Fandom Challenges in a Pandemic

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Kevin Clark to discuss an unprecedented NFL season, the NFL draft, college coaches potentially signing on as consultants, the possibility of regular-season games during the week, a fundamental change to “home-field advantage,” and more (3:05). Then Bill is joined by actor and cannabis farmer Jim Belushi to discuss his new show on Discovery Channel, ‘Growing Belushi,’ as well as Last Prisoner Project, a nonprofit that works to secure the release of nonviolent offenders currently serving time for possession of cannabis. They also discuss tortured Chicago sports fandom in the 1970s; Jim’s career as an actor on projects like 'SNL,' ‘About Last Night,’ and ‘According to Jim’; Jim's brother, John Belushi; ‘The Blues Brothers'; and forming friendships with John Candy, Dan Aykroyd, Steve Martin, and more (38:40). Finally Bill talks with his dad about the state of Boston sports; the Patriots' new QB, Cam Newton; a subpar start to the Red Sox season; and a hopeful outlook for the Celtics as they head into the NBA playoffs (1:24:08).

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