Damien Woody

0:00Welcome to the Sports Media Podcast on your host Richard Dyches. My producer's James Jackson, one guest on this episode. Somebody I have a lot of respect for, I've certainly written that and printed online and I'm really delighted he's joining me. Damien Woody played 12 seasons as an offensive lineman in the NFL, one two Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots. If you are a sports fan in the United States, you certainly saw him on ESPM. He was with that company from 2011 to 2026, working as an NFL analyst on shows like NFL Live, Get Up, Sports Center. He's not a heart-to-heartthake artist, just someone who informed people of what was going in NFL and that's something I always appreciated. He has, since parting with ESPM and we will get into that, joined the Wingo Network where

1:01he is a part of the digital and podcast company. The Wingo is part of Trey Wingo. And Trey Wingo, Merrill Hodge, Mark Schlerath and Damien Woody are on a podcast that I, or it's sort of a podcast-less YouTube that I highly recommend. You can find that by basically just searching their names or going to the Wingo Network. And I think, and he'll tell us this, I believe they'll be doing that at least weekly if not more than once a week. And with that, I'm joined by Damien Woody. Damien, welcome. Thank you. Thank you, Richard. How are you doing? I'm doing well. All right. So let's just start here. What specifically are you doing with the Wingo Network and for those people who have not heard of the Wingo Network, which is pretty new? What is it? Yeah. It's a network by Trey Wingo. So obviously he has a variety of different shows on his network. But the one that I'm specifically on with Trey and Mark Schlerath and Merrill Hodge, it's called the OG football show.

2:03And obviously it's kind of a deal where all of us used to be on NFL live. And obviously, Richard, you know how I am. We're a bunch of guys. We never, we're not into the hot take type of stuff. We just want to really inform our fans, educate the fans. And so we got an OG football show with older guys just kind of shooting it, talking ball and just trying to inform the fans and enlighten the fans. How did this come about? I mean, obviously you probably have been friends with Trey for a long time. I imagine you know the other two guys, if not from the NFL, from broadcasting. So what was the process in terms of getting you part of this network? Yeah, it was, you know, once the word got out that I was, that I was, you know, not being extended by ESPN. Trey reached out to me immediately and lay, hey brother, I got, I got, we got this show that I'm thinking about doing with Mark Schlerath and Merrill Hodge.

3:06And you know, definitely want you to be a part of it. You know, we've always had this great friendship going on years. And just trying to do something different. You know, so the pitch wasn't, it was an easy sell for me because again, you know, we're not trying to do a lot of things like my former employer. We're just trying to, you know, educate the fans and bring some smart analysis because we feel like there's a lane for all of that. And so it was an easy sell for me. The, so the OG football show, as you mentioned, new digital NFL show with the four gentlemen that we just mentioned. Will this be a weekly thing multiple times a week? And then a lot of times with these digital shows, as you know, if something really big happens, you know, you can essentially just decide, hey, let's go. Let's just do something really quick and get that out there because the entire, you know, country's talking about this NFL issue. Yes, right now it's going to be a weekly thing. This is something we're going to do every Monday, but, you know, as time goes on, we're going to expand, obviously, you know, maybe do it twice a week and obviously, Richard,

4:11if there's some type of big breaking news, we can all easily jump one line and really discuss this whole thing. And right now it's in this, you know, infancy stage, but we feel really bullish about it. The early numbers are really, really good. And so we're going to build this thing out and have a good time doing it. Okay. One thing. So this sort of is a good segue into a couple of things I want to get into with you. Susie Cobble was a guest on my podcast in the last episode. And one of the things she told me, and again, you guys, you probably have worked with her or if not, you can certainly, you have worked for their, in fact, in it, and you can relate some of your, some of your stories are parallel a little bit. But one of the things that she said that she took a little inspiration from was that she saw that there was life on the other side of ESPN because there's a lot of people who have left the ESPN who have gone on to either create their own companies or go elsewhere and find a lot of creative and financial success. You know, Dan Patrick, maybe like the patron saint of this, he left and sort of created his own empire.

5:15For your purposes, like, is that, do you track with Susie and the fact that like in 2020, leaving ESPN in 2026, dammit, at least to me, feels much different than if you did in like 1998, where you'd be like, oh my God, I, you know, I was at the top of the mountain. And now there's no more mountains left. Oh, absolutely, Richard. I mean, this was, you know, when you just look at the landscape, you know, there's a lot of what I call independent media outside of ESPN, where you've seen a bunch of people, whether you talk about former players or just, you know, people who work for these big institutional companies go out there on their own and really create their own lane, create their own brand. And so, you know, I know there's a lot of podcasts and things out there, but it just seems like there's an appetite for, you know, independent media out there and obviously, you know, this, you know, get into the OG football show and some other things that I'm, that I'm playing as well, you know, allows me the opportunities to have that freedom to speak,

6:20you know, things that maybe weren't, weren't on the agenda at my, at my former employer. All right, let's get into this a little bit. How did the end of your time at ESPN come? Yeah, man, it was, you know, I had a producer actually reach out to me. I think mid mid July and told me, hey, man, you know, you know, sorry to, you know, bring this news about, but, you know, we're not going to extend you your contract. Obviously, you know, your contract ends at the end of August, but we're not going to extend you and, you know, the, the, the crazy thing was, man, you know, this producer was very emotional in making that and, and they, it was weird, Richard, and he was the one that decided to, or they, they instructed to bring, be the bearer of the news, but it wasn't what, it wasn't Seth Markman, you know, I was under the purview of Seth Markman and so, you know, Seth, Seth had found out and he didn't even, no one told him.

7:28And so he was, he was shocked when, when the, when the word came down to him and obviously, he, he told me, hey, man, listen, you and my guy, I brought you into the company. Let me talk to the higher ups and, and so everything was kind of put on the table for, for a few weeks. And then ultimately, I got to, he came back with the news that, hey, man, they, you know, talk to the higher ups and ultimately, they decided to go in a, wanted to go in a different direction. And so that's kind of how everything happened. All right. So a couple of things there. Are you doing intentionally not want to mention the person who told you? And that's fine if you don't. That's okay. Yeah. I mean, listen, the other producer was Pete McConville. He, you know, overseas, you know, the first take, you know, some of that. Yeah. Did they did, did, whether it was Seth Markman, um, relaying this to you or someone in, um, who's higher in management than Seth, did you ever get a specific reason as to the why you weren't renewed? No, no, I didn't get a specific reason or anything like that. And, and, uh, you know, I,

8:32just, you know, the one thing that, the one thing that kind of bothered me a little bit was, you know, as a former player, you're so used to getting feedback from your coaches, you know, things that you're doing right things, you're doing wrong. So you can, you can correct and become better at what you, what you do. Now, that's one thing that you really don't, you really didn't get early on in my career at ESPN. We had people, you know, Jerry Madeline. That's, that's great guy. One guy, great guy. And I'm sure you know him. Yeah. You know, he was one of those guys that gave you the feedback, you know, from shows like, Hey, this, you know, these are the great things that you did in the show. These are the things that you, you know, that I would like to see you work on. But as time is gone, as time has gone on, you don't get those, that type of feedback. And in my particular case, and I'm sure a lot of people can speak to this as well, who have, you know, ultimately left the company. You didn't get that type of feedback as to why they, you know, decided to move in a different direction. I don't want to sort of make a stereotype here, but I, you know, there is a thought thought that if you are a professional athlete, as you were, someone

9:36who at times might be released by our organization, it makes it a little bit easier when word like this comes compared to late people. Like, is that true? Or is it not true at this point? Like, it was, you know, you took it the same way, you know, a jabroni like myself would take you to do it in plain the NFL. No, like, I take it the same way as, you know, any other professional who works in the media. I mean, think about it, Richie, I worked in media longer than in my plan career. I played 12 years and I was in the media for 15 years. There's a lot of people who know me more from my media career than they do my plan career. And so when you've been a part of a company, you know, for the, you know, for the amount of time that I have and work with all the great people and, you know, you know, on a day-to-day basis, it's tough. It's tough because you're used to that routine and being part of being a part of something and then, you know, for it to abruptly end the way that it did is, it's a, it's a hard pill to swallow. You were always someone when I watched

10:37you on your, you're like measured, right? You're sort of like you were, you were a matter of fact, you gave your opinion, but you were not somebody who had how to take it. You didn't necessarily do performance kind of television. I wonder now in hindsight, do you think that hurts you at all? That you weren't more of a performer? Not to say that you would have done it or tried to be someone that you're not, but I mean, I do, I hate to say it. I see more in 2025, 2026. It does feel like if you have more of like a performance aspect to it, you know, maybe you're safer at these kind of places than, than, than not. How do you see that? Yeah, I mean, listen, that might be the case, but, you know, I'm never going to go against who I am. You know, I've never been a type of guy that was a high-take artist or performative. My whole thing was, I've always said going into the business, if I can educate the fan, if I can make one fan that much smarter than my job is done. And so, I've always said that, you know, my playing career 12 years, I wanted to pull back the curtain,

11:40let the fans in on things that they don't have access to and just, and just educate. I'm, you know, the performative type of stuff that, you know, I leave that for other people. That just wasn't my stick. It might work from other people. And you might be right. That might be the case, if I was more performative, maybe I would have stood, you know, stuck with the company. But, again, that's just not who I am. That's, that's not in my personality. Look, you get to a certain age and you want to be a little more serious when it comes to your shirt. Anybody who's want to dress shirt knows just how uncomfortable it can be. And now, annoying it is when they bunch up under a sweater. So you must check out collars and co makers of the dress collar polo. Their shirts are four-way stretch, buttery soft polos with firm dress collars on them. So they give you that dress shirt look, but it's an extremely comfortable polo feel. Now, these are shirts you can wear with anything, wear them with a blazer, wear them under a sweater, wear them solo as an elevated polo. They work for an occasion. Got a date? Perfect.

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13:45or desperately avoiding last place, I've got you covered every single weekday. The bar is open. It's Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry wherever you get your podcasts. One of the things having talked to, you know, given how long I've written about your old employer, I have talked to enough people to know that it can be a very, very political place. And who likes you at a certain period can sort of protect you and keep your job for a long time. I'll ask you this very generally speaking. Did you find it to be a political place when you work there, however you would define political? Well, I mean, listen, when you talk about the suits at ESPN, you know, like it does help if you have certain people in place and obviously you, you know, when new people come in, they want their own people. You know, one thing I, you know, there was a few people I had referenced, I believe in a tweet or something like that during my time

14:47at ESPN. Like, nobody williams in, you know, champion me. Like Dave Roberts championed me. Like those, you'll set, you know, Seth Markman championed me. So like, you know, I've made a point to point out those three people because those three people had, you know, they had influence in my time at ESPN. I can't say two of them are now gone. Two of them now gone are gone in Norby and Dave Roberts. And so when you have changed, you know, at the very top, sometimes, you know, that that trickles down to the talent as well. You've talked about this before, but so, but I did want to ask you this, how much pressure did you feel to quote unquote play the hits, talking about the cowboys, talking about whatever quarterback was on the hot seat, talking about whatever controversial thing may have happened versus let's say you like, you happen to see some really interesting line players and like that in the, in the bucket years and lions, but

15:50there's producers or there's maybe pressure from the company that's like, hey, man, like everybody's talking about this on X, everybody's talking about this on social media, we got to talk about this controversy. Yeah, I mean, listen, man, you know, in a place like, it plays like ESPN, you know, you're going to go with what the ratings are. Like, you know, those people track those type of things. And so listen, at the end of the day, I've always offered up things that I saw on tape or on film and stuff like that. And, and you know, there were times where they were amenable to it, but there was a time, there were a lot of times where you're going to go with a ratings go, man, and that's just life and television. You know, it's a bottom sum game and you're going to do, you're going to be a good soldier in those types of situations. And I just try to go about doing my job the best, the best of my ability. What moments are you most proud of when you were on the air? What stories were happening when you, when you maybe left the studio that day and were like, that was good TV. I was, I feel good about that.

16:51Oh, man, let me see. That's, that's a great question. I think that, you know, when we talked about, like, the flaky gate on television, you know, just being able to get off of my perspective, you know, I thought it was really compelling TV. I remember, you know, myself and Teddy Brusky, you know, they got in kind of, yeah, yeah, we actually got into a little heated discussion about it. But I felt like it was very compelling television. And it was something I was very proud of, because it drew a lot of emotion from two former guys who were kind of on the opposite end of the spectrum as far as the topic is concerned. But listen, Richard, I'm so proud of so many things that I've done there. And again, I, the one thing I'm most proud of is the fact that here, here I am, a guy who, you know, grew up had a, you know, had a speech impediment and had to go through, you know, had to go through therapy for years. And I thought myself talking on television for 15

17:52years. Like, I've had so many people reach out to me, you know, thanking me and, you know, for the inspiration that I given them for overcoming that. So that, I would say, Richard, that's probably the most, the thing down most proud of. That's, I'm sure you probably know this. But like whenever I think of people who've overcome speech impediments to be in very public positions, I think of Bill Walton, I think of you, I think of George Springer, Joe Biden, those are, those four, like those are four people who overcame childhood stuttering to be in prominent positions. And there is no doubt that young people, if they find that, like your story, who have a child who are, you know, who are young and have a speech impediment, can then see you and be like, all right, it's possible. It's possible with therapy that one day I can be on television. So I'm, I'm glad you mentioned that. I imagine, I mean, I don't know this, but I would take a guess. There's probably been some kids who you met, right? Who have said, hey, or you tell your story too, and maybe they come up to you and say, wow, like this, thank you very

18:56much for telling me that. Yeah, I've come across like a bunch of people, a bunch of younger people, you know, I came across somebody like, I think like earlier, I want to say May of this year, who heard my story and it was in New York City, random, just a random appearance in a restaurant. Young man came up to me and just and talked about, you know, the fact that I spoke up about it and told my story and my testimony and then just really inspired him. He was, you know, in college, just studying to become a sports journalist. And so, you know, just stuff like that, man, he like, wow, the world is smaller than than what it seems and the impact that you can have out there is tremendous. A couple more on the SPM, then I'm going to go to this sort of this week in the NFL. Did you made a decision to stay on air right until the end of your contract? Some people might have made a decision once they were told that they're not going to, they're not going to re-up you,

19:57might have just left and you know, you cut a deal. But it was important to you. It seems like to finish your contract. What was your thinking there? Yeah, it's just who I am again, Richie, you know, like my deal was up on August 31st. And so I didn't want to, I didn't want to be one of these people that was like, hey, okay, you guys have told me this and I'm just going to run off. That's just not how I was raised. It's not the demand that I am. And actually they were, they were the ones that's like, um, told me, look, if you don't want to do it, we get it, we understand. I told them, no, I'm going to finish out my contract because, you know, that's what I got paid, I get paid, you know, I got paid to be there to the end. And so that's what I'm going to do. And so, that's just the type of person I am. Really was a pretty fascinating week. I feel like in the NFL, there were some really, really exciting games, a couple of games where I think people were stunned, like, you know, that charge as Cardinals result was was was a stunner to me. It also killed a lot of survival, survival rules. And I, you know, living in Toronto, we get the bills every week. So I

20:57watched them. And that was a phenomenal game to watch with Josh Allen coming back. Your old team, the Patriots, got off to a tough one. Just very broadly. What are some of the things that stood out to you in in in week one? And I know it's very much an overreaction Monday, but it's still fun to talk about like sort of the broad stuff for week one. What stood out to? Yeah, I mean, listen, coming into the season, we talked about a lot of a lot of these a lot of teams got new first-time play callers on the national football league and one in particular, Declan Doyle with the Baltimore Ravens with Lamar Jackson. And you just seeing it like you just saw Lamar Jackson just look invigorated. Just I mean, they put up 41 points in on the road against the Indianapolis Coast. Lamar Jackson looked fantastic. The Cincinnati Bengals, you know, you know, everyone talked about the additions on their defense. They go out and get four turnovers in a game, you know, against the 10th grade, Bucking Ears. And so like there's a lot of storylines, obviously in the national football league,

22:02but the new play callers and I think the, you know, the additions on defense for the Cincinnati Bengals. And for the Dallas Cowboys, I'm always, you know, hesitant to bring up the Cowboys, but, you know, they got the change on defense and, you know, it didn't come out very well against the New York football giants last night. I expect the Rams obviously to be a very good team. I know Miles Garrett looks like he'll be missing four weeks or so for surgery, but I have to admit, just I really found it fascinating. And I don't want, again, I know, you know, I'm talking to a guy obviously playing the league. So ultimately, it's a sight on the field, but I was pretty fascinated by the two approaches that the two organizations took between the Niners and the Rams. One team obviously was there acclimated itself to its geography. The other team decided to go very last second, right? And just sort of tried their best to see if they could, if they could win leaving Los Angeles very, very shortly for Melbourne. Did you, as someone who probably had made long

23:06road trips, maybe never a long road trip to Melbourne, but long road trips, like going into that game, what were, did you think the sleep part would, would, would play any factor? And if so, what were you thinking before we now know the result, obviously the Niners won big. Yeah, I was very fast. I was fascinated to see how the, you know, how the Rams would come out and play considering they left at the last second and then basically 24 hours later, we're playing a football game. You know, for that, for that, for that long road trip, you know, you just always wonder how you're playing, but hold up. We know the 49ers, they went a lot earlier than the Rams and got acclimated down there, you know, in Australia. And so I was really interested to see, you know, how it would play out and quite honestly, when you watch that game, it looked like the 49ers were fresher, more violent in the game. And so I just feel like the, the Rams travel, what played a, you know, was a detriment to the outcome of that game. Everybody like after game one is always like

24:09way over the top on like making, you know, pronouncements and judgments, particularly on quarterbacks. Like I'm a Drake May believer, he did not play well in that game one, but I think he is a good quarterback. They obviously lost to the Seahawks 13 to 10 in their opener. You're a former patriot, so I mean, you must, I imagine, always keep your eye on that team a little bit. What did you make of that game? And does your, I don't even know what your opinion of May was before this, but does that game have any impact on whatever your opinion of May was before the game? Well, I will say does I think Drake May is one of one of our, you know, bright young players in the national football league. Obviously, you know, this Richard, he's second in league MVP voting last year, but I will say this, you know, the last five games that, you know, gone back to the playoffs in last year and then including the, the first game, he has not played all that great. And so there, you know, he's turned the ball over a lot. His passing, all of his statistics, you know,

25:10the last five games have just gone down from the regular season, you know, backup MVP type of performances that we had been accustomed to seeing from him. So I think there's things he's still got to work on this game and he's, you know, the very good talent, but, you know, the last five games, it just hasn't been what we've been accustomed to seeing from him. What should I make of a team that scored 59 points in opening week, which the Bears did? Oh, man, Ben Johnson is a mad scientist, you know, Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams, they got something going on. You know, I don't want to get, you know, go over the top again because it's overreaction Monday, but when you score 59 points on the road, yeah, you're making, you're making a statement to the national, resident national football league. And I know Ben Johnson, they've made some statements about leading the league and scoring and all that type of stuff. Well, when you score 59, you're off to a hell of a start. This has never happened before. Five players, 26 cases each, one million dollars on the line for

26:15every player on September 25th. Yamavar Resort and Casino at Sandman Well makes history with deal or no deal live hosted by me, Howie Mandel. Plain September for your chance to take the stage at Yamavar Theater and answer the ultimate question. Deal or no deal details at Yamavar.com must be 21. Please gamble responsibly. All right, I got one, we'll do one more football thing and then I will finish up on a couple of quick broadcasting ones because there's a couple of things I have to ask you. I'm always, I always have a specific focus on the bills because that, you know, that team is in my backyard and I lived in Buffalo for five, six years. Again, I realized after game one, but you saw the roster they added DJ Moore, new coach, new head coach, obviously, new defensive coordinated with a whole new system. I don't know how much you got a chance to watch the bills and Texans, but did you have a, what are your initial thoughts on them and what are you thinking about them this year? Josh Allen is unbelievable. I mean, he really is. I mean, think about this.

27:20Josh Allen, you know, throughout his career has never had any, you know, good luck against that against the Houston Texans in particular, that defense, but he played a hell of a game yesterday and it just shows you like the type of player that he is and how free that he plays and listen, that was a great game. That was a great game to watch because I thought CZS trial played well. You know, until, you know, obviously the end with the, you know, the strip sat, the strip sat at the end, but you know, listen, credit, credit Josh Allen offense, they were able to go out there against a defense coming into his league. I think most people thought would be the best defense in the league and they really, they really put, he really put on the show. Yeah, the margin, as you know, is just so thin because of the Texans pick off a pass, which they really should have picked off late that, you know, they win the game. Just what the NFL is just an amazing product because like every week, there's, you know, things can sort of turn on one or two plays.

28:20All right, I've always sort of been fascinated by this and I don't know if it's just winning. Maybe the answer is winning, but there are so many former patriots who ended up in broadcasting like yourself. Whether it's you Brady, Quinkowski, Edelman, Brushy, I'm sure I haven't named all of them, but there is a significant group from that era who ended up in broadcasting. Is there a why to that answer? Well, I think obviously number one, winning, winning, winning helps your calls. When you're a part of a dynasty like we were in New England, I mean, we had a dynasty stressed 20 years and think about that. You know, it was special and the guys that, that are part that broadcast and you just named some of them, you know, whether you talk about Teddy Bruskey, Tom Brady, you know, the McCordy twins that, you know, I didn't even have Scott Zollock, the big deal. Yeah, I mean, like, you know, Rodney Harrison, who Rodney, you know, just the list just goes on and on, but I think the common theme is you

29:24got a bunch of guys who, you know, smart, who understand the game of football and in their own, in their own way, can go out there and just tell the, and just tell the story where the fans can, can understand and relate. So I think it's just a special group. You know, kind of like the Dallas Cowboys, you know, you, you find former Cowboys on television, but I think the, I think the theme is, you got to, I think winning, winning and winning big really helps you in that department. You were in Huddles with Brady. You were obviously in locker rooms and on road trips and stuff. When he was playing, did you get any indication that he would have wanted to go in the broadcasting? No, I didn't get any indication like that. I mean, listen, you talk about one of the most intense dudes that, that I've ever been around and sports in general, but, you know, I never got the sense that that was his, his, his, his deal, his stick, you know, you know, I didn't even know, like, you, you know, like, I thought he would just play forever because that's just the type of guy

30:24he is. He almost did. Yeah, yeah, yeah, fall in time ultimately caught up with him, but I mean, the career is just is unreal, unbelievable, but I think he's really grown into himself in the broadcasting arena as well. Yeah. Do you, when you see Brady walking runways in Gucci, like, what is your thought on that? Like, I didn't, again, I didn't think that was going to be Brady's thing. I mean, you know, like, just dude is just like so humble and obviously, man, like, you know, now he's a superstar and, you know, one of the most recognizable faces in sports and, and to see him walk in runways is always like, it always tricks me out because I'm like, that's not the guy that, that I knew like, you know, a couple decades ago. You're now, you, you have four kids. Am I right about this? I have seven. You have seven kids, and one of them just went to college, right? Or like, rats, I saw you post that, which is awesome. Yeah. Yeah. One just went to, I just dropped my mom at Michigan State. Oh, I love that. Okay. So if Brady even invites you to one of these white parties or very fancy,

31:28that you can't even go, right? Because you have responsibilities at home. I think the wife will let me, I mean, you know, yeah, she will let me because, you know, she knows Brady and his family and stuff like that. So I think she would, she would let me get out of the house one time. All right. And Tombri's not listening to this, but in the random chance that he is, how about throwing our guy like an invite when you're hanging out with decaprio and, and, you know, Margot Robbie and the, and, and the guy from fanatics and everyone else. Yeah. I need a guy's night out. Why not? Yeah. And that, yeah. And that's, you know, that, that would probably be an interesting party to be a fly on the wall at. All right. Last one. Bill Bell check. Obviously he's got near former coach. He got a ton of attention. Ever since he went to North Carolina, he's won his first two games. So it's a little bit at least now of a different story. He's not in the sort of the crosshairs of, of college football. I, of college football writers. I, again, I don't know Bill Bell check at all, but my one thought was

32:28that he was not, this was not going to be a guy who was going to be like bear Bryant or Nick Sabin and being college football for 10 years. But you know the guy. I don't. If you had to just take a guess today, like is Bella check long for North Carolina? Or do you think that he maybe tries one last run to see if he can get a, an NFL coaching job? I don't, yeah. I think the NFL is behind him. Okay. I don't know. I don't know if he's going to be coaching college football for a long period of time. I know his, you know, his son Steve is on his staff. I think he's taking the lever abs is right now. But you know, like, Bill's, like he just loves teaching. He's the ultimate teacher of the game of football. Like I, like I don't know of anyone. He's like a encyclopedia of the, of the game of football. I don't know anyone smarter who knows the game, who knows the history of the game better than Bill Bell check. And so I do think he just loves enjoy teaching

33:29the game of football. When he was getting on you, did he call you by your last name, your Jersey number? Or did he have a nickname for you? Well, sometimes he just would use language that we can't discuss on here. But, but, no, he would call me about our first name. Like he would do that. But there would be some other explik-explik-a-dives as well. But you don't strike me as someone who was not all in at practice and like given 100%. Like I, you, you would seemingly should not have been an issue for Bill Bell check, at least from my perspective. No, listen, I was a team guy, whatever, whatever, whatever was needed, I was there. You know, I was the type of guy that played multiple positions from the BC offensive line factor that you guys were taught right. That's right. That's right. So like my foundation was strong right, right from the get-go. And I remember Bill used to tell me the more you can do, the more valuable you become. And that was the case my whole career. Yeah. He was right about that for sure. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, yeah, you had an amazing career and you were absolutely part of the maybe the best dynasty or if not, it's top two or top three,

34:34depending on where you want to go with some of these other teams. All right. Damien, what do you can catch him on the Wingo network? That's a new digital and podcast company run by Trey Wingo What's neat is last name. She can first shout out, you know. Yeah. Don't ask me to pronounce a last name. All right. Yeah. I don't want to screw it up either, but yeah, it trades at a very smart CEO next to him. You can hear the their show, which is called the OGs. OG football show. OG, the OG football show. My bad. The OG football show. Trey Wingo, Merrill Hodg, Damien Woody, Mark Sleroth. It's once a week right now. You could see the frequency of that get amped up, but check that out. Those are four guys who really know their stuff and whenever they were on their various networks always were informative and thoughtful and engaging. Mark Sleroth obviously continues to work book for Fox. I know he does a podcast as well. I think James is his producer in fact,

35:39so check out his work as well. Damien, man, I'm going to be rooting for you. I always appreciate you on ESPN. I, you know, I've sort of given up in terms of trying to understand sometimes the decisions they make. I personally, I'm somebody who believes like that. If you have people who treat audiences like adults, these are the people who you should keep, people with institutional knowledge. ESPN doesn't always agree with me on that, but just know that there are many, many football people like myself who really appreciated what you had to say and how you approached your job. So thank you for that and thank you for joining me today on the Sports Media podcast. Richard, I appreciate all of that and thank you for having me on. All right, here we go. Five, four, three, two, one. All right, back in the studio. My thanks to Damien Woody. I've always been a long time admire of his work on ESPN. I think he did quality work and I mean, I don't know how many times I could sort of say it. I just, I, there are decisions I don't understand that that company makes. I, you know, I don't think Damien Woody is breaking the bank. I get it. These are first world problems,

36:44et cetera, et cetera, but you know, quality analyst who always did good work, who always showed up. I mean, you would think that's the kind of employee you would like to keep. All right, previous podcast, last couple of excuse you called, but obviously they got an amazing amount of attention. That's surprising. It's the first time she had told her story. Thank you very much for your feedback and insight and listening on that much appreciated for Susie Gabe Spitzer, who is the vice president of global live sports and entertainment for Netflix. That was pretty interesting. Just Tim talking about Netflix as sports ambitions. We have obviously done a lot of stuff on Tony Rome's future and broadcasting. We will do more obviously after J.J. Watt and Jim Nance had their first game, the Packers and the Vikings. I wrote about that for the Guardian. If you want to check my piece on that out. If you're into wrestling, MJF, Max Will Jacob Freeman on this podcast, August 27th, talking about how one, the art of doing media essentially is pro wrestler. I always find pro people in pro wrestling fascinating when it comes to media and promotion.

37:48That's why I love having Paul Heyman on. I just think these guys are very, very, and women are very, very interesting when it comes to that. Leave us a review, always helpful and always appreciated. I want to thank my producer James Jackson for all his hard work. Thanks everybody to all to see for their support and most of all, thank you for listening. We'll see you soon on the sports media podcast.