Join Johnny Stanton as he welcomes **Kenny Mayne**, the legendary SportsCenter anchor and master storyteller, to Athletics Check. Known as a host from the "Golden Age of SportsCenter" alongside icons like Dan Patrick, Keith Olbermann, and Scott Van Pelt, Kenny Mayne has been a fan-favorite that Johnny has admired since elementary school – and this conversation doesn't disappoint.

Kenny discusses his shared **UNLV quarterback background** with Johnny, including his time playing with Randall Cunningham and their mutual experience as college backups. He opens up about his significant ankle injury sustained in college and the inspiring creation of **Run Freely**, a foundation he co-founded with his wife Gretchen to provide veterans with advanced mobility devices enabling them to move without pain.

What makes Kenny Mayne so unique? Beyond his iconic SportsCenter riffs and coverage of events like the Olympics, Kenny is a "side quest master" with an incredible range of projects. He shares details about his new golf show "**We Need a Fourth**" alongside Cooper Manning and Brian Baumgartner from *The Office*, and his ongoing passion project – the "**Wiffle Ball**" documentary and stand-up show about his memorable game with Ken Griffey Jr.

In a special highlight, Kenny Mayne delivers a classic SportsCenter call for Johnny Stanton's own NFL touchdown.  Whether you're a longtime fan of Kenny Mayne, a sports media enthusiast or anyone who appreciates tales of perseverance and unexpected paths, this episode is for you.

Kenny Mayne:
We Need a Fourth - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DObi6iLD1TK/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mayne.kenny/
YouTube -  @KennyMayneOnYouTube  

Producer: Johnny Stanton IV & Anand Shah
Technical Director, Sound Designer & Editor: Frank Janisch 
Executive Producers: Sandeep Parikh & Anand Shah 

Johnny Stanton IV:
https://www.stantoniv.com/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@johnnystantoniv
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnnystantoniv
Twitter - https://x.com/johnnystantoniv

Athletics Check Pod
https://www.athleticscheckpod.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@athleticscheckpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athleticscheckpod/

Check out our Patreon for bonus content and extra one-shot TTRPG adventures with every podcast guest: https://www.patreon.com/AthleticsCheckPod

Join Johnny Stanton as he welcomes L.J. Rader, the mastermind behind the viral social media sensation "art but make it sports," to Athletics Check. Creator of the nearly million-follower strong "art but make it sports" accounts, who works in sports statistics by day and is a self-proclaimed nerd, L.J. discusses bridging the gap between historically separate worlds, his unique process of finding artistic parallels, and why passion, in any form, is something to embrace.

What is "Art But Make It Sports?" L.J.'s innovative account takes images of sports and compares them to fine art – primarily paintings and sculptures from across art history. The magic lies in the absence of captions, allowing the art to "speak" and emphasizing the visual comparison and matching of energy or tone between sports moments and timeless artwork.

Whether you're a sports fanatic, art history buff, or someone who appreciates creative passion projects, this episode celebrates how curiosity and enthusiasm can create unexpected connections. 

ArtbutMakeItSports (aka LJ Rader):
Substack: https://www.artbutmakeitsports.com/about
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/artbutmakeitsports/
Twitter - https://x.com/ArtButSports


Producer: Johnny Stanton IV & Anand Shah
Technical Director, Sound Designer & Editor: Frank Janisch 
Executive Producers: Sandeep Parikh & Anand Shah 

Johnny Stanton IV:
https://www.stantoniv.com/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@johnnystantoniv
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnnystantoniv
Twitter - https://x.com/johnnystantoniv

Athletics Check Pod
https://www.athleticscheckpod.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@athleticscheckpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athleticscheckpod/

Check out our Patreon for bonus content and extra one-shot TTRPG adventures with every podcast guest: https://www.patreon.com/AthleticsCheckPod

Join Johnny Stanton as he welcomes Mike Golic Jr. from football royalty to Athletics Check and see what happens when two passionate fans nerd out on nerd culture.  We welcome the incredibly charismatic Mike Golic Jr. - massive Swiftie, anime enthusiast, and snack food connoisseur - to discuss breaking the "jocks vs nerds" stereotype, his Dragon Ball Z celebration dreams, and why having interests outside of sports is crucial for mental balance. Plus, don't miss our hilarious Taylor Swift song-to-NFL player comparisons and the Random Flavor Generator where you get to see Mike taste test his latest snack haul from Japan. Whether you're a sports fanatic, anime lover, or Taylor Swift stan, this episode proves that passion comes in many forms. As Johnny says, "nerdiness is just a synonym for passion" - and Mike Golic Jr. embodies that perfectly!

🎲 Bonus Patreon content features Mike's first-ever D&D adventure!

Mike Golic Jr.:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikegolicjr/
Twitter - https://x.com/mikegolicjr
Gojo & Golic - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOLQe-AojK3WSai3-rE8t4hBxCUpOMv_n

Johnny Stanton IV:
https://www.stantoniv.com/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@johnnystantoniv
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnnystantoniv
Twitter - https://x.com/johnnystantoniv

Athletics Check Pod
https://www.athleticscheckpod.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@athleticscheckpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athleticscheckpod/

Check out our Patreon for bonus content and extra one-shot TTRPG adventures with every podcast guest: https://www.patreon.com/AthleticsCheckPod

Join Johnny Stanton and co-host Travis Reaves as they welcome Dropout star Grant O'Brien to Athletics Check and see what happens when a comedian and a former college football QB get together to talk sports and nerd culture.  We welcome the incredibly funny Grant O'Brien and discuss Grant's love for Ohio State football (even though he kinda hates them 😅), the art of improv, and the surprising parallels between performing and playing sports.  

Johnny also shares some big life updates, including his upcoming video game, Scrub Squad!

Whether you're a sports fanatic, comedy nerd, or somewhere in between, this episode proves that passion transcends categories. As Johnny says, "nerdiness is just a synonym for passion" - and this conversation has plenty of both!


Click Here to Subscribe:   @AthleticsCheckPod  

Grant O'Brien:
https://dropout.fandom.com/wiki/Grant_O%27Brien
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/picturesofgrant/
Twitter - https://x.com/grantob

Producer: Johnny Stanton IV & Anand Shah
Technical Director, Sound Designer & Editor: Frank Janisch 
Executive Producers: Sandeep Parikh & Anand Shah 

#dropout #buckeyes #cocktailchatter #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg #nerd #jocks

Johnny Stanton IV:
https://www.stantoniv.com/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@johnnystantoniv
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnnystantoniv
Twitter - https://x.com/johnnystantoniv

Athletics Check Pod
https://www.athleticscheckpod.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@athleticscheckpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athleticscheckpod/

Check out our Patreon for bonus content and extra one-shot TTRPG adventures with every podcast guest: https://www.patreon.com/AthleticsCheckPod

Ever wondered how your love of sports can collide with your inner nerd?  Calling all fantasy football fanatics and sneakerheads! 👟🏈 Mike Wright usually known as the insightful co-host of the Fantasy Footballers podcast, explores his passion for Dungeons & Dragons and his other passion that might surprise you: collecting Nike SBs. This love for sneakers reveals another layer to Mike's "nerd" persona, blending his fantasy football expertise with a keen sense of style.

In this episode, we explore Mike's journey from fantasy football expert to sneaker enthusiast, and how these seemingly different worlds intersect. Discover how his love for music and video games led him to podcasting, and the surprising popularity of D&D among athletes

Click Here to Subscribe:   @AthleticsCheckPod 

Fantasy Footballers:
 @TheFantasyFootballers  
https://www.thefantasyfootballers.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fantasyfootballers/
Twitter - https://x.com/TheFFBallers

Mike Wright:
https://www.neddonovan.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ffhitman/
Twitter - https://x.com/FFHitman

Producer: Johnny Stanton IV & Anand Shah
Technical Director, Sound Designer & Editor: Frank Janisch 
Executive Producers: Sandeep Parikh & Anand Shah 

#fantasyfootballers #starwarshotel #dungeonsanddragons #nikesbdunk #ttrpg #nerd #jocks

Johnny Stanton IV:
https://www.stantoniv.com/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@johnnystantoniv
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnnystantoniv
Twitter - https://x.com/johnnystantoniv

Athletics Check Pod
https://www.athleticscheckpod.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@athleticscheckpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athleticscheckpod/

Check out our Patreon for bonus content and extra one-shot TTRPG adventures with every podcast guest: https://www.patreon.com/AthleticsCheckPod

Johnny Stanton IV hangs with with TTRPG stars and the incredible actor Khary Payton, known from The Walking Dead and DC's Cyborg, and producer Ned Donovan from Encounter Party.   Khary and Ned share their love for sports and nerd culture and how those things have interwoven throughout their lives.  From chasing the highs of performing in front of others in basketball (Khary) and lacrosse (Ned) to finding the same feelings of shared goals and team camaraderie in D&D later in life, this episode shows that playing games as a kid can lead to a career if you have enough imagination.  Make sure you stick around to see how Khary & Ned's nerd-to-jock ratios changes over the episode!


Encounter Party:
@EncounterParty
https://www.encounterparty.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/encounter_party

Ned Donovan:
https://www.neddonovan.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/neddonovan
Twitter - https://x.com/neddonovan

Khary Payton:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kharypayton
Twitter: https://x.com/kharypayton

Producer: Johnny Stanton IV & Anand Shah
Technical Director, Sound Designer & Editor: Frank Janisch 
Executive Producers: Sandeep Parikh & Anand Shah

#criticalrole #thewalkingdead #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg #nerd #jocks

Johnny Stanton IV:
https://www.stantoniv.com/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@johnnystantoniv
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnnystantoniv
Twitter - https://x.com/johnnystantoniv

Athletics Check Pod
https://www.athleticscheckpod.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@athleticscheckpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athleticscheckpod/

Check out our Patreon for bonus content and extra one-shot TTRPG adventures with every podcast guest: https://www.patreon.com/AthleticsCheckPod

Johnny Stanton IV chats with with soccer star Jaycie Johnson.   After retiring from the NWSL Kansas City Current in 2022, Jaycie took her soccer journey into coaching first with the Kansas Jayhawks and now currently as Assistant Coach for the Kansas State Wildcats Women's Soccer Team.  In this episode Jaycie discusses balancing coaching with planning her wedding and how she works being a foodie into her career.  Relive her University of Nebraska days, discover her favorite foodie adventures, and dive into her passion for coaching (stick around and listen for the special ticket offer for women's soccer fans!)  From her surprise draft day to tackling knee surgeries, JC shares it all.  Plus, don’t miss her first Dungeons & Dragons adventure and a special ticket offer for women's soccer fans. Buckle up for an entertaining journey filled with sports, snacks, and nerdy fun! 

Jaycie Johnson:
https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/coaches/jaycie-johnson-ackerman/2495
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jayciejohnson16/
Twitter - https://x.com/jayciejohnson20

Producer: Johnny Stanton IV & Anand Shah
Technical Director, Sound Designer & Editor: Frank Janisch 
Executive Producers: Sandeep Parikh & Anand Shah

Johnny Stanton IV:
https://www.stantoniv.com/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@johnnystantoniv
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnnystantoniv
Twitter - https://x.com/johnnystantoniv

Athletics Check Pod
https://www.athleticscheckpod.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@athleticscheckpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athleticscheckpod/

Check out our Patreon for bonus content and extra one-shot TTRPG adventures with every podcast guest: https://www.patreon.com/AthleticsCheckPod

Join Johnny Stanton IV on the Athletics Check Podcast as he chats with voice actress of Dungeons and Daddies, Beth May.  Beth shares her athletic experiences rooting for women's national soccer, why she decided to try boxing, and the obstacles that almost prevented her from running a marathon.  But make sure you stick around as Beth recounts a hilarious Keanu Reeves encounter.  As always, we hope you enjoy!

Beth May:
https://dungeonsanddads.fandom.com/wiki/Beth_May
YouTube -   @bethmay2968  
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heybethmay
Twitter - https://x.com/heybethmay

Producer: Johnny Stanton IV & Anand Shah
Technical Director, Sound Designer & Editor: Frank Janisch 
Executive Producers: Sandeep Parikh & Anand Shah

#boxingmotivation #marathonpreparation #keanureeves #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg #nerd #jocks

Johnny Stanton IV:
https://www.stantoniv.com/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@johnnystantoniv
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnnystantoniv
Twitter - https://x.com/johnnystantoniv

Athletics Check Pod
https://www.athleticscheckpod.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@athleticscheckpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athleticscheckpod/

Check out our Patreon for bonus content and extra one-shot TTRPG adventures with every podcast guest: https://www.patreon.com/AthleticsCheckPod

In this episode, our host Johnny Stanton IV pow-wows with Joshua Brisco, columnist and co-host of the (Almost) Entirely Sports and the Sports Radio 810 Chiefs Postgame Show in Kansas City.   Brisco is known for his love of sports, particularly the Kansas City Chiefs, but he also embraces his passion for nerd culture which makes him an ideal guest for The Athletics Check podcast.  Josh shares how he balances that love for the Chiefs but doesn't let that role define his interests and what he shares with his listeners and readers.  Some of the highlights from the episode include: the spark of Fantastic Mr. Fox, Josh's childhood obsession with Club Penguin and Johnny & Josh's shared love for The Adventure Zone and the McElroy's.  We hope you enjoy the conversation! 


Joshua Brisco:
https://joshuabrisco.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jbbrisco
Twitter - https://x.com/jbbrisco/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbbrisco/


Producer: Johnny Stanton IV & Anand Shah
Technical Director, Sound Designer & Editor: Frank Janisch 
Executive Producers: Sandeep Parikh & Anand Shah

#kcchiefs #pokemon #clubpenguin #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg #nerd #jocks

Johnny Stanton IV:
https://www.stantoniv.com/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@johnnystantoniv
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnnystantoniv
Twitter - https://x.com/johnnystantoniv

Athletics Check Pod
https://www.athleticscheckpod.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@athleticscheckpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athleticscheckpod/

Check out our Patreon for bonus content and extra one-shot TTRPG adventures with every podcast guest: https://www.patreon.com/AthleticsCheckPod

Host Johnny Stanton IV hangs with comedian Ify Nwadiwe and discusses redefining 'jock,' blending sports with nerd culture, and personal tales from Ify's journey as a comedian to the mayor of the Hollywood Nerd community.  Johnny gets Ify to discuss his love for "Chel" and how he expresses his love for hockey as a "nerd".  Along the way Ify turns the tables and Johnny reveals how he manages his dual passions for football and D&D.  Plus, join in a special moment as they retire Ify's number '87' and set up his D&D character arc. A perfect watch for sports fans, comedy lovers, and nerd culture enthusiasts!

Ify Nwadiwe:
https://www.ifycomedy.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ifynwadiwe
Twitter - https://x.com/ifynwadiwe
Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/ifdeez
Um, Actually - https://www.dropout.tv/um-actually

Check out our Patreon for bonus content and extra one-shot TTRPG adventures with every podcast guest: https://www.patreon.com/AthleticsCheckPod

Producer: Johnny Stanton IV & Anand Shah
Technical Director, Sound Designer & Editor: Frank Janisch 
Executive Producers: Sandeep Parikh & Anand Shah

#comedian #dropout #comedybangbang #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg #nerd #jocks

Johnny Stanton IV:
https://www.stantoniv.com/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@johnnystantoniv
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnnystantoniv
Twitter - https://x.com/johnnystantoniv

Athletics Check Pod
https://www.athleticscheckpod.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@athleticscheckpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athleticscheckpod/

Check out our Patreon for bonus content and extra one-shot TTRPG adventures with every podcast guest: https://www.patreon.com/AthleticsCheckPod