ESPN Daily

Many people forget that Joe “Brrr” Burrow started off as a fourth string quarterback at Ohio State before transferring to Baton Rouge to join the LSU tigers.Despite being underestimated at first, Burrow quickly showed that his grind and passion for the game would propel him to the top.So today, with the Bengals headlining Monday Night Football against the Commanders, our own Ryan Hockensmith shares his exclusive interview with Joe Burrow and breaks down the journey it took to become the star quarterback we know him as today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It seemed easy to write off the Indiana Fever’s 2024 season as a rebuilding year at the end of May. They had won just one of their first nine games, and looked like they were trying to figure out how to even play together.But since the calendar flipped to June, the Fever have found their footing, and a spot in the WNBA playoffs.ESPN women’s basketball reporter, Alexa Philippou explains how Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and the rest of the team found their identity, and forged a path into the postseason.Then takes us through some of the biggest storylines we should be watching, as the playoffs begin on Sunday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Aaron Rodgers was injured four snaps into his tenure as the new quarterback of the Jets, he not only missed, virtually, the entire 2023 season, but cost the team up to $22 million dollars in lost production. A fate the Jets could have mitigated by taking out an insurance policy on Rodgers.Rodgers' situation is one that stands out amid a trend of teams buying insurance policies on star players around the NFL. The practice — which is becoming more popular as the sums of guaranteed money in players’ contracts increases — can soothe the bite of losing a player to injury, while also creating cap space for strategic front offices.Today, Senior ESPN reporter Kayln Kahler breaks down how these policies actually work, and explains why some teams have bought into the trend, while others opt out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Spirit In Motion” is the current motto of the International Paralympic Committee. It represents the inspiring essence of what these athletes are all about.But what happens when someone decides to defile this spirit of competition with a scheme so shameful that you wouldn’t believe it if it wasn’t true? And just who would be behind such a morally bankrupt plot in a pursuit of false glory?Today, Suemay Oram, the director of the 30 for 30 Film, “Stolen Gold” answers these questions and tells us the story of the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney and how one team from Spain made their mark for all the wrong reasons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The loss of three professional sports teams in five years has thrust Oakland into the media spotlight, with coverage focusing on every twist, turn, stadium proposal, and relocation rumor. But amid all that noise, a central experience has been overshadowed: the story of the fans.In part three of our series, Death of a Sports Town, we turn our attention to the diehard Oakland sports fans who refuse to let their city’s reputation define them. We explore the thriving, tight-knit community that grew within the walls of the Coliseum and how, even as the teams leave, those bonds strive to endure in the face of an uncertain future.Our five-part series ‘Death of a Sports Town’ publishes every Tuesday in the ESPN Daily show feed.Death of a Sports Town Episodes:Apple Podcasts: Part 1 & Part 2Spotify: All episodesStatement from the Athletics:ESPN emailed the Oakland Athletics, asking “What does the team feel it owes its fans and the city of Oakland as September 26th approaches?” The team responded with the following statement: “We are deeply grateful to Oakland for being home to the A’s for nearly 60 years. In that span, the team and its fans celebrated four World Series championships, served as home to seven American League MVPs, made countless lasting memories, and achieved a storied place in baseball history. After an earnest and unprecedented effort to bring a visionary ballpark to downtown Oakland, we were unable to reach a deal, and more importantly, secure a reliable path to a fully approved project. We appreciate the community members, local leaders and staff who worked diligently to build a new home in Oakland and applaud the fans who passionately advocated for the team to stay. The A’s time in Oakland will always be a cherished part of this franchise’s history, and we carry that spirit forward on this journey to Sacramento and eventually to our new home in Las Vegas. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the loyal fans for their unwavering support throughout the years.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The best word to describe week two of the NFL season is upsets.The Cowboys, Ravens, and Lions all dropped games to “inferior” opponents at home, and the 49ers got beat by the Vikings, and their old pal Sam Darnold in the land of ten thousand lakes.So today, ESPN NFL Analyst Ben Solak joins us for NFL Monday to break down what happened on Sunday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s only week two of NFL football season, but already people have a lot to say about who’s a bust and which teams won’t be making it to the playoffs.So today we ask ourselves, is there something to these proclamations, or are they simply overreactions? This is Football host Kevin Clark has a good head on his shoulders, so we brought him on to dispel some of this armchair analysis and reorient our thinking about: rookies like Caleb Williams, Bo Nix and Marvin Harrison, Jr., faltering starters like Kirk Cousins and Deshaun Watson, and whose NFL return we’re more likely to see: Tom Brady or Bill Belichick. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the 1980s SMU football looked to be almost inevitable. With a No. 2 ranking and a constant stream of top recruits, like Eric Dickerson and Craig James, they looked to be headed to a national title of their own.But they also had something else, a well-documented payroll for their players.This resulted in the NCAA’s so-called “death penalty” ruling for the program and sent SMU down a 40-year path of obscurity. But now, with the NIL era in full swing and armed with a stable of billionaire boosters, SMU football is jumping headfirst into a new conference with thoughts of the college football playoff on their mind.Dave Wilson joins us from Texas to break down the Mustang’s path from NCAA pariah to modern-day redemption. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Patriots owner Robert Kraft has a resume anyone in the sports world would envy.Six world championships, an $11 billion empire, and an era of team success that will go down in NFL history.But there’s one thing that has eluded him – entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While he’s contributed more to the NFL than most, he has no bust in Canton, but that is not for lack of trying.Today, Don Van Natta Jr., breaks down the exhaustive, and to date failed campaign to get Kraft his gold jacket. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Any time a franchise owner threatens to leave a city, the pressure and scrutiny on civic leaders intensifies. But in Oakland, a parallel story emerged—a group of activist fans who refused to let the Athletics go quietly.In the second part of our series, Death of a Sports Town, we examine the three men who led the Warriors, Raiders, and Athletics away from “the Town,” the reasons behind their decisions, and the intimate story of one fan who launched a movement to fight back.Our five-part series ‘Death of a Sports Town’ publishes every Tuesday in the ESPN Daily show feed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices