There's a lot of championship talk on Episode 245 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, beginning with pitmaster Paul Keltner of Rooters 'n Tooters BBQ out of Mount Pleasant, Tennessee. Paul knocked off a Grand Championship at the 61-team KCBS Lakeland Pit Festival to start his season in style. It's a continuation of a remarkable last few seasons of consistent for Rooters 'n Tooters, which had 29 top-10 overall finishes in 2023. Paul tells us about the year ahead and what it's like to chase KCBS Team of the Year honors (Rooters 'n Tooters was 4th in 2022, 5th in 2021 and 4th in 2020).

Speaking of championships, we talk top-level BBQ and Kansas City Chiefs football with Richard Fergola of Fergolicious BBQ and Proud Souls BBQ Kansas City. "Fergie" discusses Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis and the player's love for Q and the videos he shot for Proud Souls in Kansas City. We also get the latest about all the happenings at Proud Souls locations in KC, Denver and Littleton, Colo., and Tampa, Florida.

In new segments, Brad and Bre from Smoke'n Magic BBQ offer up a tip of the week that applies for both the backyard and competition cook, and Charlie from Grill Guys of Missouri tells us some big doings at the Republic, Mo., BBQ store in regards to the upcoming Super Bowl.

Lastly, co-hosts Lyndal and Steve offer their takes on the Chiefs-49ers and suggest two words to all the Taylor Swift bashers out there: Shut Up.

Thanks to all our sponsors and marketing partners for making the show possible: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #teamroyaloak2023 The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked Proud Souls BBQ Kansas City #proudsoulsbbqkc #kingdomofq The Grill Guys of Missouri Smoke 'n Magic BBQ #SmokenMagic Vietti Marketing Group Marty "Real Sign Man" Prather #pizza

Have a great BBQ week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm