The Brad Cesmat Show

Late last week a number of NFL stars collaborated on an extremely powerful video focused squarely on George Floyd’s death, racial injustice and the NFL’s lack of proactivity when dealing with the issues blacks have been dealing with for so many years. Brad and Eric discussed the power of the iconic video – which featured Cardinal Pro Bowlers Patrick Peterson and DeAndre Hopkins, as well as former star safety Tyrann Mathieu. They also went in-depth on the video NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell posted about a day after a number of the league’s elite players made their voices heard. Brad also caught up with former NFL and Arizona Rattlers lineman, now long-time Hamilton High School assistant coach Mark Tucker via Skype (17:21 on podcast).

The world continues to be rocked by the unthinkable death of George Floyd. Brad and Eric discuss the impact of his killing and how it, eventually, could lead to positive and impactful change moving forward. Former ASU offensive coordinator, now Florida State head coach Mike Norvell called out by a number of players for an inaccurate and some feel, insensitive statement, regarding the civil unrest in our country. The issue has since been resolved. Brad talks about John Wooden’s everlasting legacy as Thursday marked the 20-year anniversary of his passing. Plus, ASU star punter Michael Turk finds NCAA loophole and will return next season after not being drafted and not being able to workout for NFL teams due to COVID19.

Our nation continues to get stretched to the limit as civil unrest hits coast to coast. Brad and Eric discuss what all’s gone wrong in 2020 and what hasn’t gone right. Plus, why social media isn’t a place for all of us and our thoughts and emotions at this time. Brad was joined by Larry Fitzgerald, Sr. from Minneapolis (13:14 on podcast) who talked about George Lloyd’s horrific death in his hometown, dealing with racism since his youth and why Roger Goodell and the NFL has dropped the ball when it comes to the events of the last days.

The senseless killing of George Floyd early last week in Minnesota has trickled down throughout the US, including here in Phoenix where protestors took out their frustrations on shopping malls, stores and restaurants over the weekend. Brad caught up with a pair of guests, Super Bowl Champion linebacker and former Arizona Cardinal Seth Joyner (9:32 on podcast), as well as Chandler High School Football Director of Leadership Russell Scott (23:15 on podcast) to share their thoughts on the state of our nation during the current unrest. Plus, USA Today MLB Columnist Bob Nightengale (33:13 on podcast) on whether the players and owners can figure out the dollars and get this already abbreviated 2020 season underway later this summer.

ASU head basketball coach Bobby Hurley is at odds with AD Ray Anderson, the same person who hired him. Although the two apparently “made up,”  Brad doesn’t expect this issue to stop lingering and believes it’s only a matter of time before Hurley leaves – especially considering the state of the arena the Sun Devils play in. SI.com NBA Writer and award-winning author Jack McCallum (11:21 on podcast) talked about “The Last Dance,” as well as his latest podcast which focuses in on his unique access to the original Dream Team. The Athletic ASU insider and good friend of the show Doug Haller (23:56 on podcast) took a deeper dive into the squabble between Hurley and Anderson, as well as what he envisions in terms of Pac-12 football being played this fall. Plus, Eric caught up with Tucson Canyon del Oro linebacker Adam Maldonado via Skype (35:18 on podcast) for our final 2020 Vision installment this spring.

Reports say if there is no college football in 2020, the financial losses for the schools will like reach $4 billion. Brad and Eric discuss why, financially, AD’s must figure out a plan by July or risk not only losing a season of football, but entire sports programs at their respective schools, as well. SunDevilSource.com Publisher and good friend of the show Chris Karpman checked in via Skype (8:40 on podcast) to talk about the chances of ASU playing CFB games this season, the job Bobby Hurley has done with ASU hoops, plus much more. Eric also Skpyed in Paradise Valley High wide receiver and high jumper Joevanni Haddad (25:19 on podcast) as Thursday’s 2020 Vision guest. 

It appears we are getting closer to seeing live sporting events again. Now, the big question is will California follow suit or continue to lock down into the fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Speaking of California, Brad believes Arizona will see an influx of big-time high school athletes if CA doesn’t come up with a plan to keep their prep sports calendar intact. Dan Majerle is suing GCU for wrongful termination. Plus, Eric Skypes in with Copper Canyon High standout Eric “Memphis” Williams (30:38 on podcast) for Tuesday’s 2020 Vision segment.

“The Last Dance” is officially in the books and Brad and Eric both feel it went out with a bang Sunday night. Eric isn’t buying Michael Jordan ate bad pizza before the “Flu Game” against the Jazz. Could we see a home-and-home football series with ASU and UofA this fall? Brad believes it could be an option with the Pac-12 likely doing away with all non-conference games due to safety concerns. ESPN NBA Insider/”The Jump” host and former Phoenix Suns executive Amin Elhassan (11:19 on podcast) talked about “The Last Dance” as a whole, how much of it is actually believable, as well as the Suns being just days away from their 10-year no playoff anniversary. Plus, Eric catches up with Higley’s Isaiah Eastman via Skype (25:34 on podcast) for Monday’s 2020 Vision segment.

One thing you’ll see this season when watching NFL games is artificially pumped in crowd noise. Brad and Eric discussed – neither seem to have a problem with it and both know TV networks will do their best to show no wide stadium shots of mostly empty stands. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst shared his radical idea of squeezing the rest of the NBA season and playoff games into the calendar year. Former Hamilton star, now soon-to-be Oregon starting quarterback Tyler Shough (17:37 on podcast) Skyped in to talk about the uncertainty of the CFB season, getting more comfortable at Oregon and how little brother Brady is leaving his own legacy with the Hamilton football program. Plus, Desert Vista QB and Central Florida signee Parker Navarro Skpyed in (27:54 on podcast) as Thursday’s 2020 Vision guest. 

Brad and Eric kick around MLB’s latest proposal from Monday for an 82-game season which would start in early July. Is this feasible? The two talk about the plusses and minuses and what needs to happen to see a 2020 season. Our ESPN MLB Insider Pedro Gomez (7:11 on podcast) Skyped in saying he only gives the 2020 season a “25-30% chance of happening” due to what many expect to be a standoff between the owners and players. Gomez believes the owners are pushing a 50-50 revenue sharing concept on the players. In turn, the players want to be paid for every game they play. Eric Skyped in Central High two-way star lineman Cristoffer Carillo (25:32 on podcast) as Tuesday’s 2020 Vision guest.