Cleats Off

In this episode of Cleats Off, Liz Bhandari speaks to Melissa Jacobs, Founder and Managing Editor of TheFootballGirl.com. She is also the host of The Football Girl podcast which celebrates all the women who know and love football. Melissa is known for speaking with the most prominent female voices from all avenues of the NFL and shares a weekly musing on the intersection of football, society and f...

In this episode of Cleats Off, Liz Bhandari speaks to Christian Scotland-Williamson, former rugby union star and now tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Christian signed for the Steelers practice squad through the NFL’s International Player Pathway programme in May 2018. With experience under his belt, he now fights for a spot on the roster. Liz and Christian discuss: •How his mindset has chang...

In this episode of Cleats Off, Liz Bhandari speaks to Osi Umenyiora, former defensive end with the New York Giants, and two time Super Bowl winner. Nowadays he is an ambassador for NFLUK where he brings his knowledge, experience and energy to the BBC’s NFL highlights show alongside Jason Bell and Mark Chapman. Liz and Osi discuss… - His story of discovering American Football - The journey from col...

In this episode of Cleats Off, Liz Bhandari speaks to Lori Locust, Assistant Defensive Line Coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Lo has over 14 years experience in coaching, and prior to joining the Bucs, was the assistant defensive line coach for Alliance of American Football team, Birmingham Iron. Liz and Lo discuss… - Lo’s coaching experience - Reuniting with Coach Bruce Arians - A typical day o...

In the latest episode of ‘NFLGirlUK meets…’ Liz Bhandari aka NFLGirlUK is joined by Chris Wesseling, writer and co-host of the much loved Around the NFL podcast where Chris provides non-stop analysis and opinions on all things American football. Chris shares some thoughts around the history of the NFL, what it is like working with Gregg Rosenthal, Dan Hanzus and Marc Sessler from the show. He take...

In the latest episode of 'NFLGirlUK meets…’, Liz Bhandari aka NFLGirlUK is joined by Brandon London, former wide receiver and both Super Bowl and Grey Cup champion. Brandon shares what it was like being an NFL player and part of the New York Giants, the differences when he joined CFL team Montreal Alouettes, plus setting the foundations for when his playing days were over.

In this episode of ‘NFLGirlUK meets…’, Liz Bhandari aka NFLGirlUK speaks with Henry Hodgson, Vice President of International Marketing & Fan Development at the NFL. Henry shares the story of his career within the league, the growth of sport here in the UK, plus his thoughts on what’s needed for a UK franchise. // About the show // NFLGirlUK meets … the show that brings you closer to the game you l...

In the latest episode of ‘NFLGirlUK meets…’ Liz Bhandari aka NFLGirlUK speaks to Jennifer King, the NFL’s first Black Female in a full-year coaching role. This will be Jennifer’s first year as a coaching intern for the Washington Redskins, where she will be working closely with the offensive staff, and specifically assisting Randy Jordan with the Running Backs. In our interview Jennifer shares wha...

In this episode of NFLGirlUK meets, Liz Bhandari speaks with Laura Okmin, sideline reporter for NFL on FOX, and founder of GALvanize where Laura trains and mentors women entering the sports world. In the interview, Laura shares how her career came to be, how fulfilling it is to run her own production company, supporting fellow women in sports reporting, as well as giving top tips to anyone conside...

In this episode of ‘NFLGirlUK meets…’ Liz Bhandari speaks with the inspirational Connie Carberg, the NFL’s first female scout. Connie became the first female scout in NFL history in 1976, under Mike Holovak, where some of the best drafts in New York Jets history happened with her help. Connie shares how she grew up with the Jets, what it was like to be the first female scout, as well as the highs...

In the latest episode of NFLGirlUK meets, Liz Bhandari speaks with Matt Harmon, Fantasy Football analyst for Yahoo Sports. Matt shares how his career came to be, his Super Bowl season, life working for Yahoo alongside Liz Loza, and his methodology which evaluates wide receivers called Reception Perception.

In the latest episode of NFLGirlUK meets, Liz Bhandari speaks with Charles Dagnall, Test Match Special commentator, former quarterback, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan. Charles shares how he came to love the NFL, the standard of quarterbacks today, and the differences between commenting on NFL and Cricket. Plus, he tells us all about his upcoming charity concert.

In the latest episode of NFLGirlUK meets, Liz Bhandari speaks with Ross Tucker, former offensive lineman and current sports broadcaster. He played seven seasons in the NFL and retired after suffering a neck injury in 2007. Ross shares what it was like at the teams he played for as well as playing alongside likely-future Hall of Famer Jason Peters, how it was dealing with retirement, what the casua...

In the latest #NFLGirlUKmeets, Liz Bhandari speaks with Jeff Reinebold, an analyst for Sky Sports NFL and special teams coordinator for Canadian Football League team, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Jeff shares how his career started out, the transition from player to coach and stories from his time as a coach so far. They also discuss the international talent coming through in the CFL, his opinion on th...

In this episode of NFLGirlUK meets, Liz Bhandari speaks with Dean Blandino, Head of Officiating for the XFL and former Vice President of Officiating for the NFL. Dean shares how his career started out, the scrutiny that referees and officials are under today, the Her Turf documentary series, and all about his new brand new role in the XFL.

In this episode, Liz Bhandari speaks with Neil Reynolds who is the presenter for NFL on Sky Sports. Neil has covered the NFL as a journalist and broadcaster since 1991 and writes for a variety of publications and websites. He is also the host of the ‘Inside the Huddle’ podcast, and the NFL UK Live events. In the interview, Neil shares with me how his career started, the individuals who’ve made an...

In the latest episode of ‘NFLGirlUK meets…’ Liz Bhandari speaks with Allison Engelken, Executive Director of Community Development at the Denver Broncos. Allie shares how she came to be in a community role within an NFL organisation, the type of activity the team is involved in and the impact this has on the community.

In the latest episode of 'NFLGirlUK meets...', Liz Bhandari speaks with Chris Milner, who is one half of the National Vintage League, a 90s-era sports store dealing in authentic jerseys and apparel from the NFL and NCAA. National Vintage League was first launched by Hugh Coles in 2017, and it’s incredible to see how it’s grown to where it is today. Chris shares their journey so far, where you can...

In the latest episode of ‘NFLGirlUK meets…’ Liz Bhandari speaks with Stephanie Pemberton who is the Vice President of Marketing at the Indianapolis Colts. Not only is Stephanie a career woman but she is a wife and mother too. Stephanie shares aspects of her role, including her career so far, the biggest misconceptions of working in professional sports, and how she manages work life balance.

In the latest episode of 'NFLGirlUK meets...', Liz Bhandari speaks to Jacob Blangsted-Barnor from Leeds (UK). Jacob is the Guinness World Record holder for the fastest time to watch a complete match at all 31 National Football League stadiums in 84 days, 3 hours and 24 minutes. Jacob shares the story behind what inspired him to make the trip, and the amazing people he met along the way.

In the debut episode of ‘NFLGirlUK meets’, Liz Bhandari has the pleasure of meeting Cameron Sutton, Cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cameron and Liz discuss the transition from college to football, what the draft day experience is like, as well as life outside of the football pitch.