Pass It Down

Back in the ‘90s, after one of the many times that Mike was banned from the Raiders’ locker room by legendary owner Al Davis, Amy--the NFL’s first woman CEO--had to cut a $10,000 check to the league to pay off the fine. Their remarkably chummy professional relationship survived that and many other adventures, including the 2002 Sports Illustrated profile that spawned her iconic nickname. In the second part of this fast-paced and provocative conversation, Amy talks about her obsession with ice cream, her business partnership with Ice Cube, the time one of her Raiders employees publicly called Mike a “smoke pot smokin’ buddy” of another sports journalist--and the far more intelligent query about marijuana that Natalie asked and Amy answered during a pre-Super Bowl 50 panel.

Since becoming a Power Trio 10 years ago in the leadup to Super Bowl XLV, Charissa (now a FOX host), Jeff (an ESPN reporter) and Mike have been inseparable--and insufferable--at big events across the country. Deprived of the chance to co-host their annual Super Bowl party, these three amigos do the next-best thing, treating Natalie, and all of you, to a slice of their twisted, semi-synchronized sensibilities, in all their revved-up splendor. Yes, it’s a lot. Just trust us.

Since becoming a Power Trio 10 years ago in the leadup to Super Bowl XLV, Charissa (now a FOX host), Jeff (an ESPN reporter) and Mike have been inseparable--and insufferable--at big events across the country. Deprived of the chance to co-host their annual Super Bowl party, these three amigos do the next-best thing, treating Natalie, and all of you, to a slice of their twisted, semi-synchronized sensibilities, in all their revved-up splendor. Yes, it’s a lot. Just trust us.

During his highly productive NFL career, which included five NFC championship game appearances for the Philadelphia Eagles and a memorable Super Bowl XXXIX duel with Tom Brady, Donovan McNabb had a knack for blocking out the noise. From being booed on draft day to getting stigmatized by Rush Limbaugh to being one of the league’s first prominent black quarterbacks, McNabb never had it easy--but he maintained a healthy perspective and did a whole lot of smiling. In this spirited conversation with a journalist who witnessed a lot of it (and his impressionable daughter), McNabb reflects on his journey and looks ahead to Super Bowl LV, as his former coach, Andy Reid, tries to win a second consecutive Lombardi Trophy. McNabb also voices strong opinions about Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, Chiefs offensive coordinator (and head coaching candidate) Eric Bieniemy and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Natalie and Mike relive some awesome and loathsome moments from past presidential inaugurations--and, with the help of a special guest who purports to be an expert on such matters, explore the uncertainty and anxiety gripping a divided nation as it prepares for a (hopefully) peaceful transition of power.

Back in the ‘90s, after one of the many times that Mike was banned from the Raiders’ locker room by legendary owner Al Davis, Amy--the NFL’s first woman CEO--had to cut a $10,000 check to the league to pay off the fine. Their remarkably chummy professional relationship survived that and many other adventures, including the 2002 Sports Illustrated profile that spawned her iconic nickname. In Part 1 of our wide-ranging conversation, Amy explains to Natalie why Al despised her dad (it’s a compliment… really!), reflects on the late legend’s penchant for second chances and push for social justice and reveals why the Raiders resonated with her as a kid.

Two highly intelligent football analysts--whose physical appearances happen to inspire Barbie comparisons and foot-fetish propositions--take turns dropping NFL-related knowledge and detailing their journeys to high-profile TV gigs. From Cynthia’s days as a data nerd to Taylor’s experience as a crime victim while reporting a story on crime-ridden neighborhoods, these highly accomplished journalists have defied stereotypes every step of the way.

Six years after taking Cal to its first Final Four, Lindsay Gottlieb stunned the basketball world in June of 2019 when she left to take an assistant coaching job with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Since that time she has run a full-team film session from owner Dan Gilbert’s couch, crafted a theoretically foolproof scouting report that held Rockets star James Harden to 55 points and helped demonstrate that the qualities that enable someone to coach at the highest level are not gender-specific. We cover some of the high points of Lindsay’s journey, from dreaming of playing shortstop for the Yankees to getting tossed out of a Hawaiian gym to receiving a surprise video message from Kobe Bryant before Cal’s Final Four run.

As he prepares for the two-episode finale of what he calls The Most Challenging Season Ever(!), Bachelor/Bachelorette creator Mike Fleiss assesses the “miracle” of the franchise’s enduring popularity, host Chris Harrison’s future and the moment he realized that the televised search for “true love” was a viable concept. We also hear about Fleiss’ other Hollywood ventures--including the ill-fated screenplay he and Mike wrote in their early 20s--and why an early Bachelorette taping at a Chargers game landed Silver on Drew Brees’ bad side.

The Pass It Down guest list has been star-studded and the content sublime--and now, 30 episodes into its existence, it’s obviously time for a retrospective. Mike and Natalie talk about their process and share some revelations while showcasing excerpts from interviews with Steve and Maddy Kerr, Packers coach Matt LaFleur, hip-hop legend Luke Campbell, Brandi and Chad Chastain, coaching legend Barry Switzer, Saints star Cam Jordan and his father (former Vikings star Steve), Donte Stallworth, two doctors (Greg Huhn and Ajay Nirula) at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19 and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay.