Just Not Sports

It's the last dance for "Just Not Sports," and we're bringing out the big guns! MARVIN LEWIS coached our (well, Brad's) beloved Bengals for half our life, so we're thrilled to finally have our favorite all-time coach here to share his love of golf. We break down his short and mid-range game, his greatest tournament highlight (which is online, ya know), and why you shouldn't gamble with NBA players. (Like, ever.) Then, Gareth & Brad bid farewell after nearly 200 episodes and half-a-decade by creating their all-time "farewell" mix tape. Plenty of shoutouts to close this episode and series ... thanks to each and everyone who ever contributed, collaborated or listened over the years. Booty rappers, stay booty.

ERIC DAVIS is a legend. He hit an iconic homerun in the 1990 World Series to beat the heavily favored A's. He outlasted double-figure surgeries. He somehow made "buttonless 80s baseball jerseys" work. And, most crucially, he beat cancer. Our co-host Gareth Hughes is battling cancer now, so we dialed up Eric for perspective and a pep talk. And it's especially poignant because Gareth was there in the stands the night when Eric went yard against Oakland in the World Series. Two strangers, connected by a legendary sports moment, and an awful disease. And the hope and resolve to win, in both.

Calling all MAC alums! (Uh, and MAC "townies" like us.) We've got The Ringer's ace music critic and writer ROB HARVILLA - an Ohio University alum - to break down his new podcast "60 Songs That Explain the '90s." And we also talk growing up with '90s Cleveland sports, having Mazzy Star as your prom theme, and all things Hashtag MACtion. And because Gareth & Brad grew up in a MAC town (shoutout Bagel & Deli in Oxford, Ohio) we share our favorite '90s MAC memories, from Randy Moss kinda sorta being in the MAC to Gary Trent kinda sorta being the "Shaq of the MAC."

Go listen to "60 Songs That Explain the '90s" ... https://www.theringer.com/60-songs-that-explain-the-90s

On any given day, you can hear SARAH SPAIN talking sports on ESPN. On TV. On Radio. On Podcasts. Online. (And hell, maybe now in the owner's box.) But she's also found ways to use her platforms to explore her passions beyond sports - which is kinda sorta what this show is all about. So we break down that balancing act, her favorite interviews beyond sports, and some other fun stuff in her final appearance with us. Then, Brad and his daughter Charley talk the art and science of catching a real, live leprechaun.

We continue our Exit Interviews with soccer icon ALEXI LALAS returning for the third time! After two appearances breaking down his own musical talents, this time we asked him to describe his life via mix tape. And he delivers with an all-time starting eleven! Then, Gareth and Brad do the same ... and it gets seriously weird.

Hey, before we go away for good, let's look back! Gareth and Brad replay an interview with "Parks & Rec" and "Good Place" creator MICHAEL SCHUR on the one book he got banned by his wife from discussing at parties ("The Power Broker"). Then, we discuss and debate the legacy of Van Halen with NFL reporter JUDY BATTISTA. These are two of our favorite interviews - enjoy!

For years, JULIE DICARO has been one of the most outspoken voices about the challenges faced by women in sports. It's what first brought us to her in 2016, when we launched the #MoreThanMean campaign (alongside One Tree Forest Films) to combat online harassment. Half a decade later, we revisit that work to discuss what's changed ... and frankly, what hasn't. (Because a whole hell of a lot hasn't.) And we hear from Julie about her work with Deadspin, her new podcast with Jane McManus, her upcoming book on this very issue, and how more men can step up to ensure that sports becomes a truly fair and equitable industry for everyone.

Julie's book "Sidelined" comes out in March: https://www.amazon.com/Sidelined-Sports-Culture-Being-America/dp/152474610X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=julie+dicaro&qid=1612106950&sr=8-1

The Ladies Room podcast is here: https://deadspin.com/welcome-to-the-ladies-room-a-new-deadspin-sports-podca-1845878217

JESSE WASHINGTON of The Undefeated joins us to break down his new book "I Came as a Shadow" which he co-authored with legendary Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson about the life and legacy of this amazing coach, mentor, activist and man. Then, Gareth and Brad talk about what distracted us in 2020, and some show news for 2021.

Washington Post reporter CHUCK CULPEPPER wrote an amazing story about the time Miami University (um, of Ohio) changed its nickname from R-dskins to RedHawks. And guess what? Yeah, everything was fine! With Native American nicknames back under debate, we check in on this time when a small Ohio town debated the change, the people who made it happen, the Miami Tribe members who clarified and personified the debate, and, ya know ... Brad's mom's role in all of it.

It's the holiday season, and Super Bowl champ BEN UTECHT is a most wonderful person to talk with in this most wonderful time of the year. He's been active in music for years, and each December he performs a concert that channels the best holiday music from Andy Williams and Bing Crosby. We go deep on his show (which is virtual this year), his other Christmas albums and recordings, his new musical trio Reborn, and his Top 5 favorite holiday tracks. Then, Brad is joined by "Summer Blockbuster" host Steve Warner to debate that annoying debate about what constitutes a Christmas movie. And why our parents EVER let us watch "Gremlins."

"An Andy & Bing Christmas" is virtual this year and you can buy tickets here: https://chanhassendt.com/shows/andybingchristmas/

Ben's group Reborn can be found here: https://www.rebornmusicgroup.org/

The "Summer Blockbuster" podcast is here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/summer-blockbuster/id1233568639