The Buck Stops Here

Hall of Fame voter Clark Judge joins Kirk Buchner and Chris Mouradian for a no-holds-barred conversation about the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection process. From overlooked legends like Jerry Smith and Neil Smith to the politics behind contributor snubs like Ralph Hay, this episode dives deep into the stories that shape football history—and the ones that get left behind.Judge opens up about the emotional toll of the process, the impact of Zoom vs. in-person presentations, and why some candidates may never get another shot. If you care about football legacy, this is essential listening.🔔 Subscribe for more Hall of Fame debates, sports storytelling, and behind-the-scenes insight.• 00:00:34 — Clark Judge joins the show: reflections on Talk of Fame and stepping back• 00:02:35 — Senior candidate omissions: Jerry Smith, Abner Haynes, Jim Katcavage, and more• 00:04:12 — The aging dilemma: why younger voters overlook older players• 00:05:10 — Leslie O’Neal’s lack of traction and the Super Bowl bias• 00:07:00 — Last year’s senior picks: Sterling Sharpe, Jim Tyrer, Maxie Baughan• 00:09:17 — Ralph Hay’s case and the politics of contributor voting• 00:11:09 — The symbolic Hall of Fame football pass and Hay’s legacy in Canton• 00:14:12 — Belichick, Kraft, and the Spygate dilemma• 00:17:10 — Why Zoom presentations fall short of in-person persuasion• 00:21:42 — Neil Smith’s forgotten impact and the Derrick Thomas effect• 00:24:05 — Comparing Robert Mathis vs. Dwight Freeney• 00:26:02 — Will the Hall course-correct? Clark Judge weighs in• 00:30:00 — The emotional toll of presenting candidates who get rejected• 00:34:20 — How committee reshuffling affects voting dynamics• 00:38:45 — The politics of “at-large” members and presentation accountability• 00:42:10 — Why some contributors may never get another shot• 00:45:30 — Clark’s thoughts on future senior candidates and the backlog• 00:48:00 — Final reflections: legacy, frustration, and hope for reformIf you believe forgotten legends deserve their due, hit that LIKE button and SHARE this episode with fellow football fans. Drop a comment with the name of a player you think the Hall of Fame has overlooked—and why.Subscribe for more Hall of Fame debates, sports storytelling, and exclusive interviews.#BuckStopsHere #ClarkJudge #HallOfFame #NFLHistory #FootballLegends #SportsPodcast #SterlingSharpe #RalphHay #ZoomVsInPerson #ForgottenGreats #ProFootballHallOfFame #NFLSnubs #KirkBuchner #ChrisMouradian

Kirk Buchner welcomes Ron Katz—former Broncos Fan of the Year and Hall of Fame insider—for a deep dive into two explosive topics: the shady $50 million Kawhi Leonard sponsorship deal and the baffling inconsistencies in the Pro Football Hall of Fame senior list. From money laundering red flags to forgotten legends like Rich “Tombstone” Jackson, this episode pulls no punches.💥 Is Steve Ballmer playing 4D chess with the NBA salary cap? 🏈 Why are Hall of Fame hopefuls dying before they get their due? 🎙️ Plus: Dan Marino’s surprise college cameo and Richmond Webb’s campaign from Paris. Vote now for the USA Athletics Hall of Fame at theUSAHOF.com and make your voice count!• 00:00 – Intro: Kirk & Ron reunite• 01:25 – Kawhi Leonard’s $50M sponsorship deal breakdown• 03:07 – Steve Ballmer’s “I was scammed” defense• 04:44 – Money laundering laws & NBA implications• 07:25 – Kawhi’s endorsement value vs. Paul George• 10:32 – Contract guarantees & loopholes• 13:46 – Should the NBA punish Kawhi or Ballmer?• 17:25 – Pro Football Hall of Fame senior list rant• 23:05 – Rich “Tombstone” Jackson’s forgotten legacy• 27:16 – Dr. Z’s all-time team & Denver bias• 34:22 – Richmond Webb’s campaign & Dan Marino reveal• 38:15 – Final thoughts & Hall of Fame voting plug#KawhiLeonard #SteveBallmer #NBAControversy #MoneyLaundering #USAHOF #ProFootballHOF #RichJackson #RonKatz #KirkBuchner #BuckStopsHere #HallOfFameSnubs #DenverBroncos #DanMarino #RichmondWebb #SportsPodcast #AthleteLegacyIf you care about athlete legacies and exposing shady deals, smash that Like button, Subscribe, and hit the Bell so you never miss a Buck Stops Here special. Drop your thoughts in the comments—should Kawhi be punished? Who’s your biggest Hall of Fame snub?

It’s the most unpredictable time of the year—MLB Wildcard Week! Kirk Buchner and Dave Whitlock break down every matchup, from bullpen depth to breakout stars, and share their bold predictions for who survives the chaos. Will the Reds shock the Dodgers? Can Cleveland ride house money to glory? And is this the year Chapman cements his Hall of Fame case?⚾ Full breakdowns of all 4 Wildcard series🔥 Deep dives into pitching matchups, X-factors, and playoff history🎙️ Classic banter, bold takes, and a few Delorean references📌 Subscribe for more playoff coverage and Hall of Fame debates!• 00:00 – Intro: Why Wildcard Week is the best week in sports• 02:51 – MLB’s new playoff format: pros, cons, and prime-time gripes• 06:49 – Reds vs Dodgers: Can youth and chaos beat payroll and power?• 13:36 – Padres vs Cubs: Bullpen depth vs breakout stars• 19:50 – Guardians vs Tigers: House money meets elite pitching• 28:30 – Yankees vs Red Sox: Rivalry, redemption, and Chapman’s legacy• 34:40 – Hall of Fame chatter: Stanton, Chapman, and postseason impact• 38:42 – Final thoughts: Why this playoff format works and what’s nextIf you love baseball, banter, and bold predictions, hit that subscribe button and ring the bell! Drop your Wildcard picks in the comments—who’s your sleeper team?#MLBWildcard #MLBPlayoffs #BaseballPodcast #TheBuckStopsHere #MLBPredictions #PostseasonBaseball #HallOfFameDebate #YankeesVsRedSox #RedsVsDodgers #PadresVsCubs #GuardiansVsTigers

In this special episode of The Buck Stops Here, Kirk Buchner and Paul Lawrence dive deep into the top 30 active NFL players on Kirk’s “Not In Hall of Fame” Pro Football Monitor. From overlooked offensive linemen to controversial quarterbacks, they break down who’s closest to Canton—and who might never get there.🔥 Who’s rising, who’s fading, and who’s already a lock?🏆 Featuring insights on:• Aaron Rodgers• Bobby Wagner• Patrick Mahomes• Mike Evans• Von Miller …and many more!📊 Based on Kirk’s annual Hall of Fame Monitor rankings, this countdown blends stats, peak performance, and positional bias into one epic debate.• 00:02:10 — Kirk explains his Hall of Fame Monitor methodology• 00:08:28 — #30: David Bakhtiari, underrated lineman with a fading career• 00:10:27 — #29: Justin Tucker, the greatest kicker of our era?• 00:14:49 — #28: Budda Baker, elite safety in a tough position group• 00:17:01 — #27: Lane Johnson, overshadowed but dominant• 00:19:16 — #26: Matthew Stafford, Super Bowl boost and 60K yards• 00:26:00 — #25: Quenton Nelson• 00:28:13 — #24 & #23: DeAndre Hopkins vs. Davante Adams• 00:31:17 — #22: Fred Warner, the quiet beast of San Francisco• 00:33:10 — #21: Christian McCaffrey, dual-threat brilliance• 00:36:06 — #20: Jalen Ramsey, veteran corner with a Hall-worthy resume• 00:39:10 — #19: Cameron Heyward, late-career surge• 00:41:40 — #18: Tyreek Hill• 00:46:10 — #17 & #16: Josh Allen vs. Russell Wilson• 00:53:17 — #15: Chris Jones, the Chiefs’ unsung hero• 00:55:16 — #14: Cameron Jordan, consistent but title-less• 00:57:59 — #13: Mike Evans, the Frank Gore of WRs• 01:03:07 — #12: Calais Campbell, longevity vs. peak• 01:06:34 — #11: Derrick Henry, throwback dominance• 01:11:09 — #10: Lamar Jackson, two MVPs and counting• 01:15:10 — #9–#6: Garrett, Mack, Watt, and Von Miller—pass rush royalty• 01:24:22 — #5: Trent Williams, quiet excellence at tackle• 01:26:08 — #4: Travis Kelce, tight end icon• 01:28:10 — #3: Patrick Mahomes, already a legend• 01:29:52 — #2: Bobby Wagner, linebacker longevity• 01:32:26 — #1: Aaron Rodgers, four MVPs and no debate• 01:37:00 — Wrap-up and future Hall of Fame speculation#NFLHallOfFame #ProFootballMonitor #NotInHallOfFame #TheBuckStopsHere #KirkBuchner #PaulLawrence #NFLTop30 #FootballDebate #GridironGreats #HallOfFameWatch #SportsTalk #NFL2025 #FootballLegends🏈 Think your favorite player got snubbed?💬 Drop your top 5 active Hall of Fame locks in the comments!📢 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more Hall of Fame debates!See the whole list and position breakdowns: https://www.notinhalloffame.com/football/100-active-football-hall-of-famers

Kirk Buchner and Evan Nolan return with a vengeance in this jam-packed episode of The Buck Stops Here, diving headfirst into the 2026 Hall of Fame draft across sports, music, and even toys. From Drew Brees and Patrice Bergeron to Alicia Keys and the humble slide, they predict who’s getting enshrined next—and who’s getting snubbed again. Plus, tributes to recently departed legends, a spirited debate on Rock Hall backdoors, and a miniature dachshund named Winnie who steals the show.00:00:34 Kirk and Evan reunite—Winnie joins the show00:01:53 Introducing the first annual Hall of Fame draft00:02:49 Blackhawks launch their own Hall of Fame00:10:45 Premier League Hall of Fame nominees00:14:44 Draft rules explained—16 picks across 8 categories00:17:13 First picks: Drew Brees & Patrice Bergeron00:24:20 Roger Federer enters the Tennis Hall of Fame00:29:52 Alicia Keys leads Rock Hall predictions00:42:21 Oasis and Motorhead: Rock Hall backdoor contenders00:48:58 Serena Williams joins the Hall of Fame conversation01:00:17 Full draft recap—who picked who01:04:00 Tribute to Ken Dryden and other sports legends01:21:14 Farewell to Rick Davies of Supertramp01:24:50 Final call to action and site updatesVote now for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame at theUSAHoF.com ! And if you’ve got a Hall of Fame hot take, reach out—we might just feature you on the next episode.#HallOfFameDraft #TheBuckStopsHere #DrewBrees #PatriceBergeron #AliciaKeys #RockHall #SportsLegends #WinnieTheDog #NotInHallOfFame #PodcastLife #HallOfFame2026 #ChrisJericho #SerenaWilliams #SlideForTheWin

This month on The Elevator Show, Kirk Buchner and Chris Mouradian break down the biggest movers in the Hall of Fame conversation. From Rafael Devers’ confusing trade impact to Jacob deGrom’s elite sabermetrics case, we explore who’s rising, who’s falling, and who’s stuck between floors.🏆 Plus: UFC’s new champ, IndyCar dominance, and the curious case of Sandy Alcantara.🚪 Elevator Up or Down? You decide.🔔 Subscribe for monthly Hall of Fame debates, sports banter, and the occasional roast of cursed franchises.🗳️ Vote now for the third class of the United States Athletic Hall of Fame: www.theusahof.com• 00:00 – Intro & USA Hall of Fame Voting Plug• 02:35 – Jerry Jones & Steve Ballmer: Hall of Fame-worthy or just rich?• 06:54 – Rashawn Slater’s injury: Elevator Down• 08:06 – UFC’s Dricus Du Plessis wins middleweight title: Elevator Up• 09:21 – Alex Palou clinches IndyCar championship: Elevator Up• 11:10 – Rafael Devers trade fallout: Elevator Confused• 18:30 – Aroldis Chapman’s resurgence: Elevator Up• 21:36 – Kenley Jansen’s climb toward 500 saves: Elevator Up• 24:20 – Garrett Crochet’s Cy Young-caliber season: Elevator Up• 25:51 – Zack Wheeler’s surgery setback: Elevator Down• 28:54 – Sandy Alcantara’s decline: Elevator Down• 39:02 – You Darvish’s quiet exit: Elevator Down• 43:06 – Japanese league vs MLB Hall of Fame eligibility• 47:48 – Final thoughts & USA Hall of Fame call to action________________________________________👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for monthly Hall of Fame debates🗳️ Cast your vote at www.theusahof.com📢 Share this episode with your sports-obsessed friends#HallOfFame #ElevatorShow #NotInHallOfFame #SportsDebate #MLB #NFL #NBA #UFC #IndyCar #BaseballTalk #SportsPodcast #KenleyJansen #RafaelDevers #JacobDeGrom #AroldisChapman #GarrettCrochet #SandyAlcantara #ZackWheeler #SteveBallmer #JerryJones #AlexPalou

Kirk Buchner and Robert Dobek dive deep into one of baseball’s most enduring debates: Should Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson be inducted into the Hall of Fame? With MLB lifting bans on 18 individuals, the conversation expands into the ethics of legacy, the steroid era, MVP controversies, and how Hall of Fame standards vary across sports.From the 1919 Black Sox scandal to modern PED suspensions, this episode explores whether greatness on the field can—or should—outweigh flaws off it. Plus, the guys go off-script with hot takes on football, hockey, and the business behind Hall of Fame voting.________________________________________• 00:00 – Opening banter: New York vs. Long Island & USA Hockey nostalgia• 00:01 – MLB reinstates 18 individuals: What it means for Rose & Jackson• 00:03 – Shoeless Joe’s 1919 stats and the case for innocence• 00:06 – Gambling, snitching, and the ethics of silence• 00:07 – Jackson’s background and literacy: Was he exploited?• 00:08 – Hall of Fame eligibility in 2027 and the Veterans Committee• 00:10 – Pete Rose’s off-field controversies and public perception• 00:13 – Comparing Rose to Ty Cobb: Grit vs. grace• 00:15 – What “fame” really means in Hall of Fame• 00:17 – Should Rose’s playing career outweigh his flaws?• 00:20 – Steroid era breakdown: Bonds, A-Rod, Manny, and hypocrisy• 00:23 – MVP snubs and Hall of Fame inconsistencies• 00:28 – The business of Hall of Fame weekends: Cooperstown vs. Canton• 00:31 – Big Hall vs. Small Hall: Where do you draw the line?• 00:34 – Cross-sport comparisons: Gretzky, Ovechkin, Vince Carter, Drew Brees• 00:42 – Final predictions: Will Rose and Jackson get in?• 00:44 – Bonus NFL talk: Saints, Jameis Winston, and QB chaos________________________________________#PeteRose #ShoelessJoeJackson #MLBHallOfFame #BaseballControversy #SteroidEra #SportsDebate #Cooperstown #FootballTalk #HockeyLegends #JameisWinston #DrewBrees #BarryBonds #Arod #SportsEthics________________________________________If you love sports history, hot takes, and debates that go beyond the box score, smash that like button and subscribe. Drop your thoughts in the comments—should Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe finally be honored in Cooperstown?

In this candid and insightful episode of The Buck Stops Here, Kirk Buchner sits down with Hall of Fame expert Paul Lawrence to dissect the evolving—and controversial—selection process of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. From rule changes and vote-splitting chaos to the overlooked legends of the pre-Super Bowl era, this conversation pulls no punches.They explore:• Why the 2025 class was the smallest in decades• The math behind the voting system• The impact of Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft’s eligibility• The fading recognition of senior candidates• The economic ripple effect on Canton📌 Don’t miss this deep dive into the politics, passion, and pitfalls of football’s most prestigious honor.• 00:00:34 – Kirk & Paul kick off with humor and Hall of Fame credentials• 00:03:23 – Why enthusiasm for the Hall is fading• 00:04:04 – The new voting rules and their unintended consequences• 00:07:15 – Speculation on near-miss candidates like Mike Holmgren• 00:08:56 – How vote-splitting sabotaged deserving players• 00:10:17 – The generational shift in selectors and its impact• 00:12:00 – The case for a direct elect committee for senior candidates• 00:14:42 – Why the 2025 induction ceremony felt empty• 00:17:09 – Local businesses in Canton take a hit• 00:22:29 – Predicting Drew Brees & Larry Fitzgerald’s induction• 00:28:36 – Will Belichick and Kraft dominate the 2026 class?• 00:38:11 – The uphill battle for senior nominees• 00:42:01 – Plug for the US Athletics Hall of Fame – vote now!#ProFootballHallOfFame #NFLHistory #HallOfFameDebate #KirkBuchner #PaulLawrence #FootballLegends #CantonOhio #DrewBrees #LarryFitzgerald #BillBelichick #RobertKraft #SeniorCandidates #NFL2025 #NFL2026 #FootballTalk #SportsPolitics👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into the world of sports and Hall of Fame debates.🗳️ Vote now for the US Athletics Hall of Fame at www.theusahof.com – your voice matters!

In this heartfelt episode of The Buck Stops Here, host Kirk Buchner welcomes Mark Baughan, son of football legend Maxie Baughan. Together, they explore the life and legacy of Maxie—his humility at home, his quiet dominance on the field, and the frustrating journey toward Pro Football Hall of Fame recognition. Mark shares personal stories, celebrity encounters, and his candid thoughts on the Hall’s changing rules and overlooked legends.📌 Subscribe for more interviews and sports history deep dives.

Welcome to the July 2025 edition of the NotInHallOfFame.com Elevator Show! Hosts Kirk Buchner and Chris Mouradian break down which athletes and personalities have moved up or down in their Hall of Fame trajectories over the past 30 days. From surprise WWE returns to Olympic hopefuls and baseball legends in the making—or fading—this episode covers it all.🏆 Who’s rising? Who’s falling? And who’s stuck in the elevator shaft? Tune in for sharp insights, bold takes, and a few laughs along the way.🔔 Subscribe for monthly updates and Hall of Fame debates! 🌐 Vote now for the United States Athletics Hall of Fame: www.theusahof.com