The Bill Simmons Podcast So Long, Rodgers, Plus a Football History Deep Dive With Cousin Sal and Chuck Klosterman
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Jan 13, 2026 
Cousin Sal, a sports commentator and gambling expert, teams up with Chuck Klosterman, an author renowned for his insights on culture, to delve into the fascinating realm of football. They dissect the Texans' surprise victory over the Steelers and speculate on Aaron Rodgers' future. Klosterman shares insights from his book on football's cultural significance and its possible decline in prominence. Their engaging discussion covers everything from the sport's relationship with television to defining greatness in players like Moss and Rice.
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Football's Cultural Dominance Is Not Permanent
- Football's current dominance won't automatically persist for 50 years; cultural and technological shifts can erode its centrality.
- Future generations will reinterpret football's meaning the way we reinterpret Roman gladiators or jazz.
Football Was Made For Television
- Football accidentally fit television's strengths and became the medium's perfect sport.
- That enforced marriage to TV is the main reason football eclipsed other sports in U.S. viewership.
Design Broadcasts To Make Viewers Participants
- Use broadcast innovations (score bug, instant replay) to make viewers feel participatory in the game.
- These TV-driven features deepen engagement and expand football's appeal on screens.
