What’s it really like working behind the scenes at NBC Sports Boston during one of the wildest periods in Boston sports history?

On this episode of The Leverett Ball Show, Leverett Ball sits down with , a three-time Emmy-winning editor at NBC Sports Boston, to discuss his career in sports media, covering the Boston Celtics, and the nonstop chaos surrounding Boston sports.

Josh shares how he went from studying broadcasting at Ithaca College to building a successful career in television production and sports editing. He also talks about winning Emmy Awards, working behind the scenes in sports TV, and what it’s like covering teams like the Celtics, Patriots, Bruins, and Red Sox on a daily basis.

The conversation also dives into:

If you enjoy sports media, Boston sports, the NBA, NFL discussions, or behind-the-scenes broadcasting stories, this episode is for you.

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#BostonSports #NBCSportsBoston #Celtics #Patriots #RedSox #SportsMedia #NBA #NFL #JoshCanu #LeverettBallShow

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What does it take to turn umpiring into a viral brand? In this episode, Noah Katz—creator of the wildly popular Umpire Channel and Savannah Bananas umpire—shares how he built a massive following by showing sports from a perspective most fans never see.

Noah Katz is the creator behind the Umpire Channel, one of the most popular officiating-focused platforms on social media, and an on-field umpire for the Savannah Bananas.

Noah’s journey proves that success often comes from finding a unique angle that others overlook. By focusing on a niche and staying consistent, he turned a part-time job into a full-time career and a growing media brand.

Follow the Umpire Channel on all platforms and subscribe to The Leverett Ball Show for more conversations with athletes, creators, and industry insiders.

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What does it take to go from overlooked to legendary?

In this episode of The Leverett Ball Show, Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Klecko shares his incredible journey from working a trucking job and playing semi-pro football to becoming one of the most dominant defensive linemen in NFL history.

Joe opens up about his rise with the New York Jets, the dominance of the “New York Sack Exchange,” and what it was like striking fear into quarterbacks across the league. He also reflects on his long-awaited Hall of Fame induction and the emotional moment when Joe Namath delivered the news.

Beyond football, Joe dives into life after the NFL, including overcoming financial setbacks, building a successful career in construction, and how his faith and work with Catholic Athletes for Christ shaped his second chapter.

What You’ll Learn:

.How Joe Klecko went from unknown prospect to NFL superstar

.Inside the legendary New York Sack Exchange defense

.The mindset that helped him dominate multiple positions

.Life after football, including business success and setbacks

.The role of faith, family, and purpose beyond the game ️

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & early life before football

03:30 – Playing semi-pro under an alias

08:15 – Dominating with the NY Sack Exchange

14:45 – Versatility across defensive positions

20:10 – Retirement and life after the NFL

26:30 – Faith, business, and personal growth

34:20 – Hall of Fame induction story

41:00 – Family, legacy, and future plans

Joe Klecko’s story is one of perseverance, humility, and relentless work ethic—on and off the field.

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What really happens after Love Is Blind ends—and what can it teach you about relationships?

In this episode of The Leverett Ball Show, Love Is Blind contestant Ashley Carpenter shares a candid, behind-the-scenes look at her experience on the hit Netflix dating show, including her relationship with Alex, her decision at the altar, and how the show changed her perspective on love, self-worth, and personal growth.

Ashley opens up about navigating public attention while working a full-time job, dealing with online criticism, and staying grounded through it all. She also dives into deeper relationship topics like recognizing red flags, overcoming toxic dynamics, and why trusting your intuition is critical when dating.

Ashley also shares powerful insights from her past experiences, including being in a toxic, manipulative relationship, and how that shaped her approach to love today. Her message is clear: know your worth, trust your gut, and never settle.

If you're a fan of Love Is Blind or interested in dating advice, personal growth, and real conversations about relationships, this episode delivers both insight and authenticity.

Be sure to follow, subscribe, and share if you enjoy conversations like this.

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What does it really take to go from pro football dreams to landing roles in hit shows like NCIS, Stranger Things, and All American?

In this episode of The Leverett Ball Show, Leverett sits down with actor and former professional football player Laith Wallschleger to break down his unconventional journey into Hollywood. From playing Rob Gronkowski on screen to sleeping in his car early in his career, Laith shares the real story behind chasing a dream in a highly competitive industry.

They dive into the transition from athletics to acting, the realities of making a living in entertainment, and the mindset required to navigate uncertainty, rejection, and opportunity. Laith also shares insights on building multiple income streams, staying grounded, and why betting on yourself is often the only path forward.

Whether you're pursuing acting, sports, or any non-traditional career, this episode offers a raw and honest look at what it takes to succeed.

What You’ll Learn:

.How Laith transitioned from football to acting

Episode Highlights:

02:00 – Playing Rob Gronkowski and going viral

Closing Insight:

“You only get one life, and it goes by fast. If you’re going to do it, do it.”

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and share it with someone chasing their own path.

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What does it take to go from NFL superstardom to building a second career after football? And what really happens behind the scenes of elite-level competition?

In this episode of The Leverett Ball Show, former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Shawne Merriman shares the full story behind his rise to fame, his “Lights Out” identity, and how he reinvented himself after football.

From growing up in Maryland to dominating in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers, Merriman opens up about the mindset that made him one of the most feared defenders in the league—and the adversity that tested him later in his career.

He also breaks down how the NFL has evolved, what players really think about rule changes, and why transitioning out of professional sports is one of the hardest challenges athletes face.

Drawing from his experiences in both football and MMA, Merriman reveals how he built Lights Out Extreme Fighting and found a new competitive edge in the world of combat sports.

Shawne Merriman is a former NFL linebacker, Defensive Rookie of the Year, and three-time Pro Bowler best known for his time with the San Diego Chargers. He is now the founder of Lights Out Extreme Fighting and a leader in the combat sports and media space.

“Find something that gives you that same fire you had when you played—because that’s what keeps you going.”

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What is it really like to go from undrafted to Super Bowl hero—and then walk away from the NFL?

On this episode of The Leverett Ball Show, former NFL tight end Trey Burton shares the incredible story behind his career, including his unforgettable role in the iconic Philly Special during Super Bowl LII with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Trey opens up about how he overcame being overlooked coming out of college, what it was like playing alongside teammates like Nick Foles and Jason Kelce, and how he carved out a successful NFL career with the Eagles, Chicago Bears, and Indianapolis Colts.

He also dives into the challenges of retiring from football, including the loss of identity many athletes face, his decision to prioritize family, and how he’s finding purpose in life after the game.

00:00 – Trey Burton’s journey from Florida to the NFL
07:30 – Overcoming being undrafted
14:10 – The Philly Special: behind the scenes
22:45 – Playing with Nick Foles and Eagles culture
30:20 – Life in Chicago and Indianapolis
36:50 – Why Trey retired from the NFL
45:10 – Mental health and identity after football
52:30 – NIL and the transfer portal discussion

Trey Burton is a Super Bowl-winning tight end best known for throwing the touchdown pass on the iconic Philly Special play in Super Bowl LII. He played for the Eagles, Bears, and Colts and is now focused on family, advocacy work, and life after football.

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What does it really take to become an Olympic athlete?

On this episode of The Leverett Ball Show, Leverett Ball sits down with Olympic bobsledder Boone Niederhofer to discuss his unlikely journey from college football at Texas A&M University to competing for Team USA in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Boone shares how a career-ending injury in football changed his path, how a phone call from a former teammate led him to try out for the U.S. bobsled team, and what it was actually like competing at the Olympics. He also talks about balancing life as an engineer, husband, and father while pursuing one of the most demanding athletic dreams in the world.

The conversation also touches on Boone’s time playing alongside Heisman winner Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M and the unexpected twists that led him from an engineering job in the oil industry to the Olympic stage.

Topics covered in this interview include:

• Boone Niederhofer’s transition from college football to Olympic bobsledding

• What competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics was really like

• The path to making Team USA in a niche sport like bobsled

• Life as an Olympic athlete who also works a full-time job

• Lessons from high level sports, injuries, and career transitions

Boone’s story is a powerful reminder that the path to success is rarely straightforward. Sometimes the opportunity of a lifetime starts with a simple phone call.

Subscribe for more conversations with athletes, entertainers, and fascinating guests on The Leverett Ball Show.

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On this episode of The Leverett Ball Show, Leverett is joined by former Pro Bowl NFL kicker John Carney, one of the most accomplished specialists in league history. Carney finished his career among the top five scorers and field-goal leaders in NFL history and played more than two decades at the highest level.

John reflects on his journey from playing college football at University of Notre Dame to fighting his way into the NFL as an undrafted free agent. He shares what it took to survive early setbacks, how he eventually earned a Pro Bowl selection, and why mental discipline and accuracy are the keys to success for elite kickers.

He also discusses some of the most memorable moments of his career, including his time with the New Orleans Saints and kicking in the emotional return to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina.

Today, Carney is mentoring the next generation of specialists through his training program, helping young kickers and punters develop the mindset and mechanics required to reach the professional level.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

.What it’s really like to compete as an NFL kicker

.Why accuracy matters more than power in professional kicking

.The mindset needed to overcome rejection and earn an NFL opportunity

.How John Carney now trains and mentors future kickers

If you enjoy conversations with elite athletes and sports insiders, this episode offers a fascinating look into one of the most unique positions in football.

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