Host Jim Powell is joined by legendary sportscaster Wes Durham, who brings his deep insights from covering the NFL and college football. This episode covers his career, the Falcons' latest game, the differences between college football and the NFL, and the complexities of international NFL games. Durham shares his thoughts on his favorite sports, the relationships formed over his career, and insights into NFL team dynamics. The episode concludes with the popular segment 'Get Off My Lawn,' highlighting fan opinions on the challenges of international NFL games.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [00:40] Special Guest: Wes Durham
• [00:56] Wes Durham on College vs. NFL Football
• [03:58] Rooting for Friends in Sports
• [05:41] Analyzing the Atlanta Falcons
• [07:22] NFL Draft and Quarterback Strategies
• [09:33] Surprising NFL Teams to Watch
• [15:00] - Wes discusses Cincinnati Bengals’ challenges for the upcoming season.
• [17:32] International NFL Games and Field Conditions
• [22:15] - Wes recalls the unforgettable 28-3 Super Bowl story from an insider’s perspective.
• [24:10] Get Off My Lawn segment with a passionate fan submission on NFL international games.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• In the Southeast, college football is more than a sport—it's a family tradition spanning generations.
• Successful teams must know when to let go of top players to keep cap space balanced while nurturing new talent.
• NFL teams live and die by turnovers, and this was evident in the Falcons’ recent performance.
• As the NFL grows globally, ensuring quality playing conditions for players is crucial.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Dallas Wesley "Wes" Durham (born January 25, 1966, in Greensboro, North Carolina) is an American sportscaster. He is a play-by-play announcer for ESPN and ACC Network coverage of college football and basketball. He works telecasts of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) due to his experience broadcasting in the conference.

Durham served as the radio play-by-play announcer for the Georgia Tech football and men's basketball teams from the start of the 1995-1996 season through 2010, and continued to announce the basketball games through 2013.[1] He was also Georgia Tech's Director of Broadcasting

"Fans First," Hall of Fame sportscaster Jim Powell sits down with former MLB catcher Tyler Flowers to discuss the Atlanta Braves' season, the art of pitch framing, and what it takes to make a deep postseason run. Tyler shares insights from his time with the Braves, offers his take on the current MLB season, and delves into his post-retirement life, including his unexpected passion for tennis. Whether you're a die-hard baseball fan or just love a good sports story, this episode has something for everyone.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [00:35] - Introduction of Tyler Flowers and his background with the Atlanta Braves
• [01:45] - Tyler's assessment of the Braves' injury-plagued season and their postseason outlook
• [03:20] - The impact of injuries on the Braves and the resilience of the team
• [04:45] - How pitch framing extended Tyler's career and his thoughts on the future of catching
• [06:50] - Tyler's decision to retire due to back issues and how he's managing his health post-retirement
• [10:15] - Discussion on the National League contenders and the Braves' competition
• [11:00] - Tyler's views on the Philadelphia Phillies and their postseason potential
• [13:15] - The Dodgers' depth and how they might perform in the postseason
• [14:50] - Analysis of the American League, including Tyler's thoughts on the Yankees and Orioles
• [17:00] - Tyler's unexpected passion for tennis and how it became a big part of his life.
• [18:32] Get Off my Lawn with Will Frampton on College Football

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Despite a season full of injuries, the Braves have managed to stay competitive, showcasing the team's depth and resilience.
• Tyler Flowers is known for his pitch framing skills, a technique that extended his career and made him a standout catcher.
• Tyler has found new passions post-retirement, including tennis, which has become an integral part of his life.
• Tyler provides expert analysis on which teams are well-positioned to make a deep run in the upcoming postseason.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Cole Tyler Flowers (born January 24, 1986) is an American former professional baseball catcher. Flowers was drafted by the Braves in the 33rd round of the 2005 MLB draft. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox from 2009, when he made his MLB debut, to 2015 and for the Atlanta Braves from 2016 to 2020.

RESOURCE LINKS

X: https://x.com/Jim_Powell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-powell-38715a5/

Website: Fansfirstpodcast.com

In the inaugural episode of Fans First A Sports Podcast, Hall of Fame sportscaster Jim Powell welcomes legendary college football writer Tony Barnhart, famously known as "Mr. College Football." They discuss Barnhart's illustrious career, the state of college football, including the impact of NIL and the transfer portal, and the challenges faced by coaches. Barnhart also delves into his latest book, The 19 of Green, reflecting on the integration of a small-town Georgia football team.This episode is packed with insights, humor, and deep reflections on the evolving landscape of college football, along with special segments "Flip the Switch" and "Get off my Lawn”.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [00:42] Tony Barnhart’s career overview and how he earned the nickname "Mr. College Football"
• [05:00] The evolution of college football media and Tony's transition from print to TV and podcasting
• [07:00] Discussion on NIL, the transfer portal, and the changing landscape of college football
• [14:00] The impact of these changes on coaches and the sustainability of the current model
• [17:00] Preview of the upcoming college football season, focusing on the Georgia vs. Clemson matchup
• [18:22] Flip the Switch on Tony
• [19:00] Tony talks about his book, The 19 of Green, and the integration of his high school football team
• [19:36] Get off my Lawn with Fan Andrew Gibbons
• [22:13] Closing thoughts: Reflecting on Tony’s career and the future of college football

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Tony Barnhart reflects on how journalists need to adapt to survive in the modern media landscape, highlighting the importance of versatility.
• Barnhart discusses the challenges NIL and the open transfer portal pose to the integrity and stability of college football, especially from the fans' perspective.
• Coaches face increasing pressure to constantly recruit and re-recruit players, leading to discussions about potential contracts and the NFL model for college sports.
• Tony’s latest book offers a personal and historical perspective on the integration of a high school football team in Georgia, emphasizing the societal impacts of sports beyond the field.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Tony Barnhart is a former reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution who currently appears as a college football insider for CBS Sports on their college football coverage.

Barnhart graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia in 1976. He began his career as a reporter for the Greensboro News & Record. He moved to Atlanta in 1984, where he covered mostly ACC action. In July 1987, he started as the college sports editor of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Before going to CBS, he was a reporter for ESPN's