the throws that we see on Sundays. You know then you know, no looking like a twenty yard dig route. I mean, you know, as a rookie, like who's doing that? Who even has that? Like the guts to do it and they let alone pull it off? But I think more so than that, and what gets lost with Patrick a lot of times is like I mean, Patrick beat me into the building almost every day that entire year, right, you know, and it wasn't he didn't do it for a week. He didn't do it for the first month of the season. It was just all year and incredibly curious. He's just a grinder, like a guy loves ball. He's obsessed about it. He you know, it is again he's doing what he's meant to be doing. And yes, he has these spectacular talent, but like, more so than that, like this guy I got. I got the opportunity to be in camp with them this this last training camp, and I sat in meetings again for days, and I'm been in that kind of environment with Patrick. You know, I've seen him. I played golf with him, you know, over the last few years, but I haven't sat in a meeting with him since his rookie year. And to watch him operate in the meeting room, Dan, I can't tell you how blown away I was, like leaving there, like how detailed he was, like we want we went through protections. I mean, this guy's on every aspect of his game, and I think sometimes that gets lost with the wold plays that he makes, you know, and again how obsessed he is about his craft, being the best quarterback in the NFL. And and so I think if there was a thing that entire year It was also that like again that he he beat me in every single morning, right all the way till the end. The guy just loves football, loves competing. You know, he wants the ball in his hand. He's not afraid of the moment. So I think all those things kind of over the year showed, you know, showed their head. And then certainly when he started the last game against Denver, very very apparent that he was ready to go.

You can keep a secret. I got to give you credit because I'll go back to the Super Bowl in Minnesota where we had you in studio and I'm asking where you're going. You stay, and you're going. Six hours later you signed the deal with Washington. It could have helped me out that day.

You can keep a secret. I got to give you credit because I'll go back to the Super Bowl in Minnesota where we had you in studio and I'm asking where you're going. You stay, and you're going. Six hours later you signed the deal with Washington. It could have helped me out that day.

That was a weird day, Dan. I remember that day. Well, it was a very strange day. You know, I felt like I was not sure what I could and couldn't say as these are like I knew we were kind of in the you know, the eleventh hour of negotiations and close, but very strange. I apologize for that, you know now being on this side of the you know, the media, I appreciate you.

That was a weird day, Dan. I remember that day. Well, it was a very strange day. You know, I felt like I was not sure what I could and couldn't say as these are like I knew we were kind of in the you know, the eleventh hour of negotiations and close, but very strange. I apologize for that, you know now being on this side of the you know, the media, I appreciate you.

Know, well, what was the other team?

Know, well, what was the other team?

Was there?

Was there?

Another team that was in the mix here that you were going to go to.

Another team that was in the mix here that you were going to go to.

There were other teams in the mix. There certainly wasn't They were very close in my opinion, you know, like you can tell me I wanted to go, you can tell me no, to be honest, like it wasn't even you know, my trade, my trade from San Francisco was probably far more competitive my trade from Kansas City. It was very clear that the lease in my eyes, that Washington was the best destination and where I wanted to go.

There were other teams in the mix. There certainly wasn't They were very close in my opinion, you know, like you can tell me I wanted to go, you can tell me no, to be honest, like it wasn't even you know, my trade, my trade from San Francisco was probably far more competitive my trade from Kansas City. It was very clear that the lease in my eyes, that Washington was the best destination and where I wanted to go.

Well, good luck with the podcast. We'll check in with you during the year, and great to see you again, Dan Gray.

Well, good luck with the podcast. We'll check in with you during the year, and great to see you again, Dan Gray.

Seeing you man.

Seeing you man.

Be sure to catch the live edition of The Dan Patrick Show weekdays at nine am Eastern six am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio WAP.

Be sure to catch the live edition of The Dan Patrick Show weekdays at nine am Eastern six am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio WAP.

We make way for Jim Harbaugh for a season, Charger's head coach. Who has it better than we do nobody. How about that We're getting a lot of mileage out of that That story you told us when you and your brother and sister are walking what a mile to wherever and your dad made it seem like got the greatest life in the world.

We make way for Jim Harbaugh for a season, Charger's head coach. Who has it better than we do nobody. How about that We're getting a lot of mileage out of that That story you told us when you and your brother and sister are walking what a mile to wherever and your dad made it seem like got the greatest life in the world.

They sure did, Dan, It came out one day. We're living in Iowa City, Iowa, and we had a dealer car. But for some reason, that dealer car wasn't there that day, and uh, my dad said, no car today. Boys, we're walking. John grab a basketball hundred with the right, then a hundred with the left. Jim get a basketball hundred with the right, hundred with the left.

They sure did, Dan, It came out one day. We're living in Iowa City, Iowa, and we had a dealer car. But for some reason, that dealer car wasn't there that day, and uh, my dad said, no car today. Boys, we're walking. John grab a basketball hundred with the right, then a hundred with the left. Jim get a basketball hundred with the right, hundred with the left.

We're walking.

We're walking.

Who's got it better than us? Nobody? Dead? Nobody? Uh.

Who's got it better than us? Nobody? Dead? Nobody? Uh.

Now do you say that? If you say that to your team, do they they look at you and go, Okay, I don't know what this means, but you certainly seem enthusiastic about it.

Now do you say that? If you say that to your team, do they they look at you and go, Okay, I don't know what this means, but you certainly seem enthusiastic about it.

Yeah. No, it's it's the uh, there's a couple of layers of it. Uh, you know, the it's just a way of looking at something, right, I mean, who's got it better than us? Nobody? That's a perspective. And then it also has the layer of there's there's of anchor weights of you know, sometimes you don't think you have it good or somebody else has got it better, but it's actually the thing that's that's uh, you know, making you overcome something that makes you better. For example, you know, I grew up you know as a kid wanting to be a major league shortstop, you know, until Pribor at the time I was seventeen years old, I was I was destined and born to be.

Yeah. No, it's it's the uh, there's a couple of layers of it. Uh, you know, the it's just a way of looking at something, right, I mean, who's got it better than us? Nobody? That's a perspective. And then it also has the layer of there's there's of anchor weights of you know, sometimes you don't think you have it good or somebody else has got it better, but it's actually the thing that's that's uh, you know, making you overcome something that makes you better. For example, you know, I grew up you know as a kid wanting to be a major league shortstop, you know, until Pribor at the time I was seventeen years old, I was I was destined and born to be.

Uh.

Uh.

But it turned out that you know, there was there was kids in the Dominican Republican who had it a lot better than I did. You know, they didn't have a field. They their their ball glove was was a milk carton. Uh. So there was a lot of bad hops. Turned out that they had it better than I did because I had a glove and I had a had a decent field. And then it's the it's the it's the thing that I really say. My dad said to us as a family, and I thought what he was really saying when he said, you know who's got it better than us, you know, Jim and John, he was really telling us that, you know, he he was the lucky one to have, you know, to be a dad and have these you know, this family. And when we said nobody back then, what we were really saying was, you know, we loved it. We loved being in this family. So it's it's carried on, you know, from one generation to the next. And when I say it, I say it about my two I say it to my two great loves, my family at home and my my family at work. You know, there's no coach that could could have it better and be coaching.

But it turned out that you know, there was there was kids in the Dominican Republican who had it a lot better than I did. You know, they didn't have a field. They their their ball glove was was a milk carton. Uh. So there was a lot of bad hops. Turned out that they had it better than I did because I had a glove and I had a had a decent field. And then it's the it's the it's the thing that I really say. My dad said to us as a family, and I thought what he was really saying when he said, you know who's got it better than us, you know, Jim and John, he was really telling us that, you know, he he was the lucky one to have, you know, to be a dad and have these you know, this family. And when we said nobody back then, what we were really saying was, you know, we loved it. We loved being in this family. So it's it's carried on, you know, from one generation to the next. And when I say it, I say it about my two I say it to my two great loves, my family at home and my my family at work. You know, there's no coach that could could have it better and be coaching.

Uh.

Uh.

You know this in this organization with these players and these coaches. And I said, when I say it to my kids, I say it the same way, like I'm the luckiest dad there is.

You know this in this organization with these players and these coaches. And I said, when I say it to my kids, I say it the same way, like I'm the luckiest dad there is.

Tell me about you gave each of your players a work shirt with their name, the patch, the lightning bolt logo on there. So something an auto mechanic might wear. Why do you have the Do you have the shirt there?

Tell me about you gave each of your players a work shirt with their name, the patch, the lightning bolt logo on there. So something an auto mechanic might wear. Why do you have the Do you have the shirt there?

Oh? I got it?

Oh? I got it?

Okay, my blue collar shirt right here, so it is blue collar. Our gas station guy might wear something like that old school.

Okay, my blue collar shirt right here, so it is blue collar. Our gas station guy might wear something like that old school.

Yeah, yeah, you know interesting you mentioned that at that. Uh yeah, obviously it's a some motivational shirt. It's uh, you know it honors and honors work, and that's that's the first layer of that. Then the second layer, you know, for me and and really everybody is uh, I'm honoring the people in my life that did the did the dirty work, you know, and everybody's got it. You got it, I've got it.

Yeah, yeah, you know interesting you mentioned that at that. Uh yeah, obviously it's a some motivational shirt. It's uh, you know it honors and honors work, and that's that's the first layer of that. Then the second layer, you know, for me and and really everybody is uh, I'm honoring the people in my life that did the did the dirty work, you know, and everybody's got it. You got it, I've got it.

Uh.

Uh.

Some people goes back one generation to their parents. Uh, or it goes back to their grandparents. Maybe they're great grandparents. Not very often, but there's somebody in your family, Dan, I know that, uh, you know did maybe did a job that they didn't love to do, but they did it to put a roof over the family's head. And and uh, in my case, that's that's uh my two grandparents. Joe sph Pedi, that's my mom's dad. And uh, in fact, he he he went to work. He's had a full time job since he was in the sixth grade. He had to, uh, he had to leave the sixth grade and go work for his family. Came over from Italy when he was four years old. And uh, in fact, he worked in a in a filling station. You know that that was that was his job. And then he became a he became a self taught mechanic and uh, before before he was done, he got so good at being a mechanic that he was he was treating treat teaching mechanics at Cleveland Trade School. And he wore shirt shirt like this just exactly like this. I remember growing up and his said Joe on it. And my dad's dad, Bill Harbaugh, he was a breakeman on a train. Uh. And he wore the wear the wore the same kind of shirt and he said bell. Uh. And he he became an engineer. And but the bottom line was he got he got my He got my dad and his kids to college.

Some people goes back one generation to their parents. Uh, or it goes back to their grandparents. Maybe they're great grandparents. Not very often, but there's somebody in your family, Dan, I know that, uh, you know did maybe did a job that they didn't love to do, but they did it to put a roof over the family's head. And and uh, in my case, that's that's uh my two grandparents. Joe sph Pedi, that's my mom's dad. And uh, in fact, he he he went to work. He's had a full time job since he was in the sixth grade. He had to, uh, he had to leave the sixth grade and go work for his family. Came over from Italy when he was four years old. And uh, in fact, he worked in a in a filling station. You know that that was that was his job. And then he became a he became a self taught mechanic and uh, before before he was done, he got so good at being a mechanic that he was he was treating treat teaching mechanics at Cleveland Trade School. And he wore shirt shirt like this just exactly like this. I remember growing up and his said Joe on it. And my dad's dad, Bill Harbaugh, he was a breakeman on a train. Uh. And he wore the wear the wore the same kind of shirt and he said bell. Uh. And he he became an engineer. And but the bottom line was he got he got my He got my dad and his kids to college.

Uh.

Uh.

My dad went to Bowling Green State University. My mother, Jackie also went to Bowling Green State University. That's where they met. My dad played football and my mom was a cheerleader. Both became educators after after college. And as Michelle Obama says, I mean, the closest guarantee you have uh to success in life is education. I believe that. But and and that's what allowed my my mom and dad to do do a job they love. My dad became a coach and uh and then uh yeah that but I look back and I honor I honored job Joseph p Ede and Bill Harball for doing the job, the dirty work to uh for for their family. So that's that's the second piece to that to that to that work shirt. Thanks thanks for asking that. That's uh, that's something very important too to me and our family.

My dad went to Bowling Green State University. My mother, Jackie also went to Bowling Green State University. That's where they met. My dad played football and my mom was a cheerleader. Both became educators after after college. And as Michelle Obama says, I mean, the closest guarantee you have uh to success in life is education. I believe that. But and and that's what allowed my my mom and dad to do do a job they love. My dad became a coach and uh and then uh yeah that but I look back and I honor I honored job Joseph p Ede and Bill Harball for doing the job, the dirty work to uh for for their family. So that's that's the second piece to that to that to that work shirt. Thanks thanks for asking that. That's uh, that's something very important too to me and our family.

Jim Harball. The Chargers won their opener beat the Raiders. Next game will be coming up next Sunday, they'll face the Panthers. You got the game game ball? How many how many game balls have you ever received? You seem kind of surprised emotional after the game.

Jim Harball. The Chargers won their opener beat the Raiders. Next game will be coming up next Sunday, they'll face the Panthers. You got the game game ball? How many how many game balls have you ever received? You seem kind of surprised emotional after the game.

That was you know, that was a great moment. There's a you know, it's one of the it's one of the best feelings there is. Uh, when you're when you're part of a team and you're you know, you're working so hard for for for your team to have success, you know, the betterment of the organization, the betterment of of all of its members, and uh yeah when it when it comes together, and uh, that's that's a tremendous feeling of victory, feeling of winning. And and mister Spanos uh gifted myself and and Joe Hortis uh a game ball and that was that was that was that was cool to be a part of.

That was you know, that was a great moment. There's a you know, it's one of the it's one of the best feelings there is. Uh, when you're when you're part of a team and you're you know, you're working so hard for for for your team to have success, you know, the betterment of the organization, the betterment of of all of its members, and uh yeah when it when it comes together, and uh, that's that's a tremendous feeling of victory, feeling of winning. And and mister Spanos uh gifted myself and and Joe Hortis uh a game ball and that was that was that was that was cool to be a part of.

I know you talked about winning multiple championships with the Chargers. Let me go back to you leaving Michigan the landscape of college football. What role did that play, if any in you wanting to leave college football to go back to the NFL.