The Lead

A few weeks ago, Trevor Lawrence had been all but written off as a Heisman Trophy candidate. But after his impressive performance against #2 ranked Notre Dame on Saturday, the Clemson star might now be back in the running. The Athletic's Grace Raynor joins us to discuss Lawrence’s roller coaster of a 2020 season, what comes next for him and the Tigers, and why the star QB deserves real consideration for college football's top individual honor.More from Grace Raynor:https://theathletic.com/author/grace-raynor/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stanford’s Tara VanDerveer became the all-time winningest head coach in women’s college basketball history this week. The Athletic’s Zac Boyer joins us to discuss what makes the 67-year-old coach so special (according to those who have played for her), how good this year's top-ranked Cardinal team really is, and why Vanderveer’s legacy extends well beyond the basketball court. (Note: A popular Baha Men song from circa 2000 may or may not also be discussed.)Read Zac Boyer's story about Teresa VanDerveer:https://theathletic.com/2256172/2020/12/15/tara-vanderveer-stanford-wins-record-womens-basketball/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The New Orleans Pelicans made a lot of changes this offseason, trading away point guard Jrue Holiday, bringing in Stan Van Gundy as head coach and picking up center Steven Adams from Oklahoma City. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Will Guillory to look at how Adams’s toughness can make life easier for Zion Williamson, and to discuss the larger-than-life personality and unforgettable stories that the big man brings to New Orleans (including one decision that would make many sneakerheads cringe). Read all of Will Guillory’s stories about Steven Adams: https://theathletic.com/2246775/2020/12/08/steven-adams-pelicans-center-personality/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tottenham takes on Liverpool today in a matchup of the top two teams in the Premier League. For Spurs coach Jose Mourinho, this season's success has been a welcome return to the spotlight, after several years of failure (and falling outs) at Manchester United and Chelsea. The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke joins us to talk about Mourinho's remarkable coaching journey, why he and Tottenham are now clicking, and what continued success will mean for his reputation -- and the sport.More from Jack Pitt-Brooke:https://theathletic.com/author/jack-pitt-brooke/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This past weekend, the Green Bay Packers clinched the NFC North title, and their dominant offense came up big in the red zone once again. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman to look at why Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams and many other Packers players draw motivation from the movie Austin Powers in Goldmember, and just how far this team’s high-powered offense could take them. Read Matt Schneidman’s story about the Austin Powers-Green Bay Packers connection: https://theathletic.com/2232543/2020/12/03/how-an-austin-powers-character-inspired-the-packers-red-zone-offense/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When the NBA season tips off next week, the Washington Wizards will have a very different look -- with new franchise point guard Russell Westbrook. The Athletic’s Fred Katz, who has gotten to know Westbrook well over the years, joins us to talk about how the former MVP landed in D.C., what he brings to the team, and why he's likely to flourish under Wizards head coach Scott Brooks.More from Fred Katz:https://theathletic.com/2249306/2020/12/09/russell-westbrook-scott-brooks-reunion/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Skyler Badillo, a former athletic training intern with New York City FC, wrote a series of social media posts this summer about harassment from -- and frequent touching by -- the team’s former superstar striker, David Villa. She also wrote that her bosses at the time thought it was “great comedic material.” Last month, she opened up further about her experience to The Athletic’s Pablo Maurer. Today, we’re joined by both Pablo and Skyler to talk about what Skyler says happened to her at NYCFC, how it impacted her, and the response she has received since speaking out publicly.Read Pablo Maurer's story about Skyler Badillo, David Villa, and NYCFC:https://theathletic.com/2213536/2020/11/23/david-villa-nycfc-alleged-harassment/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Last week, Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns spoke with a group of reporters for the first time since his mother passed away due to complications from Covid-19 in April. Towns revealed during that interview that he has lost even more loved ones since then. Today, The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski on the 25-year-old’s painful journey, and the role that his coach, Ryan Saunders, and teammate, Ricky Rubio, could play as he tries to move forward. Read Jon Krawczynski’s story about Karl-Anthony Towns: https://theathletic.com/2240589/2020/12/05/karl-anthony-towns-timberwolves-covid/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One of the unheralded keys to the New Orleans Saints' recent success is defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn. The Athletic’s Dan Pompei recently interviewed Glenn and his former coach (and long-time mentor) Bill Parcells, and joins us to explain why the legendary coach sees something special -- including NFL head coach material -- in Glenn.Read Dan Pompei's profile of Aaron Glenn:https://theathletic.com/2229281/2020/12/01/saints-aaron-glenn-nfl-coaching-candidate/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Forty years ago today, the world was rocked by the news of John Lennon's tragic killing in New York. Through a roundabout series of events, the person to break the news to the country was legendary sports announcer Howard Cosell, who was broadcasting live from the studio of Monday Night Football. The Athletic’s Rustin Dodd joins us to remember that historic day, to explain how Cosell became the one to break such a big story, and to reflect on the unlikely friendship between these two countercultural icons.Read Rustin Dodd's story about John Lennon and Howard Cosell:https://theathletic.com/author/rustin-dodd/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.