Gridiron Japan

Gridiron Japan episodes:

• 04.22.2024

  Episode 46: You Are Looking Live!

  Gridiron Japan returns, broadcasting live to the internet airwaves, on YouTube, Facebook and X (Twitter)! John and Greg kickoff season 4 of the podcast, and season 1 of the livestreaming videocast to talk about all that has happened since Team...

  
• 01.17.2024

  Episode 45: Boogie Knight & The Dream Japan Bowl

  Greg and BJ sit down with Boogie Knight of the Asahi Soft Drink Challengers, and talk about his career in Japan and the 2023 season in which he was named rookie of the year and led the Super X-League in...

  
• 01.07.2024

  Episode 44: Rice Bowl Wrap Up, With Fujitsu Frontiers' Al-Rilwan Adeyemi

  On a Sunday night, John, BJ and Greg are joined by Rice Bowl and X-League champion, as well as the most famous American playing football in Japan, Al-Rilwan Adeyemi of the Fujitsu Frontiers. They discuss with him the key moments...

  
• 12.29.2023

  Episode 43: Rice Bowl Preview/NFL Films Spotlight on Al-Rilwan Adeyemi

  In the first part of the podcast John, BJ and Greg preview the upcoming matchup of Japan's championship game, which will be played on January 3rd, 2024 at the Tokyo Dome and feature a battle of two unbeaten teams, the...

  
• 12.22.2023

  Episode 42: X-League Semi-Finals & Koshien Bowl Wrap Up

  John, BJ and Greg sit down and dissect the victories by Panasonic and Fujitsu in X-League semi-final action, including notes on attendance for the matches. They then discuss the victory by the KG Fighters over the Hosei Orange in the...

  
• 12.06.2023

  Episode 41: X-League Super Semi-Final Preview Show

  On the eve of the X-League semi-finals, Greg and John sit down to talk about the weekend's matchups (Fujitsu v. Obic and Panasonic v. IBM) to see who will square off in January's Rice Bowl, as well as the league's...

  
• 11.26.2023

  Episode 40: Japan's College Football Playoffs

  John and Greg sit down and talk about the road to the Koshien Bowl and how the final team in Japan's college football semi-final playoffs was selected via a method that falls under the heading, "things that make you go...Huh??"...

  
• 11.22.2023

  Episode 39: "So You Want to Play Football in Japan?"

  With BJ and John away, Greg is joined by 2022 X-League Area MVP Aaron Ellis, starting quarterback of the Dentsu Caterpillars and Gridiron Japan alumnus, and co-host of the USFL Podcast, sports media wunderkind Zach Keilman. During a very early...

  
• 11.15.2023

  Episode 38: Playoff Fiesta

  It's a playoff party on the eve of the Super X-League quarterfinals as Greg, BJ and John give their predictions for the upcoming tournament. The guys are joined by Dentsu Caterpillars starting quarterback, Aaron Ellis, who gives his perspective on...

  
• 11.01.2023

  Episode 37: Flag Football in Japan and More!

  While the rest of Japan is glued to the TV to watch baseball and the Japan Series, the guys sit down and talk gridiron. They start off with a talk about Japan's very own Hidetora Hanada, who is currently playing...

  
• 10.18.2023

  Episode 36: B.J. Beatty and His DARE Initiative

  On a cool October night, Greg and BJ review the scores from week 3, and preview week 4 of the Super X-League. After which BJ talks about his DARE Sports initiative that is designed to provide gridiron education in Japan...

  
• 10.05.2023

  Episode 35: Rise Up! With Colby Campbell of the Nojima Sagamihara Rise

  In this episode, with BJ away at team practice, John and Greg sit down with Nojima Sagamihara Rise linebacker Colby Campbell to talk about his life and journey to Japan. From South Carolina to Finland to Germany and to Japan,...

  
• 09.26.2023

  Episode 34: Week 1 & 2 Review of Super X-League

  As the X-League teams play every two weeks, the guys are back after the season openers and subsequent games to review the power rankings of the 12 teams that make up the X-League Super, Japan's premier football league. The guys...

  
• 09.08.2023

  Episode 33- X League Super Preview

  John Gunning, BJ Beatty, and Greg James return for the third season of the Gridiron Japan podcast to preview the upcoming 2023 season of the X-League Super. The three discuss the probable and likely results, as well as the possible...

  
• 07.01.2023

  Episode 32: Spring Season Wrap Up

  Joining BJ, John and Greg in this episode is Dentsu Caterpillar QB, Aaron Ellis. The guys spend time reviewing the scores of the final games of the Spring X-League season and look ahead at the upcoming fall season and schedule....

  
• 05.31.2023

  Episode 31: The Blue Men Group

  The guys return this week, and after about an hour of candid blue conversation, in the second hour they hit the record button and talk about the latest scores and news going on in the world of spring Japanese gridiron....

  
• 05.16.2023

  Episode 30: Let's Go You Hiroshima Hawks!

  In what is this podcast's first interview with an active head coach, John and Greg sit down with new X3 Hiroshima Hawks head coach A.J. Koikoi to talk about his playing and coaching career in the Chugoku (Okayama & Hiroshima)...

  
• 05.08.2023

  Episode 29: Week 1 of the Spring Japanese Gridiron Season

  The spring exhibition season has begun for both the X-League and collegiate teams, and the three provide the scores of all the games played. The guys also talk about many of the off season moves of the X-League. In addition,...

  
• 03.18.2023

  Episode 28: The 2023 Spring Gridiron Season in Japan is Here!

  On the day the Japanese high school baseball tournament has begun and the focus of the nation is on Koshien Stadium, as well as Team Samurai Japan in the World Baseball Classic, the guys look at the upcoming spring gridiron...

  
• 02.28.2023

  Episode 27: Antoine Sinclair, Japan's Gridiron Renaissance Man

  In this episode John, BJ and Greg sit down with X2 Blue Thunder player Antoine Sinclair to talk about his life and journey to Japan. From Georgia to Japan, and from the rugby pitch to the gridiron, Antoine has had...

  
• 02.09.2023

  Episode 26: Ocean Bowl and Super Bowl Roundtable

  The guys in this episode sit down on a cold Thursday night to talk about the upcoming championship game of the Japan Private Football Federation, the "Ocean Bowl.". After which the guys talk about the upcoming Super Bowl, make their predictions,...

  
• 02.03.2023

  Episode 25: Dream Bowl Review

  Greg sits down with B.J. to review Team Japan's loss to the Ivy League All-Stars and his experiences during the game. They also discuss the current changes happening with the Obic Seagulls, as the X-League looks forward to the new...

  
• 01.19.2023

  Episode 24: Dream Bowl Preview

  With BJ at practice for Team Japan, John and Greg sit down to preview the upcoming matchup of Japan's top players versus the Ivy League all-stars. The two review the history of the Ivy League playing in Japan and discuss...

  
• 01.09.2023

  Episode 23: Super X-League- The Rice Bowl and a Time For Glory

  In this week's Gridiron Japan episode, John, B.J., and Greg review the Super X-League championship game, the Rice Bowl, and break down the performances that led to the Fujitsu Frontier's victory over the Panasonic Impulse. We then discuss the upcoming...

  
• 12.29.2022

  Episode 22: Time Well Spent With the Best Quarterback in Chicago, the X-League's Aaron Ellis

  B.J. and Greg return after the Christmas holiday, with guest and X-League Area MVP Aaron Ellis, the star QB of the Dentsu Caterpillars (in Chicago freezing his butt off and pinch hitting this week for John) to talk about his...

  
• 11.30.2022

  Episode 21: Super X-League- To The Dream Bowl and Beyond

  For the first time in many weeks, all three co-hosts (John, BJ, and Greg) sit down to review the past week's action and preview the X-League semi final matchups. In addition, the guys talk about the Dream Bowl, and specifically...

  
• 11.17.2022

  Episode 20: Super X-League- Quarterfinal Predictions

  Greg has finally landed in Japan and has overcome his jet lag to sit down with BJ and review the upcoming slate of quarterfinal matches and a discussion as to who might be relegated to Area play in 2023.  They...

  
• 10.29.2022

  Episode 19: Super X League 2022- Where Have You Gone Aaron Ellis? Sumimasen!

  In this episode, BJ and Greg review the results of Week 4 in Super X-League play, from the blowouts to nail bitters, and look ahead to the teams on the bubble for relegation, and also on the rise in the...

  
• 10.20.2022

  Episode 18: X-League 2022- “We Talkin' Playoffs or What?"

  In the second part of this week's podcast, John, B.J. and Greg make their predictions for week four of X-League Super and also talk about the playoff format for the 2022 season.

  
• 10.20.2022

  Episode 17: From the Big Blue to the Double Blue, a Conversation with Toshiki Sato

  Joining John, BJ and Greg from the The Great White North, legendary X-League kicker Toshiki Sato (who has kicked the longest field goal in league history with IBM Big Blue), and now a member of the Toronto Argonauts, sits down...

  
• 10.14.2022

  Episode 16: A Conversation With Tim Goins

  In football some of the individuals who make the biggest impact are not just on the field, but just as much on the sidelines and in the boardroom. For the X-League, one of the most impactful individuals to the league...

  
• 10.07.2022

  Episode 15: X-League 2022- Fantasy Tecmo Bowl Hopes and Dreams

  With John on assignment, BJ and Greg mute Al Michaels and sit down for long conversation that covers his new English language show that is soon to debut this month over on X-League TV (and hopefully their Youtube channel). BJ's...

  
• 09.27.2022

  Episode 14: X-League 2022- Colton Runyan and the Intersection Where the Gridiron and the Sumo Ring Meet

  In this episode, John, B.J. and Greg sit down with Texan Colton Runyan, a member of Club Bears of X-3 football and former player in Tokyo's Urban Football League. Colton also is a former player in the United Kingdom with...

  
• 09.22.2022

  Episode 13: X-League 2022- Going Deep with Aaron Ellis of the Dentsu Caterpillars

  A perfect football conversation to kick off the official start of autumn! Aaron Ellis, the starting quarterback of the Dentsu Caterpillars joins John Gunning (of Inside Sport Japan and The Japan Times), X-League legend B.J. Beatty, and football historian Greg...

  
• 09.16.2022

  Episode 12: X-League 2022- Football in Japan is Back!

  For the new season of the Gridiron Japan podcast, Greg James and John Gunning are joined by former Obic Seagull linebacker B.J. Beatty to talk about last year's Rice Bowl championship and review the off season moves of the X-League....

  
• 01.02.2022

  Episode 11: All or Nothing - Previewing the 75th Rice Bowl!

  The Rice Bowl is upon us, and only one can walk away the victor! Zach, John, and Greg come together to break down the 75th Rice Bowl between the Panasonic Impulse and the Fujitsu Frontier. The trio previews key players,...

  
• 12.11.2021

  Episode 10: Onward to the Semi-Finals!

  The Semi-finals are here, and only two teams can advance to the 2021 Rice Bowl. Zach and Greg recap last week's end of regular season action, talk keys to semi-final matchups, discuss the upcoming X1 Area/X2 Promotion contests, and more...

  
• 11.27.2021

  Episode 9: Locking in Playoff Seeds and New Promotions!

  Playoff seedings will be locked after this week as the 4th seed in X1 Super is up for grabs between the Rise, Big Blue, and the Creators. Who will make it out on top to face the Impulse in the...

  
• 11.13.2021

  Episode 8: Catching Up With Ian Park - X1 Super Week 5 and X1 Area Week 5 Part 2 Recap

  It is do or die time in X1 sections of the XLeague as the pivotal playoff and promotion races are coming down to the wires. Deers Football Club lineman Ian Park joined the show to discuss his team's road ahead...

  
• 10.30.2021

  Episode 7: There Can Be Only - The Fight For The X1 Super Promotion - X1 Super Week 4 and X1 Area Week 5 Recap

  It all comes down to this! With two final X1 Super Promotion positions left, the crew is wondering who between the Suns, Deers, Caterpillars, and Eagles will claim the final spot. Zach and Greg discuss this, recap X1 Super Week...

  
• 10.16.2021

  Episode 6: The Game On A Global Scale - X1 Super Week 3 and X1 Area Week 4 Recap

  For the first time in some time, the full trio is back to record as Zach, John, and Greg have recaps and international football talk aplenty. From Yoshito Omi's session at the NFL International Combine to the grand scheme of...

  
• 10.01.2021

  Episode 5: Close Calls And A Miscalculation - X1 Super Week 2 and X1 Area Week 3 Recap

  X1 Super Week 2 wrapped up with some close calls for top teams that left the crew a tad surprised. Greg James subs in for John Gunning this week as he and Zach cover what made Panasonic and Fujitsu avoid...

  
• 09.18.2021

  Episode 4: Getting to Know Who the Top Dogs Are - Week 1 X1 Super and Week 2 X1 Area Recap

  X1 Super officially wrapped up its first week of action as Zach and John discuss what it means for the division moving forward. The duo especially keyed in on what might be a crucial missed opportunity for the IBM Big...

  
• 09.02.2021

  Episode 3: The X-League Season Is Here! - Week 1 X1 Area Recap and X1 Super Preview

  The X-League season is officially under way! Greg, John, and Zach look back at Week 1 of the X1 Area and which teams look like early favorites for promotion. The trio also previews Week 1 of X1 Super and make...

  
• 08.20.2021

  Episode 2: An Interview With Obic Seagulls LB BJ Beatty - Making a Career in the X-League

  Before the 2021 X-League season kicks off, the crew at Gridiron Japan wanted to get a player's perspective. Look no further than Obic Seagulls LB and 10-year X-League veteran BJ Beatty! The crew discusses the player experience in the X-League,...

  
• 08.04.2021

  Episode 1: An Introduction to American Football in Japan - Featuring John Gunning of Inside Sport: Japan

  Gridiron Japan kicks off with its inaugural episode with hosts Zach Keilman and Greg James looking to cover the lesser-known but still very competitive Japanese football scene! The two kick things off asking the question of what exactly the sport...