Pass It Down

On the 40-year anniversary of John Lennon’s assassination, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay--who owns one of the most killer collections of music (and other) memorabilia, and counts many prominent rockers among his friends--reflects on the magnitude of the tragedy and why he views it as the end of an era. Our Magical Mystery Tour also includes stories about Paul McCartney, Stephen Stills and Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey.

Before becoming one of America’s most acclaimed sports columnists, Ann Killion launched her career as Mike Silver’s partner in crime on one of the industry’s sexiest beats: The Joe Montana/Steve Young-era San Francisco 49ers. We cover so much ground in this spirited conversation, from Eddie DeBartolo’s death stare to Al Davis’ (and Amy Trask’s) national-anthem-induced tantrum to a naked Hall of Famer’s harassment of Ann to Mike’s unlikely locker-room rant in the wake of the (alleged) O.J. murder. Ann also shares her thoughts on covering several generations’ worth of women’s soccer legends, why sports creep her out in the time of COVID-19 and the glaring flaw that torments her in the wake of The Undoing finale.

In 1982, Stanford band trombonist Gary Tyrrell became part of football history when Cal’s Kevin Moen toppled him at the end of a five-lateral kickoff return that became known as The Play. Later in life, he would suffer the misfortune of befriending--and sharing postgame beers with--a certain obnoxious Cal fan who attended the ‘82 Big Game, and who now co-hosts a podcast with his Cal-alum daughter. As all parties concerned prepare for the 123rd meeting between the arch-rivals, they revisit college football’s most famous finish (and other Big Game memories), the legendary Stanford band exploits that occurred before, during and after Gary’s era and some of the face-melting Grateful Dead shows Mike and Gary attended in one another’s backyards. Oh, and Gary has to answer for his infamously flaccid fan base.

Two doctors on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 return to discuss the current state of the global pandemic, from the promising vaccine news, to their cutting-edge antibody-treatment study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, to the brutal winter that awaits. Dr. Gregory Huhn, a Chicago-based infectious disease specialist, and Dr. Ajay Nirula, Eli Lilly’s VP of Immunology, also assess the impending changes under the Biden Administration, the need for attitudinal shifts regarding science and the realistic timeline for a return to packed stadiums, music festivals, Thanksgiving gatherings… and some semblance of normalcy.

Since christening their relationship by doing numerous rounds of Amaretto shots in Gus Frerotte’s basement near the nation’s capital--an interaction later immortalized in Mike’s 1997 Sports Illustrated profile of the then-’Skins quarterback--these two football lifers and unabashed liberals have maintained an unbreakable bond while clowning all those who take themselves too seriously. With help from Gus’s wickedly funny wife, Annie, and their savvy son Gunnar, the 15-year NFL gunslinger engages Mike and Natalie in a laugh-filled conversation recorded on the glorious morning after Joe Biden was officially named the President-Elect of the United States.

On the brink of a vitally important election amid what he regards as a “national emergency,” the Rolling Stone senior writer who specializes in national affairs and culture walks us through the trashing of our democracy, the false flag of patriotism and the surreal and stressful experience of being called out as an Enemy of the People in his hometown.

Former NFL standout, two-time Super Bowl champion, prolific podcaster and anti-racism advocate Chris Long breaks down what’s at stake in the upcoming election, addresses the perils of segregation and the reveals the catalyst behind the anger and cynicism that fuel

Since becoming the Packers’ head coach, Matt LaFleur has won 18 of 22 games. He faces his most formidable opponent yet on the Pass It Down podcast, as Natalie and a special guest grill him on the controversial drafting of Aaron Rodgers’ successor, the ‘Audible Thing’ and his habit of covering his mouth with his play-sheet--even while wearing a mask. The audio’s not optimal, but the content is exceptional.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… Join Mike and Natalie as they do some MORE real-time regulating on Mike’s infamous Twitter feed, complete with cinematic blocks, mercy-laden mutes and a full philosophical breakdown of what gets you permanently purged

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… Join Mike and Natalie as they do some real-time regulating on Mike’s infamous Twitter feed, complete with cinematic blocks, mercy-laden mutes and a full philosophical breakdown of what gets you permanently purged.