Ex-NFL Star Donovan McNabb Talks the Big Business of Thanksgiving Football
Nov 23, 2023
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Former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb joins Neal and Kyle to discuss the significance of Thanksgiving football, his Campbell's Chunky Soup brand deal, players building their own brands with podcasts, and the potential international expansion of the NFL.
Thanksgiving football brings families together to enjoy traditional dishes and celebrate the joyous occasion.
Athletes creating their own podcasts allows for open discussions on sensitive topics and unrestricted conversations.
The iconic Campbell Chunky Soup ads featuring Donovan McNabb and his mom came about from her desire to be involved.
Donovan McNabb expresses skepticism about the NFL's international expansion and emphasizes the need to balance player safety with game integrity.
Deep dives
Thanksgiving traditions and the importance of family
Donovan McNabb shares his Thanksgiving family traditions, including the must-have dishes like turkey, dressing, candy yams, and macaroni and cheese. He also highlights the importance of family coming together and the joy of celebrating his birthday during the holiday. McNabb reminisces about his only Thanksgiving day game, reflecting on the fun and excitement of playing football on this special day.
The rise of athlete-hosted podcasts
McNabb discusses the growing trend of athletes creating their own media brands through podcasts. He shares his own podcast called 'The 5 Spot' and expresses the benefits of having a platform to discuss various topics and share his unfiltered opinions. McNabb appreciates the freedom to talk about sensitive issues and engage in conversations that would be limited in traditional media outlets.
The iconic Campbell Chunky Soup ads
McNabb reveals the story behind the iconic Campbell Chunky Soup ads featuring him and his mom. He explains how his mom got involved in the commercials after expressing her desire to take on the role herself. McNabb highlights the positive response to the ads and playfully suggests a future collaboration between his family and the Kelsey brothers in a throwback campaign.
The changes and challenges in the NFL
McNabb shares his insights on various topics concerning the NFL. He discusses the ongoing debate about turf versus grass fields and the potential risks of injury on artificial turf. McNabb also shares his thoughts on the NFL's international expansion, expressing skepticism about placing a team in London due to logistical challenges. He concludes by addressing the changes in the NFL's game rules, emphasizing the importance of balancing player safety with maintaining the integrity of the sport.
Leadership lessons from being a quarterback
McNabb reflects on the challenges of leadership as a quarterback and highlights the importance of understanding and adapting to different personalities in the locker room. He shares his approach of leading by example rather than being a vocal, rah-rah type of leader. McNabb emphasizes the impact of his actions and work ethic on motivating and uniting the team.
The future of college football
McNabb weighs in on the evolving landscape of college football with the rise of mega-conferences, endorsement deals for athletes, and controversies surrounding coaches and scandals. He predicts a continued shift towards a semi-pro model with the introduction of sponsorship opportunities for college athletes. McNabb also highlights the potential impact on non-revenue sports and the challenges of finding a sustainable balance in the college football system.
Superstitions and fun facts
In a lighthearted segment, McNabb participates in a trivia game about his own career. He successfully recalls memorable events such as his longest touchdown pass in college, his high-scoring game in basketball against Georgetown, and his personal records in the NFL. McNabb also discusses superstitions he had during his career, such as hitting a specific pothole before games and observing a consistent pregame meal routine.
Final thoughts and Super Bowl prediction
To wrap up the podcast, McNabb shares his prediction for the Super Bowl matchup, projecting a showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Baltimore Ravens, with the Eagles emerging as the champions. He concludes with lighthearted banter about Thanksgiving recipes and the importance of properly cooking a turkey.
Episode 198: Former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb joins Neal and Kyle to discuss why Thanksgiving is such a significant day for football. Donovan reflects on what it was like to play on the holiday as well as his iconic Campbell's Chunky Soup brand deal featuring his mom. Watch out Kelces! He also shares his thoughts on current players building out their own brands with podcasts, and what the international expansion of the National Football League could look like. And how well does he know his own stats? Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
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