Hall Call Podcast

Ed Miller, longtime writer for the Virginia Pilot in Southeastern Virginia joined the Hall Call Podcast to talk about the life and legacy of boxing legend, Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker.

The 2007 International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, and 2011 Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inductee was tragically killed in an auto-pedestrian crash in Virginia Beach in July. The Norfolk native dominated every level of boxing becoming an amateur champion, and 1984 Olympic Gold medalist, and eventually a world champion in four different weight divisions. Whitaker is generally regarded as one of the greatest fighters of not only his generation, but all-time.

Although his career took him to many destinations around the globe, Whitaker always made it a point to maintain a connection with the Hampton Roads area. He fought some of his greatest and high profile fights at venues in Virginia, and called the area home up until his death.

Miller, through his work with the Virginian Pilot, covered Sweet Pea closely for over 20-years, and brings an intimate knowledge of Whitaker as not just a fighter, but as a human being. We were pleased to be able to the legacy of Whitaker through Hall Call.

2018 Virginia Sports Hall of inductee, Thomas Jones, joined the Hall Call Podcast to talk about his football career, and his transition to acting following his time on the gridiron.

Jones, a native a Big Stone Gap, VA began playing football near the coal mines of Southwest VA and eventually became the University of Virginia's all-time leading rusher. What followed was a 12-year NFL career, that saw him become one of only 31 running backs in NFL history to eclipse the 10,000 yard mark.

Following football, Jones began to try his hand in the entertainment industry initially writing and producing a tv show of his own. He soon caught the acting bug, and has featured in popular tv shows such as Shameless, Being Mary Jane, and Luke Cage, as well as movies including a feature role in 2017's A Violent Man.

Jones talks about his journey from football player to actor in this episode of the Hall Call Podcast.

The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame's Executive Director, Will Driscoll, speaks to 2004 Hall of Fame inductee and golf legend, Curtis Strange. With golf as a backdrop, topics range from the upcoming 2019 British Open, the 1999 collapse by Jean Van de Velde at Carnoustie, and the state of golf in 2019 (Spoiler Alert: He's excited!).