For the first episode, Chris Long breaks down Super Bowl Champion & All-Pro DT Aaron Donald's football journey; from the days in the dungeon with his dad, to being a breakout DT at Pittsburgh, to playing with the Rams and creating the top defensive moves in his arsenal, and more.  Listen to new episodes of American Prodigy: Becoming Great every Thursday. Listen and subscribe here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the toughest wide receivers in the history of the NFL and one of the most electric is without a doubt Steve Smith Sr. Cris makes it abundantly clear that Steve is bound for the Hall Of Fame in his opinion, but Cris starts off by getting into his legacy off the field, with The Steve Smith Family Foundation. They then discuss what it means to be a good teammate and who Steve believes embodies that. Smith drops some truth bombs on how he was in the league, and what he has been working on since to repair some relationships off of the field. To finish off the show, Cris and Steve talk about the wonderful feeling of being recognized and just being nominated for the Hall. ⏰ Chapters ⏰ (00:00) INTRO: Steve Smith Sr. (02:10) The Steve Smith Family Foundation (08:45) Favorite Teammates and What Makes A Good Teammate (18:20) Trying Your Absolute Best And Working On Self (22:10) Housing In Charlotte (25:09) Cris’ Mother (26:28) Hall Of Fame Finalist (31:44) OUTRO 🔊 LISTEN ON 🔊 ► iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ► Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w5hhHR... #WR1Podcast #BlueWire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Keenan Allen Is one of the most consistent and efficient players in both his output as an NFL wide receiver and in his ability to stay regimented. Keenan was not always a wide receiver. Cris walks us through how Nick Saban wanted Keenan to join Alabama as a Safety and how his brother, a QB, led him to the decision to go to Cal and make the switch to Wide Receiver. Cris also dives deep into Keenan’s family life and how losing his father could’ve been a massive detriment to his development as a man and player, but something beautiful came from tragedy. Keenan was disrespected in the NFL draft, going in round 3. Cris talks about how that can be a great motivator and Allen describes just that in how he has developed as a player with a “chip on his shoulder.” Cris takes it to the NFL today. Who are Keenan’s WR role models and what having a gun slinger like Justin Herbert and a leader like Brandon Staley. Cris loves Keenan’s mindset. They discuss how you stay consistent and become a journeyman in the NFL. Cris finishes off the show by getting into Keenan’s music prowess and endeavors outside of football and how the Chargers are going to put it together the rest of the season. ⏰ Chapters ⏰ (00:00) INTRO: Keenan Allen (02:20) Not always a WR (03:55) Going To Cal (04:55) Family Tragedy (07:23) Round 3 Draft Pick, But Pro Ready Receiver (08:40) WR role models (11:45) Paying It Forward (12:55) The Confidence In Justin Herbert (14:30) The Leadership Of Staley (15:13) Endeavors Outside Of Football (16:30) Staying Healthy (17:01) Respecting The Game And Staying Focused (19:37) Cooper Kupp Is On Fire (20:47) Philip Rivers Vs. Justin Herbert (21:51) Video Games And Music (23:40) Producing Music After Football (24:40) Keenan Allen R & B (25:35) How Will The Chargers Fair The Rest Of The Season (26:30) Props To Mike Williams (27:23) OUTRO 🔊 LISTEN ON 🔊 ► iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ► Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w5hhHR... #WR1Podcast #BlueWire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cris is joined by arguably the best return man of all time, Devin Hester. He may have never wanted to play Wide Receiver, but he quickly blossomed into one of the greatest kick and punt returners we'll ever see. Cris brings Devin back to his humble beginnings to talk about his upbringing in football and how his family life wasn't easy. He then brings us to his fight to get his scholarship at the University of Miami. Devin recaps his infamous opening kickoff return in Super Bowl 41, recounts his years with the Chicago Bears, and his love for the game of football. Devin's career is outrageous. Cris brings us through the accolades and Devin fills in the gaps with some fantastic anecdotes leading him to being on the ballot for the hall of fame this year. ⏰ Chapters ⏰ 0:00 INTRO: Devin Hester 2:40 Devin’s Upbringing In Football 5:11 Mental Health Battles 11:05 Fighting For His Scholarship 19:25 Hester’s Illustrious NFL Career 25:53 Devin’s Favorite Plays In The NFL 28:57 Devin’s Mentors 31:48 NFL Hall Of Fame Ballot Excitement 39:31 The Eye Test On Devin Hester 42:00 Giving Back And Having An Impact 45:46 What Football Means To Devin 47:23 OUTRO 🔊 LISTEN ON 🔊 ► iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ► Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w5hhHR... #WR1Podcast #BlueWire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cris Carter is LIVE from the Blue Wire Studios for a solo episode of WR1. In today's show, the Hall of Famer talks about some of the top WRs the NFL has seen over the years and how the position has evolved over time. Beginning with rookie standouts like Ja'Marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle, Cris breaks down some of the 2nd year youngsters as well. CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, and DK Metcalf are identified as some of his top WRs currently. Then, Cris RANKS his top 5 WRs of all-time. He closes the show with his thoughts on today's WRs and how the game and the position have evolved as a whole. ⏰ Chapters ⏰ (0:00) Welcome From Blue Wire Studios (2:53) The 2021 Las Vegas Raiders (4:20) Top Rookies WRs (6:07) 2nd Year WRs (7:12) Injured WRs (11:34) Ranking Top 5 WRs of All-time (14:38) Underappreciated WRs (17:54) Top Young WRs (22:38) Old School vs New School WRs 🔊 LISTEN ON 🔊 ► iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ► Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w5hhHR... #WR1Podcast #BlueWire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cris is joined by Minnesota Vikings dynamic duo wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. They begin the conversation between the two with Adam and Justin dissecting each others NFL journey and what Adam’s thoughts are of the new generation of wide receivers coming into the league. The conversation continues by diving into Adam mentoring Justin when he first came into the league and what Adam has learned from Vikings legends. Cris then pivots to Justin and gets into Justin’s first experience with Vikings nation and his on-field experience with Malcolm Butler as a rookie. Adam details his thoughts on Justin's game while he was sidelined by injury last year and the two discuss what it would take for the Vikings to bring a championship home. Cris then asks both Adam and Justin what they are doing to prolong their NFL careers, their experience in training camp and the chemistry within the wide receivers team. To finish off, Cris asks Adam and Justin what their message is to Minnesota after a tumultuous year for the state. ⏰ Chapters ⏰ (0:05) Intro (0:54) Welcome Justin and Adam (1:34) Adam Dissects Justin’s NFL Journey (3:25) Adam’s Thoughts on the New Wide Receiver Generation (4:28) Justin’s Dissects Adam’s NFL Journey (5:42) Adam Mentoring Justin at Wide Receiver to Become the Dynamic Duo (7:03) Adam’s Learning from Vikings Legends (9:03) Justin’s Experience with Vikings Nation (10:15) Justin’s On-Field Experience Against Malcolm Butler (11:05) Adam’s View of Justin From the Sideline (12:55) Justin’s “Chip on his Shoulder” Attitude Coming into the Combine and NFL Draft (14:55) Adam’s Expectations for a Vikings Championship (16:22) What Justin Has Learned From Adam (17:30) Adam and Justin’s Three WR’s They’ve Been Watching (21:00) Adam’s Off-Season Plan for his NFL Longevity (24:00) Justin’s Plan for NFL Career Longevity (25:45) Vikings Training Camp (26:34) Justin’s Thoughts on Wide Receiver Chemistry (27:56) Adam and Justin’s Message to Minnesota after a Tumultuous Year (31:07) Cris Thanks Adam and Justin (32:44) Outro 🔊 LISTEN ON 🔊 ► iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ► Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w5hhHR... #WR1Podcast #BlueWire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cris is joined by the Los Angeles Rams wide receiver, DeSean Jackson. Cris and DeSean begin with when DeSean first began his football career in his youth years and his time playing at Long Beach Poly High School. Cris and DeSean continue the conversation with DeSean’s mentality and his work ethic, which would impact where he would play his college football career. Cris then throws it back to DeSean’s humbling begins growing up in Los Angeles and his father keeping him busy playing multiple sports in order to keep his mindset on the right path. DeSean then reflects on his relationship with his late father and how that impacts his game on the field. Cris then dives into the how some of the LA legends have impacted DeSean’s life and how he began his relationship with Snoop Dogg and Nipsey Nussle. Cris switches back to talk about DeSean’s NFL career – from advice to the younger generation of football players to DeSean’s career longevity and how he became so dangerous on the field as a WR1. Cris then asks DeSean what was going through his mind during his infamous end zone drops during his early years in his career. After DeSean spends a majority of his NFL on the east coast, Cris asks DeSean what it means to finally make his way back to his hometown and what it would mean to bring a championship to the City of Los Angeles. Cris then talks all things Los Angeles Rams – from Matthew Stafford joining the squad, being reunited and his relationship with head coach Sean McVay and the Rams wide receiving core. Cris continues the conversation with DeSean’s off field ventures with his charitable work within Los Angeles and his new podcast, Fade the Booth. ⏰ Chapters ⏰ (0:00) Intro (0:53) Welcome DeSean Jackson (1:56) DeSean’s First Time Playing Football (2:52) DeSean Multi-Position Football Player (3:34) DeSean’s Time at Long Beach Poly High School (5:51) DeSean’s Work Ethic (7:40) DeSean’s College Football Decision (10:50) Growing Up In LA & Staying Busy (11:27) DeSean’s Relationship with His Late Father (14:40) When DeSean Met Snoop Dogg & His Lasting Impact (17:35) Nipsy Hussle’s Legacy (21:35) DeSean’s Advice to the Younger Generation Football Players (23:38) DeSean’s NFL Career Longevity Advice (26:05) DeSean’s WR1 Lessons to Becoming Dangerous on the Field (28:20) DeSean’s Infamous End-Zone Drops in His Early NFL Career (31:25) DeSean’s Journey Back to Los Angeles & Bringing a Championship to the City (33:22) Matthew Staffords Impact as a Quarterback (34:00) DeSean’s Relationship with LA Rams Head Coach Sean McVay and the Wide Receiving Core (35:58) DeSean’s Charitable Work (38:15) DeSean’s New Podcast Venture with Fade the Booth (40:20) Cris Thanks DeSean (41:12) Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mike Evans explains the DM Tom Brady sent him before he arrived in Tampa! Cris is joined by the Super Bowl Champion, who detailed just about everything in his life in the game of football. From growing up poor with a single mother and losing his father, to becoming a star on football field, Mike Evans recounts his journey to the NFL. Cris talks about the technical side of the game with Mike, and what makes him such an impact player. At the age of 28, Mike has already rattled off 7 straight 1,000 yard seasons, breaking the record of Randy Moss. Through each of his 7 seasons he's matured, and now with Tom Brady as the signal caller and Bruce Arians as the head coach, he already fufilled his childhood dream of winning a Super Bowl. Mike talked about what it was like to be a world champ, and what's it's going to take to get back to that game. ⏰ Chapters ⏰ 0:00 Intro 2:00 Mike’s Family Life 4:03 Losing His Father 5:38 Early Playing Career 9:00 Establishing His NFL Legacy 10:33 Charity Work 12:42 When He Found Out Tom Was Coming to Tampa - Tom Brady Slid Into His IG DM 15:57 Atmosphere in Bucs Locker Room 17:59 Winning The Super Bowl 19:57 Prepping For The Super Bowl 23:09 Expectations for 2021 27:10 Goals For The Rest of His Career 🔊 LISTEN ON 🔊 ► iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ► Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w5hhHR... #WR1Podcast #BlueWire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cris is joined by the Cleveland Browns standout wide receiver, Jarvis Landry. Cris and Jarvis begin with Jarvis’s humble beginnings growing up in Louisiana and having the support from his youth coach and how that’s impacted Jarvis to this day. Cris and Jarvis continue the conversation with how his friendship with Odell Beckham Jr. evolved over the years – from high school, to Louisiana State University (LSU) to being teammates in the NFL on the Cleveland Browns. While talking about the Cleveland Browns, Cris dives into the leadership role and the calming force Jarvis Landry has become since joining the team in 2018 and how he challenges and inspires his teammates. Cris also dives into the famous Jarvis Landry speech he gave his team and what that leadership role means to him. Jarvis Landry then dives into the Wide Receivers he’s watching, the growth he sees in his Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, what Ohio football culture means to him and the impact of a championship would mean to the midwestern state. Cris switches the playing field to talk about Jarvis’s off the field family legacy Jarvis hopes to create, his charitable ventures with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and his Cleveland Browns Walter Payton Man of the Year award. Cris continues the conversation with Jarvis’s love for the Wide Receiver position and words of inspiration for the younger generation of Wide Receivers. To finish off, the Hall of Fame Wide Receiver Cris Carter gives Jarvis Landry a motivational talk on trusting the Wide Receiver coaches and handling the coach criticism moving ahead of Jarvis’s 8th season. ⏰ Chapters ⏰ 0:00 Intro 01:00 Welcome Jarvis 1:40 Jarvis Humble Beginnings 2:45 Jarvis’s Family Growing Up 3:50 Jarvis’s Friendship with OBJ (Odell Beckham Jr.) and His Time at LSU 6:12 Jarvis’s Impact in Cleveland 8:20 Jarvis’s leadership among Cleveland Browns Personalities 9:55 Cleveland Browns Team Morale 11:30 Jarvis’s Infamous Leadership Speech Challenging His Teammates 13:27 Jarvis’s Wide Receivers to Watch 14:56 Baker Mayfield Growth 16:30 Ohio Football Culture 18:36 Breaking the “Losing” Mentality 20:05 Jarvis Leaving a Family Legacy Behind 21:27 Jarvis’s Charity Work and Being Cleveland Browns Walter Payton Man of the Year Award 23:00 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Work 23:49 Love for the Wide Receiver Position 27:00 Jarvis’s Words of Inspiration for the Younger Generation of Wide Receivers 29:30 Cris Thanks Jarvis 30:10 Cris Carter Advice to Jarvis on Trusting Wide Receiver Coaches, Criticism and Career Longevity 36:38 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cris is joined by the man, the myth and the legend, and newly minted Hall of Fame inductee, Calvin Johnson Jr. – yes Megatron himself! Cris and Megatron begin with a recollection of Cris leaving Calvin Johnson off his top 5 wide receivers list and have a good laugh about it. Cris and Calvin talk about the Hall of Fame weekend and Calvin’s experience being a first-ballot candidate and newly minted Hall of Famer. They also discuss what the event meant for Calvin and his family. While reminiscing about the Hall of Fame weekend celebration, Cris and Calvin look back on Calvin’s career with the Detroit Lions, where he spent 9 seasons. Cris and Calvin go through Megatron’s multiple NFL records broken, his injuries and what it meant to play in the traditional Thanksgiving game. Calvin Johnson also addresses the off-season blockbuster trade of quarterback and former teammate Matthew Stafford and the current status of his relationship with the franchise. Will there be any reconciliation there? They switch gears and finish the episode with what’s next for the newly minted Hall of Famer. Cris and Calvin talk about his cannabis research company, Primitive, which he founded with his former NFL teammate, Rob Sims. Calvin goes into the science behind medical marijuana usage, the CTE and pain management research his company has funded and working with Harvard University on and how a more holistic approach to pain management can benefit athletes and people alike. ⏰ CHAPTERS ⏰ 0:00 Intro -- Calvin Johnson Jr. 1:20 Welcome to the show 1:55 Being Left off Cris Carter's Top 5 WR's 4:03 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend 5:10 Hall of Fame Moments with Family 6:10 Calvin Johnson's Size Defying All WR Odds 8:30 Rookie Season Injuries & Injuries Throughout Career 10:48 Record Breaking Moments 12:00 Calvin Johnson Catch/No Catch Rule 13:01 Megatron's Individual Successes 16:00 Thanksgiving Day Game Tradition 17:08 Megatron Is Just Built Differently From the Rest 19:48 Work Ethic While in Detroit 21:01 Frustrations in Detroit 23:30 Retirement and Relationship With the Franchise 24:45 Detroit Lions Contract Controversy 26:43 Matthew Stafford Leaving Detroit 27:38 Post Retirement Ventures with Primitiv, his cannabis research company 30:03 Harvard Research 32:20 NFL Marijuana Policy 33:20 Battling the Marijuana Stigma 34:40 Dancing with the Stars & Holistic Healing Approach 35:35 Advice on Medical Marijuana Usage 36:53 Pain Management 37:23 What's Next for Primitiv? 39:17 Outro 🔊 LISTEN ON 🔊 ► iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wr1-with-cris-carter/id1522381615 ► Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w5hhHRYLKBruT90kZ2kIh #WR1Podcast #BlueWire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cris is joined by Washington Football Team's breakout third year wide receiver, Terry McLaurin. Cris and Terry begin with Terry's early football days. As a kid, Terry started as a running back. He discusses the importance of that training and what it did for his work ethic as he became a receiver. Cris and Terry talk about what he took from his wide receiver coaches and Urban Meyer at THE Ohio State. They also discuss what Terry thinks Urban brings to an NFL organization. They switch gears to the Washington Football team and what Terry expects for the season, how Ryan Fitzpatrick has changed the offense, and what Terry expects for himself as he attempts to really transcend and make that THIRD YEAR LEAP into the upper echelon of wide receivers in the NFL. Finishing out the episode, Cris is curious about Terry's wide receiver mentor, Doug Baldwin, and what Terry has done to stay healthy for this upcoming season. ⏰ CHAPTERS ⏰ (00:00) INTRO: Terry McLaurin (01:40) Growing Up Playing Running Back (04:50) The Ohio State Days (07:01) Urban Meyer (08:45) WFT Season Expectations (10:15) The Ryan Fitzpatrick Effect (11:30) Terry's Year 3 Expectations (13:27) Always Underrated (15:33) Terry's Role Models (18:15) How To Stay Healthy This Year (20:11) The New WFT (21:20) OUTRO 🔊 LISTEN ON 🔊 ► iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wr1-with-cris-carter/id1522381615 ► Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w5hhHRYLKBruT90kZ2kIh #WR1Podcast #BlueWire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cris is joined by arguably the most underrated wide receiver in the NFL, Chicago Bears star, Allen Robinson. Cris brings us back to Detroit where ARob went to high school. They discuss his having to grow up a bit and his first experiences playing football in High School as well as Allen’s game plan with his family about becoming a professional athlete. During his childhood he only thought that he was going to play basketball professionally. Was there a specific coach or moment that flipped the script to football for Robinson? Robinson had quite a few colleges interested in him. He gets incredibly honest with why he chose to eventually go to Penn State and Cris and he really get into the nitty gritty of that decision and the Paterno scandal. Robinson had a lot NFL teams telling him that he could get drafted in the latter end of the first round, possibly early in the 2nd round. He walks us through which teams and coaches didn’t take him and how it felt to keep getting passed on and what the phone call felt like from Jacksonville when he eventually got picked. Cris adamantly believes that as a rookie you want to be drafted to a team where you can start and gain experience, and that is exactly what happened for Robinson. He walks us through the start of his NFL career with the Jaguars and how important it was. With many offers during free agency after the 2015 season, Allen gets into his decision making during that time and what ultimately led him to Chicago. Randy Moss worked with Allen for 6 weeks over the summer just before he got hurt. Robinson praises the work ethic of Moss and chronicles the lessons he learned. When ARob got hurt, most people would feel sorry for themselves, but he locked in and tells a very motivating story of his mind set. Cris pivots to the contract negotiations Allen has been dealing with with the Chicago Bears as well as what he wants for himself and his family. Cris asks Allen to give praise to his wide receiver coaches in the NFL that have molded him to be so dangerous. What is it that Rookie Justin Fields brings to the Bears and what can Robinson and he do together? Cris asks Allen to tell us what he would say to the doubters and haters along the way. The conversation pivots to the work Robinson does outside of football and the importance in giving back to the community and children. For more information on his programs, visit: https://www.allenrobinson12.org/ The conversation finishes with Allen telling us what he wants to do after football. ⏰ CHAPTERS ⏰ (00:00) INTRO: Allen Robinson (02:22) Back In Detroit (06:55) The Game Plan (07:51) Hoopers (09:17) The Switch From Basketball To Football (12:27) College Recruitment (14:02) Paterno and Penn State (19:03) NFL Draft Frustration (22:20) The Bill O’Brien Call (24:44) The Jacksonville Phone Call (26:19) Starting As A Rookie In The NFL (28:15) Free Agency (29:58) The Tutelage Of Randy Moss (32:15) The Positives Of The Injury (34:05) The Contract Talks (36:41) The Jags and Bears Wide Receiver Coaches (39:07) Justin Fields (40:56) Responding To the Doubters (42:50) Allen Robinson The Philanthropist (47:19) Allen Robinson The Agent (51:42) OUTRO 🔊 LISTEN ON 🔊 ► iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wr1-with-cris-carter/id1522381615 ► Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w5hhHRYLKBruT90kZ2kIh #WR1Podcast #BlueWire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hall of Fame wide receiver, Cris Carter, sits down with some of the best to ever play the position from the past and present. With the inaugural episode, Cris chats with New England Patriots legend, Julian Edelman about his rise to success in the NFL as a wide receiver. Cris begins by discussing Jules’ life post football. What is the transition to sports media like? Edelman is starting his career at Inside The NFL just like Cris did. They also discuss his other endeavors with NFT’s, and a production company that Jules has a lot of irons in the fire with. Cris poses a big question about how Jules will judge the Patriots from the booth. Will he be harsh? What will be his on screen persona? The conversation shifts to the Hall of Fame. It is common knowledge that Edelman’s stats on paper are not “Hall of Fame Worthy.” However, his post season performance and his Super Bowl victories put him in a different category than most. Does the man himself think that he belongs in the Hall? Cris is fascinated by Julian Edelman finding Judaism later in life. Edelman unpacks his journey to Israel and what it has awakened in him. The journey to becoming Brady’s favorite target is a good one. Cris and Jules dive deep into what that looked like and how he eventually become completely in sync with the GOAT. The fun stories come toward the end, with musings of Robert Kraft, Tom Brady fun times, Randy Moss in practice, and Belichick partying. Finishing out the episode, Edelman gives praise to Cris for his work ethic and may have adopted a thing or two from the legend. (00:00) INTRO (01:16) Inside The NFL Debut (03:52) Transition From Player to Analyst (04:44) Life Beyond Football (05:41) Critiquing The Patriots (07:11) Is Brady That Much Better Than The Rest? (08:41) The Gold Jacket (11:43) Jules' Religious Awakening (14:21) Robert Kraft The Man (16:29) Becoming Brady's Favorite Target (21:33) Fun With Tom (23:40) Randy Moss Memories (27:57) Belichick Surprise (30:38) Edelman Emulates Cris (31:19) Did Cris Carter Play Ball With Prince? (33:00) OUTRO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A candid conversation led by Hall of Fame Wide Receiver and widely respected media voice, Cris Carter. Cris will interview legends of the WR position as well as the next generation of superstars to understand what makes this position so unique and why so many personalities and stories come from outside of the hash marks.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To round out the season, Greg talks with Bears Rookie tight end Cole Kmet. They talk about what it’s like to get drafted by your hometown team and why Notre Dame was the right school for him coming out of high school. Afterwards, Greg shares with Cole a little gift to welcome him into the NFL TE1 fam. Finally Cole takes the reins and interviews Greg about his own fourteen-year stint in the NFL.  This episode of TE1 is presented by Chevy Silverado and Visa For more great podcasts check out BlueWirePods.com     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fresh off an off-season workout, George Kittle joins the podcast to talk about his journey to the league's emerging superstar tight end. George reflects on his family’s athleticism, his father coaching of all his teams and how his size impacted his recruiting out of high school. At Iowa, they talk the stacked tight end room and how his offensive linemen mentality helped him thrive. Finally, the guys remember their head-to-head matchup in George’s first game in the NFL and how he'll chance to change the way the positioned is valued for years to come.  TE1 is presented by Chevy Silverado. This episode is also brought to you by Bud Light Seltzer.  For more great podcasts check out BlueWirePods.com NOTE: This episode was recorded before Kittle signed his extension with the 49ers.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Super Bowl Champion Travis Kelce joins Greg to talk about his career and give a shout out to everyone he’s encountered along the way. From growing up in Cleveland Heights, to running the wildcat at University of Cincinnati, Kelce talks about how his experience as a QB helped shape his transition to the tight end position. Travis tells some amazing stories about getting picked off on his only pass attempt, his love of bubble screens and what it was like to break Greg’s record for consecutive 1000-yard seasons. Shout out to this episode, it’s a good one. TE1 is presented by Chevy Silverado.  Get 15% off NFLSundayTicket.tv with promo code GREG88 For more great podcasts check out BlueWirePods.com NOTE: This episode was recorded before Travis Kelce signed his extension with the Chiefs.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tony Gonzalez is arguably the greatest tight end in NFL history. His career stats are only outmatched by his unwavering positive attitude. Greg talks to Tony about growing up in Southern California as a two-sport athlete and how his friends teased him for splitting the local paper’s Athlete of the Year award with some golfer named Tiger. Tony reflects on catching passes from Troy Aikman in a pre-draft workout and his struggles when he first got into the league. Finally, Greg talks with Tony about how he was so good, he had to negotiate against himself to set the tight end market.  TE1 is presented by Chevy Silverado.  Get 15% off NFLSundayTicket.tv with promo code GREG88 For more great podcasts check out BlueWirePods.com NOTE: This episode was recorded before George Kittle and Travis Kelce signed new contracts with their respective teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Before he was going toe-to-toe with Skip, Shannon Sharpe was the standard bearer for the modern NFL tight end. From humble beginning on his grandparents’ farm in Georgia, Shannon talks through his football journey that led him to Canton. After being fed up with getting hit in the backfield, Shannon thrived after moving from running back to tight end. When his high school coach talked him out of the going to the army, Shannon became an undeniable talent at Savannah State. He talks about his unspoken trust with John Elway, how he approached every practice and what it was like to break Ozzie Newsome’s all-time receiving record when playing for the Ravens. TE1 is presented by Chevy Silverado.  Get 15% off NFLSundayTicket.tv with promo code GREG88 For more great podcasts check out BlueWirePods.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Greg speaks with Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome, one of the most successful people both on the field and in the front office. Greg learns about Ozzie’s mind-set when his elementary school in Alabama was integrated and how his relationship with the great Bear Bryant changed his life. Ozzie talks about his transition to tight end in Cleveland, working with a young Bill Belichick and how his first office in Baltimore was a police barrack. Kind, soft spoken and wildly magnetic, Ozzie Newsome perfectly synthesizes how America could be better off if we supported our fellow citizens like teams do in an NFL locker room.  TE1 is presented by Chevy Silverado.  Get 15% off NFLSundayTicket.tv with promo code GREG88 For more great podcasts check out BlueWirePods.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices