Crunching Tackles

In a gripping discussion, Chad and John delve into the intricate web of war, politics, and sports in Iran, shedding light on how recent conflicts have reshaped the landscape for athletes and sporting events. This conversation uncovers the powerful role of sports as a stage for protest, the persistent challenges faced by women in Iran, and the ethical quandaries confronting international sporting o...

In this episode, Chad Wylie and John Nekrasov discuss the highlights and controversies of the Winter Olympics. They delve into the excitement of competition, the curling cheating scandal, and the absurdity of doping in ski jumping. In this conversation, John Nekrasov and Chad Wylie discuss the impact of Russia's absence from the Olympics, the challenges faced by athletes like Lindsey Vonn, and the...

In this episode of Crunching Tackles, hosts Chad Wylie and John Nekrasov dissect Super Bowl 60, focusing on the Seahawks' impressive performance and Drake Maye's struggles as a young quarterback. They discuss the halftime show, the cultural significance of the event, and the disappointing quality of commercials this year. The conversation wraps up with predictions for next year's Super Bowl and re...

In this episode of Crunching Tackles, hosts Chad Wylie and John Nekrasov dive into a variety of pressing sports issues, including the upcoming Super Bowl, Carlos Alcaraz’s latest history-making performance, and the shocking news surrounding Bill Belichick's Hall of Fame denial. They also discuss the implications of the Epstein files on the NFL, the controversy surrounding Shedeur Sanders' Pro Bowl...

On today's show, Chad Wylie and John Nekrasov discuss the dramatic and controversial final in the African Cup of Nations. They also discuss the latest gambling investigation, this one involving almost 40 college basketball players. The big story today is all about head coaching changes in the NFL. Why have their been so many, and is this trend going to continue? Also, we are finally on YouTube! If...

Chad and John look back on the year in film, giving their top 5 movies of 2025, along with some coverage of Stranger Things and the upcoming NFL Playoffs. 0:30 - Chad reflects on the Steelers amazing regular season finale and we look ahead to the NFL Playoffs 16:20 - A brief aside on Manchester United and the state of the club after another manager is fired. 27:00 - We review Stranger Things seaso...

Chad and John reflect on the first quarter of the 21st century, as they rank five athletes who have had the biggest cultural impact of the past 25 years. 2:40 - Chad recounts his freezing and fun time at the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship game 7:25 - Philip Rivers comeback and a NFL update 19:30 - Top Five Athletes of the Century: Number 5 39:30 - Number 4 43:30 - Number 3 1:01:30 - Number 2 1:14:...

Chad and John look back on 2025 and identify our top 5 sports stories of the year. They also unveil their theme for the year, award the sports "Man of the Year" and commemorate the first ever "Benedict Arnold" designation on the podcast! As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

We are now just months away from the 2026 World Cup, and there is a lot to catch up on. From teams who have qualified, to the status of the USMNT, to the never-ending political circus circling this event, John and Chad are here to make sense of it all. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

ESPN has not just been reporting the news lately, they have been the news—and not in good ways. On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 3:00 - We briefly recap a wildly entertaining World Series and that instantly classic Game 7. 7:30 - The betting scandal we covered last episode has now come to MLB. We react to the news of two Cleveland Guardian pitchers who are facing significant jail time if co...

NBA Hall of Famer and current head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and LeBron James insider Damon Jones were all arrested by the FBI on serious gambling charges, involving improper betting, high-stakes poker, and the Italian mafia. Do they matter culturally? On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 7:30 - After Chad's solo podcast about Formula 1 and Apple TV, we briefly revi...

In this special, emergency episode of Crunching Tackles, Chad reacts to the breaking news about Formula One's broadcast rights going to Apple TV. What does this shift mean for the sport, and the larger streaming sports landscape? We will be back with a regularly scheduled podcast later. John is enjoying a wonderful honeymoon in Ireland with his new bride, and the Crunching Tackles family sends the...

This week, Ousmane Dembélé won the Ballon D'or—the award for the best men's soccer player. This choice was surprising, and underwhelming, and led us to a conversation about the importance of individual awards. Are they measured correctly? Do they matter culturally? On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 25:00 - A quick update on the Pablo Torre investigation into Steve Ballmer and the Los Angeles...

A bombshell investigation by Pablo Torre alleges that Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through a shadow company to Kawhi Leonard to compensate him above the salary cap. If true, this is one of the most shocking frauds in NBA history. On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 10:00 - U.S. Open recap and the amazing rivalry of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz that is not slowing...

The NFL and ESPN have announced a merger that gives ESPN control of NFL Media and gives the NFL an ownership stake in ESPN. This arrangement comes with huge conflicts of interest and moral implications. On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 5:45 - Chad recaps his recent trip, including some amazing sporting experiences that he brings back to the pod. 19:00 - Cadillac Formula 1 team have announce...

Pablo Torre has unearthed a shocking scandal taking place with the NFL and the NFL Player's Association in recent weeks. This scandal has caused major embarrassment for the league, and has led to the resignation of several prominent player's union executives. On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 1:00 - We discuss how Nikola Jokic has finally found a sport he cares about 9:00 - We react to the h...

One of the biggest summer blockbusters is also a fascinating artifact of sports and culture. In other words, all our various passions and interests collide in this high octane episode! On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 3:40 - Wimbledon 2025 Recap 25:50 - Club World Cup Final and President Trump's viral moment 37:50 - F1 The Movie Review and Cultural Analysis As always, make sure to share thi...

A recent study examined the cost of being a sports fan to the American consumer, and the results are shocking! On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 4:20 - How the Club World Cup is going this summer. 13:20 - A strange confrontation between ICE and the Los Angeles Dodgers. 18:30 - The Senegal Women's Basketball team being denied entry to the US for their summer camp. 25:00 - The increasing cost...

A fog of uncertainty surrounds America as we host two major international tournaments this summer. The Club World Cup and the Gold Cup are intense dress rehearsals for the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. The question is: are we ready? On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 5:30 - The 2025 French Open. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner put on a performance for the ages, while Aryna Sabalenka...

For decades, Bill Belichick built his brand on stoicism, silence, and excellence. In recent years, his relationship with Jordan Hudson has seemingly changed his entire persona. On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 2:00 - The New York Knicks and their super fan Timothee Chalamet 7:00 - John Haliburton being banned and subsequently reinstated by the NBA following his altercation with Giannis 13:3...

The pope is American, he's a certified baseball fan, and the Catholic Church has a detailed and rich theology of sports that we want to talk about! On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 4:00 - NBA Draft Lottery and Playoff check-in. 11:15 - Barcelona and Inter Milan played one of the greatest soccer ties of all time. 16:05 - Major League Baseball unbanned Pete Rose, Joe Jackson, and others. Why...

In one of the most anticipated and widely covered NFL Drafts, Shedeur Sanders slid all the way to the fifth round. This prompted a flurry of broadcast and social media reactions. On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 8:15 - Liverpool win the Premier League and is Mohamed Salah the best player in the world right now? 24:00 - The NBA Playoffs are underway and the Lakers are in serious trouble. Why...

In the most dramatic Masters in recent memory, Rory McIlroy exorcized his demons, and wrote his name in the history books. On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 0:30 - Arsenal's convincing win over Real Madrid in the Champions League Quarterfinals. Where does John's club sit now in the hierarchy of European soccer? 14:20 - The NCAA Basketball National Championship. All four 1-seeds advanced to t...

The first two rounds of the 2025 NCAA tournament featured some amazing basketball, but few upsets and even less drama. What is the state of the tournament given the recent changes to the transfer portal and NIL? On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 4:00 - We briefly fill out the list of Stephen A. Smith's potential cabinet secretaries. 13:30 - We recap the disastrous weekend for the U.S. Men's...

Television and sports personality Stephen A. Smith has been venturing into a new media space: politics. Now, he's one of the most talked about potential candidates for the Democratic nominee for president. On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 2:30 - We recap the 2025 Oscars, talking about the success of the show, the biggest winners and losers, and the general state of movies in culture right n...