The Ringer NFL Show

By reintegrating pro football, Kenny, Woody, Bill, and Marion achieved what once seemed unthinkable. But the harder part was actually playing in a mostly white league. In this episode, we’ll look at the personal costs of integration for Kenny, Woody, Bill, and Marion. 

Host: Chelsea Stark-Jones

Co-reporter: Lex Pryor  

Producers: Isaiah Blakely, Mike Wargon, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel 

Sound Design and Original Theme Song: Devon Renaldo 

Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville

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The Lamarathon continues! Lamar Jackson told his Twitter followers on Monday that he’d requested a trade from the Baltimore Ravens after being franchise-tagged and not reaching a long-term deal. Sheil and Ben discuss whether Jackson will be granted his wish or be back with the Ravens. Sheil and Ben also discuss what teams should be pursuing Jackson, and what the fallout will be if a team doesn’t trade for him.

Hosts: Sheil Kapadia and Ben Solak

Producer: Cliff Augustin

Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal and Conor Nevins

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In 1946, four men reintegrated pro football. In this episode, we look at how each of them ended up at the precipice of history, as they prepared to cross the sport’s color barrier. 

Host: Chelsea Stark-Jones

Co-reporter: Lex Pryor  

Producers: Isaiah Blakely, Mike Wargon, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel 

Sound Design and Original Theme Song: Devon Renaldo 

Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville

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Nora and Steven return to discuss the best remaining free agents, but with a twist. From "How Did the Niners Do This Again?" to "Most Likely to Become a Pro-Bowler on the Pats," they give awards for the top talent on the market. Nora concludes the show by speaking with Chelsea Stark-Jones to discuss The Ringer’s new narrative podcast, ‘Blackballed,’ a story about the four men who reintegrated pro football in 1946, after a 13-year span during which Black players were secretly banned from the NFL.

Hosts: Nora Princiotti and Steven Ruiz

Guest: Chelsea Stark-Jones

Associate Producer: Stefan Anderson

Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal and Conor Nevins

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Six years ago, Colin Kaepernick took a knee, and it cost him the rest of his football career. It’s a modern story that hearkens back to the NFL’s original sin: a secret agreement among team owners to stop signing Black players almost a century ago. 

Host: Chelsea Stark-Jones

Co-reporter: Lex Pryor  

Producers: Isaiah Blakely, Mike Wargon, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel 

Sound Design and Original Theme Song: Devon Renaldo 

Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville

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Sheil and Ben discuss the current winners and losers of the offseason and free agency. The Dolphins have made some key additions that Ben really loves, including Jalen Ramsey, but does this put them at the top of the AFC East? The AFC West was overall disappointing last season and could still trend in that direction with the acquisitions, departures, and spending that the Raiders and Broncos have done so far this offseason. Sheil and Ben also predict the way too early division winners.

Hosts: Sheil Kapadia and Ben Solak

Producer: Cliff Augustin

Addition Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal and Conor Nevins

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Kenny Washington, Woody Strode, Bill Willis, and Marion Motley reintegrated professional football in 1946. They are known as the Forgotten Four. The burying of their story, and the secret ban on Black players that came before, is a critical piece of the history of the NFL’s complicated relationship with race.

Host: Chelsea Stark-Jones

Co-reporter: Lex Pryor

Producers: Isaiah Blakely, Mike Wargon, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel

Sound Design and Original Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville

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Nora and Steven get together for an emergency pod to react to Aaron Rodgers’s appearance and comments on ‘The Pat McAfee Show.’ They examine Rodgers’s viability as an effective QB, whether or not the Jets will have the right pieces around him for success, and if his presence will elevate the Jets' contender status. They end the pod by speculating on possible trades the Jets will make going forward (25:01) and where they'll stand vs. other AFC heavyweights next season (34:44).

Hosts: Nora Princiotti and Steven Ruiz

Associate Producer: Chris Sutton

Additional Production Supervision: Conor Nevins and Arjuna Ramgopal

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Sean Payton and the Broncos made a bevy of moves in the official legal tampering window, agreeing to terms with T Mike McGlinchey, G Ben Powers, and DE Zach Allen; however, Sheil believes these acquisitions aren't a good sign for Russell Wilson. The Chicago Bears also had a big day, signing former Eagles LB T.J. Edwards and former Bills LB Tremaine Edmunds, but did they make a mistake by letting a player who was already in the building go? Plus, Ben thinks the Dolphins are winning the Super Bowl of the legal tampering period so far.

Hosts: Ben Solak and Sheil Kapadia

Producer: Cliff Augustin

Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal and Conor Nevins

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Sheil and Ben react to the news of the Chicago Bears sending the first overall pick in the 2023 draft to the Carolina Panthers for the four picks and D.J. Moore. They discuss what the Panthers should do with the first pick, how the Bears continue building around Justin Fields, and how to build out their roster with the draft compensation.

Hosts: Sheil Kapadia and Ben Solak

Associate Producer: Stefan Anderson

Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal and Conor Nevins

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