The Sports Experience Podcast with Chris Quinn and Dominic DiTolla

Episode 287 of “The Sports Experience Podcast” is here & we’re continuing our block on some of the NFL’s best postseason games of all time.

In this episode we’re discussing the 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff game between the New England Patriots and the Oakland Raiders.

On a snowy night in what was the last game ever played at Foxboro Stadium, the New England Patriots took on the Oakland Raiders in one of the most controversial games in NFL history.

Oakland steadily built a 13-3 lead behind quarterback Rich Gannon towards the end of the 3rd Quarter, and all seemed to be going the Raiders’ way.

New England, led by their former backup quarterback Tom Brady, however mounted a valiant comeback in the final quarter.

A Brady touchdown run cut the deficit to 13-10, and an enormous stop on 3rd and 1 before the Two Minute Warning allowed the Patriots to regain possession for one final drive in regulation.

On that final drive, controversy reared its ugly head. On what was a complete and total fumble forced by future HOF cornerback Charles Woodson, the referees stepped in and brought out “The Tuck Rule” which ruled the play incomplete and New England retained possession.

Adam Vinatieri kicked an amazing field goal to tie the game and send it to overtime. Then in sudden death, Vinatieri iced the game with a field goal to hand the Patriots the win, 16-13.

This in turn led to an eventual Super Bowl victory for the Patriots, and two decades worth of dominance of professional football.

Connect with us on Instagram!

Chris Quinn: @cquinncomedy

Dominic DiTolla: @ditolladominic

Producer: @ty_englestudio

Instagram: @thesportsexperiencepodcast

If you enjoy this podcast, please help support us @:

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Episode 286 of “The Sports Experience Podcast” is here & we’re continuing our block on some of the NFL’s best postseason games of all time.

In this episode we’re discussing the 1981 AFC Divisional Playoff game between the Miami Dolphins and the San Diego Chargers.

In a clash of styles, these two teams lived up to the hype. The “Air Coryell” Chargers sped out to a 24-0 lead in the first quarter with some incredible plays on offense & special teams.

Don Shula’s Dolphins eventually hit their stride when they inserted backup quarterback Don Strock, and they only found themselves down 24-17 at Halftime after a “Hook & Lateral” play at the end of the first half led to a touchdown by Tony Nathan.

On a hot & muggy evening in Miami, both teams battled back and forth in the second half. The Dolphins almost won the game in regulation until Dan Fouts threw a touchdown pass to James Brooks late in the fourth quarter.

Miami responded when they set up Uwe von Schamann for a field goal attempt to clinch the game on the final play, but Kellen Winslow blocked the game-winning field goal attempt to force OT.

During the marathon extra period, both San Diego and Miami could not convert field goal attempts. However, Fouts, Charlie Joiner, Wes Chandler and Winslow helped the Chargers set up a 29 yard field goal attempt for Rolf Benirscke towards the end of OT. Benirscke drilled the kick & San Diego won what many consider to be the greatest postseason game in NFL history.

Connect with us on Instagram!

Chris Quinn: @cquinncomedy

Dominic DiTolla: @ditolladominic

Producer: @ty_englestudio

Instagram: @thesportsexperiencepodcast

If you enjoy this podcast, please help support us @:

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Episode 285 of “The Sports Experience Podcast” is here & we’re beginning our block on some of the NFL’s best postseason games of all time.

In this episode we’re discussing the 1992 AFC Wild Card game between the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Oilers.

The Oilers ran out to a 28-3 Halftime lead over the two-time defending AFC Champion Bills via their aggressive Run N’ Shoot offense piloted by HOF quarterback Warren Moon.

All seemed lost when on the first drive of the second half, Frank Reich threw a pick-six to Bubba McDowell which extended Houston’s lead to 35-3.

However, Buffalo came storming back with four touchdowns in the third quarter to tighten the game and eventually took a 38-35 lead in the 4th Quarter.

Houston tied the game late with a field goal, but a costly interception in OT allowed Buffalo to win the game 41-38 in what remains the biggest postseason comeback in NFL history.

Connect with us on Instagram!

Chris Quinn: @cquinncomedy

Dominic DiTolla: @ditolladominic

Producer: @ty_englestudio

Instagram: @thesportsexperiencepodcast

If you enjoy this podcast, please help support us @:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-sports-experience-pod/support

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Episode 284 of “The Sports Experience Podcast” is here & we’re back on the gridiron discussing Steve Spurrier.

A three sport athlete as a high schooler in Tennessee, Spurrier spurned the Volunteers and attended the University of Florida.

Spurrier brought success to the Gators’ program and won the program’s first Heisman Trophy in 1966 as a quarterback.

Though Spurrier suffered through an up-and-down NFL career with San Francisco and the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he found his ultimate calling in coaching.

Spurrier enjoyed successful stints as an assistant with Duke, as a head coach in the USFL with the Tampa Bay Bandits and then as a head coach back at Duke with his pass happy offensive scheme.

Yet it was at his alma mater in Gainesville where he became one of college football’s best head coaches.

Spurrier brought the “Fun ‘n’ Gun” passing offense to the run heavy SEC in 1990, and then proceeded to dominate college football.

In 12 seasons with the Gators, they finished 122-27-1, won 10+ games eight times, captured the 1996 NCAA title and won six SEC titles.

After a stint with the lowly Washington Redskins from 2002-2003, Spurrier was hired to lead the South Carolina Gamecocks in 2005.

Then over the next 10+ seasons, Spurrier helped South Carolina achieve more success than at any point in their program’s history.

Overall, Spurrier won 228 games as a college head coach, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017 and has been best remembered for bringing pass happy offenses to the SEC.

Connect with us on Instagram!

Chris Quinn: @cquinncomedy

Dominic DiTolla: @ditolladominic

Producer: @ty_englestudio

Instagram: @thesportsexperiencepodcast

If you enjoy this podcast, please help support us @:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-sports-experience-pod/support

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Episode 283 of “The Sports Experience Podcast” is here & we’re back on the diamond discussing Albert Belle.

Keeping his temper and attitude under control was a constant battle for Albert Belle during his baseball career.

The battles included trying to fight an unruly and bigoted fan in the SEC Tournament in college, issues regarding hustle with numerous MLB managers, outright berating media members and even taking a bat to the thermostat and Kenny Lodton’s boombox with Cleveland.

Nevertheless, there were few if any more feared hitters in the American League during the 1990s than Belle. His 1995 campaign included an AL Pennant and the first 50 home run and 50 double season in big league history.

Belle made five All Star teams, won five silver sluggers and led the AL in RBIs three times during his prime. Sadly, a hip condition erased what could have been a potential Hall of Fame career after the 2000 regular season.

Listen while we discussing the ultimate highs and ultimate lows of one of MLB’s angriest yet most dangerous power hitters of his era.

Connect with us on Instagram!

Chris Quinn: @cquinncomedy

Dominic DiTolla: @ditolladominic

Producer: @ty_englestudio

Instagram: @thesportsexperiencepodcast

If you enjoy this podcast, please help support us @:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-sports-experience-pod/support

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Episode 282 of “The Sports Experience Podcast” is here & we’re back saddling up on the bike discussing Lance Armstrong.

It was supposed to be the greatest comeback in the history of American sports. Lance Armstrong was supposed to provide inspiration to the American public after suffering through Stage Three testicular cancer, resuming his promising cycling career and returning to the Tour De France in 1999.

And guess what? Armstrong did exactly that. Armstrong not only won the 1999 Tour De France, he proceeded to win the next six in a row! He was a hero not only in America, but a hero throughout the world. He was a celebrity athlete who gave hope to the hopeless. Moreover, Armstrong’s charitable work focused on fighting cancer and cancer research was seen to make him an immortal hero.

Sadly, his cycling achievements were built on performance enhancing lies. Like so many in his sport, Armstrong used performance enhancing drugs to assist his success. When the lies began to unravel, the enemies he made along the way pounced on the opportunity to bring the truth to light.

A pariah to so many now, the fascinating rise and fall of Lance Armstrong remains one of the biggest scandals in 21st Century sports.

Connect with us on Instagram!

Chris Quinn: @cquinncomedy

Dominic DiTolla: @ditolladominic

Producer: @ty_englestudio

Instagram: @thesportsexperiencepodcast

If you enjoy this podcast, please help support us @:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-sports-experience-pod/support

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Episode 281 of “The Sports Experience Podcast” is here & we’re back on the diamond discussing J.R. Richard.

One of the greatest high school athletes in the history of Louisiana, the enormous J.R. Richard (6’8” 225 Lbs.) was a star in basketball, baseball and football.

Though he considered playing college basketball, Richard chose baseball after the Houston Astros selected him with the 2nd overall pick in the 1969 MLB Draft.

The hard-throwing right-hander displayed flashes of greatness in the minors. However, issues with control did not allow him to become a full-scale force in Houston’s rotation until the 1975 season.

Then in 1976, Richard found consistency on the mound and began an incredible run of success. That season he won 20 games and displayed his devastating fastball and slider combination which rendered the National League helpless. He won 18 games during each of the following three campaigns, led MLB in strikeouts in 1978 and 1979 and MLB in ERA in 1979 as well.

1980 appeared to be Richard’s and Houston’s year after the team acquired fellow ace Nolan Ryan. Richard started the year 10-4 with a 1.90 ERA and made his first All-Star team.

Sadly, midway through the season a blood clot in his neck caused a stroke and he never fully recovered enough to pitch in Major League Baseball for the rest of his life.

Richard then proceeded to fall into some financial difficulties, and by the 1990s he was homeless & living beneath a highway overpass in the Houston area.

Through his MLB pension and church, Richard rebuilt his life and eventually became a minister. Tragically, Richard’s life came to an end in 2021 due to illness.

Though he is not brought up as often as he should be in the history of MLB’s best power pitchers, Richard was a shooting star across the National League.

Connect with us on Instagram!

Chris Quinn: @cquinncomedy

Dominic DiTolla: @ditolladominic

Producer: @ty_englestudio

Instagram: @thesportsexperiencepodcast

If you enjoy this podcast, please help support us @:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-sports-experience-pod/support

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Episode 280 of “The Sports Experience Podcast” is here & we’re back on the hardwood discussing Nate “Tiny” Archibald.

One of the best point guards in NBA history, Archibald’s basketball career almost never materialized. Though he was a playground legend in New York City with slick moves, incredible passing ability, a solid outside shot and a toughness to drive to the basket, Archibald did not fully display his talents until his senior year of high school.

Poor grades forced “Tiny” to begin his college career at Arizona Western in Yuma until he dazzled his final three seasons at Texas Western (UTEP).

Archibald (6’1” 150 lbs.) was then selected 19th overall (2nd Round) in the 1970 NBA Draft and became a star for the Cincinnati/Kansas City-Omaha/Kansas City Kings.

Though his team was short on talent, Archibald proved to be one of the NBA’s best in a big man’s league. In 1972-1973, he became the first player in history to lead the league in scoring and assists and even helped the lowly Kings into postseason contention.

Unfortunately, injuries and short stints with the New York Nets and Buffalo Braves almost finished Archibald’s career until a tremendous second act with the Boston Celtics.

Nate helped the Celtics capture the NBA title after the 1980-1981 season, and in turn cemented his legacy as one of the league’s best all-time players.

Overall, Archibald finished his career with 18.8 PPG, 7. 4 APG, made the All-NBA 1st Team three times, All-NBA 2nd Team twice, was a 7x All-Star, was named to the 50th and 75th NBA Anniversary teams and inducted into the Naismith HOF in 1991.

Connect with us on Instagram!

Chris Quinn: @cquinncomedy

Dominic DiTolla: @ditolladominic

Producer: @ty_englestudio

Instagram: @thesportsexperiencepodcast

If you enjoy this podcast, please help support us @:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-sports-experience-pod/support

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Episode 279 of “The Sports Experience Podcast” is here & we’re back on the ice discussing Teemu Selänne.

“The Finnish Flash” was a star in his native Finland before he joined the NHL in 1992-1993. Though selected 10th overall in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft, the Right Winger’s skill, speed and grace were worth the wait for the Winnipeg Jets.

Teemu set all-time records for goals and points in a season as a rookie and helped the Jets to the postseason. Though he remained a star in Winnipeg, a trade to Anaheim paired him with fellow star Paul Kariya helped Selänne reach new heights.

Though injuries and stints in San Jose & Colorado almost derailed the prime of his career, “The Finnish Flash” enjoyed a second act in Anaheim which proved to be quite fruitful. In addition to being named one of the NHL’s “100 Greatest Players,” Teemu helped the Ducks capture the franchise’s first Stanley Cup title after the 2006-2007 season, and he remained a scoring threat until his retirement after the 2013-2014 campaign.

In addition to his NHL success, Selänne shined on the international stage for his native Finland. He helped his country win a silver medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics and bronze in 1998, 2010 and 2014.

Teemu played in 10 NHL All-Star Games, won the 1992-1993 Calder Memorial Trophy (ROY), won the Masterson Trophy 2005-2006 (Dedication & Perseverance), won a Stanley Cup in 2006-2007 and still holds the record for most points recorded in Olympic competition.

Overall, the 2017 Hockey Hall of Famer recorded 684 goals, 773 assists and 1,457 points. All of which are records for Finnish-born players.

Connect with us on Instagram!

Chris Quinn: @cquinncomedy

Dominic DiTolla: @ditolladominic

Producer: @ty_englestudio

Instagram: @thesportsexperiencepodcast

If you enjoy this podcast, please help support us @:

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One of the most unlikely success stories in MLB history, Fernando Valenzuela rose from humble beginnings on a farm in Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico to superstardom.

Valenzuela was the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Opening Day starter for the 1981 campaign & began one of the most impressive rookie seasons for a Pitcher.

“Fernandomania” took over Los Angeles that year & the crafty, screwball-throwing lefty made the All-Star team, won the NL Rookie of the Year award and the NL Cy Young award. He helped the Dodgers beat the Astros & the Expos in the postseason, then won Game 3 of the World Series to help the Dodgers capture a World Series title!

One of the league’s most dominant pitchers during the 1980s, Valenzuela made the All-Star team the next five seasons (1982-1986) and was consistently pitching the Dodgers into the postseason. And in 1990, he threw a no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Sadly, the hefty amount of innings pitched during his early years led to injury problems and an exit with the Dodgers in 1991. Fernando, however, had a solid second act in 1995 and 1996 with the San Diego Padres. Not only did he help the Friars capture the NL West title in 1996, he started for San Diego in the first MLB regular season game played in Mexico that season.

Fernando was even a threat in the field (1986 Gold Glove) and at the plate (1981 & 1983 Silver Slugger. Most of all he was a hero to the Hispanic community of Los Angeles who came out in droves to watch him pitch during his career.

Overall, Valenzuela finished his MLB career with a 173-153 record, a 3.54 ERA, 2,074 Strikeouts and was inducted into the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.

Eventually, Valenzuela began doing Spanish-speaking broadcasts for the Dodgers in 2003. He remained in that role until 2024 when he passed away October 22, 2024.

Connect with us on Instagram!

Chris Quinn: @cquinncomedy

Dominic DiTolla: @ditolladominic

Producer: @ty_englestudio

Instagram: @thesportsexperiencepodcast

If you enjoy this podcast, please help support us @:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-sports-experience-pod/support

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