ESPN Daily

It’s one of the most bizarre sports stories ever. In 2012, Manti Te’o had led Notre Dame to an undefeated regular season, was named Defensive Player of the Year, and was the Heisman Trophy runner up...all while supposedly reeling from the death of his girlfriend: Lennay Kekua. A girlfriend who, it turned out...had never existed. Don Van Natta examines the story of Te’o’s catfishing for a new edition of ESPN’s Backstory, “The Tale of Te’o,” and joins the show to share what he learned about how the Te’o hoax unfolded, and why so many of us got fooled. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

That’s a wrap on the NFL’s regular (and yet highly irregular) season! The final playoff berths in each conference have been claimed, with the Washington Football Team taking the hotly contested NFC East crown. In the AFC, Cleveland secured its first trip to the playoffs since 2002, and the Miami Dolphins missed the window in a blowout loss to the Bills. Bill Barnwell looks at who had the most to gain or lose in Week 17, and gives his playoff picture. Then, Pablo pays tribute to the late Gerry Marsden, former anthem singer for Liverpool FC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2020 is over. 2021 is here….and things are already looking up because New Year’s Day brings us the College Football Playoff Semifinals. Will Ohio State avenge last year’s playoff loss to Clemson? Can Notre Dame hang with Alabama’s high powered offense? ESPN’s CFP guru Heather Dinich has the answers. She joins the show as Ryan McGee fills in as host for Pablo Torre. Then Andrea Adelson shares why Sarah Fuller's first kick for Vanderbilt meant so much to her. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s a simple question that athletes have been asked for decades: “Can I have your autograph?” But in the era of selfies and TikToks...athlete autographs aren’t prized like they used to be. And when the pandemic hit, athletes were put even further out of reach from fans, in bubbles and empty arenas. ESPN writer Ryan Hockensmith was an athlete autograph hound as a kid, and decided to embark on a project 14-year-old Bentley Baker and his dad, Andy. Bentley wrote letters to players and coaches across basketball, sent them to the bubble, and eagerly awaited responses. Hear the story of who wrote back. Then, Pablo shares what he’s most looking forward to in the world of sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Tyler, Texas, a high school runner named Trude Lamb decided she could no longer race for her team wearing the name of a losing Confederate general: Robert E. Lee. The admittedly shy young woman spoke out to change her school’s name. Her words gained national attention, along with harmful comments and threats. In a year marked by social justice activism from athletes, hear one teenager’s story of fighting for change, and what it took to win. Then, ESPN's Holly Rowe reflects on a historic year of action on and off the court for the WNBA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In August 2020, a rookie year baseball card for Angels superstar Mike Trout sold for nearly $4 million. The modern-day card broke a record previously set by a much older rare Honus Wagner card of the early 1900s. And the eye-popping price could be surpassed again soon. Trading cards have transformed into investments, fueled by a mysterious rating system and eccentric power brokers. Dan Hajducky tells us strange stories from the world of sports cards. Then Mike Greenberg shares his thoughts on why the return of baseball meant so much in 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Buffalo Bills are headed to the playoffs having won their first AFC East title in 25 years. The not-so-secret ingredient to Buffalo’s success in 2020? Receiver Stefon Diggs. After leaving Minnesota on a down note Diggs has found a home In Orchard Park - and clicked especially well with Josh Allen, the Bills young QB. Sam Borden profiled Diggs for ESPN Cover Story, and joins the show to tell us about Diggs’ success in Buffalo, love for Bills Mafia and search for a favorite chicken wings spot. Then, Mina Kimes pays tribute to Patrick Mahomes, and his impact on sports and beyond in 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s one of the most infamous fan stories in sports history: when Eagles fans booed Santa at halftime of a 1968 game played at Franklin Field. But who was the Santa in question - and why was he booed and pelted with snowballs? Outside the Lines’ Jeremy Schaap joins Mina Kimes to reflect on the enduring legacy of the Philadelphia Santa. (This delightful holiday podcast first ran in December 2019.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In February, Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif was hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after his team won Super Bowl LIV...and then, everything changed. With the world coming to a standstill as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Duvernay-Tardif, the only player in the NFL today with a medical degree, immediately took action and began working at a long-term healthcare facility in his native Quebec. In July, Duvernay-Tardif became the first NFL player to opt out of the 2020-21 regular season to continue his efforts on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19. Canada's TSN feature producer Matt Dorman has covered Duvernay-Tardif’s singular journey up-close, and shares his remarkable story. Then, ESPN Senior Writer Allison Glock reflects on how walking, running and hiking have helped many through the pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tompa Bay. Danny Dimes. The Process. You’ve heard these names and phrases. But do you know think of them as a business? ESPN’s Ryan Hockensmith takes us into the strange world of athletes and the trademarks they seek, as they try to turn viral moments and images into income. Hear why trademark applications are booming, how they work, and the "all-time" trademark story of 2020 (hint: Lou Williams plus chicken wings). Then, Stephen A. Smith ponders Lebron James’s tumultuous and triumphant 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices