Gridiron America

Gridiron America

By From Gridiron America Radio & the Sports History NetworkSportsHistory
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Gridiron America episodes

  • English for International American Football

    Gridiron America Radio is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    In this unaired episode in the SHN Gridiron Japan Radio vault (as stated in the liner notes for Episode 51 of this podcast, the planned relaunch of GJR did not go as planned and thus unfortunately has been discontinued), Greg St. James sits down with author John Kowalski, whose forthcoming book English for American Football, will be released later this year and available at Sports English Media (www.sportsenglish.org). We are hopeful to have John back later in the year to sit down with the Gridiron America Radio team to talk about his book and also the rich history of American football in Japan.

    GRIDIRON AMERICA RADIO BACKGROUND

    Gridiron America Radio (formerly, the From the 55 Yardline podcast), is anchored by former sports executive David Cieslinski, former international professional football player Mike Tackett, and football nerd Greg St. James, from Gridiron Japan Radio.

    All three are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen or tabletop.

    Gridiron America Radio is dedicated to both current and historical American football talk, including the “what if” questions that all sports fans ask and try to answer with the help of statistics, math and computer modeling provided by Sportsmaster Simulation Games www.SportsMaster-Simulation.games. In addition to the gridiron game, the team will on occasion look at other sports through the same eyes of that of grown men who still remember their childhood and the thrill of rolling the dice or picking up a joystick.

    The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at www.Adamsonmedia.com.

    David, Mike and Greg, can be contacted directly via the podcast’s website at www.GridironAmerica.net, as well as:

    On X at https://x.com/GridironAMRadio

    On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GridironAmerica/

    On Threads at https://www.threads.com/@gridironamerica

    On Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/gridironamerica

    47 min
  • Gridiron Gyudon

    Gridiron America Radio is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    Sadly, the planned relaunch of the former Gridiron Japan Radio podcast on SHN did not go as planned this past week, and we do very much apologize. However, we had some unaired episodes still left in our vault and want to share them with you, including this one- Gridiron Gyudon. In this episode, Greg St. James sits down with student filmmaker Parker Benningfield who in January 2026 visited Japan and filmed a documentary about the X League Rice Bowl, the Super Bowl of Japan. You can watch his documentary on YouTube, and while you are at it, please like and subscribe to his page. To watch it, please click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuBtbT1E7KY

    GRIDIRON AMERICA RADIO BACKGROUND

    Gridiron America Radio (formerly, the From the 55 Yardline podcast), is anchored by former sports executive David Cieslinski, former international professional football player Mike Tackett, and football nerd Greg St. James, from Gridiron Japan Radio.

    All three are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen or tabletop.

    Gridiron America Radio is dedicated to both current and historical American football talk, including the “what if” questions that all sports fans ask and try to answer with the help of statistics, math and computer modeling provided by Sportsmaster Simulation Games www.SportsMaster-Simulation.games. In addition to the gridiron game, the team will on occasion look at other sports through the same eyes of that of grown men who still remember their childhood and the thrill of rolling the dice or picking up a joystick.

    The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at www.Adamsonmedia.com.

    David, Mike and Greg, can be contacted directly via the podcast’s website at www.GridironAmerica.net, as well as:

    On X at https://x.com/GridironAMRadio

    On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GridironAmerica/

    On Threads at https://www.threads.com/@gridironamerica

    On Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/gridironamerica

    1 hr 5 min
  • This is Gridiron America Today...

    Gridiron America Radio is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    For our 50th episode we begin the new weekly show, Gridiron America Today, where we talk about, well, all things football. In this episode, in which we are still very much trying to get our sea legs, we take a look at where the UFL is at after four weeks and see where it stands ratings and attendance wise, talk about the upcoming NFL draft, and lastly about Greg's new proposed project for the Sports History Network, the "What if?" project. Specifically, beginning with his simulation of a trade in 1978 by the Oilers and Cowboys, in which Earl Campbell is sent to Dallas in exchange for a massive amount of high first and second round picks, Greg attempts to see if he can start a butterfly effect. In this case, the hypothesis is that the addition of Earl Campbell to the Cowboy backfield will create a thunder and lightening effect with Tony Dorsett and result in Dallas winning Super Bowl XIII and thus become the Team of the '70s. For the results of this simulation check out our website at www.gridironamerica.net.

    GRIDIRON AMERICA RADIO BACKGROUND

    Gridiron America Radio (formerly, the From the 55 Yardline podcast), is anchored by former sports executive David Cieslinski, former international professional football player Mike Tackett, and football nerd Greg St. James, from Gridiron Japan Radio.

    All three are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen or tabletop.

    Gridiron America Radio is dedicated to both current and historical American football talk, including the “what if” questions that all sports fans ask and try to answer with the help of statistics, math and computer modeling provided by Sportsmaster Simulation Games www.SportsMaster-Simulation.games. In addition to the gridiron game, the team will on occasion look at other sports through the same eyes of that of grown men who still remember their childhood and the thrill of rolling the dice or picking up a joystick.

    The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at www.Adamsonmedia.com.

    David, Mike and Greg, can be contacted directly via the podcast’s website at www.GridironAmerica.net, as well as:

    On X at https://x.com/GridironAMRadio

    On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GridironAmerica/

    On Threads at https://www.threads.com/@gridironamerica

    On Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/gridironamerica

    36 min
  • The "What ifs?" of Chicago Cardinal History

    Gridiron America Radio is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    In this episode, Greg St. James sits down with with noted Chicago football historian Joe Ziemba, author of the books- When Football Was Football: The Chicago Cardinals and the Birth of the NFL, Cadets, Cannons and Legends: The Football History of Morgan Park Military Academy, and Bears vs. Cardinals: The NFL's Oldest Rivalry. They talk about the rerelease of his first book, When Football Was Football, with new chapters and new information, and the various "what if's" of Chicago football history. In addition they talk about the inspiring World War II story of Motts Tonelli, whom he profiles in his new upcoming book, From the NFL to Bataan and Back: The Heroic Journey of Notre Dame's Motts Tonelli, and much more.

    You can purchase all of Joe's books on Amazon via his author page at - https://www.amazon.com/stores/Joe-Ziemba/

    His Chicago Cardinals page is at- https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoCards

    GRIDIRON AMERICA RADIO BACKGROUND

    Gridiron America Radio (formerly, the From the 55 Yardline podcast), is anchored by former sports executive David Cieslinski; former international professional football player Mike Tackett, and football nerd Greg St. James, from Gridiron Japan Radio.

    All three are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen or tabletop.

    Gridiron America Radio is dedicated to both current and historical American football talk, including the “what if” questions that all sports fans ask and try to answer with the help of statistics, math and computer modeling provided by Sportsmaster Simulation Games www.SportsMaster-Simulation.games. In addition to the gridiron game, the team will on occasion look at other sports through the same eyes of that of grown men who still remember their childhood and the thrill of rolling the dice or picking up a joystick.

    The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at www.Adamsonmedia.com.

    David, Mike and Greg, can be contacted directly via the podcast’s website at www.GridironAmerica.net, as well as:

    On X at https://x.com/GridironAMRadio

    On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GridironAmerica/

    On Threads at https://www.threads.com/@gridironamerica

    On Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/gridironamerica

    1 hr 6 min
  • Gridiron Japan Radio is On the Air!

    Gridiron America Radio is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    For our official 50th podcast of From the 55 Yardline/Gridiron America Radio, we celebrate both the 50 episode and, even more importantly, we celebrate a new podcast here on the Sports History Network, Gridiron Japan Radio! Gridiron Japan is a five year old podcast that broadcasts from Japan which covers the American football scene and the X League, the semi-professional league that is the highest level of competition in the Far East and which has its own version of the Super Bowl- the Rice Bowl. In this initial episode from 2021, original host Zach Keilman and co-host Greg St. James interview X League insider and sports journalist John Gunning about the gridiron scene and its history in Japan.

    To learn more about American football in Japan check out www.gridironjapan.jp, the gateway to English language coverage of the X League (www.xleague.jp) and the rest of the gridiron scene.

    GRIDIRON AMERICA RADIO BACKGROUND

    Gridiron America Radio (formerly, the From the 55 Yardline podcast), is anchored by former sports executive David Cieslinski; former international professional football player Mike Tackett, and football nerd Greg St. James, from Gridiron Japan Radio.

    All three are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen or tabletop.

    Gridiron America Radio is dedicated to both current and historical American football talk, including the “what if” questions that all sports fans ask and try to answer with the help of statistics, math and computer modeling provided by Sportsmaster Simulation Games www.SportsMaster-Simulation.games. In addition to the gridiron game, the team will on occasion look at other sports through the same eyes of that of grown men who still remember their childhood and the thrill of rolling the dice or picking up a joystick.

    The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at www.Adamsonmedia.com.

    David, Mike and Greg, can be contacted directly via the podcast’s website at www.GridironAmerica.net, as well as:

    On X at https://x.com/GridironAMRadio

    On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GridironAmerica/

    On Threads at https://www.threads.com/@gridironamerica

    On Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/gridironamerica

    1 hr 6 min
  • Upton Bell, From the 55 Yardline to Gridiron America and Japan

    Gridiron America is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    To celebrate the rebirth and rebranding of ⁠SHN's From the 55 Yardline podcast to that of Gridiron America Radio⁠, we sit down in the Gridiron America studio with a true witness to sports history- the legendary Upton Bell!

    Upton is not only the son of Philadelphia Eagles founder and former NFL commissioner, Bert Bell, but is also a former NFL executive with the Baltimore Colts and the New England Patriots. Upton is also a pioneer in professional football, as he helped bring pro ball to the Carolinas in the 1970s with the WFL's Charlotte Hornets. Additionally to being a living link to pro football's past, he is a well known Boston area commentator. talk show host and author of the book, "Present at the Creation."

    You can listen more to Upton on the podcast Unvarnished Football, and also learn more about his life and witness to pro football history at ⁠UptonBell.com⁠ and also the UMass Amherst Collection at ⁠exhibits.library.umass.edu/scua/s/upton-bell.⁠

    GRIDIRON AMERICA RADIO BACKGROUND

    Gridiron America Radio (formerly, the From the 55 Yardline podcast), is anchored by former sports executive David Cieslinski; former international professional football player Mike Tackett, and football nerd Greg St. James, from Gridiron Japan Radio.

    All three are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen or tabletop.

    Gridiron America Radio is dedicated to both current and historical American football talk, including the “what if” questions that all sports fans ask and try to answer with the help of statistics, math and computer modeling provided by Sportsmaster Simulation Games www.SportsMaster-Simulation.games. In addition to the gridiron game, the team will on occasion look at other sports through the same eyes of that of grown men who still remember their childhood and the thrill of rolling the dice or picking up a joystick.

    The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at www.Adamsonmedia.com.

    David, Mike and Greg, can be contacted directly via the podcast’s website at www.GridironAmerica.net, as well as:

    On X at https://x.com/GridironAMRadio

    On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GridironAmerica/

    On Threads at https://www.threads.com/@gridironamerica

    On Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/gridironamerica

    1 hr 22 min
  • NDN All-Stars: Celebrating Great Native American Athletes of Past and Present on the Sports History Network - SHN Trailers

    NDN All-Stars is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    Welcome to the NDN All-Stars podcast! Join me, Bill Black, as we celebrate the many great Native American athletes who have made an impact in their sports!

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    SUPPORT NDN ALL-STARS

    If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.

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    NDN ALL-STARS BACKGROUND

    Hey there—I'm Bill Black, and welcome to the NDN All-Stars Podcast. If this is your first time hearing about us, let me tell you what we’re all about.

    This podcast is where Native sports history comes alive. Each episode shines a spotlight on the great Native American athletes you should know—past and present. From Hall of Famers to hometown heroes, we tell the stories of Native athletes who made their mark—on the field, on the court, and in history.

    We keep it real. No sugar-coating. No museum talk. Just straight-up stories told with pride and purpose—because representation matters, and these All-Stars deserve to be remembered right.

    Some episodes are deep dives into a single athlete’s life. Others bring on guests—historians, authors, even the athletes themselves—who help us connect the dots between culture, identity, and achievement.

    Whether you’re Native, a sports fan, a history buff, or just curious—this podcast will give you a new perspective on what greatness really looks like.

    So if you're ready to learn, laugh, and maybe even get a little fired up—hit that follow button and join the team.

    You can find more stories, merch, and updates at NDNAllStars.com. And be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube—just search for NDN All-Stars and you’ll find us.

    NDN All-Stars – Promoting Great Native Athletes – Past & Present!

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Sports History Network Theme Song

    This theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz

    https://sites.google.com/view/sportsfanztastic/sports-history-network?authuser=0

    4 min
  • SHN PRESENTS: Digits Dynasty - SHN Trailers

    Digits Dynasty is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

    HIGHLIGHTED SHOW - DIGITS DYNASTY

    “Digits Dynasty” is an engaging podcast where we debate the greatest athletes to don each uniform number in sports history.

    Each episode focuses on a specific number, featuring passionate discussions, stats, and anecdotes across all of sports history, that highlight the legends who wore it. From iconic moments to personal stories, we break down the impact these athletes had on their teams and the game itself.

    Learn more about the show on the Sports History Network.

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Sports History Network Theme Song

    This theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz

    https://sites.google.com/view/sportsfanztastic/sports-history-network?authuser=0

    3 min
  • SHN PRESENTS: GP Soccer Podcast - SHN Trailers

    GP Soccer Podcast is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

    HIGHLIGHTED SHOW

    Giovanni Pacini is a noted expert in the game with significant expertise in the areas of player and coach development.

    He is a United Soccer Coaches Master Coach, member of its National Staff, and National Goalkeeper Staff. He is a USYS East Region Staff Coach and is the GK Coach at Regis College (MA).

    Learn more about the show on the Sports History Network.

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Sports History Network Theme Song

    This theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz

    https://sites.google.com/view/sportsfanztastic/sports-history-network?authuser=0

    3 min
  • Which International Gridiron League is the Best?

    From the 55 Yardline is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    Our Greg St. James is also the host of the Gridiron Japan podcast, and sits down with his cohost, John Gunning, of Inside Sport Japan, to chat with quarterback Aaron Ellis, of Japan's X-League's Dentsu Caterpillars, to talk about his experiences in playing in Japan, Europe, and Mexico. He compares the X-League with the European League of Football and Mexico's Liga-de Fútbol Americano, where has played, and in doing so holds the distinction of being the only professional football player to have played in all three major international leagues outside of Canada and the United States.

    Gridiron Japan livestreams over at Gridiron Japan Television on YouTube at www.gridironjapantv.net, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GridironJapan.jp, and soon over on Twitch!

    FROM THE 55 YARD LINE BACKGROUND

    From the 55 Yardline is anchored by former rugby player and sports executive David Cieslinski, who resides near the Canadian border, and retired naval intelligence and information warfare officer Greg St. James, who resides in Japan (he is also the co-host of the Gridiron Japan podcast). Both are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen and on the internet airwaves.

    In addition to Dave and Greg, From the 55 Yardline also features veteran journalist and contributor Fran Stuchbury, of https://OurSportsCentral.com, where he writes extensively on the happenings in minor league sports.

    The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at https://www.Adamsonmedia.com. 

    David, Greg, and Fran can be contacted directly via the podcast's Twitter account at https://www.twitter.com/Fromthe55.

    1 hr 41 min

About Gridiron America

From the publisher's feed

Gridiron America Today, the flagship program of Gridiron America Radio (formerly, the From the 55 Yardline podcast), is anchored by former sports executive David Cieslinski, former international professional football player Mike Tackett and, broadcasting it all from his studio in Japan, is fellow football nerd Greg St. James. All three are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen or tabletop.